The next morning was interesting, to say the least, and I discovered a few more things about myself. After my morning rituals, I felt ravenous, like I could eat the kitchen table and part of a chair. When I was taking some vitamin pills that appeared with my food, some of the water drank with them went into my lungs, causing a small coughing fit. After a few seconds, my chest tightened in an odd way, and a small flame escaped my lips and disappeared in a wisp of smoke.
Trying to replicate this flame failed the first few times, but eventually I learned how to use the new muscle that controlled my flame. Twitching that muscle while exhaling started a flame, and tightening the muscle makes the flame reach further. After making some toast that was tasty, if a little on the crispy side, my attention turned back to my meal.
The food I was given regularly included some protein, but the portions of meats were larger, and I found I had somewhat increased urges to eat those foods. After the meal that left me energized and satisfied, I stood and went about my normal activities.
The first room I went to was my activity room, and I finished tuning my piano. It had become slightly out of tune over the years, and sounded not quite like it used to. I had to request a tuner from my caretakers before I started, and it had appeared in the activity room the next day, and the tuning wrench was simple enough to make.
After my piano tuning and practice, I waited in the main greeting room in a chair for my head caretaker, Claire, to arrive for my lessons. Claire taught me all the academic things like world history, maths, and English, and her assistant, Brenda, taught me all of my skills, like music, toolcrafting, potions, and mechanics. Today I will have both of them, and my lessons are nearing an end. I know nearly everything there is to know about my fields, and I especially liked potions and mechanics because there were rules for both of them, and if you didnt follow the rules, things could end badly.
After a few minutes, Claire and Brenda arrived. We made small talk, and Claire taught me in all of my areas of study, and I did well. She went into my kitchen to make lunch, while Brenda and I went into my workshop.
While my other rooms could change at a moments notice, my workshop had to be exactly just so, and everything was where it needed to be. It was a very large and open space, with good ventilation and a high ceiling. Everything had its purpose and function, and the layout was efficient. Here was were I spent most of my time. Near one work table covered in tools, nearly finished, was my car. It was a 1987 Honda Civic wagon in pearl white paint, but this one was special. This was one of the harder to find cars, with the four wheel drive. It was my main project, my baby, and it was built from the ground up with my own hands, I even had to make some of the parts myself. The only thing needed now was tires.
Todays lesson with Brenda was how to mount tires, and it was simple, it just isnt immediately obvious how to seal the tire. After the first few tries, and realizing I could retract my claws to not damage the tires, I finally got it. My wagon had tires, and it was ready to roll, when I was finally let out onto a road.
"Brenda, I've finished the tires," I called out. "Want to see them?" Brenda was surprised how quickly I had them done, amd I got a pat on the back for my work. We started talking about the car, and somehow we ended up discussing my new changes. Brenda reassured my that there was nothing to worry about, and she gave me a pocket sized book on dragons.
Brenda and I came out after washing up to have lunch with Claire, some large sandwiches. It was then that I asked a question that had been on my mind.
"When can I leave? I want to drive my car, outside, not just doing donuts in the shop, and I want to fly outside. I want to see the world as it is, the good and the bad.
Claire began to explain. "In a few days you will enter the Stagea. It has five parts, called Stages. Each stage tests a different part of your skill and abilities, and each part you pass will make that ability stronger. As an example, if a Stage tests speed, then when you pass, you will become faster. It is when you succeed in the entirety of the Stagea, that you will be free to leave."
"Sounds terrifying." I remarked with no small amount of worry. "I'll start preparing tomorrow."
After that discussion, my caretakers left, and I sang and played music, put the finishing touches on the interior of my car, made myself some dinner, and oiled my scales before going to bed early.