The Most Satisfied Reincarnate

Desmond's attention was drawn to a peculiar sensation, as if something was unsettling the dragon and stirring its emotions. He also noticed a change in the dragon's gait, no longer as relaxed as before.

*creak* *creak*

A sound reminiscent of unzipping a shirt pocket reached Desmond's ears, accompanied by a new sensation manifesting on his own body. It felt as if a hand was sprouting from his shoulder, stretching out wide.

"Are these wings?" Desmond pondered, turning to witness the dragon unfurling its colossal wings. He observed a long bone extending along the top of each wing, culminating in an eagle-like claw-shaped bone at the tip. The wings themselves bore a lighter hue compared to the dragon's dark gray body, adorned with circular patterns resembling intertwined plant roots.

The wing membranes exhibited a texture similar to cow skin, appearing soft like cloth from a distance but revealing intricate, hardened wrinkles upon closer inspection.

The wings spanned 1.5 times the length of the dragon's original body. Desmond couldn't help but imagine how majestic the dragon would appear when soaring through the skies with such expansive wings.

As the dragon spread its wings, a sensation of weightlessness enveloped Desmond's body.

*swoosh*

His gaze gradually lifted skyward, revealing the shattered remnants of the dragon's previous location, a result of the tremendous force exerted during its takeoff.

*thump* *thump*

The dragon descended upon the leaves obstructing the sunlight, effortlessly rending them asunder with its formidable physique. Even a single tree succumbed to the dragon's attack.

Meanwhile, below Desmond, a multitude of humans came into view. Clad in armor adorned with dragon-scale patterns, their helmets resembled the visage of a dragon's skull. Desmond found himself taken aback by their unfamiliar attire and demeanor. Despite being airborne, he could still discern their conversation.

"Curse the dragon for its assault on our village! We must slay it and exact our revenge!"

"Be cautious, for the dragon should not be underestimated. It wields immense power and poses a grave danger."

Desmond pondered their words and had a sudden thought.

"System, system, translate the language for me."

Desmond observed the humans closely, noticing their hand signals after each conversation, but he received no response from the system despite waiting patiently. A frown formed on his face as he gradually ascended into the sky, distancing himself from the audibility of their conversation.

Doubt crept into Desmond's mind, wondering if this entire experience was just a dream. If it were not, he believed the system would have surely responded to his command, even within this separate dimension.

However, his thoughts were abruptly interrupted by a sudden whooshing sound, signaling imminent danger. An object hurtled through the air, aiming for the dragon's left wing.

In agonizing pain, the dragon let out a roar as the fiery spear pierced and shattered its wing bones. Fixing its red gaze upon the people below, the dragon opened its mouth, unleashing a blue flame akin to a meteor in appearance, albeit slower and with less force.

Yet, the heat it generated was not to be underestimated, causing the surrounding area to experience simultaneous sensations of heat and cold as the blue flame made contact with the ground.

Desmond's mind was jolted by his own sudden exclamation. The dragon's pain had triggered a recollection of his own loss, the absence of his right hand. It seemed that the dragon's emotions had started to influence his own state of mind.

Locking eyes with the humans, now with red-tinted vision, Desmond harbored a sinister thought, "I will eliminate every last one of you."

It was as if the dragon could discern his intentions. With a swift motion, the dragon lunged towards the humans, prepared to unleash its attack.

*BOOM*

The dragon's resilient scales shielded it from the impact as it landed on the ground, unlike the vulnerable humans.

*CRACK*

Shortly after, a solid object materialized, preventing the dragon's colossal body from crushing the humans. Looking down, the dragon discovered that the humans were encased within a dome constructed of iron and wood.

The humans grinned wickedly, provoking both Desmond and the dragon.

*ROAR*

The dragon exhaled torrents of blue flames at the dome, engulfing the surroundings in a fiery inferno. The flames continued to pour forth from the dragon's maw for hours until the dome was completely melted away.

As the memory of his own loss intensified, Desmond's intent to kill grew stronger, directed towards the very people who had caused his suffering.

The humans brandished something in their hands, and a barrage of spears was unleashed towards the dragon. Each spear represented a different element of nature, emanating an aura of destruction.

ROAR *

The dragon's emotions surged uncontrollably, its insatiable thirst for blood fueling its desire to annihilate the humans standing before it. A spectral manifestation of a dragon's head materialized, its ethereal form radiating a brilliant luminescence, and charged forth with fierce determination, defying the onslaught of spears.

ROAR * * ROAR *

With each resounding roar, the dragon's spectral head grew in size, its imposing presence expanding to the point where it seemed capable of engulfing the dragon's physical body itself.

BOOM *

A cataclysmic explosion echoed through the air as the shadowy dragon's head collided with the barrage of spears, shattering the weapons in a spectacular display of power.

"Huh?!" Desmond muttered in bewildered astonishment, his voice barely audible amidst the chaos.

