Another World Reincarnation Chronicle

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Using Kaiman’s fondness for me, I still couldn’t retrieve the egg sunk beneath the lake. He was stubborn.

[Let’s go back for now. Today is…]

In the end, I couldn’t approach the lake known as the Dragon’s Tomb again that day. I spent time with the young dragons, following Kaiman, and was eventually caught by Kashpa.

There was no need to feel anxious. I repeated to myself. I couldn’t obtain what I wanted immediately, but I had learned the egg’s location, and I also realized there were no dragons guarding it.

A definite opportunity. I had to aim for it.

*

A week had passed since I arrived at the Dragon’s Cradle.

Despite Kashpa learning about my past as an ordinary human, his attitude remained unchanged. When I asked him why, he replied that the lifespan of a dragon he would live as, was far longer than that of a human living only for a brief moment.

Kashpa, as always, arrived today to sit me on an ice chair and began teaching me various knowledge. Of course, due to the dragon’s inherent capriciousness, the topic would change more than ten times within an hour.

Time breeds familiarity. And that familiarity dulled emotions. My nerves relaxed. That week significantly shortened the distance between Kashpa and me.

“Come here, Seris.”

Without any specific movement, my body was naturally drawn toward him. Floating in the air, I found myself nestled in Kashpa’s embrace.

“Hmm…”

“Your scales are looking very pretty today. In just ten more years, they’ll be even sturdier.”

Kashpa smiled faintly as she stroked my long, extended tail. The blue mana flowing from her body was having a significant impact on me.

If the dragon’s characteristics manifested in my body, I should have sprouted red scales based on Kalbain’s Mana, but instead, I had weak blue scales imbued with chill.

“In about a hundred years, you’ll gain a massive body, and after another hundred, you’ll attain mighty powers.”

Talking about decades or centuries flew over my head. To me, living for just fifteen years made that time feel unimaginably distant, but it would be like an instant to Kashpa, the dragon.

And soon, I would feel that long time too.

Dragons primarily raised their young through neglect. Born with immense strength and authority, possessing wisdom to see through truths, they didn’t require special learning.

They think for themselves and learn on their own. That’s the kind of race dragons are.

As long as the young dragons didn’t leave the Dragon’s Cradle, they faced no restrictions. And that rule applied to me as well.

“Seris, no matter your past, it doesn’t matter. What’s important is the future that lies ahead of you. So, it’s best not to think about leaving the Dragon’s Cradle.”

“But I…”

“If you must go, it would be best after your weak body has been perfected.”

“How long do I have to wait?”

“Since you weren’t born with scales and a body, you’ll have to start reconstructing your body. It will be much slower than other young dragons. Probably around five hundred years…”

In short, it meant I had to stay cooped up here for five hundred years. But could I truly accept that?

I had a personality that simply couldn’t stay put. On top of that, I couldn’t ignore those waiting for me, so I couldn’t easily accept Kashpa’s words.

“But…”

“Seris.”

With a firm tone, Kashpa called my name. It felt as if she’d toss me into an ice column if I didn’t heed her.

I continued to look for opportunities afterward. I identified the areas where adult dragons frequently roamed and noted the naptime of the young dragons.

Then, after another week had passed, the chance finally arrived.

Waking up early in the morning, I realized that Kashpa wasn’t around. The usual cool breeze was quiet today, and the surrounding mana was radiating a gentle warmth rather than a chill.

Instinctively, I understood. If not today, there might never be a next chance.

I promptly packed my bag and picked up the Nightmare.

Phew-?

The Nightmare had recently not been running and became quite chubby. Its plump belly was adorably round, but today, it had to run.

Dragons are sensitive to the flow of mana. If I infused mana into my sword and flew into the sky, surely, someone would sense my movements.

“Let’s go.”

The Nightmare returned to its original form at my request. I quickly hopped onto its back and began to escape Kashpa’s territory.

Tadadadak-!

Though it had indeed gained weight from a few days of lounging around, the Nightmare’s speed remained unchanged. Its rapid gallop felt like a gust of wind.

As I shot straight across the vast white ice terrain, a sprawling prairie opened up before me.

A place where blue mana flowed like clouds. The area where young dragons mostly spent their time—the Dragon’s Cradle.

