Compared to the two fairies, Natsu is truly slaying a dragon!

Suddenly, the image of the boy I had bumped into not long ago flashed into my mind.

"I've got it!"

Makarov suddenly stood up. As a Wizard of Ten, his perception of magical power was indeed not unfounded.

At least, Makarov could recall where he had felt this magic before.

[That's in that boy from before!]

[The very instant Makarov collided with the boy!]

He could clearly feel that, almost instinctively, the boy's muscles tensed, and his magic surged briefly.

This is also the real reason why Makarov, a member of the Ten Saints, was unexpectedly knocked away by a child.

However, it happened so fast that Makarov didn't even notice.

At that moment, all I could think about was how embarrassing it was to have been knocked down by a child.

[I didn't think about all that at all.]

But upon closer reflection, it becomes clear.

That child was surprisingly vigilant!

[Even taller than Makarov!]

But what followed was a deep sense of curiosity: "What exactly is going on with that boy?"

Chapter Ninety-Seven: Is a Wyvern Still a Dragon?

The scene then shifts again.

[Above the mountains to the north.]

Due to its high altitude, this area is covered in snow and wind year-round, gradually forming a snow-capped mountain standing here.

[Originally a snow-capped mountain that no one would set foot on, it is now home to extremely rare medicinal herbs that can enhance magical power.]

Its name is Ice Spirit Grass.

It is said that crushing it, boiling it into a soup, and drinking it can directly and permanently increase one's magical power, making it a rare treasure in the cultivation of many mages.

However, due to its scarcity and extremely demanding growing conditions, it is not produced in large quantities throughout the entire Kingdom of Fiore.

Therefore, the price is extremely high.

Within the town, many magic merchants make a fortune by harvesting and selling Ice Spirit Grass from the mountains.

However, not long ago, a two-legged wyvern discovered the existence of Ice Spirit Grass here and settled down on this mountain.

Furthermore, by appropriating all the Ice Spirit Grass for themselves, they cut off the financial resources of magic merchants.

Therefore, the task was issued to the city lord's mansion.

[An attempt to find a powerful mage to drive away the wyverns.]

Uru: "Ice Spirit Grass? It is indeed one of the few things that can directly help a mage's training."

Ultear: "I remember seeing this thing before, back when we lived in the north, didn't we?"

Gray: "I've seen it more than once. I remember when I was a disciple of Uru in 03, this herb was planted in the backyard."

Leon: "Yeah, we used to eat a lot of this stuff. But unfortunately, this herb is not very effective for people with a lot of magic power in their bodies."

Gerald: "However, it is undeniable that this thing is extremely attractive to those weak mages or mages who have just started learning magic."

[Henaz accepted the quest.]

Although accepting the mission wasn't entirely smooth sailing.

The incident began when the person registering the mission became suspicious after seeing Henna's age and advised him to give up, since wyverns are not to be trifled with.

It wouldn't be good if he lost his life because of those two million J.

At the time, almost everyone thought that Henna was just that family's kid who had run away because he was being naughty and wanted to take on a mission to play around with.

Therefore, it's naturally impossible to let Henna actually complete this most difficult task at present.

[It caused quite a stir at the time, even attracting a large crowd of onlookers who tried to intervene.]

What? Kids should go home and play; this is a place for adults.

What? You ignorant brat!

[Blah blah blah, anyway, Henna's ears were practically deafened from listening.]

Finally, out of desperation, Honez chose to take down the two loudest yellers on the spot, proving his strength before finally dispelling everyone's doubts.

[Quest accepted successfully.]

[With a brisk pace, we soon arrived at the snow-capped mountain.]

With a slight twitch of his nose, Haku clearly detected the faint fragrance lingering in the air.

Before coming, in order to save time and quickly locate the wyverns...

Therefore, Henaz specifically went to smell the few remaining Ice Spirit Grasses in the town.

[The reason is simply to remember this taste.]

After all, since the wyvern is guarding the Ice Spirit Grass, once the location of the Ice Spirit Grass is found, there's no need to worry about the wyvern not showing itself.

In fact, Henna's guess was entirely correct.

The dragon's keen sense of smell allowed Black Natsu to easily follow the scent and find the cave piled with Ice Spirit Grass.

A rich, medicinal aroma filled the cave.

Placed before me in the darkness was a haystack piled up to half my height.

These are all Ice Spirit Grass!

Hennaz took a few steps, glancing around with a puzzled look.

"Where's the wyvern?"

[Honatsu remained vigilant at this point.]

After all, it was a battle against an unknown creature, and Henna didn't know just how strong this wyvern was.

However, it does bear the title of "Dragon," so it's probably not someone to be trifled with. Therefore, it's best to be cautious.

……

……

Meanwhile, on the mountain road leading up the snow-capped mountain.

A short, old man was slowly climbing upwards, step by step, navigating a series of deep gullies.

[Due to my relatively short stature and the fact that I'm located halfway up the mountain, the snow is already about a meter deep.]

Therefore, the old man was truly walking through deep pits with every step; each step would send him sinking into the snow, only to struggle to climb out and then repeat the process.

The old man was none other than Makarov.

Speaking of which, Makarov has indeed been having some bad luck lately.

I originally came here for a vacation, but a comet appeared in the sky last night.

As one of only ten Wizard Saints on the entire continent, Makarov enjoyed the various benefits that came with the title of Wizard Saint.

They must also fulfill their corresponding responsibilities; this is inevitable.

The descent of a comet cannot be treated as an ordinary event; therefore, at the moment of its descent...

The Magic Council then contacted Makarov, who was vacationing nearby, and asked him to investigate.

This led to Makarov's early morning journey deep into the mountains, without even having had a full night's sleep.

What's even more surprising is that Makarov discovered that the comet that fell last night might be related to the little devil he encountered this morning?

So Makarov rushed back to the town, hoping to find the brat again.

However, they found nothing. Originally intending to go to the city lord's mansion to find Makarov, whom the city lord had sent to help search, they overheard people around them discussing the monster boy who had appeared that morning.

[He single-handedly and easily defeated two mages who were renowned throughout the area.]

Such praise immediately reminded Makarov of the unassuming young man he had met that morning.

Unable to contain himself, Makarov immediately began asking the people around him for information about the boy.

[Upon learning that the boy had so recklessly challenged a wyvern,...]

Mrs. Macallo is completely stunned!

[That's a wyvern, though it's nothing to them, being Saint-level 10 mages.]

However, even an S-rank mage would have to put in considerable effort to defeat him.

Even ordinary mages are in mortal danger.

How could that brat be so reckless?

[Could it be that with that terrifying defensive power, they really think they can withstand the attack of a wyvern?] [So Makarov, without hesitation, immediately set off on the road to the northern mountains.]