I Became the Academy’s Heroine Stalker – Chapter 88

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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Chaos
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“…It lacks emotion.”

“Um… Na-yeon?”

“That’s not it either.”

“…Na-yeon?”

“Something’s missing.”

“Na-yeon…?”

“A little better, but… hmm.”

Nothing in this world is free, it seems.

I must have said “Na-yeon” at least ten times, each time met with complaints about lacking emotion, being too easy, or something being missing.

Well, I had said it rather casually the first time.

As if I was just saying it for the sake of getting Heaven’s Edge.

So, it wasn’t surprising she wasn’t satisfied.

But I was being sincere.

I genuinely wanted to deepen my relationship with Na-yeon, to move beyond that of master and student.

I felt bad for disappointing her.

‘Hmm…’

How could I escape this “Na-yeon” loop?

I considered hugging her, but that felt like betraying Renia for some reason(?).

Moreover, Renia had already gone home because of Drogh, and hugging Na-yeon now would make it seem like I had deliberately sent Renia away to be alone with Na-yeon.

I was searching for a more wholesome solution when, thankfully….

“It’s fine. It must have been difficult. That’s a significant improvement.”

Master relented.

As expected of the best master.

“Thank you, Na-yeon. For everything.”

I expressed my gratitude.

With that, the preparations for our expedition to the Taebaek Mountains were almost complete.

I had the ultimate weapon and reliable companions.

A Dragon Slayer and S-rank Hunter, a Succubus Queen, a 52-time regressor, and a diamond-rank Holder.

This was probably the strongest party in Awakener history, in more ways than one.

“By the way, Tae-jin?”

As I was admiring the elegant glow of Heaven’s Edge, Na-yeon spoke.

“Yeah?”

“Can I ask you something?”

“Sure.”

“Why are we going to the Taebaek Mountains? I need to know the reason to provide proper support.”

I had told her it was a training trip, but my full equipment and serious demeanor must have made her suspicious.

I couldn’t help but be serious.

From now on, I might clash directly with the villain alliance, Illusion.

No, it was more accurate to say it was inevitable.

The original protagonist of the novel had turned into a villain and died.

And Ercia, the 52-time regressor, had chosen me.

These two facts alone gave me sufficient reason and purpose to oppose Illusion.

It was also my way of honoring the original protagonist, Choi Do-han.

The trials, adventures, and dangers that lay ahead were my destiny, and there was no reason to keep them secret from those who would join me.

Especially Park Na-yeon.

She would follow me even into the depths of hell.

Well, Renia too, of course.

So,

“The reason?”

“Well, I’ll help you regardless, but I’m curious.”

I answered with a grin.

It was a simple, straightforward answer.

“I’m going to fight Illusion.”

“What…?”

“Until I defeat God R’hell.”

It might have sounded like reckless bravado, considering my sudden stat boost and acquisition of Heaven’s Edge, but Na-yeon recognized that my words weren’t just empty boasts, and a smile spread across her face.

She must have known all along.

That Raphia and Elroden, the saviors of Pangaea, would join forces once again.

“As expected. That’s my Elroden.”

Na-yeon said with a satisfied smile.

‘That’s my Elroden.’

I wasn’t sure what she meant by that, but one thing was certain: with Elroden, Raphia, Renia, Su-ah, and Hye-seo by my side, a grand adventure was about to begin.

But,

“There’s something I need to show you first.”

“Show me?”

This was why I had sent Renia home early.

I had to deal with Drogh, or rather, the Black Dragon Velokas, and decide what to do with him.

I didn’t know what he might do if left alone during our expedition, which could last for months.

But I couldn’t take him with me.

All living beings passing through the barrier needed proper identification and authorization.

And I couldn’t just leave him with someone like a pet.

Currently, the only one who could control him was Renia.

“What is it?”

Na-yeon asked impatiently.

“It’s not here.”

“Then where is it?”

“At my house.”

“It must be something important.”

Well, it was important.

The return of Velokas, the dragon who had once plunged Pangaea into darkness, was definitely a big deal.

Moreover, he was boosting my stats through the [Black Dragon Summoning] trait.

Thanks to Renia’s… care(?), the trait’s level had reached 22, increasing all my stats by 22.

So,

“Let’s go to my house.”

I led Na-yeon to my house.

She would definitely recognize him.

Even if Velokas was still just a hatchling.

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“You were quite the dragon, weren’t you?”

Renia, having arrived at Tae-jin’s house first, had released her Polymorph and was crouching in her Succubus form in front of Drogh.

Drogh, having devoured a mountain of food thanks to Renia’s generosity(?), was resting his chin on the floor with a vacant expression on his face.

They looked just like a pet dog and its owner.

-Groan…

Drogh let out a sigh as if he’d lived a long, hard life.

Bound by mana shackles, unable to even venture outside, his confinement had drained him of all motivation, leaving him in a state of utter listlessness.

“Bored, aren’t you? Stuck here all day.”

Renia, sensing his boredom, asked.

A Succubus and a Dark Dragon.

