(Yuuta POV)
Nyro City – Our New Home
The first room I explored in this house wasn't the bedroom, the living room, or even the balcony with the ridiculous view of the Nyro skyline.
It was the kitchen.
And the moment I stepped inside, something inside me lit up.
Not excitement—pure joy. The kind that makes your chest warm and stupidly light.
I ran my hand across the new countertop, opened the fridge just to stare at the empty shelves, and admired the oven like it was some kind of Holy Relic.
This… this was heaven.
I didn't even notice Erza until she spoke from behind me.
"Why are you this excited about a kitchen?" she asked, her voice flat, her eyes silently judging me.
I turned around like she had just asked why people breathe.
"Why am I excited? Erza, look at this! There's space—actual space! I can turn without knocking over a pot. I can cook a full course without causing an explosion or accidental arson. And look!" I opened drawers, moved around like a kid who just discovered toys. "The oven, this equipment, the fridge… this is every cook's dream. And it's mine. We didn't even have to buy it. It came with the house. Our house."
For a second, she stared at me. Then that tiny smile—the one she pretends she doesn't make—appeared.
"You really are an idiot, mortal. Getting excited over a kitchen." She shook her head. "So you don't need fancy cars, luxury items, or status?"
I shrugged. "I only need one thing."
"And that is?"
"A family."
I looked at her—really looked. "You, Elena, and Grandpa… that's already more wealth than I ever deserved. If I ask for more, I'd just become greedy."
Her eyes softened for a heartbeat—just one heartbeat—before she quickly looked away.
"…Weirdo," she muttered. "Anyway—don't forget about your graduation."
"Graduation?" I laughed. "What graduation?"
She blinked at me. "Your graduation, Yuuta. Your final day to collect your certificate. From college. You know—your degree? The thing you were studying for before… everything?"
I froze.
Completely, utterly froze.
The spatula I was holding slipped from my hand and clattered on the floor, followed by a shiny new mixing bowl I had been admiring. I didn't even move to pick them up.
"What… do you mean… today?" I whispered.
Erza rubbed her forehead like she was dealing with an idiot—which, technically, she was.
"It's been two month. You forgot all about college. And today is literally the last day to collect your graduation certificate." Her eyes narrowed. "Don't tell me you didn't know."
I stared at her, my mind slowly rebooting, like an old PC trying to process too many files at once.
College? Graduation?
Those words felt like they belonged to another life. A life before dragons, wars, curses, magic, houses, daughters, kitchens, everything.
"I…"
My voice cracked.
"I completely forgot."
The silence that followed was so embarrassing I wished the fridge would swallow me whole.
And Erza—of course—smirked.
Erza stared at me with that expression she reserved only for moments when she truly believed I had no brain cells left.
"I remember," she said, rubbing her temple. "You didn't even know you had a graduation ceremony today. Hopefully, I remembered it—since you clearly don't."
I froze mid-step, then scrambled back into the kitchen.
First I shoved the spatula into the drawer, then rushed toward the bedroom—only for Erza to block my path with one arm.
Erza remembering something for me was rare.
Erza remembering my responsibilities?
Even rarer.
"Thank you, my queen, but I'm in a hurry—please don't block my way," I said, trying to slip past.
She grabbed my ear.
Pain shot through my skull. "Ow—okay, okay! Just say it! I'm listening!"
She let go, turning slightly. A small smile tugged at the corner of her lips—one of those smiles she pretended she didn't make.
"I have a surprise for you."
"A surprise?" I blinked. "For me?"
"Yes. Just get ready, go to college, and I'll pick you up afterward."
She didn't wait for my reaction. She simply walked out of the kitchen, long hair swaying behind her, the mystery hanging in the air like a trap set by a beautiful dragon woman who enjoyed keeping me on edge.
I sighed.
A surprise from Erza could be anything—
A gift, a celebration, or maybe she bought a big coffin for me "just in case."