Within this enigmatic realm, Desmond suddenly realized he could move each and every one of his limbs, a sensation that had been denied to him until now.

"Am I back? But why am I in a place like this?" he pondered aloud, his voice tinged with both curiosity and confusion.

Surveying his surroundings, Desmond found himself enveloped in an abyss of darkness, its impenetrable blackness stretching out in all directions.

"It's so intensely dark, but why am I able to perceive it?" he questioned, his voice laced with intrigue.

Summoning his strength, Desmond attempted to rise, only to witness the ground beneath him vanish into thin air. Intrigued, he cast his gaze downward and discovered that his feet emitted a radiant glow that seemed to transcend the darkness itself.

"Hmm? Could my entire body possess this radiant luminosity?" he speculated, his mind a whirlwind of thoughts.

As Desmond inspected his shimmering legs, he extended his arms and noticed that they too emitted the same incandescent brilliance. His initial assumption was correct; his entire being illuminated the void, casting aside the shroud of darkness that had once enveloped him.

Nodding in quiet comprehension, Desmond's countenance suddenly froze, a mixture of shock and disbelief etching itself upon his features. He attempted to raise his hand once more, only to realize that his right hand had miraculously been restored. The magnitude of this inexplicable healing stunned Desmond, for he knew all too well that finding a master Wizard capable of such a feat had eluded him.

Ordinary healing techniques had proven futile. How, then, had this restoration come to pass?

Searching desperately for a plausible explanation to justify his current state, Desmond's mind finally settled upon the most logical conclusion.

"Roar."

The sound of the roar reverberated within Desmond's consciousness, an unmistakable resonance that filled the void. Abruptly, a myriad of luminous particles congregated before him, their collision producing a symphony of delicate chimes that serenaded the air. Desmond found solace in the enchanting melody that filled his ears.

Wuuz.

After a brief interlude, the harmonious notes ceased, giving way to a new melody as a definitive form began to take shape.

Before his awestruck gaze, Desmond beheld the dragon of his dreams. The majestic creature stood tall, mirroring the immense scale he had envisioned. Its eyes glowed with a mesmerizing magenta hue, the outer cornea radiating an ethereal brilliance. Aside from this captivating alteration, everything else appeared as he had recalled, from the magnificent body to the elegant sweep of the dragon's tail.

Desmond, undeterred by the looming presence of the Dragon, felt an inexplicable bond with the majestic creature before him.

"Y...o," Desmond greeted the Dragon, defying the imminent threat that hung in the air. Though he remained conscious, knowing that a system offered him protection, the concept of fear seemed distant and irrelevant in his mind.

Simultaneously, the Dragon fixed its gaze upon Desmond, its piercing eyes betraying not a hint of malice, but rather a profound curiosity. The creature sensed a kinship with humans, discerning a familiar aura and scent emanating from Desmond.

Groan.

Desmond discerned a melodic groan emanating from the Dragon, as if the majestic creature comprehended his words. A smile adorned Desmond's face, pleased by the possibility of communication.

"Good," Desmond remarked, noting the radiant glow emanating from the Dragon in the dimly lit chamber, signifying that the Dragon's arrival held purpose. "May I have the honor of touching your magnificent scales?"

In the presence of the Dragon's luminous scales, Desmond's desire to feel their texture became irresistible.

The Dragon tilted its head, contemplating Desmond's request.

"Hmm... this may pose a challenge. Remain composed, and I shall endeavor to accommodate your request," the subtle movement of the Dragon's head indicated its limited understanding of human language.

Remaining motionless, the Dragon observed Desmond's approach with a mix of caution and curiosity. Initially tempted to raise its formidable front legs, it suppressed the urge, fearing that it might unintentionally harm the human before it and regret its actions thereafter.

As dictated by the historical records of the Saint World, Dragons predated Dragon Beasts, each possessing a consciousness on par with that of humans. This knowledge, passed down through generations, hinted at a profound interaction between humans and dragons.

As Desmond extended his hand to caress the Dragon's scales, he couldn't help but ponder the hidden depths of the creature's existence and the enigmatic secrets it held.

Desmond's faith in humanity had been fragile, causing him to doubt the accounts of Dragon consciousness written in books. He dismissed them as mere flights of fancy by imaginative authors. Yet, deep within, he nurtured a silent longing, a desperate hope that the stories might hold a glimmer of truth.

After all, the sight of a dragon had forever been the stuff of dreams for young boys, including Desmond, even as the harsh realities of life threatened to shatter that dream. Nevertheless, dreams possessed an innate resilience, persisting against all odds.

Overwhelmed with joy upon realizing that the Dragon posed no immediate threat, Desmond's excitement surged, hastening his pace.

His hand trembled with a mixture of trepidation and reverence as it gingerly made contact with the Dragon's scales, each touch a moment to be savored. "Truly an extraordinary experience," Desmond whispered, his voice filled with awe as he beheld the magnificence of the creature before him.