Having a powerful lord as a father figure, what's wrong with just wanting to draw cards?

"Did Montgomery send you?"

"Um……"

At this moment, he felt that people really do have a certain ability to foresee the future when they get old.

Where is that person?

"Which one?"

"Nonsense, do you think you're a dragon slayer mage?"

Since Nats should be wandering around under Morey's guidance, Domi got scolded by Ernest for no reason. However, since it was late at night, Ernest didn't complain too much, but just told Domi to bring Nats to him tomorrow.

Meanwhile, Nats has become friends with Morey, and their nearly identical births make them feel an instant connection when they meet.

Just as Domi had predicted, Morey was indeed wandering around the town surrounding the castle with his new friend.

The two walked out of the restaurant with satisfied expressions, rubbing their bulging bellies.

Where to go next?

"After a good meal and drinks, it's time to have some fun! If you're looking for entertainment, Bloomfield is the place to be! Let's go, next stop Hearthstone Tavern, it's sure to be lively there right now!"

However, just a few steps later, a person suddenly jumped down from the rooftop by the roadside and appeared in front of them with a thud, startling Natsu so much that he almost punched him.

The assassin from Fomalhaut, dressed in a black robe and hood, certainly didn't look like a good person.

Fortunately, Morey had seen them before. He had witnessed Fomalhaut massacre Kingsley's guards in front of Kingsley's mansion, and this mysterious and powerful organization remained unforgettable to this day.

"This is?!"

"Don't be afraid, we're on the same side."

"Lord Morey, the young master has sent word that Lord Nats should be allowed to return to the castle before nine o'clock tomorrow morning."

"Okay, I know."

After delivering the message, the person in front of him vanished without a trace in the blink of an eye.

Nats was shocked: "This way of delivering messages is way too hardcore!"

Morey shrugged, indicating he was used to it: "They're everywhere. Okay, let's hurry up, the battle stations won't wait for anyone."

In Hearthstone Tavern, Hearthstone proves itself to have a certain level of intelligence. The ability to change Hearthstone in real time is a game-changer for people in this era. No one can resist the ultimate temptation to play a game with friends.

Nats quickly got hooked and played with Morey until 10 p.m. before returning to his hotel. This was only because Morey strongly stopped him; otherwise, he probably would have played until tomorrow...

Even though I went to bed early, I couldn't shake off the excitement, and my mind was filled with thoughts of "one more round!"

As expected, he couldn't get up the next day. Luckily, Duomi had anticipated this and came to his room in advance. When she saw him, he was sleeping soundly with a bit of tears on his lips.

"A riot of colors dazzles the eye; such is the allure of this dazzling world."

Then he ruthlessly pulled Nats up and forced the machine to start.

"Get up!!"

"Abba, Ababa, Abba..."

The two walked inside the castle, but their mental states were worlds apart. One was full of energy, while the other was so sleepy that he would fall asleep on the spot if given a pillow.

Domi dared not let Natsu face that man in this state, so she reminded him:

"Cheer up, Natsu. If you just walk over like this, I guarantee you'll be 'asked' to leave the next second."

"I want to, but I'm so sleepy..."

"Where did Morey take you? A brothel?"

This was the first time Natz had heard the word from someone his age, and his innocent face flushed red, his words becoming hesitant and stammering.

"How...how could that be! I just went to the Hearthstone Tavern!"

"Oh well, never mind."

Domi took a detour and led Nats to the castle's back garden.

"Is your grandfather here now?"

Domi shook his head.

"Then how..."

"Let's run a few laps around the garden together."

"what?"

"start!"

Five minutes later, the two returned to where they started, drenched in sweat. Kelsey thoughtfully handed them towels that had been soaked in water and wrung out, which were very refreshing.

"Thank you~"

"Thank...thank you!"

This was the first time Natsu had been served by such a beautiful maid, just like a college student going to a foot massage parlor for the first time, both feeling so shy.

Kelsey smiled gently: "It's what I should do."

After waking up, Domi went to Ernest's living room again, but this time he brought Nats along as well.

Just like before, they were magically teleported into the room in the blink of an eye.

Domi knelt in his usual spot, and Nats sat down beside him in a similar manner.

