-Draco, what are you talking about?- Darius hadn't moved since.
-I didn't say anything, actually.- Reptile remembered that the master wasn't there in the evening, so they didn't have a chance to talk.
- Yesterday afternoon, I was practising with the guys... - He paused and thought. - Actually, I was supposed to practise with them, but in the meantime, I talked to Kei. I was interested in whether dragon and animorph training were very different from each other. At the time, I didn't know I shouldn't have asked him that. - He grimaced slightly as he recalled the redhead's reaction. - Kei had a panic attack, so we took him to the basement. Vi and Forth calmed him down, and Ari explained everything to me. I felt awful that Kei had to go through this trauma because of me. - He sighed heavily. - And then it dawned on me. - He turned to the master, forgetting about breakfast. - By a word of explanation. Two years ago, exactly two years ago, there were... tests at the Academy. - He grimaced, remembering something he really didn't want to remember again. - Fencing, hand-to-hand combat, human and dragon fitness... And an obstacle course.- Draco looked at his hands, noticing that he had instinctively clenched his fists.- And it was that unfortunate obstacle course. I wanted to prove myself, and on the trial run, I got almost the best time in the class. Not everyone liked that. - He relaxed his fists and stretched his fingers a few times. - Waiting for my turn to take the exam, I stepped aside as usual and continued to prepare, warming up my wing joints and the like. Then two boys from a parallel class approached me. One of them started insulting me and hurling various insults, but thanks to Pirce, I was already used to it, so I didn't react. I waited for him to finish and, unfortunately, that was the only thing I focused on.- A shiver ran down his spine.- I didn't notice that the other one had walked around me. I only felt his claws piercing my wing membrane and the excruciating pain as he yanked down, tearing it apart.- His stomach churned at the mere memory. He had never felt anything so shocking before or since. - The bastard even had the audacity to whisper, 'Let's see how fast you can fly now.' And they walked away laughing. The instructor, of course, pretended he hadn't seen anything, and later, for obvious reasons, failed me on an exam I was unable to take.
-Draco...- The dragon realised that he had been speaking almost automatically, staring at the cup of tea in front of him. He looked at his master, who now spoke. -Yes?- The reptile asked indifferently.
-Draco...- Darius turned pale and looked terrified. He clenched one hand on the railing and the other on the edge of the table. - Did I understand correctly... and that... instructor...- The wizard uttered the word through clenched teeth. - ... saw everything?
-Yes.- The dragon tilted his head slightly, not understanding.
-And he did nothing?- Bleist spoke in a dead, hollow voice.
-If only it were just this once.- Draco snorted.- I can't even count how many times I've been beaten up by instructors. Although, to be fair, this time he could have at least sent me to the infirmary. Eh... In the end, I had to sit on the sidelines until the end of class. It was hurting like hell, so much that I couldn't even move. I could have left as soon as I officially failed the exam.- He gasped, partly out of anger and partly out of helplessness. - Somehow, my turn was at the very end, so when I was dismissed, there was no point in looking for a nurse. I was hoping that the transformation would help a little, but... well, I only made things worse. The bleeding intensified, and the pain proved that I hadn't experienced the worst yet. Fortunately, I had a healing potion.- He shuddered.- It helped a little. At least it stopped the bleeding and eased the pain a little. However, I was afraid that it wouldn't heal the wing membrane, so I went to the library. Theoretically, I wasn't allowed in there after class, but...- Draco felt a little embarrassed. He picked up his cup and took a sip of tea.- If you pried the door open properly, it was easy to open. I started looking for medical books.- He omitted to mention that he was sobbing and swearing in all the languages his aunt had taught him.- After a fruitless search in the public sections, I moved on to those that required a teacher's permission to browse. I must admit that I didn't really care about that at the time.- He shrugged.- There were quite a few volumes on medicine, but none of them were about what interested me. It took me a long time to find one that described ways to treat damaged wings. It was titled Rare Diseases and How to Treat Them: Dragons by a certain Nikos from Itea. Pleased with my discovery and mindful of the passing time, I went to the infirmary.- He focused on his cup again.- I also knew how to get in after closing time and where the medicines, ingredients and tools were stored. Suffice it to say that this was not the first time I had used this facility without the nurse's knowledge. I checked all the treatments again and chose the one that seemed to be the most effective. Preparing the compresses and ointments was laborious, but worth it. After applying them to my wings, I immediately felt better. The only problem was that I had to leave the compresses on for three hours without moving my wings. I had time to read then.- Finally, he came to the part he had been looking for from the beginning.- This book described cases identical to what was happening to Kei, collectively known as Dorientann syndrome. There were 112 documented cases dating from 1250 to 1650. Not many, but as the title suggested, it was a rare condition. Each case was described separately, with the exact location, a description of the patient, information about the people involved in the treatment, the exact course of the procedure and the final results. The book itself was really substantial, and the descriptions of this condition took up more than half of its volume. At the very end, there was a comprehensive summary listing all the symptoms, causes, progression of the syndrome, and effective treatments.- He grimaced slightly.- Although of all the methods, only one does not cause additional trauma or injury. It is necessary to...
