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The serpentine dragon flies up to the sky, causing every single spectator to hold their head up high, looking up to the sky, as the dragon returns the favor and looks down to them. The dragon lets out a mocking smirk, belittling them down below.

That is if anybody else besides me is still alive.

The thundering hail of thorny ice chunks finally passed, leaving a scene of Dae Sho’s obliterated underlings.

The ground, neither dirt nor grass, is soaked in the thawing ice and the fresh spilled red blood.

Even the once few standing trees have fallen, leaving the only thing that sticks are towering spiked ice. The kind of ice that came from the arctic that’s been hardened and frozen for millennia.

When Naga is summoned to this existence, the first thing it does is shower the plane with a storm of spiked ice.

One spell… One spell and it had managed to turn the table of the battlefield to our side and transformed the environment into a cold and brutal icy tundra.

No time to lose. Still laying down, I grab my vitality potion and quickly drink it. A never seen before a hideous grin spread over Naga’s face as it looked down towards the result of its rampage.

『 YOU ARE, ALL OF YOU, WEAKLINGS 』

The voice is deep, heavy, and resonant. Unlike the kind voice, I’m used to when I converse with the dragon, this one expresses such deep malice and hatred.

Even when its malice is not directed towards me, I still shiver.

『 I FORGOT HOW DECREPIT THE TIAN KIND CAN BE 』

My body starts feeling better, the stinging pain is becoming more numb, thanks to the vitality potion for sure. But blood is still seeping out, although a little less. I rip the cloth on my arm and start wrapping a makeshift bandage, trying to ignore the monstrosity outside.

『 EVEN YOUR TRUE PROUD ANCESTORS ARE NOTHING IN THE FACE OF MY WRATH 』

After finishing taking care of myself, I look around the battlefield once more. Dae Sho somehow is still alive — on the outside at least — as his face is going through a myriad of different emotions.

His eyes watching the dragon with wide, frightened eyes. Cold sweats drench his face.

Only he stands amongst the spiked hard ice. His underlings must’ve been finished, as they are not in sight.

Quiet mewling of pain and appalling are what’s left of them, maybe on the ground.

He looks shocked — frozen, his legs barely moving, one step back at a time. Retreating. All of his movements are stiff as if he’s a robot.

『 Kem! 』

A sudden spell cast. Puffs of white huge smoke surround him. A quick flash of his running silhouettes is what’s left. Running away in a flash.

The dragon swiftly chases him, leaving out of my sight.

『 WHERE ARE YOU RUNNING TO, LITTLE DRAGON? 』

Yet, even when I can’t see them, the dragon’s toying attempt can still be heard, forcing me to imagine what kind of fate lies in wait for him.

『 YOUR ANCESTORS MUST BE PROUD OF YOU FOR RUNNING AWAY LIKE THE LITTLE INSECT THAT YOU ARE 』

The ground trembles. Quick flashes of light spring out to the sky randomly.

『 WHERE ARE YOUR BOLD WORDS AND PROUD DECLARATIONS OF YOUR LINEAGE THAT WORTHS NOTHING 』

I want to move, but my body is too tired out.

『 COME SAY THOSE WORDS AGAIN SO I MAY LAUGH AS I HUNT YOU 』

All I can do is stay here and wait for Naga’s victory.

I wish I could see their fight… To make sure everything is going well. It doesn’t fit me to stay in here helplessly.

『 FOOLISH TIAN, DO YOU REALLY THINK THIS VENERABLE ONE NEEDS TO CHASE YOU DOWN? 』

A Magic circle appears on the ground, a huge one, right in front of me at that.

Then Dae Sho and Naga appear right in my own eyes.

How?! Teleportation magic?!

『 SURPRISE 』

Dae Sho’s once confident smirk immediately shifts back to the same frightening face. But amidst resignation, I start sensing defiance as rage sparks upon his face.

『 Fen! 』

Another sudden spell cast. The same burst of fire that decimated half of my shadow minions, blasting from the human-sized magic circle that hovers in front of him. The fiery red beam lances out with more heat and more than enough volume to cover the dragon, fed by his desperation, lit by his hope.

The Naga counters it with a small chuckle, as it pushes through like it is nothing, basking in its searing touch.

