Chapter 9

The magical waves shimmered in seven colors.

(How beautiful Mr. Teacher's magical waves are...)

Luna, being carried princess-style by her teacher, sighed in admiration.

(And, as expected, Mr. Teacher is amazing.)

It takes considerable magical power to make the magic visible outside the body.

Interfering with the physical world is even higher. To shatter rocks with just that, it's in the realm of the bravest hero ever praised in history.

She didn't know her teacher's true identity.

But she knew he had strength on par with a hero.

That's why she had agreed to keep it a secret and became his disciple.

Zig and the black dragon glared at each other.

While the wind dragon was frozen in place, Zig wore a cool smile.

"Listen to my voice."

The quietly spoken words, however, rode on the seven-colored magical waves and attacked the Dark Dragon.

"I have no intention of being your enemy. I want to talk."

The black dragon narrowed its eyes and lowered its head, facing Zig.

"Thank you. Do you know that a squad is heading here to slay you?"

The black dragon didn't move a muscle, yet its eyes held a strong will. Immediately after,

"I am aware."

"You spoke!?"

Luna, surprised, quickly covered her mouth with her hand.

"I see. You intended to fight them here, didn't you?"

"Indeed."

The main road was a wide plain. With the high individual combat power of Baron Harkim and his skilled soldiers, they could handle attacks from all directions.

On the other hand, the rocky slope was unstable, making coordination difficult. The dragon, from the sky, could trigger landslides with black bullets, immobilizing many soldiers.

"However, it's not certain. Even if you drive them back, the risk of serious injury is high."

The black dragon glared at Zig silently.

"Excuse me. I was just talking about possibilities. But as long as there's danger, there's no need to push yourself, right?"

"Are you telling me to run with my tail between my legs? To taste even more humiliation?"

"Considering you were probably attacked without warning while resting during a long journey, I understand your anger. But don't you have something more important to prioritize, even if it means swallowing your pride?"

The black dragon fell silent again, glaring at Zig bitterly.

"Crossing this mountain and heading north, the mountain range is your destination, isn't it? I think it's better to go there quickly without getting involved with human squads. You might be overtaken otherwise."

Smiling mischievously, the black dragon lifted its head.

"Hmph, you see everything, don't you? It's quite annoying, but if I don't comply, you'll chase me, won't you?"

Its wings flapped loudly, and the massive body rose.

"Even if I fight them in anger, it would be the same. I can't bear my proud scales being damaged before accomplishing my goal. I'll take your advice."

The Dark Dragon ascended rapidly and eventually disappeared over the mountain.

Zig stopped the release of magic and set Luna down.

"Mr. Teacher, thank you so much!"

She bowed so deeply that her red ponytail bounced and hit Zig.

"Don't take unnecessary risks. If you get injured, it's one thing, but if you die, there's nothing I can do."

"Sorry..."

Gently stroking Luna's head, she made a ticklish, happy expression.

"By the way, Mr. Teacher, what was the conversation with the dragon about? I didn't understand the last part."

"That individual is on a journey to find a wife."

"Huh?"

Dragons are scattered around the world to avoid overlapping habitats. However, when they reach breeding age, they gather at specific locations to find partners.

"One of those meeting places is the mountain range beyond the northern border."

They also absorb magic from the earth's veins and convert it into their own power.

The black dragon, having used up its strength during a long journey from afar, had probably rested for about a week on the earth's veins near the main road.

It was found there and attacked by a slaying squad.

"Such a habit exists?"

"It's not generally known. Monsters are mysterious creatures, and dragons, in particular, live in places where humans rarely go."

Luna, impressed, sparkled her eyes.

"So, Mr. Teacher, how did you talk to the dragon—"

Zig stopped her with a hand as she leaned forward.

"Let's save that lecture for another time. The slaying squad is about to arrive."

"Oh, right."

"Try to mislead them. Of course, keep it a secret that I was here."

"Yes! I'll definitely lie well!"

Her enthusiastic response made him chuckle.

Luna waved her hand vigorously and returned to the slaying squad.

(Well, then I—)

Zig switched the emotional switch inside him.

—Maybe I'll go hunting.