"It just so happened that I encountered Zeref in the mountains afterward, and he cast the spell that allowed me to return to this form."
"Cough... cough... who?!
Z-Zeref?!
That legendary Black Wizard who toyed with life itself and was cursed by the god Ankhseram...
Zeref?!!
T-That person is still alive?!"
The previously arrogant Selene immediately shrank her neck back after hearing Zeref's name, obvious fear flashing across her face.
"Mhm. Not only is he alive and well, but the Alvarez Empire on the Western Continent was also founded by him."
Irene smiled and nodded.
Then, almost as if comforting her, she casually added,
"Don't worry too much. He's just an idiot whose magical skill isn't even as good as yours."
At that moment, Selene sincerely admitted to herself that she may have been a little too full of herself.
Compared to that monstrous genius whose magical talent was said to have earned the envy of the gods themselves, her own magical attainments were still lacking by quite a bit.
Meanwhile, Cana and Levy had already been completely stunned by the shocking information hidden within the two women's conversation.
'Wait, what do you mean Zeref is still alive?!
Wasn't that guy already dead long ago? Where the hell did he suddenly come from?!'
The two girls felt as though ten thousand horses were stampeding through their minds.
Yet when they saw Kabe and Brandish remaining completely calm, neither of them dared interrupt or ask questions. They could only continue listening quietly to the conversation between the two terrifying powerhouses.
"Ahem... well, what you said isn't entirely wrong. Zeref isn't omnipotent either. There are things he isn't good at."
Clearing her throat awkwardly, Selene decisively chose not to continue discussing Zeref.
"So... you really have a solution?"
Irene no longer cared about Selene's stubborn pride and hurriedly pressed her with both nervousness and anticipation.
"Of course. The successful example is standing right in front of you. Solving your little issue would be incredibly easy."
As she said that, Selene deliberately straightened her posture slightly, proudly displaying her flawless figure.
The others hadn't reacted yet, but Irene suddenly grabbed Selene's hand excitedly, gently rubbing her fingers against Selene's skin.
Kabe froze briefly before suddenly realizing something as well.
"That's right! Selene's true form is also a dragon, so why don't you suffer any of those weird side effects after transforming into a human?"
His words instantly awakened everyone.
Perhaps because Selene's human appearance was simply too perfect, everyone had subconsciously viewed her as a human despite knowing full well she was a dragon.
None of them had even considered this point before.
Seeing everyone staring at her in amazement, Selene smugly curled her lips upward.
"Naturally, only dragons understand dragons best. Which means only dragons can create the magic most suitable for ourselves."
As she spoke, she first forcefully pulled her hand back from Irene, who had been unconsciously playing with it, before wiping it against Kabe's clothes with visible disgust.
Only then did she look toward Irene's awkward expression and slowly explain,
"Although humiliating, the dragons who fled to the Northern Continent back then after being terrified by Acnologia eventually gathered together and developed this perfect transformation magic.
It was precisely because of this magic that the dragons of the Northern Continent were able to safely hide themselves hundreds of years ago without being hunted down by Acnologia.
So your problem is actually very simple.
As long as I teach you this magic, you'll naturally be able to return to being a normal human again."
"OHHH~~"
Kabe and the others couldn't help exclaiming in amazement, silently applauding the wisdom of the Northern Continent dragons.
As expected of the Black Dragon.
He had terrified dragons so thoroughly that they willingly transformed into the very humans they once considered insects just to survive.
"...But Irene's situation is still different from actual dragons, right?
At her core, she's still fundamentally human."
Kabe voiced his thoughts.
But before Selene could respond, Irene directly interrupted him.
"No. This is already enough.
Even if my situation is unique, and this magic still has flaws when used on me...
With this new direction, combined with my previous research, I can definitely develop a magic perfectly suited for myself."
After speaking, Irene no longer hesitated.
She stood up and deeply bowed toward Selene.
"Please, Selene. I've suffered enough living like this.
I beg you to teach me this magic.
In exchange, I'm willing to agree to any condition you want."
"...Eh? You're actually willing to go that far?"
Selene clearly hadn't expected Irene to be this desperate. Resting one hand beneath her chin, she immediately began seriously considering what she currently lacked most.
After straightening up, Irene spoke with absolute seriousness.
"Whatever you want, just say it. No matter what it is, I'll agree."
"Hmm~ if you put it that way..."
Selene tapped thoughtfully against her chin.
Then suddenly, inspiration struck her.
She turned toward Kabe and, using the most casual tone imaginable, spoke words so outrageous that everyone's brains nearly short-circuited.
"Then you should sleep with Kabe too. I'm honestly pretty curious what kind of child a Saiyan and a Dragonified Dragon Slayer Wizard would produce."