Wind Chant

Early the next morning, Sordil set off for Mildian Magic Academy with Zeref. As for Zeref, Sordil had decided to give him free rein, so he told Zeref that he only needed to stay at the academy and did not have to follow him around every day. Whenever he missed Sordil or Gilkunis, he could simply come visit. After all, Zeref had already begun researching how to resurrect Natsu and the others. Who knew when that bastard Ankhseram would unleash "Contradiction"? For the sake of his own life... ahem, and Gilkunis's old life, it was better to keep some distance from Zeref.

Yet in Zeref's eyes, all of this became trust and concern. Thus, Sordil successfully left the mark of a kindred spirit in young Zeref's heart. Not long afterward, when Zeref heard news of Sordil's death, he nearly went to fight Acunologiya to the death. Of course, that was a story for later, so there was no need to dwell on it now. For the two of them, reaching the academy and receiving Hissell's instruction was the more pressing matter.

By the time they arrived, Hissell was already waiting for them above the academy. The three agreed that after Zeref finished his lessons, they would meet at the earthen slope to go over Quality Magic. Before then, Sordil would read materials in the library, while Hissell would handle the academy's affairs. And so, Sordil began a study life that followed a simple three-point route: his residence, the library, and the earthen slope. Zeref's days were much the same. With Hissell's guidance and the vast number of books he read in the library, Sordil's store of magical knowledge grew rapidly.

Time flew by, the days turned one after another, and the world continued onward along its proper course.

About a month later, Sordil finally mastered Quality Magic, though he still could not use it proficiently. This shocked Hissell. After all, what he knew was human magic, not dragon magic. Sordil had needed to modify it before he could use it, yet even so, he had accomplished it in only one month. Since Zeref was human, he had completed his studies ten days earlier. Recently, he had merely been asking Hissell about issues that had arisen during lessons, so the three's daily "earthen slope meetings" came to an end. From then on, Sordil began his long-planned "book-devouring operation." Other than returning to his residence at night to rest or asking Hissell about questions he encountered, he practically spent the entire day in the library.

Time began flowing onward once more. One day, half a month later, when Sordil returned to his residence, he found an extra figure in the gorge. It was his mother, the Water Dragon Wattster, whom he had not seen for two months. At the same time Sordil spotted Wattster, she spotted him as well. Although Wattster had long heard from Gilkunis that Sordil's appearance had changed after awakening his magic, she was still startled when she actually saw him. The Little Ones she had once held in her arms had now grown into a thirty-meter-tall "young man." This left Wattster both delighted and bewildered.

But one thing had not changed: he would always be her son, Fostadu's pride. Still, Sordil's direction of growth worried Wattster somewhat. Though he had grown larger, he had not become increasingly burly like other dragons. Instead, he had only become cuter and cuter. The starry-sky-like scales covering Sordil's body, his slightly dreamlike purple wings, golden horns, and violet-gold eyes made him look especially delicate and adorable. Wattster was certain that if not for his size, she would have long since gathered Sordil into her arms and played with him properly.

"Thump!"

Just as Wattster was lost in thought, she suddenly felt something crash into her embrace. Looking down, she saw a "miniature version" of Sordil. But she had still underestimated how adorable Sordil was. Especially after shrinking, with his body proportions changed, Wattster felt as though her heart had melted from sheer cuteness. She hugged Sordil tightly in both arms and affectionately rubbed her cheek against him. Gilkunis watched with such envy that he wished he were Sordil himself.

"You little brat who cares more about pretty faces than your old man! Normally, you're nowhere to be seen, but now you're being so obedient. Hmph!" Gilkunis said indignantly from behind Wattster.

"When have I ever done that? It's just that I haven't seen Mama Wattster in a long time, and I missed the feeling of being held in her arms. Besides, when have I ever cared 'less' about you, old man?" Sordil argued from Wattster's embrace.

"That's right! If you keep interrupting this mother-son reunion, be careful or I'll beat you up! Hurry and prepare some food. We'll have a meal together later, and it can count as seeing you off." Without even turning around, Wattster spoke to Gilkunis before taking Sordil back to the residence to catch up. Gilkunis had wanted to protest that he still had half a month before returning, so why were they having a farewell meal now? But after glancing at Wattster's back, he swallowed his words and went out to prepare food.

The next morning, the three gathered in the gorge to eat breakfast and prepare for the journey ahead. However, they were not seeing Gilkunis off. Instead, they were preparing to gather materials for a crucial magic tool Sordil intended to make. Just as Gilkunis had said, Sordil rarely left the library when he had nothing to do. He had returned this time specifically to ask Gilkunis to help gather materials. Now that Wattster had joined them as well, their efficiency would be even higher. And after their talk the previous evening, Wattster had finally learned that Sordil's sudden shrinking was due to Quality Magic. She had even personally experienced the wonders of Quality Magic yesterday.

What Sordil intended to make was not some powerful weapon, but a support tool he had seen in an anime in his previous life—Wind Chant. With it, Sordil would be able to read through the library's collection much faster, refine his magic, and even create more powerful spells to help himself survive the wars to come.

Once the three had finished preparing, Sordil went alone to Mildian Magic Academy to bid farewell to Hissell and Zeref. After arriving at the academy, Sordil used Quality Magic to shrink himself to the size of a butterfly, then made his way familiarly to the headmaster's office to say goodbye to Hissell. Upon entering, Sordil found that only Hissell and Zeref were inside, and the two were discussing something. Sordil quietly watched their discussion and did not reveal himself until they had finished. He then appeared and explained his intentions. Upon hearing Sordil's plans, Zeref immediately declared that he wanted to join as well. Hissell, unable to accompany them due to his work, could only tell the two to stay safe before seeing them off from the academy.