But thinking about it wouldn't help.
It was already 9:00 AM.
I rushed into my room, grabbed my black suit, and dressed as fast as humanly possible. The tie was crooked, I looked like a half-awake salaryman, but it was still acceptable enough for a graduation. Thankfully, Elena was asleep after running around with Allen yesterday. If she woke up now, I wouldn't escape the house for another hour.
I slipped out quietly, closed the door behind me, and started jogging down the street.
"Okay… okay… I can still make it," I muttered.
Although even I didn't believe myself.
Nyro's streets were quiet at this hour, the wind brushing past the houses, birds chirping somewhere far away. For a moment, I felt like a protagonist in some coming-of-age drama.
Then reality hit me in the face.
"Wait… I'm definitely not making it in time."
I stopped dead in my tracks.
My brain replayed one name.
"…Allen."
The shadows at my feet quivered, like something living inside them had been waiting for my call.
In the next second, Allen rose out of the darkness—silent, clean, almost graceful—and knelt instantly.
"My master, this servant has heard your call. Command me, and I sha—"
"Stop."
I held up my hand. "No dramatic speeches today. I don't have time for your poetic demon loyalist dialogue."
He blinked.
"…Yes, my master."
He looked like a disappointed dog, but there was no time to comfort him.
"You have wings, right?"
"Yes, my master."
He placed a hand on his chest. "Demonic wings capable of crossing continents—"
"Good. Then use them. I need to reach my college before the ceremony starts. If they call roll number 22 and I'm not there, I'm done. Emotionally. Socially. Spiritually."
Allen straightened, pride bursting from him like fireworks.
"I shall carry you with honor."
He rose from his kneel, and with a sharp shhhhk, two massive bat-like wings unfurled from his back. The wings stretched wide, catching the morning light, and the air rippled as he tested a few slow flaps.
He looked majestic.
He looked terrifying.
He looked absolutely ready.
"My master," he said solemnly, "I am prepared."
I lifted my arms helplessly.
"Just—please—fly gently. I only have one fragile human spine."
Allen didn't even nod.
He simply grabbed me by the waist with both arms.
And then—
WHOOSH!
The world blurred.
The ground disappeared.
The wind slammed into my ears like thunder.
"ALLEN—SLOW DOWN!" I screamed as we shot forward like a dark meteor. "I'M NOT A WEAPON—STOP FLYING LIKE WE'RE GOING TO WAR!!"
After a few chaotic minutes of flying, Allen finally landed us safely in front of the college. My legs wobbled as I stepped forward, staring at the tall, familiar gate. It had been a month since I last came here, and the last visit had been… memorable, thanks to Erza's rampage. I still didn't fully understand "Dragon Grief" back then; all I knew was that the world was lucky she didn't turn the entire building into ashes.
I took a slow breath and walked inside. With every step, old memories surfaced. After today's graduation, this place would become nothing more than a chapter in my life. I would miss it—the boring classes, the noisy corridors, the silent library where I always fell asleep, and of course, the day Erza stormed into my lecture, pointed at me, and indirectly announced I belonged to her. That single act erased my chances with every girl in the building. Time really did move faster than expected.
Students turned as I walked by, their eyes widening. Whispering spread through the hallway like wildfire.
"Isn't that him?"
"Yeah, yeah—it's that guy."
"Look at his eyes… I think he's wearing weird contacts again."
"Who's behind him? Is that a butler?"
I frowned.
"Why are they acting like this…?" I muttered. "Just because I didn't come for a month doesn't mean I turned into a celebrity."
Then I turned around—and understood everything instantly.
Allen stood behind me, completely straight and dignified, looking like a noble butler who served royalty. His aura alone could intimidate half the college.
I sighed and whispered, "Allen, hide yourself. I don't want anyone here—especially Fiona—seeing you."
Allen bowed with perfect grace.
"Certainly, my master."
A moment later, he vanished into my shadow. Gasps echoed around me.