A swift tail smacks Dae Sho. Unseen to the eye, as I only notice it after I hear the smacking sound and the tail in Dae Sho’s former position.

It knocks him far to the edge of my sight, where a chunk of ice stops his flight. An earth-shattering impact. Releasing a shout of deep pain as he hit the spike, leaving a huge crater on the vertical ice, as he ultimately falls to the ground.

『 KOWTOW BEFORE ME FOOL 』

Somehow despite his worn-out state, Dae Sho is still able to move slightly, now kneeling and his head touching the ground, kowtowing.

「 W-w-w-why… Why are you doing this?! What has this lowly one did to anger the great ancestor! 」

Ancestor? Definitely, the wrong question to ask, as Naga releases a deafening roar, causing the ground to shake for a second.

『 DO YOU KNOW WHO THIS VENERABLE ONE IS, LITTLE DRAGON? 』

 「 M-m-my ancestor! 」Amidst his plea, he raises his head, looking directly to the dragon right in its eyes, forcing a smile「 Of course! Y-your my ancestor! My esteemed ancestor! 」

『 WRONG. I AM NAGA. YOUR ANCESTORS ETERNALLY HATED THIS SUPREME ONE 』

Out of nowhere, a frozen spike pierces Dae Sho’s abdomen. Shock and agony are clearly plastered on his face.

The ferocious smile that spread across Naga’s dragonic features that display its inhumane rows of teeth sends shivers to my back.

「 M-my family…… will never forgive this….. a-vaaa..ngeee… 」

The body slacks, laying flat on the floor, painting the dirt bright red as rivers of blood flows out from his mouth and from the huge gaping hole in his stomach.

The foe that I, despite using my all to fight, barely avoided dying to, was defeated in an instant — and in a toying manner. As if it was a tiny, insignificant matter. When it took me all my might to fight him.

With vengeance taken, the dragon seems to spare no time as it immediately dashes towards me. Its head that soared up in the sky is now lowered, closing down to me, touching the ground.

『 My Master. My Creator. Are You Alright? 』

The dragon’s voice carries an unmistakable tint of reverence. The once fierce dragon, who decimates his foes so easily, is now looking at me with its eyes that shine meekly. Its devilish and mocking smile is now replaced with a rather concerned one.

A rather abrupt change.

「 What’s up with you… Don’t worry, I’m fine… 」I say, mustering any last bit of energy I have within me.

I like to think I’m not in critical condition, but even with the help of the vitality potion, it is undeniable that I’ve lost lots of blood…

A mysterious purple light starts to emit from within the dragon’s body. It grows brighter and brighter, engulfing the dragon until it disappears inside. Worry grows more and more. I don’t know why it’s happening, but my gut feeling tells me that nothing good comes from it.

Yet, the dragon reacts with indifference, as it remains still and its attitude still the same, as if it accepts its fate.

The light brightness becomes too much to the point it stings, forcing me to close my eyes.

After a certain while the light slowly dims out, and when it is safe and the light is gone I open my eyes again. The view that greets me is jaw-dropping.

The humongous and mighty dragon is nowhere to be found, in place of it is a girl. No, a girl is not the proper word. Goddess would fit her more — as her beauty is out of this world.

Traces of the replaced dragon are apparent on her. Two bright brown horns grow out on top of her head, sharply pointing upwards zigzaggingly. Extending from the bottom that slips out from her dress is a dragon-like tail, with the same color as her hair, slightly smaller than her leg in terms of size. That’s where the dragon traits end.

Her human body is filled with tantalizing curves, as if God personally sculpted his ideal woman, wearing a one-piece purple dress that doesn’t shy away to hide her perky large beast. Her enticing, amethyst eyes gaze at me over her puffy, heart-shaped lips. She has a dainty nose and silky straight hair with the color of new bloom lilac that flows to her waist.

Her entire being radiates a bewitching aura, a mix of royal elegance and gracefulness, but with a sharp, powerful undertone. Hidden in plain sight. As her appearance would captivate anyone in her wondrous beauty.

「 Th-this grea— this one greets its creator, it’s master. 」

A feminine voice comes from her, forcing me to acknowledge her existence, reinforcing the reality where she’s not a mere illusion. Her voice carries the same depth and power, but they are greatly overshadowed by charm, grace, and intoxicating lullaby-like sound.

