Bruce's accelerated digestion, while beneficial in some ways, came with its drawbacks. He had devoured his midday meal with vigor, but as evening approached, a deep hunger gnawed at him again. His digestive capabilities, it seemed, were far beyond the norm, even for a dragon.
His siblings, who had eaten far less, did not share his ravenous hunger. This unique trait set Bruce apart, hinting at an abnormality within his very nature.
As hunger panged, a resonant howl split the sky. The mighty silhouette of Dragon Mother, her vast wings unfurling, appeared against the distant horizon. She soared towards them, the setting sun casting an awe-inspiring backdrop.
In her formidable grasp was an adult griffon. In this world, griffins, while not the most intelligent of creatures, were smart enough to be domesticated and used by humans as mounts or beasts of burden. An adult griffin could weigh up to a thousand kilograms, capable of carrying loads almost equal to its own weight.
To the dragons, however, the griffin's primary appeal lay in its tender, savory flesh – a delicacy among the various meats.
Bruce, whose stomach felt like it was folding onto itself with hunger, brightened at the sight of the impending feast.
Dragon Mother descended gracefully onto the edge of the nest, the griffon's body landing with a heavy thud. As she approached her offspring, her gaze lingered on Bruce. He appeared stronger and larger than his siblings, a noticeable change since her departure.
Though the difference was subtle, Dragon Mother's keen perception picked up on it. Before she left, Bruce, fresh from the eggshell, had been as frail as his younger siblings. Now, the change was unmistakable.
Yet, in her eyes, Bruce's future was still clouded. His real name, limited to only two characters, seemed to foreshadow a less promising destiny, particularly in the realm of magical inheritance.
Shia, though disappointed, felt no inclination towards abandoning Bruce. As a mother, her duty was to nurture all her offspring. With food abundant, supporting another dragon hatchling was of little concern.
Despite her reservations about Bruce's potential, Shia remained committed to her role as their protector. With the griffon now amidst the nest, the three young dragons scurried excitedly towards their meal.
Once the prey was delivered, Shia swiftly took off again to patrol her territory. The safety of her young was paramount. While few creatures posed a threat to Shia herself, the hatchlings were another matter entirely. Human hunters, often seeking young dragons for magical contracts, were a common danger.
Determined to preempt any threat before nightfall, Shia was ready to defend her brood, even if it meant waging an early war to secure their safety.
Meanwhile, back at the nest, Bruce and his siblings tore into the griffon. The aroma of the fresh meat filled the air, eliciting contented sounds from the young dragons.
"Yes, it's delicious," Bruce murmured between bites.
"Yes, it smells good," his siblings agreed, all immersed in the joy of their feast, momentarily oblivious to the dangers lurking beyond their haven.
After Dragon Mother departed, Bruce watched as Torenço and Carona contentedly munched on the griffin meat, their youthful voices mixing with the sounds of the forest. He ate quietly, puzzled by the absence of the prompt he had grown accustomed to.
"Strange, isn't eating supposed to make me stronger?" Bruce pondered, his brow furrowing in thought.
Despite feeling half full, there was still no familiar message in his mind. Just then, Torenço, evidently full and eager to test his combat skills, eyed Bruce mischievously. Remembering his previous defeat, Torenzo saw an opportunity for a surprise attack while Bruce was distracted.
"Think you can take me by surprise, huh?" Bruce muttered to himself, more preoccupied with the mystery of his absent powers.
Provoked by Torenço's approach, Bruce decided not to engage directly. Instead, he turned around, lifted his tail, and executed his now-signature move - the Reverse Dragon Breath. The cloud of smoke engulfed Torenzo at close range, its potency more intense than before.
Torenzo, overcome by the noxious fumes, scrambled to the edge of the lair, retching violently. The close proximity had intensified the effect, leaving a lasting impression on the young dragon.
"Seems my reverse dragon breath is more powerful than I thought," Bruce mused, watching Torenço with a mix of amusement and concern. "That'll teach him not to mess with me."
Carona, lying nearby, couldn't help but giggle at Torenço's plight. Seeing Carona's laughter, a humiliated Torenço redirected his frustration towards her, and the two siblings began to tussle once more.
Bruce, shaking his head at their antics, turned his attention back to the mystery of his powers. "Why hasn't there been any message yet?" he wondered. Resolute, he continued to eat, and finally, after reaching his limit, the familiar message appeared:
[Consumed: Griffin
Quality: High
Benefit: Absorb magical life talent, wind magic talent +1.]
"Ah, that makes sense," Bruce realized, understanding the griffin's lower quality compared to the dragon eggshells. He concluded that higher-quality food granted benefits more readily, while lower-quality food required greater consumption to yield the same effect. The griffin, being a magical creature capable of flight despite its heavy build and short wings, made sense as a source of wind magic talent.
Satisfied with this new understanding, Bruce felt reassured about his unique ability. His system was still functioning, and the attributes he gained were directly linked to the nature of the food he consumed. This insight offered a new strategy for his growth, one that involved a careful selection of his meals to maximize his evolving powers.