Does the Butterfly Effect Really Exist? (22)

"Splash!"

Not long after the dragon in the sky left, the 'ground' near the ditch suddenly cracked open, and two wet heads emerged from within. At this moment, the white jade disc in the sky had shaken off the clouds, revealing her smooth and bright face. Under the watchful eye of this aloof and noble lady, the undulating ground finally revealed its true form.

"Puff!"

After spitting out the dirty water, the doctor shoved away the figure clinging to his back and said coldly, "Luckily, this pool is covered with a layer of fallen leaves, otherwise we would have been discovered by those Evil Dragon!"

"Um... can we go upstairs and talk about this later?"

Seeing the other person's disgusted expression, the doctor's tone became even colder.

"Hmph! When we were running for our lives, you seemed to be sticking to my back the whole time, and you didn't seem to feel any discomfort at the time. What? Now that we're safe, you're starting to feel disgusted?"

Hearing the doctor's cold words, the Black Robe Youth wasn't angry. Instead, he patiently explained, "You've misunderstood! I'm not looking down on you, I just think it's inconvenient to talk in the water. It's better to talk on land!" (Nonsense! If it were me, I wouldn't want to discuss things with someone while soaking in a stinky pool.)

After the misunderstanding was cleared up, the doctor said nothing and walked straight towards the shore. Watching the doctor's stubborn back, the Black Robe Youth smiled and shook his head, then followed closely behind him onto the shore.

"Hey! You'll catch a cold if you don't dry your clothes!"

Hearing the Black Robe Youth's advice, the doctor replied without turning his head, "Hmph! A cold might not kill you, but starting a fire will definitely kill you!"

"I only said to dry the clothes, I didn't say to start a fire. Besides, is starting a fire that dangerous?"

The doctor glanced at the bewildered Black Robe Youth, then said coldly, "Starting a fire isn't dangerous in itself, but it will attract the attention of those Evil Dragon. Then they'll eat you for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. And how will you dry your clothes without a fire? By blowing on them?"

"Ha ha!"

Hearing the other person's 'mockery', the doctor turned his head and coldly stared at the Black Robe Youth, angrily saying, "What? Is what I said so funny?"

"Don't get me wrong, I'm not laughing at you. I just thought of an Old Friend I haven't seen in a long time, so I lost control of my emotions."

"Snort!"

Although the doctor was dissatisfied with the Black Robe Youth's explanation, he didn't argue further because of his mission. Every minute he lingered meant more innocent people would die at the hands of those despicable individuals. He gave the Black Robe Youth a cold snort and turned to walk towards the nearby jungle.

"Hey! That jungle is dangerous. You'd be safer taking another route!"

"Danger? How can we shake off those Evil Dragon if it's not dangerous?"

After silently cursing to himself, the doctor quickened his pace, because he didn't want to waste his precious time with this boring guy any longer.

Watching the doctor's indifferent back, the Black Robe Youth shook his head helplessly, then turned and walked towards the dilapidated house where the doctor had previously stayed. Just as the doctor was about to step into the jungle, the Black Robe Youth suddenly turned around and chased after him.

"Hey! Wait a minute! I have something to ask you!"

Hearing the shouts behind him, the doctor not only didn't stop, but quickened his pace.

"Rock Wall!"

"Buzz!"

As a soft shout sounded behind him, a thick Rock Wall appeared in front of the doctor, completely blocking his path. Reaching out to touch the Rock Wall, the doctor abruptly turned and charged at the Black Robe Youth. When the two met again, the doctor knelt down with a thud and earnestly pleaded, "My lord, please take me as your apprentice and teach me magic!"

Looking at the strange man in front of him, the Black Robe Youth asked in bewilderment, "Huh? What did you just say?"

"My lord, I'll do anything you ask if you're willing to teach me magic!"

"Um... I just wanted to ask for directions, I have no intention of taking you on as a disciple. Besides, we're complete strangers, why would I take you on as a disciple? Furthermore, I have important matters to attend to, I simply don't have time to teach you magic."

After being refused, the doctor stood up and calmly said, "I can show you the way, but in exchange, you need to teach me magic."

The Black Robe Youth initially intended to refuse the doctor's impolite request, but upon seeing the resolute glint in the doctor's eyes, he immediately changed his mind. He too had once possessed such a gaze—no, not just once, but always had, only now it was concealed by some oblivious Bandit, flickering only deep within his own eyes.

"Okay! I grant your request!"

Thank you!

"Don't mention it, you deserve it! Oh, by the way! What kind of magic do you want to learn?"

"A magic that can kill Evil Dragon, Dragon Slayer Magic!"

Upon hearing the doctor's answer, the Black Robe Youth abruptly turned to stare at him. After a long while, he said dejectedly, "Magic to kill Evil Dragon? Ha! I'd love to learn that kind of magic, but it doesn't exist in this world!"

"No! Such magic exists in this world!"

