"Oh my god." Ronald stared agape as the previous ferocious monster became timid in front of him.
"Hey why are you hiding yourself?" Ronald asked as he approached John who shifted back in response.
Realizing that he was scared, Ronald gave a soft smile as he stared at his friend.
"John, there's nothing to be scared of, you're beautiful." The moment he uttered these words, John's wings unfolded a bit revealing part of his scaled face.
Ronald approached him once more seeing that he showed himself.
"I'm honestly amazed. I mean, you became a DRAGON. That's just incredible." Ronald said as he approached John causing him to reveal his face completely.
Ronald reached John's large head and placed his palm on it startling him a little.
His scales felt cold despite the flames from before.
"You aren't a monster if that's what you're worried about, so don't be afraid, everything will be alright." The moment Ronald said all of this, a blue light erupted from John's body causing Ronald to shield his eyes.
When the light died down, Ronald removed his hands and was surprised to see John sitting on the ground.
John sat there dazed for a moment and then tears began to well up in his eyes.
"I- wha-?" Scared and confused, John mixed up his words before he started crying. It took him a moment to realize that he had become a monster from legends and he was devastated about it.
"Hey, don't cry." Ronald was at a loss at what to do as he saw John weeping on the ground. He wracked his brain before he got an answer.
"I can't say I can relate, but think about it this way. You became a dragon, the most powerful creature in existence. Doesn't that mean you'll have the power to do what you've always wanted to do. Become a powerful mage that would rain down fire and brimstone upon his enemies?" Upon hearing this, John's crying began to reduce, and Ronald quickly seized the opportunity.
"Besides, just because you're a Dragon doesn't mean that you're a monster. You can use your newfound powers for good, just like how you saved that girl from before in the market. It's not the source of the power that defines you, it's what you use it for." When John heard this, he couldn't help but look at Ronald and say through choked sobs.
"How do you know all this? We're both kids." Immediately, Ronald puffed his chest out and said pridefully.
"My mental age is far beyond my physical age." Hearing this, John despite crying gave out a slight chuckle.
"Now let's go back to the orphanage. If mama Loreen finds out that we were missing, then we might as well go fight a magical beast." Ronald said with a smile and held his hand out towards John.
"Come on, let's go back." John cleaned the last of his tears and smiled back.
"Yeah."
***
"So where exactly are you two coming back from?" A low and stern voice entered John and Ronald's ears causing them to freeze. They had just snuck back into the orphanage and we're about to get into there beds when mama Loreen suddenly revealed herself.
"I decided to check if everyone was asleep and found the two of you missing. So give me one good reason why I shouldn't spank you two until your butts become swollen." Mama Loreen's voice did nothing to hide her anger and the two children were terrified. But Ronald was quick to respond.
"John snuck out and I followed him, then when he stopped I found him crying.I confronted him and he told me that he was insecure about his future so he went put to cry. I was able to cheer him up though and we came back." Ronald said quickly, stunning John.
Mama Loreen rose a brow, but when she brought her lamp close and saw John's swollen eyes, she believed Ronald's story.
"*Sigh* I see. John you have nothing to worry about concerning your future. I'm sure that you will achieve great things. And Ronald, thank you for cheering him up. Now go back to sleep." Mama Loreen said and patted both of the boys on the head.
"And the rest of you, I know that you're eavesdropping!" She raised her voice slightly and the other children suddenly squirmed in their beds and covered themselves with their blankets.
The two of them went back to their beds and Mama Loreen kissed both of their heads.
"Goodnight you two."
""Goodnight."" They both said back and mama Loreen left the room.
John turned towards Ronald and gave him a grateful look before closing his eyes to sleep. Meanwhile, John stared at the ceiling and was lost in his thoughts.
'So John is a dragon. I'm not even sure how to feel about it, but I'll help him keep it a secret, who knows what sort of bad people are out there. Besides, if he can grow up a good guy, his feats will be unparalleled.' Ronald thought before falling asleep himself.
***
"Mama Loreen, do you think I can use magic?" In the morning, John approached Mama Loreen and asked all of a sudden.
"This again?" Mama Loreen looked at the boy with an exasperated expression.
"I've told you before boy. I won't know until you go through your awakening." She said in a tone that suggested that she's had this conversation with John more than a few times.
"But I'm curious. How can I become a great mage in the future if I can't use magic?" John said and everyone that was near them folded their arms.
It was impossible for them to not know of his ambition to become a great mage. However, most of them doubted he'd even be able to use magic.
"Whether or not you can use magic isn't up to me or you. So stop worrying about it and wait for the awakening ceremony. You'll be of age in a few months right? Wait until then." She said and John sighed.
"Fine." He said looking disappointed.
"Hm. You seems energetic, come and help me." Mama Loreen said.
"Okay." John immediately forgot his disappointment and followed her.
'He seems okay now. That's good.' Ronald who was watching from a little ways away sighed in relief.