Fairy Tail: Collapsing Stars

Chapter 300: I'm a Dragon

In the grand and luxurious palace corridor...

"Please come this way..."

A robed minister of the Kingdom of Fiore led a young boy with short reddish-brown hair through the palace. The boy was, of course, Evan. After presenting himself as one of the Ten Wizard Saints to the palace guards, it wasn't long before the king summoned him. Now, under the minister's guidance, he made his way into the heart of the palace.

"I'll leave you here. His Majesty is waiting inside. Please proceed on your own."

The minister stopped before a rather secluded meeting room, smiling at Evan.

"Thank you."

Evan returned the smile, gently pushed open the door to the meeting room, and walked inside.

"Phew..."

The minister sighed in relief as Evan entered the room.

"His Majesty really is something, getting involved with those monsters known as the Ten Wizard Saints..."

Walking down the corridor with his hands behind his back, the minister's eyes flickered with concern. He knew well the terrifying power of the Ten Wizard Saints, those beings at the pinnacle of Ishgar's magical hierarchy. Even the Magic Council had explicitly forbidden conflicts among them due to the sheer devastation they could cause.

But it was precisely because he knew what the Ten Saints were capable of that he worried for his king. Nothing good could come from humans associating with such monsters...

Meanwhile, inside the meeting room...

"Yo! Evan, long time no see!"

King Toma sat at the head of the table. Upon seeing Evan, he stood up to greet him.

"Long time no see, Your Majesty."

Evan approached the king warmly.

"Evan, are you here to take me to watch one of your guild's magic battles? If so, let's hurry and go! I've already dismissed all the guards."

King Toma looked at Evan excitedly.

"Huh? Did I say that? I completely forgot..."

Evan looked puzzled. He didn't recall ever promising to take Toma to watch a Fairy Tail match. Besides, there hadn't been any serious matches recently. The guild's arena was mostly used by Laxus for napping, and challenging him meant fighting him first. Apart from Natsu and a few others, most had grown tired of these fights.

"Well, if that's not it, what brings you here today, Evan?"

Seeing Evan's expression, Toma's excitement turned to disappointment. He slumped back into his seat, looking at Evan with a sullen expression.

"Actually, I came to borrow a certain treasure from your royal treasury."

"One of your kingdom's treasures could significantly help me increase my power..."

Evan spoke directly, without beating around the bush.

"A treasure?"

King Toma frowned slightly, stroking his beard in thought.

"Even if you say that, I can't agree to it right away. The treasures in our treasury are numerous, and some can't be casually moved..."

"So, which treasure are you referring to? At least give me a name."

Toma pondered for a moment, not agreeing immediately, fearing that the item Evan sought might be vital to the kingdom's stability.

"Have you ever heard of the Dragon's Tear?"

Evan revealed the name of the treasure he sought.

"The Dragon's Tear... Oh, I think I know that one. Yes, I do have it. I found it in the Dragon's Graveyard within the kingdom..."

Toma scratched his cheek, looking thoughtful. After a moment, he seemed to remember something and looked at Evan.

"Yes, that should be it."

Evan nodded, confirming that the item Toma mentioned from the Dragon's Graveyard was indeed the Dragon's Tear he sought.

"It's said that the Dragon's Tear was initially an ordinary magic crystal, but being left in the graveyard of defeated and dead dragons, it absorbed their unwillingness, resentment, and magic power, transforming into what it is now..."

King Toma nodded, explaining the nature of the Dragon's Tear to ensure Evan knew what he was asking for.

"Yes."

Evan listened attentively, offering Toma a glass of water as he spoke. From the moment Evan entered, Toma hadn't stopped talking, and Evan figured he must be thirsty.

"Oh! Thank you..."

Toma was surprised by the gesture but smiled gratefully. His throat was indeed parched.

With a slight smile, Toma took a few sips and continued.

"Are you sure you want to use such a thing to increase your power? It contains immense energy, but it's highly unstable and dangerous..."

"To be honest, I originally kept it in my bedroom because it was bright and pretty, like a decoration..."

"But the thing was eerie. Just staring at it, you could almost hear the wailing of dragons. It was so disturbing I couldn't sleep at night!"

Toma's expression turned grim as he spoke about the Dragon's Tear, clearly not fond of the item.

"In the end, I had it locked away in a forbidden treasury, guarded by the kingdom's elite forces. If you really need it, you can have it. It's no use to me, and keeping it here might attract thieves. Better to give it to you than to have the Magic Council blaming me if it's stolen."

