"Inhale deeply, then exhale... Billy, you may proceed a trifle more slowly!"
Beneath a colossal tree adorned with broad, crimson leaves, Winters lay prone upon the ground, whilst opposite her, Celine, Billy, Ao, Dinnett, and I stood in a line, diligently regulating our breathing.
However, the vibrant, kaleidoscopic world surrounding us proved an irresistible temptation to us five young dragons.
Our attention was perpetually, unconsciously drawn to the Ball Little Dragons and other diminutive Dragon Beasts that flitted past.
"That is a Pabby Dragon Beast, Vet, but I require you to focus on your respiration, not on them.
They will not assist you in successfully employing Dragon Breath!"
Hearing this, my face flushed, but fortunately, True Dragons possess thick hides, and there is a layer of Dragon Scale upon the surface, so other dragons could not perceive my blush.
"My apologies, Winters, but they are so intriguing.
They are called Pabby Dragon Beasts, are they not?
I observed them imbibing nectar!"
As I spoke, my gaze could not help but drift once more to the Pabby Dragon Beast in the distance, dancing around a large, purple flower approximately a metre in size.
In my estimation, the Pabby Dragon Beast bears a strong resemblance to the butterflies of that other world; of course, referring to the vibrant colors upon their bodies and their manner of flitting about flowers.
Pabby Dragon Beasts, however, appear far more ferocious than butterflies.
Excluding their wings, their bodies measure about twenty centimetres in length, and their wings are considerably larger than their bodies.
They are also draconic wings, covered with minuscule dragon scales of various hues.
They also possess antennae upon their heads, but their eyes are situated at the tips of these antennae.
Although they also consume nectar, I harbor no doubt that they would bite dragons, considering the rows of sharp teeth they unconsciously reveal when they suck and chew the nectar with their large mouths.
"Vet, you are daydreaming again!"
Hearing Winters' words, I swiftly redirected my gaze.
"My apologies!"
Winters looked at me with an air of helplessness, then seized Billy, who was attempting to abscond, by the tail and dragged him back.
"I believe that for you, conducting our lessons outside rather than within the Dragon's Den is not an optimal choice.
Perhaps we should return now!"
No sooner had they heard this than we five little ones became agitated.
Gazing at this colorful world around us, and then contemplating the dim confines of the Dragon's Den, anyone would choose the former.
"Winters, I pledge to complete the tasks you assign with utmost seriousness; therefore, may we please remain outside like this?"
Winters looked at me and hesitated.
"If you cannot accomplish it, then we shall return immediately!"
Saying that, Winters looked at the other four little ones.
"That includes all of you!"
We five little ones quickly nodded in accord.
"Then, let us continue!
True Dragon breath—the most crucial aspect is respiration; you must endeavor to maintain exhalation for as long as possible.
Each time I oversee newly hatched young dragons like yourselves, there are invariably some who forget they are employing their breath, and then take a deep inhalation, injuring their mouths with the residual exhalation!
You do not possess scales within your mouths.
If you injure your mouth, you can only watch as other young dragons feast before you!
Exhale...
Billy, I instructed you to exhale, but that does not mean you cannot inhale; you are on the verge of suffocating yourself!"
Saying that, Winters' eyes were filled with exasperation.
This clutch of young dragons is proving exceedingly difficult to manage.
Ah... though she feels thus every time.
After a while!
Sensing that our young dragons' patience was nearly exhausted, Winters called for us to halt.
"Very well, this is not a habit that can be cultivated in a short span; let us cease for now.
Let us commence the next step: perceiving the magical elements!
I shall guide you in your initial perception.
Close your eyes, clear your minds, do not overthink, and feel with attentiveness!"
As she spoke, Winters released her Inner Focus.
Our nascent young dragons' Inner Focus was not yet sufficiently familiar with the magical elements, so she needed to guide us personally.
I listened intently to Winters' words and complied with her instructions.
Close your eyes, relax your mind, and think of nothing.
Suddenly, after a moment of abstraction, I felt as though I were enveloped in a dark environment.
I attempted to open my eyes, but I could not.
Abruptly, a point of light captured my attention; it was a fiery crimson light.
It meandered slowly within this dark expanse.
Then came a second.
It was an aqueous-blue light.
As time elapsed, I could perceive an increasing number of light spots, predominantly red and blue; the third most abundant was green, with very few of other hues.
I could feel a sense of affinity emanating from the red and blue light spots.
"Observing" those light spots, I understood that they must be the magical elements Winters had spoken of.
I tried to draw closer to those magical elements, but I was unable.
The surrounding darkness constrained me like shackles, rendering me immobile.
As if sensing my thoughts, the blue light spots representing the water element and the red light spots representing the fire element drifted towards me.
Seeing this, I was delighted and could not help but look forward with anticipation.
However, after the water element light spots and the fire element light spots drew nearer to me, they suddenly surged towards me with great haste.
I stared blankly at this spectacle.
I knew not what had transpired, but I could feel that the two elemental light spots exhibited a sense of panic.
This process resembled iron filings approaching a magnet in that other world.
This was clearly not an auspicious sign.
As expected, after I absorbed some of the approaching fire element light spots and water element light spots, the remaining elemental light spots fled frantically away from me like startled deer.
Seeing this, I became anxious.
But just then, my vision cleared; the darkness dissipated, and so too did the elemental light spots.
I blankly raised my head, only to see Winters staring at me in a daze.
Recalling what had just occurred, I quickly said, "Winters, those magical elements are receding from me.
Does this signify that I have no means whatsoever to practice magic?"
Hearing this, Winters returned to her senses, a trace of helplessness flashing in her eyes.
"Vet, it appears the previous blood test results were indeed correct.
Your body is devouring magical elements, and you cannot arrest this consumption.
This means that the magical elements that approach you do not have sufficient time to respond to your summons!
Unless this devouring ceases, you truly have no way to utilize magic.
My apologies, Vet!"
Hearing this, a shadow of dimness flickered in my eyes.
Although I had known this would likely be the outcome, I was still suffused with disappointment now that it was truly confirmed.
"But do not fret; True Dragon Breath differs from other forms of magic.
It is not performed by mobilizing external magical elements, so you can still employ True Dragon Breath!"
I nodded, then looked at Celine and the others, who were still immersed in contacting the magical elements.
"This is already very good, Winters.
What must I do next?"