The girl from a seiza position bows down, lowering her upper body all the way until her chest presses against her lap. Her palms lie flat on the ground, forming a triangle directly under her face, copying Dae Sho’s kowtow. A truly revenant prostration showcasing the utmost reverence and admiration towards me…

「 Who… who are you? 」

Out of disbelief, that’s the only thing I can say. I know deep inside who she might be, but I refuse to believe in such a concept.

「 It’s me, master. The dragon you’ve summoned — your creation. 」

「 The dragon I know was never this submissive. 」I reply with curtness.「 And never adopted a human form… 」

There’s definitely a mistake.

「 This one depleted all of her reserved mana in maintaining her true dragon form and in casting her arsenal of magic spells, which subconsciously forced me to transform to my human form. This lowly one didn’t realize her true place as your creation. Sadly, this lowly one’s foolish dragonic ego obscured her true purpose in coming to her second existence, as your creation.  」

「 True purpose…? What are you trying to say? 」

「 Remember, my master, when you told this one to look from within her soul? To think hard of my own existence?  」

「 Yeah… 」I say as I recall the event where nothing unusual happens,「 what about it? 」

「 An epiphany strikes me — undoubtedly thanks to your guidance, my master.

「 I’ve realized, after pushing aside my foolish arrogant pride that deep within my soul I’ve finally had something that no sentient beings ever had and also what I’ve always craved for — a purpose. Insects had the instinct to survive, but they didn’t have the sentient mind to fully appreciate when they succeeded in their goals. Dragons could be born to fulfill some role assigned by their clan, but that was a purpose they were given.

「 I’ve come to realize, I had been reborn with a purpose, my body, my mind, my existence had been reincarnated around that purpose, for that purpose, by that purpose. You unconsciously gave me my life’s purpose. To serve you, to please you — to worship you. 」

All of this thanks from a talk out of whim? It’s undoubtedly weird how she can change her personality so easily. So many inexplicable things have happened and coupled with the recent intense fight, I can’t muster any brainpower to reason about what’s happening…

「 My master. My creator. 」She calls softly — affectionately, 「 please bestow your newly awakened servant a name. 」

「 Isn’t your name in the first place Naga? What’s wrong with your name? 」

「 That is this one’s previous life’s name. 」

In all honesty, I’m not sure what to make of all this. An almighty dragon is now submitting to me, especially more so in her womanly human figure. It would be a lie to say I hate it, but also one if I said I fully liked it.

I want to tell her that all of this is unnecessary. That she doesn’t need to prostrate and debase herself toward me. But, her prostration form looks excruciatingly stoic, as if she’s iron-willed in submitting to me. And with me being in a slightly critical condition combined with the devastated war-torn environment, we need to move and get away from this place quickly.

I should just get this over with as soon as possible and talk about this epiphany of hers more later.

「 Fine then, if that’s your request. Your name from now on will be Shen. 」

She loves to boast the title ‘God amongst dragons’ so proudly, so might as well name her from that aspect. Inspired by the Chinese word for god or deity — Shen.

「 My master… 」she says, sounding deeply ecstatic, 「 please allow this awakened servant to reaffirm her place once more by bearing witness to my oath of servitude. 」

「 What…? That’s unnecessary… 」I say, clearly shocked with what’s happening.

「 I-I insist… Please… 」

She quivers unexpectedly, still in her prostration position. Looks like I have to give in.

「 Fine… Make it quick. 」

Her quiver stops and somehow an aura of serenity and devotion comes out from her.

「 I, with the new name bestowed by his grace — Shen — solemnly pledge myself before Renald Alderhide, my creator, my lord, my master.

「 I am to fight bravely even in staggering odds on his behalf.

「 I am the guardian that defends and protects his very being.

「 To serve him; to please him; to worship him; to fulfill his commands.

「 I pledge my heart and soul to the servitude of my master until the end of times.

「 I am Renald Alderhide’s servant, and furthermore, proud to be. 」

As soon as she completes her oath, the familiar sensation of the soulbond between me and her disrupts and transforms to a gleaming thread with the exuberance of a purple diamond. Similar to the strength of the diamond, the bond becomes ever-more rigid, unbending, and feels more complete, eternal — flawless than ever before. I used to hope that the soulbond before maybe… just may be able to be cut off, but now it is truly out of the question and irreversible.

