"Wait, did we just get kicked out??"
"Probably."
"That old man just now... he must be the person Dad wanted us to visit, right?"
"Most likely."
"He doesn't seem very easy to talk to. Should we go back in?"
"Maybe... no, let's wait and see for a moment."
Just then, with a soft creak, the guild doors opened automatically from the inside.
"Look, he's actively inviting us in."
After hesitating for a few seconds, Darwin and the other two stepped inside again.
As soon as they entered the guild hall, they were stunned by the scene before them: a soil-green giant dragon was perched right on the guild's ceiling!
"Ehh?!!"
"A dragon?!"
"Great! Watch me—!"
Just as the three were reeling from the dragon's appearance—even rolling up their sleeves to prepare for a grand battle—the dragon suddenly spoke in human tongue.
"Welcome, young challengers!"
Wait, what?
Chris stopped her movement as she was about to rush up and fight: "That voice...?"
Darwin tilted his head: "It sounds like that old man from before, doesn't it?"
Erza cried out in alarm: "Don't tell me... that old man was eaten?!"
Hearing this, two beads of speechless sweat rolled down Darwin's forehead: "No, it's obvious this dragon is that old man! Even if the old man really got eaten by a dragon, it wouldn't make the exact same voice!"
Ignoring the dragon's identity for a moment, Chris focused on something else: "What did he mean by 'challengers'?"
"Hmm?"
The dragon let out a confused sound: "Are you not here to accept the task and complete my request?"
Task?
Erza muttered in confusion: "Isn't this place a magic guild? It actually issues tasks to outsiders?"
Chris was also at a loss for a moment, so she stepped forward to explain their purpose: "I think there might be a misunderstanding. The three of us were entrusted by an elder in our family to come and visit the senior living here!"
"An elder in your family?"
"What is your elder's name?"
Darwin took off his coat, revealing the guild mark on his arm: "We are from Fairy Tail in Ishgar. Our Master's name is Weston. Do you know him?"
"Weston..."
"Ah! I remember now!!"
"How much time has passed? Has that brat finally remembered this old man?"
After pondering for a few breaths, the dragon seemed to finally recall something. After a startled cry, its form shifted abruptly, transforming into a white-bearded old man with heavy dark circles under his eyes, wearing a magic hat and holding a dragon-coiled magic staff.
It was indeed the same game-obsessed old guy they had seen on the second floor!
"He turned into a human?!!"
Erza said in surprise: "Is that transformation magic?"
"No, I think this is a 'Dragonified' state achieved after honing Dragon Slayer Magic to its absolute limit!"
A spark of excitement flashed in Chris's eyes: "I read in academy books that such people existed in the world, but this is the first time I've seen it with my own eyes!"
"Oh? You've got a sharp eye, little girl!"
"You're right. I am a human who has mastered Dragon Slayer Magic to the pinnacle. I am the master of this 'Magia Dragon' guild, the 'Law Dragon Slayer', Elefseria!"
As he spoke, Elefseria stared intently at Chris for several seconds, then expressed surprise: "You... you are the child of Weston and Zera?! I didn't think those two little brats back then would have already become parents..."
These words were strange. Chris couldn't help but ask: "Old Man, do you know my father and mother?"
"Of course. I knew them when they were very small."
"But how come I've never heard them mention you?"
"Well, we haven't been in contact for a long time, so it's normal they didn't mention me."
There was a hint of complaint in Elefseria's voice: "To be honest, with no news for so many years, I thought they had forgotten all about me!"
Chris asked further: "Since you haven't been in contact for so long, how do you know my parentage?"
"Law Dragon Slayer Magic allows me to know all the information in the world."
"If I wish, I can see through anyone's background and origins at a single glance!"
Is that true?
Darwin couldn't help but want to test it: "Then do you know my identity too?"
"You are the child of Weston and Mavis, and the elder brother of this little girl, right?"
"Hmph..."
"That brat Weston... I could tell back then he was a total lecherous brat, two-timing at such a young age. I didn't think he'd actually end up marrying both girls. He's certainly got some skills!"
Darwin then pointed to Erza beside him: "Can you see her background too?"
"Of course!"
Elefseria puffed out his chest confidently, his gaze falling on Erza.
The next second, a hint of astonishment appeared in his eyes.
"What is it?"
"Nothing... it's just that this little girl's background is not simple at all!"
My background isn't simple?
Erza looked confused and was about to ask for details, but Elefseria cut her off.
"You said earlier that Weston sent you to visit me?"
"Yes!"
"What did he tell you before you came?"
Chris answered truthfully: "He only said he owed you a favor back then and told us to come and repay it."
Upon hearing this, Elefseria fell into a deep silence.
He could almost see the distant Weston giving him a smug 'V' sign.
"That guy... making his own children pay off the favor he owes?"
"How can there be such a rogue of a father??!"
"You three..."
Elefseria looked at them for a long while and let out a helpless sigh: "Sigh, forget it. You should leave."
An eviction notice already?
"But, we haven't repaid the favor Dad owed yet..."
Elefseria shook his head: "The reason I gave that favor back then was that I saw Weston's talent. I thought he could grow into a powerful wizard who could help me complete a certain task. Who knew he'd send three youngsters like you instead..."
As he spoke, he looked the three over seriously again. His gaze grew more disappointed with every passing second, eventually turning into a long sigh: "You are still too young, and your strength is still far from ready. Sending you to do that task would be no different from sending you to your deaths!"
The moment those words were spoken, the eyebrows of the trio twitched simultaneously, and their fighting spirit flared up.
"Hey, hey, hey..."
"Don't look down on us, you old geezer!"
"We may be young, but we are very strong!"
"Old man, I have to say, your provocation was quite successful!"
"Bring on whatever tricks you've got!"