Winters' gaze settled upon me, and a flush of embarrassment warmed my scales as I lowered my head.

  “My profound apologies, Winters.

  I confess, I truly could not find the soce of sleep st night.”

  Winters glided into the den, a soft chuckle escaping her as she spoke, “It is quite alright, little Vet; fret not on that account.

  In fact, if apologies are due, it is I who should offer one to you.

  I ought tohave discerned your unique constitution, your particur needs, much sooner than I did.

  When you so directly, and without specific instruction, employed your breath, even before I had detailed the precise methodology of its release, I should have immediately realized that your Inner Focus possesses a vibrancy, an activity, far exceeding that of Celine and the others.

  Also, and for this I offer my most sincere regrets, I genuinely, and regrettably, failed to notice the particur, heightened demands of your rapidly developing body.

  It was not until Boco himself sought me out earlier this morning that I became fully aware of the unfortunate incident wherein you had lost consciousness due to sheer exhaustion.”

  Observing the undeniable earnestness etched upon Winters’ noble draconic features (and pray, do not inquire as to how one precisely discerns the nuances of a dragon’s facial expression; I confess, the mechanism remains a mystery even to me!), I stammered out a reply, “Winters, esteemed Winters, there is absolutely no need, no cause whatsoever, for you to tender any apology for this matter.

  You have already, in countless ways, cared for me with such immense generosity and diligence!”

  At my words, Winters smiled, a warm and reassuring gesture, and gently shook her great head.

  “Very well, little one, let us not dwell further on what is past.

  Today, your allotted sustenance, and indeed that of your clutch-mates, shall be this: an adult, prime Bus Dragon Beast!”

  As Winters gestured with a graceful sweep of her forelimb, the substantial carcass of a fully mature Bus Dragon Beast, one approximately her own impressive size, materialized with a silent whoosh within the confines of the Dragon's Den.

  I would have readily sworn, had anyone asked, that the magnificent creature now before us was easily five or even six hundred metres in its overall length!

  However, even more pressing, more immediately captivating than the sheer, awe-inspiring dimensions of an adult Bus Dragon Beast, was my burgeoning curiosity regarding the seemingly effortless manner in which Winters had conjured it forth, as if from thin air, with merely a casual, almost dismissive, wave of her hand.

  “Winters, Winters, how did you accomplish such a feat?

  It is most wondrous, truly impressive beyond measure!”

  Before I could even articute my own burgeoning query, the ever-eager Billy had already scurried to the side of the enormous Bus Dragon Beast, meticulously examining its every scale and contour from every conceivable angle, all the while posing this very same, burning question.

  “This particur question, in truth, is quite elementary in its nature.

  Once you yourselves progress beyond the initial Young Dragon stage of development, you will naturally, and without further tutege, come to comprehend such abilities.”

  Saying this, Winters regarded our five small, somewhat downcast little forms with an expression that softened into a gentle, knowing grin.

  "However, since you have voiced your curiosity with such commendable eagerness, it would perhaps do no sting harm to enlighten you somewhat on the matter.

  In reality, your current forms are not yet fully developed, not yet complete in all their draconic potential.

  When you eventually emerge from the confines of the Young Dragon state and enter into your adolescence…

  Observe my neck with careful attention.

  There is, you will notice, a singur, uniquely shaped scale located here, a scale which is termed, quite appropriately, the Inverse Scale.

  This remarkable scale will only manifest, will only become apparent, after you have successfully transitioned past the Young Dragon stage of your lives.

  And concealed within this very Inverse Scale, there resides a small, yet incredibly useful, pocket dimension, a personal space wherein various items can be safely and conveniently stored for ter retrieval.

  The avaible capacity of this Inverse Scale Space, I should add, will gradually, and quite significantly, expand as you continue to mature and grow in power throughout your long lives."

  With a burgeoning sense of wonder, I curiously scrutinized the aforementioned Inverse Scale, nestled amongst the others on Winters’ powerful neck.

  "Does every single member of the Dragon Cn possess such a marvel?"

  "Assuredly, without exception!

  Not merely the esteemed True Dragon Species, but indeed all recognized members of the wider Dragon Cn are so endowed with this remarkable attribute!

  Also, and this is of vital importance, you must commit one absolutely crucial fact to your memories with unwavering diligence: Innate Dragon Beasts, those creatures born of dragon eggs yet cking true draconic intellect, do *not*, under any circumstances, possess these Inverse Scales.

  Furthermore, it is a well-documented phenomenon that upon reaching their full maturity, Innate Dragon Beasts invariably harbor a deep-seated, natural antipathy, a profound mistrust, towards all members of the true Dragon Cn.

