Some things happened after we defeated and showed that creature, we were no prey. My brother told me it's called a "crocodile," a strange name, really, but thanks to this crocodile, I was able to teach my brother what it means to be a kobold proud of his lineage.

  And it's not that Breigon hadn't shown it before, it's just that I think he didn't do it with that intention or at least not entirely; I hope to continue helping him prove that we are worthy.

  Now then, it certainly wasn't good for us to run out of mana, as we realized, or rather Breigon realized, that if that creature managed to manipulate the mana to become invisible. What prevented other creatures, equally or more dangerous, from doing the same? Because if that's the case; mana was our best way to detect and defend against them.

  And all thanks to the training that the great serpent and the great spider passed down to us, but not having mana makes us vulnerable. Now I think I understand why humans used so many barriers, armors, and weapons; so, we had to wait near the river, although we still kept our distance. We had to fully recover our mana to restart our journey.

  During all that time we waited, I congratulated my brother on his plan. The truth is, carrying those mana stones makes perfect sense now. I think I understand a little better the use of tools and weapons. While our great ancestors didn't need them because they had their fangs, claws, antlers, scales, and mana to demonstrate their great strength, it doesn't mean that we can't use tools that allow us to continue growing. "Knowledge is power," my brother once told me.

  And although I didn't understand it well at first, now I realize that thanks to that knowledge we have achieved a lot: the inheritance of the great Orgarrl and Drazird that allowed us to complete the magic seal, the teachings of the great serpent and the great spider, my brother's inheritance and that of our people, everything is important and must be inherited, not hatred or other negative feelings, but this, which allows new generations of kobolds to continue growing and improving, whether through the ritual or like my brother; the great serpent and the great spider inherited it to me: through teaching, then I understood, everything can be inherited!

  When I had the idea, I had to tell my brother immediately. Although I think it wasn't the best moment because I scared him since he was asleep and I woke him up very abruptly, but I had to say it; I felt it was just as important for our dream, I felt it had to be part of it, but to my surprise, Breigon told me that it's called "educational system" and that it's a central part of a nation, since everyone must have the possibility to receive basic knowledge and it's the nation's obligation to make that happen. It was the simplest way to transmit knowledge to future generations, so they could continue growing, learning, and discovering new knowledge to inherit.

  That is the legacy we must give to our people! I tried to tell my brother to explain to me how to create that "educational system," although he gave me a look that said it wasn't that simple, but I still begged him to explain, to which he replied, "First let me sleep, I promise I'll try to explain later," and he fell asleep. Maybe it wasn't a good idea to wake him up before the shift change; to be honest, I woke him up almost immediately after we switched shifts to keep watch, and he got scared. I think he thought the crocodile was attacking us, as he kept looking back towards the river. Sorry, brother, sometimes I get too excited.

  ………………………………………………………….

  When Garrl woke me up for the guard shift change, I had to ask him if he had woken me up before to ask me something about how to create an "educational system," or if I had dreamed it, just like I dreamed I was eating a tilapia in white sauce with mushrooms, to which he replied that the "educational system" thing was indeed real, and that he had no idea what a tilapia, white sauce, or mushrooms were; and although he wanted me to explain the educational system to him right away, I told him he should sleep first, it was the right thing for both of us. Besides, I told him it wasn't something so simple to explain, that he should let me think and that he should rest; dawn would come soon, this was the last shift change, and it was very important for both of us to be rested.

  In the end, Garrl listened to me and went to sleep, and although he didn't fall asleep immediately, he eventually did, leaving me with my thoughts.

  So, if he wants to create a kobold nation! He's serious! It's not that I didn't believe it was possible, I just know it's not easy to do, damn it! Who am I kidding? How the hell do they expect us to do that? What am I getting myself into? Yes, I thought we would do something to help our people, but I can't imagine building an entire nation.

  However, he deduced the creation of an "educational system"; and it's not the first time Garrl has had such an idea. Since I told him that I was human before, we have had these conversations, where he comes up with an idea and we both see if this idea would help our people.

  The truth is, I don't know if Garrl is different from other kobolds or if most of them are like him, because if that's the case, maybe our dream isn't such a crazy idea. Honestly, I just don't want him to dream too high and crash like I did in my previous life. It's not that I wasn't happy with what I achieved, it's just that I dreamed of much more and reality put me in my place. I don't regret it, I always gave my best, but …..... Anyway, an educational system? How do I explain it to Garrl?

  In the end, I racked my brains thinking about how to explain it to Garrl, but I concluded that the best thing was to explain to him what a nation is and everything it entails, as well as how difficult it would be to replicate it, but that it is not impossible to do; with enough work and collective effort, it can be possible. I understand that kobolds think like that, in the benefit of the collective. If that's the case, it might be realistic to think about at least laying the foundations for everything and hoping that future generations will finish the work, just as they almost completed the magic seal, but with an educational system that prevents losing the knowledge or the path of what is wanted to be achieved.

  A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

  "Being an educator" is not what I studied, but I believe I can do it. Well, it's almost dawn, and first we need to have breakfast. I don't know if I dare to try to catch something; I think I've seen small fish all the times I've flown over that river. Besides, that invisible crocodile must eat something, but I don't know if it would learn the lesson of not stalking and wanting to hunt kobolds, or if it would need more lessons from Professor Breigon and the Professor Garrl, haha. …………..…., Grrrrrrrrr, ……………….. Ok, I think the invisible crocodile has given its opinion; better take out the insects we brought. ……………….. Grrrrrr…………….. Damn it! I was craving fish roasted over the fire.

