In the blink of an eye, three days passed. During this time, a certain young dragon slept deeply each day, growing several times in size without realizing it.
Though the young red dragon still looked clumsy with oversized feet, his wings had begun to form. The thick skin stretched over a light, spindly bone structure, gradually becoming powerful enough to support true flight. This anatomical quirk—specific to red dragons—enabled them to fly via brute wing power, unlike other dragon breeds that relied on magical propulsion due to disproportionate wingspans.
Despite being only three days old, Yize devoured over twice his body weight daily. The magical flesh of the fire salamander had proven rich in nutrients, accelerating his physical development. His bloodline magic surged day by day, and now he could already cast two Tier-One spells and four cantrips. This rate of advancement earned even the recognition of the ancient Flame Dragon Matriarch, who quietly acknowledged him as a prodigy.
"I've got big, long wings! I can fly wherever I want! (Dance of the Air!)"
Perched at the edge of the volcanic nest, Yize cast Dance of the Air, a first-tier spell. His body became light and buoyant, ready to ride the thermals.
His wings spread wide, measuring over three meters in wingspan. Crimson scales shimmered like fire, giving him the appearance of a miniature Deathwing. His physique already surpassed that of most red dragons his age—not just from his gluttonous feeding, but due to frequent spellcasting. The continual internal cycling of magic washed through his flesh and sinew, catalyzing his growth.
With a resonant roar, he leapt from the nest, circling the volcanic rim before soaring toward another active volcano two kilometers away.
The Flame Dragon Matriarch, ancient and mighty with over two millennia of life, had already retracted her suppressive dragon's aura to avoid deterring prey from Yize's first hunt. Yet, remnants of her presence still haunted the terrain, ingrained into the rocks and lava for thousands of years. Prey instinctively avoided her territory.
Two red dragons stood near the crater. One of them, her scales dark as cooled magma, exuded an oppressive majesty. She watched Yize fly off, her calm gaze tinged with an elder's silent wisdom.
"Great Matriarch, should I not accompany him on this hunt? The fire lizards, though lowly, are numerous." Aurelion's rumble echoed low and deep.
"There is no need," she answered. "The child possesses cunning and instinct far beyond expectation. Watch carefully—his first hunt will blaze with brilliance."
…
Yize soared through the skies, savoring the rush of flight. His wings beat confidently, and his young heart exulted in freedom. A roar rolled from his throat, and for the first time, he truly rejoiced in his reincarnation as a dragon.
Standing near the top of the food chain and wielding a golden finger—his divine cheat—Yize understood that as long as he avoided reckless decisions early on, he would one day be a continent-dominating overlord.
From Aurelion, he had learned of a nearby volcano teeming with fire lizards—a perfect place to start his hunting legacy.
Fire lizards were aggressive, communal creatures worshipping strength and destruction. Each colony followed a dominant alpha, and with their fast reproduction and survival in extreme heat, they'd carved out a stronghold in this hostile land.
Still, red dragons found their meat delicious—reason enough not to drive them extinct.
Today, Yize would test himself by hunting fire lizards.
Though adult fire lizards could grow to over three meters and fought ferociously under their leaders' command, Yize was no ordinary young red dragon. He could overwhelm two young dragons his size already.
From high above, Yize's vision locked onto a serpentine fire lizard sunning itself near a cave. His draconic eyes could spot prey from hundreds of meters away.
Though dragons inherited instincts and memories through bloodline, Yize relied on more than primal intuition. He had flight superiority, a nascent but potent dragon breath, and a limited—but sharp—spell arsenal.
If he could kill the alpha in a single strike, the lesser lizards would break ranks and scatter. Their primitive minds would be unable to rally, and against a dragon, they'd be nothing but fodder.
He zeroed in on his quarry: a five-meter brute coiled lazily by the cave mouth. Despite its apparent sloth, it remained alert, ready to retreat underground at the slightest threat.
Dragons were patient predators. Across the continent, tales spoke of their grudge-bearing nature. In Elbaf and across the Grand Line, adventurers recounted how a young dragon, defeated and forced to flee, would return decades later to obliterate its old foe and everyone they loved.
The adage "a gentleman's revenge is never too late" found its most terrifying reflection in dragons—not because they were gentlemen, but because they never forgot.
The fire lizard leader had already sensed Yize's presence, but dismissed him. What could a mere juvenile do?
That was a fatal miscalculation.
With a sudden downbeat of his wings, Yize nosedived. The gap of hundreds of meters vanished in seconds. Before the fire lizard could flinch, a roar ripped from Yize's throat—imbued with dragon's might. This innate aura struck like a mental shockwave, inducing panic or even unconsciousness in weak-willed foes.
But Yize's draconic presence, though formidable for his age, only frightened the juveniles. The adults, including the alpha, reeled under psychic pressure but retained awareness.
He had anticipated this.
Dragon's might was merely a prelude, a battlefield disruption tactic. His true weapon—his magic—was now ready.
"Sleep now, and dream well! (Hypnosis!)"
He roared in the Dragon Tongue, forming a runic circuit from his body's magic. A pulse of yellow light surged forth—Hypnosis, a Tier-One spell. The fire lizard alpha, still dazed by the mental blow, was struck before it could react.
Its eyes rolled back.
And it collapsed—comatose.