"I'll go with you."
Gildarts didn't hesitate long before making his choice.
After witnessing the black dragon's strength, he had already lost all confidence in sealing the Five Dragon Gods. His original plan had been to abandon the Hundred-Year Quest and return to the guild. But since Rowan intended to continue, Gildarts wasn't willing to walk away.
They were guildmates. More than that, Rowan had just saved his life.
There was no way he could leave him to face that danger alone.
"Alright," Rowan agreed. "If it really turns out to be impossible, we'll head back together."
Gildarts had been defeated instantly by the black dragon, but that didn't make him weak. Rowan judged him to be at least stronger than Laxus. Even at full strength, Rowan knew taking Gildarts down wouldn't be easy.
With someone like that at his side, if they encountered a dragon that wasn't absurdly powerful, there was a real chance they could handle it together.
As for the Five Dragon Gods, learning more came first.
Rowan's real goal had never been to complete the quest itself. He wanted to become a Dragon Slayer. If he could obtain a dragon crystal through other means, the way Ivan once had, he'd gladly avoid the risk altogether.
The black dragon had left too deep an impression.
After a brief rest, man and cat set off for the Dragon Cry Circle guild. Thanks to Rowan's flight, they arrived before nightfall.
"That's it," Gildarts said, pointing below.
An ancient castle rose from the land, its walls cracked and overgrown with moss. A massive stone dragon coiled atop the structure, watching over it like a silent guardian.
"They say this was the first mage guild in the world. No one's left inside anymore. Just one old mage named Elefseria. He's the one who issued the Hundred-Year Quest."
They pushed open the doors.
"Welcome to Dragon Cry Circle, the ninety-ninth challenger—wait."
A robed old mage appeared instantly in the hall, a dragon-shaped staff in hand. He stopped mid-greeting as he recognized Gildarts.
"Aren't you the ninety-eighth? You vanished for three years. I assumed you were dead."
"Almost," Gildarts replied dryly. "If I'd been a little less lucky, I would be."
Rowan's eyes narrowed slightly.
Teleportation. Space magic.
This world had it, but mastering it was notoriously difficult, and the range was limited. Still, seeing it used so casually was impressive. He couldn't help comparing it to Apparition and mentally noting what could be refined.
Hearing Gildarts' words, Elefseria's eyes lit up. "So you found the Five Dragon Gods?"
"No," Gildarts shook his head. "I ran into a black dragon. Incredibly strong. I couldn't fight back at all. If it had wanted me dead, I wouldn't be standing here."
His gaze sharpened. "You said the Five Dragon Gods are the strongest dragons on the northern continent. Does that mean they're even stronger than that black dragon?"
Elefseria froze.
Then his expression changed completely.
"So you encountered him… and survived," he murmured. "Your luck is extraordinary."
"You know that dragon?" Gildarts pressed.
Elefseria nodded slowly. "His name is Acnologia."
The name alone seemed to weigh on the room.
"Over four hundred years ago, he was human. A mage whose homeland was destroyed by dragons. Driven by vengeance, he mastered Dragon Slayer magic and began hunting them. In time, he slaughtered nearly every dragon in existence."
Elefseria's voice grew heavy. "Eventually, he himself became a dragon. A black one. He is known as the Dragon King, the Black Wing of Apocalypse, the embodiment of destruction."
Gildarts and Rowan both stared.
"The Five Dragon Gods," Elefseria continued, "and a handful of others fled from him back then. They escaped from the eastern continent to the north, hiding to survive."
"…That strong," Gildarts muttered.
Nearly all dragons, wiped out by one being.
"So he was originally human," Rowan said quietly. "And became a dragon because of Dragon Slayer magic?"
Elefseria jumped, finally noticing him properly. "You speak?"
Rowan released his restrained magic. Power surged outward, heavy and unmistakable.
"I'm the ninety-ninth challenger," he said calmly.
Elefseria's eyes widened. "A cat… with this level of magic?"
Recovering quickly, he explained, "Dragon Slayer magic is a high-order enchantment created by Irene Belserion. It grafts dragon power onto a human, allowing them to wield draconic strength. But if pushed far enough, the user will fully transform into a dragon."
His expression turned bitter. "That transformation isn't a blessing. You lose taste, sleep, sensation. Even if you take human form, you're still a dragon underneath."
Then, before their eyes, his body expanded.
In a blink, Elefseria transformed into a massive dragon, a jewel set into his forehead.
"I am proof of that," he said. "I learned Irene Belserion's magic to seal the Five Dragon Gods. In doing so, I became a dragon myself."
He lowered his head.
"And that's why this guild has only me left. My companions grew old and died… while I remained."