Chapter 238: Dragonization, It’s time... Gate of Truth
Chapter 238: Chapter 238: Dragonization, It's time... Gate of Truth
Ending his conversation with Irene, Nate resumed creating Pokémon.
The spread of the Magic Net to the Western Continent was good news, but with the current limited production of rings, its impact there would be negligible.
The people of Fiore were in desperate need, but even the maker was running low on supplies.
For now, the priority was to ensure that everyone in the Kingdom of Fiore could access the Magic Net.
As for the "Blessing" Irene mentioned, Nate decided to consult Igneel about it the next day.
...
The Next Morning
Nate sent a message to Natsu.
Sigma Male: "Natsu, where are you? I need your help with something."
Natsu: "Training!"
He then shared his location:
Magnolia, by a riverside on the outskirts. A waterfall cascaded from a height, crashing into frothy waves below.
A beam of golden light descended from the sky, landing with a resounding 'thud'.
Nate arrived to find Natsu and Gray.
The two were sitting cross-legged beneath the waterfall, wearing nothing but shorts, enduring the pounding force of the water.
"Morning, Nate," Happy greeted from a small rock on the riverbank.
"Morning, Happy," Nate nodded. "Is this how mages usually train?"
"Aye~ At least, this is how Natsu trains. Don't you need training, Nate?"
"I usually train lying down," Nate replied nonchalantly.
A question mark appeared over Happy's head as he tried to reconcile "lying down" with "training."
"Natsu!" Nate called out with a smile to the two meditating under the waterfall.
Beneath the cascading water, Natsu and Gray opened their eyes simultaneously.
In the next moment, Natsu leaped over ten meters, landing directly on the riverbank.
"What's up? What do you need me to do?" Natsu grinned.
Among Fairy Tail members, helping each other was straightforward. Simplified, it boiled down to: "Where to?" or "Who to fight?"
"No fighting. I need to find Igneel and ask him something."
"You're looking for Igneel? Go ahead, then."
Natsu crossed his arms and puffed out his chest.
Something about this felt... odd.
Nate grumbled internally, placing a hand on Natsu's chest. His Six Eyes locked onto Igneel's aura.
...
The World of Volcanoes and Magma
Nate's spiritual body stood amidst a sea of molten lava, walking toward a volcanic island at its center.
Sensing the intruder, Igneel, crouched beneath the volcano, opened his eyes. The enormous dragon's gaze locked onto the approaching figure.
"Nate?"
Few could so easily enter a place like this.
"Long time no see, Fire Dragon King," Nate greeted warmly. "How have you been?"
Igneel placed his massive chin on his front paws, one claw over the other. At Nate's casual inquiry, a hint of exasperation flickered in his dragon eyes.
'If you'd stop disturbing my sleep, I'd be just fine.'
"What do you want?"
Lifting his dragon head, Igneel focused on Nate. A moment later, his expression turned to one of surprise.
"Your magic power has grown significantly since last time!"
"I've been diligently training every day. Progress is only natural," Nate replied with feigned seriousness.
Igneel's skeptical gaze lingered. Though he spent most of his time sleeping, he wasn't completely oblivious to the outside world.
'You're the guild's notorious slacker, aren't you? Forget training; you barely even do your job.'
"Ahem..." Nate cleared his throat. "I came to visit you today because I need to ask about something—regarding the dragonization caused by Dragon Slayer Magic."
At the mention of "dragonization," Igneel's expression became significantly more solemn. He instinctively checked Natsu's condition.
Everything was normal; the dragon seed within Natsu remained firmly suppressed.
"Have you heard of someone named Irene Belserion?"
"The Sage Dragon Belserion?"
Igneel frowned in a surprisingly human-like manner.
"He's already dead."
"Not Belserion himself, but someone he granted dragon power to. She used that power to create Dragon Slayer Magic, becoming the first Dragon Slayer Mage."
Nate briefly explained Irene's predicament.
"After her dragonization, she lost her sense of human taste and came to me seeking a solution."
Nate shrugged dramatically. "We're somewhat acquainted, so I figured I'd ask if you know of any way to help her."
Igneel's gaze grew profound.
Nate truly was a mystery—he even knew people from 400 years ago.
Could it be that he was also from that time?
While pondering, Igneel shook his head and said, "Do you mean turning back into a human or simply regaining human taste?"
"If she's already fully dragonized, there's no way to reverse it. But if it's just about restoring human taste, that might still be possible."
"How?" Nate asked.
Igneel grinned.
"Have Belserion, the one who taught her dragon power, use a secret technique to enter her body and suppress the dragon seed."
'Seriously?' Nate thought. 'How do you expect me to revive a dead dragon?'
"Can other dragons do it?" Nate asked, recalling the Five Dragon Gods of the northern continent.
"The attributes of dragon power differ, so no, it's not possible," Igneel shook his head. "Of course, there is another way."
'Can't you just get to the point?'
Nate rolled his eyes in exasperation.
Igneel chuckled and continued, "Reincarnation magic. She could abandon all her power and transfer her soul into the body of an unborn infant."
This would allow her to become human again, but the price would be losing all her magic power.
'That's actually a plausible solution...' Nate mused, recalling how Irene reincarnated into Edolas in the 'Hundred Year Quest' storyline.
"Is there no other way?"
"No," Igneel said flatly, shaking his head. "But I think you'll come up with something. Instead of asking me, why not figure it out yourself?"
From Igneel's perspective, Nate's talent and creativity in creating magic were exceptional. It wasn't impossible for him to devise a better solution.
Six Eyes, Flying Thunder God, Flight, the Internet...
Each of these magics was groundbreaking and ingenious.
Especially the Internet—it had already transcended the realm of magic.
Realizing this, Igneel couldn't help but say, "When you create it, make sure to teach me too."
"All right, Fire Dragon King," Nate replied with a resigned nod, considering whether to consult Grandeeney or Metalicana for advice.
As if reading his mind, Igneel laughed. "Even if you ask them, the answer will be the same. If there were a better way, do you think we'd still be living inside Dragon Slayer Mages?"
"Fair point," Nate nodded. It seemed the only option left was to use the final method.
After some thought, he extended his right hand, where black light flickered in his palm.
"Summon: Gate of Truth!"
'Boom!'
A black lightning bolt struck the magma, and a massive ancient stone door slowly emerged. Its timeless weight exuded an overwhelming presence.
Igneel's jaw dropped.
This aura and power... 'A God!?'
"What is this door?" Igneel shifted from lying down to standing, his pupils wide with shock.
"The Gate of Truth," Nate replied calmly. "It's a type of magic I created... though I'm not sure it can even be called magic. Perhaps 'Artificial God' would be a better term."
'Artificial God?'
Igneel gaped, alternating between the Gate of Truth and Nate.
'Are you... some god's incarnation in the mortal world?'
"This door can answer all truths of the universe. As for the solution to dragonization..."
Nate's lips curled into a sly smile, exuding confidence.
"Would you like to come in and see for yourself, Fire Dragon King?"
~~~
Patreon(.)com/Bleam
— Currently You can Read 70 Chapters Ahead of Others!