With the goal of gaining an epic class, though, I did add a number of other spells. Some of them came through my training with Rizal, but others came from Lisella who I spent the early afternoon with each day. In total, I only added six new spells—which was actually quite a lot to add to my thinking process.

  When I sparred with Cami every few evenings, Modessa would give us pointers—she liked to say that having more options in combat was not always a good thing. A few strong strategies were better than being ‘all over the place’, as she put it.

  That reasoning played not only into my limiting the number of spells that I added, but also into the spell selections I made. I had access to Evocation, Abjuration, Alteration, and Divination spells. I had already added one Divination spell, so I narrowed my additions to two spells of each of the other schools. That way, I’d stay balanced—which Rizal and Lisella agreed would help shape the type of class that I might obtain.

  Rizal offered to teach me a spell which caused a powerful lightning bolt to leap from one foe to the next until the charge was completely exhausted. He said it was only an uncommon spell, but a mainstay of storm mages. But I didn’t feel the need for another electrical attack. I could simply open my mouth, if that was what was called for. I wanted spells which would fill gaps in my abilities.

  To that end, I selected the Tier 3 spell, Fireball, which Cami already knew. While duplication of our spells might not always be ideal, I had to admit that—even if only to myself—that there was a certain delight in watching the flames explode as I envisioned my foes being flung about.

  Of course, I’d never praise flames in front of anyone else. I didn’t want them thinking reds were anything but lazy braggarts, but in the privacy of my own head, I could think what I liked.

  The second evocation spell I selected was a 5th Tier spell, Cone of Absolute Zero. It didn’t create physical ice, but simply dropped the temperature in its area of effect radically. This would result in any moisture in the area freezing. It could even affect the fluids inside my target’s body.

  My one concession away from combat applications was the 6th Tier Alteration spell, Earthen Construction. It allowed me to dig, or to shape earth or even stone—albeit much more slowly. I could then build things out of the material. This was a spell which was perfect for lair design; I couldn’t pass it up when Lisella mentioned it.

  I also added an alteration spell which I had long sought to have. A way to speed myself up seemed like an ideal use of magic, both in my human and dragon forms. Since I had the mana to spare for higher-level spells and as my Tier 3 slots were quickly filling up, I decided to take a 6th Tier version, Sphere of Controlled Speed. Within the area of effect, I could speed up myself or my allies while simultaneously slowing my enemies.

  The first Abjuration spell I took was a rare one called, Lesser Dimensional Ward. It was a 4th Tier spell and only the lesser version of the concept—which seemed important, or so I thought. The spell created a typical mage shield which wasn’t anything impressive, as it was essentially worthless against physical or elemental attacks. But it gave me a huge amount of protection against the energies of extra-dimensional beings; it even provided some protection from undead.

  The final spell that I added was Resist Energy. It was a much more mundane spell, being common, but there was likely a reason it was common. What it lacked in extra punch, it made up for with its versatility. The spell provided me a level-based resistance to one element, but I could choose the element I wanted to resist each time I cast the spell. The only problem being, that if I cast it with a new resistance type before the first had fallen, that I was unable to stack the two different resistances.

  I wasn’t the only one who added spells. Cami added the three spells she had been offered on the scroll from the god of war, as well as adding Haste, Magic Disruption, and Elemental Shield to round out her abilities.

  By the day that ownership of the lair on the North Isle officially passed to me, I was more than ready to leave the university. I felt a need to be around fewer humans—even if only for a few days. Of course, I also wanted to be in my true form for a while. There were more opportunities for that, now, but I was frankly starting to feel that my time in this human form had nearly run its course.

  The pair of notifications, which appeared as I was going to sleep one night, kept me up all night waiting for the morning so that we could leave.

  Draconis has made good on his promise. You are now the owner of the tentatively named North Isle, previously known as Bone Isle.

  Then right after that, a second notification appeared:

  Temulara, goddess of the sea, has honored her promise. The former tenant left your new lair in quite a mess, but not only did she supply you with an appropriate hoard, she also modified the island to better meet your needs. You will need to investigate North Isle to gain more information.

  Chapter 31 - A Lair to Claim

  My chest rumbled with my dissatisfaction. I felt more like a cart at the moment than a horse, let alone a dragon. Cami rode, of course, at the base of my neck, but on my back, I had five other creatures strapped on. There wasn’t enough room. The bears were too large, but Cami had refused to leave them behind. I understood—I felt a connection to those dumb mammals, too.

  The bears had to be strapped onto the broadest part of my back. This left the wyrmlings clinging onto my scales wherever they could find a bit of space, with one of them even hanging onto the spot where my tail connected to my torso.

  It was positively scandalous that I would be treated so, but at least, I wasn’t the only one. Cassandra had asked to come along with us. Daggin and Ruben had been willing to, but they were afraid to try riding one of the newly freed dragons. Cassandra, however, was bold as lightning and took her life into her own hands—so to speak—as I convinced Matilda of her good intentions.