Toma spoke nonchalantly, seemingly indifferent to parting with the Dragon's Tear, perhaps because he had so many treasures.

"If you're willing to give it to me, I'm truly grateful."

Evan smiled and thanked Toma, genuinely appreciative of his generosity.

"It's nothing. Just a few treasures. I have more than I can count, so it's no big deal."

Toma waved dismissively. He really didn't care about one or two treasures. His concern was more for the stability and safety of his kingdom.

"But I must warn you, the Dragon's Tear is dangerous and ominous, filled with the dying curses of countless dragons! And do you know what dragons are? They were the rulers of ancient times, massive creatures that could swallow a person whole!"

Toma continued, emphasizing the danger of the Dragon's Tear, even mimicking a dragon's roar to illustrate their ferocity.

"Furthermore, I don't think humans can use it. We researched it for a long time, trying to extract its magic, but failed. We believe it's cursed, usable only by dragons."

Toma hinted at his suspicion, studying Evan's reaction.

"..."

Unfortunately, Toma found no clues in Evan's calm, smiling face, so he couldn't gauge his thoughts.

"Anyway, I'll notify the guards to give it to you. Take care."

Seeing no reaction from Evan, Toma looked slightly disappointed but didn't press further.

"Thank you for your help."

Evan didn't expect Toma to agree so readily, but he was grateful and made a mental note to repay the favor.

"Just remember to take me to your big magic tournament someday."

Toma smiled, waving off Evan's gratitude.

"I will arrange a special match just for you."

Evan stood up, planning to organize a friendly match within Fairy Tail to thank Toma.

"Good. You can get the Dragon's Tear from the forbidden treasury."

Toma waved again, indicating he was done talking. As Evan left, Toma felt a twinge of sadness, missing the company.

"Right. You wanted to know if I'm a dragon, correct?"

Before leaving, Evan decided to share a little secret.

"Mm?!"

Toma's eyes widened. He didn't expect Evan to catch on to his veiled question.

"In a way, I am a dragon."

"See you next time, dear King Toma."

With that, Evan disappeared in a flash.

"..."

"Ha ha ha ha ha..."

"Is that the latest joke going around?"

"But I did laugh. Thank you, Evan!"

After Evan left, Toma burst into laughter, his eyes watering. Evan was telling the truth, but Toma didn't believe it, preferring his own conclusions.

As for how Evan would extract the magic from the Dragon's Tear, Toma assumed Evan had some technique unknown to the royal researchers.

"Hope you use it well, Evan."

Toma mused after Evan's departure. He had given the Dragon's Tear to strengthen ties with Evan and Fairy Tail, aware of their growing influence over Ishgar's magical community.

---

Several minutes later...

At the border of Fiore, at a certain temple...

"Buzz~"

A shadow appeared at the temple entrance amidst black light. It was Evan, who had swiftly traveled from the capital using his elemental form.

"So, this is where it's kept?"

Evan stood at the temple's entrance, narrowing his eyes. Before him stood a beautiful woman with short black hair, gripping a sword and a staff.

"Are you the one who wants this?"

"It's dangerous. I hope you won't take it from the temple."

The woman eyed Evan cautiously.

"Yes, it's me."

Before she could finish, Evan nodded and waved his hand. The staff in her hand vanished, reappearing in his.

"Report to your superiors that Evan Belsarion from Fairy Tail has taken the staff."

Evan held the Dragon's Tear, waving to the woman before disappearing in a flash of dark light.

"Huh?!"

The woman was stunned. Knowing its danger, she intended to dissuade Evan from taking the Dragon's Tear. But before she could finish, both Evan and the Tear were gone.

"Sigh..."

"The power gap is too vast. So, this is a Saint Wizard."

The woman stood outside the empty temple, disheartened. Despite being a military elite, she realized how powerless she was against a wizard at the pinnacle of the continent.

After a long moment, the beautiful warrior returned to the temple to report the incident.

---

In a remote mountain range, Evan set up

a barrier to contain the magic. He raised the staff, the Dragon's Tear, a crystal filled with the resentment of countless dragons.

"Let's begin! Don't disappoint me, Dragon's Tear..."

Evan activated the Fish-Fish Fruit: Azure Dragon form as he spoke, transforming into a massive dragon. The Dragon's Tear glowed red, releasing immense power that enveloped Evan.

"Roar!!"

Dragon's roars filled the air as the ancient magic, born from hatred towards Acnologia, surged into Evan.