  ………………………………………..

  Kingdom of Jódecas

  Isaac got up early as usual. He's turning 18; he could enlist as a soldier and have a steady income, no more low-paying jobs. These years have been difficult for him and his father, but especially this last year; although it has always been like this as far back as he can remember. This kingdom has been in decline according to what he has heard and seen in the streets, but his father always worked honestly and hoped that things would improve at some point; he was always cheerful and positive, until he returned from his last mission as an adventurer.

  "Adventurer," Isaac dreamed of being one; it wasn't the highest-paying job and it was very dangerous, but his father loved his profession. He wasn't the strongest, nor did he have the best equipment, nor was he the bravest, as he would tell him, but it was what his grandfather taught him, and it was a way to make a living, and yes, it was what he was meant to do, at least he would enjoy it, his dad would tell him. Isaac, as a child, thought that he would also be an adventurer, but after seeing what happened to his poor father, he began to change his mind about being an adventurer, and everything started after that last mission.

  Isaac saw how the abandonment by the guild and the mockery led his father to become someone different; his joy gradually faded away. It was impossible for him to find a decent job, and the physical damage he suffered, while it didn't prevent him from doing other tasks, was indeed uncomfortable. He always said that sound never stopped; it was like a faint, simple but constant buzzing that he heard. They didn't have money for a decent healer to see him, so his father had to live with it.

  Sometimes, in his desperation, he would shout that it was the fault of that creature that spoke to him in that strange language, that maybe it had bewitched him, but no one believed him and they mocked him for losing a battle to what he described: they were kobold pups that moved and attacked in a strange way.

  But his story lost credibility when they hinted that what happened was that he fought with his fellow sorcerer and killed him; then he made up that story about kobolds, and it was substantiated because the wound that killed the sorcerer was from a sword and right in the part of the neck where it is lethal, too coincidental for mere kobold spawn to have done it.

  In the end, the guild couldn't prove anything, whether it was a murder or not, but if he claimed it was just some kobold pups, well, that just showed how incompetent he was to be an adventurer, and they completely abandoned him; all his so-called friends turned their backs on him. His father, alone one night amidst tears and drink, said to him: "You believe me, right son?" "That kobold enchanted me," and of course Isaac said yes to his poor father, what other alternative did he have.

  But today something could change; the kingdom was looking to hire new soldiers, with or without combat experience, and he wouldn't miss that opportunity. And when he finally signed his contract to enlist in the castle, he overheard an argument between a commander and a sorcerer.

  - Hey! I need you to assign someone to help me carry all my tools and devices.

  - Listen, Melan, I am organizing an exploration mission that the kingdom depends on. Listen, Melan, I am organizing an exploration mission that the kingdom depends on. I understand your needs, but the king was clear that you should be measured in what you can carry; I am not going to assign you a soldier just to serve as a porter.

  - And how do you expect me to do my job and my research well? I need all of this.

  Isaac then saw a new opportunity: although he was already enlisted, the pay is low at the beginning due to his lack of experience, and here he had a chance to gain it, apparently on an important mission for the kingdom, what better opportunity could he have. He then approached where both men were and introduced himself.

  - Excuse me, Commander, I am Isaac, and I am enlisted as a soldier; I can do the work that the sorcerer needs.

  - Do you know that it's disrespectful to intrude in other people's conversations?

  - Excuse me, sir, I just wanted to help.

  - Mmmmm, tell me, kid, when did you enlisted and what experience do you have?

  - I ………….. I just enlisted, but I know how to ride, handle a sword, take care of animals, and have some blacksmithing skills because I've worked in various places.

  Both men just looked at each other again, while a NO echoed from the sorcerer's mouth.

  - He's just a boy — replied Merlan.

  - Tell me, boy, your name is Issac, right? If you are already enlisted, it means you are old enough to be a man. However, we are going to the great mountain ranges, directly to the great cave; it is a very dangerous mission, I can't assure you that you would come out alive, but the pay will be good, and your skills would be useful to us, but first, show me how well you handle the sword, if you still want to join us.

  Isaac was a bit worried upon hearing where they were going, right to the place where his father lost everything, but he wouldn't get another opportunity like this. Not everyone ventures into that forest, and although he didn't recognize those men at first, he later realized who they were. He wasn't just any commander; he was the kingdom's general, Sir Fréderic, and the great sorcerer Merlan. If both men were on a mission, it must be very important, what better way to gain experience and money, so he didn't hesitate to say yes. Then they gave him a sword and he prepared to face the general; his father had trained him and he had been practicing for the past year.

  And then the general charged at him without warning, he was relentless in his attacks, barely able to block or evade them, and could only counterattack on a couple of occasions. At that, the general stopped and spoke.

  - Wow, we have someone with skill.

  Just then Isaac, and again without warning, another soldier began to attack him. He managed to evade the attack and counterattacked, but he was confused by what was happening. But the general at that moment charged again, managing to take the sword from him and throw him to the ground, while saying:

  - First lesson, boy, you must be prepared for anything. Don't expect a fair battle where we're going. Get up and tell the armory to give you the appropriate gear for the third exploitation mission, and follow all the instructions that the sorcerer Merlan gives you. We leave in 2 days.

  At that, the general turned to the sorcerer Merlan, while saying to him.

  - You already have someone to help you carry your things.