Without much conversation, Muria led the nine ancient dragons and their descendants to the already established Dragon Academy to observe its various facilities.
"This is the grand library I built, containing books from the legacies of the dragons under my command. And this is just a portion. We also have contributions from my human allies, the Naga Kingdom, the Giant Tribes, and the Elven Court. The collection already exceeds millions of volumes..."
Muria proudly pointed to the largest building and introduced it to the ancient dragons before him. "Here, you can find all kinds of miscellaneous knowledge. The young dragons can enter this ocean of knowledge during their free time and absorb the parts beneficial to them to strengthen themselves."
"This is the Meditation Tower!" Muria pointed to a cluster of towers, surrounded by swirling clouds of elemental mist, colorful and visually stunning.
"After enrolling, unless they need to enter the next stage of required sleep, no young dragon is allowed to enter a deep slumber. They must meditate and train at all times, without slacking."
"Your Highness, isn't this too harsh? I've heard that dragons study for a hundred years. If they spend all that time being taught, they might as well sleep more instead."
An ancient dragon expressed concern, feeling that Muria was too strict by even limiting the young dragons' sleep.
"Teach all the knowledge?" Muria laughed as if he'd heard the funniest joke in the world. "Are you really a metallic dragon? How can you say something as foolish as 'all knowledge can be learned'? You're my elder, and I see you're only about a thousand years old. But despite living a millennium, can you claim to know everything in the world?"
"No," the ancient dragon who had just voiced some complaints showed a hint of embarrassment. He only wanted to advocate for the younger dragons, thinking that forbidding deep sleep except for the required hibernation was too strict. But Muria's question about whether he was omniscient was too awkward.
"In that case, why object? I've heard wise men say that learning is endless. A dragon's best time to learn is in its youth. If they don't seize the opportunity now, when will they?"
Muria continued, "I once had an enemy, and I don't know exactly how old he was, but I know he's lived for over ten thousand years. I believe you've heard of him—Lich Captain Barbosa. Even as a great lich, when I saw him, he had a book in his hand. If a ten-thousand-year-old lich is so eager to learn, how can ignorant young dragons be so complacent? Should they wait until their heads are chopped off by some ant-like humans to regret it?"
Hearing Muria's words, the ancient dragon lowered its head and reluctantly stepped back. No other ancient dragon dared to voice objections to Muria's words. If a dragon doesn't study or train hard, it's not even as good as a lich—how embarrassing would that be?
Muria, seeing that he had convinced the ancient dragons, nodded in satisfaction. As for whether Barbosa actually read books, who knew? He had never seen it. Every time he encountered the lich, Barbosa had a sword in his hand, dressed like a pirate. But given his status, he probably read a lot of books.
"This is a gravity chamber specifically built to train the young dragons' bodies, with gravity ranging from ten times to a hundred times normal, increasing step by step, allowing the young dragons' physiques to be fully trained."
Muria introduced the ancient dragons to a building. Just as he was about to activate the array in the gravity chamber for them to experience, another dragon raised a question.
"Your Highness, our dragon race is naturally strong in physique. Is it necessary to train with gravity? Isn't this a waste of time?"
"Strong physique?" Muria looked at the dragon who spoke, with a hint of mockery on his face. "How strong? Compared to me?"
Upon hearing Muria's words, several ancient dragons showed embarrassment. Most of them had been physically subdued by Muria and were well aware of his physical strength. If strength were the measure, ordinary dragons couldn't compare to him.
"When I was young, I often trained under a hundred times gravity. I trained my body this way in my youth—why can't the young dragons do the same? Are their bodies stronger than mine?" Muria asked. "Are their physiques stronger than a Titan's?"
"Titans also train with gravity?"
"Of course. Titans will use any method to become stronger, even carrying mountains on their backs."
...
After touring the Dragon Academy, one of the ancient dragons respectfully approached Muria and said, "Your Highness, the facilities in your academy are very well-prepared. We couldn't find any omissions for now. However, while the facilities are complete, there is a slight deficiency in other aspects."
