"Too slow!"
Hearing this, Celine was momentarily stunned, and then her eyes blazed with a warrior's spirit.
"Indeed, you are the one most qualified to be my adversary!"
I heard this, cast a glance at Celine, then lowered my head and silently began to recover my strength.
Although I had just concurred with Celine's words, it sounded exceedingly mortifying, did it not?
Gurgle~
Just then, a peculiar sound suddenly resonated.
I looked at Celine with some doubt; the sound seemed to originate from her vicinity.
However, when I saw Celine abruptly lie down, her belly pressed tightly against the ground, I seemed to comprehend something and swiftly averted my gaze.
From the knowledge I had gleaned from that other world, if I dared utter anything at this juncture, I might well be slain.
Owing to my practice of flight, my wings possessed no strength at all at this moment; if she harbored murderous intent towards me, I feared I would not even have an opportunity to retaliate.
"Vet? Celine?"
The sudden sound captured the attention of us two Dragons.
We were not far from the exit of the Dragon's Den at this time; the sound had come from beyond the den.
However, when we two Dragons looked towards the entrance of the Dragon's Den, we beheld only an enormous head with eyes wide in terror.
This spectacle truly startled us two Dragons.
Celine first took a step back subconsciously, and upon recovering her senses, she suddenly advanced a step and roared at the colossal creature, a layer of milky white light even shimmering around her form.
"Calm yourself, Celine!
It will not, or rather, it *cannot* harm you.
However, you have indeed surprised me, having already begun to touch upon the power of magical elements!"
I initially bared two rows of sharp teeth, just as Celine had.
But after hearing these words, I immediately understood.
"Winters?"
"It is I!"
As she said this, the immense creature was moved aside, and Winters' figure then materialized at the cave's entrance.
Seeing Winters, we two Dragons then retracted our claws and fangs.
Observing Winters stride in, and the creature she dragged behind her, a flicker of curiosity ignited in my eyes.
"What is that?"
Saying this, I carefully appraised the creature.
It bore a strong resemblance to the bovines of that other world, but its dimensions were far greater, exceeding twenty metres in height and approximately thirty metres in length.
Its body was swathed in long, brown hair, and beneath this hirsute covering lay not skin, but scales.
Its feet were not hooves, but claws, and within its occasionally agape maw were two rows of teeth; however, apart from four enormous canine teeth, the remaining dentition was flat.
Employing the terminology of that other world, it should be designated an omnivore.
Furthermore, this "bovine" also sported a pair of spiral draconic horns upon its head, and the tail trailing behind it was unmistakably a Dragon Tail.
"This is a Bus Dragon Beast.
It is docile, slow-moving, and exists in many varieties.
This particular one is of the Starspring species, inhabiting the Starspring Mountains to the west of Desidero.
Incidentally, it is not yet an adult.
An adult Bus Dragon Beast is approximately the same size as I am now!"
Hearing this, my eyes lit up.
"This is a Dragon Beast?"
"It is an Acquired Dragon Beast.
After millennia of breeding, it is fundamentally distinct from the original Innate Dragon Beast!"
Saying this, Winters paused, then continued: "Innate Dragon Beasts and Acquired Dragon Beasts are actually quite simple to distinguish.
An Innate Dragon Beast is no different from the Dragon Clan save in terms of intellect!"
Winters always expounded upon my queries with great meticulousness.
This voluminous knowledge was of paramount importance to me, who possessed no inherited memories.
Of course, the information regarding the Bus Dragon Beast was also novel to Celine.
After all, the Bus Dragon Beast is merely a common, omnivorous Dragon Beast.
For a True Dragon, it is not a formidable adversary worthy of inclusion in the bloodline inheritance.
However…
"Since it is not yet an adult, is there some other purpose for bringing it to the Dragon's Den?"
Winters heard this and smiled enigmatically.
"It is for your first lesson; accompany me inside!"
With that, Winters grasped the little Bus Dragon Beast's tail and proceeded towards the interior of the Dragon's Den.
The first lesson?
Hearing this, Celine and I exchanged glances, a hint of curiosity flickering in our eyes.
Then we hastily followed.
Naturally, Celine flew, whilst I ran.
Noticing this, a trace of pity flashed in Winters' eyes as she regarded me.
Regardless of the prospects held by the power I had inherited, flight would remain my most conspicuous vulnerability.
Soon, I trailed behind Winters and entered the depths of the Dragon's Den.
It was my first time here, and I subconsciously surveyed my surroundings.
The depths of the Dragon's Den are exceedingly spacious; it appears that even Winters could unfurl her wings and fly within.
No wonder five young dragons cohabitate in one den.
Not to mention five, even fifty would not feel unduly crowded.
Winters' arrival roused the slumbering Billy and the other two Dragons.
The awakened trio exhibited distinctly different reactions.
After greeting Winters, Dinnett quietly reclined, curiously observing the Bus Dragon Beast.
Billy, conversely, circled the Bus Dragon Beast with avid curiosity.
As for Ao, he was quite displeased at having his sleep disturbed, but since it was Winters who had caused the disturbance, he could only lie there and sulk.
With all five young dragons present, Winters pulled the unresisting Bus Dragon Beast and positioned it not far from us.
"Although I have already informed Vet and Celine, I must reiterate!
This is a Bus Dragon Beast, an immature Bus Dragon Beast.
Adult Bus Dragon Beast individuals vary in size depending on the species, but they are generally over six hundred metres in length, and the largest species can even attain eight hundred metres!"
Hearing this, I was momentarily stunned, then a hint of joy flashed in my eyes.
The units of length in the two worlds are fundamentally the same.
Although I do not know if the underlying concepts are identical, at least I will be able to assimilate related knowledge with much greater ease in the future.
Here, while I was thus distracted, Winters continued, "Our first lesson is quite straightforward, but for you, it may prove very easy, or it may prove quite challenging!"
Saying that, Winters paused, and then intoned in a deep voice: "The substance of the first lesson is... slaughter!"
Gazing at us five little dragons with our bewildered countenances, Winters continued, "I informed Vet and Celine previously that Bus Dragon Beasts are docile, slow-moving, and exist in many varieties.
But I did not tell you that the flesh of Bus Dragon Beasts possesses exceedingly high nutritional value, which can provide rich sustenance and energy for you as young dragons.
It can enable you to grow stronger!
Thus, the first lesson, rather than mere slaughter, is to teach you how to procure your own sustenance, how to nurture your own growth!
So, who shall be first?"