The girl raises her upper body remaining in a folded sitting position as she gazes so seriously at me. As if she’s focusing all her senses into capturing my existence.

Her expression, embarrassment? shyness? wonder?

Even in her myriad of emotions, she looks adorable and dainty, leaving no trace of the once ferocious ancient dragon that toys with its foes until finishing it with a heartless death.

 

[Click this for a link to the image if the image above is corrupted]

 

 

Previous Chapter — Next Chapter

「 Don’t be an idiot and try to resist Renald! 」Dae Sho shouts, with a tinge of mocking,  「 we’ve outnumbered you ten to one. I would like to settle this peacefully. 」

He says so, but action always speaks the loudest, and what it’s showing is the opposite. Their hands are not withdrawing away from their swords, gripping tightly to it, their posture ready and on high alert. They are not going to hold back.

I keep moving behind, creating as much distance as possible from them.  I whisper my chant. Then my long-awaited minions’ arrival comes.

In this evening light, where the sun slowly falls down, leaving the sky with a tiny glimpse of the faint sunlight. Darkness comes sooner than natural.

Rows of my shadow minions come to form, inhumane soldiers ready to fight as ever in position. Spears aligned pointing straight at them. A total of around twenty shadow minions has been summoned.

My ego and pride rise to the sky-high, as I see the twist of turns their expression has now become.

「 Wh-what?! 」

「 Dear Goddess! What kind of demonic magic is this?! 」

Their minds overloaded, seemingly trying to comprehend this absurd summoning of the unknown hostile beings.

「 Calm down, men. 」Dae sho hands race to the air, halting his underlings. Chin raised high,「 my father has always taught me to never underestimate my opponents, even if they are weak humans. Now, I can see his lesson has come to fruition. Fascinating indeed, this magic of yours. 」

He moves forward, taking his time as he steps to the front.

Why is he so confident? Wait, don’t tell me… He’s going to cast a spell?!

 

---

All of you spread out to the sides!

---

 

In a split second, I roll to the other side while catching a glimpse of a magic circle hovering over Dae Sho’s hand.

『 Fen! 』

A devastating burst of white fire comes out. Enlightening the field. As if napalm was dropped. Fire brighter than the sun. Larger than what I’ve ever seen before, leaving nothing but dust and ash. Only six of my shadow minions survived. Shit.

「 Don’t give the human any breather, all of you deal with the monsters! 」

「 Go get’em lads! 」Shouts one of the adventurers.

Calm down, Renald. Even with more than half of my shadow minions decimated, the situation is still salvageable, I mus-

『 Zan! 』

A streak of white sword’s slash trail comes at me in a flash from quite the distance. My body Instinctively tries to parry it, its razor-sharp flash signaling its menace.

*clang!*

An unexpected force hits the sword and knocks me off out of balance. Even in this considerable distance of ten meters, it can reach out to me. Does that mean it is some sort of long-range sword slash? It’s even much more powerful compared to a normal sword slash.

Dammit, I’m not given the time to arrange their fights in an effective formation. All of my attention that should’ve gone to the shadow minions is forced to be put on Dae Sho.

『 Ig—

『 Zan! 』

I stop my chant and dodge to the right. Its slash naked to the eye, as I feel an excruciating pain flowing in my cheek. A graze or wound to the cheek. My unoccupied hand goes to feel the cheek. It’s wound half a centimeter deep, and blood flows as much as its sting.

Fuck I need to focus. I almost got myself killed.

『 Zan! 』

Another from the left, my body and sword tilted to the left.

『 Zan! 』

Another from the right, my body and sword tilted to the right.

『 Zan! 』

A quick horizontal slash from the right, sweeping to my abdomen. I jump behind quickly. Almost losing my balance.

『 Yen! 』

My mind, body, and sword already prepare for another magical sword slash, yet what comes is a darkish purple magic beam, seemingly corrosive with its mystical nature, sprouting out from his hand that hovers a magic circle.

『 Sapelo! 』

A small golden invisible magic barrier appears right in front of me. Barely in the nick of time to cover me from the burst of the darkish purple corrosive magical beam.

「 Haah… Haah… Haah.. 」

Everything goes by so quickly. I’m out of breath already.

