I'am a dragon?

Hours passed, and the sun began to soften, painting the sky with orange hues. The evening breeze whispered through the valley, making the wildflowers sway in a gentle rhythm, their petals brushing against each other with a soft rustle. In the baskets around them, the saussureas danced to the same beat, their sweet perfume mingling with the fresh air. Yusha remained sprawled on the smooth rock, a trickle of drool running from the corner of her mouth as she snored softly, her body relaxed under the lingering warmth of the setting sun.

A few meters away, Astrid sat on the ground, the grass lightly prickling her legs. One hand extended forward, the other holding the open grimoire, she furrowed her brow, frustration etched on her face. "Why won't this damn thing work?" she muttered, her voice laced with impatience.

Her eyes dropped to the grimoire, fixing on the words for [Fire Ray]: Les' Flagrans Spelite - Ignis. She had repeated the phrase countless times, but nothing happened. Earlier, she had tried learning [Heal Wound], the simplest spell on the list. To test it, she broke a plant beside her, its torn leaves falling to the ground. Reciting the words and imagining the plant restored, a soft glow enveloped the leaves, which rose and mended as if never damaged. Astrid had smiled, her confidence reignited, fueling her determination to master [Fire Ray].

When I used Heal Wound, I pictured the plant in its original state, she thought, tapping her fingers on her chin. So, what should I picture for Fire Ray? Her eyes narrowed, her tail swaying slowly as she pondered. A ray… would it be like an arrow? A spear? She extended her hands, her fingers tracing invisible shapes in the air, as if molding something intangible. No, maybe a sphere… But wouldn't that be a fireball?

Eh, it'll work, she decided, shaking her head. It's probably something like that. Closing her eyes, Astrid focused, the cool breeze brushing her cheeks as she tried to feel the mana. Slowly, a warm, vibrant sensation grew in her chest, like a boiling river coursing through her veins to her hands. The air around her seemed to pulse, the nearby flowers trembling slightly.

"Les' Flagrans Spelite…" she began, her voice firm. "IGNIS!"

Her eyes snapped open.

Silence.

Astrid looked ahead, then to the sides. Nothing. "Yeah… this is gonna be harder than I thought," she muttered, lowering her hands. "These incantations seem useless."

But before she could relax, a violent tremor shook the valley. The ground beneath her feet vibrated, and a strange, almost tangible sensation enveloped her outstretched hand, as if she were holding something solid, though nothing was there. Astrid's eyes widened, her heart racing.

On the other side of the valley, Yusha jolted awake, her snoring cut off. "What the hell…" she mumbled, rubbing her eyes as she sat up on the rock. The wind now carried a low hum, almost imperceptible, and the air felt heavier. Her eyes scanned the valley until they landed on Astrid, a few meters away, hands extended and a look of shock on her face. "What was that tremor?" Yusha asked, standing and walking toward the girl, her feet pressing into the damp grass.

Then her gaze followed where Astrid was pointing. Her breath stopped. In the distance, the peak of a far-off mountain was floating, as if torn from the ground by invisible hands. Rocks and earth spun slowly in the air, suspended in an eerie silence. Astrid, still wide-eyed, raised her fingers, and as she clenched her hand, the peak compressed, forming a perfect sphere of stone. With a sharp motion, she opened her hands, and the sphere crashed down, rolling down the mountainside. The impact echoed like thunder, stone fragments flying as the slope collapsed in a cloud of dust and snow.

Yusha stood frozen, her mouth agape, eyes locked on the destruction. She… destroyed a mountain? With her bare hands? she thought, her heart pounding. "W-What the fuck did you just do?!" she exclaimed, her hands flying to her head, fingers tangling in her hair.

Astrid turned to her, the shock on her face giving way to a wide, almost wild grin. "I-I… I don't know, but that was… that was fucking awesome!" she replied, her tail thrashing excitedly as she laughed.

Yusha blinked, still trying to process the scene. The dust in the distance settled, revealing the damage: an entire slope reduced to rubble. Was it a coincidence? she thought, her eyes scanning the valley for another explanation. Maybe a powerful mage nearby… But then she looked at Astrid, the girl's radiant smile, her tail swaying with enthusiasm. If it was her… my God, she's a magical genius?

Trying to keep her composure, Yusha approached and forced a smile, though worry seeped into her voice. "Tell me, what… what did you just do?"

