"Winters, what must I do next?"
"Vet, you require rest!"
Hearing this, I was taken aback for a moment, and then ambled towards the large purple flower I had espied earlier.
At this juncture, the Pabby Dragon Beast was still engrossed in devouring nectar.
Seeing me approach, it immediately flapped its vibrant wings.
"Hiss~Ha~"
Listening to this demonstrative growl, I disregarded the creature's intent and proceeded to the purple flower on my own, and then... rest?
Assuredly not.
I beat my wings and ascended into the air.
And the Pabby Dragon Beast that had postured against me became my training target.
Of course, it was not a matter of matching the other creature's speed; that was not a mere goal for me, but an extravagance.
What I had to accomplish was quite simple: hover in mid-air, just as it did.
This could be effortlessly achieved by other True Dragons who fly with the assistance of magic, but I could not.
Merely sustaining flight demanded a great deal of my strength.
Winters observed me, mimicking the Pabby Dragon Beast, attempting to hover in the air.
After a moment of blankness, she ultimately refrained from further comment.
She could not impede a True Dragon's striving to become stronger.
Serene and the others were still engaged in sensing the magical elements.
And at this time, it was not only Serene who was enveloped by corresponding magical elements, but also Billy and the others, who likewise had a small quantity of magical elements congregating around them.
Moreover, as time passed, those magical elements increased.
As for my own endeavors, as the duration of my flight increased, I gradually became physically exhausted.
Yet still, I persevered.
Suddenly, I felt a sharp pang in my back, my wings became difficult to flap, and then I plummeted directly downwards.
Just when I thought I was about to meet the unyielding ground, a claw steadily caught me; ah... well, Winters' Dragon Scales were considerably harder than the earth.
Drawing a sharp, cold breath, I nevertheless offered Winters a grateful look.
"Thank you, Winters!"
Looking at me, whose dorsal muscles were twitching involuntarily, Winters sighed.
"Vet, I do not object to you training in this manner, but you must ensure your own safety.
Furthermore, training is not something that occurs overnight.
I look forward to the day you become stronger, but it will decidedly not be tomorrow, nor the day after."
With that, Winters placed me upon the ground.
Only then did I notice that Celine and the others had awakened, staring directly at me with a warrior's spirit blazing in their eyes.
Of course, I knew this was not hostility.
Again, True Dragons are proud; they disdain to bully the weak.
Thus, when they direct a fighting spirit towards you, it signifies their acknowledgment.
I knew not how to respond to this acknowledgment for a moment.
Fortunately, Winters spoke up.
"Alright, little ones, now is not the time for you to engage in combat.
Noon is not far off.
I hope you can unleash your own Dragon Breath before then!
Even if it might only be as thick as your little claws!"
"Nay, Winters, I believe it will be as thick as my forelimb!"
Billy raised his paw, brimming with confidence.
"Is that so? I look forward to witnessing it."
Saying that, Winters changed the subject.
"Vet, how are you feeling now?
Are you able to stand?"
I offered no verbal response, but demonstrated with my actions that I could still indeed stand.
"Very good, then, we may begin now!
You have all just perceived what magical elements look like, so now what you must do is employ your Inner Focus to locate the magical elements within your own bodies.
This is the foundation for utilizing your breath!
Incidentally, the magical elements within a True Dragon's body are stored in the Dragon Crystal, and the Dragon Crystal is situated upon your heads!
If you find it, raise your hand to indicate."
No sooner had she finished speaking than Celine raised her paw.
She had perceived the magical elements the previous night, and after sensing them, the Dragon Crystal within her body had responded.
"Very good, Celine!"
Hearing this, a hint of triumph flashed in Celine's eyes.
Just then, Dinnett also raised her paw.
Following closely behind was Ao.
However, to the dragons' surprise, the fourth was not Billy, but myself.
That is correct; I too had located where my Dragon Crystal resided.
Right within my head, it was probably only the size of a fingernail, but I could clearly feel the magical elements contained therein.
There were two types: one was the fire element, and the other was the water element.
On the other side, Billy looked at my raised paw in astonishment, and then quickly began to search with earnestness.
Soon, he too raised his paw.
"Hey!
Friend!
I swear, had I searched seriously from the outset, I would undoubtedly have been swifter than you!"
Hearing this, many dragons rolled their eyes and ignored this braggart.
Winters seemed to heave a sigh of relief, and then continued: "Then, let us commence the second step.
In the center of your chest, in the middle of the lungs.
That is the key to why a True Dragon can employ Dragon Breath: the Elemental Lung!
Please raise your hands if you find it."
I followed Winters' instructions and directed my Inner Focus into my thoracic cavity, and the scene within my chest was reflected in my mind.
A powerful heart pumped bright, crimson Dragon Blood into the vessels, flowing throughout my entire body, and strong lungs efficiently extracted oxygen from the air, transporting it to all parts of my being.
Ah... although I did not actually see any oxygen, the knowledge from that other world informed me that the air was replete with oxygen, which is indispensable for life.
I reserved my opinion on this matter; this world possessed magic.
Soon, I located the Elemental Lung that Winters had mentioned, but it was not an organ of flesh and blood, but rather two distinct spaces situated within the body.
My Inner Focus could not draw near to those two spaces, but I could perceive the completely different auras emanating from them.
One of the spaces exuded a high temperature that seemed capable of melting everything, and the other space radiated the coldness of freezing all it touched.
I knew not if this was normal, but at least the location was not problematic.
Moreover, when I beheld these two spaces, a potent feeling suddenly arose within my heart: to import the magical elements from the Dragon Crystal into them.
I thought so, and I acted upon it, but I subconsciously chose the fire element, and the space that exuded high temperature.
With the mobilization of the elements, my Inner Focus was immediately consumed to a significant degree.
And, I directly exited the state of internal vision.
Outside, I, whose spirit suddenly flagged, involuntarily opened my mouth under the astonished gazes of Winters and the other four young dragons.
Blazing white flames escaped from the corners of my maw.
The next second!
A blinding white light flashed, and a Dragon Scale on Winters' chin emitted wisps of smoke.
I collapsed to the ground, breathing heavily.