Experience of the Scholar

【Beginning】
Midgley was solving an extremely difficult math problem on the blackboard. His math teacher checked his answer and soon cracked into a bright smile.

Math Teacher: Right on. Bravo, Midgley.

Midgley smiled shyly when his classmates complimented him. But a girl sitting around him disagreed. She thought Midgley was not particularly brilliant, so she yelled disdainfully...

Arrogant Aristocrat Classmate: Hmph! What is worth such commendation?

The father of this classmate was the richest person in the town. All treated his daughter especially well to play up to him, so none in school dared displease her; even teachers turned a blind eye to her bullying behavior. Only Midgley had never bowed to her. Instead, he confronted her every time.

Young Midgley: So, solving problems with money is worthy of commendation?

From that day onwards, hatred brewed in his aristocrat classmate’s heart. One time, she discovered that Midgley released a slime from its cage for his own experimentation. She immediately told the teacher...

【Before Battles】

Arrogant Aristocrat Classmate: Midgley! How dare you release such a dangerous creature without the teacher’s approval!

Sidekick: You shouldn’t have done that! Just because you’ve got good grades, you think you can do anything you want?

【Enemy Dialog】

Dean of Discipline: Stay away from that dangerous creature!

Young Midgley: Teacher, you don’t need to be afraid. Slimes are friendly! You’ll know if you spend some time with it.

Dean of Discipline: S...Stay away from me!

【End】
The slime followed behind Midgley, approaching the terrified teacher and the dean of discipline together. Without a way to escape, they could not help but closed their eyes and screamed. Suddenly, a cold feeling traveled from their hand when Midgley’s voice rung...

Young Midgley: Teacher, open your eyes and take a look.

The teacher and the dean of discipline slowly opened their eyes; they found that the cold feeling was the slime touching them. The two were frightened and ran off immediately, their sudden reaction scared the slime into hiding behind Midgley.

Young Midgley: See! Slimes are friendly!

However, the teacher and the dean of discipline paid no attention to what he was saying. All that occupied their heart was a fear of the unknown creature; they presumed that slimes would endanger everyone on campus. Hence, Midgley was forced to cage the slime again and was deprived the right to enter the laboratory. Nevertheless, Midgley carried out experiments without regard to classmates’ ostracization and his own safety.

Thomas Midgley: Only through trying can you find the new.

Thomas Midgley: Only through experiencing can you understand all.

【Beginning】
Midgley was mixing a strange liquid in his laboratory. The liquid was made with knowledge gleaned from the ancient manuscript. Midgley had always searched for Ancient Dragon Power. All went well at first, but Midgley gradually worked his way into a corner, failing to attain any breakthrough in his research. Midgley was at a loss...

Midgley: ‘Why can’t I get the expected results? I have followed the book exactly...’

Midgley: ‘What did I miss? What went wrong?’

Midgley decided to take a break outside the laboratory and he subconsciously passed by a dark alley. Just then, a woman bumped into him...

Strange Lady: I didn’t kill him. I didn’t abandon him...

Before Midgley was able to say a word, the lady had already walked out of the alley. In a dark corner there, a dying baby suddenly came into Midgley’s sight. Midgley turned and was about to leave, but growls of wolves came from behind. He had his heart softened...

【Before Battles】

Hungry Wolf: Grrrrrr...

Midgley: ‘What does it have to do with me?’

Midgley: ...

【Enemy Dialog】

???: ‘Life and death are predestined. You might not be able to save him.’

???: ‘Why bother? Saving him doesn’t help with your research.’

???: ‘Aren’t you searching for the mighty Ancient Dragon Power?’

Midgley: What I’m searching for is...

【End】
Maybe it was his remaining kindness being awaken, or maybe Midgley triumphed over his evil self; Midgley had an epiphany. He remembered why he researched Ancient Dragon Power in the first place. He walked to the dying baby and held it in his arms. What lay before him was a life to be saved, and a wonderful test subject.
Midgley wanted to test the capability of Ancient Dragon Power. Hence, he put the baby into a container full of nutrition and Ancient Dragon Power. Then he observed the baby’s changes. In the next morning, Midgley went to check the result. The wounds on the baby were fully recovered...This marvellous discovery was more delightful than those related to magnificent power.
Midgley walked towards the container and said in excitement...

