Chapter 3: Freedom

The Sealed Cave, Jura Forest

It had been several months now since Tanya Von Degurechaff had awoken in this familiar cave system. Several months since she had accepted her situation. And several months since meeting Veldora, The Storm Dragon.

Since then her body had grown some. Now she could no longer be mistaken for some large lizard. From tail to head she was about fifteen feet long. And stood at approximately eight feet high. Yes, she was no longer the small thing that crawled out of an egg. But if Veldora was any example, she had a long way to go before reaching her maximum size.

Tanya made her way down the now familiar cave. Having lived here for many months she was very familiar with the place. She reached the end and was greeted by her so-called mentor.

"Veldora!" She called out. The great dragon groaned a little before his large body began to shift around.

"Argh. Tanya can't you wake up a little later? I've been stuck here for several hundred years. Sleep in the quickest way to pass the time." Veldora complained.

"Nonsense, you decided that you were going to mentor me. I believe what you said at the time was that you were going to make me into a proper dragon." She said flatly.

"Ah, why must you be so bossy!" Veldora yelled as he stretched his neck and cracked some stiff bones.

"You told me that a true dragon gets what they want no matter who stands in your way. It's my way or the highway." Tanya said with a smile. Veldora clicked his tongue in annoyance.

"Yeah, yeah. No need to remind me. You really are such a pain."

"Oh. Well if this little hatchling is such a pain then you have no objections to my departure?" Her tone was a little teasing.

"Now hold on a second! I never said such a thing! Besides, you need your wings first before you can leave." Veldora said. He looked slightly panicked at Tanya. For her part, Tanya was already familiar with why he seemed to panic if he thought she was going to leave. Having spent several centuries in his prison Veldora had grown lonely. Tanya for her part was reluctant to leave because she lacked her wings. And Veldora, for all of his faults, was still a very powerful creature. Tanya was going to milk him for every bit of information she could.

Over the months she had learned about the countries, the demon lords, and the general situation of humanity. Along with that she had learned Magic Sense and gained the skills Wind Manipulation and Lighting Manipulation. Veldora had insisted that she learn those elements to their highest level. Now she was able to freely manipulate them without casting an actual spell. But Tanya wasn't done, she wanted more. So she had been recently trying to increase her control over fire.

But today was something different. After having thought about it, Tanya wanted to see if she could create a shield formula. Or at the very least. A protective film.

She walked up to Veldora with power in her stride. Looking up at him she smiled. "Veldora, I want to try an experiment. In my past I was able to create a shield formula. In this world I believe It would be a magic barrier of some sort."

Veldora nodded his head in understanding. "Yes, yes. For you and me, magical attacks are the things we must be most weary of. As most physical attacks from something like a human would not be even close to fatal!" Tanya didn't agree totally with Veldora. While it was certain that the average human or monster would find trouble dealing any real physical damage. Tanya would not allow herself to grow complacent. After all, Veldora was living proof that even a being of his immense power could be captured and sealed.

"On the off chance that I come across someone with the power to pierce my scales I want extra protection that I can rely on."

After that Tanya moved some distance away and concentrated on the magicules within her. With Magic Sense active she was able to more readily understand what exactly she was doing, by observing the magicules around her. As she slowly formed a protective film over her body she noticed her scales were quickly beginning to absorb it. Concerned, Tanya was about to stop, when she saw that her scales were now influencing the magicules closest to her. The magicules were pressed tightly together just off the surface of her scales. Opening her eyes, she found that a dull blue aura clung to her.

"That was very quick. I am quite impressed, Tanya." Veldora said. He looked quite happy. But Tanya wasn't about to take credit when she had not actually done anything.

"I wouldn't say that Veldora. I merely applied some magicules to my scales and to my surprise my scales did the work for me." Tanya felt a little miffed about the situation but otherwise was happy with the result.

"Oh! So you were born with a magic barrier built into your scales." Tanya nodded her head. "You would be correct." Tanya felt a growing suspicion about why this was the case. But she wouldn't dwell on it.

Two Months Later, Sealed Cave

Tanya groaned and wriggled on the stone floor in agony. The sacks of flesh that contained her wings were at their breaking point. For the past few weeks Tanya had been constantly in pain and feeling itchy. And today was the worst it had ever gotten. Veldora had said to her that she should wait until the sacks burst on their own, but Tanya was quickly approaching her limit.

If these damned things don't burst right now! I'm going to rip them open!

Tanya roared as the pain and irritation intensified. She brought one of her claws to the flesh and was about to tear it open. When she slammed it back into the ground. The stone cracked from the impact. Tanya growled in irritation and closed her eyes.

It is almost over Tanya. Just hold on and you will finally be free of this torment!

With her eyes closed, Tanya tried to encourage herself to hold on. But the irritation and pain proved too much for her to bear. Her eyes snapped open and she practically threw herself against the cave walls. The jagged stone scratched against her inflamed skin. Since the sacks had grown so much, the scales on them had separated enough to expose flesh.

Tanya rubbed against the stone in absolute ecstasy. Until the stone managed to pierce her flesh and cut. Blood exploded out as the sack could no longer take the punishment. A bloody silver wing burst forth and smeared blood everywhere. Tanya quite literally roared in joy. The cave rumbling from the noise.

