Black Magic

Monday

Chapter 5: Monday

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Excerpt from Chapter 4 of Dragons: A History of Mixed Blood and Magic, Written in the year 611 A.C.

The Change

The Change is defined as the first moment an Elemental Dragon shifts from his human form to his dragon form.

It usually occurs around the time of human puberty, ages 13-21. There has reportedly been a first Change late as age 25.

It is said that the Change is often facilitated by emotional or hormonal stress. Personal accounts relate the onset of certain cravings. An unusual want for raw meat is a tell-tale sign of an impending first Change.

Apparently an individual's sex drive is also ramped up a notch, both before and just after the first Change.

Women have likened the symptoms to those present during pregnancy. However, increased libido and food cravings are only the beginning. Many individuals may also experience mood swings and a noticeable shift in sleeping patterns.

It has been proven that the Change is transitioned much easier when the new dragon is surrounded by other dragons to help him through.

The first Change cannot be forced. It is preceded by evidence of elemental powers and other obvious symptoms, but like the first menses of a female...the Change happens when the body decides it is ready.

After the initial Change, an individual can shift into dragon form of his own free will at any time; there is also a noticeable increase in one's elemental powers. Strength, speed, and vision also improve vastly in both human and dragon form following the Change.

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Kyungsoo could safely say he got about 3 hours of sleep last night.

But he somehow managed to get himself dressed and shuffle down to the dining hall in time to grab an apple before making his way toward the training field where his first class was to be held.

He absently rubbed a hand through his hair as he walked, still-half asleep, allowing himself to be absorbed and pushed along with the rushing current of students spilling outside.

The moment he left the building, the early morning sun hit his eyes, and he squinted painfully.

It was too damn early for this.

A weight suddenly slammed into his back and his half-eaten apple flew from his hand, landing on the dirt and rolling before coming to sad halt. He stopped walking and just stared at it, too tired to figure out how he was supposed to react.

"Get enough sleep?"

"I hate you," Kyungsoo responded vaguely, still staring at his fallen breakfast.

"You know," Kai said jovially as he slung an arm around Kyungsoo's shoulders, "that sort of offends me." He towed Kyungsoo forward, following a path to the field. "After all, we barely know each other."

Kyungsoo shrugged him off and sighed, already hating his day. "Aren't you supposed to be in class? What are you doing out here?" There was no way Kai was in Beginner's Defense.

They were standing on the training fields amongst the other students now, and there were maybe 50 people gathered. Kyungsoo noticed a range of cloak color, and tiredly determined that this was a mixed class with Elemental Dragons from all factions.

Kai circled around until he was leaning forward into Kyungsoo's face, and Kyungsoo fought the distinctive urge to step back.

But he didn't move.