Master Of None

Walker made his way to the library quickly finding the section for monster anatomy and history. There were a total of around 150 books which was fairly significant. However thinking of it reminded walker of why the previous owner may have accrued these books. Pushing the thought from his mind he chose to think of the help it would bring now.

Banshee, history of skeletons, poison eyed moths, the near extinction of shadow cats, ancient reptiles... these were some of the titles walker read as he went down the first row. His curiosity was peaked but he couldn’t get distracted if he wanted to share the fruit with midnight. Walker was curious what midnight had been doing in the mansion all day but figured she was either trying to get food or napping by the fire.

Dragon eggs and beyond. ”Ah this looks like what I’m after.” The book he found looked fairly unread making  it easier to see letters as they weren’t aged or worn. Flipping though the pages walker skipped most of the first half of the book as they were about how a mother would hatch or lay the egg.

The chapter titled hatchling to young adult was the one that caught Walker’s eye. There were diagrams of different species of dragons , all of which showed no wings on any. Yet the comparing diagrams showed the bones developing under the top layer of scales. The books stated that the wings would be able to extend from the body after the hatchling shed its baby scales which were weaker but this would only happen after the adult scales had begun to grow in. Walker could only imagine Midnight flying around the kitchen trying to steal food from everyone.

If anyone saw him giggling while reading they would label him a fool. Continuing on he noticed sections about dragons not always manifesting the same skills as their parents. For dragons their bloodline was important so if two different species had an egg the hatchling may gain some skills of both but if there was stronger blood from one than the other parent the hatchling would most likely lean towards the one. This caused Walker to wonder what species Midnight’s father is. Based off the scales in the cave they found Midnight, Walker knew the mother was black crystal flame dragon but figuring out what skills went with what species might require a more specific book.

The next paragraph mentioned catalysts that dragons would consume to aid their growth. Walker knew he had found what he was looking for, the mention of crystals was something he had already more or less understood. The books said that the dragons would want to consume crystals of elements they had affinity with because they would strengthen their bones and scales. The next section mentioned that the stronger the monsters they consumed the stronger they could grow their muscles and  all their organs. Finally there was a section on herbs that dragons were often attracted to, they would eat or roll in them. These acts would help their internal and magical growth strengthening their minds. After long term consumption a dragon could even grow to speak other languages or develop advanced skills. These traits were often found in ancient dragons.

Pondering this information walker decided the fruit would be classified as an herb since it came from plants. He wondered if he managed to grow them he could feed more to midnight and it would help her learn human language. This possibility made him much more excited because others would be able to converse with her in a more fluid manner. Now that he knew the fruit could actually be beneficial to midnight walker breathed a sigh of relief. He wanted to keep reading but decided against it since a special specific book would be much more helpful.

Noticing the time had flown by as he ready walker put some pep in to his step and went to the outdoor dining table where he realized he was the last making it there for dinner.

”And here we were betting you would sleep in the library!” Lisa was the first to notice and wanted to get back at her brother for hiding away all day.

”I was actually reading about some interesting things but I guess I won’t be sharing any of it... too bad I’m sure you’d want to hear about dragons.” Walker said this while sitting down and pretending to only have eyes for food. This made Lisa let out a hmpf and turn away but the others at the table had their Interest piqued.

”Leader I’d like to know what you have been reading, was it to learn more about midnight?” Su was the one to ask and she had already sniffed out walkers reason.

”Well I guess if you already know why” walker was slightly discouraged but not enough to stop him. ”I wanted to find out what to expect from her growth, I learned about why to expect when it comes to wings and even skills. The first being the easier to Understand. Sadly we don’t know what kind of dragon her father is so we just need to wait to see if she learns anything species specific.”

”So she’ll be flapping around our heads sometime soon huh? Should be fun I doubt any enemies would see her coming.” Gil was imagining midnight swooping in and carrying off annoying monsters so they could wander unhindered during quests.

”I’m not sure when but yes eventually she’ll shed her baby scales and expose her wings along with some adult scales that will grow with her. I also figured out for sure why she ate one of those crystals, they make her bones and scales stronger so we might need to buy some more. Actually we came across this dragon fruit at the alchemist building and I thought it might be useful for her.” Walker pulled the fruit from his inventory.

” this in theory should strengthen her mind and magical might. Hopefully she likes it if not I may have bought a class specific fruit for no reason.” Before anyone was able to ask another question midnight had already abandoned the chicken she was eating and neatly jumped up on top of Walker lap.

”Well I guess this settles whether you want the fruit or not.” Walker took his dinner knife slicing the fruit and taking ten small pea sized red seeds from inside before setting the fruit in a place for midnight. She quickly scarfed them down causing everyone to wonder if she had even chewed.

”Honey was that good?” Hilda had taken to calling midnight honey. This was due to the hours midnight would spend watching her cook and helping as Hilda would say, clean up the scraps.

A small wisp of flame escaped midnight maw and she appeared to become drowsy. Laying her head on walkers lap she drifted off to sleep completely forgetting she still had food left. Walker pet her head to make sure she was alright and found she was warmer than usual. This must be the effects of the fruit he thought.

”Well I guess I get to carry midnight to bed” at this joke everyone seemed to laugh and smile a bit. They had all come to adore the little dragon even though some had of them just met her.