Ch.280280. I Just Picked It Up While Passing By.

“Now, tell me.”

After sending Lucien off and lifting my head, I see Rupert gulping nervously.

“…It really is a dragon, isn’t it?”

“Yes. But how did you know Lucien was a dragon?”

“A friend I’ve known since childhood researched dragons. And I’ve actually seen many dragons myself.”

“But when they take human form, there’s no visible sign at all, is there?”

“There’s an inexplicable, peculiar aura. Young master, you haven’t seen any dragons other than Lucien, have you?”

“Hmm, that’s true.”

“If you happen to meet another dragon someday, you’ll understand what I mean.”

Still with unanswered questions, I tilted my head at Rupert.

“But are there many dragons in this world?”

“I heard directly from a dragon that quite long ago, dragons fought a war among themselves, and only a small number survived.”

“If dragons had a war, wouldn’t humans have known about their existence?”

“The dragon war happened long before humans established themselves in this land. The few remaining dragons now live hidden behind humans, like Lucien.”

If what Rupert says is true, I’ve never met a dragon besides Lucien among all the people I’ve encountered so far. I’ve never felt that peculiar aura either.

“Do you know the whereabouts of your friend who researches dragons?”

“Yes, we still keep in touch occasionally.”

I thought I should meet someone who researches dragons at least once. If I could get information about dragons, I might be able to understand Lucien’s heart a little better.

“Then would it be alright if I met this friend of yours?”

“I’ll send a letter.”

“Good. Where does your friend live now?”

“In the Western Continent.”

“The Western Continent… that’s quite far.”

“Should I ask them to come here by letter? We’re very old friends, so they would come if I called.”

“No, since they research dragons, I should be able to see their research materials there, so it makes sense for me to go directly.”

Rupert hesitates before speaking.

“Has Lucien ever transformed into dragon form?”

“Twice. Why do you ask?”

“Then she’ll soon become an adult dragon.”

“Huh? I thought the adult transformation was already in progress, but I told her to maintain her physique so people wouldn’t notice the sudden change?”

Rupert firmly shook his head at my words.

“That’s not it. Dragons go from infancy through a very brief adolescence. Then they grow into adult dragons. It has nothing to do with physical appearance.”

“Ah… so what changes when they grow into adult dragons?”

“I’ve heard they become much stronger.”

I haven’t properly fought with Lucien, but she’s already strong, and she’s going to get even stronger?

This means I need to train hard if I don’t want to fall behind my daughter!

I feel like I somewhat understand Clara’s fear of falling behind the Guardian Corps members in skill.

Clearing my throat, I spoke.

“After the academy opening ceremony, I should visit the Alphonse territory and then stop by the Western Continent.”

“It will be a good experience. But may I ask one thing?”

“Sure, go ahead.”

“How did you meet Lucien?”

“I picked her up while passing by.”

“…Pardon?”

“I just picked her up while passing by.”

Rupert continued with an expression of incomprehension.

“…How did you pick her up?”

“What do you mean how? I just bent down and picked her up.”

“Could it be that you picked her up when she was an egg?”

“Yeah, she was an egg.”

Rupert nodded as if he finally understood.

“I see… Actually, dragons don’t dislike humans, but they don’t particularly like them either. So most of them live quietly alone.”

“Ah… is that so?”

“And the fact that you raised her from an egg… that’s really unbelievable.”

“Why is it unbelievable?”

“Dragons have strong maternal instincts. They would never abandon their eggs.”

“Then why was she abandoned?”

“Probably the dragon who laid the egg either died or was in a situation where they couldn’t return.”

I leaned closer to Rupert, intrigued by these fascinating facts about dragons.

“Do dragons normally recognize the first person they see after hatching as their parent?”

“I don’t know about that. As I mentioned earlier, your relationship with Lucien is a very unusual case. My friend might not know either.”

I stroked my chin and put on a serious expression again.

“Well, I’m just asking out of curiosity, so don’t misunderstand.”

“What could I possibly misunderstand about you, young master? Please speak freely.”

“Is sexual intercourse possible between humans and dragons?”

“…Pardon?”

As Rupert leaned back and looked at me with contemptuous eyes, I tapped the desk with my palm, wearing an aggrieved expression.

“See, I knew it! I told you not to misunderstand before I spoke.”

“…Why are you asking that?”

“Because Lucien will need to get married someday.”

“Ah…”

“I understand what you were thinking, but Lucien and I are father and daughter, so I’d appreciate if you didn’t misunderstand.”

Rupert, seemingly relieved of his misunderstanding, smiled gently again.

“Well, one of the dragons I knew married a human. However, I don’t know if sexual intercourse is possible.”

“Isn’t that why they get married?”

“I don’t know, but my friend researching dragons in the Western Continent probably knows. That friend knows almost everything about dragons.”

“By the way, how did your friend become so interested in dragons?”

“Originally, they were a scholar researching magical beasts. Then one day, they went into a forest and were in mortal danger from a magical beast, but a dragon happened to find and save my friend.”

I tilted my head with a puzzled expression.

“Didn’t you say dragons don’t like humans?”

“Didn’t I also say they don’t dislike them?”

“Still, there was no need to go out of their way to save a human. That’s interesting.”

“It must have been fate.”

“Anyway, from then on, your friend switched from researching magical beasts to dragons, right?”

“That’s correct.”

I felt eager to meet Rupert’s friend in the Western Continent soon.

I too had much to learn about dragons, so I looked forward to meeting them.

“What’s your friend’s name?”

At my question, Rupert straightened his back and spoke.

“Kabla.”

*

“Next students, please come in.”

At Rupert’s words, another five students entered the interview room.

And once again, the professors began their tedious questions.

As I rested my chin on my hand with a bored expression, Professor Edwin, who was also conducting the interviews, carefully spoke up.

“…But, young master, aren’t you going to evaluate them?”

“I am.”

“…Pardon?”

I pointed to the scoring sheet on the desk.

“I’m diligently scoring them right now.”

Professor Edwin looked perplexed.

Understandable.

When I said I would visit the interview room in person, they must have wondered what questions I would ask the students, but I just sat there quietly.

However.

I had already confirmed the students’ abilities with my spiritual eye, so there was no need to question them.

Questions to check their character were already being asked by Rupert and the other professors.

By the way.

Is it because they haven’t learned anything yet?

The students’ abilities are more pathetic than I thought.

Well, at least the professors will have the satisfaction of nurturing them.

After the interviewed students left the room, I looked at Rupert with the same bored expression.

“Rupert.”

“Yes, young master?”

“Aren’t there usually geniuses among the applicants?”

“…You seem dissatisfied, young master.”

“It’s just that most of them seem ordinary.”

“Let’s be patient and watch. There might be late-blooming geniuses who will demonstrate their abilities after receiving education at the academy.”

At this, Professor Edwin joined the conversation again.

“Young master, there were a few geniuses among the students whose practical exams I personally administered.”

“Really? If someone like you, who doesn’t know how to flatter, says so, they must be real geniuses.”

“Yes, definitely. Especially a girl named Lucien was truly outstanding.”

Hearing Professor Edwin’s words, Principal Rupert froze.

Then he rolled his pupils around nervously.

I smirked and continued.

“I already know Lucien.”

“I-Is that so?”

I told her to hide her abilities, but did she fail to do so properly?

Well, there’s a limit to how much one can hide, I suppose.

Just then, the interview room door opened again, and another five students filed in.

I raised my head and immediately checked the students’ conditions with my spiritual eye, then jumped up in surprise.

“Y-You! What are you doing here?!”