Chapter 81: Learning
“...”
The heart lay back, letting itself be devoured, giving no response no matter how fervently the brain interrogated it. This infuriated the black dragon, making its teeth itch with rage and further solidifying its resolve to develop a secondary heart. Otherwise, being constantly controlled and manipulated like this, how could the brain carry out its work or ever hope to be master?
"You just wait—one day I'll show you who's boss!"
The brain issued threats to the heart, determined that once it mastered the ‘Mage’s Hand’ and developed a new heart, it would drag this traitor out for a thorough beating, a public denouncement, and perhaps even a braised or stir-fried punishment—only then would its resentment be truly quenched.
As for the egg the Phoenix King had laid inside its mind...
The black dragon studied it for a while but could do nothing about it for now, so it pushed the matter aside. This thing was clearly a kind of metaphysical substance, seemingly bound to the dragon’s consciousness, and not something that could be dispelled overnight.
“If only this were happening in reality—if that bird dared to lay an egg and then flee, I'd fry it up, or make an egg soup and eat it right away!”
The black dragon thought viciously, “A phoenix egg... must be quite nourishing!”
“Right... Speaking of which, I wonder if the phoenix outside is male or female...”
The dragon pondered, “Hopefully female, so that once she reaches adulthood, she’ll be able to lay eggs!”
A phoenix that could lay eggs would surely be as valuable, economically and nutritionally, as a hen that lays golden eggs! If it could lay one or two eggs a day, whether for eating or selling, the black dragon would profit greatly!
Look at that—another lucrative venture acquired! Truly, this phoenix was a treasure.
The more the dragon thought about it, the more excited it became, deciding to immediately check the phoenix’s gender. If she was female, it would work on her mindset, impressing upon her the importance of species continuity, urging her to adjust her physiological cycle and hurry up with egg-laying.
If male, then even more persuasion would be needed—not only teaching him the greater good, but also asking if he minded changing gender...
Yes, for a species on the brink of extinction, laying eggs is undoubtedly a noble cause!
...
In the wild, if a male creature keeps staring at a female’s posterior, it’s almost certain he’s interested and wants to do something to ensure the survival of their kind.
The phoenix now faced such troubles. The black dragon seemed to have lost its mind, insisting on checking its rear, driving the bird to the brink of collapse with annoyance. All it could do was fly and curse, trying to escape the dragon’s harassment.
“Hey, don’t run! It’s just a physical check, not your doom—why so agitated?” the black dragon shouted as it chased, baffled by the phoenix’s reaction to what it considered a perfectly normal scientific procedure.
Without knowing your gender, how can I understand your personality and habits, help you develop better study plans, or devise a scientific, long-term blueprint for your life?
This is clearly a good thing—why can’t you see it?
Lack of education is truly a fatal flaw!
The black dragon sighed, feeling both exhausted and disappointed. The adult phoenix’s speed had increased dramatically, estimated at no less than Mach 1.5. No matter how hard the dragon flapped its wings, it couldn’t hope to catch up.
Fortunately, this was one of the dragon’s main objectives: to observe the phoenix’s flight pattern, the techniques of body movement, and the use of magical power, and then apply those lessons to itself.
If the black dragon could achieve speeds of several Machs, its combat power and deterrence would be qualitatively enhanced!
So, for a while, she fled, he chased—both caught in a cycle, neither able to escape.
Ah, apologies—that was a slip. In truth, they were having the time of their lives.
The phoenix could easily leave the black dragon far behind with its speed, but it didn’t—it played, occasionally stopping to watch, cursing loudly, then speeding away just as the dragon was about to catch up.
This chase lasted more than two hours, and the black dragon felt it had gained some insights and needed time to reflect. So it called out, “Enough running—no more checking your rear, let’s go home!”
With that, it turned and flew back.
The phoenix watched for a moment, and seeing the dragon was sincere, let out a joyful cry, then accelerated to its limit, shooting past the dragon’s forehead.
Whether it was provocation or just molting, a few feathers happened to fall onto the dragon’s head.
Damn it...
The black dragon, usually quite even-tempered, couldn’t help but tremble in anger—
Look, this is a vivid, bloody example: fall behind, and you get beaten; fall behind, and you get humiliated!
This time it’s feathers—next time, who knows, it might be bird droppings!
To avoid such humiliation, I must increase my speed!
...
Yet by the time it returned to the fiery tree’s nest, most of the dragon’s anger had dissipated. After all, it was determined to be a good teacher—how could it stoop to the level of a rebellious student?
Not only would it not vent its anger, it would instead use love and warmth to educate and inspire, turning the phoenix into... strike that, turning it into a pillar of society!
With this philosophy, the black dragon teacher gave the phoenix a gentle smile—though whether the bird could perceive any warmth in its ugly face was its own problem.
“Come here. PE is over; time for the next lesson!”
The black dragon waved—well, waved its claw—calling the phoenix, “You’ve just completed your evolution; surely your mind has opened up a bit? Remember what I taught you last time? Recite it for me.”
“...”
The phoenix didn’t answer, only tilted its head and watched the dragon warily—clearly still suspicious about that whole rear-check business.
“Ah... That’s not very endearing,” the black dragon sighed. It really felt the phoenix’s looks lacked something—not that it wasn’t exquisite or beautiful, but it was too proud, too fierce, with no approachability at all, as if it belonged to the underworld rather than the living world, severely lacking in charm.
When the time comes, it’ll have to find a way to persuade the bird to get a makeover!
“Hurry up! If you keep misbehaving, I’ll report you to your parents!”
The black dragon threatened, believing that since the Phoenix King had laid an egg in its mind, there must be a deep connection between itself and the phoenix tribe.
If this silly bird could sense its ancestors’ will, it wouldn’t necessarily be obedient, but it ought to listen to the dragon to some extent.