  Therefore, should you, in your future travels, leave the retive sanctuary of the Dragon Lair and venture forth into the wider, often perilous, world beyond, when approaching any unfamiliar individual who appears to be of the Dragon Cn, you must be absolutely, unequivocally certain to carefully and discreetly ascertain whether or not it bears the tell-tale sign of an Inverse Scale upon its neck."

  Hearing this grave and significant admonition, the eyes of Celine, Billy, Ao, Dinnett, and myself all narrowed in a shared moment of profound understanding, and we, as one, nodded our small heads with solemn gravity.

  Seeing our serious reception of her words, Winters’ features softened into a gentle smile.

  “Very well, my little charges.

  Now, let us attend to the matter of your individual culinary preferences.

  Besides our young Vet here, who else amongst you desires their portion of meat to be cooked before consumption?"

  This time, to my slight surprise, only Celine tentatively raised her paw in affirmation.

  Clearly, it seemed, cooked fare was not, by and rge, to every young dragon’s particur taste or inclination.

  I watched with a mixture of fascination and burgeoning appetite as Winters commenced the arcane, yet efficient, magical process of roasting a significant portion of the Dragon Beast meat, and I could not, despite my best efforts, suppress an anticipatory swallow.

  “Winters,” I ventured, a slight concern tingeing my voice, “I very much fear that we five cannot possibly consume the entirety of this magnificent beast.”

  Winters blinked her rge, intelligent eyes slowly.

  “Actually, as it happens,” she replied, a hint of amusement in her tone, “I find myself possessed of a rather keen appetite today as well.”

  Soon thereafter, after Celine, Billy, Ao, Dinnett, and I had all partaken of our fill and were thoroughly, blissfully sated, Winters, with a few prodigious, almost casual bites, devoured all the remaining meat from the colossal carcass.

  “Winters,” I began, remembering Boco’s earlier words, “Boco happened to mention that we are scheduled to rest and recuperate today.

  Is this information indeed accurate?”

  Winters shook her great head, a gesture that caused the very air around her to shimmer.

  “*They*,” she said, indicating my clutch-mates with a subtle nod, “are indeed scheduled for a day of rest.

  You, however, Vet, have a pressing need to accompany me forthwith to the grand Library.

  While the possession of a complete bloodline inheritance is not, strictly speaking, an absolute indispensable necessity, it is, undeniably, remarkably convenient in certain crucial respects, particurly concerning foundational knowledge.

  You are scheduled to formally commence your rigorous magical studies on the morrow, and it is therefore of paramount importance that you diligently review the fundamental, foundational knowledge pertaining to the arcane arts beforehand.

  You also need to grasp, with thorough understanding, certain common-sense matters and established protocols of our world.

  Vet, my little one, you are, I must inform you, about to become very, very busy indeed.

  In any case,” she added, a slight grimace momentarily marring her noble features, “I do not particurly relish the prospect of visiting the Library myself.

  The mere sight of those serried ranks of ancient tomes has an unfailing tendency to induce a profound, almost irresistible, somnolence in me.”

  As she spoke these st words, Winters’ brow furrowed deeply, creasing her scaled forehead.

  It was abundantly, almost painfully, clear that she genuinely, and with considerable feeling, detested that particur pce—the revered, yet evidently tedious, Library.

  Hearing her pronouncement, I nodded slowly in understanding.

  I had, in truth, already steeled myself, prepared my mind, for this inevitable eventuality.

  Just at that moment, Celine, ever inquisitive, approached Winters with a hopeful expression.

  "Winters, esteemed teacher, may I, perhaps, be permitted to accompany you and Vet on this visit?"

  "Most assuredly, young Celine, you may.

  But I must forewarn you, with all due seriousness, it is truly, profoundly, a most tedious and unengaging pce."

  As she said this, she extended her massive, scaled cw with a gentle gesture, beckoning both Celine and myself to hop aboard for the journey.

  However, such is the nature of newly hatched younglings, brimming as they are with an insatiable curiosity for the new and unknown, that Billy and the other two young dragons also took to the air with a flurry of small wingbeats and joined us on Winters’ impromptu transport.

  Winters regarded the assembled quintet on her cw with an expression that could only be described as a knowing, slightly weary grin.

  "You have, each of you, chosen this particur diversion yourselves; remember that."

  Stepping with regal grace out from the familiar confines of the Dragon's Den, Celine, Billy, Ao, Dinnett, and I all curiously surveyed the bustling square below, a scene which teemed with its usual, vibrant activity.

  Indeed, when Winters had first led us out from the protective shelter of the Academy building on the previous day, we had palpably, almost overwhelmingly, felt the keen, undisguised interest of our numerous fellow young dragons.

