Winters is exceedingly considerate.
This is my genuine thought whilst partaking of the roasted Bus Dragon Beast.
The thoroughly cooked Bus Dragon Beast, roasted to perfection, is tender and succulent, crisp on the exterior and tender within; and all the internal organs, save for the heart, liver, lungs, and kidneys, were incinerated by Winters.
I also possess a surprisingly prodigious appetite.
The Bus Dragon Beast that Winters had procured, though not yet adult, stood over twenty metres tall, extended more than thirty metres in length, and was exceptionally robust.
Celine and the others consumed, at most, nearly a tenth of the amount, which in itself sounds astonishing.
But I, I not only devoured my portion entirely—ah, I mean truly entirely, not even a single bone remained.
Moreover, under my imploring gaze, Celine relinquished to me what she had left unfinished.
Of course, this time I did not consume it all; some bones still remained.
This spectacle left Celine and the others utterly dumbfounded.
The quantity I had eaten far surpassed the combined total of the four of them; how could they not be astounded?
Except for Winters.
Only she was unsurprised by my immense appetite.
Seeing me finally cease, Winters spoke, "Vet, the results of your examination are complete."
Hearing this, not only I, but even Celine and the others, pricked up our ears.
They too were quite curious about my lineage.
"What race am I?"
Hearing this, Winters smiled with a hint of helplessness, revealing two rows of teeth like daggers.
"You should ask yourself that question."
I was stunned.
"What do you mean by that?"
"Your sire does not belong to any known Aberrant Dragon species, so after deliberation, we have decided to grant you the prerogative of naming it."
"You are to decide for yourself what your species shall be called."
Hearing this, I looked at Winters in utter astonishment.
"Is such a thing even possible?"
"And why not?"
Spreading her claws, Winters continued, "We True Dragon Species are a lineage replete with mystery.
Among the three major Dragon Species, only the True Dragon Species will produce Aberrant Dragons.
Furthermore, at intervals, some Dragon Species never before recorded will emerge.
Like Desidero herself; she is the sole Spatial True Dragon in the world."
Hearing this, all five of us young dragons were profoundly shocked.
Is Desidero not the name of our Dragon Lair?
Noticing our five blank stares, Winters patted her forehead.
"My apologies, I seem to have neglected to inform you; the Desidero Dragon Roost is named after its architect, Desidero.
She is our Dragon Empress, and continues to protect the True Dragons dwelling within the Desidero Dragon Roost—including us, naturally."
Hearing this, a touch of disbelief flashed in my eyes.
"There is actually a Dragon capable of safeguarding an entire Dragon Lair?"
Winters glanced at me.
"Indeed, and there are many.
In truth, within each Dragon Lair, there resides a protector.
However, the strength of the protector and the scale of the Dragon Lair vary."
"How formidable is Desidero amongst the various Dragon Lairs?"
"Its strength is quite considerable, ranking amongst the Ten Great Dragon Roosts."
"What are the Ten Great Dragon Roosts?"
Winters looked at me and said with some helplessness, "You can find the answers to these questions within the Library.
At this moment, the most crucial matter for us is to discuss your predicament."
"My apologies."
As I said this, I hesitated for a moment.
"May I use the name Starry Sky Giant Dragon?"
"Assuredly, if that is your wish."
My spirits visibly lifted.
"Then let it be Starry Sky Giant Dragon.
I shall be a true Starry Sky Giant Dragon henceforth."
"Are you certain?
You must understand that this is a matter of grave importance.
If you confirm this, then you shall be the sole Starry Sky Giant Dragon in the world.
From this day forward, it shall always be so and cannot be altered."
"I am certain."
As I said this, I nodded with great emphasis.
For that is what my sire had told me; I was, from my very inception, a Starry Sky Giant Dragon.
"Very good."
Winters smiled and then continued: "Thus, we should address the matter of your physical constitution.
Through the droplet of Dragon Blood you provided, we have discerned some aspects of your innate talents.
How best to articulate it?
It is not that you lack elemental affinity.
On the contrary, you possess two elemental affinities: one for fire, and the other for water, which should derive from your progenitors.
However, your body is singular; it will devour all elements that draw near to you.
This talent, I surmise, is from your sire.
The devoured magical elements are all utilized to fortify your physical being, which is why you are capable of possessing the powerful physique that allows you to fly solely with your wings.
And a robust body requires considerable energy to sustain it, which explains why you consume more than Celine and the others combined."
Hearing this, my eyes lit up.
"Does this signify that I can wield magic?"
This time, however, Winters shook her head.
My expression clouded over.
"I cannot, then."
"It remains uncertain."
Saying that, Winters continued: "We are unsure when your body, upon reaching a certain stage of growth, will cease this predatory devouring of affinity elements.
Perhaps it will abate after the Young Dragon stage.
Perhaps it will be during the Adolescent stage, or the Youth stage, or even, it may never cease.
No dragon can be certain of this, for you are the first True Dragon to experience this condition—or perhaps the second.
However, we possess no information regarding your sire, so you are effectively still the first."
I looked at Winters with a degree of anticipation.
"How long is the Young Dragon stage?"
"One hundred years."
Seeing me fall silent once more, Winters scratched her head somewhat awkwardly, causing a shower of large sparks to cascade downwards.
This forced us five young dragons standing below to leap about and evade them.
To Winters, they were merely small sparks, but to us five little ones, they were veritable fireballs.
"My apologies, I should exercise more caution."
Saying that, Winters lowered her claws and then looked at me again.
"Do not be disheartened, Vet; we are about to commence learning magic.
Perhaps this devouring talent will not impede your ability to cast magic—ah… possibly."
I looked at Winters, speechless.
If one does not know how to offer comfort, then one should refrain.
Uttering such uncertain pronouncements merely serves to heighten unease.
Just then, a faint buzzing sound echoed within the Dragon's Den.
Though faint, it was actually quite distinct in this semi-enclosed space.
Celine, Billy, Ao, Dinnett, and I looked in the direction of the sound and saw dozens of diminutive creatures, the size of our fingernails, flying in, heading directly for the remaining roasted Bus Dragon Beast meat we had been consuming.
We young dragons immediately became intrigued.
"What are these?"
"They appear so small!"
Hearing our discussion, Winters was first taken aback, then her brow furrowed.
"Be cautious, do not approach them; those are Morse Dragon Beasts!"