Astrid pointed to the grimoire, still open to [Fire Ray]. "I was trying to cast the fire ray, but I didn't know how to picture it… so I imagined it as a sphere," she explained, gesturing animatedly.

Yusha frowned, her thoughts spiraling. A sphere? That explains nothing! She stepped closer to the grimoire, rereading the spell's words. Even a mistake in a beginner spell shouldn't cause something this absurd. What happened here? she thought, her eyes drifting to Astrid's tail, swaying cheerfully. Maybe…

Yusha took a deep breath, the valley's cold air filling her lungs, and stepped forward. "Astrid, did you… remember anything?" she asked, her voice hesitant. "I mean… from your past?"

Astrid tilted her head, curiosity in her eyes. "Why the random question?"

Yusha rubbed her temples, feeling the weight of the grimoire still in her hands. "I don't know. Maybe learning to use magic… triggered some memory, like a spark."

Astrid fell silent for a moment, her eyes wandering the valley as if searching for an answer among the flowers or the darkening sky. "No… I didn't remember anything, actually," she said, her voice softer, almost indifferent.

The enigma weighed on Yusha like a stone. Astrid had just done something incredible, something that defied everything she knew about magic. The mana density in the Himalayas? she thought, dismissing the idea almost immediately. The air was rich with mana, yes, but what Astrid did was too specific, far removed from the [Fire Ray] she attempted. And the most unsettling question: How does she use magic without even a trace of aura? Yusha frowned, the cold wind tousling her hair as she tried to piece it together.

"Yusha…?" Astrid's voice pulled her from her thoughts. The girl was watching her, head tilted, a mix of curiosity and slight concern in her expression. "Everything okay?"

Yusha blinked, snapping back to the present. Maybe it's an innate ability, she thought, her eyes fixed on Astrid. But innate abilities grew gradually, not exploded into acts like this. She doesn't have eterium in her body either. She's not a half-elf, as I thought… Maybe a spirit? Or something I've never seen… like a… Her eyes lingered on Astrid's tail, swaying with an almost supernatural energy. "Like a Dagon…" she murmured, unaware the words slipped out loud.

Astrid raised an eyebrow, a mischievous smirk forming. "What's that, Yusha? Not having one of your horny crises right now, are you?" she teased.

Yusha flushed, her face hot despite the cool breeze. "That's not it!" she exclaimed, waving her hands. She laughed, half-awkwardly, the sound echoing through the valley.

A Dagon could hide their aura and has strange physiological traits… maybe… she thought, her eyes fixed on Astrid's tail, which swayed with an almost living energy. Straightening up, she cleared her throat. "Astrid, what do you know about dragons?"

Astrid narrowed her eyes, surprised, her head tilting as if trying to decipher the question. "Dragons? What do you mean? What do they have to do with this?"

"Come on, tell me," Yusha insisted.

Astrid placed a hand on her chin, her eyes drifting to the sky as she thought. "Well, I know they're mythological creatures, super strong and intelligent," she said, her voice hesitant.

Yusha frowned, confused. "Mythological? What do you mean by that?"

"Uh, mythological, fictional," Astrid replied, gesturing. "Dragons, demons, gods… elves…" Her voice trailed off, her eyes widening as she realized what she'd said. Yusha, with her pointed ears and fair skin, was an elf. "My God, that's right! You're an elf! So, does that mean dragons exist too? That's so cool!" she exclaimed, her tail thrashing wildly, her face lit with excitement.

Yusha blinked, her expression a mix of curiosity and amusement. "Why the hell would you think they don't exist? That makes no sense," she said, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.

Astrid gave a sheepish grin, scratching the back of her neck. "I don't know, in my head they seemed like something from another world, you know. But why'd you ask that out of nowhere? What's dragons got to do with it?"

Yusha sat on the grass beside Astrid, her clothes brushing against the flowers. "The thing is, I always thought you might be a half-elf," she began, her voice calm but thoughtful. "The delicate face, fair skin, the ears… it all pointed to that. But I never understood that red tail of yours."

Astrid paused, her eyes dropping to her tail, which swayed gently. She grabbed it with her hands, as if seeing it for the first time. "So you think I'm a dragon?" she asked, a playful yet expectant expression curving her lips.

