Clemence rubbed the back of his head awkwardly, still not quite comprehending the fact that Anthony, Thomas' and Vira's son, was a legendary Dragon King. Anthony hadn't told him about how or why he was their son, but he was.
"Uh, well, I'm not a researcher like that. I've kind of only bothered about, you know, what I'm doing in this village. But as far as I know, dragons are beings only found in legends or stories. Of course, someone who knows more can probably tell you more. But dragons aren't exactly common, so I think it's understandable if not a lot of people have heard about you."
Anthony sat in silence as he pondered Clemence's answer.
Sure, dragons weren't very populous compared to other races, but they weren't on the verge of extinction. They were also mighty, large, and domineering. Going unnoticed wasn't something they were famous for. They were usually also very rich in personality, greedy, and careless in regard to other beings.
Dragons laying low to the point where humans thought of them as beings of myth didn't make sense to Anthony when they had run wild like a pack of hungry monsters when he had last bothered keeping track of the rest of his race.
Anthony was a little curious as he wanted to know what had led to this. But he figured it wasn't as important as other things. Besides, he would find out sooner or later once he started getting to work straightening out his reputation.
"Hum. Anyways, all you need to know is that I am—was the strongest Dragon King of Knowledge, Anastrus. For some reason, I am now Anthony, a human baby. That is the primary reason why I am like I am and why I am not an expert on human emotions."
Anthony ended with a nod that invited Clemence to ask any questions he might have.
"I see."
Clemence didn't know what to think. The revelation that Anthony was a transformed or reincarnated Dragon King was mindboggling. He wanted to believe it, but it wasn't his fault that Anthony had told him something unbelievable.
But as unbelievable as it was, it was also somewhat reasonable, at least as long as Clemence ignored or stretched his sense of reason. If Anthony were a Dragon King, it would explain his ability to walk, talk, count, and make potions.
However, other things could also explain those things, at least to some degree.
"It's a lot to take in, so I'll probably come up with questions as I process this. But for now, let's continue where we left off. You drink the Pulse-Raising Potion to train your body, right?"
"Exactly."
Anthony had to agree with Clemence. It was difficult to believe that he, a mythological Dragon King, had been stuffed inside a baby's body.
"It might implicate you if I tell you the reasons, but I need to become strong, stronger than I was in my past life. I have started working on a mana training method that should allow me to do so. But such a method will take a toll on my body. So, before I start using it, I am using Natural Breathing to strengthen myself and prepare for it."
"Natural Breathing as in the Primal Method?"
"Yes. It strengthens the body, mostly muscles, without interfering with the development or future usage of mana."
"I see."
Clemence nodded as he gradually began understanding that Anthony knew what he was doing.
"Well, since you seemed interested in magic, I was going to see if you wanted me to help you get a teacher before you grow of age to apply to the Academy. But since you are—was a Dragon King, that might be unnecessary."
"Ahem, no."
Anthony was a little embarrassed to admit it.
"I am still suffering from the effects of this forced rebirth, so most of my knowledge is sealed. Keeping the mana training method partly afloat is about all I can do at the moment. It's just like with these herbs. Relearning everything from the ground up is the quickest way for me to regain my previous library of knowledge."
"I see."
Clemence gave a thoughtful nod as he did his best to catch up. Clemence thought of something and looked straight at Anthony.
"Anthony, have you considered telling your parents about this? About you being a Dragon King?"
"No."
Anthony decisively shook his head. Well, he had thought about it, but he hadn't considered doing it. There was nothing to gain from it. If anything, he could lose out on two people freely providing him with food and shelter once they found out he wasn't their son. Anthony couldn't be sure, but if Thomas and Vira realized that they had given all their love and affection not to their offspring but to a dragon who had been stuffed in the body of their son, he could understand if they discarded him.
Anthony had one-sidedly saddled Clemence with a serious secret, and Clemence realized the responsibility he had been given. Since things had come to this, he could only do his best.
After all, even if Anthony was a dragon king reborn, he was still Clemence's patient. It was his duty as a doctor to help him, not to mention the sense of adventure that Atnhony's story had stirred into existence.
Helping a Dragn King stranded in the human world sounded like a fairytale. Clemence couldn't help but want to do it. And in the process, he could get Anthony to grow as a human.
Although Anthony's story wasn't entirely unbelievable, Clemence couldn't help but still look at Anthony as a child. He couldn't let him go into the world and do dangerous things alone. And right now, Clemence was in the perfect position to help Anthony.
"Thank you for trusting me with this information, Anthony. I will do my best to help you while keeping your identity safe."
"Alright."
Anthony nodded. He hadn't expected Clemence to promise him any additional help. But he appreciated it. Although shameful, the more help he got, the closer he would get to reaching his goals.
"But before you get any misunderstandings, I didn't tell you because I trust you. I told you because I value the favor and help you have already given me. I will never—Ahem. I won't say never since that's what I said about me getting defeated. But I don't trust humans that easily. I don't trust anyone that easily."