Meuang

Meuang

“Meuang.”

I held my cheeks, which had been touched by numerous Elder Dragons, with both hands and pouted my lips.

Thanks to everyone being careful not to hurt me, it didn’t hurt, but.

Still, I was a bit embarrassed about being touched by so many people like a bouncy ball, so I was just throwing a little tantrum.

‘It’s not that I dislike it, but still something feels off…!’

Of course, it would seem impolite to say this directly.

I was showing my displeasure with my whole body, but then realizing that acting this way wasn’t very mature, I quickly pursed my lips.

‘Get a grip…’

As I was trying to calm myself down, thinking this wasn’t right.

Chae-a, who had stuffed money into her pockets and the back of her hat, came trudging over and said to me.

“Chae-a is tired…”

Then she shook off all the money stuck to her body, sending it flying far away.

Whimpering, she hugged me and tried to go home.

“Let’s go home and sleep. Yuna too…”

At those words, Yuna, with her messy hair, came towards us with a haughty expression from far away, only to fall to the ground and fall asleep right there.

I was surprised, wondering how tired she must have been to fall asleep as soon as she fell.

Somteol chirped and started trying to wake Yuna up.

“Peep! Peeeeep!”

As I was staring blankly at this scene.

One of the Elder Dragons smiled awkwardly and said to us.

“I’m sorry, children. It’s been so long since I’ve seen my grandchildren…”

At those words, I chewed on my lips for a moment before eventually nodding.

After all, they must have been pinching our cheeks so much because they found us adorable.

As always, it was difficult to roughly reject someone else’s goodwill, so I slowly opened my mouth as I softened my heart.

“I’m fine. I’m happy too.”

“Really? Then just one more flower pose…”

“Let’s go.”

“I’m just kidding.”

Of course, while saying this, I was in the process of surrendering ownership of my cheeks while being held in their arms.

I was feeling that acting cute while wagging my tail was quite difficult.

The Elder Dragon holding me in their arms says something as if they just remembered.

“I forgot for a moment that the Primordial Dragon called for you, Ha-eun. You should hurry and go.”

“Yes…”

Despite telling me to hurry, they don’t seem to have any intention of letting me go.

I calmed down the Elder Dragon and then moved forward, breaking free.

*

“You’re here.”

As I enter, I see Grandma Lecia waiting for us.

It’s been a while since I’ve seen her, so I’m wagging my tail vigorously in excitement.

Chae-a, who was nearby, ran towards Grandma Lecia with sparkling eyes.

“It’s Grandma…!”

It seems she’s grown quite attached since they became close last time.

She quickly clings to Grandma Lecia’s legs and starts chattering about something.

“I missed you!”

“Yes, yes, I missed you too, dear.”

Grandma Lecia carefully hugged Chae-a, patting her gently, and continued speaking to us.

“Come here and sit down. I’ve prepared some snacks.”

Although we had eaten an enormous amount of food earlier and there was no space left in our stomachs for more food.

Still, unable to refuse her kindness, we moved forward.

Grandma Lecia’s magic made us float gently upwards and seated us in chairs.

While I was thinking about how amazing magic is, my eyes sparkling.

Grandma Lecia looked at me and asked about my well-being.

“My dear child, your face has become half of what it was. Are you eating well these days?”

“…?”

Even though I’ve been eating so well that it would be accurate to say I’m plump, with my cheeks noticeably fuller.

Grandma Lecia still seemed to think it was far from enough, looking at me with a very worried expression.

I shook my head and told her that I eat a lot, but still.

“Yes, yes, eat more.”

She piled desserts in front of me, saying I needed to gain more weight.

“……?”

Of course, she only suggested and didn’t force me.

As soon as I showed signs of being very full, she carefully moved the desserts aside and continued speaking.

“I heard you’ve been learning magic these days.”

It’s a bit embarrassing to be asked about magic by the one called the Primordial Dragon and the origin of all magic in the world.

I was blinking my eyes, wondering what to do, when.

Chae-a, who was next to me, spoke with her lips covered in whipped cream.

“Yeah! Ha-eun is amazing! She goes like, super this way!”

Chae-a explained about my abilities while waving her hands, seemingly wanting to show how amazing I am.

Yuna kept nodding and agreeing as she listened.

“That’s right. Ha-eun is awesome.”

I was so embarrassed by this situation that I had no choice but to hug my tail and hide my face.

Grandma Lecia smiled warmly and spoke to me.

“Really? Could you perhaps show this grandmother too?”

“… Yes.”

I knew well that the more I stubbornly refused in these situations, the harder it would become to do it.

Forcing my face up, which kept wanting to look down out of embarrassment, I said.

