Reborn as a DRAGON

With the initial greetings out of the way, it seemed like we were the last arrivals as everyone began to make their way towards the bottom of the stairs.

"Let's go little one, it's about to start," Said my grandfather in a serious tone as he walked forward.

I didn't quite understand what was going on, yet still obediently followed after him. Once we reached the stairs, the adults all took a step back simultaneously leaving us younglings standing alone.

Each one of us was standing from one side as we circled the pyramid-like stairs. I turned to glance at my grandfather who was now standing with the adults. As our eyes met, he gave me an encouraging nod and ushered me to look ahead.

I brought my gaze back to the floating altar just in time to witness its color change into a golden one as the light that shone from the open ceiling suddenly grew in intensity, making it almost impossible to look at directly.

Just then, a clear mechanical voice, devoid of any emotions rang in my ears. "Climb!" I was sure the other young dragons heard it too as I was able to see their bodies visibly shudder.

'Climb? So this is another test of sorts?' By this point, I was already used to the abrupt tests that my legs moved before my mind could process what was happening.

If this was what I think it was, and by that, I mean a competition, then the best thing that I could think of at the moment was to get to that altar first and think about everything else later.

My plan was to use water magic to sent me flying towards the goal in one shot, yet that was completely thrown out as soon as my feet landed on the first step.

Pressure unlike any I had felt before descended on me, almost downing me to my knees. Yet after I got past the initial surprise, I managed to stand my ground. I frowned as I felt my connection with the surrounding mana disappear.

The stream of mana was no longer visible to me either. It felt as if I had jumped into an entirely different plane as soon as I stepped onto the staircase.

'W-What the hell is his?' I stuttered as I glanced about with my jaw slack open.

The colorful stream I was familiar with was no more, instead of replacing it was a sea of a deep strange mana, one I had never come in contact with before I came into this place.

It was the same mana that oozed off the light that shone down on the altar. Its color was a darker shade of blue, and it felt very different from all of the other elements, which only served to fuel my guess that it was an element from the pillars of existence.

'But which one is it?' It was definitely not holy magic, nor was it dark magic, which only left us with cosmo and time magic.' I inwardly mumbled.

'Amanita said that I had a strong affinity with one of the pillars of existence and I will find out which one after I pass my rite of passage, but maybe now is my chance to figure it out?' I grinned.

Looking at the sea of strange mana flowing above me made me feel a sense of yearning for it, which caused me to wonder in excitement.

'Is this my second element?' I thought. It did not feel like time magic, even though I had nothing to compare it to, it just did not feel like it. 'So that leaves me with cosmo magic?' I inwardly muttered.

As I stared at the sea of dark blue mana, the space above my head changed as if a door had opened to a sky different from what I was used to. My eyes were met with a bright space, full of shining stars and giant planets.

I stood there mesmerized by the beauty of the scene, as I momentarily forgot about the test. 'It's beautiful...' I mumbled.

The strange space that suddenly opened was the clearest above the altar. With my eyes glued to it, my legs began to move unconsciously as I was drawn to the beautiful scenery.

I wanted to see it more clearly, I wanted to go there! Step by step, the pressure that weighed on my back when I had first stepped onto the staircase was long gone.

The only thing my eyes could see was that beautiful space. I did not care for the other young dragons, nor did I care for the adults, I merely yearned to reach that place.

It felt like I was in a trance. One step after another, I steadily climbed the long stairway, each step bringing me closer to the source. It was as if the strange mana was guiding me.

It did not feel as playful as water mana, nor did it feel as warm, instead it was filled with a strange sense of mystery and beauty. I was instantly drawn into it as I climbed with my head staring up the entire time, and before I knew it I was already standing in front of the altar, yet I did not care as the space above my head grew more distinct and clear.

A myriad of planets with different shapes and sizes extended in front of me. The countless stars illuminated the space, their pattern that seems so fixed and yet ever-changing, distant lights called my heart and inspired dreams of other worlds.

As I stood there completely captivated, a pair of bright golden eyes suddenly appeared in the space as they gazed at me. I was a bit surprised with the abrupt appearance yet remained strangely calm.

The eyes seemed to study me with almost indifference before a primordial voice rippled. It was as if the mana itself was speaking, and it only said one word to me before the eyes disappeared.

"Aether."

As soon as I heard the word, I instinctively knew...this was my name. I closed my eyes as I rolled the name around my tongue, familiarizing myself with it. It was then that my body suddenly began to change.