Three years later...
It's has been a total of 4 years since Draco and his family began living in the forest and many things have changed.
Splash!!!
"Brrr, the chill bites through my skin," Draco muttered as he submerged himself in the freezing waters of the river near their temporary abode.
He could have heated some water for a more comfortable bath like the girls in the group, but he believed that meditating in the frigid winter waters was a form of training to improve his mental fortitude and relax the weary muscles after an arduous day of practice.
"D-D-Draco nii, can we leave now?" Michalis pleaded, his teeth chattering as the cold seeped into his body.
"Grow a backbone," Nikolaos muttered in irritation, shivering himself.
"Haha, none of you can match my endurance, except for Draco nii, of course," Vasileios chimed in, pride evident in his voice.
"Shut up Vasil, my balls are freezing over" Michalis replied.
"Pfff, you call those small shrinking things balls. This is what you call balls of steel, the lords balls or even better the balls of the dragon king !" Nikolaos said dramatically, pointing at Draco's balls.
"Hmm, you make a fair point" both Vasileios and Michalis nodded in agreement.
Draco had insisted that they all partake in this icy meditation every winter, believing it would enhance their mental health and physical resilience.
"Enough, just wait three more minutes," Draco scolded them sternly.
The nonsense they were saying began getting on his nerves.
Turning his gaze skyward, Draco closed his eyes, reminiscing about how much everyone had grown and somewhat matured over the past four years.
Michalis, Eleni, Nikolaos, Dimitra, Vasileios, Vasiliki, and Clair were now between the ages of 11 and 12, their birthdays having just passed.
Puberty had begun to take its toll, and Draco found himself struggling to deal with the changes, especially those of the girls.
The physical transformations their bodies had undergone were truly remarkable, making it hard to believe they were all still just betwen 11 and 12 years old.
Growth spurts, hormonal changes, and the development of their budding secondary sexual characteristics had left Draco in awe.
'Damn, those are some really impressive dongs, but mine is still the bigger,' Draco thought, a hint of pride swelling within him.
These weren't the only changes to the group.
Clair had begun to show a romantic interest towards him, which he had not failed to notice.
However, he had no desire to pursue a relationship with a girl of her young age, even though she no longer appeared to look like a mere child.
He had also observed that Michalis had been exhibiting strange behavioral patterns around Clair, clearly harboring feelings for her.
Curiously, Clair herself seemed oblivious to Michalis's affections.
He decided to take a wait-and-see approach, as he himself lacked experience in matters of the heart, having never truly experienced romance in either his current or past life.
......…
During the past year, Draco had finally managed to utilize his own draconic aura, an intangible pressure that dragons emitted as a reflection of their strength.
It had taken him a considerable amount of time to develop, as there was no one to guide him, and he had only a small piece of the One-Eyed Black Dragon's scale to work with, which still contained traces of its power.
He had also made significant progress in his elemental magic and had even taught the basics to everyone.
Vasiliki, in particular, had shown great talent in magic, already reaching an intermediate level of proficiency in his method, which he named 'Dragon mind art'.
Draco had also gained a deeper understanding of the remarkable ability he had awakened on the day of the one-eyed black dragon's attack.
This skill transformed him into a full humanoid dragon-like creature, granting him an all-encompassing boost to his various capabilities.
However, the skill came at a significant price, causing him to wield it sparingly.
It provided substantial enhancements, but at the cost of his mental faculties, with the magnitude of the boost increasing based on how far he was willing to relinquish his reason.
Draco had experienced around three distinct levels of this ability, each stage offering more potent enhancements than the last.
Yet, he remained hesitant to explore the higher echelons of the skill, fearing that he might be unable to return to his normal state or, even worse, that he might inadvertently harm his loved ones.
Draco was not the only one who had grown both physically and in abilities over the past years.
...........
Clair had blossomed into a sight to behold, her lithe frame exuding a feral grace that captivated all who laid eyes upon her.
Her features had taken on a distinctly feline quality, with a cascade of vibrant orange and black striped hair framing a face that was nothing short of breathtaking.