Unable to contain herself. Tanya didn't bother to rub against rocks. Instead her brought a claw over and tore the flesh apart. A second wing sprung out. Tanya flapped both wings furiously, causing an enormous gust of wind to build up. After she finished drying and stretching her wings she took off in a sprint to show Veldora.

Moving through the caves easily she entered Veldora's cavern at a full sprint. Slamming her legs on the ground she came to a halt before the giant dragon.

"They are finally out! I'm finally free from that torture!" Tanya laughed. This was the most joy she had felt in forever.

"I suspected as much when I heard you roar." He said. A grin threatening to split his face. Tanya felt the warm glow of embarrassment for a moment before returning to joy. She had finally gotten her wings!

It took nearly an hour for her jubilation to settle down. But once she had calmed down there was only one thing to do. "I'm going outside." Tanya's tone left no room for argument. But to her surprise Veldora didn't object like she thought he would. Instead he nodded his head. His eyes held an emotion she couldn't quite pin down.

"Go out there and try out your wings. It's an experience of a lifetime." He said. It was then that Tanya knew what the emotions in his eyes were. Pride, Happiness, and Sadness. He was happy and proud she had gotten her wings. But sad because he was stuck in his prison. Unable to fly for the foreseeable future.

In a rare instance, Tanya felt pity for her so-called mentor. She looked at him and maybe for the first time had truly come to realize how lonely he must feel. But she quickly quashed the feeling. Taking pity on the dragon would do nothing in the end. No, she was a person of the market. Veldora had invested his knowledge in her and she had yet to pay him back as compensation for his investment. It would not sit well with her if she was to take all he has spent on her and simply walk away. That would be against everything she stood for as a civilized being.

So with a promise to repay Veldora and excitement to see the outside world, Tanya made her way up the cave system.

Jura Forest, Just Outside The Sealed Cave

The sun was shining brilliantly in the clear blue skies above. The trees created a swooshing noise as the breeze moved their leaves. The sounds of birds chirping in the distance singing their songs completed the enchanting atmosphere of the Jura Forest. But it was interrupted by a loud screeching and crashing sound.

The twin doors that blocked the entrance of the sealed cave bent from the impact of something before another blow crushed the top. Large claws emerged between the roof and the bent doors. Gripping the doors the creature heaved and ripped the doors apart. Taking one door the young dragon tossed it away. The door flew into the distance and a loud bang was heard as it slammed and destroyed several trees. The dragon then walked out of the cave and basked in the sunlight. It's silver scales shone beautifully in the sunlight. Silver wings opened wide, its wingspan easily as long as it's body. The dragon inhaled as if it was about to roar to the world announcing its presence. But instead it exhaled with a low rumbling noise.

There was silence for a moment before its powerful wings flapped and created a gust of wind. Like a powerful storm into wings beat howling winds until its large body finally lifted off the ground. As it rose into the sky its speed continued to accelerate. Soon it was but a tiny dot in the sky.

Treyni let out a breath she did not know she was holding. The sight she had just witnessed seemed almost like a dream. But the crumpled door laying a short distance away from her was proof that what she had seen had in fact occurred.

A Dragon?!

Treyni couldn't believe it. The only creature that resided within the cave was The Storm Dragon, Veldora. All other monsters were spiders, snakes, and other insect types. She could only assume that the immense magical aura that surrounded Veldora, that aura that birthed monsters, had just birthed a new dragon. Was that silver dragon his offspring then? Or simply another spawn of his terrific aura.

She didn't know but from now on she would keep a close eye on the dragon. Hopefully she would be able to achieve contact without a hostile response.

The Skies Above The Jura Forest

Tanya was having the time of her life. With each beat of her wings she gained speed. The view of the world around her continued to expand as she climbed ever higher. Soon she had burst through the cloud layer and continued up.

But as she climbed Tanya had an idea. If she could make a protective film simply by applying magicules to her scales. What would happen if she did the same to her wings? Grinning, she slammed magicules into her wings and watched with excitement as dull blue scale-like shapes formed on her wings. Suddenly she felt lighter, much, much, lighter. With a single flap of her wings she felt the force of gravity slam into her. Her acceleration had been so fast that she had just experienced a significant G- force. Tanya could only imagine what would happen if she combined her speed with some serious wind magic.

Slowing down she looked around at the earth below. If she continued honing her skills and magics then she would truly be a force to be reckoned with. But with the ability to fly and rain down all of her attack and quickly get away?

Looks like The Devil of The Rhine is back.

Spotting a small convoy of carriages Tanya decided it was time she spoke with the human population. Activating her protective film, just in case, she quickly descended.

End

Wrote this all in one night. Hope you guys likes this chapter. I had a blast writing it. Without having to plan around Rimuru and his shenanigans I can actually have fun with writing. Though that doesn't mean he won't show up. I just want Tanya to have a chance of living in this world before bringing in Rimuru.

On a side note. Veldora being sealed for over 300 years is terrible. Like I know he's a fun loveable character, but being alone for over 300 years would certainly take its toll. I kind of don't like that light novel or anime makes light of that. But I get that the author didn't want to go down that road.