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Dawn broke.
The warm sunlight dispelled the darkness and cold of the night from Tenrou Island, draping the towering Tenrou Tree in a soft, golden veil of daylight.
Under the skillful hands of the cook Irene and Mira, the aroma of food wafted through the guild camp.
When Noah emerged from his tent, he found everyone already awake; some were washing up, others eating, and a family of three was still clinging together... Everyone seemed to be in high spirits.
Erza smiled, teasing Noah, "You really can sleep, huh? You're the last one to wake up today."
"I can't help it. Sealing the Contradictory Curse for Zeref yesterday drained a lot of my strength, so I rested a bit longer."
Noah feigned a yawn. In truth, sealing the curse barely used any of his power; he was just being lazy and didn't want to get up, so he made an excuse for sleeping in.
Erza pursed her lips. Knowing Noah inside and out, how could she not see through his little ploy? But sleeping in was fine; there was nothing particular to do anyway.
"Have some breakfast."
Erza handed Noah a steaming bowl of noodle soup.
The white porcelain bowl, shrouded in steam, held thin white noodles. A few chopped green onions garnished the light-brown broth, which had a delicate sheen of oil. Just looking at it was appetizing.
Noah picked up a mouthful with his chopsticks; it was slightly hot to the taste. The soft, chewy noodles were coated in the soup, and a warm, mildly salty, fresh aroma spread through his mouth. Having such a bowl of noodles so early in the morning was truly satisfying.
After slurping down the noodles in a few bites, Noah looked at the white porcelain bowl, now holding only soup, and suddenly felt a bit puzzled. "Huh? I remember the supplies we prepared before coming to Tenrou Island didn't include noodles, and this bowl isn't right either..."
Erza interrupted Noah's mumbling, "The bowl and noodles were bought by Mom this morning on a whim. She said food and tableware should look good together..."
So it was Irene.
Noah hadn't expected the "Mother of Dragon Slayers" to be completely engrossed in the joy of cooking now.
Tenrou Island was a considerable distance from the mainland. To make a quick trip, Noah wondered if Irene used magic to teleport or transformed into a dragon to fly over.
But no matter which method Irene used, it was all just to buy noodles for breakfast... It felt a bit like using a super-magic spell to swat a mosquito.
But who cared? Good taste trumped everything.
Noah drank the last sip of soup, a blissful expression on his face.
Ever since he started the "Magnetic Field Rotation" and became a Magnetic Field expert, food and sleep were no longer necessities for Noah, but that didn't stop him from enjoying them.
Makarov, while flipping through a newspaper Irene had brought back, began to talk about the upcoming plans. "Noah, you guys haven't been to Tenrou Island yet. You can explore the island today, and we'll return to the guild tomorrow."
No sooner had Makarov finished speaking than Natsu and Happy's cheers erupted. They were already curious about the guild's sacred ground and had been eager to explore it.
Noah flashed over and held down Natsu, who was like a wild horse unbridled. "Exploration can wait. I still need you for something."
"Ah? Oh."
Natsu then remembered that Noah had specifically called him to Tenrou Island, saying he needed him for something important.
But then, several question marks appeared above Natsu's head.
This important matter seemed to be related to the ghost of the First Master, Zeref, and August—their family of three. What did it have to do with him, Natsu?
Gray and Cana also came over. Natsu's big mouth had already let them know that Noah had specifically brought him to Tenrou Island, so they were very curious about Noah's purpose.
Makarov and Erza also cast curious glances.
However, Noah didn't explain immediately. Instead, he got up and dragged Zeref over. "Come, come, let me introduce everyone. This is the renowned Black Wizard Zeref."
Everyone exchanged glances. After yesterday, who among them didn't know this poor man who had been tormented by a curse for over 400 years?
Erza glared at Noah. "Stop being so cryptic and get to the point."
Feeling Erza's "if you keep building suspense, I'll make you regret it" look, Noah didn't dare to string them along any further. He smiled and looked at Zeref beside him.
"They still don't know your full name, Zeref. You tell them yourself."
Zeref and his full name?
What's so special about a name?
Everyone was even more confused by Noah's behavior, but they still looked at Zeref with curiosity, even Mavis. Although her son was seventy or eighty years old, she had never heard Zeref mention his full name.
Only August remained calm, even pulling out a handful of melon seeds from somewhere, looking as if he was waiting for a good show.
Zeref, who had been pushed forward by Noah, was somewhat conflicted in his heart, but if he didn't say it, Noah would, so he might as well do it himself.
With the Contradictory Curse sealed, he no longer needed to hide.
"Everyone, my full name is Zeref Dragneel."
Muttering Zeref's full name, Gildarts scratched his head and asked doubtfully, "I think I've heard that surname somewhere."
Happy raised his small paw. "It's Natsu! Natsu's last name is also Dragneel."
Mira clapped her hands, suddenly enlightened. "Oh right, Natsu's full name is Etherious Natsu Dragneel. Could Natsu and Zeref be relatives?"
Erza and Gray, who had participated in the Western Continent trip, exchanged glances. They suddenly remembered the "blonde version" of Natsu, the Demon of Desire, Larcade, who was known as the "White Dragneel."
At the time, they had also been curious about Larcade's relationship with Natsu.
Now, it seemed the source of the problem should be Zeref.
Natsu, who didn't yet know what his companions had experienced on the Western Continent, looked Zeref up and down. "We have the same last name, so... are you my ancestor?!"
Noah almost burst out laughing at Natsu's words. August, who was also watching the show, had a particularly amusing expression at that moment.
Zeref took a deep breath, his gaze softening as he looked at Natsu. "Natsu, I am not your ancestor. You... are my younger brother."
At these words, the scene instantly erupted in an uproar.
Aside from Irene, who had expected it, and Makarov and Erza, who knew Natsu was from 400 years ago and managed to remain relatively composed, everyone else's mouths hung wide open.
Natsu and Mavis were instantly petrified.
Natsu's mind stopped working on the spot, stunned by the sudden appearance of a Black Wizard brother.
Mavis, on the other hand, was astonished that the kid who treated her like a child last night was actually her brother-in-law.
It was too hard to describe. How could something like this happen...?