In this short amount of time, fighting foolhardy, I’ve finally come to understand Dae Sho’s way of fighting, his fighting style — an unrelenting speed and constant pressure.

Not good on my side. I need to deal with him as soon as I can. I can’t even see the condition of the battlefield with all of my attention placed on him.

「 Out of breath already, human? 」

His katana lowers to the ground, smiling mockingly. His hand sweeps his somewhat long hair, letting out a smirking smile as his chin rises up high, as he belittles me naturally with his lowered gaze.

His haughtiness radiating from his body is at an all-time high now.

My shadow minions without my lead won’t hold out for much longer, I need to do something to finish this quickly!

It’s all or nothing.

『 Ebrest! 』

Faint small white clouds surround his head, engulfing his attention to it, obscuring his sight. Flickers white stars, then, appear, indicating that he’s fully distracted. Can’t believe I’m using wits magic for offensive usage.

I swing my sword to the bottom right, aiming at his shoulder, putting all of my energy into it, desperately hoping that this one attack will finish him which leads me a step closer to surviving this hostile encounter.

At last, rather than the sense of cutting flesh, a hard wall stumps the sword’s impact. Fuck! There’s hardened steel armor beneath his slim figure?!

「 Ughh, well struck, human. But you should’ve aimed for the head! 」

「 AHHH! 」

A wince of pain unconsciously comes out of my mouth. Shortly following with excruciating pain in my hand.

My sword flew out of nowhere, escaping away from my grasp.

Its strong momentum causes me to lose my balance and ultimately fall to the ground.

I look at my hand and although it’s still intact in one piece, a wound in the palm where all of the pain is centered. A deep slash with white bone on the bottom. Blood trailing down to my arm.

My sight unconsciously darts towards the rest of the battlefield, showcasing how grim the situation is.

His dragonkin bodyguards are still in decent shape with small wounds here and there. And that one magician is surprisingly still alive unscratched, but the other adventurers aren’t so lucky. None of my shadow minions are standing, only small patches of black dust are what’s left of them. Their death causes me to lose hope.

I can’t die like this. I haven’t repaid my debts to my mother!

There’s got to be another way. Can I summon more shadow minions with the lives of the recently defeated adventurers?! Wait, no, I need to be the one who personally takes their lives.

「 Quite a shame, human. I expected a better fight than this. 」He walks slowly at me, really taking his time.「 Especially with those shadow underlings of yours that you had. But that unsurprisingly doesn’t change your fate, as your superiors — the dragonkin — tramples the lowly human race, even to this age. 」

He brandishes the sword so close at me — toying with me.

「 Now then… Where are the ancient swords?! Spit it out! And I might actually consider sparing your worthless life. 」

The tip of his blade digs into my neck. Its stinging pain flows as much as the blood that seeps out from it.

I ain’t fucking giving up. I need something. Another spell cast. One last chance.

「 Just accept your fate already, human. Don’t be stubborn. 」

He moves another step, stepping heavily on my moving hand.

I wince in pain once more, grimacing that my last chance to direct a spell at him failed.

 

---

『 My Master. My Creator. Please Summon Your Dragon. 』

---

 

A sudden desperate plea comes to my mind, that of the dragon.

「 Ancient history dictates that us dragonkin is the superior being even in our current humanoid form as power and strength run in our very blood. If it gives you small comfort, I don’t feel any gratification from winning this fight. As it is natural for me, a dragonkin to win against a human. Lest I would shame my great ancestors if I lost to a mere human. 」

My only choice is the dragon now, but should I really use such a nuclear way?

No, I must survive. Screw the consequences.

「 As your one and only lord; heed upon your creator’s call… I summon thee…『Naga』 」

 

---

『 My Master. Promise Me. That No Matter What I Do Next, You Will Continue Treating Me The Same As Before. 』

---

 

「 I promise… 」

A thunderous earthquake shakes the earth, startling everyone including me. Dae Sho especially, his eyes darts everywhere to the surroundings. He must have felt how absurd this whole thing is.

A faint surge of power surrounds the area, tensing everyone with its dominant pressure.

「 Wh-what’s… happening. What did you do, human?! 」

A massive magic circle appears out in the sky, hypnotizing the spectators to pay attention to this never-seen-before spectacle. An unknown and bizarre phenomenon, causing the start of all kind’s biggest fear — the fear of the unknown.

