First Encounter with Zeref

"That's right! And it was only after Old Friend pointed it out that I realized Sordil's body was indeed growing much faster than an ordinary dragon's. But why?" Hadessta voiced the doubt in his heart.

"I just examined him. There is a peculiar magical power inside Sordil's body. It lies hidden within his muscles and bones, gradually transforming his body." The old man told Hadessta what he had discovered, then shared his conjecture. "I believe it is precisely because of that peculiar magical power that he has been unable to awaken magic for so long."

Hearing the old man's words, Sordil suddenly thought of the eggshells he had swallowed right after being born. It seemed those eggshells had done more than simply make his body stronger. He just did not know when his body's transformation would be complete and he would be able to use magic. Hopefully, he would not awaken magic only when he was about to game over. By then, it would be far too late. Sordil's gaze swept over Hissell, and suddenly inspiration flashed through his mind. He slowly walked toward the old man.

"Uncle Hissell, I heard from Old Man Hadessta that you're a highly respected human mage, and also the headmaster of a magic academy. You must have a lot of books, right? Could you lend them to me?" Sordil asked, staring at Hissell with his big eyes.

"This...?" Hissell was deeply shocked by Sordil's question. In his memory, whether human or dragon, no one at one or two years old possessed such fluent communication skills.

"Haha! Old Friend, you don't know this, but Sordil could speak the moment he was born. He just wasn't very fluent at first. The few of us were absolutely stunned back then! Hahaha!" Hadessta said with a broad grin at Hissell's shock, his tone brimming with excitement and pride.

"A miracle! What an incredible miracle! Child, if you're willing, you can come visit me here often in the future. As for the books, I can take you to the academy's library to read them." As though he had discovered a priceless treasure, the old man stared at Sordil with gleaming eyes.

"Hey! Old Friend, don't get any crooked ideas. He's our family's precious treasure. If the other four find out you want to take Sordil away, I'm afraid your Mildian Magic Academy won't be enough for them to tear apart!" Hadessta noticed something off about Hissell and warned him.

"What crooked ideas could I possibly have? I simply think this child's thirst for knowledge is exceedingly precious." Hissell hurriedly turned his face away, concealing the embarrassed anger of having his thoughts exposed.

However, though the speaker had no particular intention, the listener took it to heart. When Sordil heard Hadessta mention Mildian Magic Academy, it was as though lightning had struck through his mind. Others might not know what the four words "Mildian" represented, but Sordil knew all too well. That was the place that had produced Zeref, the ultimate boss. This only strengthened Sordil's determination to attend the academy. He immediately expressed his wish to go there with Hissell and study, but Hadessta desperately stopped him.

You've got to be kidding me. If I take Sordil out and end up losing him, wouldn't those four boil me alive when I get back? Hadessta thought. So he told Sordil that they should first return and inform the other four dragons of the examination results, then come to the academy after they had made sufficient preparations. The two dragons got up and returned to Fostadu, but Sordil still could not let go of the idea of attending the academy.

After the two dragons returned to Fostadu and told the other four about what had happened, the four dragons became extremely interested in the mysterious magical power within Sordil and eagerly anticipated what kind of magic he would eventually awaken. But when they heard that Hissell had lured Sordil to Mildian, they wanted nothing more than to slice Hadessta into living dragon sashimi, dip him in mustard, and chew him to bits. Even Wattster, who normally had the gentlest temperament, was furious with Hadessta. If she had not still cared about maintaining a Lady's image, Hadessta would likely have already been pinned to the ground and rubbed into it. As for the other three, they were all rubbing their hands together, eager to have a go. Radel was the most intense of all, repeatedly declaring that he wanted to duel Hadessta. Knowing himself to be in the wrong, Hadessta hid in a corner alone and trembled.

Although the dragons were furious at the thought of Sordil leaving them, seeing the sheer excitement on his face, the four dragons finally compromised. In the end, however, they decided that Sordil could attend Mildian Magic Academy only if one of the five dragons accompanied him, with a replacement every two months. Radel volunteered to be the first escort, but did not succeed. In the end, Gilkunis somehow made a sacrifice and secured the spot.

Three days later, Gilkunis carried a large bundle on his back and left the secret realm with Sordil, once again heading for Mildian Magic Academy.

Perhaps because he had finally untangled a knot that had long weighed on his heart, Sordil was very happy along the way. From time to time, he would tease Gilkunis. Whenever Gilkunis got angry, Sordil would stare at him with two watery eyes and put on a pitiful expression. In the end, Gilkunis always surrendered. He would gently pat Sordil on the head and tell him not to fool around anymore, or else he would get angry and ignore him. In truth, seeing Sordil grow increasingly close to him made Gilkunis happier than he could say. He became even more convinced that he had made the right choice this time. One day, he would make those shortsighted fools see the excellent judgment of Lord Gilkunis.

That day, the two dragons arrived in a forest and prepared to rest for the night. After arranging their belongings, Sordil went alone to gather firewood nearby. Gilkunis, meanwhile, went out to hunt prey for dinner. Influenced by Sordil, Gilkunis and the other four dragons had gradually become fond of eating cooked food and drinking hot water. Thus, the two dragons split up to make their preparations.

In the forest, Sordil was scouting the area and gathering firewood. He did not notice that a pair of pitch-black eyes was watching him from the grass not far behind him. As Sordil moved, the figure in the grass moved as well. Suddenly, while Sordil's back was turned, the black shadow lunged forward, leaping onto Sordil's back. A dagger glinting with cold light in his hand repeatedly stabbed toward Sordil.

Clang!

The dagger struck Sordil's scales with the sound of metal ringing against metal, while Sordil himself, protected by those scales, was completely unharmed. Yet the experience of dying in his previous life sent Sordil into a panic. He beat his wings and flew into the sky, all the while desperately calling for Gilkunis's help. When the shadow on Sordil's back saw that his dagger could not injure Sordil, he intended to retreat some distance away and attack with the magic he had learned. But before he could make a move, Sordil had already carried him high into the air. He could only cling desperately to Sordil's scales to keep from falling. At that moment, a thunderous roar rolled in from afar.

"Which little bastard dared hurt my son?!"