87 Isll Break His Legs! (1/2)
Taking Halcrem's advice, Greyson decided to continue working hard at resonating with his dragon bloodline. Due to this task, he held off and canceled his earlier decision to seek out the merchant caravan right away. He decided to just keep staying in an inn until he has a better handle on his bloodline. After that conversation, he knew that life would become much more complicated if he only came as a human. Day after day, he continued working hard, but the progress was not easy. The scales barely covered his torso even after 2 weeks of practice. Greyson was slowly becoming more and more impatient with the progress since he had never been this slow in anything. Taking deep breaths, he tried to calm himself down after realizing that he was getting too impatient. All his earlier success was getting to his head and making him impatient for instant success. Lots of people took years to get to his level of power, he was sufficiently talented.
Maybe it was this underlying stress he had to rush himself that was preventing further success, but as he started to relax, Greyson realized that he was contacting his dragon bloodline a lot easier than before. Slightly unnerved by the inexplicable improvement, he sought out Halcrem for answers. Halcrem simply answered that he was thinking too deeply about it before. A lot of his contact with his beast bloodline was through more basic and instinctual feelings then complex thought processes. Feeling reassured after this news, Greyson renewed his trials but without thinking of the same pressure. One week went by and this time he saw major changes. Not only could his whole body transform, even his basic features also started to change. His height changed by a couple inches making him slightly taller than most almost 14-year-olds. His body grew firmer and his muscles more defined. His hair no longer took on the elf platinum silver but turned back to his original white. His eyes rested at a purple color most of the time which was different from his violet purple from the lightning element. It was a lighter lilac purple that was warmer than before. Even Zephyr showed the same changes as his scales turned white as well and he showed matching purple eyes.
Again, Greyson tried to see if Halcrem had any information about dragons and his friend's answer surprised him.
”Benefactor, if I'm not mistaken, then your father must hail from the royal bloodline of the Snow Dragon Clan. They are the number two clan after the Golden Dragon King clan. Though I say number two, in reality they are tied mostly. The biggest reason is because the Dragon Kings are born with bloodline superiority that allows them to put innate pressure on the rest of the dragon clan. However, the Snow Dragons are unique because they are born with more than one elemental talent whereas even Dragon Kings are born with talent only in the light element. Snow Dragons can specialize in ice element magic and can also use spatial magic which is extremely rare. They are usually betrothed to the Dragon King race every generation, so I can assume that your grandparent must have made an extremely controversial decision when your father was created.” Listening to Halcrem, Greyson became very interested. While Sweetbow told him the basics, he could only identify the different races of magic beasts but he was not super privy to all the information. Plus, Sweetbow was definitely biased towards informing him only about the Elf Empire and bragging about bow amazing it was and how much he wished he could go back. Therefore, Greyson's world knowledge was slightly skewed. Greyson could not help but be disappointed when he heard that his original dragon ancestors could use spatial magic because that made him realize his bloodline must really be too weak. His sister, Eden, actually used spatial magic and ice magic as well. She told him that almost all his siblings except his second and sixth sister had those abilities. Making some easy inferences, he realized that the children who inherited only the dragon bloodline inherited the Snow Dragon's talent and the children who were born with the elf bloodline of his mother could use one or two of his mother's original four. Slightly upset thinking of his once again estranged sister, Greyson could not help but frown. The element information came up naturally in conversation when he asked what type of magician she was; however, he was not able to completely ask her about his mother and other siblings before the chaos of leaving occurred. Not only did he still not know his father's original dragon bloodline before this, but he also did not know the names of his family members. Since Eden just referred to them as first brother and fifth sister or mother and father, he never learned the actual names and features of his siblings. He was also starting to discover that maybe his issues before birth were due to the fact that he inherited both bloodlines. Learning some things from his sister, Greyson realized that all of his siblings only inherited one or the other.
Seeing Greyson's suddenly foul mood, Halcrem was surprised before wondering if he said anything incorrect.
”Benefactor, do not worry. The dragon clan are extremely proud and would never purposefully chase you down or give you trouble. Most likely they did not do much to your father, either, other than the usual disrespect. If he was really from the Snow Dragon clan, then if his parent was high ranked enough then he would still get better treatment than normal full-blooded dragons.” Misunderstanding what Greyson was upset about, Halcrem quickly spotted a problem and comforted Greyson. Broken out of his thoughts, Greyson could not help but feel speechless. When did he say he felt concerned about his father's grievances? He has never even met the man, it was not like he about to hold any grudges for him.
”Hahaha, no, I'm not thinking about that. I was just thinking what a shame it was that my bloodline was so weak that I did not inherit the spatial element talent of the Snow Dragons.”
”Gosh, if anyone else heard your complaints would they not just be angered to death. You, with your seven elements, quibbling about not having another. Please.” Hearing such a familiar voice dripping with sarcasm, Greyson's expression could not help but light up immediately. Turning around to his bed, he saw familiar blue and green eyes looking back at him.
”LU! You're awake!”
”Nonsense! Even if I was dead, I would still rise up hearing such ridiculous complaints!” Rolling his eyes, Lucius made his usual scathing remarks. Grinding his teeth slightly, Greyson's smile could not help but crack. Calm down, calm down. Just be magnanimous this time, he just woke up after all. After meditating this in his head, Greyson continued to smile and reigned in the urge to slap this stupid cat.
”Well, how do you feel?”
”Hmph! I'm not like some people who took months to heal and wake up. Of course, I woke up new and improved. I even rose a level and am now equal to a magister level stage two magician.”
”Hey, you can't say stuff like that! You only woke up early this time because I fed you a special herb. It probably helped with your cultivation, too! Plus, last time you stayed asleep longer than me if I remember correctly.” Finally, not able to keep his good mood, Greyson suddenly had the desire to just knock this ungrateful cat out again.
”That was because I was saving our lives, unlike a certain useless person who fainted from getting injured by the enemy before the fight even really started. By the way, do you have any more of that herb, it's some real good stuff.” Lucius continued on in a shameless matter with his thick-skin. Greyson felt his blood pressure rise in anger as his head started to ache. More herbs?! Such a priceless thing, why don't you go and find some yourself?!
”Wait, Benefactor, did he just say seven elements?” Completely ignoring the later conversation, Halcrem was still stuck on the first thing that Lucius mentioned. He had yet to really witness Greyson use all of his elements, so he was shocked to suddenly hear of the amount. Taking another look at Greyson, He suddenly realized that he was still underestimating this young genius magician. Maybe it was the two powerful bloodlines that he had?
”Hm? Who is this oversized oaf?” Lucius glanced over in confusion. ”A Beastman? You look related to the Sun Lions...”
”Oh right, I forgot. Lucius, this is Halcrem Armand, also known as Hal. Hal, this is Lucius, also known as Lu. He is my equal contract magic beast, he is like my older brother. Halcrem is a Beastman who I saved from slavery and will help lead us around the Beast Empire.” Greyson quickly coughed awkwardly before introducing the two. Hearing their nicknames, both Halcrem and Lucius could feel their lips twitching. Such terrible naming sense... Looking at each other, they sensed this quick connection as if finding a fellow sufferer.
”Nice to meet you, I am Lucius.”
”Ah yes, nice to meet you, too. I am Halcrem Armand. You were correct earlier, I do hail from the Sun Lion tribe.”
Watching as the large man stuck out his humongous hand and the small paw that met with it, Greyson couldn't help but giggle a little at the scene. Such an interesting juxtaposition...