The Ancient Genes

'Dragon? You mean that dragon?' Max asked, he really didn't know what to make out of the situation. This old man was a dragon? 

'Yes….he is a dragon. But not the physical one you have on mind….he doesn't have claws, scales or can do breath attacks…' Andriel replied.

'And you still call him a dragon?' Max didn't think he deserved to be called a dragon if he couldn't even do that.

'Do I have tails and horns? Am I barely wearing any clothes exposing myself? Not that I mind if you want me to..' 

Max couldn't retort that. She didn't look like a succubus but more like a normal human, her pink pupils made her stand out from a normal human though.

'So there are even Dragons among the 12 spirit races? What more fantasy creatures are up there?' Max asked jokingly.

'There is no dragon race, he is the last among the dragons.'

'Did someone destroy them?' Max asked in surprise.

'There were only a few to begin with. I don't know how they are born, but they have to be impotent if they can't even maintain their race's existence…' 

Max was speechless at her words.

"What do you suggest, old man?" Mr. Cool asked looking at him.

"Give them an opportunity…." The old man said with a calm tone.

"For what?" Bahamut asked.

"To grasp the truth…'' the old man said with a smile.

"Huh? How is it different from what he said?" Lear said pointing at Bahamut.

"If you let them go without telling them the truth. You will end up in a situation you wouldn't want to be in…and believe me, I don't lie.." The old man said as he looked at Max.

"But if the reason for their failure at grasping the truth is their own lack of ability, they won't have anyone but their own weakness to blame…."

"And what if they grasp your opportunity?" Bahamut asked.

"Then you get yourself a dependable ally…'' the old man replied.

"You want us to take them in?'' Bahamut asked.

"You have to take in every human on this plane if you really want to have a fighting chance…..and besides, are they really that useless?" The old man asked.

Obviously they were not. Who in the capital was an average Joe? Besides, even if they were not talented, they had Noble Houses behind them...they were from the main line of family too...

"I get your words but it won't work for my sister? She is strong but she can't deal with my family, I know that for sure..." Wilson said with a frown. He knew her sister was a bit emotional and would never be able to strike them when the time would come...

"I never said strength was the basis for the test…" the old man said as he looked at Wilson.

"Then what is it?" Lear asked.

"Truth…" 

"Don't play with words, just get to the point…" Mr. Cool said as he looked at him.

"If you can't accept the truth, if you can't accept your own self and what's in front of you….then you don't have what it takes to break through the mortal bearing...you wouldn't stand a chance when the calamity arrives…..no matter how much natural talent you have or how much hard work you put….those things are trivial unless you learn to accept the truth that are in front of your very eyes…"

"Isn't that easy?" Lear asked, a bit confused but Max shook his head. It was not that easy…people tend to ignore things which they didn't want to see….that was how human nature was….he had done it once as well….

"It's easy...even among you people there aren't many people who have achieved it yet." The old man said looking at them.

He pointed his fingers at Max and then at Lear. "You two are there…" 

Lear was surprised for a second before releasing a smile as he rubbed his nose. Whether he was proud or being shy was hard to tell....

He then looked at Lisa, "You are there, but a half truth isn't a full….future will tell your tale…"

"No one else other than them....you still think it's easy…" the old man asked looking at them.

"I can't accept this….what is the basis of your observation…" Wilson asked with a vein popping out on his neck.

"Then why don't you try it as well? I don't mind having a few extra people. Besides, it will be a good lesson for you…" the old man said with a smile.

Mr. Cool got up, "I am not interested…"

"You still scared after the last time? Isn't it uncool to run away from challenges?" The old man asked, taunting him.

Mr. Cool's footsteps paused. And he turned around before getting back to his seat. His face didn't look good.

'What do you think Andriel?' Max asked.

'He is annoyingly right….' Andriel replied a bit frustrated. 'I don't like him, but his words are never wrong….you should believe him. Dragons have always been a wise and noble creature they don't harm others for no reason...'

'Oh…' Max said, it was a bit surprising that Andriel had talk so nicely about the old man whom she was ready to fight a while ago. He was curious, no doubt. But he didn't ask anything else.

…..

"Why don't you tell him about your past? I think he is curious…" Leviathan said as she looked at Andriel. She had been witnessing everything as well.

"I want him to accept me out of love not out of pity…'' Andriel replied as she looked at her.

Leviathan was regretting not looking through Andriel's past when she still had the chance back at her home.

 ….

On the other side….the preparation had already begun…

"Seriously? You are not going to tell me, Wilson!!!" Erina was angry after they had told them of the plan.

"You really want me to keep quiet after seeing you getting involved in something dangerous…" She kept shouting at him.

"It's dangerous that's the reason I don't want you to get involved…" Wilson replied with a frown.

"Do you think I am weak?" Erina asked as she looked at him.

"I never heard you that loud in front of that b*tch or that dumbass old man…." Willson said with a laugh.

"Y-You….don't talk ill about mother and father…." Erina said in anger 

"She is not our mother….you have seen it yourself…" 

"Wilso-"

"I have enough of this….if you think you are right then prove it to me…I really want to see. If you truly think like that...or are just pretending…" Wilson didn't give her another chance to speak and left like that.

….

Lora on the other hand didn't ask Lear any questions. Lear was at least giving her a chance while she on the other hand wasn't even willing to share her secrets.

Aria and Elly were looking at Lisa with a complicated look in their eyes too. Janet didn't seem to mind much though.

"I am sorry. This is the best I can do…." Lisa said looking at them, a little figure was peeking at Elly from behind Lisa.

Aria and Elly had seen the little girl earlier too.

Lisa followed their gaze and noticed the little girl.

"Uh...Sera, when did you get here?" Lisa said as she picked her up.

"I followed you. Sis, why haven't you come to play with me?" Sera asked, a bit upset.

Lisa suddenly remembered that she had indeed made some kind of promise to her about playing together.

"Who is this little girl, Lisa?" Aria asked as she smiled at Sera only to find that she didn't seem much interested in her.

"She is Sera, M-....'' Lisa stopped midway, she didn't know what else to say.

"It seems we can't get anything without going through the test…." Elly said as she looked at Sera.

Sera seemed oddly interested in Elly. Her eyes were sparkling as she looked at her as if she was some kind of toy. Even Max could feel the excitement within her.

….

Max stood beside the old man as he looked at everyone else. They were waiting for Elly to heal everyone before beginning.

"Is this really everything, old man…" Max suddenly asked as he looked at him.

"Why do you ask?" The old man questioned instead of answering.

"Isn't this a bit too simple…you saw something more didn't you…." Max said as he looked at him.

"You are indeed special. But, do you still believe me…" 

"No, I don't. But I believe someone else who asked me to believe you…'' Max replied.

"It's good then…." The old man smiled.

Max sighed. He didn't particularly feel good about this old man. He didn't belong to one of the 12 spirit races while according to Andriel only the 12 races had the links to send someone.

Did he steal it then?

Max would have indeed been wary of him if Andriel hadn't asked him to believe the old man.

"Anyway, how many would pass...any ideas?" Max asked, the old man had told earlier that Max and Lear were already capable of it.

"As of now, none….let's see whether they can achieve anything when push comes to shove….will they realise it or just deny it…"