Is this girl...
Is she my Pal?
You dare stare into the face a lady whilst she slumbers?
How tactless can you be?!
You're unbelievably strong.
Of course I am.
That's 'cause I'm a dragon!
So you're...
You're my Pal, right?
That's right. Got a problem with that?
Okay, then!
I'm Ash, and I'll be your master.
Nice to meet you.
Huh? I think you might have things a little mixed up.
Make sure you remember this.
You're not my master.
I'm your master!
What?
Situated between the Zepharos Empire to the north and the Chevron Kingdom to the south,
Zapharos Empire
Chevron Kingdom
lies Lautreamont Knight Country.
Lautreamont Knight Country
Known as the Dragon-Reading Land,
it boasts the largest dragon population on the Arc Strada continent.
This small country, which has a population of fewer than five million, is home to a unique school known as
Ansullivan Dragonar Academy.
It aims to educate and guide the young men and women who have been dubbed breeders,
due to the contracts they have formed with dragons.
Pretty seedy-looking room.
Seedy-looking? Well, excuse me!
Well, whatever.
Huh?
Hey, that's—
Is there a problem?
So where am I supposed to sleep?
The floor seems like the most fitting place for a dog like you.
What?
C'mon, you can't—
Is she for real?
Hey!
Are you half-asleep?
Hey, wake up!
Could this be...
the play-biting of baby dragons that I've heard rumors about?
I guess I can say I'm really a breeder now...
Looks tasty...
Huh?
No way! Are you trying to eat me?!
Ow!
Hey, cut it out!
Seriously, stay away from down there! Don't bite it!
Ties That Bind : The Astral Flow
Coming...
Hello, Ash Blake.
Even on a day off, oversleeping makes a poor impression.
M-Miss President! This is the boys' dorm!
Pay it no mind. Pardon me.
And there's no need for you to address me so formally.
My name will do.
Um... Is there a problem, Rebecca-san?
I've merely come to check up on your Pal.
What a wonderful night's sleep.
This is highly inappropriate!
A-And... what are these? They sure look like hickeys to me!
It's not what you think!
What else could they be?!
It doesn't appear as if they slept in the same bed.
Of course we didn't!
And these are just the marks left from a baby dragon's play bites.
Then why is she naked?
That goes without saying!
The proud dragon race has no use for clothing!
Look, just put this on, will you?
This is how you treat your master?!
As I expected. It makes sense that she wouldn't be born with clothing.
Dress her in these. They're just some of my hand-me-downs, I'm afraid.
Thank you!
Now then...
about her.
In order to determine the best way to deal with her, the Academy has decided
to request an investigation from Dr. Cornwell.
By Dr. Cornwell, you mean...
The foremost authority on dragon research.
Until Dr. Cornwell weighs in, your Pal will continue to live here.
Understood.
She's my responsibility, so I'll be sure to take good care of her.
I've already spoken with the registrar's office, so you may bill them for any expenses incurred from raising your Pal.
Make sure you buy her the things she needs.
That'll be a huge help.
This ain't too shabby!
For something designed by stupid dummy dum-dum humans, that is.
You sure are on your high horse.
So what should we buy first?
Oh, what's that?!
Even your stomach rumbles are dragon-sized.
Wh-What did you expect? I haven't even had breakfast yet.
This is really delicious!
That does it!
I henceforth declare that ansal crepes will be my staple food!
That's just a snack. If you're a dragon, you should be eating meat.
You'll never grow any bigger eating crepes.
Did I ask for your opinion?
What's wrong?
Hey!
My body... has gotten so... so hot all of a sudden...
C'mon, hang in there. Can you stand?
Let's get you to a hospital!
No.
Huh?
I can't...
I...
I can't take it anymore...
Huh?
Please... do something...
If this keeps up...
If this keeps up... who knows what'll happen?
Doing such things in the public eye? Have you no sense of decency?
Y-Your Highness!
You disappoint me, Ash Blake.
Do you think this is any way for a proud Ansullivan student to conduct herself?
N-No, wait!
Th-This is, uh...
S-S...
String...
Pa-
No peeking!
I haven't done anything wrong...
Honestly. Feeding her crepes containing ansal?
This should weaken the ansal component. She'll be fine.
Thanks for that, uh...
Cosette. And you're welcome.
For us humans, ansal is similar to alcohol.
Giving it to young dragons is strictly forbidden.
Have you learned nothing at the Academy?
Now, now. There's no need to be angry. Just look on the bright side.
You were looking for Ash, and now you've found him.
You were looking for me?
Ash Blake!
There's something I must tell you.
Me?
What I said about your Pal earlier...
I said, maybe your Pal is already dead.
That...
That was a... mistake on my part.
I lost my temper, and I just...
Sorry.
Well then, goodbye!
And there you have it. Now, if you'll excuse me.
If only she were always so amiable.
You're not defying your master
and entertaining any special feelings for that female, are you?
Of course not!
Cut that out!
Quit screwing around!
Is this a present for your little sister?
His sister? Don't be ridiculous! I'm his master!
Hey, now!
I'm beat.
Did we forget anything?
Another crepe!
You can't seriously still want to eat.
Get that dopey look off your face, and go buy me another crepe already.
Weren't you feeling sick until a minute ago?
Well, I feel fine now.
Look...
