I was not the only one excited to see my new dragon form so I changed immediately. It felt like being in a new body. I formed a large ice plane to act as a mirror and look at my reflection and all I could say was gorgeous. This form was majestic and very intimidating. As I moved my neck around the mirror, I noticed that my neck had grown longer and flexible. I tried turning my head from side to side and it was indeed a huge improvement. My head was also filled with protrusions that mimicked a crown. 'The crown' was not heavy by any means and it could act as a shield to protect my head. I stretched out my wings in front of the large ice plane which made it shake. I could tell that my wings were not as weak as they once were. In fact, they trapped so much force from the wind that they pushed my body back slightly. The wings were also out of the ordinary with some extensions that I did not understand their purpose. My body had a large number of bright blue scales. More than 80% of the body was now covered with scales capable of transforming kinetic energy to electric energy. The rest of the 20% were area near or on joints that were not suitable to house the scales. Originally. Less than 10% of my body was covered with such scales hence and eight times improvement. My body was now very streamlined akin to that of a muscular cheater. My stomach was now smaller than my chest and could not hinder my running any further. My legs were also taller offering a better ground clearance height than before. The tail problem was also covered. I had large ridges blue in color running from my neck to my tip of the tail. The tail was also reinforced to form an elliptical spiked mass at the end. I had a gut feeling that my tail strikes were going to be very dangerous. I was through with looking at myself through the ice plane. I moved to the side and swung my tail at the large mass of ice in a single strike. The tip of my tail produced a form of lightning that pierced through the ice plane as if it was not even there. Zari and her subordinates were shocked and glued at the scene. They just floated high above the ground just takin in the scene. None said a word to the other. They had just seen something that shocked tem to their very core. "Zari, guys help me test this new body. No magic today." I said. After a long pause, Zari finally spoke. "Chrono, how…" Zari muttered. She was lost for words. She was training with her subordinates in human form at this point. She flew next to me and began inspecting this new form. "Chrono. I don't think anyone apart from the gods can even challenge you." Zari said. That was not really true because I had just sacrificed lot of my attributes to get this new form. Presently my mana reserves were at 19 million. Jenga was responsible for giving me such accurate numbers. "Why does the presence you were exuding a while ago look smaller now?" Zari asked. She must have noticed that my mana is halved. "I am still recovering but strong enough for a spar right now." I answered. I did not get why they were hesitating so I repeated my offer once more. "I will not use any magic. Just physical attacks." I said. That did nothing to convince them. "That tail looks even more dangerous than magic." "Sorry Chrono. I want to live and have a family someday." "Nope. I am not fighting that monster." "He looks larger than us." "He is larger than us for sure." Zari's subordinates all refused my challenge one after the other.
[Addition of ridges, new set of wings and tail extensions makes you 30% larger in weight and 5% larger in volume when compared to normal fire dragons.]
"Zari, what about you?" I asked enthusiastically. Zari began stuttering. "Chrono, I…I feel tired…maybe one day." She said as she excused herself. "By the way Chrono, we need to go back home." Zari said. She then relayed what her fifth subordinate had told her in great detail while adding her own opinions on the matter. "So there are spiders on the Island. We need to inform the prince that we are going to be leaving soon. They should not conduct their second training against the spiders if they are not confident." I said. "So how soon can we leave?" Zari asked. "Tonight should be doable. I think we have completed our objectives here. Majority of the spiders have been handled and the general is not on this continent." I replied. "What of your subordinate?" Zari asked. "I am carrying him. I don't think leaving an unstable dragonoid behind is a good idea." I said. The seven of us flew to the Orthon and asked for an audience with the prince at the castle gates. "Sir Chrono and Miss Zari, you are finally back." The Prince said. We were taken to a lounging area where the king was enjoying some refreshments. "Welcome our protectors. Sit and have something to eat and drink." The king said as he stood up. We took nearby sits and began making ourselves comfortable. "I have had a lot of talk from my son, the duke, my general and the other commanders who accompanied you to hunt those abominations. I would like to offer you a reward." The king said. A reward? I was already rich as the supreme commander of the army coupled with the other businesses I had invented, I was not hurting for cash. Zari was also the same, she had a large vault with treasures and was constantly spoiled when younger because she was the only princess. Her collection of precious metals and long lost relics made the valuation of her wealth multiple time that of the entire Capel Kingdom. "We are just here to fulfil the task my brother sent us to do. Your gifts are appreciated but unnecessary." Zari said. I think I could have said that in a kinder tone. "My son has told me that both of you are all leaders back in your domain. This gift is also a way to ask for the development of diplomatic ties among the different kingdoms." The king said. "You must therefore know which species we are, correct?" I asked. The king nodded his head. I began to explain how the Island of despair was structured in a more detailed version. "I am the head of the military. I can certainly recommend but not do any more than that t aid your course." I said. "My brother is the dragon emperor who focuses more on welfare of the dragon kind. My second brother is the one who truly runs the empire but he is on a mission right now which may last months or years. If you are patient then there is a small chance that they will show interest in you." Zari said. "We are also leaving today to deal with spiders that have started appearing on our homes." I said. We talked a lot more where they convinced me to at least take Roy back with me. "My son will be king one day. I want him to broaden our horizon." The king said. In the end I decided to honor his wish after I asked Roy if he was fine not receiving diplomatic reception once we arrived. He was not interested in diplomacy just sightseeing which I understand because the various sea monsters had confined them on this island.The conversation went on for a little while before we left for the temple. On the wy back, I stopped at the second commander's station to inform her about our departure and check the progress of the weapons. I insisted that if they were not confident in raiding the cave, they should wait for my return. The commander wished us a safe journey and I went back to the temple. Luton was still unconscious but in a stable condition. I went to the priestess on my own and informed her of our departure. The first thing she said that although she was sad I was leaving, she was happy that those spider abominations were going to be leaving with us. We had made a temporary stone structure to house the captured spiders. Occasionally, I hunted small animals and fed them to this abominations to keep them alive. I went back to the common room and met Zari preparing for departure. "Zari, you go ahead and carry the spiders while I carry Luton. We should leave immediately." I said. I carefully levitated Luton and cast a barrier around him before leaving the temple. Zari and her subordinates left the temple and went to the temporary stone structure where they captured the spiders and began to float with them. I joined up with them and we flew to the Island of Despair.