"Not a dragon," Yusha corrected, standing up. "A Dagon. A dragon's offspring." Her eyes met Astrid's, serious now. "Sometimes, in rare cases, humans… have relations with other species, even monsters." She hesitated, a faint blush creeping up her face. "And in even rarer cases, a dragon might get involved with a humanoid. Sometimes, that... results in a Dagon. They have unusual traits, abundant magical power, and, most importantly, the ability to hide their own mana." Yusha pointed at Astrid, her finger steady. "Maybe that explains your weird tail and the way you hide your aura."

Astrid frowned, confused. "But I don't know how to hide it…" she murmured, her eyes fixed on her tail, which swayed as if it had a life of its own. She fell silent, the grimoire forgotten in her lap. "So… I'm a dragon?" she whispered, more to herself, her eyes gleaming with a mix of curiosity and uncertainty.

Yusha watched Astrid's reaction, her heart tightening. Maybe it wasn't a good idea to tell her so suddenly, she thought, biting her lip. Dragons are natural enemies of humanity. What if this makes her feel bad? But before she could soften the situation, Astrid lifted her face, a wide grin exploding across her expression. "That's so badass!" she exclaimed, throwing her hands up with enthusiasm.

Yusha blinked, surprised, the tension easing. "Seriously?" she asked, a laugh escaping.

"So, does that mean I can breathe fire? And my wings—why don't I have wings?" Astrid fired off, her eyes shining as she gestured animatedly toward her back.

Yusha gave a crooked smile, relieved. She's not fazed at all, she thought, her heart lighter. But deep down, she knew the weight of being a Dagon was greater than Astrid realized. In the long history of wars between humans and dragons, Dagons were lethal weapons, spies, and assassins who infiltrated human society. Even in humanoid form, dragons couldn't hide their horns or aura. But Dagons… they were different. Terrifying. Her eyes drifted to the horizon, where the mountain Astrid had destroyed still smoldered. Even if she's a Dagon, should she be capable of that?

Yusha shook her head, pushing away the nagging doubt. Times like this, I wish I knew more about magic, she admitted silently. Her eyes returned to Astrid, who was flipping through the grimoire with childlike enthusiasm. What she is doesn't matter, as long as she's okay, she thought, a soft smile curving her lips.

"What's the next step now?" Astrid asked, looking up, her tail swaying with anticipation.

Yusha laughed, pointing at the grimoire. "Now you need to refine it, right? Whatever you just did, you've got to control it," she said, her tone light. "Otherwise, you'll end up wiping out all the mountains around here, haha."

Astrid grinned, the valley around them seeming to hum with her energy. The flowers danced in the breeze, the sky darkening slowly.

Several hours passed. Twilight gave way to night, and the valley was now a sea of shadows speckled with the silvery glow of falling snow. The wind, colder and sharper, stirred the wildflowers, while the sweet scent of the saussureas in the baskets hung heavy in the air. Yusha, lying on the grass, gazed at the darkening sky, her flowing hair dancing with the breeze. Above, Astrid spun through the air, her silhouette outlined against the last sparks of orange on the horizon. Her expression was pure joy as she wielded her newly discovered magic to fly in circles, like a child playing with a new toy.

She really mastered a spell almost purely with her imagination… But what was that? Flight? Telekinesis? Yusha thought as she watched the girl.

It was known that Dagons had an abnormal aptitude for magic, but Astrid's progress was frighteningly rapid. Come to think of it… how is Astrid using magic so effortlessly up here? Yusha frowned, doubt nagging at her mind. The more I think about it, the more questions arise, she admitted with a sigh, her eyes following the girl in the sky.

As time passed, the air grew denser, a subtle mist beginning to form in the valley. The wind strengthened, carrying a chill that bit at Yusha's skin through her clothes. A storm following another? Strange… she thought, standing with a slight shiver. She began gathering the baskets of saussureas, the weight of the ropes scraping her shoulders. Looking up at the sky, she shouted, "Hey! Enough playing, it's time to go!"

Astrid, still floating, looked down, her wide smile illuminated by the dim twilight. Ahead, the horizon blazed in shades of orange and purple, the setting sun warming her skin despite the icy wind tousling her hair. She descended gently, her feet touching the grass with a soft thud. "Come on, grab some baskets, and let's go," Yusha said, pointing to the bags full of plants.

Astrid glanced at the baskets, an idea sparking in her eyes. Now that I know how to use magic, this'll be easy, she thought, extending her hand toward one of the bags. Mana pulsed in her fingers, ready to lift the load.

"No!" Yusha shouted, her eyes wide.

Astrid yanked her hand back, startled. "Aah! Shit, you scared me! What's wrong?"

