Estrella was momentarily blinded as her vertical pupils tried to get accustomed to the light when she opened her eyes after a long time of being unconscious. Her entire body hurt like hell, making her feel as if she was about to crumble.
'Am I alive…?'
As her eyes got accustomed to the light, she could see the familiar ceiling of her room. Then, she heard a faint whisper. "...ella."
'Huh?'
The voice spoke again, this time reaching her ears more clearly.
"Estrella."
Moving her eyes, she saw a pair of gorgeous ruby-colored eyes. Estrella only knew two people with such eye color: her aunt Zephyrith and the owner of the pair of eyes in front of her, her mother Tatyana. She tried to speak, but only a grumble left her mouth.
Tatyana smiled and rubbed Estrella's cheek softly to not hurt her. "You took a little while to wake up, darling. You were starting to make us worried."
Estrella wanted to ask, but she couldn't talk, so she just looked at Tatyana with her large blinking eyes. Tatyana laughed and spoke. "Yes, you survived. Don't worry; Yasenia is perfectly fine, well, other than being worried sick about your situation. You will be able to recover fully, and even though I know you don't really care, there won't be any scarring thanks to Valeria's and Kali's intervention."
Estrella blinked twice, stunned. 'How does Mama know about all my questions!?'
Tatyana hummed. "I know because you are too predictable, Little Light~."
Estrella didn't know what to do. She snorted. 'She won't know if I think of a silly and inconsequential question! How is the Moon doing?'
Tatyana shrugged. "Who knows?"
Estrella's eyes widened, and Tatyana burst into laughter. "Silly girl, that answer can go alongside almost any question. You probably asked something silly in your mind to prove me wrong, eh?'
Estrella gave up; her mother's ability to guess was just too strong. Tatyana smiled and commented. "The reason for the third lightning strike was because of your [Beast Core]."
Then, Tatyana proceeded to explain everything in a summarized manner and without disclosing details. What Estrella took out from it was pretty exciting, though. 'I'll be able to transform soon! I am so happy~. I can ask Mommy to teach me how to fly and also fly with her~. I can also play with Big Sister Kaleina, Little Sister Dianna, and Little Sister Katarina. '
Kaleina's dragon form did grow over the years, reaching a few tens of meters in length. However, she was not the gargantuan creature that Kali, Cecile, and especially Yasenia were.
Tatyana leaned on the palm of her hand with a faint smile when she saw Estrella's happy look. Her eyes were basically shining. She laughed to herself. 'Being a mother can be quite addicting. Seeing the little ones growing and achieving things is really… fulfilling.'
Of course, it came with many difficulties and also with a chance that the child would become crooked. However, like any mother who loved her children, Tatyana felt that her children would only be good.
These thoughts that moved in her head were really fresh, making everything feel lighter. 'Such a strange feeling, really.'
Looking at the mummy-like Estrella, Tatyana chuckled and commented. "We've healed you to the point that your body can recover by itself. It is good for you to allow your body to heal you slowly. Therefore, we won't use any more medicine, okay?"
Estrella blinked twice in agreement, and Tatyana smiled, leaning over and kissing her forehead. "Good girl. This will take a few months, but don't worry, we'll be here."
What came next was Dianna and Katarina's coming-of-age ceremonies. They went perfectly, without any complications. Because they were beasts, their growth was not age-related. So they didn't need to go through any tribulation on the same day.
Instead, Katarina and Dianna had been studying the Spiritual and Body techniques prepared for them. Only when they fully understood them would they try tackling them.
That happened not long after. Dianna and Katarina's comprehension was tremendously high.
Once they were prepared, Tatyana, Valeria, and Mirrory paid close attention. After all, this was a very significant event.
Mirrory smiled. "We'll now know if your daughter's Pure Beast children have the same ability as her to practice the normal cultivation paths."
Tatyana smiled. "I am honestly confident after Estrella. Their bodies feel somewhat different from usual beasts."
Valeria nodded. "That's true, they are really special. I am honestly very optimistic. What I am more doubtful about is if Yasenia's grandchildren will have the same ability."
Dianna was sitting cross-legged in the Tribulation Plaza with Katarina. They were far apart enough not to bother each other if they triggered the Tribulation.
After one day of meditation, some people started losing hope. However, when everyone was doubtful, Dianna's body had a change.
Mirrory's eyebrow rose, and she chuckled. "Well, isn't this quite good news? It turns out that they have inherited her specialness."
Tatyana smiled widely. "My grandkids are the best! Are yours better than mine? They aren't~."
Valeria and Mirrory deadpanned while looking at the arrogant woman. They felt that she was going to hold this over their heads for a long time.
The tribulation went without any issues. Dianna was a strong beast, so while the lightning was powerful, it didn't harm her enough to take medicine. Her own body would recover easily.
A week later, Katarina also broke through, and due to her Phoenix constitution, she was in a similar situation to Dianna.
Both of them were now beasts who were practicing the Spiritual and Body Paths.
What no one noticed was Kaleina looking at Dianna and Katarina with a somewhat confused face. 'Hm… Do I lack talent? Little Sister Dianna, Estrella, and Katarina are able to practice all paths. However, I can only practice the Beast Path.'
