Chapter 32

"Kei-nii, why is my magic not as strong as yours?"

After the hunting trip, Wendy began asking Kei about ways to become stronger.

"Uh... When you ask me like that, I don't really know how to explain it."

At that moment, Kei was being crushed by the immense air pressure created by Grandeeney. While doing one-handed handstand push-ups, he was trying to figure out how to answer her question.

"Well... If I have to say, maybe it's because your learning method is different from mine. Also, your body is too weak."

Kei finally identified two problems after thinking for a while and then spoke.

"When you learn magic, you treat it as some sort of magical technique. But for me, I treat it as an ability."

"After all, Sky Dragon Slayer Magic is just magic that mimics the natural abilities of dragons."

"Look at Grandeeney. She doesn't need any magic; she's born with the power to control air."

When Kei was learning, he didn't really study other magic techniques. Perhaps he just wasn't interested in them. His achievements in magic weren't particularly high.

However, his achievements in abilities were quite impressive. With the Dragon Child Trait, he had already turned air manipulation and air consumption into instinctual abilities.

Every movement, every word, every breath was magic. There was no need to rigidly study magic techniques anymore.

"Oh!"

Wendy, who realized the difference between herself and the other two, said with a tearful voice, "Both Kei-nii and Grandeeney can do that."

"Only I have to use magic to make it work. Am I... really stupid?!"

Tears welled up in Wendy's eyes as she asked.

"Well, not really stupid, but not exactly smart, either."

Kei replied bluntly.

"Wendy, don't be sad. Every dragon has things they are good at and things they are not good at. Your brother excels at combat."

"That's why his strength is so powerful. But you might have a kinder nature and may be better suited for healing abilities."

Grandeeney, ever the doting dragon, tried to comfort her.

"R-Really?"

"Of course! From now on, you can learn healing magic from me. In the future, you can help your brother during battles."

"Okay! I want to learn healing magic!"

Wendy decided to learn healing magic!

Kei watched as Wendy, now full of energy, went to study healing magic. He opened his mouth to speak. "I haven't even mentioned the second point yet."

"Forget it, it doesn't seem necessary anymore. It shouldn't be a big deal. When she grows up, her physical condition should improve."

"Grandeeney said all dragons are like that, so it should be fine."

Kei's own body was strengthened by the Ripple technique, and his Stand's life energy manipulation also effectively enhanced his physical strength.

Combined with his Gourmet Cells, his physical toughness was incredibly high, so he didn't need to worry about magic damaging his body.

But Wendy was different. Her body was too fragile, and Dragon Slayer Magic was far too powerful. The power of a dragon was far too violent.

Perhaps the future Dragon Slayer Magic users' motion sickness problem was due to the dragon's power affecting their fragile brains, causing such a side effect.

...

[A few more months passed. You became even stronger. You have now become the second ruler of this forest, only below Grandeeney.]

"Roar!"

A tremendous dragon roar echoed throughout the entire forest, causing all the creatures who heard it to tremble in fear.

"Great roar, Kei."

"You've grown up. It's time you learn how to patrol your own territory. Although you don't have your own territory yet..."

"But that doesn't stop you from practicing here with me."

Grandeeney hovered high in the sky with Kei, overlooking all the creatures in the forest below. Whenever they saw a creature daring enough to look up and meet their gaze,

They would immediately swoop down and capture them as today's meal.

"To be a proper dragon, you must have your own territory. And you must always maintain your dignity as a dragon."

Grandeeney believed that now, at six years old, Kei was strong enough. He no longer needed to learn the knowledge meant for baby dragons.

He could now learn what a young, nearly adult dragon was supposed to do.

"Understood!"

At first, Kei thought being a dragon just meant getting stronger, eating, getting stronger again, and then fighting.

But once he started learning, he realized there was so much more to it. Like how to roar with the most authority.

How to mark your territory, identify invaders, and subtly show off your strength when interacting with other dragons.

These were all part of the art of being a dragon. Hmm? Why was he learning this if he wasn't a dragon? Because it was useful!

The proper way to roar as a dragon was a special technique that could even kill weaker enemies with fear alone.

Against stronger enemies, it could weaken their courage, giving him a slight advantage. It was all part of the knowledge of being a dragon.

Grandeeney watched as Kei performed every task flawlessly, his imposing dragon roar echoing throughout the forest.

She suddenly felt a sense of pride at how much he had grown.

"He will definitely become a great dragon in the future! When I leave, he will surely be able to live a good life with Wendy."

Grandeeney had unconsciously started training Kei as if he were a dragon, even hoping that he would grow into a great dragon one day.

Before, her hope was just for him to become a great person. But in just a few months, her mentality had completely changed.

"Awooo! Awooo!"

Wendy, sitting on Grandeeney's back, heard Kei's roar and tried to roar herself. But the sound she made was adorably soft and cute.

Forget scaring off enemies; it would probably just awaken some strange desires in them.

"Wendy is still just a little kid."

Grandeeney adjusted her wings slightly to shield Wendy from the chilly air above. "Once I'm gone, she's going to be so sad."

[More time passed. On July 7th, X777, Grandeeney disappeared.]

[You know she entered one of your bodies to help resist the process of dragonification, but you don't know whose body she entered.]

[After thinking about it, you believe it was probably Wendy, because she needed someone to take care of her more, and Grandeeney loved caring for others.]

"Uuuu, Kei-nii, Grandeeney is gone! Uuuu!"

Wendy, crying, came to Kei. She had woken up that morning and searched everywhere for Grandeeney, but no matter what, she couldn't find her.

"Don't cry. Hmm, Grandeeney said we've grown up and need to find our own territories. She wants us to leave home and be independent!"

Kei thought for a moment and then spoke.

"R-Really? D-Does that mean I've grown up too?!"

Wendy stopped crying instantly and even looked excited. She always thought of herself as weak and clumsy, like a child who never grew up.

But now, hearing that Grandeeney thought she had grown up, she couldn't help feeling a little happy.

"But... but does that mean we'll never see Grandeeney again?!"

Wendy's joy quickly turned to worry. She was afraid she would never see Grandeeney again.

"Once we have our own territories, more food than we can eat, and become stronger."

"Once we earn high prestige among dragons and become great dragons, proving we've successfully become independent, then Grandeeney will surely come back!"

Kei thought to himself, what a genius he was to come up with such a perfect lie in such a short time. He was truly brilliant!

"This child is amazing!"

Residing within Wendy's body, Grandeeney couldn't help but wipe away her tears, moved by Kei's maturity.

Why didn't she think of such a great explanation before? Oh, what a pity!

(End of Chapter)

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