Lurun Academy’s summer break begins as soon as the final exams end.
Most students either head home or go on adventures after finishing their exams, but Epherna had to stay in the dorm until the next day due to an exam for a subject in which she hadn’t completed the required class days.
It was the evening of the day marking one week since she began living with Shir.
Epherna suddenly had a question.
“Don’t you find Mister scary?”
[[Where is this coming from all of a sudden?]
“Summoned beasts and spirit beasts usually find Mister frightening. He’s from the Dragon Clan.”
[Oh, that.]
Shir looked over at Ern, who was cooking in the kitchen.
[The Dragon Clan is hard to ignore, even for me. They’re the only ones who can command us in the current world.]
Summoned beasts generally stay in the human mental realm unless they have a contract.
They’re like spirits in that regard.
Summoned beasts live by feeding off the dreams of humans.
The Dragon Clan is the only race capable of drawing them out of the mental realm and commanding them.
That’s why summoned beasts and spirit beasts fear the Dragon Clan.
“Really? I didn’t know that.”
[It’s a story from the Mythical Era over a thousand years old. Unless you’re a summon of my level, it’s just an old story.]
“So, the reason you don’t fear Mister is?”
[That man is a mixed-blood, isn’t he? He doesn’t seem to have the ability to draw out spirit beasts from the mental realm.]
“…Is that so?”
[The eyes of spirit beasts can see through a person’s essence. Although he’s a hybrid, he has a very dragon-like temperament.]
“Mister?”
The Dragon Clan is usually very mild-mannered but becomes extremely aggressive once angered.
Their temperament comes from a deep-seated desire to protect and monopolize what they care about.
Ern is the opposite.
Ern never shows anger or expresses rage.
Even during battles, though he may exude killing intent, Epherna has never seen him speak in an agitated tone or raise his voice.
[Didn’t he come from the shadows? Given his dark upbringing, he likely adopted a demeanor that fits that background. But his innate nature cannot be hidden. If provoked, he will quickly drop the mask and reveal his true dragon nature.]
“I can’t believe it…”
[Do you doubt my words?]
“I doubt it because I’ve never seen it.”
Given that Epherna had known him for four years, it was natural for her to doubt Shir’s words.
[Hmph… You’re challenging my pride.]
Shir frowned.
[Let me show you. Just how accurate my perception is.]
*****
Student Council President Emeldia Skyes could barely hide her surprise for almost the first time in her life.
As she was heading back to the dorm after the final exam, Epherna’s request stopped her in her tracks, leaving her with a confused expression.
“…Yes?”
She wondered if she had misheard.
There was no special reason for Epherna to make such a request, and it could potentially lead to a very dangerous situation if not handled correctly.
“I trust you. Because you’re a friend.”
Was that the issue? Emeldia, who had always respected her, found her resolve melting away at the simple word “friend”.
“Can you do it?”
“Y-Yes…”
Epherna silently cheered with an “Okay!” and proceeded to the next route.
The next route was the Magic and Alchemy Club.
Club President Sierra warmly welcomed her, and Epherna got straight to the point.
“Sierra. Can I ask you for one thing?”
“Huh? The princess is asking me?”
“Yes.”
Epherna relayed the plan she received from Shir to Sierra exactly as it was.
“Huh? Is that right?”
“I don’t know. I was told to do this.”
“… Huh?”
Sierra questioned the meaning of Epherna’s request, but Epherna couldn’t provide an answer.
She was also unsure if it was the right thing to do.
Epherna asked through the mental link with Shir.
‘Is this correct?’
[Just follow my instructions. If everything goes according to plan, we should be able to draw out his true nature. And nothing too serious should happen.]
‘Can I trust you?’
[Trust me, contractor. Since the moment you swallowed my wish-granting jewel, I’m on your side.]
‘…Understood.’
After all, if not Shir, who else could she trust?
Moreover, it wasn’t about causing a major incident but just playing a minor prank, so it would likely end lightly.
*****
In the administrative office.
After finishing up grades and other tasks, Ern picked up a teapot to make some tea.
