Chapter 17: 016 A Magical Genius One in Ten Thousand_1

Translator: 549690339

Thanks to Cassiopeia and Otto’s cooperation, Shasharu had specifically selected a small team of lizardmen from his clan to deliver food to Otto.

Before Otto got a new hunting ground, the lizardmen were responsible for his meals.

Although Otto appeared to be just a young dragon, he could easily consume the daily food of forty lizardmen when he let loose.

Cassiopeia did not mention any other monster clans of the Thorn Legion, and thus, naturally, those clans would not willingly undertake Otto’s food consumption.

This was Cassiopeia’s own initiative, a form of an alternative punishment for Shasharu, and it also completely eliminated any tiny bit of loyalty Shasharu had for her.

The scale of the lizardmen’s clan was not considered large, with only a few hundred people, including women and children. They could handle the burden for a short time.

However, if this went on, the women and elderly within the clan would have to reduce their food rations.

So Shasharu also hoped that Otto could get his own hunting ground as soon as possible, at least to alleviate some of the pressure on the lizardmen’s clan.

Most of the food provided by the lizardmen came from common wildlife found in Nolan Forest, like wild boar or deer, occasionally mixed with some ferocious beasts like swamp crocodiles.

Otto was not picky about his food, as long as it filled him up, he would accept anything that was delivered.

Sofia did not like meat, so Otto would also request some wild fruits or honey from the lizardmen.

With a full stomach, Otto lay outside the cave, engaging Shasharu in casual conversation. This lizardman was surprisingly knowledgeable.

Through this elder lizardman, Otto learned many things about Nolan Forest.

Suddenly, Otto asked, “Shasharu, are you good at using magic?”

Shasharu was a bit confused about why Otto asked such a question, but he still answered, “I am one of the few curse-casting spellcasters in the clan. Among the lizardmen, most spellcasters are shamans.”

“I see…”

Otto glanced at Sofia, who was nibbling on a small red wild fruit and then asked, “What do you think of Sofia? Can she learn the spells you know?”

“Sofia?”

Shasharu quickly realized Otto was referring to the previously impressive half-elf girl.

He hesitated slightly, but Shasharu still replied, “I am not sure about that, but most of what I have mastered are not difficult low-level spells. If Miss Sofia wants to learn, I would not mind teaching…”

“Great!”

Otto looked at the lizardman with satisfaction. Although there had been some unpleasantness initially, by now he was growing more fond of him.

So, in a happy mood, he patted his chest and assured the lizardman, “Shasharu, I owe you one. If you need any help in the future, feel free to come to me.”

Was the half-elf girl so important? Just teaching a few low-level spells would earn the promise of a mighty dragon.

This completely took Shasharu by surprise because, in his impression, dragons were greedy creatures that would constantly exploit their subordinates, so how could they care about the feelings of other creatures?

But he soon remembered that the dragon before him had scales that resembled a silver dragon.

It was said that silver dragons were the friendliest and most sociable of metal dragons, always providing assistance to benevolent creatures in need and hence known as Virtuous Dragons.Could all these rumors really be true?

Having always faced evil dragons like the Mother of Thorns, Cassiopeia, Saru found it difficult to imagine what the existence of a Virtuous Dragon would be like.

No matter what, getting along with a dragon better than Cassiopeia was a great improvement.

Little did Otto know that his casual comment had deeply touched Saru, so much that he became extremely serious in teaching Sofia magic afterward, even willing to teach his most precious spells.

Days went on like this, with Otto getting accustomed to his newly grown wings, while Sofia absorbed Saru’s magical knowledge like a sponge.

“This is truly unbelievable!”

Saru was amazed as he conversed with Otto.

“Miss Sofia is a rare genius, one in ten thousand. I spent ten years mastering these spells, and she has learned them all in just three days!”

The Lizardman appeared quite disheartened. True to his words, Sofia had learned all the spells he knew in just three days. He could only teach her practical experiences thereafter.

As for spells, Otto had no knack for them. He’d once accompanied Sofia in one of Saru’s magic lessons, but, unfortunately, he didn’t even manage to summon a slight breeze.

“Is Sofia actually the real protagonist?”

As Otto tilted his head, watching Sofia practice her spells, such thoughts emerged in his mind.

Perhaps by using his absorption ability, he could acquire spells he couldn’t learn on his own, like how he obtained the Flame Breath ability by absorbing the Chimera.

With this in mind, Otto glanced at Saru with malicious intent but quickly dismissed the idea.

He quite liked the Lizardman, especially since the Lizardman clan continued to provide him with ample food every day.

Despite having experienced over a year of brutal lessons in the Arena, Otto still couldn’t betray the kindness extended to him.

“Lord Otto…”

The old Lizardman, who did not know how close he was to winding up inside a dragon’s belly, seemed a bit restrained.

Finally, under Otto’s puzzled gaze, he said, “Lord Otto, this might be a bit sudden, but may I use that favor you offered now?”

At first, Otto was astonished, but he quickly realized that he had indeed promised Saru something.

So, Otto agreed, “As long as it’s not too outrageous, I’m willing to grant your request.”

Upon receiving Otto’s assurance, Saru continued, “In reality, our clan’s food reserves have hit rock bottom. Although we haven’t reached the point of reducing rations for our people, within a week, we’ll have to cut back on the food supply for women and the elderly.”

Supporting a giant dragon was too difficult for the relatively weak Lizardman clan.

Otto gestured for the Lizardman to continue, and the latter hesitated before saying, “I hope Lord Otto can secure a new hunting ground as soon as possible. Frankly, with our clan’s current territory, even if we increase manpower, we cannot hunt enough food.”

After all, the number of creatures in a region is limited. If they hunt recklessly, the hunting grounds would only become more barren, not to mention the Lizardman’s territory wasn’t particularly fertile in the first place.

Otto nodded, agreeing to the proposal. It seemed that for both his and the Lizardman’s sake, it was time to take the first step into Nolan Forest.