Chapter 24: A Word Once Spoken, Never Returns...

  The dragons slowly opened their eyes and looked around in confusion.

  "Where are we?" one of them spoke for the first time. Another asked:

  "Who are we?"

  One of them, after a moment of hesitation, answered:

  "We are dragons... but why do I know that?"

  "We are as confused as you. Does anyone have an answer to our current state?"

  All the dragons fell silent, and a heavy atmosphere settled among them. No matter how hard they tried to think, they couldn’t find a suitable answer.

  Then suddenly, one of them asked:

  "What was that strange being? That mysterious white-robed figure?"

  "I wonder the same. Does anyone know who that small two-legged creature is?"

  The dragons exchanged glances and eventually, in unison, replied, "We do not know..."

  Primer, unseen, watched them with laughter and excitement.

  "They want to know who I am? Very well. I must introduce myself properly—after all, I am their parent and creator."

  Primer reappeared before them.

  Some dragons were startled and took a step back, while others instinctively took a defensive stance. But the largest among them stood firm, gazing at Primer with pride and a determined look—as if he already saw himself victorious in battle.

  Well... that wasn't the welcome I was expecting.

  "Do not fear, young ones. I am your creator and caretaker—"

  Primer attempted to introduce himself and ease their confusion, but suddenly, the larger dragon let out a mocking roar.

  "Creator and caretaker? Ha! You are truly mad! How could majestic and powerful beings like us be born from the hands of a weak and hideous two-leg like you? Look at my sky-soaring wings! I can fly—what about you? I have claws and jaws that can end your life in a second! And yet, you consider yourself superior?"

  A frown slowly formed on Primer’s unseen face. His anger came from being accused of lies by his own creations, who refused to accept the truth.

  Was this foolish beast truly created by me? Was it not I who opened the gates of knowledge to them? Then why do they still dwell in darkness? No—it is not my fault. The fault lies with them. Not all are worthy of wisdom. This is merely a reflection of the greater human society.

  Primer thought to himself and finally asked, "Do the rest of you share his thoughts? Do you also not consider me your creator?"

  The dragons once again exchanged glances, waiting to see each other's choices.

  In the end, all except the smallest of them said, "We agree with him."

  The proud dragon raised his head higher and let out a screeching laugh. Then he turned to Primer, awaiting his response.

  Primer nodded and then looked toward the last one.

  "And you? You disagree with them, but do you acknowledge me?"

  The small dragon stared determinedly at Primer’s white robe, closed his eyes, and bowed his head in respect.

  "If you are not my Lord, who else could be? All I know is because of you. It would be unjust to receive goodness and repay it with evil."

  Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

  Hmm?... Did I hear that right, or is this young one truly wise? Though I granted them knowledge, this level of insight is born from thought and foresight.

  The large dragon slammed his claws on the ground and roared at the small one.

  "You insolent traitor! How dare you accept the rule of a stranger whose intentions you don’t even understand?"

  The small dragon lifted his head with confidence and looked into his eyes with a piercing, fiery gaze.

  "Big brother, I may not know him, but a deep feeling within me cries out that he is my master—and if I don’t yield to him, I will never know peace. I wonder, why do you resist the truth and reject our creator? Do you truly think yourself superior, or is this just an act?"

  The large dragon found himself speechless. But then, with clenched lips, he said:

  "Very well. If he is truly our creator, then showing us his power should be easy, right? White-robed one, if you truly are who you claim to be, then defeat me in a one-on-one battle!"

  "..."

  I honestly don't know what to say—are they intelligent or just foolish?

  "Very well. If you wish to witness my power, I shall not deny you. But under one condition: If I win, I will name all of you, and from that moment forward, you will never rebel against me or disobey my command. Do you agree?"

  The large dragon nodded. "And if I win, you shall become my servant for life and obey my every command. Do you accept?"

  Primer nodded, silently smirking at the dragon’s ignorance.

  Serve you for life? Will you even live long enough to see the day I die?

  Primer and the large dragon appeared in a vast open space, facing one another, ready for battle.

  "Heh... Soon I’ll show you the meaning of true power! Ready yourself!"

  Just then, Primer replied with a sarcastic and regretful tone:

  "Oh dear! I almost forgot—to display my full power, I must reveal my true form. Give me a moment, then we shall have a fair duel."

  The dragon gritted his teeth and clawed the ground.

  "Fine! Just do it quickly—but know this: trickery and deceit won’t change the fate of a loser like you!"

  Primer was now fully convinced of the dragon’s foolishness. Without wasting time, he began his incantation.

  Then it began...

  Primer’s body grew at astronomical speed, and within ten seconds, he reached the size of a titan two kilometers tall. The dragons, their eyes wide in shock and awe, could only watch silently, cursing themselves for following the larger dragon.

  The proud dragon was struck by terror and cursed his own decision to challenge such a monster. His body trembled, and he fell to his knees.

  How could I fight this monster and survive?! Those massive palms could crush me like meat paste and erase my existence countless times! I haven’t even lived a day, and now I’m to die like this?! No! I must surrender... or my fate is certain death!

  Primer’s robe had grown with his body, so no one could see his true form—otherwise, the dragons would’ve either died instantly or mutated into unnatural beings, like soulless Hollows.

  At that moment, the dragon cried out, pleading for mercy.

  "Great one, forgive me! I regret my ignorance! I never—"

  But Primer didn’t let him finish. His booming, shattering voice cut through:

  "That’s it? You surrender so easily and blame your ignorance? Wasn’t it you who wanted to show me the nature of true power? Don’t you know a word once spoken can never be taken back? Now attack me—or suffer a fate worse than defeat!"

  Despite his harsh words, Primer had no ill intent. His true purpose was to nurture the minds and spirits of these creatures—not to crush their will.

  The dragon raised his head, trembling, and gazed at Primer, simulating the battle in his mind. No matter how he looked at it, it was not a fight—it was a futile struggle.

  The dragon gathered his resolve, spread his wings, and with heavy steps that shook the earth, leapt into the sky. He circled around Primer and unleashed his fiery breath in a spiraling assault.

  But Primer was not one to be swayed by mere flame. Naturally immune to heat and cold, how could such fire even harm him? Primer stood motionless, watching the dragon’s desperate effort.

  Strange... why doesn’t this biped attack?

  The dragon narrowed his eyes, and as the flames died down, he shivered. There were no signs of burn damage, and Primer still stood tall—unflinching.

  Am I truly this weak and powerless?! Is this the gap between me and a creator...?

  Suddenly, Primer raised his hand and whispered something. The dragon was forcefully dragged toward the ground like a falling meteor, creating a massive crater upon impact.

  The once proud and fearsome dragon became a pitiful beast, coughing up blood and crying in agony. Bones shattered, some dislocated.

  One dragon shouted in awe: "Did you see?! That was gravity magic! Big brother lost to gravity magic!"

  Another, jaw dropped and heart racing with fear, said: "Is he even alive?! That impact was so horrific, it’s a wonder if a single bone remained intact!"

  They all fell silent and stared at their Lord, awaiting his judgment. If he intended to kill their brother, they would plead for mercy.

  Yet, contrary to their fears, Primer broke the spell and returned to his normal form. Then, in front of all, he walked to the broken dragon and placed his pale hand on the wounded body.

  His heart ached at the sight of the child’s suffering. Silently blaming himself for failing to restrain his powers, he chanted a spell, and a warm light of healing poured from his hand. The battered body returned to its original state—all damage undone.

  The other dragons rushed to the crater, but as they saw the scene, they fell silent, eyes fixed on the beautiful miracle of their Lord.