Midgley: You’re saved! Thank me!

Some time later, Midgley created a metal puppet to move and talk for the baby. It might be for Ancient Dragon Power that the baby grew faster and cleverer than usual children. When teaching the baby, Midgley began to gradually retrieve his true self...

【Beginning】
Fort Stirling was swamped by Demons. Demonic Savants attempted to seize Ancient Dragon Power at any cost. To achieve their goal, they even sent Combatants to engage the scholars.
Gretchen and Mark charged the enemy. Suddenly, a dark shadow dashed out from the Demon army, straight at the core of Fort Stirling. Gretchen and Mark wanted to turn around and chase the figure. But they had been tangled by Demon soldiers and failed to shake them off.
On the other hand, Lisa and Midgley guarded the core area. Sounds of explosion came incessantly; the two knew that there must be fierce battles outside.
Lisa suddenly approached the entrance. When she was about to open the doors, Midgley grabbed her arm.

Lisa: I’ll go and help them!

Midgley: Impulsiveness won’t help the situation...

A boom exploded when the doors were blasted off the hinges. Midgley protected Lisa and himself with his cobra. At the entrance stood an oddly dressed Demon...

【Before Battles】

Midgley: Let’s finish him off first.

【Enemy Dialog】

???: Souls...I want more...souls...!

【After Battles】

Lisa: He was powerful...I’ve never met such a “creature”. Is he still Human?

Midgley: Maybe the Demons turned him into this.

Midgley: How pitiful. Have you even lost your humanity?

【End】
The strange Demon collapsed onto the ground. Midgley looked at him in astonishment; he never thought the Demons could alter a person like this.

???: Souls...not enough...!

???: I hear the beckon of souls...I yearn for more...

Midgley and Lisa exchanged a glance and started their attack again.

Lisa: I will protect everything important.

Midgley: And march to the future together!

【Beginning】
The scholars collaborated to triumph over the Demon army. Although they successfully protected Ancient Dragon power, Fort Stirling suffered heavy damage. It would need some time before it can be repaired. Scholars shared duties and mended different parts of the fort. Lisa and Midgley were responsible for the outside walls.
Looking at the dilapidated wall, Midgley suddenly realized that if they do not grow stronger, they might be overwhelmed by the Demon army’s next assault. In that case, all they could do is watch the destruction of the fort and the Demons’ capture of Ancient Dragon Power. The world will be thrown into chaos.
Since then, the scholars started researching on a gear named “Dragonary Craft.” They had assorted ideas and opinions toward “ Dragonary Crafts”. Failing to reach a consensus, they had no option but to divide into two groups and continue their research. The scholars agreed that when the research came to fruition, they would compare which theory was better.

Midgley: I must surpass myself!

Lisa: Don’t be limited by knowledge; only then can you get a new direction.

Lisa’s words triggered Midgley’s memory of his past self: he put behind all to get to what he wants. He could not help but laugh out loud. Such sudden laugh scared Lisa.

Midgley: Stop dreaming! We’d better hurry in our research.

【Enemy Dialog】

Agnesi: This is a “Dragonary Craft” I made with a dragon’s scale I found in the Ruins.

Midgley: And this is a “Dragonary Craft” I created imitating Ancient Dragon Power.

Agnesi: Which would be better...

Midgley: Let’s find out!

【After Battles】

Agnesi: The ceiling of “Dragonary Crafts” should not be so low...

Midgley: Looks like we need to continue our research.

【End】

Lisa: Agnesi, your Dragonary Craft...it feels special...

Gretchen: Right! It’s like someone is calling me from inside...

Agnesi: Very familiar; and very warm.

Midgley: Could it be that the scale you used to make the Craft comes from the Ancient Dragons?

Midgley: That is Ancient Dragon Power in your bodies. And you can resonate with this Craft...

Midgley: It’s quite possible that you come from the same origin.

Agnesi: Maybe I have missed some important details...

After her words, Agnesi excitedly took Lisa and Gretchen’s hands. She ran towards her laboratory while yelling. When Agnesi, Gretchen and Lisa enthusiastically anticipated the unknown experiment and power, Midgley contemplated a scheme. As he thought of the short distance from the strong and unlimited power, Midgley could not help his lips curling up...