As the group continued to investigate the room, Elsie noticed an old, dust-covered shelf behind the desk. Something about it drew her closer, an almost magnetic pull. She reached out and carefully pulled an ancient tome from the shelf. The book's cover was cracked and worn, the title barely legible. Only a few leters were recognizable. She wiped away the dust and squinted at the faded letters.

"Experiment on human alteration, D_a_n_f." She whispered in a guess, her heart skipping a beat, she knew something was in this book, something dire.

Y/n glanced up from his examination of the notes. "What did you find?"

Elsie didn't respond immediately. She opened the book and began to read, her eyes scanning the pages rapidly. The further she read, the more her expression shifted from curiosity to horror. Her face grew pale, her hands trembling as she turned the pages.

"This...this can't be true," she muttered, her voice shaking.

Irene moved closer, her brow furrowed in concern. "What is it, Elsie?"

Elsie looked up, her eyes filled with a mixture of anger and sorrow. "This tome dates back over a thousand years. It's from Dragnof. It states that these experiments were attempts to create humans capable of defeating dragons."

The room fell silent, the gravity of her words sinking in. Heine and Juliet exchanged worried glances, while Rose's ears flattened in distress.

Y/n stepped closer, placing a comforting hand on Elsie's shoulder. "Are you sure?" he asked gently.

Elsie nodded, her jaw clenched. "Yes. It's all here. The methods, the goals...everything." She closed the book, stepping away and hugged herself, as if trying to shield herself from its dark contents. Her expression was one of grief "These experiments were started by a group of mages. Even under my rule, they continued in secret."

Y/n's eyes widened in shock. "Dragnof... You ruled Dragnof before it was destroyed if I remember?"

Elsie nodded, tears welling up in her eyes. "Yes. I was the princess of Dragnof before I took over. We faced countless attacks from dragons, and I thought we were doing everything we could to protect our people. But now I find out that these experiments were happening right under my nose, on top of what I did. My own ancestors, the people I trusted, the people I thought knew more than I did, were conducting these horrific experiments in full knowledge of its effects."

Y/n's grip on her shoulder tightened. "Elsie, this isn't your fault. You couldn't have known, you were just a child back then."

"But I should have," Elsie replied, her voice cracking. "I should have known what was happening in my own kingdom. Instead, innocent people suffered because of our desperation to defeat the dragons." Tears dropped from her cheeks. "Millions died because of me." She sobbed in her hands.

Irene placed a hand on her other shoulder, offering silent support. "We can't change the past, Elsie. But we can stop this from continuing."

Elsie nodded, taking a deep breath to steady herself. "You're right. We need to put an end to these experiments once and for all."

"You will do no such thing," the voice declared. "I will not allow this research to be wasted."

They spun around to see a mage standing in the doorway, his eyes glinting with a dangerous mix of intelligence and determination. Beside him stood a tall figure with eyes that burned like a dragon's fire, gripping a sword that seemed to pulse with dark energy. Elsie and Y/n took a moment to realize it, this voice, it was no doubt the same as the one they heard before, during the grand ball.

Irene stepped forward, her expression a mix of confusion and curiosity. "Who are you, and why are you doing this?"

The mage sighed, his expression softening as he looked at the group. "I am Valtor, the one responsible for this research. This work is the culmination of centuries of effort. While the methods may seem dark, our intentions are to perfect the art of human enhancement. We're trying to solve every issue this research has presented, but we've faced many failures. Casualties are a grim reality."

Elsie's eyes widened with a mix of fury and sorrow. "These experiments are monstrous! You have no right to play with people's lives like this!"

Valtor shook his head slowly. "I understand your outrage. Believe me, I do. But research on past projects is not forbidden. We are attempting to solve the issues that have plagued this endeavor for centuries."

Y/n stepped forward, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword. "How do you choose who to use for these experiments?"

Valtor sighed deeply, turning his gaze to the archaic machinery and the students trapped within. His voice softened, taking on a tone of resigned sorrow. "This research began in Dragnof, under the palace. We aimed to create humans capable of defeating dragons. When the risk of discovery grew too great, we moved everything to a secret fortress in the mountains. Our methods became more desperate. From orphans and slave children to kidnapping innocents... even the first king of Dragnof knew of this project but kept it secret." He stated and then paused looking at Elsie. "We have met before princess Elsie Eleanor Irene Dragnof." He reached with his hand out towards her. "You were just a little girl back then when I saw you holding your mothers hand, looking at your father with nothing but admiration for the great king he was." 