『 AT LONG LAST I DESCENT UPON THIS GODFORSAKEN WORLD 』

The voice that came is another earthquake, a thunder that strikes out of nowhere, something primal with inhumane malice, trembling them as it ignites their deepest subconscious fear.

『 TO REMIND ALL OF YOU WHO’S YOUR ONCE TRUE SUPERIOR 』

The dragon’s head emerges first from the massive magic circle. Bestial and Demented. None of its once elegant features is apparent. Its eyes threaten to kill as its eyebrows lower as it can get.

『 WHERE DRAGONS COWER IN THE WAKE OF MY WRATH 』

The rest of the body comes out, hovering up in the sky. Its purple lilac scales cover the body combined with its gleaming crown lights even brighter that pales the honeyed evening light, bewitching people with its archaic divine aura that contains unmeasurable power. A divine, ancient, and almighty being.

『  I AM NAGA. GOD AMONGST DRAGONS. 』

Its long wavy serpentine body moves just a little, but that alone is enough to release a powerful freezing wind of the winter, giving me the chills. Asserting them that the dragon didn’t come out for a friendly chat.

『 AND I HAVE COME FORTH TO OBLITERATE YOUR, PITIFUL, INFERIOR, EXISTENCE. 』

 

Previous Chapter — Next Chapter

Blue sky, a perfect protecting dome that plays with the sunlight on this fine beautiful day, promising to be the canvas to a peaceful and bright outlook towards life. A perfect day to be outside. What a coincidence that today is the graduation ceremony of Bosart University.

Groups of students stand in the beautiful field just beside the campus. Instead of the classic square cap that I’ve worn in my previous graduation, this time I’m wearing a cone baggy cap, similar to that of a mage.

On the grandiose stage adorned with golden and jewelry ornaments with bountiful flowers gather important figures such as the head of Bosart university and the deans of each department who one by one give boring speeches. Leaving me no choice but to grumbly pass through it with my mind somewhere else.

Next up is what seems to be an announcement of honor students, as one after the other gets called up and goes to the stage.

Just another mundane procedure of graduation ceremony. This whole thing sure takes a long time…

「 In the《School of Wits Magic》we have Renald Alderhide. With his great talent and no small amount of determination and hard work, he was able to master a legendary spell and achieve advanced level mastery in just three years from scratch — the first in the history of the《School of Wits Magic》academia. 」

Another wave of claps comes through with multiple eyes staring at me…

My name just got called. That means I have to come to the stage.

Why are they even over-exaggerating my achievements? It must’ve been purely to raise the other students’ morale or something. I mean it’s just achieving an advanced level of magic, not really a novelty.

Whatever, just follow along with the program.

I walk to the stage, where I stand side by side with the other students who apparently excel in their respective schools of magic.

Instructor Smush comes to me with other teachers approaching other students besides me. In front of me, she attaches a golden badge of the《School of Wits Magic》to my chest.

「 You might not notice it Renald, but I’m very proud to be a mentor to such a talented student. 」

Without even giving me a chance to reply, she already goes away, following other teachers in leaving the stage.

Soon shortly followed by all of us as we make our way back to the field. Surprisingly, after I’ve finally gotten back in my original position, she still stays on the graduation podium, standing with a straight back and proudly.

「 Today, in this beautiful clear weather I, Vivienne Veinard, the second royal princess, is incredibly honored to address the graduates of Bosart University that the Veinard can rely on should the need arise. My heart goes out to all of you who have worked for this achievement and waited for this day for years. Countless hours have been poured into perfecting the art of magic and many more in other fields. 」

Hmmm… Another dull speech. When will this ceremony be over…?

The boredom causes me to daydream…

「 We Veinard have been the spearhead of the prosperous humankind. We pioneer new frontiers and reach new heights never before imagined, bestowed by our knowledge and wisdom that is what makes us humans. And so as the representation of the Veinard Royalty, we’ve declared to open our campus door, to accept admission to all human kingdoms in the Concordis-sphere. 」

This major news is like a grenade thrown in the middle out of nowhere. Most are shocked as the field now is filled with countless whispers, with an equal number of students leaning towards one another, discussing the major change that’s about to happen to the Bosart University.