Among the young dragons, those awake at such an early hour were rare. I pulled the reins of the Nightmare boldly as I crossed the vast grassland.

And just as I sped along, I spotted a golden mound rising up in the distance as I neared the lake known as the Dragon’s Tomb.

The rising figure felt familiar. The soft breathing I heard was also familiar. It was Albao, the only golden dragon among the ten young dragons.

“Oh no…”

I urgently pulled on the reins and changed direction. However, I couldn’t stop Albao from waking up. He seemed to sense my approach as he lifted his head sharply and brightened his eyes.

[Seris!]

Wagging his massive tail like a puppy encountering a familiar friend, Albao came trotting over without realizing the size of his enormous body.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

“Mr. Albao…”

I broke out in a cold sweat as I scanned the surroundings. Albao being here meant that the other young dragons were likely close by as well.

Fortunately, I didn’t spot any other dragons besides Albao.

[Are you alone today? Where’s Kashpa? Where’s Kaiman? Wow… I know that! A horse, right? Can I ride it too?]

Albao began chattering happily as soon as he came closer. His pure eyes sparkled with excitement.

Phew—

The Nightmare let out rough breaths upon seeing Albao, but the fact that it didn’t run away right away meant it too had become accustomed to the dragon’s energy.

“Sorry, but you can’t ride, Mr. Albao.”

[Why not?]

Albao tilted his head at my question. He lay down on his belly, trying to match my gaze.

“Because you’re too big…”

[If I turn into a human, can I ride?]

Albao asked, sounding eager. It seemed like he wanted to leap on right away if I permitted it, his massive legs and bottom lightly bouncing.

Thump- Boom- Thump!

Given his gigantic body, even a slight motion produced loud sounds. I awkwardly chuckled and responded.

“Um… if you ride me just once, can you stay quiet?”

It wasn’t a problem to let him ride once. If Albao transformed into his human form to ride the Nightmare, he’d surely quiet down.

[Okay! I’ll be quiet!]

He gave me a definitive answer. I sighed and nodded.

Then Albao emitted a small light and began transforming. The mana enveloping his gigantic body twisted and slowly morphed into a small human figure.

“It’s been a while since I’ve had a human form…”

A languid voice floated from the beautiful blonde who appeared. Albao’s human form was a mature-looking woman with long golden hair.

“Can I ride now?”

Albao approached me while cocking her head. With every step she took, her large breasts swayed like waves.

“Gah…”

I didn’t have time to be fixated on that chest. Shaking my head, I jumped down from the Nightmare’s back.

“Please, play with Mr. Albao until I get back.”

Phew—

The Nightmare exhaled roughly, seemingly displeased with my request. But I had no other choice. While the Nightmare roamed around with Albao on its back, I had to retrieve the egg sunk beneath the lake.

“Can you do it well?”

Phew—

The Nightmare finally nodded.

I handed the reins to Albao, who had moved closer. If Albao had changed into a male form, the Nightmare wouldn’t let him ride.

I didn’t know the precise reason, but the Nightmare absolutely despised males.

“Please take care of my precious friend.”

“Okay. I understand.”

Nodding in agreement, Albao elegantly mounted the Nightmare’s back. Despite being incredibly tall compared to an ordinary horse, a dragon’s physical capability far exceeded that of a normal human.

“Oh…”

As a species that learns and grasps things for themselves, Albao’s initially clumsy stance shifted to a proficient riding posture within moments.

“Is this how to do it?”

As Albao carefully pulled on the reins, the Nightmare began to walk lightly. She seemed delighted with the leisurely pace at which she was strolling.

“I’ll just be gone for a moment. You’ll be okay playing, right?”

“Yep!”

I suppressed my nervous feelings as much as possible and turned away, hoping the dragon’s whims wouldn’t harm the Nightmare.

After parting from Albao, it wasn’t long before I arrived at the grand lake.

The lake’s surface was calm, and nothing surrounded it. The only thing filling the empty lakeshore was the soft sound of wind.

“Huff…”

Now was the crucial part. I set my bag down on the ground and leaped into the clear lake water.

SPLASH-!

The small impact created ripples that blurred my vision. Poking my head above the white foam, I swiftly swam underwater, waving my tail beneath me.