“I’ll try.”

I stretched out my hand and started moving mana as I usually practiced.

In fact, I was extremely embarrassed to demonstrate this as it was at a level I felt shy about showing others.

But thinking that I should see it through since I agreed to do it, I tried my best.

Grandma Lecia exclaimed in admiration and slowly patted my head.

“That’s amazing.”

I couldn’t hide my confusion at the sudden praise.

After all, I hadn’t shown any extraordinary magic, just circulated the mana flowing inside my body as Somteol had taught me.

So I thought Grandma Lecia might be praising me for no reason.

But it seemed that wasn’t the case.

Grandma Lecia began to praise the mana circulation I had just demonstrated.

“I can see that you’ve been practicing consistently since learning about mana. Usually, people tend to get stuck in the middle when they don’t practice like this, but Ha-eun, you’re continuing smoothly without any of that.”

More than anything else, I’m extremely happy that my hard work is being recognized.

I’m grinning with the biggest smile I’ve had today.

Grandma Lecia carefully held my hand and said.

“By the way, the nature of your mana is a bit unusual.”

I tilted my head at the word “unusual,” and Grandma Lecia calmly closed her eyes and continued.

“At first glance, it seems to have healing properties… but it’s closer to wish or aspiration rather than healing.”

Wish and aspiration?

Since it’s so abstract, I’m tilting my head in confusion.

Grandma Lecia looked at me and continued her explanation.

“In short, it would be correct to see it as a property that makes things happen as you wish.”

Hearing this, Chae-a’s eyes sparkled, and she exclaimed, “Woaah!”

“Ha-eun is amazing! As great as a sorcerer…!”

“That’s right.”

I’m smiling awkwardly as I watch the two of them getting more excited than I am.

Grandma Lecia looked at us kindly, smiled, and then calmly spoke.

“It seems to be because the blood of an ancient dragon flows in you, Ha-eun.”

Hearing this, I stare blankly at my hands, lost in thought.

Seeing this, Grandma Lecia tidied my bangs and just smiled at me.

In response to this, I hesitated for a moment before asking about a more practical issue.

“So you’re saying I should hide my power…?”

Although I didn’t feel good about pouring cold water on the warm atmosphere.

In any case, this was an issue that needed to be addressed, so I had no choice but to bring it up.

After all, great power tends to attract an equal amount of opposition.

For example, things like jealousy or malice intended to exploit it tend to cling to it.

When I asked Grandma Lecia for advice, she smiled and gave a brief answer.

“Ha-eun, you’re a dragon. And not just any dragon, but a hatchling that has appeared after a long time.”

Even without any additional explanation, I understood everything Grandma Lecia meant to say.

Having grasped her intention, I was writhing in gratitude and apology, biting my tail while making nyam-nyam sounds.

Grandma Lecia looked at me and said.

“So there’s no need to hide it. No need to worry either.”

I nodded and expressed my utmost gratitude.

* * *

After finishing the conversation with Grandma Lecia, I came outside to see Seo-rin chatting with the Elder Dragons.

The atmosphere seemed quite lively, so I approached quietly out of curiosity and overheard them talking about me.

“When Ha-eun sleeps, she hugs her tail and bites it. It’s really cute. Oh, I have some photos of that, would you like to see?”

“How can there be such a good child? Thank you, oh, and I heard she’s doing something like being a hunter? I’ll give her a few unused magic books from the storage.”

“Oh, you don’t have to do that.”

“It’s not being used anyway, so take it without burden. Well… if you feel sorry, maybe some photos and videos of Ha-eun…”

 

Is it just my imagination, or am I hearing some strange conversation?

While I was bewildered by the thought that here, instead of currency units like won or dollars, it seemed that one of my photos or videos had become the unit of exchange.

Seo-rin spots me and starts waving her hands frantically.

“Ha-eun!”

I pretend to give in to Seo-rin’s gestures and approach her while giggling.

Seo-rin hugs me, lifts me up, and says.

“Did you eat a lot of delicious food?”

“Yeah.”

“Good job.”

It might be just my imagination, but I feel like Seo-rin has become much stronger now compared to earlier.

If I can sense it even with my still clumsy magic skills, I wonder if she has become incredibly strong.

The elder dragons in front of us chuckle and say.

“Seo-rin, then we’ll ask for the video and photos. We’ll arrange the dungeon priority and items separately.”

“Oh, yes!”

“Hoho.”

One of the grandfathers looks at Seo-rin and me alternately with a very satisfied expression.

I felt something strange seeing this scene, but.

Thinking that Seo-rin seems to be getting stronger even faster than in the original story, I blinked, figuring that what’s good is good for now.