Chapter 166: New Friend

“One day you’ll taste an apple,” Wade sat on the grass beneath the apple tree. “Though you might not like it.”

“Why?” The little girl sat beside him.

“Because apples sold outside are very sour, sour enough to make your teeth ache.”

“I’m a dragon. I’m not afraid of sour things. When I grow up, I can even swallow stones whole.”

“But being unafraid and liking something are two different things.”

“I don’t understand what you’re saying. Mother’s memories don’t contain such things.”

“Are you afraid of being alone?”

“I’m a dragon. Of course not.”

“Then do you enjoy being alone? Do you prefer solitude or having someone to talk with?”

“You’re the first person who’s ever talked to me. I think talking with you is better than being alone.”

“So do you understand now? Being unafraid and liking something are completely different matters.”

The girl thought for a moment, then nodded.

“I understand. You’re right. When I grow up, I’ll stay far away from apples.”

“But you’ve never tasted an apple before. How can you know whether you’ll like it without trying?” Wade picked up an apple.

“Should I try eating an apple then?” The girl studied Wade’s face seriously.

“You could bravely try once. If it doesn’t taste good, you can simply never eat one again.”

“Are you educating me? Is this process where older people impart experience to younger ones called education? I’ve seen something similar in mother’s memories.”

“Yes, this is education.”

“Education is good. I like education. But should I call you teacher then?”

“That’s unnecessary. I can’t really be considered your teacher.”

“Then what should I call you? Elder? Honored One? Sir? Or… father? But Fairy Dragons don’t have fathers. We’re singular beings – only one Fairy Dragon exists at any time.”

“My name is Wade. Just call me Wade.”

“Wade… alright, then I’ll call you Wade.”

“What’s your name?”

“I don’t have one. Mother’s memories don’t show my name. Give me a name, Wade.”

“How about Wendy?”

“What does that name mean?” the girl asked.

“Nothing special. Just a common female name that came to mind,” Wade said.

“That doesn’t sound like a Fairy Dragon’s name at all. In mother’s memories, dragon names are very long and pronounced in draconic tongue.”

“Do you like those long names?”

“No.” The girl shook her head. “I think I understand – I should choose a name I like. Then I’ll be Wendy.”

“Nice to meet you, Wendy.” Wade extended his hand. Wendy looked puzzled at his outstretched hand. Wade explained, “This is a custom from where I’m from. If you shake my hand, it means we’ve become friends.”

“So that’s how it works.” Wendy shook Wade’s hand. “Now we’re friends?”

“Yes.”

“What do friends do together?”

“Talk like we just did. Or sit together quietly. Play together. Eat together. Basically anything two people enjoy doing.”

“But I’m a Fairy Dragon. I can’t always play with you. I need to focus on growing up.”

“Friends only play together when both have time to spare.”

“The outside world is so complicated,” Wendy said. “Why don’t mother’s memories contain any of what you’re saying?”

“You’d have to ask the previous Fairy Dragon.” Wade spread his hands. “I’m just a human who’s been dead over ten years. You’re the first dragon I’ve ever met.”

“Speaking of which, where exactly is this place?” Wade looked around at the lake. “How did you bring me here? How do I return?”

“This is the Fairy Dragon’s Divine Realm. Each generation’s Elf King forms a contract with the Fairy Dragon. Only contracted partners can come here and share our power.” Wendy explained. “Since we worked together to stop the demon tide, we’ve formed a contract too. But I can’t share power with you yet – I haven’t grown up enough.”

“If you want to leave, just board that boat.” Wendy pointed to the vessel moored by the lakeshore.

“What will happen to you if I leave?” Wade asked.

“Nothing will happen.” Wendy said. “It’ll be like before. Didn’t you keep me in that room previously? I rarely heard you come by. I thought you couldn’t speak.”

“You remember those times?” Wade seemed surprised.

“Of course I remember.” Wendy said. “You even used me to dig mud and hung me up for lighting. I know everything. You’re the first human who dared use a Fairy Dragon to dig mud.”

“But back then you were just a lifeless scale,” Wade said helplessly.

“You owe me compensation.” Wendy said. “I helped you, so you should help me too.”

“You brought me here just to say this?”

“That was the original intention.”

“If it’s not too difficult, I’ll find a way to help after returning. After all, we’re friends now, and friends should help each other.”

“Friends are wonderful. I should make more friends in the future,” Wendy nodded.

“So what do you need me to do?”

“I need magic and faith to grow.” Wendy said. “My current living space is too small. If I keep living there, I won’t grow even after a hundred years.”

“You mean… those glowing mosses?”

“That’s called Pure Moon Moss. Fairy Dragons sleep on Pure Moon Moss.”

“But how should I cultivate that moss? I don’t know how.”

“Let that Silver Moon Elf handle it. She knows what to do. Pure Moon Moss requires both Silver Moon Elf and Divine Tree magic to grow properly.”

“Alright, I’ll talk with Yulia later.”

“I also need more faith. The faith power you shared with me was all used against the demon tide. You need to find more followers. Originally they should believe in the Fairy Dragon, but our situation seems different. If they believe in you instead, that works too. With more followers, I can grow faster.”

“That’s more troublesome,” Wade said. “I was just a baker before – never a bishop or king.”

“Is it difficult? But I can clearly sense your followers have increased,” Wendy said.

Wade paused. “You mean those people we saved?”

“Aren’t they your followers? Without their power, I couldn’t have brought you to the Divine Realm.”

“Strictly speaking, they’re not what I’d call ‘my followers’ at all.”

“Just keep doing what you’ve been doing,” Wendy said.

“That’s no problem,” Wade said. “I planned to continue anyway.”

“Anything else?” Wade asked. “I should go check outside – I’ve been asleep too long.”

“One more thing,” Wendy said.

“Go ahead.” Wade stood by the boat.

“Remember to come back and talk with me,” Wendy said.

Wade smiled. “I will. But how do I find you again?”

“You’ve been here once. If you want to return, just envision this island in your heart. When I grow a bit more, I’ll be able to come out too.”

“Alright.” Wade boarded the boat and waved goodbye. “See you, Wendy.”

“Goodbye, Wade.” Wendy waved back.

The small boat entered the mist and disappeared.

The island in the lake grew quiet. Wendy sat beneath the tree, picked up an apple and silently examined it before taking a bite without another word.