"Grandpa, I've brought 'that person' with me."

The hunched figure, who had never turned around, slowly stood up. Although his body had aged and become much shorter, he looked like a giant in their eyes, giving them a sense of oppression.

Domi saw Ernest's face again after a long time, and it was still that sour face that looked like it was about to start cursing. He simply lowered his head and refused to look at it.

Ernest ignored him and walked straight to Nats, saying:

"Attack me with magic."

"what?"

This was the first time in his life he had heard such an outrageous request.

Domi quickly tugged at Nats's sleeve: "Don't use your brain, just do it!"

Seeing Domi's panic, Nats also became nervous and tried three times before finally managing to shoot a fireball that was as small as it could possibly be.

Ernest easily caught the tiny fireball in his hand, playing with it like a toy, while simultaneously making a sarcastic remark:

"This is the first time I've ever seen a Dragon Slayer mage who can't even cast a fireball. Don't go out and say you're a Dragon Slayer mage, it's quite embarrassing."

Nats had no intention of refuting this at all, and immediately lowered his head in shame.

But Ernest wasn't about to let him off the hook: "Tell me your real name."

"real name?"

"It's your full name, the one your parents gave you, plus the one that's etched in your blood."

This put Nats in a difficult position, and he frowned as he said:

"I only know that my name is Ignatius, and I don't know any of my other names."

Ernest stroked his long white beard: "No big deal."

After saying that, he placed one hand on Nats's head.

In that instant, Domi, sitting to the side, could clearly see Natsu's pupils change from round to vertical, like a dragon's! That mysterious power, which he had sensed from the beginning, was stirring within him...

Nats himself seemed lost in endless memories:

Sky, temples, dragons, volcanoes and flames, hunting, death and inheritance...

Who are all these people? And whose names are all these?

My head feels so swollen, like it's going to split open.

"Do you remember now?"

“Ulay Bancroft Egbert Valentine…”

Nats slowly opened his mouth and uttered several names in succession. Some of the names were pronounced in ancient script. Even Domi had to recall for a long time before he remembered that it was the script used by the ancient dragons for generations.

As Montgomery said, dragon slayers existed long before the ancient dragons soared through the skies, and the very first few names are irrefutable evidence.

Ernest then repeated the string of real names, and the moment the last note fell, the small fireball he was playing with suddenly changed.

It is expanding... becoming like a volcano about to erupt, with surging lava churning within.

A few seconds later, they saw the phantom of the ancient dragon spreading its wings again, swimming in a lava lake, looking as disheveled as a prisoner.

Their enormous vertical pupils revealed a fury accumulated over countless days and months, fiercely condemning the purgatory that imprisoned their souls with their relentless flight.

In Ernest's hands, a small fireball could reflect everything in Natsu's bloodline, thus confirming his identity as a dragon slayer mage.

"Do you see this? This is your bloodline, your innate mission."

You can't hide, you can't escape; this is both a blessing chosen by the world and a curse upon you.

"Why do you say that?"

"Because your ancestors have too much dragon blood on their hands, even if you don't go looking for dragons, dragons will come looking for you. You will fight each other to the death."

Natsu punched his palm: "Then let's just kill them all! Since I have that power!"

Looking at this fearless young brat, Ernest's eyes flashed with a complex emotion, a mixture of mockery, admiration, and a barely perceptible hint of sympathy.

He waved his hand, indicating that Domi and Nats could get lost.

"The dragon's tomb might contain another enormous skeleton, and the human side won't fare much better, left with nothing but a pile of useless vanity..."

Ernest's figure slowly dimmed and receded in their eyes until it disappeared.

After leaving the living room, Nats asked Domi about the meaning of Ernest's last words, but Domi couldn't understand the full meaning. He guessed that only Ernest knew, or perhaps they would only understand after experiencing it themselves.

"Let's take it one step at a time. At least we're all okay right now, aren't we?"

"you're right……"

"If the ancient dragons ever come looking for me, I will fight alongside you, I promise."

Now that the most important matter has been resolved, Domi originally planned to take a few days off before returning to the academy. After all, they had asked Stewart for two weeks off, and it would be a waste to go back too early.