The combat training ground was unlike any other facility I had seen before vast, open, and lined with relics of countless past battles. Massive boulders scarred by flame, shattered bones of long-dead forest beasts, and primitive weapons crafted from stone and fang were scattered across the arena like silent witnesses to ancient wars.
"All students gather at the combat ground! I, Roseblaze, will be your instructor today!"
The commanding voice instantly drew everyone's attention.
The instructor who stepped forward was breathtaking. Her scales shimmered in a cascade of crimson and gold, catching the sunlight with dazzling brilliance. Every movement she made carried a fluid grace that only years of refined combat could forge.
"Today," she declared, her tone crisp and authoritative, "I will teach you the fundamentals of Flame Skills."
A ripple of excitement surged through the crowd. Even the air seemed to vibrate with anticipation.
"She's so beautiful," one student whispered.
"And look at how she moves like fire itself."
Roseblaze's gaze swept over us. "Good. Most of you have already reached the five-star whirling stage, so you should at least be capable of basic flame breathing and claw strike techniques."
She paced toward a ring of scorched stone targets. "Flame skills evolve as you evolve. When your body transforms, your internal organs adapt to handle greater energy flow allowing the manifestation of advanced flame capabilities. However, the pace of growth varies by individual."
She gestured toward a boulder, her tone turning analytical. "For example, my sister Pallet was an early bloomer. She awakened her first flame skill the very day her evolution began. But that doesn't mean everyone will. Flame potential lies within your bloodline genome your inherited essence."
Her words made me think. So flame skills are inherited through bloodlines… maybe that's why there's such disparity between the great families and the smaller clans.
Blazefang raised a claw. "Instructor Roseblaze, if flame skills depend so much on bloodline, then what's the purpose of training?"
"An excellent question," she replied with a faint smile. "Flame skills are categorized based on their mode of awakening. There are two paths: Determined Skills and Variable Skills."
She motioned to an ancient mural carved into the arena wall depicting dinosaurs breathing fire, striking with burning claws, and unleashing fiery blasts.
"Upon awakening, every Rex learns to exhale flame. We call it Flame Breathing the first milestone for all T-Rexes." She exhaled softly, a controlled flare glowing from her mouth.
"With progression through each star of the Whirling Stage, you reach further milestones. Around the fifth star, the second milestone manifests. By the ninth star, most T-Rexes awaken common skills like Flame Claw, Flame Bite, and Iron Tail."
She turned toward us, her eyes gleaming. "After evolving into the Juvenile Stage, the most fundamental skill you'll develop is Flamethrower."
Roseblaze demonstrated exhaling a continuous jet of flame that roared across the arena. The sheer power and control left us speechless.
"Once you advance further, your flame mastery deepens," she continued. Her scales began to shimmer as thin streams of fire seeped from her pores, wrapping around her body until a blazing armor took form.
"This," she said, her voice resonating with heat, "is Flame Armor a symbol of the Adult Evolution Milestone."
The whirling-stage students gawked, some fantasizing about the day they might wear such magnificent flame armor.
"Cough, cough—wake up from your daydreams!" Roseblaze snapped, amused. "Leader and Elder stages have their own milestones too, each symbolizing unmatched might."
My heart pounded with excitement. "Instructor Roseblaze," I called, "if those are determined skills that come with evolution milestones, what are Variable Skills? How are they different and which are stronger?"
Her lips curved in approval. "Unlike milestone skills, Variable Skills are not inherited. They are earned."
"Earned?" I echoed, intrigued.
"Yes," she said, her tone serious. "Variable skills emerge through dedication, comprehension, and battle experience. By deepening your understanding of flame essence, you refine and adapt your abilities—creating your own unique variations."
She began listing examples: "At the Juvenile Stage, common variable skills include Razor Claw, Swift Tail, Dig, Ember, Flame Wheel, Flame Blast, and Flame Spike. Each of these is forged through relentless practice and deep comprehension of flame behavior."
Taking a breath, she continued, "As for which is stronger determined or variable it depends on the situation. Determined skills are devastating in raw power but consume immense energy. Variable skills, however, offer efficiency and adaptability in prolonged combat. A true predator masters both."
We all nodded in awe, her words sinking deep into our minds. The air buzzed with excited murmurs as everyone speculated what kind of variable skill they might one day awaken.
I turned to Pallet, whispering, "Which one do you think you'll develop?"
She tilted her head. "I'm not sure yet. There are too many possibilities."
I frowned thoughtfully. "My case might be… different."
I turned inward, calling out mentally, Ragnarok, what kind of skill will I develop?
His ancient voice echoed in my mind.
"Dragon abilities are shaped by elemental nature. Lesser dragons evolve through multiple elemental affinities often mastering two or more at once. This gives them an overwhelming advantage over dinosaurs, whose powers are limited to a single element."
My eyes widened. "Multiple elements? That's terrifying. Then what about Greater Dragons?"
Ragnarok's tone grew heavy. "Their powers are beyond comprehension. Greater Dragons wield unnatural elements forces that defy nature itself. I've witnessed young Ghost Dragons command armies of the dead, Space Dragons tear through the fabric of time, and Darkness Dragons consume stars."
I swallowed hard, half terrified, half exhilarated. "Then why… why can't I use any dragon abilities yet? All I can manage are flame techniques like the others."
Ragnarok sighed. "Because my spirit flame resides within you. My presence awakened your ability to control fire but your true dragon essence remains sealed. Your genetic structure is far too complex, and your Dragon Heart Core is bound by an unknown crystal seal. As Someone deliberately locked away your true power."
I froze. "Sealed… my dragon heart? But why?"
A thought struck me like lightning. My actual parents… could it be them?
In familiar stories where , powerful dragon parents sealed their offspring's powers to protect them until they matured. Could that be same with ?
i am more curious who my actual parents are , and why they throw away me "
Ragnarok paused. "Perhaps… or perhaps you simply haven't reached the proper milestone by dragon standards yet."