Elsie's face paled as she processed his words. Memories of her life and rule, of whispers and half-heard conversations about dark projects, flooded back, the court mages knew of it. She remembered Belserion, her dragon consultant, mentioning it only once in a grave tone. Her voice trembled as she spoke, "I remember now. Belserion spoke of such a project. But I never thought... under my rule... this must end."

Valtor's eyes showed a glimmer of understanding. "You, too, understand the burden of leadership. The choices we make, the sacrifices... they shape the future." "Your father knew it and you will too understand that this project cannot end."

Elsie's eyes blazed with determination. "Shut up you old fart! This research is no longer needed. I created a far stronger weapon, one that can whipe out entire armies even countries. I was the first of many to come. My strongest weapon stands right at my side Y/n."

Y/n felt a surge of pride at her words but remained focused on the task at hand. "We need to dismantle this. No matter the potential, the cost is too great."

Valtor looked weary, as if the weight of centuries bore down on his shoulders. "You speak with the conviction of those who have seen much. But know this, our aim was never to harm, only to advance. To create beings that could stand against any threat."

Irene stepped forward, her eyes narrowing with suspicion as something didn't ad up. "How have you lived so long, Valtor? If you are one of the original researchers, what has kept you alive?"

Valtor's eyes darkened with a mix of pain and resignation. "I am cursed to what I believe by Ankhseram, just like many more that roam these lands. This curse grants me longevity, but it also binds me to this research. I cannot abandon it. It is my life's work, my burden to bear."

The group's collective breath seemed to hitch at the revelation. The curse of Ankhseram was a dire fate, one that bound its victims to an eternal, often painful existence. Y/n knew this curse was nothing easy, he tried to solve it on Zeref once but was caught in the crossfire of it and ended up getting knocked out for an entire day.

Irene researched the curse in the past and they came to a conclusion. The curse of Ankhseram could be different from case to case, the contradictory curse as it was called.

As the implications of Valtor's words sank in, Elsie's gaze shifted to the bookshelf behind the desk. Elsie pulled out the book she read before. She pulled it from the shelf, her fingers trembling. The cover bore the emblem of Dragnof, a dragon entwined with a sword. "This... this was done under my rule? In secret?" She showed it to him by holding it up.

Valtor nodded slowly. "Yes, your highness. And now, we continue their work, hoping to perfect what they could not."

Elsie's hands shook as she clutched the tome. "I won't let history repeat itself."

Valtor's eyes glinted with a dangerous determination. "I understand your stance. Truly, I do. But we believe in the potential of this research. It could change the world."

Irene moved closer, her eyes fixed on Valtor. "What are you really after? Ultimate power? Control?"

Valtor's smirk faded into a look of resignation. "Both. And more. We are on the brink of creating a new era."

Valtor's eyes glinted with malevolence as he raised his hand, a silent command to his partner. The dragon-eyed warrior moved like a shadow, his blade aimed straight at Elsie. Time seemed to slow as Y/n, sensing the imminent danger, leaped into action.

With a swift and powerful motion, Y/n brought his sword up just in time to parry the incoming strike. The sound of clashing steel echoed through the chamber, sending sparks flying in all directions. The force of the impact reverberated through Y/n's arms, but he held firm, his eyes locked onto his opponent's.

"Stay behind me, Elsie," Y/n growled, his voice low and steady.

Elsie nodded, her heart pounding in her chest as she retreated a few steps, her eyes wide with concern.

Taking advantage of the momentary distraction, Irene surged forward, her magic-infused staff crackling with energy. She aimed directly at Valtor, her eyes blazing with determination. "You won't harm them, Valtor!"

Valtor sneered, raising a hand to counter her attack. A burst of dark magic erupted from his palm, colliding with Irene's spell in a blinding flash of light. The two forces clashed violently, sending shockwaves through the room that rattled the very foundations.

Meanwhile, Y/n and the dragon-eyed warrior were locked in a deadly dance of blades. The warrior was relentless, his attacks swift and brutal. Y/n met each strike with precision, his movements a blend of grace and raw power. Sweat dripped down his brow as he deflected a particularly vicious swing, countering with a thrust aimed at the warrior's exposed side.

The dragon-eyed warrior snarled, twisting away just in time to avoid the fatal blow. He spun on his heel, using the momentum to slash at Y/n's legs. Y/n jumped back, the tip of the blade narrowly missing his shins. Seizing the opportunity, Y/n swung his sword upward in a powerful arc, aiming for the warrior's neck.

