"So, in the end, nothing really changed."
After listening to the whole story, Morin delivered his conclusion.
"How can you say nothing changed?!" Luminous protested. "You're completely denying all my effort!"
It had already been a week since Valentine's Day. Life had returned to its usual rhythm. Classes. Training. Explosions from the Equipment Department. Aside from the course content being wildly different from normal universities, Cassell College still felt like a real campus.
During today's "daily training," Morin had casually asked about yesterday. Luminous, who'd been holding it in and itching to talk, finally spilled everything-though with some hesitation.
"Alright." Morin nodded. "Let me ask it differently."
"Do you still talk to Zero every day?"
"Of course." Luminous answered without hesitation. "She talks to me first. As classmates, wouldn't it be rude not to reply?"
"Do you still run together every day?"
"That's... also normal." His confidence dipped slightly. "We're both running enthusiasts. Training is boring. It makes sense to pair up."
"Do you still eat together every day? Sit together in class?" Morin continued. "Study together in the library. Join the Kendo Club together. Together-"
"Stop! Stop! Boss, stop!" Luminous panicked. His expression was painfully guilty. Before, he could still lie to himself. Once Morin listed everything out loud, that self-deception collapsed instantly.
"...Boss, how did you even notice all this?" Luminous scratched his head.
"I didn't notice," Morin replied calmly. "Anyone with eyes could see it."
He placed a laptop in front of Luminous.
"And have you seriously not checked the forums recently?"
"What?!" Luminous leaned in.
Morin had already typed in the keywords: Queen Zero and S-Rank.
The screen filled instantly.
Thread after thread. Titles so dramatic they could be adapted into a TV series.
"'Shocking! Valentine's Date!' 'Sweet Daily Life Vol. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5...'" Luminous froze. "They made it into a series?!"
"You didn't notice the reporter?" Morin said calmly. "That's the key point."
"Reporter... Finger?!" Luminous's shock doubled. "I told him not to write about this anymore! I even treated him to midnight snacks!"
"Anyone else would've honored that deal," Morin sighed. "I suspect he did a few things behind your back to 'make up' for that snack."
"No wonder he randomly treated me later!" Luminous gritted his teeth. "So shameless! I even believed him when he said he'd finally made some money!"
"That part might actually be true," Morin said sympathetically. "Those threads are pay-per-view. People don't mind paying to read about an S-Rank like you."
"...So I was sold out without knowing it. And I was grateful," Luminous felt dizzy. "I'm going to settle this with him!"
"Go ahead," Morin waved him off. "You probably won't get much back, but at least recover what's rightfully yours."
Their phones vibrated at the same time.
Luminous's expression stiffened instantly.
This was the second time he'd felt this way. The first was during the dragon incident. Back then, Zero had been involved.
"...The Principal wants us in his office," Morin said, already done reading.
"Huh?" Luminous checked his phone.
Student Luminous:
Due to an urgent mission, report to the Principal's office immediately to receive mission details and decide on acceptance.
Other candidates: Morin, Caesar, Johann.
If nearby, notify them.
-Principal Anjou
"That's blunt," Luminous muttered. "I thought Americans liked 'Dear' and 'Hello.'"
"You've helped too many high schoolers with English homework," Morin replied, packing his laptop. "Let's go. It's been quiet lately."
"Since I'm included, it can't be that dangerous," Luminous said with misplaced confidence.
"Before that," Morin said, "look at the lineup."
"Two S-Ranks. One Super A-Rank. One A-Rank. And Caesar's family background basically bumps him up another level. With this luxury team, do you really think it's safe?"
"...As a freshman without combat classes, am I really suitable?" Luminous analyzed as they walked. "And Caesar's the heir of a major family. Shouldn't it be less likely to send him into danger?"
"That's exactly why," a calm voice said nearby.
"To prove I'm qualified to inherit the Gattuso family."
Luminous jumped. "Caesar?! Where did you come from?"
