“Since it’s a practical exam, even small injuries are bothersome.”
With his smooth tongue, he could pass for a literature student. Anticipating this, I handed over the ointment and cotton swabs I’d prepared.
“Aren’t you going to apply it for me?”
“No way. I’m too high-class for that.”
Even those who’ve studied magic don’t have such a smooth tongue. I’m not as smooth, but my father was once known for his slick tongue.
My firm words made Damien Shore look disappointed as he took the ointment and threw away the trash.
“By the way, was someone here earlier?”
“Why do you think that?”
“The window is open. You don’t usually open that window.”
“Are you interested in me? I’m not into that. Your keen eye is scary, so please leave.”
Damien Shore made a troubled face and then smiled his trademark ‘Shore Smile.’
A young man with sharp eyes and a mysterious expression, he quietly wrote his name on the list and stood up.
“Then, see you next time, Professor.”
“Don’t get hurt. Managing the list is annoying.”
After Damien Shore left, Raiden returned with strawberries and quickly went back to the Knights’ Order. Being the vice leader, it was surprising he visited me at all.
I ate a few strawberries and headed to Building 2 during lunch.
“Welcome.”
The first to notice me was Gold Schumann Maranelli, who slowly wagged his tail. Knight Doha welcomed me warmly.
After the Chamber Jewelry Zeze incident, Sir Joseph, Zeze’s rider, said he wanted to thank me.
He gave me a piece of dragon egg shell, said to bring good luck. Specifically, I received a piece of the egg that Krypton Diamond Nebe had hatched from.
Sir Doha, Gold Schumann Maranelli’s rider, delivered it on behalf of the busy Sir Joseph.
“Maranelli. It’s dangerous.”
As soon as I approached, Maranelli subtly picked me up with his hand and drew me into his embrace.
He hadn’t acted this way before, but now the dragons seemed to like me for some reason.
This kind of attention should come from a human man, not a dragon.
Someone not younger than me, and with a proper age.
Though I had been caught several times, I relaxed my previously tense body each time it happened.
Resting my arm on his large claw and letting myself go a little, Sir Doha looked at me with a truly apologetic expression.
I tried to slip out of his hand, but Maranelli pretended not to see and simply looked towards the building.
“…It’s okay. He’ll let go when it’s time to leave.”
From a distance, I could hear the shouts of students majoring in dragon caretaking as they took their midterm exams.
There were fewer students than those training to be riders (although the dragon caretakers at Heim Wyler are also knights, the term “riders” usually refers to those with flying partners), so the exams would be completed today. Since there wasn’t much time left until the Chantal event, classes would resume immediately after the exams.
“By the way, is Dr. Hale participating in Chantal too? As far as I know, it’s mandatory for doctors and veterinarians to accompany the event.”
In Amort, doctors often sent the least experienced among them on such long official school trips.
When I was first accepted into Amort and saw the schedule for the Chantal International Academic Conference, I thought I would be chosen.
However, as the date approached, it turned out differently. Perhaps feeling guilty about the accident I had during the last medical forum, Dr. Ren volunteered to go this time.
There might be other reasons, but that was the situation.
“Well, I’m not sure this time. Normally, I’m required to participate, but someone else volunteered. Unless something happens that requires two doctors, I won’t be going.”
With a short shout, a dragon Ina Dellaf Dragon, took off into the sky.
Sir Doha, out of habit, squinted to observe the student’s posture and muttered his evaluation. The caretakers grooming the black spikes and scales at the tip of Maranelli’s tail joined the conversation.
“It might sound unnecessary, but from our perspective as caretakers, it would be beneficial for Dr. Hale to accompany us.”
“Yes, dragons raised for educational purposes at public institutions like our school, without prior travel experience, get stressed during long journeys. Even if they don’t show it, their performance might suffer on the actual day of the competition.”
“The dragons seem to follow Dr. Hale well. Even the Dragon Rozena Franzel, who used to baffle most caretakers, seems to listen to you.”
Sir Doha nodded in agreement without saying a word. Even Maranelli slowly blinked in agreement.
Only Sir Doha and I understood what that gesture meant.
Considering my current physical condition and appetite, I wasn’t thrilled about a long trip, so I just awkwardly smiled.