Perhaps their similar yet different natures allowed her to understand him.

Renia could read Drogh’s thoughts.

-Groan.

“I wonder what Tae-jin plans to do with you.”

Phew.

This time, Renia sighed.

They would be leaving tomorrow.

It would be a long journey, and they might never return.

Renia, feeling a strange sense of camaraderie with Drogh, another summoned being(?), felt a pang of regret.

But even she, unable to pass through the barrier without proper registration, couldn’t find a way for the growing Drogh to leave.

Especially since having a unique monster like a Black Dragon in their party would make them incredibly vulnerable to exposure.

They had even given up on using mana gliders to avoid Illusion’s eyes; taking a fully grown Black Dragon with them was too risky.

They would attract attention everywhere they went.

So,

“Hmm… What am I going to do with you?”

Renia was lost in thought.

She was still furious at the old man who had schemed inside Tae-jin’s mind, a transgression deserving of severe punishment, but that was a secret between them.

And seeing Drogh, now the size of a small shed, unable to even spread his wings, she felt a twinge of sympathy.

She wanted to release him from the mana shackles, but the decision was Tae-jin’s, and Renia, always prioritizing his wishes over her own, could only dream of it.

-Growl…

“Can you… transform or something?”

Renia suddenly asked.

Drogh lifted his head and his drooping whiskers twitched.

“Oh, wait.”

Renia stood up and casted Polymorph.

Transforming into a bird, then a cat.

Returning to her original form, she asked,

“Like this. Can you transform?”

If they left Drogh here in mana shackles, something bad would definitely happen.

To prevent that, Renia wanted to keep him within her sight.

-Growl?

Drogh seemed to understand.

He nudged the mana shackles around his neck with his front paw.

-Growl, growl.

“Ah, you can’t because of the mana shackles?”

Mana shackles were specially designed to restrain Awakeners by suppressing their mana.

So, if the shackles were removed, Drogh might be able to transform.

But Renia hesitated.

She didn’t know what would happen if she released him.

He might suddenly transform into his adult form and wreak havoc.

“Hmm… That’s a problem.”

Renia crossed her arms and shook her head.

Of course, she could subdue him if he didn’t transform into his adult form.

The mana shackles didn’t completely conceal his mana signature.

And hadn’t Tae-jin always told her,

‘Think and act for yourself.’

All she wanted was for Drogh to survive.

Tae-jin had said he wanted Drogh to reach adulthood quickly.

So, he wouldn’t abandon Drogh here.

Not the Tae-jin she knew.

“Hmm…”

Renia thought for a moment.

“Alright. Let’s do it.”

She didn’t hesitate for long.

With a resolute nod, she walked over to the device connected to the mana shackles.

A switch on the device temporarily deactivated the mana suppressant.

And if Drogh tried anything funny, she could immediately inject him with more suppressant.

Caution was key when dealing with wild beasts.

Fully prepared, Renia warned Drogh,

“Try anything funny, and you’re dead. Understand?”

And then,

Click!

She pulled the lever.

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“What did you want to show me?”

“You’ll see.”

I was still not entirely convinced it was Velokas, so I played it cool.

If Na-yeon saw him and suspected he was Velokas, then I would be 100% sure.

That could be problematic, but I had to decide what to do with him before our expedition.

I couldn’t kill him because of the [Black Dragon Summoning] trait.

And I didn’t want to.

Besides, he was growing rapidly, and my house’s storage room was no longer big enough to contain him.

Na-yeon’s mansion would be a much better hiding place.

Of course, the staff would have a hard time…

Anyway, the best course of action was to keep him in sight and let him grow, but I needed to discuss it with Na-yeon before we left tomorrow.

Perhaps her S-rank connections(?) could help us get him through the barrier.

That’s why I had brought Na-yeon here.

We were almost home.

“It’s my first time at your house, come to think of it.”

Na-yeon looked at my house from beyond the gate, sounding sentimental.

Renia should be disciplining Drogh by now.

That’s why I had told her to go home early.

Step-step-

I walked across the lawn towards the storage room.

“Is this what you wanted to show me? Your storage room? What’s so special about it?”

“It’s… kind of special.”

“I’m intrigued.”

Hmm…

There wasn’t really anything to be intrigued about.

Well, whatever.

Clack!

I opened the storage room door without hesitation.

And,

“There, there, good boy. Good boy. You’re so good, our little Roque. Such a good listener~!”

I saw Renia patting the bottom of a little boy with messy black hair, cooing over him.

The little boy was sitting on the floor, looking up at her.

Renia was smiling at him, showering him with affection.

Fortunately, she was in her Reina form.

But…

…What was that?

“There, there. I’ll give you something tasty today~!”

Wait.

Where was Drogh, and who was this kid?

Who are you?

And then,

Before I could even process the situation, I experienced the most bewildering moment of my life.

“…Is this… your son… that you wanted to show me?”

No.

That wasn’t it.

No.

I was only 22. How could I have a son?

No.

What was this?

No.

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