"Next room," Caesar replied, holding up his phone. "I just got the message."
He smiled at Morin. "You gave my uncle quite a headache at the board meeting."
"So normally the kid gets hit and the elder shows up. This time it's reversed," Luminous muttered.
"Don't misunderstand," Caesar said calmly. "I don't get along with my uncle. I was quite pleased."
"When it comes to strength, I want to rely on myself. The family doesn't need a coward. Only a king can lead it forward."
"...What things?" Luminous asked.
"The Dragon Bone Cross," Caesar replied. "Used in the 'Nibelungen' project. It purifies dragon blood while preventing Shadow Servant transformation. Still theoretical-because it requires killing a true Dragon King."
Morin nodded. "Once a hybrid surpasses S-Rank and remains sane, they become a true strategic force."
"That sounds insane," Luminous said.
"A plan made by madmen," Morin shrugged. "Expected."
"So where do we find a Dragon King?" Luminous asked.
"More accurately," Johann said as he appeared with Suzie, "we're going to their doorstep."
"The Kui Gate operation."
"The palace of the King of Bronze and Fire."
"White Emperor City."
-
The Principal's Office
Anjou sat behind his desk. A long black box rested atop it.
Opposite him sat an old cowboy with a beer belly so large it looked almost pregnant.
Thankfully, he was male.
Six people crowded the office.
"I called you here for a mission," Anjou said calmly. "I assume you've guessed the target."
Luminous subtly shrank back. Totally guessed it myself, he told himself.
"The King of Bronze and Fire has awakened. The King of Oceans and Water is suspected as well," Anjou continued. "You're aware of what happened recently. Some of you were directly involved."
"Even if they haven't shown destructive intent, hybrids exist to slay dragons. Once awakened, dragons will not hold back against humanity-memory or not. Cruelty is in their nature."
"We cannot be complacent."
Luminous fell silent.
He thought of Old Tang.
His first American friend.
Online, never met-but close.
And now... a Dragon King.
For some reason, Luminous couldn't reconcile the image. Old Tang hadn't felt cruel. And knowing his own personality-how bad could someone be if they got along with him?
Could awakening really erase everything?
"Facing a Dragon King requires more than courage," Anjou continued. "Bloodline. Suitability. Combat potential. After comprehensive evaluation, you were selected."
"You're still candidates."
"As for the test-"
He pointed to the black box.
Ancient patterns covered its surface.
"This contains the Seven Deadly Sins. Alchemy weapons forged by Norton himself to kill the other First Generation dragons."
"They're made from Recycled Metal-metal that has been killed. Indestructible. Capable of killing a Dragon King."
"Even Norton himself cannot control them."
The old cowboy opened the box.
"Pride. Envy. Wrath. Sloth. Greed. Gluttony. Lust."
"They're sealed. Only those with sufficient bloodline can draw them."
"The test is simple."
"Draw the sword."
-
"How long until your master hatches?" Morin asked quietly.
Samson thought. "About... ten days."
"Enough time." Morin nodded. "Need blood supplements?"
"...As a noble dragon, of course not."
Pause.
"...Actually, give me some."
"Once he wakes," Morin said, "we're going to Japan."
"Japan?" Samson asked. "Why?"
"A small island," Morin replied calmly. "With machines suitable for research."
He omitted the rest.
-
Luminous strained with everything he had.
The largest sword-Pride-finally shifted, just a fraction.
It was an eight-sided Han sword. Not impossibly heavy. But it wouldn't come out.
He'd already exhausted himself drawing Envy.
"...So I'm still not qualified," Luminous panted.
"No," Morin said. "You just lack physical strength."
"Your recent training worked. Before, I doubt you'd even draw the fourth."
He pointed to Caesar in the corner, nursing a bleeding cut from rejection.
"This is what rejection looks like."
Caesar's eye twitched.
That one hurt.
Because it was true.