“…”
The semester had ended.
While today marked the beginning of the summer break, it was expected to be quite a noisy break.
The recent emergence of the new sect Evergreen was the cause.
Until a few months ago, Evergreen was known only to a few individuals. However, they made their presence known by causing several incidents in the Northern and Eastern Duchies.
The world was gradually becoming aware of Evergreen’s existence.
Epherna deemed it unacceptable to ignore such troublemakers, given that the war had ended less than a decade ago.
‘Temur hasn’t contacted me yet.’
Communication with the plains had been cut off at some point.
Since the seal was still effective and there was no response, Temur likely hadn’t developed any strange intentions.
‘It seems there is an issue.’
It might be related to the problems involving Evergreen.
Confirmation was necessary.
Thud-!
“Professor Astra!”
He turned around.
Student Council President Emeldia.
And, Ella, a member of the Magic and Alchemy Club.
Ella, who seemed to have rushed in, was catching her breath as she spoke.
“The princess has been kidnapped!”
*****
It was a clichéd scenario and melodrama.
Epherna couldn’t erase those words from her mind.
“…Honestly, who would fall for this?”
[It involves the Student Council President as well. The plausibility is sufficient.]
“No matter how you look at it, does it make sense to kidnap the princess right in the middle of the Academy?”
The Academy had Solendril.
Unless a hero-level force was involved, it would be quickly subdued.
Assuming the kidnapping was real, the Academy would certainly not remain silent.
“It’s obvious it will be discovered soon.”
[That may be true. But what’s important is the process. With thorough preparation, we should be able to buy some time. That’s when the truth will be revealed.]
“Even so…”
Epherna was in the dormitory.
Shir had suggested that staying here would have the highest chance of not being discovered by Ern, as it was said that the darkness was closest to the lamp.
“…I don’t know anymore.”
In a state of resignation, Epherna spun mana around her eyes.
The activated spell was Clairvoyance.
This magic allowed her to see through walls and distance, enabling her to check on Ern.
Through Clairvoyance, Ern appeared to be responding calmly.
First, he went to Solendril to confirm the truth.
Of course, he was also bribed and therefore gave false information.
Solendril reported that Epherna had been kidnapped by an unknown group.
Solendril spoke at length because he had been asked to prepare a convincing excuse in advance.
And then Solendril’s mouth closed.
That was when.
Ern’s expression grew grim.
Even from a distance, a chilling killing intent spread out in all directions.
Tingle!
Epherna rubbed her cold arms.
Fear suddenly settled in a previously empty corner of her heart.
[Contractor, remember this well. The killing intent of a human who has reached such a level is like that.]
“…”
[Are you afraid?]
“…A little.”
[That’s only natural. Until now, you have only thought of that man as your mate.]
[Don’t be scared. As my contractor, you should be able to calmly deal with such killing intent.]
[This situation is also meant to give you experience. You need to understand just how extraordinary that seemingly naive man is.]
*****
A cold sensation pierced through every part of her body.
It felt as if a thousand needles were stabbing into her brain, causing her great distress.
Death was right in front of her.
It was as if a furious tiger was about to pounce.
In just 3 seconds.
The time it took for him to realize the students around him and withdraw his killing intent.
Emeldia felt the stale air seep into her lungs and took a sharp breath.
“Hah…”
She wiped her chest.
The world seemed to brighten.
Perhaps this was how soldiers who survived wars felt?
Emeldia glanced at Ern’s expression.
His face, as usual, was expressionless.
There was no sign of trouble at all.
Yet why did she want to confess everything to him right away?
Even though she wasn’t being t*rtured and he wasn’t truly going to kill her, why?
The answer was close at hand.
“I will handle the search alone, so please contact the palace as quickly as possible.”
If this man was left alone, people would die.
It’s not just one or two.
Not just a few. Although she wasn’t certain, she had a premonition that dozens, if not hundreds, of people would die at his hands.
She couldn’t allow so many people to die over such a prank.
Emeldia shouted.
“Wait a moment!”
