"What's wrong, little one? Don't space out on me~"
The woman caught Sovell by the chin and turned his face toward her.
"Hm? My apologies, madam. Please continue."
Realizing that getting lost in his own thoughts was rather disrespectful, Sovell hastily apologized.
"So polite, and so handsome too~ I forgive you."
The woman stroked Sovell's face, then continued:
"Before I go on with the story, little one, let me ask you something-
Do you know how dragon kind came into being?"
How dragon kind came into being?
Merlin had indeed taught him about that subject.
Sovell gathered his thoughts and answered:
"According to the available records, the vast majority of 'dragons' found in popular tales and myths are not true dragons.
They originated from the dragon factors left on the surface by a race of powerful, ancient dragons.
To distinguish between the two, human mages called those powerful ancient dragons 'pureblood dragons.'
The 'dragons' born from their dragon factors are collectively known as 'dragon kind,' and are generally distributed across the three ranks of phantasmal species.
If my guess is correct, the second primordial life-form you mentioned was the oldest pureblood dragon. Is that right?"
"Correct. A perfect answer."
After praising Sovell's answer, the woman continued her story:
"After that, the planet began to cool. Lava gradually solidified, and the gaseous oceans fell as rain, forming the first seas.
Then clouds collided with clouds, and winds swept into winds. Lightning struck, and raging waves rose everywhere.
After countless years, nature deities, animals, plants, and phantasmal species were born in succession.
Phantasmal species also became the first 'primates,' gaining dominion over the planet.
Then, after another long, long time, the earliest humans appeared.
The [Primordial], who commanded wind and fire, took an interest in these little beasts.
They were so frail