I'm The Only One With Cancer

Chapter 189: Rising Dragon Preliminaries

However, Zen still had his suspicions. ’From our earlier conversation, he seemed really strange... but I can’t quite put my finger on it.’

"Here’s your order, Sir." A waitress placed the tray of pancakes and milk on the table before leaving.

’These look delicious, I wonder what the difference is between these pancakes and the ones in the real world...’

As if possessed by his inner foodie, Zen took a bite heartily, satisfaction written all over his face.

While eating, he began thinking of the things he’ll have to do to earn the right to use the Arcane Gateway at the Arcane Tower.

***

Time slowly passed by...

Pendragon Kingdom, Capital City, Center Square.

In the circular platform erected at the center of the area, a woman wearing a black robe with complex golden patterns on it was holding a magical device in her hand.

Dun— Dun—

"Sound check. 1, 2. 1, 2."

The woman tapped the head of the magical device and spoke into it a few times.

After hearing the clear sound it emitted, she gripped it tightly and spoke with a bright smile towards the crowd that surrounded the platform.

"Good morning, everyone! I am your host, Rasha! Today, we gather to witness the grand opening of this tournament—a sacred tradition of the Pendragon Kingdom, held once every ten years.

Let it be known to all present: this honored event was born from the ancient pact between the Royal Family and the two Ducal Houses who stand as pillars of the Kingdom!"

As the host, Rasha, continued speaking while introducing the history of the tournament...

Among the crowd, Sera and Helena stood side by side, watching Rasha speak brightly with an interested expression on their faces.

’The patterns on her robe... look like dragons of various kinds. Is it like a ceremonial robe of some sort?’

Sera’s eyes wandered all over the place, feeling the vibrant atmosphere as she saw people cheering loudly and chanting the words "Rising Dragon".

’From what I can see, this tournament seems to be treated like festivals and feasts in the real world... and since this is only done every ten years, it’s all the more special...’

As Sera was immersed in her thoughts, she leaned towards her master and whispered, "Rasha, that woman hosting the opening... is she a..."

"Yes."

Before she could even finish her words, Helena nodded, "Rasha is a part of the Pendragon Familia. The robe she’s wearing could only be worn by prestigious members of the royal family. So it only means that, even though she looks normal, she’s anything but it."

"But I remember you telling me that the Pendragon Familia are all half-dragons. Why does she look too human?" Sera followed up with a question right after her master finished speaking.

Glancing at Rasha standing at the center of the platform, she expected her to have some sort of draconic features, like horns, vertical pupils, and the like.

But she looked too normal to be even considered as a half-dragon.

Seeing the confused expression on her disciple’s face, Helena could not help but giggle, "Yes, they are half-dragons. However, dragons are also masters of shapeshifting. In fact, the more normal a half-dragon looks, the more dangerous they are."

"Is that so..." Sera nodded in understanding, feeling enlightened.

At this moment, Rasha had just finished the opening remarks as she loudly said, "Let the preliminaries of the Rising Dragon Tournament begin!"

The crowd cheered as two figures climbed onto the platform.

"The first match is between the prodigies of the Apollo and Luna Familia..."

Rasha began introducing the contestants as the crowd continued cheering.

There were even some stalls that facilitated betting on who would win between the two.

Helena whispered towards her disciple, "Horror, take this chance to see more of the heirloom skills of Apollo and Luna, I’m sure it’ll immensely benefit you..."

"Yes, Master." Sera nodded, her gaze locked onto the figures of the two contestants on the platform.

***

Kingdom of Light, Listarte.

In the Tower Master’s office...

"I can’t believe I’ll come back here again..."

Zen muttered under his breath as he sat in the chair in front of Zoltes’s desk.

In the short time that had passed, he thought of whether he should accept the offer to be an apprentice or insist on just learning a few skills and knowledge.

After much deliberation, the result could be seen.

’If this happened in the real world, I wouldn’t risk it, considering this old man’s strange actions. But hey, this is the Free World. I can still treat it somewhat like a game, so I’ll be fine even if I die...’

This was the main source of Zen’s confidence and recklessness.

Oblivious to his thoughts, Zoltes, who was sitting at his desk, looked at the young man in front of him with a gentle smile, "I’m still preparing your uniform and the other freebies that come with being the apprentice of the tower master."

"Oh?" Hearing the word "freebies", Zen could not help but feel interested, ’Nothing about that was indicated in the charter he gave me...’

Still, he kept a neutral expression as he asked, "So, what experiment will we do first?"

"As I said before, while I’m still preparing the experiments, we’ll start with my end of the deal first."

Zoltes straightened his robe as he spoke with a smile, "For now, let’s start slowly. First, ask me anything you want to learn about magic."

"Magic, huh?"

Hearing his words, Zen could not help but fall into deep thought, ’What should I ask this old mage... I need something that can make a lasting expression and something that enables me to make my money’s worth— or in this case, make my life’s worth...’

Despite his confidence, he still could not shake the thought of Zoltes using him as a lab rat and experimenting with him until he died.

His complex expression made the old mage confused, "Why are you thinking so deeply? Just something simple is fine..."