"Nidhogg, the Black Dragon King."
The boy looked at the dragon in the painting.
"Thousands of years ago, he was killed on his throne. That mountain, eternally covered in ice and snow, was his seat. The one who killed him placed his massive corpse on the peak. His wings stretched all the way down to the mountain's base..."
As the boy spoke, blood-red color seeped in from all directions.
It appeared out of nowhere.
Lu Mingfei panicked and looked around, but there was nowhere to dodge. The red spread rapidly, closing in from every angle. By the time he came to his senses, it had completely swallowed him.
Only then did he realize-
He was no longer in the spacious, austere office.
He was standing in the middle of a boundless wasteland.
A flood of chaotic noise made him turn instinctively.
And then he saw it.
The Black Sovereign lay dead atop the towering mountain. His massive body nearly covered the entire peak.
Even in death, his majesty was godlike.
"His blood flowed like lava," the boy said softly. "It stained the mountain red, melted the ice and snow, and rose into the sky as blood-colored steam. It formed dark red clouds and fell as crimson rain."
"The ones who killed him bathed in the rain and cheered. They called that day the 'New Era.'"
The boy barely needed to speak.
The scene was unfolding vividly before Lu Mingfei's eyes.
Only then did Lu Mingfei understand what that endless crimson was.
Blood.
Real blood.
How much blood could such a creature possess?
How hot must it be to create a scene like this?
"This is the most ancient emperor, unrecorded by history," the boy said calmly. "The day he died, the masses cheered."
"So... he's already dead?" Lu Mingfei blurted out instinctively. "Then I don't have to slay dragons, right?"
"When the thousand years are complete, he will return," the boy said. He stepped beside Lu Mingfei and looked up at him.
"At that moment, you will take the blade in your hand and grant him eternal death."
"The epic will reach its finale."
"This is your mission..."
"Brother."
"Hey-hey-don't start calling me that!" Lu Mingfei panicked. "I've never heard of having a brother like you!"
Yet for some reason, a voice deep inside him was telling him that everything the boy said was true.
Those clear eyes reflected his own shadow.
...
"Was my pace too fast?"
Chu Zihang set the scroll down. There was a trace of confusion in his tone.
"Did he faint from fear?" Schneider checked Lu Mingfei, who was unconscious. "Vitals are normal. Has this happened before?"
"...Could it be resonance?" Morin spoke up. "Maybe his bloodline rank is too high, and he resonated with the painting. A kind of psychic shock."
When Lu Mingfei fainted, Morin had already guessed the Little Devil was acting up again. But that wasn't something he could say.
"There are no recorded cases," Chu Zihang said calmly. "But the possibility exists. He is an S-rank. It's reasonable he'd resonate more strongly, especially upon first contact with something related to dragons."
"Should we call a psychological counselor?"
"Yes." Schneider nodded. "We'll continue orientation once he wakes."
He turned to Morin.
"Do you feel anything?"
"No," Morin replied. "Is that Nidhogg?"
"Nidhogg. The Black King." Schneider seemed about to elaborate, then stopped. "I heard your Yan Ling has already awakened."
"I suppose so." Morin nodded. "Some things happened."
"As your mentor, I won't force you," Schneider said hoarsely. "But you must judge clearly for yourself. If needed, speak up."
"Dragons and humans are destined to be mortal enemies."
"And the academy exists for one purpose."
"Slaying dragons."
"I guessed as much." Morin nodded again.
"Your Yan Ling is Hyper-Analysis." Schneider continued. "Even in a passive state, your calculation ability and IQ far exceed others. When active, you're comparable to a supercomputer."
"To be blunt, that's why I chose you."
"It will be extremely useful in field operations. It will also put you in danger."
"If you want to withdraw, you can change mentors now. Your Yan Ling is universally compatible and highly sought after."
"I even used some privileges to take you."
"I appreciate the trust, Professor." Morin smiled. "In that case, I can't back out."
"Then show me your Yan Ling."
Schneider turned, opened a file cabinet, and pulled out a thick manila envelope, handing it to Morin.
"I initially thought you were A-rank," he said. "But maintaining eye contact with Chu Zihang for that long without activating Golden Pupils means one thing."
"Your bloodline is higher than his."
"I look forward to your performance in the upcoming 3E exam."
"Today's file?" Morin glanced at the date without opening it.
"The academy's supercomputer, Norma, monitors anomalies worldwide," Chu Zihang explained. "When a dragon-related incident is suspected, Execution Department specialists are dispatched."
"Some cases involve hybrids going rogue after awakening. Others involve Death Servants."
"The Execution Department resolves the source and covers it up to prevent dragon-related information from leaking."
"Rank refers to the proportion of dragon blood in the body," Schneider added. "Once the critical threshold is exceeded, degeneration becomes irreversible."
"They become Death Servants."
"Powerful. Bloodthirsty. Mindless."
"As your mentor," he said, looking at Chu Zihang, "I hope I never have to personally send you off."
