At Winters' words, all five of us wyrmlings, myself included, trembled.
I, perhaps, trembled the most profoundly.
This world was excessively perilous, far more so than the world held within my memories.
At most, in that other realm, I might have been apprehended and conveyed to a place designated a 'Pokémon Lab,' secured to something termed an 'operating table,' and subsequently studied.
Considering I had encountered no others like myself in that world, even if studied, I likely wouldn't have been subjected to dissection.
Moreover, I would most probably have been protected as a rare species—provided, of course, I did not reveal my own inherent power.
But here, the danger of being devoured immediately upon exiting the Dragon Eyrie loomed large.
Assuredly, this must be the so-called savage world repeatedly alluded to in those literary constructs called 'novels' from my memories.
In that case, there must exist some malevolent entity, concealed in some obscure corner of this world, plotting its destruction.
Besides, perhaps this place called the Dragon Eyrie, where I currently resided, had already been infiltrated by the adversary's minions.
According to the descriptions in those 'web novels,' if I were to adopt a more cynical perspective, the most powerful being in this Dragon Eyrie might well be the mastermind orchestrating the world's ruin.
In that scenario, I might be cultivated by this entity to become a henchman, a harbinger of global disaster.
Escape the Dragon Eyrie?
As this thought emerged, I lowered my gaze to my own body, less than two metres in length including my tail, and then looked up at Winters' colossal, hundred-metre frame.
Very well.
This plan must be abandoned.
If my memory served correctly, her appearance bore a striking resemblance to the Red Dragons among the chaotic and malevolent Quinquecolored Dragons depicted in the web novels.
As for why this entity did not seem as chaotic and evil as described... come now, that was fiction; this was reality.
How could a genuine dragon expose the entirety of its personality?
Perhaps, behind every gentle utterance from her lay an exceedingly nefarious thought.
In that case, there was only one course of action available to me: while cautiously catering to her demands, I would amass power, biding my time for an opportunity to escape the Dragon Eyrie.
What was that phrase?
Something about enduring hardship for future triumph?
Confound it, I must properly sift through the memories bequeathed by my sire when I next have leisure.
Speaking of which, were there humans in this world?
No!
Now was not the time to ponder such matters; I needed to plan meticulously, lest I betray myself before my stratagem was even implemented.
With this resolve, I turned my head and regarded the other four young drakes with a measure of pity.
Poor creatures, you comprehend nothing of this world; you are merely awaiting your transformation into instruments of war for their dominion, or even destruction, of the world!
Of course, if any among them proved congenial, I wouldn't object to an additional accomplice.
Winters had no inkling that her rather grim jest had implanted a twenty-thousand-word Dragon-Eyrie-escape-plan within my fledgling mind.
Observing our trembling forms, Winters chuckled (a ferocious smile, naturally).
"Alright, little ones, do any of you, aside from Vet, have further inquiries?"
Then she beheld a diminutive paw raised high.
"Vet, there is no need to raise your hand; simply articulate your query if you have one."
"What is the Desidero Dragon Roost?"
As I spoke, I looked at Winters with keen expectation, hoping to discern if this Quinquecolored Dragon, who so perfectly concealed her inherent evil and chaos, might divulge some useful intelligence.
Winters remained oblivious to the machinations within my mind, and upon hearing my question, she regarded me with some surprise.
"Your capacity for learning surpasses my expectations.
I did not anticipate you would retain this name after a single mention.
In that case, I shall not fret over your lack of bloodline inheritance!
As for Desidero... you are still nascent.
You need only know that it is a magnificent place.
As for what renders it so magnificent, you will naturally comprehend as you mature."
Tsk!
Clicking my tongue inwardly, I became even more wary of the malevolent Red Dragon before me.
She was so guarded even with newly hatched wyrmlings like us.
As for maturation... likely indoctrination, ah... that should be the term.
Of course, I harbored these thoughts solely within my heart and would never dare voice them aloud.
In my estimation, were I to speak them, she, out of shame and fury, might swallow me whole.
Such is the fate of disobedient wyrmlings.
Winters observed that we five fledglings had fallen silent, so she extended her claws, placing them flat upon the ground.
"If you have no further questions, then ascend.
What you require most at this juncture, as newborns, is a nest of your own."
At this, the other four young drakes cheered, one after another flapping their nascent wings, and then flew onto Winters' claws.
Seeing this, I, though reluctant, could only flap my wings, take a stride, and the next step was to leap, and then...
Splat!
I landed heavily upon the ground, skidded forward a short distance, and collided with a protruding stone.
Touching my head, looking at the gravel scattered on the ground, my face was a mask of utter confusion.
Winters was visibly stunned by this spectacle.
Flight is an instinct for a true Dragon.
After 'delivering' so many generations, this was the first occasion she had witnessed a wyrmling fail to achieve lift-off—and even shatter a stone in the process!
What a resilient cranium... no, not that, what an ungainly dragon!
As soon as this thought surfaced, Winters swiftly banished it.
Every wyrmling is Desidero's future; such thoughts were impermissible.
"Vet, do not rush.
Take your time; carefully sense the power that is inherently yours.
You can achieve this."
Winters attempted to moderate her speech, imbuing it with a gentler tone, though in reality, her gentleness was uniquely draconic.
Of course, no one, myself included, would remark upon this.
Five wyrmlings: four could fly, one could not.
Thus, the gazes of those who could soar, directed towards the one who could not, were decidedly unfriendly.
Noticing the four pairs of eyes upon me, tinged with mockery, I slowly rose, then sneered inwardly.
Ignorant fools!
Thinking this, my spirits lifted somewhat, and I took a deep breath.
Feel your power!
Following Winters' instruction, I carefully focused on sensing my inherent strength.
Although her motives were undoubtedly impure, until I transcended my fledgling state, the optimal course was to comply, regardless of her intentions.
With this resolve, I bolstered my spirits internally while exerting all my might to flap the wings upon my back.
Finally, I perceived an upward pull!
But this upward force seemed insufficient.
I merely felt my four claws lift slightly, not entirely detaching from the ground.
Not enough!
The wings were not beating with sufficient velocity; the power was inadequate!
I could achieve greater speed, greater strength!
Finally, under Winters' astounded gaze, I ascended and landed upon her claw!
After a protracted silence, Winters looked at me, her golden vertical pupils filled with a strange, unreadable light.
"Where is your magic?"