  The idea was that we would need someone to run the lair while we weren’t there. As much as I might have liked to lay down and take a nap for the next few years, that simply wasn’t possible—not yet. I needed to meet with the Emperor, at least. So, while Cassandra was a minion because of her crafting abilities, she was the only minion I had with any level of administrative experience.

  If the Emperor really was sending troops and such in order to maintain the idea that I was now some noble of the empire, then I wanted to ensure that one of my minions was there to oversee them. What surprised me, though, was when Modessa had asked to come along, as well. That conversation had been perhaps the oddest interaction I’d ever had with the rogue.

  “I know that my actions have caused me to be unworthy of being a minion. I will bear the consequences of my choices. But I also need to get away from so many people. I’ll swear a system oath, if necessary, not to interfere with your business. I just need time to adjust to my disability, perhaps to grow accustomed to the pain.”

  Her voice was thick with regret and self-reproach, but I was having a hard time understanding the depth of her emotions. Humans could be so confusing. Frankly, it had been easier when she was just an enemy to be hated.

  “Then why not simply travel off to some quiet part of the realm?” I asked. “You have to realize that events seem to be moving around me even if I don’t yet fully understand why.”

  She sighed and nodded, the weight of the world seemingly on her shoulders. “I’m beginning to understand that dragons are not like humans. You seem content with being, but humans need a purpose for their lives or we shrivel up and die.”

  It was only for a moment, but that caused an image of Modessa shrinking and shriveling into a human-sized raisin to cross my mind.

  When I didn’t say anything, she continued, her voice tinged with desperation. “Right now, the only purpose I have is the quest you shared with us. I don’t know how yet, but I will work to help free the rest of the dragons who were forced into bondage. It’s the least that I can do.”

  Who was I to stop a human from serving dragonkind? After some thought, I responded, “Swear to me that you won’t seek to harm me or mine and I’ll allow you to come.”

  “By the system…”

  I cut her off there. “No, not a system oath. I don’t fully trust the system. Your word alone is sufficient. If I am ever to stop considering what it might taste like to bite your head off, then we will have to build trust up from something.”

  She swore, but the entire time she gave me the oddest look. I could completely relate. The words that had come out of my mouth felt—even tasted—unnatural. I could only blame my mind evolution and this new level of introspection.

  My acceptance of Modessa had led to a final human joining us. Galbrecht had insisted that he didn’t currently have a mission from his goddess, so he was free to go where he wanted. The thing he wanted more than anything was to take care of Modessa, as she suffered through her disability.

  Since Galbrecht had been the first of the humans to properly apologize, I agreed. He might not be as strong as a dragon, but as a legendary chosen of Miseria, he would be a good defender for my lair.

  It took a bit more work to convince the two more recently freed dragons to obey me, but in the end, they accepted to bear the other humans. Modessa only got dumped into the sea once on our flight. I was even able to fish her out and then reprimanded the black dragon, Terrei, who had done it. It turned out that she had a bit of a murdery, mischievous streak, which made me think of something from the dream.

  I was confident none of the three formerly bonded dragons would ever consent to forming a bond again, even if they were able to, but they were weak enough that I was able to force them to obey me. Maybe that was wrong of me, but dominance is the dragon way, and I had use for these humans on my isle.

  As we neared the island, the first thing I noticed was that the volcano, the dominant feature of the landscape, no longer smoked. I assumed it had entered a less active stage, but I was hardly an expert on such things–that would be the domain of reds. The volcano itself had a large caldera, and on one side, a gaping cave marked the place where Draconis had made his lair. It was a dark, foreboding hole in the side of the mountain, which stuck out in stark contrast to the lush greenery surrounding it.

  Below the volcano, the land stretched out in a series of hilly pastures, their slopes gentle and covered in a thick carpet of grass that waved gently in the breeze. It would be perfect for raising livestock. I would certainly be happy to partake of some cows from time to time. Having your food always cooked for you took away part of the joy of eating—not that there was any entertainment in hunting something as stupid as a cow.

  There were also flatter areas that could be farmed or used to build housing for the humans who would live on the island. I supposed they would need somewhere to sleep, although I couldn't fathom why they wouldn't prefer a nice cave. After living in human homes for a while, the only thing I could see which they had to offer over a proper lair was a bed. I could admit that a comfortable bed was a nice addition to one’s home, especially if you didn’t have scales like a dragon.

  There were a few other surprises as well. Off the shore, stood three ships, and crews of humans appeared to be busily working on what looked to be a dock. It was a rudimentary structure, made of thick wooden planks that were being hammered into place by the humans.

  They scurried around like ants, each one carrying out their task with a sense of urgency. I could see that the dock was designed to extend out into the water, allowing ships to moor alongside it. It was a practical design, although it lacked the elegance and grandeur a dragon would have brought to the project.

