Alder: “Uhh. There still flesh stuck on it. That’s disgusting. Anyway, how many skulls did this flying rat collected.”

Tree: “This is what you wanted to do stop complaining.”

Stupid toothpick.

Arcturus: “Alder are you really sure there is something down there?”

Alder: “Yes, I’m sure. Deeper I go stronger the feeling gets. There is something down there.”

After sensing the life coming from beneath the skulls I started to dig. But more I more it gets harder. But closer I get stronger the feeling gets. So, I will keep digging.

Digging for almost hour I get where I want. As I push skull of an animal like bird I see smooth black surface. And as I dig around it I finally see what it really is.

Egg. Pitch-black egg as big as my upper-body. And I can sense life coming from it.

Tree: “Hell! That’s a dragon egg.”

Alder: “Really. Are you sure? If so this is awesome.”

Tree: “Of course I’m sure. There is no way someone can mistake dragon egg.”

Arcturus: “Yes, it is a dragon egg.”

Alder: “Awesome. How do I hatch it then?”

Arcturus: “Are you serious? Let me tell you something. Dragons are highly powerful beings. Some are magical some are simple brutes. But no matter the kind all of them are ridiculously powerful. So, their fertility is lowest of the all creatures. They lay an egg once every thousand years. And that is few who are lucky. So, that implies it is ridiculously hard to hatch their eggs too. And even if you somehow manage to hatch it their real parents could show up anytime and kill you to take their egg. Thus, I ask you again are you serious about hatching it?”

Alder: “Who cares. Now tell me how to hatch it.”

Arcturus: “Can’t you talk some sense into him?”

Tree: “Why would I? I think it’s interesting idea to hatch the egg too.”

Arcturus: “Why you too?”

Tree: “I think its parents are dead anyway. Dragons love their eggs more than their own lives. So, they never leave their eggs side unless they are dead. I don’t know how this egg ended up here. And how only Alder can sense it. But one thing is sure if we leave it be it will die for sure. So, I’m in for hatching it.”

Alder: “See? Now shut up and tell me how to hatch it.”

Tree: “Now let’s see. From color of its eggshell we can safely assume its darkness oriented. So, that means it needs ridiculously high amount of darkness mana. And only place that have enough natural darkness mana in The Forest is deepest part of this cave. And present you can’t even dream about going there. Mana saturation there will grind you to dust.”

Alder: “Darkness mana? Isn’t that elemental mana too?”

Arcturus: “No. Darkness mana is categorized as origin mana. And only those born with special Soul Roots can convert pure energy into darkness mana.”

Alder: “So, in other words, to hatch the egg I need to find a place with darkness mana. Is that how the parents hatch their eggs too?”

Tree: “No, usually egg will take after one of its parents and whichever parent the egg took after will incubate it with their mana to hatch it.”

Arcturus: “But why do you want to hatch it so much anyway? Do you want to tame it and ride it to battle?”

Alder: “No way.”

Arcturus: “Then why?”

Alder: “Dragons are cool. So, I want to hatch one. That’s why.”

Arcturus: “And why on earth do you want to risk your life for a reason like that?”

Alder: “Why the hell not?”

Arcturus: “I’m speechless.”

Alder: “So, presently it is impossible to hatch it. Think there is a less dangerous place with darkness mana?”

Tree: “Not that I know of.”

Alder: “Hmm, since I can’t do it now I need someplace to keep the egg safe. Where do I keep it safe then? Any ideas?”

Arcturus: “Safest place for me is my cave.”

Tree: “For me my roots.”

Alder: “I can’t it with you. Who knows when I might come across a place with high enough mana saturation. How and where can I keep it safe?”

As I was pondering that I hear sound.

CLICK

In my head.

As soon as I hear that egg in my hand disappears. Before I start panicking I enter my Soul Palace and take a look at my fourth door.

Its color turned into black color and symbol on it became an egg. And I will myself in front of the door and turn the handle.

CLICK

With a click door opens. And I see my egg laying on a pillow in a gray walled room with room temperature. This room is unexpectedly comfortable. And as I look at my egg I can feel it. Tiny unborn life in it. I can hear its heartbeat, beating rhythmically.

Thump. Thump. Thump.

I can feel its relief after getting out of that place.

“Just wait. I will definitely hatch you, little one.”

As I said that I can feel it joy. I can feel its desire to get out.

Arcturus: “How did you do that?”

Alder: “How did I do what?”

Arcturus: “I don’t know what you did. But dragon egg doesn’t just disappear right in front of my eyes.”

Alder: “It’s in my soul.”

Arcturus: “What’s that supposed to mean?”

Alder: “Even I’m not sure but I know it is where it can be safest.”

This time I get out of the cave and head back to Arcturus’ cave. And after fighting the bat I got little something to show for it.

Welcome to Main Interface

User:

Name: Alder

Age: 9

Gender: Male

Race: Human

Level: 51 1%

Body Condition: Perfect

Body Potential Rank: G+

Soul Root Rank: SSS

Mana Vessel Rank: F+

Basic Attributes:

Strength: G+

Constitution: G

Vitality: S

Intelligence: A+

Wisdom: B

Willpower: S

Agility: G+

Dexterity: G+

Trait:

Eidetic Memory, Enhanced Perception, Gamer’s Mind, Tenacious Will, Affinity with Nature, Enhanced Regeneration.

Door 1: Nature: Complete affinity with nature.

Can convert pure energy to vitality

Increases regeneration

Gives control over plants

Door 2: Magic: Allows User to store Spell Matrices.

Door 3: Simulation.

Door 4: Soul Space

My body potential rank increased just for killing the bat. Albeit, only slightly. And my fourth door unlocked. Don’t know what exactly it does but it at least keeps my egg safe. And I’m sure I will find out about its other functions in the future.

I get back at the Arcturus’ cave and enter his study. He is sitting at his desk doing something.

Alder: “Arc teach me that eyeball spell.”

Arcturus: “That would be simple.”