Dragon Clan: Starting with the Azure Dragon Fruit

"I drank a lot that night and got completely drunk."

The cigarette butt burned down to the filter, but Fingel seemed oblivious, letting the ash fall onto his trouser leg.

"Because I drank too much, I slept until noon the next day and missed the mission, but it was because of this damn drunkenness that I survived."

Lin Yuan sensed a despair and loss, like that of the polar ice cap, in this man who was usually so unserious.

He roughly guessed what would happen next, but he had never been good at comforting others with words, so he could only remain silent.

"When the submersible descended to a depth of 170 meters, the team discovered a door, a door leading to the Nibelungen." Fingel stubbed out his cigarette on the table, his voice trembling slightly.

“One of the team members disobeyed Professor Schneider’s orders and opened the door, after which communications were cut off. No one knows what happened down there. All six students perished in the icy sea, the embryo suddenly hatched, and Professor Schneider was seriously injured as a result. His current condition is a consequence of that operation.”

"The mission failed, and all six A-level students perished in the icy sea."

"Of the entire operation, there was only one and a half survivors, and I was the half."

Lin Yuan didn't say anything, walked over, and patted his shoulder.

Sometimes men don't need many words.

Feeling the pressure on his shoulder, Fingel raised his head.

Those eyes, which were usually filled with drunkenness and nonchalance, now seemed to have been wiped clean, revealing his true self.

“I know it’s shameful to ask for help, but I have no other choice.” Fingel’s Adam’s apple bobbed.

"For the past seven years, I haven't stopped thinking about that night. If I hadn't been drunk, if I had gone diving with them, maybe my 'Bronze Throne' could have withstood the attack, and maybe the outcome would have been completely different. This daily pain and torment makes it impossible for me to concentrate on training, and I can't even sleep without alcohol."

"In these seven years, my strength has not improved, but has become weaker and weaker."

Fingel looked at Lin Yuan like a drowning man spotting a piece of driftwood.

"I thought I had no hope in this lifetime. That monster that hatched under the icy sea is far beyond what an ordinary executive officer can handle."

"But...maybe you can. You killed that second-generation species in Egypt. When I heard the news, I felt hopeful again."

Looking at Fingel's appearance, Lin Yuan thought of Chu Zihang. How come all his friends carry such bitter and resentful pasts?

However, he didn't mind. Killing a pure-blooded dragon he had never met before was not a psychological burden for him, and it would also make the Azure Dragon Fruit stronger.

"No problem, the equipment department should be able to get a deep-sea submersible, right? We'll set off for Greenland next week."

Fingel, who was just immersed in grief and pain, was silenced by Lin Yuan.

In his mind, any normal person, upon hearing that they were going to the deep sea to fight an unknown monster that had once wiped out an elite squad of secret agents, would at least weigh the pros and cons or carefully study the tactics, even if they agreed out of brotherhood.

As a result, Lin Yuan directly scheduled the meeting for next week, and what Finger didn't know was that even next week was because Lin Yuan planned to confess his feelings to Nuonuo.

Otherwise, given his personality, he could have set off tomorrow without any problem.

“No, no, no… there’s no rush! I need some time to rehabilitate.” Fingel shook his head, a grateful smile on his face.

“I hope you will come with me then, but I don’t want to hide behind you and be a coward. Those who died in the sea are my relatives and friends. I want to send those things to hell with my own hands.”

He scratched the back of his head, feeling that he had been a bit too serious just now, and tried to regain some of the relaxed atmosphere.

"Well... let me talk to you first, junior brother. Once I've calmed down, we can go and deal with that thing."

"Okay," Lin Yuan agreed.

Seawater has no effect on him. He had done an experiment on his way back. The reason why seawater in the pirate world can restrain Devil Fruit users is because it contains Seastone factors, but the ocean in this world doesn't have that stuff.

As long as the underwater enemy isn't the Dragon King, he has nothing to fear with his current strength.

The boulder that had weighed on his heart for seven years finally had hope of being removed. Fingel breathed a sigh of relief, his eyes slightly red.

"Alright, let's stop here for now. We'll set off the day I get a six-pack."

Lin Yuan chuckled, not exposing him, and glanced at the time. It was 5:40, time to head out to his appointment.

Then, just as they reached the door, Fingel asked a question from behind.

"Junior brother, are you getting ready to go on a date with Nuonuo?"

"Holy crap, how did you know?" Lin Yuan turned around in surprise.