"H-He disappeared…"
"What kind of trick is that…?"
"No way… Did I just see a ghost?"
I pretended to hear nothing and continued walking toward the courtyard. Today, the area was packed. Usually it was meant for festivals or sports days, but now, decorations hung from every corner for the graduation ceremony. Families sat together, students chatted excitedly, and teachers prepared the stage.
This was it.
Our last day in this college.
I blended into the crowd, searching for my class's seating area. Somewhere in this noisy courtyard, hidden among the people, was Erza… preparing that mysterious surprise she refused to explain.
Knowing her, it could be something beautiful.
Or something terrifying.
Probably both.
The Ceremony Begins
The courtyard was loud, cheerful, and full of life, but the moment Our principal stood on the stage, wiping his eyes dramatically as he gave his farewell speech. He wasn't the only one leaving—after today, he would retire for good. For the first time, I actually felt a little sad for the old man; he'd watched so many students grow, and now he was trying not to cry in front of everyone… failing miserably.
As I scanned the crowd, enjoying the noise and excitement, my eyes caught someone familiar. A guy in round glasses, messy hair, and an expression that always looked half-asleep.
Sam.
My old buddy.
One of the few people in college I genuinely liked.
The guy who believed in cosmic energies, destiny, and fantasy more than real life.
The guy who forced me to watch that stupid "Dragon Slayer" anime… which eventually made me fantasize about dragons… which eventually led my life to spiral into actual chaos with a real dragon queen.
I felt a smile stretch across my face as I rushed toward him.
"Sam!" I called, standing right in front of him. "Sam, it's you! How are you, buddy?"
He adjusted his goggles and stared at me blankly.
"I'm fine… but who are you?"
I froze.
"…What? Sam, what do you mean 'who are you'? It's me. We're buddies. Did you forget just because you didn't see me for one month?"
He frowned, confused.
"I'm sorry. I don't know you. I don't remember anything about you at all. Were we friends before I was in a coma?"
"Coma…?" My voice cracked. "Sam, what do you mean coma?"
He rubbed the back of his neck, trying to recall.
"The college found me unconscious on the field during the sports festival. They said an earthquake hit and I collapsed. Apparently my mind shut down from shock. I was in a coma for an entire month before a strange woman helped me recover… at least, that's what the doctor said." He let out a nervous laugh. "But I don't remember anything except my name and my family. I'm… really sorry, buddy. I don't know who you are."
A strange woman.
A month-long coma.
An earthquake.
Those events overlapped exactly with…
Erza's rampage.
My heart tightened.
"A strange woman helped you? Earthquake? Sam, what rubbish are you talking about?" I grabbed his shoulder, trying to shake the truth out of him. "Stop joking. This isn't funny."
He pulled back sharply, irritation rising in his voice.
"Stop touching me. I told you, I don't know you."
"What is this, Sam? Seriously, it's not funny—"
My eyes glowed faintly, reacting to my panic without my permission. Sam took three steps back instantly, fear flashing across his face.
"You're making me uncomfortable," he said, voice trembling.
I stood there, stunned.
Sam—my friend who always joked with me, who never feared anything supernatural—was looking at me like I was a monster.
And deep inside, a cold realization started creeping in.
He looked confused, genuinely lost, and the realization hit me—
I tried again, lowering my voice, keeping it steady even though my chest felt tight.
"Sam… that woman you mentioned. The one who helped you. Did she… happen to have white hair? Or violet eyes?"
He didn't answer.
He just stared at me, slowly, like someone replaying a memory they shouldn't have seen.
The kind of look people get when the truth matches something they've been trying to ignore.
I had only been guessing.
But if I was right…
then I needed to know why she came here.
Sam's expression alone already told me he had seen someone.
Someone he couldn't explain.
And when he finally spoke—quiet, certain—it made my stomach drop.
"She… did."
The world felt like it tilted for a second.
To be continued.