-Draco...- Darius interrupted the dragon in a quiet but firm manner. - I am very glad that you know something about Kei's condition and are trying to help him. I am also eager to hear everything in detail. However, at this point, I would like to return to the situation you described. - The mage spoke slowly and in a soothing tone. - I apologise in advance, because talking about this cannot be easy.
-It's all right, Master. - The dragon finished his tea and stared at Bleist. - I don't know if there's anything else to add, but if you have any questions, I'll answer them.
-You said it wasn't the first time someone had hurt you in front of an instructor. Could you elaborate on that a little?
-There have been various incidents...- Draco pursed his lips, digging up various events similar to the one with the wings from his memory. -Although it's hard to call it an accident when two people are holding you down and a third is beating you with a training sword. In the end, it wasn't so bad. Only a few times did I have broken ribs, three or four times a broken arm, and once a broken leg. It was worse when Pirce caught me outside the Academy. I remember once I almost got away from that moron at the last moment by changing from a dragon into a human, jumping over a narrow gap and returning to dragon form again. Unfortunately, he managed to scratch me with his claws, and the transformation into a dragon only made matters worse, enlarging the wounds on my stomach and side. I don't quite remember how I got home then, but later I spent two weeks with a fever and quite nasty pain. Other than that, it ended up with a few bruises, a black eye and a few scratches.- He shrugged.- I got used to it.- He added somewhat reflexively.
-I see...- Darius' tone did not indicate that he actually understood or even tried to understand. He acknowledged it, committing every word to memory.- What were those... instructors doing?
-Most of them just turned away, pretending not to see what was happening. There were also those who advised how to hit so that it hurt more but left fewer marks. About six months after the wing incident, we had a hand-to-hand combat instructor who loved to demonstrate everything on me. Back then, nosebleeds and spitting blood were a daily occurrence for me. He was also the one who broke my leg for the first time.- Draco sighed heavily, rubbing his forearm.- It's in the past.- He added quietly.
- Did anyone take responsibility for it? - Oscar stood to the side, staring out the window. The older man had his back turned.
-What do you mean? - The dragon glanced at the butler and looked back at his master.
-Did anyone take responsibility for what happened in class and outside of class? - The old man clarified.
-Usually me,- Draco shrugged. -For example, if someone broke a training sword on me, it was obviously my fault. As for the reasons, there are many more or less absurd ones.
-And the perpetrators?
-Nothing, just another day.- The dragon poured himself some tea before continuing.- Unless you consider my aunt's anger a disaster or divine judgement. Other than that, nothing happened to anyone.
-And the incident with the damaged wings. What happened after that? -The butler pressed further, but he certainly had no ill intentions.
-During those three hours, apart from reading about the Dorientann syndrome, I copied several descriptions of the treatment of more serious wounds and everything about dealing with damaged wings. Later, I removed the bandage, washed the wound and reapplied the ointment. I had made a supply of it, so I had no problem. Leaving the Academy, I put the book back in its place and then went home. When I got back, I told my aunt what had happened, and she immediately sent for a doctor. In the meantime, she examined me herself and reapplied the ointment. Doctor Xian'qett lives near my aunt, so he arrived quite quickly. Even though he is a former military doctor, he said he had never seen anything like this before. Although, considering that there aren't many dragons in the orc clans, it's perhaps understandable.- Draco took a long sip.- First, he checked the description according to which I had tried to treat myself, and after confirming that it was correct, he set about treating me his own way. He patched me up in less than three hours. I think it helped a lot that, in addition to being a doctor, he is also a shaman.- Draco drank his tea.- Fortunately, everything healed quite well, and I was only unable to fly for a month. Later, of course, after my aunt raised hell at the Academy, I was allowed to retake the exam, which I barely passed due to problems with my wings. And that's it, that's the whole story.- The dragon shrugged.