The Black Robe Youth patted the doctor on the shoulder, then said earnestly, "Young man, I once thought the same thing, so I entered the most prestigious Magic Academy in the world, hoping to find a magic that could kill the Evil Dragon. But unfortunately, I searched through all the books and still couldn't find such a magic!"

The doctor broke free from the Black Robe Youth's grasp and roared, "That just means you don't know how, it doesn't mean such magic doesn't exist in the world!"

"Hehe! Young man, the Magic Academy I attend is the best in all of Asland. If this kind of magic doesn't exist there, then this kind of magic doesn't exist in the world!"

"Ha ha!"

"Ha ha!"

Looking at the doctor laughing wildly, the Black Robe Youth asked, puzzled, "What? Was what I said so funny?"

"Hilarious! Of course it's hilarious! Because Dragon Slayer Magic has been around for a long time, and it's even been used to deal with those Evil Dragon of the Western Continent!"

Upon hearing the doctor's answer, the Black Robe Youth exclaimed, "What? This is impossible! If there really is such a thing as Dragon Slayer Magic, why is it never recorded in magic books?"

"Hmph! I'm not lying to you. If you don't believe me, you can ask anyone and see if it's true!"

"Damn it! I was thinking of asking someone else, but it's just the two of us around here. Who am I supposed to ask?"

After mentally criticizing the doctor, the Black Robe Youth pondered for a moment before slowly saying, "Heh! Young man, if Dragon Slayer Magic truly exists, why don't you humans of Ishgar use such magic to fight the Evil Dragon of the Western Continent, instead of letting the dragons of Ishgar go and confront them?"

Faced with the Black Robe Youth's question, the doctor looked at him with a strange expression and said, "Haven't you had any contact with the outside world for a long time?"

How did you know?

"Because you didn't even know that the Dragon Slayer Mage Corps was heading to the front lines to fight the Evil Dragon of the Western Continent!"

"Dragon Slayer Mage Corps? Heading to the front lines? Could there really be magic in this world that can slay dragons?"

After going over the doctor's words in his mind several times, the Black Robe Youth suddenly raised his head, grabbed the doctor's shoulder, and asked excitedly, "Where is the Dragon Slayer Mage Corps now? Who is their commander?"

"The Dragon Slayer Mage Corps should be in Peterburg City right now. Their commander is Prince Sordil of Fostadu."

"Was the Dragon Slayer Magic invented by Sordil?"

"Prince Sordil did participate in the research on Dragon Slayer Magic, but it was his wife, Her Majesty Irene, who successfully developed Dragon Slayer Magic!"

No sooner had the doctor finished speaking than the Black Robe Youth was gripping his shoulders suddenly threw his head back and burst into laughter.

"Ha ha!"

"Ha ha!"

"That Bandit is using this trick again! He used me as a scapegoat before, and now he's even going after his own wife!... Haha!"

The doctor glanced at the mentally unstable Black Robe Youth, then turned and walked toward the jungle behind him.

"Hey! Wait a minute! You haven't given me directions yet, why are you leaving already?"

"I have to go to Peterburg City to take the recruitment test for Dragon Slayer Magic. I don't have time to stay here and chat with you. You should go ask someone else for directions!"

Seeing the doctor walk into the woods without turning back, the Black Robe Youth suddenly shouted, "Wait! I'll teach you Dragon Slayer Magic!"

"Teach me Dragon Slayer Magic? Hmph! You should go ask someone else what Dragon Slayer Magic is first, and then come and teach me!"

Hearing the doctor's mocking words and seeing the other person's relentless pace, the Black Robe Youth knew that words alone would not be enough to stop him, so he decisively chose to use force.

"Shape-Making Magic: Wind Boat"

"Whoosh"

The doctor only felt a bluish-white light flash before his eyes, and then he found himself in front of a small bluish-white boat, and the Black Robe Youth who should have been behind him.

"Since you have doubts about my abilities, then how about this! We'll go to Peterburg City together. If I develop Dragon Slayer Magic, I'll use it to fulfill our previous agreement. If I fail, you won't lose anything. How about that? Is this a reasonable deal?"

The doctor stared at the Black Robe Youth for a long time before saying, "You don't know the way to Peterburg City, do you?"

Having his secret exposed, the Black Robe Youth blushed slightly, then said matter-of-factly, "I really don't know how to get to Peterburg City, so what?"

"Ha! Do you think I would believe a 'smart' child who can't even remember the way?"

"I admit I have no sense of direction, but that doesn't mean I'm an idiot when it comes to magic!"

Hearing the Black Robe Youth's confident words, the doctor, for some reason, actually believed him.

"We haven't introduced ourselves yet, have we? My name is Dark Dorgel, but I'd prefer you to call me Doctor!"

The Black Robe Youth extended his right hand and grasped the other's not-so-clean hand, then solemnly said, "Zeref, a mage from the Western Continent!"

"I think we're going to have a fulfilling and fun journey ahead!" (Doctor)

"Let's encourage each other! (Zeref)"