Chapter 28: The Genius, Heart-Pounding Reason, and First Love Part 2

There is nothing in this world that remains unchanged.

When there is a beginning, there is always an end, and no matter how beautiful a flower once was, it is destined to rot and decay one day.

Even beings who live for eternity are no exception.

Even if the body remains unchanging, the mind is gradually worn down by the passage of time. Eventually, it would become an empty shell, without even its own will.

The end was not far off.

Sion had sensed this truth long ago.

No matter what happened, she felt no excitement.

Her emotions had grown faint, and she found herself forcing expressions.

It was time to acknowledge her limits and step down from her position as principal.

And yet, she had kept putting off the inevitable, all because of that new professor who had suddenly appeared one day.

A peculiar figure who revived the emotions that had grown so faint.

That person always exceeded her expectations, making her heart race and allowing her to genuinely smile.

He reminded her that she was still alive.

And thus, Sion could dream of the future.

She could envision a future where she could laugh happily once more, forgetting loneliness and living just a bit longer.

‘But perhaps, it was a dream too extravagant for someone like me.’

Recently, she had been quite happy.

The reward that was to be bestowed upon her for stopping the terrorist attack.

She was looking forward to proposing joint management of the academy with it in mind.

When she heard that the academy had suddenly been half-destroyed by an enemy, she couldn’t help but wonder how far ahead that professor had foreseen it all.

She felt excitement and even smiled at the thought.

But her attachment to that happiness had backfired.

She couldn’t afford to lose Riyan.

This time, she would meet the professor’s expectations.

She would deal with the enemy who attacked so swiftly, and regain the trust she had lost.

But the actions she took with that intention turned out to be an irreversible mistake.

‘Even stupidity has its limits.’

The remains of the Demon King, hidden within the academy.

Certainly, it was a valuable artifact, but there was no way it was worth more than the lives of the students.

Thus, the top priority should have been the students’ safety.

Just as Riyan had done, she should have stayed and protected everyone.

The fact that she hadn’t realized this simple truth showed that she was already disqualified as an educator.

She had no right to be principal.

“I am unfit to be principal. Please take my place and lead the academy, Riyan.”

So, Sion bowed her head before Riyan.

This was the Sion Dragon who had never lowered her head before the emperor of the empire.

Yet, she wasn’t shameless enough to act unbothered after betraying the trust of someone who had believed in her, not once but twice.

How could she dare look him in the eyes?

She bowed her head, confessing her guilt.

“I should have relinquished this position a long time ago. My stubbornness to hold on was nothing but arrogance.”

Her judgment had grown clouded.

She had acted impulsively, putting others in difficult situations.

Even if she called it the madness of old age, it was an appalling display with no excuse.

“I persisted to honor the vow I made to an old friend, but it’s time to acknowledge my limits.”

The first hero with whom she founded this empire.

The girl who had dragged her out of a cave and planted dreams within her.

Before she died, that girl had confessed that she feared being forgotten by the world.

She feared that the stories of her and her comrades would fade from everyone’s memories.

So Sion had made a promise to her.

She would never forget her, even if the world did.

She would tell their tales to the growing children, planting dreams and carrying on her will forever.

But that will had already been completely broken.

“She left me alone, unable even to die as I wished. From the moment I began to resent my friend in such a way, I had already reached my end.”

Even if she recounted her friend’s tales to the students, in truth, Sion was the only one who knew her for who she really was.

Sion was the only one who remembered what her beloved comrades were like, what they thought, and how they laughed.

That loneliness had gnawed at the ancient dragon for thousands of years.

“I entrust all authority related to the Imperial Academy to you. Please, lead the people in my stead.”

And so, it was time to step back.

Riyan, as a professor, surely understood this.

It would be a lie to say that she wasn’t bitter as the end approached.

However, if she left things in his hands, she was certain the academy would be fine.

Now, she could begin to sort out her affairs slowly.

She could now begin to slowly settle her affairs…

But for some reason, Riyan’s face turned pale.

He looked as if he had been sentenced to death.