  Almost every single young dragon we encountered would first fly over to offer a respectful, if brief, greeting to the esteemed Winters, yet their bright, inquisitive gazes would invariably, and with noticeable intensity, linger upon us five little ones, the newest additions to their ranks.

  I harbored absolutely no doubt that, had Winters not been physically present as our imposing guardian, these older, rger young dragons would have, without hesitation, seized us gently but firmly in their cws for a much closer, more thorough, and undoubtedly prolonged scrutiny.

  Today, the atmosphere was not quite as frenetic, not quite as charged with overt curiosity as it had been on our initial outing, but there were still a considerable number of young dragons casting inquisitive, specutive gnces in our general direction; thankfully, however, perhaps due to Winters’ continued presence, they did not venture to approach us directly.

  Winters led our small party out from the cool dimness of the stone corridor and then, with powerful beats of her immense wings, ascended smoothly towards the upper, less frequented tiers of the Academy, eventually halting her flight with practiced ease upon the expansive nding of the eighth floor.

  Upon our arrival, the mere act of Winters nding stirred up a surprisingly significant cloud of fine, pale dust, which swirled momentarily around her great feet.

  Clearly, it was evident, dragons did not often, if ever, make it a habit to visit this particur, rather neglected, location.

  I cast my gaze around the circur nding; there appeared to be only one discernible entrance cut into the rock face on this eighth floor's wide, encircling stone corridor.

  Noticing my subtle movements of observation, Winters helpfully expined, her voice echoing slightly in the quiet space, "The entirety of this eighth floor, you see, is ingeniously interconnected; this vast, sprawling level is precisely where the entirety of Desidero's legendary, and quite frankly overwhelming, collection of books and scrolls is meticulously stored and preserved."

  As she finished speaking, Winters turned and walked with a measured tread into the shadowy maw of the single entrance.

  Unlike the familiar, almost comforting, gloom of the Dragon's Den, the sight that greeted us five little ones as soon as we crossed the threshold caused us to collectively, and quite involuntarily, excim in unison.

  A soft, ethereal light, emanating from countless multifaceted gems cunningly embedded into the high, vaulted ceiling of the immense cavern, served to illuminate the entire breathtaking space with a gentle, welcoming glow.

  What immediately greeted our astonished eyes were row upon row of truly colossal stone shelves, stretching further than we could see into the cavern's depths.

  Each individual shelf was den, groaning almost, with books that looked, from our diminutive perspective, exceedingly, almost impossibly, rge.

  How rge, you might ask?

  Consider this: these very books, when held securely within the formidable, yet surprisingly dexterous, cws of Winters, who herself stands at an imposing height of some six to seven hundred metres, appear to be of just the right, perfectly manageable size.

  In other words, a single one of these 'books' is, in reality, tens, or perhaps even close to a hundred, metres in its sheer vertical height!

  Moreover, these were not tomes akin to those I vaguely recalled from that other, distant world, which typically utilized fragile paper as their primary medium.

  The vast majority of these colossal volumes were meticulously crafted from various types_of resilient, enduring metal, and there appeared to be quite a few distinct varieties even of those, while a smaller, though still significant, portion were fashioned from rge, polished sbs of translucent, glowing crystal.

  I stared, utterly transfixed and somewhat bnkly, at the truly monumental "books" arrayed before me in silent, ancient grandeur.

  I finally, and with a dawning sense of profound awe, understood precisely what Winters had meant when she had previously, and rather cryptically, stated, "The accumuted knowledge contained within this library is more than sufficient for you to study diligently for the entirety of your very long lifetime."

  "Winters," I asked, my voice small in the vastness of the chamber, "are you absolutely certain that I possess the physical capability to even turn the pages of such immense volumes?"

  Winters, of course, with her centuries of wisdom, knew exactly what thoughts were currently coursing through my young mind.

  She smiled, a gesture that crinkled the scales around her eyes, then reached out and effortlessly took down one of the more moderately sized books, saying, "Do not unduly worry yourself on that account, little Vet; I shall, naturally, assist you in this endeavor."

  I looked at the truly massive book now resting in Winters' other formidable cw, my own face feeling distinctly wooden, my eyes perhaps a little dull with the sudden, overwhelming prospect before me.

  "Is this particur tome," I managed to ask, my voice tinged with a hint of trepidation, "the entirety of what I am expected to read and comprehend today?"

  "Assuredly not, Vet," Winters replied, her tone calm and matter-of-fact.

  I was just about to breathe a profound, heartfelt sigh of immense relief at this news, but then I heard Winters continue, her next words dashing my nascent hopes, "This, my dear youngling, is merely one, just one, of the many volumes you will explore."

  I fell into a sudden, contemptive silence, and I could almost physically feel the pitying, sympathetic gazes being directed towards me from Celine and the other young dragons who had accompanied us.