「 Times are changing. 」She continues her speech, not minding the ruckus,「 this is a small step towards a more united front of the great Humankind. Thank you and may Goddess Maria bless us all. 」

Cheerful hand claps of numerous graduates and spectators congratulate her speech, she ends her speech with a simple bow with her two hands daintily lifting the skirt.

And then with some last few words from the Head of the Bosart University, the graduation is drowned with loud magical fireworks, along with cheers of hooray and joyful screams.

The perfect rows and columns of students standing up become a mess as the ceremony is over and scrambles.

I follow along with Elras and Aaron in walking away to the sideline, where most students’ parents and families are waiting.

Hmm… Strange.

I remember when I received my degree I was ecstatic. Dreams and big hopes of a great degree flow to my mind, as I daydream and wonder about the desired future that what was once was soon reachable.

Now… I don’t really feel anything. Only a single thought that it’s finally over. A burdensome mandatory task is finally dealt with.

「 Reinhardt-sama, 」Aaron calls,  「 Have you reckoned before the princess’s shocking announcement? 」

「 Surprisingly no, 」Elras replies, seemingly a bit disappointed with himself,「 a loose alliance with the whole Concordis kingdoms, or maybe a closely knit alliance with a few of our neighbors? That’s within expectations, and what our kingdom usually does. But this kind? I don’t know if this is for the good or for the worse. One thing for sure, something worldwide is brewing. I have some ideas, but with how this recent event proves how wrong my speculation was, I might definitely be wrong. 」

I don’t have much to say with how clueless I am in regards to the kingdom’s politics, but even then I knew that the Veinard kingdom doesn’t act hostile with neighboring kingdoms, although they aren’t exactly friendly with them either. Neutral but likes poking other kingdom’s affairs. And they are allowed to act that way thanks to its sheer scale compared to other kingdoms.

I’ll leave it to the experts.

「 Congratulations sweetie! 」

Mother comes holding a flower banquet, looking very lovely. She runs out, arms wide open, and goes straight at me.

She comes quite forcefully, having to withstand her passionate platonic love, and even with flowers in her hand, she is still quite impatient enough to hug me tight.

I smile a bit forcefully and wave back to Aaron and Elras, where they return the gesture and give me time and space with my mother, as they go to their respective families that are waiting for them too.

「 Thank you, mother, for the flowers… 」

Honestly, I’m not a big fan of flowers, and I’m not sure how to reciprocate. But it’s the intention that matters right?

「 With this, you’ve truly become a real adult! What’s left is for you to find your special someone! 」

Special someone huh…

I’ve given up on finding one. Even if my love towards my mother is a platonic love that still leaves a gaping hole inside my heart, it will do.

It saddens me, even in her happy attitude I can still sense some guilt beneath it. Our last conversation must’ve weighed her down.

「 Excuse me, young lord! 」

Then out of nowhere, I look at that shout that seems to be addressed towards me. The housemaid in my dorm. She seems to come here in a rush with the apparent sweat that builds up around her normal features.

「 Yes? What’s with the rush? 」

「 Forgive my unsightly appearance young lord, 」she bows slightly, her hands holding the letter reaches out to me,「 a representative from the《Adventurers Creed》recently comes to the dorm and wants to give the young lord a letter containing an emergency quest they hope you can respond as soon as possible. 」

I take the letter, open it, and begin to read its content.

An emergency quest in subjecting a very recently discovered kobold nest three hours walk, outside of the city. The kobolds have an explosive growth rate, and many were spotted in the area, thus leading the guild to ask for as much support as possible. The ultimate goal is to destroy the nest, but thinning their population is also fine, apparently. Lone adventurers without an established party will be put into a team chosen by the guild. There’s already a meeting point if I can respond to the guild’s call.

The adventures guild that I sign up for huh… Strange… I know I’ve signed up to the guild in preparation for what’s to come after graduation as I can’t depend too much on Elras name, but this seems to come out of nowhere. Well, it does give a huge reward for this kind of quest.

「 You did a good job. You can go back now. 」

The housemaid replies back by bowing slightly and immediately heads back to the dorm.