Clair's golden amber eyes gleamed with an intelligence and perceptiveness that belied her youth, while her high cheekbones and strong, angular jawline lent her an air of fierce elegance.
Her full, pink lips were set in a determined expression as she wielded her long, deadly spear.
The girl's physique had become equally captivating, her lithe, muscular limbs speaking to the countless hours she had spent honing her skills.
Clair's movements had become more fluid and graceful, an attribute to her natural athleticism and the keen senses that had been sharpened by her unique heritage.
As she progressed in her training, her feline instincts and reflexes had become even more pronounced.
Where she had once struggled to keep pace with the others, she now stood shoulder-to-shoulder with them, her spear an extension of her own body as she executed each maneuver with effortless precision.
The young tiger girl's wild beauty had become both alluring and intimidating.
Michalis too had undergone a remarkable transformation, now standing tall and confident, his black hair framing a handsome face.
His piercing, emerald-green eyes held a calculating gaze, betraying his keen intelligence and alertness.
With his slender, athletic build, Michalis could move with a natural grace and agility, his movements smooth and precise.
His dual daggers, held in a firm, steady grip, were an extension of his body, ready to strike at a moment's notice.
Michalis had made a breakthrough in his assassin-like combat style, almost completely blending with his surroundings.
His footsteps were quite light, barely audible, whether due to his feline heritage or the result of intense training.
This mastery of stealth was evident in his every action, as he moved around blind spots, ready to strike with deadly precision.
His cat-like features added an air of danger and mystery to his persona.
His pointed ears and the subtle twitching of his tail betrayed a feline grace, hinting at the swiftness and cunning of a skilled predator.
Michalis had proven himself a force to be reckoned with, a skilled and cunning opponent who could strike with the speed and precision of a predator pouncing on its prey.
Eleni had blossomed into a captivating young woman, her lithe and graceful frame belying the hidden strength that lay within.
Her beauty seemed to radiate from within, a mesmerizing quality that drew the eye and captivated the senses.
Her ebony hair, cascading in soft waves down her back, framed a face that was a perfect balance of delicate features and a steely gaze.
Her abyssal black eyes, sharp and intelligent, scanned her surroundings with a keen awareness that belied her young age.
High cheekbones and full, sensuous lips lent an air of mystery to her countenance, hinting at the depth of character that lay beneath the surface.
In her hands, Eleni wielded a swift and deadly longsword, the blade gleaming in the sunlight as it moved with a fluid grace that was both mesmerizing and intimidating.
This was no mere child's plaything, but a weapon in the hands of a skilled warrior, one who had honed her skills with countless hours of training and a deep-seated passion for the art of the blade.
Her swift and precise strikes had become a sight to behold, an attribute to her natural agility and keen intellect.
Eleni had developed a unique fighting style, blending defensive maneuvers with lightning-fast counterattacks that left her opponents reeling.
When not engaged in battle, Eleni could often be found experimenting with alchemy, working alongside her brother Draco to create various concoctions that often left the others in the group both intrigued and extremely wary.
Nikolaos now stood tall and proud, his fiery red hair cascading down his back like a mane of flames, framing a face that was both handsome and intense.
Piercing amber eyes, set deep within his rugged visage, seemed to peer into the very nature of a person, radiating an intensity that threatened to crush a person.
His broad shoulders and muscular build gave Nikolaos an imposing presence, yet his movements were surprisingly agile and graceful.
The two handed heavy hammer, held firmly in his calloused hands, was an extension of his will, capable of shattering the toughest of obstacles with each powerful swing.
His endurance had grown staggering, allowing him to maintain a relentless assault against any foe that dared to challenge him.
Beyond his imposing appearance, Nikolaos was a calm and gentle young man.
He did not relish conflict, but circumstance had forced him to become ruthless when necessary.
Dimitra had grown into a strikingly beautiful young woman, her striking green hair flowing gracefully down her shoulders.
Her eyes, shimmering with a hint of golden flecks, possessed an almost feral intensity, reflecting her wild and untamed nature.