He hastily stopped her and shouted, “Please, do not speak such sad words. Such things would only trample upon your friend’s heart!”

His hand held hers firmly, as though he wouldn’t let her go.

Through his grip, a gentle warmth spread to Sion.

“Fearing being forgotten and asking you to live to tell her story—it was surely just a lie meant to save a friend who seemed on the verge of breaking apart.”

Although Sion appreciated the consideration, she had already realized this long ago.

Her friend was not someone who would make such a selfish request.

The reason she had said those words at the end was likely because she sensed Sion had resolved to follow her as her first friend had done.

“But how could I live my whole life just yearning like this?”

She was utterly exhausted now.

She could no longer remember her friend’s face properly.

So please, let her finally escape.

Sion cried out, almost begging.

Yet even then, the hand that held hers did not release its grip.

“Please live on. Isn’t life meant to be unpredictable, where you can’t foresee even one step ahead? Perhaps even a bond you never expected is waiting for you.”

He knew she was destined to live eternally.

He knew that, even if she formed bonds, she would ultimately be left alone.

Yet he still wished for her to continue living.

This selfish statement sparked a surge of irritation within her.

The words, “What do you know about me?” rose up to her throat.

But she couldn’t bring herself to voice such complaints.

His hair, white as snow, fluttered in the breeze.

Looking straight at her with golden eyes, he made his declaration with a confidence that seemed unmatched by anyone in the world.

“There is surely someone out there. Even if they cannot walk alongside you for eternity, they will leave you with an unforgettable moment.”

He might not be able to live forever with her, but he promised to give her happiness she could never forget.

He vowed to leave her with memories so vivid they would never fade, even within eternity, so that she would never feel lonely.

And he asked her to stay by his side.

“…As expected, I can’t win against you.”

He always exceeded her expectations.

This realization naturally brought a smile to her lips.

How he could suddenly think of confessing at such a moment, how he could be so sure it would make her happy—she couldn’t understand what he was thinking at all.

It was so unpredictable that she found herself intrigued.

Her emotions had mostly faded, yet being with this man always brought her laughter.

It made her think she wanted to live just a little longer.

‘Maybe indulging in one more whim wouldn’t be so bad.’

The delegation of her principal authority was canceled.

She had just thought of a more fitting reward.

With a quick poke, she pressed her index finger against his cheek.

What followed was the appearance of a dark symbol.

It was a mark that a dragon placed on their partner, the same mark that had turned an ordinary girl into the empire’s founder.

***

Fortune and longevity.

It not only doubled one’s natural magical capacity, but if their wavelengths were well-matched, it could allow one to evolve into a dragonkin within a decade—a blessing of the highest order.

She knew she had made a mistake, but this much would surely be enough to make up for it.

And with the mood lightened, she thought it would be alright to tease him a little.

The ancient dragon immediately opened her mouth with a playful plan.

‘Since your courage is impressive, I shall accept your challenge! Let’s see if you can truly make me fall for you!’

That was her plan, to tease him.

But for some reason…

The words she had meant to say wouldn’t come out.

Her head felt dizzy.

Her face grew hot on its own.

She couldn’t even meet his eyes properly.

This series of reactions flustered the ancient dragon.

No matter how unfamiliar she was with her own feelings, she couldn’t fail to recognize what this emotion was called by society.

‘Calm down, stay composed. We are of different beings to begin with. This must merely be curiosity, just curiosity.’

She looked at Riyan, doing her best to convince herself.

Her hand trembled, her legs twisted awkwardly, but she was still the mighty ancient dragon.

After all, she had lived through nearly an eternity.

It wouldn’t do for someone like her to lose face over such a trivial matter.

Sion decided to act with composure.

Resolving to stay composed…

“Now that I think about it, I forgot to reinforce the dormitory’s barrier!”

She exclaimed nonsensically with complete composure, took off flying in composed haste, crashed into a tree with utter composure, fell in composed embarrassment, acted like nothing had happened with complete composure, and then composedly ran away.

It was a moment of utter humiliation that she would regret for the rest of her life.