"What deficiencies? Speak freely, without hesitation," Muria replied, unconcerned, encouraging the ancient dragons to speak their minds.
"Your Highness, among the professors, there's only one ancient green dragon; the rest are all ancient metallic dragons, which is excellent. However, among the students, there are very few metallic dragons—most are chromatic dragons. Isn't this inappropriate?"
"What? Do you have a prejudice against chromatic dragons?" Muria raised his eyebrows slightly, then realized the key issue. Not every dragon could tolerate chromatic dragons as he did. As members of the dragon race, it's already very kind of them not to harm chromatic dragons. But to expect them to teach chromatic dragons with kindness was asking too much.
"Chromatic dragons are born evil and can't get along with us metallic dragons. I don't understand, Your Highness, why you're so dedicated to teaching them and making such sacrifices. It seems to me that it's not worth it. If you need dragons as your strength, I can introduce you to some metallic dragons."
An ancient dragon spoke up, thinking that Muria valued chromatic dragons only for their combat prowess. But in his view, metallic dragons could completely replace them. There was no need to treat chromatic dragons so well; not killing them was already the greatest mercy.
"You still don't understand why I built this academy and named it Dragon Academy?" Muria sighed, then extended his hand. Golden scales densely covered his hand, instantly transforming his fair-skinned hand into a fierce dragon claw.
"My golden dragon bloodline is inherited from the Dragon King, but I am also a hybrid. In addition to my dragon bloodline, I also have Titan blood. So, my perspective is different from yours."
Muria turned his back to the ancient dragons. "A few days ago, a friend mentioned to me that the world's dominant races should be three: Titans, Seraphs, and Dragons. But in reality, only Titans and Seraphs are the true dominant races.
Dragons, despite possessing the strength of a dominant race, have been divided and opposing each other for so long that almost any moderately powerful race or creature dares to challenge them. This kind of treatment is completely different from the other two races."
Hearing Muria's words, the ancient dragons fell silent. They knew the true power of the dragon race. If united, they could indeed be called the third strongest race in Erathia. But because of the differing ideals of the dragon gods who created the dragon branches, the dragon race remained divided. To this day, there was no sign of unification; the divisions and conflicts persisted.
"When I was a child, the first gift my mother gave me was six red dragon eggs. My father's first gift to me was ninety-five carefully selected chromatic dragon eggs. I have raised over a hundred dragons since childhood. I'm more aware of the vicious nature of chromatic dragons than you are, but I also know that this can be changed."
Muria turned back, his expression serious as he looked at the ancient dragons. "When I was young, I once lamented that dragons are inherently evil. The bloodline inheritance of chromatic dragons makes them born evil, which is undeniable.
But what kind of dragon one ultimately grows into still heavily depends on their experiences after birth. The reason most chromatic dragons are evil is mainly due to their inherited influences, which shape their later behavior and character. Over time, they become evil dragons."
"But in reality, you and I both know that chromatic dragons are not inherently evil. Some, due to various influences during their growth, also abandon evil for good. There have been good dragons among chromatic dragons, and likewise, there have been fallen evil dragons among the naturally kind metallic dragons. This is an undeniable fact, isn't it?"
Muria asked the ancient dragons again. The ancient dragons, hearing his question, could only nod helplessly. These were major events recorded in various racial histories, and they couldn't refute them. These were undeniable facts.
"These facts prove that both metallic dragons and chromatic dragons can have their natures reversed with enough education. Since that's the case, why don't we guide these naturally evil dragons onto the path of righteousness? Do you lack the confidence to correct the evil thoughts in their inherited memories?"
"Your Highness, I think I understand your thoughts now." Ancient gold dragon Leonine looked at Muria with fiery eyes, revealing unprecedented admiration. Since meeting Muria, he had always regarded him as an equal, sometimes even subtly seeing Muria as a junior. But now, he used honorifics to address Muria. He was amazed by the ambition revealed in Muria's words and felt a strong urge to follow him.
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