  Most of the island was open and green. The previous town which had housed the massive red dragon’s minions was gone—almost as if the island had been razed. As I thought about it, I realized that Draconis, or one of his offspring, likely had done just that. The explanation for the regrowth probably lay with Temulara, as part of her providing an appropriate horde. A dragon’s horde consisted of far more than gold and precious gems, after all.

  I found an open area near the base of the volcano and a good distance from the humans, who appeared to be in a tizzy about our arrival. I hoped the Emperor had told them to expect dragons, although I imagined that he hadn’t told them their new Lord Sandumas, was actuality a dragon.

  It took a bit of work, but the wyrmlings were soon sent off to explore. They were every bit as curious as I had been at their age, although their rapid growth made it easier for them to move since they could even fly for short distances, or at least glide. I sent Galbrecht and Cassandra to meet with the humans and to figure out just what instruction the Emperor had given them.

  The joy of ordering human minions around was starting to slowly wash away the numerous indignities that the past year and more had brought. A part of me now knew that such thoughts were petty, but I didn’t care. Petty could be fun, too.

  Modessa would have gone with them, but the simple flight here had taken a great deal out of her. Her face was strained and pale. She appeared to be in a great deal of pain. I frowned at that, but then pushed it aside. Cami would take care of making her comfortable. Rollie and Patch both looked to me for approval. Then again, while they seemed to realize that I was still me in my true form, this form had to be a bit intimidating to them. The cubs were nearly fully grown by now and I would imagine that bears didn’t often feel small and weak.

  Yet what else could they feel next to my grandeur?

  I was still adapting to this much larger body. I knew I was more powerful, but I needed to test it out. I instructed the bears to aid Cami, which they gladly did, and then turned my attention to Matilda, Terrei, and Whip. I groaned again at that very undragonlike name.

  They argued with me a bit, but not for long. I was larger than the three of them put together in terms of mass and they bowed before my dominance. I set Matilda to watch the hatchlings and ordered the other two to simply lay down. I didn’t want them attacking the humans sent by the Emperor, but I also wanted to go see my new hoard—all on my own. Some things were best enjoyed in solitude.

  When I flew up into the cave mouth and then moved inside, I was almost brought to tears. It was all so beautiful. The entrance itself was enormous, large enough to admit a dragon far larger than me with ease. I supposed that made sense, given the previous occupant and his shameful girth. As I ventured further into the cavern, I realized that the inside of the cave was not as I had expected it to be—rough and natural—but rather it appeared to have been worked by skilled hands.

  The walls were made of stone, meticulously carved by dwarven craftsmen no doubt, with intricate patterns and designs that seemed to dance in the flickering light of the torches that lined the walls. While there were various parts of fine, detailed work, it was the simplicity of the overall design which I found the most beautiful.

  The ceiling soared above me, a massive, vaulted expanse that gave the space an air of grandeur and majesty. Everything was scaled to a size appropriate for dragons, from the width of the corridors to the height of the arches. The floor was smooth and even with the signs of the long passage of time. As I looked up, I saw an opening overhead, large enough for me to fly out of, if need be.

  As I ventured further into the cave, I came across tunnels leading off in various directions, likely leading to lava baths and other such amenities that a dragon might require. Cami would certainly appreciate being able to set up a forge powered by the raw energy here. But what truly took my breath away was the hoard that lay before me.

  It was a sight to behold.

  Mounds of coins, recovered from the sea and shipwrecks as the occasional bit of seaweed suggested, glittered in the torchlight. It was a sea of gold and silver that sparkled and shimmered as if alive. Precious gems, in every color of the rainbow, lay scattered amidst the coins, their facets catching the light and sending it dancing across the walls.

  There were valuable goods and commodities, as well, items that humans and other creatures would kill for. All were laid out before me. An intricately designed lamp, for example, made of silver and inlaid with sapphires and lapis lazuli, cast its almost ethereal glow in the dim light of the cave.

  A mirror, framed in gold and adorned with rubies and emeralds, reflecting back a visage that seemed almost otherworldly in its beauty. An exquisitely crafted set of armor, made of the finest steel and embellished with intricate patterns in gold and silver, was a testament to the skill of its maker. And amidst it all, there were a few magical items, their aura of power almost palpable in the air.

  One of them was a sword, its blade shimmering with an otherworldly light, its hilt wrapped in leather and adorned with precious stones. There was an air of power about it, as if it had been forged in the fires of a distant star. Beside it lay a shield, its surface polished to a mirror-like shine, adorned with runes that seemed to pulse with an inner light. And there, in the center of it all, was a beautifully crafted amulet, its chain made of finely woven strands of gold, its pendant a single, perfectly cut diamond that seemed to capture and reflect the light in a thousand different ways.