Flame, standing by Kaleina's side, saw Kaleina's confused look and felt somewhat worried. 'I hope she isn't feeling down… What do I do…?' Flame bit her nail for a moment before an idea crossed her mind.
"Kaleina, I want to see Aunty Yasenia and ask her something. Can you come with me?"
Kaleina looked at Flame, and her face lit up. "You are visiting Mommy? Of course, I'll go with you!"
Flame's lips arched faintly, and both of them went through the teleportation formation. Once they were up there, Kaleina transformed into her dragon form, and she carried Flame on her back.
After a few hours of flying, they arrived near enough to the Dravory Residence that one of the maids noticed their presence. She appeared in front of them and asked softly. "Little Miss Kaleina, Miss Flame, why didn't you call us? There is a long way to come from the teleportation formation!"
Kaleina transformed back into her human form, and the maid caught her and Flame with her aura. Kaleina smiled widely. "I just wanted to fly for a while, don't worry!"
The maid smiled. "Sure, sure. Are you here to see Young Miss?"
Kaleina nodded and pointed at Flame. "She wants to see Mommy! Is she free?"
The maid laughed. "She will always be free for you, Little Miss. Come with me."
The maid carried them with her energy, closing the distance quickly and arriving at the Dravory mansion in a short time.
Once there, the maid guided them toward Yasenia's cultivation room. On arrival, the maid knocked on the giant doors and spoke. "Young Miss, Little Miss Kaleina, and Miss Flame are here."
It took a few moments before the doors swung open, revealing the gorgeous dragoness. Yasenia was faintly perspiring because she had been practicing Body Cultivation. The sweat gave her body an attractive sheen, leaving both now-grown women somewhat dazed.
Yasenia smiled and commented. "Come in. What's wrong?"
They followed behind her, and once inside, Flame looked between Yasenia and Kaleina and coughed. "Aunty, it seems that Kaleina has some things in her mind. I don't really know how to address them, so, well, I carried her here."
Yasenia raised her eyebrow. Kaleina looked at Flame with a baffled expression. "Ha? What are you talking about?"
The dragoness was amused and used her tail to pull Kaleina into her arms. Kaleina fell into Yasenia's soft embrace and instantly melted as her mother's scent surrounded her. "Why is my baby sad, hm~? Did I not pay you enough attention lately?"
Kaleina looked up with large, blinking eyes, and she hummed. "Well… a bit more wouldn't hurt…"
Yasenia laughed and kissed her forehead. Then, she grabbed Flame and Kaleina and moved with them to the side where she had a couch. Sitting with both girls there, Yasenia served them some food and asked. "Okay, tell me what's wrong, Kaleina."
Kaleina hummed and pondered for a few moments. Then, she commented. "Mommy, why can't I practice Body and Spiritual cultivation?"
Yasenia blinked. "Well… You are a Pure Beast, love. It is normal not to be able to practice it."
Kaleina nodded but then muttered. "Still… You and all the little sisters can… Am I untalented?"
The dragoness paused for a second and looked at Kaleina. 'Right… She is not my direct descendent.'
After so many years of telling herself that Kaleina was her child, she had wholly forgotten that she was adopted and that her talent was very different from the others. The dragoness pondered for a few moments and stood up, moving to Kaleina's side. "Kaleina, you do not lack any talent. You are one of the most talented people I've ever seen."
Kaleina looked at Yasenia's serious face, and she nodded back, feeling a bit better. However, there was still that lingering feeling that something was not right.
Yasenia looked at Kaleina for a few seconds and used her tail to snuggle her against her body. "Kaleina… Have you ever felt unloved?"
Kaleina looked up at Yasenia and instantly shook her head. "How can that be? I feel blessed to have you as my mother! I am very lucky to be your child!"
Yasenia smiled faintly and placed her forehead against Kaleina. "Dear, listen well, okay?"
Kaleina nodded, and Yasenia spoke. "Remember today, and remember it well. I love you, and I don't feel the need to tell you a detail because I feel that it is irrelevant. You are my daughter, my precious eldest daughter. Nothing matters other than those words."
Kaleina blinked twice, feeling a strange surge of emotions that made her teary eyes. She nodded twice and smiled brightly, even when her eyes were watery. "I know! I'll always remember!"
Yasenia smiled lovingly and spoke softly. "Now, love. Your Beast Path is very pure. The purest in our family, even more than me. That's the reason you can't cultivate other paths."
Kaleina nodded, thoughtful. "I see…"
Yasenia laughed softly and kissed her temple. "Good girl. I love you lots, Kaleina."
Kaleina giggled and hugged Yasenia. "I love you too!"
The dragoness smiled lovingly. 'If one day she discovers it, I will tell her clearly. There is no reason to reveal it beforehand.' Yasenia's eyes shone with deep love. 'Even if one day this becomes a reason for you to hate me, I'll work hard to love you as much as I can. You are my daughter in everything but blood, Kaleina. No one can ever deny that bond between us.' Her eyes flashed coldly for a brief moment. 'Not even your biological parents.'