Chu Zihang lowered his head slightly. He said nothing.
But how could he stop?
Not before killing that thing.
"This file was delivered today," Schneider said, sitting back. "A brutal murder case in Finland. Impossible for ordinary humans."
"Execution Department specialists have secured the scene, but they can't identify the murderer."
"All victims were staff at a psychiatric hospital," Morin flipped through the pages rapidly. "Only patients survived. The killer is likely among them."
"I need all personal files and testimonies. This is too little information."
"They're psychiatric patients," Schneider said. "Their testimonies can't be verified."
"Even unreliable statements contain relevant factors," Morin replied calmly. "They're just harder to connect."
"I also need to determine if they're lying."
He returned the files to the envelope.
"I want all testimonies. Preferably video from multiple angles. If that's not possible, I may need to go in person."
"I'll relay your request," Schneider nodded. "This case is yours."
"Ugh..."
A weak groan interrupted them.
Lu Mingfei stirred.
"What happened?" he muttered. "What just happened? Where did everyone go? Does the Execution Department have teleportation? Can I learn it?"
"You fainted the moment you saw the painting," Chu Zihang said gently. "Likely bloodline resonance."
"Oh..." Lu Mingfei shrank back. "Is that common?"
"It's never happened before."
"Senior, stop..." Lu Mingfei covered his face. "I already know I embarrassed myself."
Was that boy just a dream?
Then why did it feel so real?
Bang. Bang. Bang.
Heavy pounding hit the door.
"Schneider! Let them out!" an old man shouted frantically. "Those are my students! If you break my student, I'll have your head!"
"Professor Guderian, please calm down," another voice replied. "Lu Mingfei only experienced resonance with a painting..."
The door opened.
A white-haired old man rushed in, travel-worn and anxious. He went straight to Lu Mingfei, examining him head to toe.
"Are you alright? Say something if you feel unwell!"
"If you've been wronged, speak up! Even if I'm not tenured yet, I'll protect my student!"
"I'm... fine..." Lu Mingfei said weakly. He was startled-and oddly touched.
"Quick, check him!" Guderian waved.
A middle-aged man stepped forward and bowed deeply.
"I am Masashi Toyama," he said in fluent Chinese. "Cassell College's psychological counselor."
"It has been over forty years since we had a new S-rank."
"Forty years?" Lu Mingfei froze. "Isn't the Principal an S-rank?"
"Another possibility," Morin said calmly, "is that the Principal is very old."
"The Principal is over one hundred and thirty," Chu Zihang added.
"Over one hundred and thirty and still working?" Lu Mingfei was shocked. "Has workplace exploitation reached this level overseas?"
"Hybrids are different from ordinary humans," Chu Zihang explained. "The Principal is extremely powerful."
"The strongest."
"This is starting to feel really familiar," Lu Mingfei muttered. "Like Hogwarts. Is the Principal named Dumbledore?"
"The Principal is Hilbert Jean Angé," Chu Zihang replied seriously.
"No abnormalities detected," Masashi Toyama announced. "He is completely normal."
"You actually checked me?!" Lu Mingfei was stunned. "That was fast!"
"Of course." Masashi Toyama straightened. "Do not doubt a professional."
"Your mental state is excellent. No negative impact."
"Is this the legendary S-rank? Truly terrifying."
That's because the Boss warned me beforehand... Lu Mingfei grumbled inwardly.
I can just hide behind him and coast.
"Excellent, Mingfei!" Guderian sighed in relief and slapped his shoulder. "No negative emotions. As expected of an S-rank!"
"I'm counting on your grades to secure my tenure!"
"Ha... haha..." Lu Mingfei's smile stiffened.
If he knew the truth, he'd probably shoot me on the spot...
"Alright." Schneider stood. "Since he's awake, we continue."
"I scheduled time for this."
"I don't have much of it."
"Then continue!" Guderian said quickly. "Where were we?"
"The painting," Chu Zihang replied.
"Then I'll take over." Guderian cleared his throat.
"The Dragon Race should be erased from history. Dragon slaying has gone on for thousands of years, in places you don't know."
"To prevent their return."
"To protect humanity."
"Many dragon-slaying families have perished."
"In this era, we can no longer rely on bloodlines."
"So Cassell College was founded."
"Our duty is simple."
"Slay dragons."
"Welcome to Cassell College, Lu Mingfei."
"Morin."
I don't want to enter this dragon-slaying dungeon... Lu Mingfei wailed inwardly.
"That's the main point," Guderian said. "We can provide physical evidence later."
"Now let's discuss curriculum. You're both outstanding."
"You must choose my courses!"
"This is moving way too fast!" Lu Mingfei thought desperately.
"Oh, right." Guderian slapped his forehead. "You need to sign a non-disclosure agreement."
He pulled out two documents written in mixed English and Latin.
Lu Mingfei stared at them.
"Signing this after telling us everything..." he muttered, glancing at Morin.
"Is that really okay?"