-Do you still...- Oscar didn't finish his question.
-No, I'm fine.- Draco didn't pay much attention to the fact that he was speaking freely and without embarrassment, as if he were talking about yesterday's weather.- I don't even have any scars.
Silence fell over the room. The dragon scrutinised his master and the butler. Both men were pale and clearly shaken. He didn't know why.
-Getting back to the treatment...- Draco tried to break the increasingly awkward silence.
-Yes, Draco... Of course, I'm listening.- Darius needed a moment to respond.
-So, as I was saying, of the several methods of treatment described, only one does not cause additional trauma or injury. The patient must voluntarily undergo the transformation in the presence of someone who will physically restrain them until they exhaust their strength and lose consciousness.- The dragon remembered this well, even better than he could have imagined.- It may take some time, but it is effective.
-Kei must have been happy.- Bleist said only that in a weak voice.
-Yes, very much so.- Draco thought for a moment.- Although perhaps he clung to this method more like a last resort.
-Thank you for trying to help Kei, but in future, please inform me, Oscar or one of the officers if you are doing something potentially dangerous.
-Of course, master. I will remember that.- Fortunately, the dragon bit his tongue and did not say that it was not dangerous at all.
-When are you going to practise again?- Darius seemed to be partly lost in thought.
-The book says that sessions should be held once every three days, so the next one is the day after tomorrow.
-Very well,- there was no enthusiasm in the master's voice.- Please let me know in advance. I would like to assess for myself how safe it is.
-Of course, master.
-Back to more pressing matters.- Darius took a deep breath.- Today, we will put the books aside and practise something new. Change into something loose and meet me in the training room in the basement.
-All right, Master.- Draco realised that he had already eaten everything within his reach.- In that case, I'll go get changed and meet you downstairs.
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-I had no idea.- Darius spoke only a few minutes after the door closed behind the dragon. He almost threw down his cutlery, feeling his stomach churn and the urge to vomit. As a soldier, he had seen a lot: abandoned battlefields, burned villages, piles of bodies, but it was only when he heard Draco dispassionately describe the hell on earth that he felt sick. He was terrified and furious. He couldn't imagine even half of what his student had gone through. - Madame Nasua left a lot unsaid,- he added, barely audibly.
Silence was his only reply. After a moment, he looked at Oscar. The old man stood with his back to the room, breathing heavily and clenching his fists, digging his nails into his palms. Darius got up and approached the butler. Oscar's face was frozen in rage and disgust. It would seem that for a dignified, experienced and already quite elderly magician, he should not give in to his emotions, but even for him it was too much.
-He didn't tell us everything.- The majordomo said in a very harsh voice.- He definitely didn't.
-I know.- That was all Bleist could say. He realised that the student hadn't lied to them, but he certainly hadn't mentioned the worst events. - I'm going to visit the Central Bank and ask the Hunters about everything concerning Draco. They must have been monitoring him on behalf of his father, grandfather or uncle, so they must have detailed information about what happened. - He swallowed, trying to control another stomach spasm. - It's going to be difficult reading.
-Not as difficult as living through it.- Oscar's barely audible voice was devoid of its usual politeness and gentleness.
-Right.- Earl nodded, scolding himself for regretting that he would have to read something so grim while knowing that Draco had survived it. -It would also be a good idea to visit the medic... Just in case.
-I will send a message about your visit to the healer Herpetes.- The butler turned to Darius.- Shall I announce you for this afternoon?
-I'll write to him myself, Oscar.- Bleist sighed heavily.- It would be better to warn him about certain facts. I'll also have to ask him for discretion.
-Indeed, it would probably be better if no one unauthorised found out that the young master is a dragon.- The elderly wizard nodded with an uncertain expression.
-No, I'm not worried about that. Eventually, everyone will find out, and whether it will be sooner or later, only fate will tell.- Darius turned towards the garden.- I want him to keep everything else to himself, because I'm afraid that the past has left many marks on Draco.