*POV Xerazon*
It seems as though I have awoken.
Strangely though, I can feel two presences next to me.
Oh, looks like now there is only one. I wonder what happened.
Anyway, I guess it's about time to stretch my legs out. Who knows how long I've been asleep?
I stand up, and open my eyes, only to see a human on the floor of my den, staring at me. There is a corpse of another next to him. That must be the other presence I felt earlier.
"I-... it.. can't.. be..." (???)
He's stricken with fear... I can't blame him much though. I've been asleep for a long time, so there is the chance that there are only legends about me. I'm a bit glad that he knows who I am though. I guess in his case though, it would be a matter of 'what'.
"Xerazon?" (???)
*thump*
Looks as though he's collapsed and died right there. I wonder why... oh.
Xerazon pulls in his pressure, leaving the area like normal.
That is... embarrassing. I ruined my chance at learning a bit about this new era. I guess I would have to leave this place one way or another, so I suppose I didn't lose out on too much information.
I should probably turn into my human form to exit. Exiting as a giant dragon the size of a castle wouldn't be too welcoming now would it?
Xerazon suddenly shrinks, his wings disappear and he is now a tall man with a decent muscle mass. Not too much, but it's also visible. His age seems to be around 25 based off appearances alone. He has pitch black hair and eyes with a purple glow. He has gone from a 100 meter height to a little over 1 and a half meters (5.11 ft).
Better. The humans shouldn't recognize me since it's been so long considering my surroundings. The den sure has aged. It's no longer a bright gray of fresh stone, but now a dark gray/black color. This change may be due to the lessening in magic since I went into hibernation alongside age.
Nonetheless, I should probably get out of here. Not before I take the cloths off of one of these unfortunate men.
Xerazon first walks up to the man that was dead when he first opened his eyes, but after smelling a horrible sweat of excrement, he tries his luck with the other fellow.
After stripping the man clean, he is satisfied with his appearance and takes the man's belt. The sword will also make him seem more regular for lack of a better word. He disregards the pick and makes his way out of the cave with a single jump.
He reaches the ledge the men fell on first in an instant without any effort.
I'm glad I can control my strength just like I could before the hibernation. I wouldn't want to accidentally blow up a town.
He hops up into the entrance and makes his way out.
As Xerazon leaves, he sees two men clothed in robes walk to him. These robes are to his liking as he isn't much of a warrior type.
The two men become weary and wryly conjure up a question to the strange looking man.
"Wh- Who are you? Where are Ron and Jerry?" (Unknown Mage #1)
"He's wearing Ron's clothing... Something is wrong. They were two rank S adventurers." (Unknown Mage #2)
"Hmm, something is indeed wrong as you have guessed. I woke up only to find out both were dead. I ended up having to take their clothes and walk out of here, but I like the look of yours better I must say."
Stolen novel; please report.
"What do you mean you just found them dead?!" (Unknown Mage #1)
"I think he plans on robbing us, take a stance. [Greater Fire Pillar]!" (Unknown Mage #2)
"[Thorn Trap]!" (Unknown Mage #1)
Both mages shoot out spells to kill the man that has hostile intentions.
Xerazon looks at them, easily telling that the first mage seems to be the master.
[Thorn Trap], huh? That sounds new to me. At least humanity has strode off their path of repetition and might have some new and fun things to offer. Still, with magic like this it won't even glance me. A bunch of thorns coming from the ground as just small sprouts taking days to grow. Much too slow.
Xerazon easily appears behind the two as their spells slowly flow to his initial location. He's able to perceive the spells as if they were slowed by 10x the normal amount. This is of course due to his level.
Before the mages could even see him disappear, they are instantly killed with a quick chop to the back of their necks, breaking their spines instantly. His speed was much too fast for their brains to cope with.
"Thank you Mr. Magicians. I'll be taking this."
Xerazon strips the first mage, who had better looking robes and discards his previous set of gear. Putting on the robe and ignoring the staff, he looks past the men only to find a carriage.
This must be what they used to travel. Pretty convenient that there is a carriage awaiting me, but I don't need it. I could easily grow miniature wings and fly wherever I wanted, or just run. I guess I could use one of the horses to travel to town, as it would look extremely unnatural for a lone mage to enter a town or city.
He walks up to the carriage, freeing both horses. Hopping on the one closest to him, he looks towards the other as it stares at him back.
"Go on, my friend. You are free."
"Neigh!" (Horse 2)
The horse neighs happily, as if thanking him, and with its binds removed, it runs off.
The horse he is riding looks up to him confused, as if wondering why the other horse was let free, but he remained.
"Haha, don't worry my horse friend. I shall free you soon enough, I only need you to get into town. Once I am through with that, you will be free like your brother."
"Neigh!" (Horse 1)
The horse neighs just as happily as the other, and with a tail wag they both start moving the opposite direction the carriage came to get to civilization. Xerazon being a magical dragon allows him to understand the feelings of animals and magic beasts, and even communicate with magical beasts. Normal animals are different, but he can still get his point across and understand what they are trying to convey.
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With a setting sun, and a cliche opening, just how will this dragon's life be changed? With a new magic discovered, maybe evolution is finally taking the right turn.