The explanation for everything had lasted for quiet awhile, and exhaustion were catching up to Nona. His eyes were getting heavy and a weariness seemed to spread throughout his body unlike any other time in his life. He tried fighting it as the sun was still up, though his will was strong it was no match to everything that happened and found himself passing out.
"Finally. I thought he would never pass out." A grin appeared on Merl's face.
"Are you sure this will work? If this fails we will make a powerful enemy that we will teach how to be stronger." Skelly was still skeptical.
"True but that is why I had him cast the spell on himself with all of his current power. It will only get stronger as he does. Now do not mention it again." Merl's face adopted a very serious expression as he said this.
"Very well. So how much are we actually going to teach him?"
"Everything. A weapon without an edge is useless." Merle waved is hand making a pot appear that rapidly came to a boil. Pouring himself some tea he waved his hand again creating a chair to sit in. "For now let us relax while his body adjusts to the new levels of mana."
*****
Nona found himself in a pure white space. There didn't seem to be any walls but everything gave of the white light. "Ugh am I always going to have weird dreams from now on. Like is it against the rules for suspected dragons to get a good night's rest." He grumbles out loud to himself.
"Of course not but there is much you need to know. Once you have the basics you will be in control." The voice came from behind Nona. When he turned to look he saw himself staring back at him.
"Who are you and why do you look like me?" At this point he mostly expected something to happen so he was not freaked out but he did stay guarded though he was not hopeful in his skills to protect himself.
"That is because I am you but also not. Us dragons share a collective memory so you can think of me as the emissary of that memory. Once you have proven you can handle it you will have full access to it of your own accord."
"What do I have to save the world or something? All of this seems to be the beginning of one of the scrolls I used to read." Everything was happening much to fast for him to completely believe it was reality and not some fantastical dream he created to cope with his life.
"Nothing so grand. It is your life to live as you see fit. I am merely a part of you and have only interests in keeping you alive. If you save the world or enslave it is entirely your business." The emotionless apparition responded.
"Fine how do I gain access to all of this memory?" Nona was getting quite exasperated with all the explanations he was getting in one day. He was grateful that so many beings wanted him to know what was going on but his life had taught him that everyone was selfish and being nice was only done to achieve an ulterior motive.
"Grow and mature. If you have specific questions for now you can direct them to me and I will search the memories on your behalf." Came the tone less response.
"Great and how will I return here?"
"I believe the wizard has taught you how to visualize things in your mind. Just call forth my image. Though this is your mindscape it would be a shame to leave it so blank."
"Got it can I get some actual sleep now?"
"This is your mind. Do you want actual sleep?"
Nona rolled his eyes before closing his eyes and willing himself to sleep. He found this to be easily achieved as darkness closed around him and he drifted off.
***
He awoke the next morning to the sound of falling water. Shaking the grogginess from his haed he looked toward the sound to see a privacy curtain with an isolated cloud pouring rain just above it. The curtain itself was a bland brown but he knew it wasn't there the day before.
"Ahh you are finally awake. Eat breakfast while I finish getting clean and than we will start your magic lessons while Skelly and I decide our next step." A voice called from the other side of the curtain.
As a confused expression crossed his face Nona's sense of smell seemed to finally wake up and his mouth began to water as the smell of bacon was registered. He threw off his tattered blanket without paying attention to the fact he had actually made it to his bed.
Luckily summer was just starting so the stone of the cave was not cold to his bare feet as he followed the smell outside. There he found a humanoid skeleton in finely crafted leathers sitting next to a fire with heavy looking armor at his side. The skeleton was busy polishing the armor and did not look up as Nona stared.
"Kid is this your first time seeing one of the fossilites?" The voice came from the skeleton by the fire and surprisingly it didn't sound devoid of life. Instead it seemed young with a tinge of arrogance.
"Honestly yes. Besides the elves not many people stay in town after they leave the larval state." There was a pause as Nona tried to choose his words carefully.
"No Merle is not a larvae." Skelly seemed to know what he was going to ask.
"Than why does he appear to be so? What race is he?"
"Take it from me kid that is a story best left alone. If you won't heed that advice than you better ask him directly. Just know that he is indeed an archmage and can teach you how to control your magic. Now grab some food before it burns."
Nona shrugs his shoulders as he reaches toward the fire to grab some food. Just as he is about to touch it a weird sensation travels through his body making him wary. After that split second of hesitation nothing happens and Nona puts it out of his mind as he finally puts a few straps of the juicy bacon into his mouth and a moan of pure delight escapes from him.
As he contemplates eating more he hears warning bells coming from the village. Concern wars with disdain as those bells continue to ring.
"Well it seems the village has some unwanted visitors. So what will it be stay here for training or defending the village?" Merl's voice calls out as he leaves the cave.