"Look," "look," he says. Hmph!
Address me properly, and call me by my name.
Name?
My name...
That's right.
I have the privilege of naming you, don't I?
I suppose if you must.
I've had a name in mind for a long time now.
You have?
Your name is... Eco.
Eco?
It's what the first breeder, Rosa Maria, named her Pal.
Eco.
Eco...
Contract formed.
Now my astral flow has merged with yours.
Astral flow, eh?
It's not half bad!
Eco. That's a pretty nice name, coming from you.
Well, I'm just glad you like it.
Dragonar Academy
How nice that you had a chance to speak with Ash.
I was merely adhering to our family motto:
"One must acknowledge one's faults gracefully."
Huh?
What's the holdup?
You disappoint me, Ash Blake!
Trying to sneak into the ladies' bathroom.
Is that any way for a proud Ansullivan student to act?
You're wrong! You've got it all wrong!
Eco went in there some time ago, and she hasn't come out!
Eco? You mean your Pal?
We found this in there, too.
What is it?
Bright Dragon Crystal residue.
Someone must have used this to abduct your Pal.
So what I thought I sensed earlier was...
Calm down!
Surely you don't mean to just run around looking for her aimlessly?
And I suppose you have a better idea?
Have you learned nothing at the Academy?
Huh?
You and Eco are connected via the astral flow, are you not?
I-Is that your Seikoku?
Yeah.
So what should I do?
First, focus your consciousness on your Seikoku.
Then, as strongly as you can, think about Eco.
All right. I'll give it a shot.
Eco... Where are you?
Please... tell me... where Eco is!
What are these?
So you can see them.
They're only visible to pairs bound by the astral flow.
Follow them. They should lead you to Eco.
Eco, wait for me!
In here!
Damn! It's locked!
Bright Dragon Crystals?
Okay, let's go.
D-Don't just leave me here!
Wh-What's going on?
Don't bother.
Do you really think you can get away with whatever you're doing to me?
Aren't you a feisty one?
Not that I have a problem with that.
A dragon being born in the form of a human is quite...
unexpected.
You mean you know about me?
That's right. I've brought you here as my research subject.
For what purpose would a dragon assume human form?
You tell me!
You mean you don't know?
But can't you access the knowledge passed down through generations of dragonkind via the Dragweiss?
I tried looking myself up in it, but I was denied access!
Denied access to the Dragweiss? It seems one mystery just leads to another...
Now I'm really curious.
If even you have no idea,
I'll have to try asking your body directly.
Dissection is the foundation of biology, after all.
Eco!
Dammit!
Stand aside!
Crimson Express!
Eco!
Get over here and rescue me!
What a rude bunch.
What are you doing to my Pal?
I am merely doing as the Academy requested,
albeit in a somewhat forceful manner.
What request?
You mean you're...
Doctor Angela Cornwell!
Doctor Cornwell? So...
In order to determine the best way to deal with her, the Academy has decided
to request an investigation from Dr. Cornwell.
You're the foremost authority on dragon research?
At first, I wasn't really interested.
But when I heard about it being a dragon born in human form, well, I became intrigued.
From the moment I laid eyes on this one, I wanted to dissect her.
But I wouldn't be able to go to such lengths at the Academy, would I?
So you're the person I sensed lurking in the shadows?
Whatever the reason, you've committed a kidnapping.
Now give me back my Pal!
I'm not going to give up such an intriguing sample that easily.
Bright Dragon Crystal!
Doctor, what have you done?
This mansion is protected by an Oracle field.
Those stone markers?
Exactly right.
Call on your Pals all you want,
but you won't be able to summon them.
I'll need you to remain silent until I have completed the dissection.
Dark Mother's Lullaby.
A-A magic circle...?
Your Highness!
Your Highness... Cosette-san...
Sweet dreams!
By the time you open your eyes, it'll all be over.
G-Give Eco back...!
Ash!
Stubborn boy!
Don't worry. I have no intention of taking your life.
After all, I don't want to become a taboo-breaking dragonslayer...
like Prince Julius.
As if...
I'd just...
sleep!
You've come all this way, and for what?!
If you fall asleep now, I swear I'll never forgive you!
You'd better listen...
Listen to your master!
Could it be?
Impossible!
Has her magic been transferred to you via the astral flow?
Spare me the particulars!
I-It can't be...
I won't let you get in my way.
I'm taking back my Pal!
It's all so...
fascinating.
Y-You sure took your time!
Look here.
Is that any place for you to be touching your master?!
Pretty full day today, huh?
Eco...
So you're my Pal.
Hey, Ash!
I heard all about the craziness that went down yesterday!
Eh?!
Copped a royal right hook in front of the entire town, eh?
It's all over the Academy!
Oh, so no one's talking about the doctor?
Doctor?
Uh, never mind. I don't want to have anything to do with her ever again.
I'll be your new homeroom teacher.
Angela Cornwell.
Wow! Shot through the heart!
You must be joking.
When will she ever learn?
You may call me Professor Angela.
Let's have a great year!
Next Time
You mongrel!
Underling!
Good-for-nothing!
What's your deal, Ash?
I feel these waves of pleasure with every word you say!
Hey! You're not—
No, no! I'm just reading what I'm supposed to say, see? Really!
Next Episode
Riot in the Streets
Huh?
Aren't I?