Both Y/n and Irene thought that using any magic attack stronger than basic level  spells could bring this cave down. That meant they could only use either physical attacks or weak spells, both of which weren't helping in this situation and hindered them greatly.

The warrior ducked, but Y/n's blade caught his shoulder, slicing through flesh and muscle. Blood spurted from the wound, staining the stone floor. The warrior hissed in pain but did not falter. Instead, he bared his teeth and lunged forward, his movements growing more desperate and erratic.

Suddenly, the warrior's eyes glowed a sickly yellow, and he began to chant in a guttural language. A bright circle with runes formed on his left hand, and with a thrust, he sent a bolt of lighting magic hurtling toward Y/n. Y/n barely had time to raise his sword, the spell striking his blade and sending a jolt of searing pain through his arm.

The air around them sizzled with dark energy as the warrior continued his assault. Y/n gritted his teeth, pushing through the pain. He slashed at the warrior's chest, his blade cutting deep into flesh. The warrior staggered back, blood pouring from the wound, but he retaliated with a flurry of spells, each one more vicious than the last. How could he still fight with that amount of damage was insane to Y/n.

One spell caught Y/n off guard, a jagged bolt of energy slicing across his side. He gasped as blood soaked his shirt, the wound burning with an unnatural heat. But he refused to back down. With a roar, he charged forward, his sword a blur of steel as he hacked at the warrior.

The dragon-eyed warrior screamed as Y/n's blade cleaved through his arm, severing it at the elbow. Blood sprayed in a gruesome arc, spattering the walls and floor. The warrior's eyes widened in shock and agony, his remaining hand clutching at the stump of his arm. But even in his pain, he managed to cast one last spell, a desperate blast of energy that sent Y/n crashing to the ground.

Y/n groaned, struggling to push himself up. His vision blurred with pain, but he could see the warrior stumbling toward him, his eyes blazing with fury. With a final, desperate effort, Y/n lunged forward, driving his sword through the warrior's chest. The blade pierced through flesh and bone, the tip emerging from the warrior's back. But Elsie gasped in horror as she saw the scene in front of her. The warrior glared at Y/n in pure rage and Y/n spit up blood too as he too had been hit right trough his chest with the sword, emerging out of his back. It wasn't over yet and he smirked determined. Focusing his magic in the palm of his hands Y/n began to cast. Seven magic circles apeared above on the ceiling to Elsies amazement. She looked in awe at him. "No he can't how did he? He's not going to use that in here is he?"  "May the seven stars bring judgement apon you." He shouted loudly and Elsie watched unable to move even a bit Y/n and his adversary getting engulfed in a bright flash of light. "Y/N!" She shouted and ran forwards, not caring that debree was flying all across the room from Irene's battle. She watched as the flash dimmed,  The warrior gurgled, blood bubbling from his lips, struck by the spell as he collapsed, lifeless, to the ground with Y/n following heavily wounded.

Irene and Valtor's magical duel was equally intense. Irene's staff glowed with a brilliant light as she unleashed spell after spell, each one met with a dark counter from Valtor. The room crackled with magical energy, the air thick with the scent of ozone and burning stone.

"You're a fool, Irene," Valtor taunted, his voice dripping with contempt. "You cannot hope to defeat me."

In that moment, Irene seized her opportunity and sprang into action. She raised her staff, its intricate designs glowing with a soft, ethereal light. With a swift movement, she transformed the staff into a sword, the blade shimmering with magical energy. She charged at Valtor, her movements graceful yet deadly.

Valtor responded with a blast of lighting magic, but Irene deftly dodged each hit jumping from side to side, her sword slicing through the air paring each bolt that would hit her as she closed the distance between them. She unleashed a series of rapid slashes, each one aimed with deadly precision. Valtor parried and counterattacked, but Irene's enchantment magic began to take effect. The ground beneath him shifted, causing him to stumble, while the air around him thickened, slowing his movements.

Valtor looked stunned at Irene, how could she cast spells without having to use her hands. Or was this an already placed trap he stepped into?

Irene continued her assault on Valtor, using her enchantment magic to manipulate the surroundings to her advantage. She made a stone wall apear in front of the entrance, blocking Valtor's escape route. "How dare you wench." Enraged, Valtor hurled a fire bolt at her, but it struck another pillar, leaving it unharmed. Irene's eyes widened with realization. If Valtor's magic couldn't damage the pillars, then neither could hers.