Yusha took a deep breath, her heart racing. "Don't use magic on them! You'll end up killing us."

"What do you mean?" Astrid asked, confused.

"These plants are full of mana," Yusha explained, pointing at the baskets. "If you use magic carelessly, you'll at least send us flying into space."

"Damn, you could've warned me earlier!" Astrid grumbled.

Yusha pointed a finger at her. "If you'd studied the herb book I gave you, you'd know."

"T-That's… Well…" Astrid lowered her head, scratching the back of her neck, her face flushing slightly with an embarrassed expression. "So, let's get going, huh?"

The two began walking, the heavy baskets on their backs, the crunch of snow under their feet blending with the whistle of the wind. Snow fell in light flakes, covering their footprints almost as fast as they made them. "Why leave so suddenly?" Astrid asked, adjusting the load on her shoulders.

"You felt the change in the air, didn't you?" Yusha said, her eyes fixed on the path ahead.

"Yeah, I did…" Astrid replied, frowning.

"Well, those shifts usually mean a storm's coming," Yusha explained.

"Isn't it just because it's getting dark and nights are colder?" Astrid questioned, her tail swaying slowly.

"No, it's different," Yusha answered, her voice firm but distant.

"Hmm, got it," Astrid said. "So, tomorrow we'll gather saussureas again?"

"Unfortunately, no. The plants that absorb mana to become saussureas only grow once a year. We harvested all the ones from the last storm."

Silence fell between them, broken only by the crunch of snow and the weight of the baskets. Astrid grumbled under her breath about the load, but Yusha's mind was still caught on today's revelations. If Astrid really is a Dagon, maybe it's safer for her to go to the city and be trained by someone qualified… she thought, her eyes drifting to the silhouette of the cabin emerging in the distance, partially covered by snow. Astrid's potential was immense, and keeping her isolated in the valley seemed like a waste. Yusha knew someone in her network of contacts who could help—a person who owed her a favor and understood advanced magic.

"Ugh, I want a hot bath," Astrid groaned, breaking the silence.

"Relax, we're almost there," Yusha said. Then she glanced over her shoulder with a smile. "Astrid, what do you think about studying magic at an acade—"

"No way," Astrid cut in, her voice firm, her face twisting into a bored grimace.

Yusha blinked, surprised. "You don't want to? But you were all excited learning magic a few hours ago!"

"You teaching me is one thing," Astrid said, kicking the snow. "Sitting in classrooms listening to a teacher drone on about nonsense is another."

Yusha frowned, intrigued by the intensity of her response. How the hell would she know something like that? she thought. "But if you don't have memories of your past, how are you so sure?"

Astrid hesitated, her tail pausing for a moment. "Well… I'm not sure. It just feels like it'd be super boring," she replied with a small grin.

Yusha laughed, the sound muffled by the falling snow. "Come on, you can't know without trying," she said, a smile curving her lips. "Though… I'll admit, going to class was a real drag."

"Right?" Astrid agreed, laughing.

"But, unlike you, I actually went," Yusha said, her eyes glinting with amusement as the cabin grew closer, its warm silhouette standing out against the dark blue sky. "Think about it: I have a friend who could help you develop your magic. Maybe even help you recover your memories and get way stronger. That's what you want, right?"

Astrid frowned, thoughtful, snowflakes sticking to her hair. "Yusha, I don't know why you're so worried about my memories. If I don't remember them, maybe they're not that great."

Yusha paused for a moment, the weight of the basket pulling at her shoulders. "Sometimes it's not that simple," she said, her voice more serious. "You might have a whole life forgotten in that head of yours. Memories, friends, family… I don't know, it just feels like the right thing to do."

Silence returned, heavy, as they continued walking. Astrid followed Yusha's footprints in the snow, her eyes fixed on the ground, mulling over the words she'd just heard. The cabin was now just a few meters away, the warm glow of a fireplace visible through the window. Yusha, feeling the weight of the mood, decided to lighten it. She looked back, a mischievous smile forming. "I think it could be interesting for you. Also because… you're super lazy and keep jerking off all over the house. It pisses me off!"

"W-What?!" Astrid shouted, her face turning red. "I don't do that!"

Yusha burst into laughter, the sound echoing through the valley as the snow fell, erasing their footprints. The sky, streaked with dark blue and black, wrapped up the eventful day they'd shared, leaving only the light of the cabin ahead.