The Dragon Scale of the Giant Dragon is thick and layered, appearing deep iron-black, with a surface full of tiny serrated textures, similar to forged metal blanks, as if cast from steel and iron. Its joints have metal protrusions like exoskeletons, and its back is lined with heavy spines akin to shark fins.
It simply sits quietly on the high platform.
The wings and limbs are not fully extended, its massive form remaining in a contracted state.
But even so.
An overwhelming sense of oppression still floods forward.
Just the thought of the destruction and havoc a furious Giant Dragon could cause is chilling.
The Giant Dragon is gazing at Galos with black Dragon Eyes, identical to his own.
This was none other than Galos's mother — Iron Dragon Lady, Letitia.
"Mother."
The young dragon lowered its head, greeting the Giant Dragon on the high platform.
Iron Dragon Lady is a very traditional Iron Dragon, believes in no Dragon God, adheres to Lawful Evil, with efficiency and pragmatism as the highest principles, follows a strictly hierarchical way of life, desiring to build a world led by the Dragon Race and ruled by Iron Dragons, with a strong sense of class consciousness.
In its eyes, even offspring cannot cross boundaries excessively.
They must abide by its rules and express respect and awe.
"Galos, my child, the crystallization of fiery flames and steel."
Iron Dragon Lady looked down at Galos and said in a cool, magnetic voice: "Six lunar cycles have passed, enough for a hatchling to shed its soft scales. Now, your Scale Armor is as hard as iron."
Its voice was like sandpaper grinding on a steel ingot, every syllable resonating the metal particles in the air with a buzz.
Galos nodded, secretly feeling uneasy.
The Dragon Race divides age into many tiers.
For example, ages 1-5 are hatchlings, during which time hatchlings are sheltered by their mother, including being provided with food, protection, residence, etc.
Beyond that, ages 6-12 are the young dragon stage.
Evil Dragons have a feeble sense of family, lacking enthusiasm for raising offspring.
When offspring grow into young dragons, Evil Dragons often choose to drive them away, forcing them out of their territory to live independently.
Galos has an older Brother Long who was exiled a few years ago; his fate is unknown now.
As for himself, Galos had long anticipated this day would come; he just didn't expect it so soon.
This magical world is not safe; there are more than just dragons and the Dragon Race does not hold a monopoly on Magic Power. Moreover, dragons are highly coveted for their bodies, composed entirely of top materials.
Adult dragons fare alright, possessing enough power to protect themselves.
But young dragons?
Comparing them to humans, young dragons are like toddlers just barely able to stand, wobbling as they walk. For a young dragon living independently without protection, danger lurks at every corner; survival is extremely challenging.
The mortality rate of Evil Dragons' offspring is very high before reaching adulthood.
Exiling young dragons to live independently, Galos finds it utterly irrational, and no wonder the Dragon Race is gradually declining.
Moreover.
He ponders that perhaps it's precisely due to the harsh survival experiences in youth that every Evil Dragon grows up to be so violent and fierce.
"When I was your age, my claws and fangs were not as sharp as yours."
Iron Dragon Lady continued: "Nor were my Scale Armor as sturdy as yours, yet I had already left my mother's protection and had my own territory."
Her eyes flickered, the mention of her territory not entirely truthful.
The so-called 'territory' was, in fact, just a stinking ditch.
Her face, though layered with fine iron scales, was thick-skinned and expression unchanged.
She slightly leaned back her enormous body, saying: "Galos, you must leave here to begin your own life."
"Before dawn tomorrow, your scales should no longer be tainted by the dust of this place."
Indeed, intentions to expel me.
This is a damnable tradition; just because you've been rained on doesn't mean you should tear someone else's umbrella, Dragon Lady!
Upon hearing Iron Dragon Lady's words, Galos's heart chilled.
At the same time, two suppressed snickers could be heard from behind.
Red Dragon Sister and the newly arrived Tie Longdi, two five-year-old hatchlings, looked at Galos with schadenfreude in their eyes, their tails swinging behind them, seemingly in high spirits.
Due to their Evil Dragon nature, they often provoked Galos, only to be beaten by him repeatedly.
Their hope for Galos's exile was high.
"Those two fools, do they not realize now that I am what they'll be in a year?"
Galos shook his head slightly, not bothering with fools.
Those two hatchlings only focused on the present, without thoughts of the future.
The lowered head lifted, Galos looked at Iron Dragon Lady and said: "Mother, I wish to stay in your territory a bit longer, as I am not yet ready."
Iron Dragon Lady stretched half of her wing, and the shadow instantly engulfed half of the nest.
She decisively refused: "No."
Anticipating today's situation, Galos sighed and said: "I originally intended to barter treasures for food and shelter. Since Mother's mind is so made up, then forget it."
As his words ended, Galos shook his head, preparing to leave.
Treasures?
Iron Dragon Lady's pupils suddenly narrowed.
"My dear Galos, wait!"
Normal dragons cannot refuse treasures.
Galos knew this well—treasures are almost every dragon's weakness, and Iron Dragon Lady is no exception.
She is rigidly traditional, believing that six-year-old young dragons should live independently. However, every rule has exceptions. Iron Dragon Lady is also a consummate pragmatist. If Galos could bring her treasures, she wouldn't mind continuing to harbor this offspring.
Her cold, hard face softened considerably.
Iron Dragon Lady amiably asked: "Where did you get treasures, and how much are you willing to exchange for food and shelter."
Galos sat with limbs neat, looking up at the massive Iron Dragon, speaking leisurely: "I have a keen perception for minerals, especially valuable metal ores; my perception of them is exceptionally clear."
"I can assure you, I will provide you with at least three pieces of valuable metal ore weighing over ten pounds each month."
"And you need to offer me protection and the usual high-quality blood meals."
The blood meals Iron Dragon Lady can provide are high-level magical beasts, which Galos currently cannot obtain by himself.
And Galos is in need of high-quality blood meals, as his adaptive Evolution Talent doesn't materialize from nothing and requires enough energy replenishment during the evolution process.
Hearing Galos's words, Iron Dragon Lady nodded slightly.
Reasonable.
Iron Dragons do have a sensitivity to metal ores as a talent, though such a talent is rare among young dragons.
"Are you willing to mine yourself?"
Dragons in nature are proud, and mining tasks reserved for Followers and slaves are generally disdainfully undertaken by dragons themselves.
When it comes to treasures, Iron Dragon Lady adopted a penny-pinching tone, saying: "If you want to commandeer my Followers to mine for you, you'll have to add more, the exact additional amount depending on the level of the Followers you wish to use."
Level refers to the biological level.
This is the most direct reference for differentiating the tiers of individual strength, for example, the current biological level of Galos is 7, which is significant among peers, comparable to even superior to the average Golden Dragon.
Meanwhile, both Red Dragons and Iron Dragons normally fall short of Golden Dragons at the same age.
In the case of the White Dragon among the Five-Colored Dragons, the average biological level at six years of age is only about level 3.
"No need, I have two Mine Slaves under my command, and with my personal guidance, their mining efficiency should be quite high."
Galos declined Iron Dragon Lady's proposal.
Two Mine Slaves? Red Dragon Sister and Tie Longdi looked surprised.
"When did Galos get two Mine Slaves?"
Red Dragon Sister asked Tie Longdi in a low voice beside her.
"I don't know either."
Tie Longdi shook his head, his eyes clear.
The two hatchlings looked at each other, racking their brains, unable to figure out where Galos found two Mine Slaves.