With renewed determination, she shifted her tactics. She had one kind of magic that trumped everything else as she made herself ready, her body radiating with a powerful aura, redish marks apeared on her cheeks. She summoned the energy of a Sage Dragon slayer, channeling it through her sword. The blade glowed with an intense light as she unleashed a flurry of attacks, each one more powerful than the last.

Valtor tried to defend himself, but Irene's attacks were relentless. She struck with the force of a dragon, her sword slicing through his defenses. Blood sprayed from his wounds, painting the floor in crimson. With a final, powerful strike, she knocked him back, his body crashing into a pillar. It was far from over and Irene knew Valtor would stand back up.

Breathing heavily, Irene prepared for her final attack. She took a deep breath Elsie watched from affar as her copy prepared what she knew to be the end of the fight. Three large magic circles apeared in front of Irene. "Sage Dragons Roar!" She shouted and a massive beam of energy erupted from her mouth, engulfing Valtor. The force of the attack was overwhelming, tearing through his body and ripping him in half. His screams echoed through the chamber before being abruptly cut off.

The room fell silent, the only sound the heavy breathing of the combatants. Irene stood over Valtor's lifeless body, her sword still glowing with residual energy. She turned to Y/n who was battered and bruised but alive, held by Elsie.

"We did it," Irene said, her voice filled with a mix of relief and exhaustion.

The aftermath of the battle left the room in eerie silence, the once formidable opponents now reduced to lifeless forms. Irene, her breath still heavy from the exertion of her final attack, quickly moved towards Y/n, concern etched on her face.

"What happened?" Irene demanded, her eyes scanning Y/n for injuries.

Elsie, her voice trembling with a mix of relief and lingering fear, answered before Y/n could speak. "Y/n was pierced in his chest by the warrior. He... he used Grand Chariot right on himself to defeat him."

Irene's gaze sharpened, and she stepped closer to inspect the wound. Despite the gravity of the situation, there was an odd calmness about her. "Grand Chariot... right on himself?" she repeated, a mixture of incredulity and admiration in her tone. "That's reckless, even for you."

Elsie, still shaken, looked up at Irene. "Aren't you worried about his injury?"

Irene shook her head slowly, a faint smile playing on her lips. "No, Elsie. I've seen him survive worse."

Elsie turned back to Y/n, her heart pounding. She watched in amazement as the wound in Y/n's chest began to close, the torn flesh knitting itself back together. Despite her protests, Y/n gritted his teeth and grasped the sword embedded in his chest, his muscles tensing as he slowly pulled it out.

"No, Y/n, don't!" Elsie cried, reaching out to stop him. But it was too late; the sword came free with a sickening squelch, blood pouring from the wound for a moment before the healing process accelerated.

"Trust me, Elsie," Y/n said, his voice strained but steady. "I've got this."

As Elsie watched, the flow of blood slowed and then stopped altogether. The wound continued to close, leaving only a faint scar as evidence of the injury. She remembered, with a sense of awe and relief, Y/n's incredible ability to heal himself. "Right I forgot about this." She whispered.

Irene nodded approvingly. "Your self-healing ability never ceases to amaze me. But next time, try not to put yourself in a position where you have to rely on it so much."

Y/n managed a weak smile. "I'll try to keep that in mind. But in the heat of battle, sometimes it's hard to avoid."

Irene's curiosity piqued, she asked, "Where did you learn Grand Chariot?"

Y/n looked up, still catching his breath. "I watched you back in Alvarez at your home, performing various attacks during the training. I memorized them."

Irene sat down, a smirk playing on her lips. "Did you also watch her in the onsen, taking a bath?"

Y/n shook his head, a playful glint in his eyes. "No, Elsie or rather her real adult version, joined me as I was taking them."

Irene side-eyed Elsie with an amused smirk. Elsie blushed but couldn't help the smile creeping on her face. "You joined him, huh? Well, that explains a lot."

"You're incredible," Elsie whispered to Y/n, her voice filled with emotion. "But please, be more careful. I don't want to lose you."

Y/n reached out and took her hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze. "I promise, Elsie. I'll be more careful. But know that I will do whatever it takes to keep you safe."

Irene watched the exchange with a thoughtful expression. She had seen many battles and many warriors, but there was something special about the bond between Y/n and Elsie. It was a strength in itself, something that could not be easily broken.

"We still have work to do," Irene said, bringing their attention back to the present. "This place holds many secrets, and we need to uncover them all."

Y/n nodded, his strength slowly returning. "Let's finish what we started."