「 Mother, it seems that I’ve just received an emergency and sudden quest. It should be relatively quick and short, but I have to prepare immediately. 」

「 Sweetie, you’ve just graduated! This calls for a celebration! Not a dangerous quest. Can’t you postpone it to at least tomorrow? 」

「 I’m sorry mother. The guild calls for me and it’s an emergency quest. Due to its nature, it is always sudden, although in return they give a higher reward. Could you please give me this one chance? This is a responsibility of mine I need to fulfill, as I’ve become an adult like what you’ve said, mother. 」

「 Finee…. 」She says, seemingly giving up without hiding her displeasement, 「 make sure you be careful and after the quest is over, to go back to me alright? I’ll be waiting for you in the Alderhide mansion. 」

I hurry back to campus and ride a horse provided by the guild to the main road, accompanied by the bewildered expressions of passersby.

The reason is apparent. A graduate in fancy getup seemingly fleeing from the university.

And perhaps I am.

Though kobolds are nothing to scoff at if left alone for too long. Even if it plays into my hands, I’m doing the right thing here.

A heavily fortified gate comes into view. Guards are doing searches, but just for those entering the city.

Nonetheless, a youth in stand-out clothes at full speed is apparently suspicious enough to make an exception.

「 HALT! 」One guard shouts at me while his colleagues align their spears to make sure I turn into a pincushion should I try to run past them.

「 In a hurry are we? Why don’t you show us some identification and tell us why you need to leave the city, huh? 」

I don’t know whether he thinks I’m a thief or is just being sadistic, but I don’t have the time for either.

「 I’m on a guild mission, so shut it and make way! 」

Having the badge thrust in his face luckily makes him come to his senses. 「 Le-let him through. 」

Out of the city, the road is still well-maintained, but as I navigate towards the meeting point, stony paths take over and force me to slow the horse.

At the side of the road, lies a group of adventurers, some on horseback. Swords on their hip and one of them wears the classic baggy hat — a wizard hat. Strange. That would indicate that he is a proficient magician. With magicians being rare enough, especially in《Adventurers Creed》it would be overkill for this quest. The party consisted of six people too, a bit too much for thinning out kobold’s population.

「 You must be Renald Alderhide. 」One of them says, putting up a neutral face, 「 come. We must hurry. I want this to be done before sunset, although that would be impossible from the looks of it. 」

Their horses neigh as they start moving, all of them already on the move.

What the…

No introductions or some sort of briefing on the quest? Probably as we go I guess…

 

…

 

We are already quite far away from the city, our surrounding is a thin forest, with few trees, leaving considerable open space for maneuvering. Now on foot as we are nearing the nest. We should arrive soon towards our destination. The sooner I can be done with this strange party, the better.

The party is, to mildly put it, quite a bit off. The others rarely talk with one another, so our trip is filled with a heavy silence. I understand and even expect some awkwardness since this is a loosely formed team, but this is too much.

「 Hello Renald. It’s been a while. 」

Unexpectedly, what comes to view is Dae Sho with his bodyguards. How the hell is he here?

「 I wish there is a better way to settle this, human. But time is running up for me, and you don’t do much to help me anyway. 」

「 Why are you here? What do you want Dae Sho? 」I ask, quite pissed with his roundabout attitude.

「 You know what I want. Stop being clueless and put up an innocent front. Where are the ancient swords? 」

He’s still on about the swords? I thought he gave up already.

「 I will be extra nice to you and still give you the last opportunity to give me your ancient swords and return with your pockets heavy with money. 」

「 You are still on about the swords?! I’ve told you on and on that, I’m not giving it to anyone else! 」

His face explodes with fury, his hand gripping the sword at the side of his hip.

「 First, I insist on buying your swords with no small amount of money. Second, I’ve tried to avoid using violence by ransacking your place in the hopes to find your hidden swords. Now, you leave me no choice but to cripple you, human! 」

He brandishes his sword, looking awfully similar to the distinct slightly curved single-edge sword I’ve known of in my past life. A katana. A fucking katana. To think it exists in this world too. I would’ve appreciated its craftsmanship if it weren’t pointing right in front of my face.

His underlings brandish their weapons too, including “my party”, all pointing their weapons at me. Their faces belittling and mocking me.

Shit. It’s a setup. I should’ve known!

I move ever more slowly backward, brandishing my swords. My mind is already set with the incantations that will provide me the reinforcement I direly need, preparing for the worst.

 

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