Dimitra had honed her skills with the longbow and crossbow to a remarkable degree, her keen eyesight and steady hands allowing her to strike with pinpoint accuracy, providing crucial support from a distance.
Dimitra's ability to read the wind and terrain had become invaluable, as she could anticipate the movements of their prey and deploy her arrows with devastating effect.
The longbow, crafted from sturdy wood and carefully tended to, was her primary weapon.
She wielded it with a natural elegance, drawing the bowstring with ease and releasing her arrows with a fluid, graceful motion.
The crossbow, holstered at her side, served as a secondary option, providing her with a faster rate of fire when the situation demanded it.
Dimitra's heightened senses, a result of her Chientrope heritage, allowed her to perceive the world around her with unparalleled clarity.
She could detect the faintest of movements, the subtlest of scents, and the slightest changes in the environment, granting her a significant advantage in her role as an archer.
Vasileios had grown to be a handsome young man with a striking appearance.
His hair, a shade of pure white, framed his chiseled face in a way that only accentuated his captivating features.
His physique, though still developing, had a thick, athletic build, suggesting the hours he had spent honing his skills with the short sword and heavy shield.
Vasileios had become adept with the short sword and heavy shield.
His defensive prowess had grown, allowing him to shield his siblings from harm while also creating openings and striking with precision when the opportunity arose.
His resilience and determination had not gone unnoticed by Draco, as he continued to push himself to greater heights.
The short sword, with its sharp, well-maintained edge, was an extension of Vasileios' arm, moving with a natural fluidity that spoke of countless hours of practice.
The heavy shield, emblazoned with sharp spikes, was a formidable barrier, capable of deflecting powerful blows while dealing damage to the attacker.
Vasileios' eyes, a captivating blend of blue and gray, held a steely determination that belied his young age.
His features were well-defined, with a strong jawline and high cheekbones that lent him an air of maturity beyond his years.
The set of his shoulders and the confident way he carried himself suggested a deep-rooted sense of purpose and a strong dedication to his craft.
Despite his growing prowess, Vasileios maintained a humble demeanor, ever mindful of the need to protect and serve those he held dear.
Vasiliki had grown to be quite beautiful, with striking white hair that flowed in soft waves down her back.
Her complexion was fair, almost porcelain-like, and her delicate features gave her a serene, ethereal quality.
After learning a bit of Draco's spell-casting method, Vasiliki's innate affinity for the ice element had blossomed, and she could now effortlessly conjure vast sheets of ice, freezing her enemies in their tracks without even needing to chant.
Her arsenal of ice-based spells continued to grow, due to her hard work and natural talent.
The only limitation Vasiliki currently faced was the current capacity of her mind, which was destined to expand when she obtained the blessings of the gods, known as falna.
In the company of her family, Vasiliki carried herself with a warm and inviting demeanor, but could be quite icy towards those who dared to annoy her too much especially the mischievous pranks of her brothers.
Being the youngest in the family, she always sought more attention from her older brother Draco.
Though he had become significantly more strict with them over the years, she still managed to receive the best treatment, much to the annoyance of her other siblings.
......
"It's been four whole years since then," Draco pondered, his face scrunching in displeasure as he reminisced about the past, thinking of their deceased family members.
"I guess it is about time to leave for Orario," he thought, snapping out of his reverie.
Draco stood up and walked out of the river, with Michalis, Nikolaos, and Vasileios quickly following.
"What is wrong, Draco nii?, Is it about the balls thing ?" Vasileios asked, concern evident in his voice, as he had not failed to notice the change in Draco's demeanor.
"Nothing much, just thinking," Draco replied with a reassuring smile, ruffling Vasileios' hair.
"Now, get yourself dried up, wouldn't want you boys catching a cold." he said.
Activating the fire element around himself, Draco quickly dried himself and put on some clothes.
"Clair, I'll be going out for a bit. You'll be in charge," Draco yelled, to which Clair responded with a simple "Got it.".
Draco took off into the air, leaving the camp to check the path he had been forging through the mountain for the past four years using his earth magic.
He also wanted some time alone to ponder and sort out his unstable emotions.