"Isn't it obvious? It's written all over your face." Fingel clicked his tongue twice.

Lin Yuan assumed he was bluffing again. Last time, after returning from the ball at Norton Hall, this guy said he had lipstick marks on his face.

He ignored him and continued walking out.

"But junior brother, if I were you, I wouldn't go to the appointment empty-handed."

"Why do you say that?" Lin Yuan stopped again.

"Today is Chen Motong's birthday, didn't you know?"

"Huh?!" Lin Yuan was a little surprised and pulled his hand back from the doorknob.

"Really? How do you even know that!"

“Didn’t I just say that? I was a genius who got perfect scores in all subjects back then, and I have an amazing memory.” Fingel pointed proudly to his head.

"I can remember the birthdays of almost every female student in the college."

Lin Yuan didn't dwell on why Fingel could only remember girls' birthdays; instead, he felt a sense of relief.

Fortunately, Fingel reminded himself that it would be too insincere to go to Nono's birthday party empty-handed.

He walked back to the table, pulled open the bottom drawer, and found the car key with the silver logo.

On the day of freedom, Caesar lost his Bugatti Veyron as the stake for the championship.

"Wow, junior, you're really going all out to pick up girls! This is a Bugatti! Are you planning to 'gift a beauty with a BMW'?"

Lin Yuan ignored his nonsense and put the keys in his pocket.

"Thanks for the reminder. I'll pack some of the main dishes from the second floor for you tonight."

"Junior brother is so righteous!" Fingel gave a thumbs up to the closed door.

Chapter 117 The Gift

After leaving the dormitory, Lin Yuan walked along the tree-lined path towards the cafeteria, feeling somewhat expectant.

Having been in Kassel for so long, this was his first time going to the second-floor cafeteria. Before, he didn't have much money in his pocket, and the free food on the first floor was quite delicious, with steak, pasta, and pork knuckle available for all he could eat.

The two of them ate quite happily on the first floor and didn't even consider going up to the second floor.

Later, when I had money, before I even had a chance to spend it, I rushed off to Egypt.

Pushing open the cafeteria door, there were fewer people inside than expected.

Although it was lunchtime, considering that Angers had given the school a day off, most students took advantage of the rare holiday to leave the school in groups, and not many chose to stay in the canteen for lunch.

There were only a few tables of customers in the restaurant on the first floor. After entering the second floor, the waiters at the front desk were wearing white shirts and black vests, and their demeanor was much more professional than the uncles serving food downstairs.

"Hello, do you have a reservation?"

"Chen Motong".

The waiter gave a professional smile and gestured for them to arrive: "This way, please. Your companion has arrived."

He followed the waiter through the corridor and stopped in front of the innermost private room. The waiter opened the door for him. The room was small, with a two-person dining table in the center.

Nono was already seated in the private room, resting her chin on one hand and fiddling with the silver cutlery in front of her with the other, looking like she had been waiting for a while.

Lin Yuan's gaze was instantly drawn to the girl. She was wearing a light-colored knitted sweater with a drooping neckline that revealed her beautiful collarbone.

The plush texture of her clothes shed her usual sharp, witch-like aura, giving her a natural softness.

Her dark red hair was casually scattered, and as she lowered her head, a few strands slipped down her shoulders, revealing a bright silver four-leaf clover pendant on her earlobe, which reflected tiny specks of light.

Nono also wore light makeup, which made her complexion look even brighter.

Lin Yuan was somewhat amazed. He noticed the change in Nuonuo, but couldn't quite put his finger on it. He just felt that she was different from before.

Hearing the noise at the door, Nuonuo looked up and her eyes met Lin Yuan's in mid-air.

It had been about half a month since they last met, but neither of them felt awkward at the moment, as if they had just taken a walk together on campus yesterday.

However, immediately afterward, Nuonuo looked at Lin Yuan's hands and, after confirming that his hands were indeed empty, her previously upturned eyes drooped down.

"Wow, so punctual." She drawled out the last syllable, her tone sounding slightly sarcastic.

"You said six o'clock and it was six o'clock right away. So punctual, you're a master of time management!"

Lin Yuan glanced at the wall clock subconsciously; it was exactly six o'clock.

"It's all Finger's fault for being too talkative," he thought to himself, pulling out the chair opposite Nono and sitting down.

However, Lin Yuan naturally knew that Nuonuo's little mood was not because she arrived right on time.

He noticed Noah's gaze quickly sweep over his hands, followed by a fleeting look of disappointment. She was expecting a gift, but didn't want to say it aloud.

Lin Yuan found it somewhat amusing, never expecting Nuonuo to have such an awkward side.

They clearly care terribly, but they pretend to be indifferent, and their emotions are still evident in their eyes.

Although my tsundere personality had already faded away before I transmigrated in my previous life, it hasn't changed now.

Besides, when pretty girls get arrogant, it's really tempting to tease them.

Lin Yuansheng had some wicked thoughts, but decided to keep them to himself and talk about them later.

Instead of explaining why he was late, he first asked Nuonuo, "How are you feeling? Is there anything bothering you?"

"Please, didn't I reply to you five, six, seven, or eight times in text messages? Why are you asking again when we meet? You have no sincerity at all."

It sounded like she was scolding Lin Yuan for being long-winded, but her droopy eyes lifted up again, clearly appreciating Lin Yuan's straightforward concern.

Lin Yuan smiled and reached for the menu on the table.

As expected of the second-floor restaurant of Kassel College, there are very few dishes priced below three figures. Of course, for someone with tens of millions of dollars, having the chef serve the entire menu is not considered a huge expense.

But since Nuonuo was treating tonight, Lin Yuan looked at her half-jokingly and asked, "Did you bring enough money today? Can you be a little more generous?"

Nono raised her chin: "Loosen up a bit. Anyway, if we can't pay later, you can come with me to the kitchen to wash dishes."

Lin Yuan chuckled, ordered several hearty signature dishes, and mentally checked the prices to keep the cost of the meal under $3000.

It's fine as long as she's full; it wouldn't be right to actually make Nuonuo go to the kitchen to wash dishes.

Because there weren't many people in the cafeteria today, the kitchen served the food very quickly. In less than 20 minutes, appetizers and main dishes were laid out on the table one after another.

The "phone first" approach wasn't popular back then. Seeing that the dishes were almost all served, Lin Yuan picked up his knife and fork and started eating the still-greasy steak.

Nono didn't rush to use her knife and fork. She bit the straw in her cup, propped her chin on her hand, and watched Lin Yuan eat with great interest.

After Lin Yuan finished two steaks and slowed down his eating pace, Nuonuo picked up her juice and clinked glasses with Lin Yuan across the table.

Lin Yuan swallowed the meat in his mouth, wondering what Nuonuo was up to.

"Let's use a beverage instead of alcohol," Nono said, looking him straight in the eye with a serious expression.

"If it weren't for you, I would probably be in grave danger this time. Thank you, my savior."

Lin Yuan picked up his glass and lightly clinked it against hers: "It's too formal to say that."

"Let's keep things separate. Consider this meal a thank you to my great hero."

With this opening, the two chatted back and forth, from the farce in Odin Square to the Egyptian desert and camels. Their topics were rambling and illogical, but the atmosphere in the private room remained very comfortable.

As the meal progressed, Nuonuo still couldn't suppress her resentment. She put down her knife and fork and asked casually, "Speaking of which, you've been at sea for so long, and you're having dinner with me as soon as you get back to school. Isn't that a bit rushed? Actually, if you weren't available today, you could have told me in the text message that you could have rescheduled for tomorrow."

Lin Yuan knew perfectly well that this girl cared a lot, but was still putting on a reasonable little expression, so he decided to play a trick on her.

"It was a bit rushed, you know. I was delayed for quite a while at the school gate after I got back. I didn't even have time to take a shower or change my clothes before rushing over," he said, echoing Nuo's words.

"But there's still time to squeeze in a quick meal."

Hearing Lin Yuan describe tonight as just a casual meal, the light in Nuonuo's eyes dimmed, and any remaining hope was extinguished.

In the next few minutes, the sound of her steak knife scraping against the plate became louder.

But the food on the plate hadn't decreased much. Soon, Nono put down her knife and fork, looked up at Lin Yuan, and asked, "Are you full?"

Lin Yuan finished his drink and said, "I'm full. You know, the chef on the second floor is really good. I won't order from the cafeteria on the first floor for late-night snacks anymore."

Nono ignored him and beckoned a waiter to sign the bill.

Given her usual temperament, after such a frustrating meal, she should just pay the bill and head straight back to her dorm, leaving this guy with his back to her.

But she was still somewhat unwilling. After experiencing so much in Egypt, it was such a rare treat to have a meal together, and it ended so abruptly. She felt a sense of emptiness in her heart.