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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Silverriver
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I tried to sit up. I couldn’t lie comfortably in bed with the Headmaster of Iliad Academy, an 8th Rank mage, sitting before me.
“You can stay lying down. I can hardly expect a patient to stand on ceremony. And this old man never cared much for formalities anyway.”
I’m the one who’s uncomfortable. I groaned as I sat up, leaning against the headboard and looking at him.
“I’ll… explain about the Black Dragon’s mana first.”
“If you intend to lie or give me vague, evasive answers, I suggest you abandon that notion immediately. This old man can distinguish truth from falsehood.”
Of course, you can, old timer! Crepon’s Sage’s Gaze had numerous functions, one of which was detecting truthfulness.
While it had limitations and couldn’t be used excessively, it was certainly powerful enough to discern the truth behind my answers. Even without it, the Archmage before me could easily see through my clumsy lies.
A century’s worth of experience wasn’t something to be trifled with.
“I wouldn’t dare lie to the Headmaster.”
“Yet you seem to know a little something about my eyes.”
Observant, as always. Had he spent over a century honing his perception instead of his magic?
I quickly changed the subject. The Headmaster’s interest made it clear he would pry into the source of my knowledge regarding the Sage’s Gaze.
“I absorbed the Black Dragon’s mana by consuming its core fragment.”
“Absorbed it by consuming a core fragment? Even I know that.”
Of course, he did. Judging by the item description – “Archxius’s Core Fragment” – others must have consumed it as well, like an elixir.
They, too, must have sensed her mana.
“What I’m curious about is how you managed to wield it.”
“Wield… it?”
“There have been others who consumed dragon core fragments, quite a few, in fact.”
There must have been numerous Dragon Slayers before me, and even more who had consumed dragon cores.
“But none have wielded a dragon’s mana like you.”
What?
I tilted my head, puzzled. Why wouldn’t they be able to wield it after consuming it?
Crepon smiled, as if amused by my confusion.
“Oh my, did you really think a dragon’s mana would simply obey its new host?”
“…Isn’t that how it works?”
“Of course not!”
His genuinely surprised expression stunned me. There were details not mentioned in the original story, including those regarding dragon mana.
The protagonist had never consumed a dragon core, so there was no information about it.
“This is… concerning.”
Crepon clutched his head. But the smile never left his face.
“If you can wield mana, you should know about its properties.”
“Of course. Mana develops traits based on its user, correct?”
“Good. You haven’t been wasting your time at the academy.”
I knew that from the original story. I scratched my head. But what did that have to do with dragon mana?
“Mana’s properties change based on its user. So what kind of properties would the mana of a Black Dragon, notorious for its ferocity, possess?”
‘Be quiet for a moment. You’re older than him anyway.’
I silenced Archxius and recalled Crepon’s words. Then, I found the answer.
“Ferocious… I suppose?”
“Let’s be more specific. A Black Dragon’s mana is ferocious, uncontrollable, and absolutely refuses to obey its new host.”
“…?”
“All dragon cores are the same in that they don’t obey their new host. As if their pride is ingrained in their mana.”
“All dragons?”
“Yes. That’s why, even if you consume a dragon core and absorb its general mana, you can’t wield the dragon’s unique mana.”
At Crepon’s words, I pointed at myself, genuinely curious.
“Then… how am I wielding it?”
“That’s what I’m asking.”
Even if you stare at me like that, I really don’t know. How could I wield a mana that was ferocious, uncontrollable, and…
‘Again, you, a dragon, are older than the Headmaster…’
‘Yes, ma’am.’
‘And?’
‘Hmm… talent?’
‘What can I say? It’s the truth.’
Dragon Slayers must have possessed considerable talent. They couldn’t have slain dragons, beings called Overlords, otherwise. But seeing the Genius trait clearly displayed in my status window, I was certain.
This talent would allow me to stand among the immortals of every age, like the Magic Swordsman Lenox, and the Archmage Iliad.
I had been half-convinced of this in Lenox’s Dungeon.
‘Oh… come to think of it, that’s true. I have been doing a lot of crazy things.’
‘You got me.’
I ignored Archxius’s cursing and organized my thoughts. My unique position as a possessor. The terminal illness attached to it. A terminal illness unlike any other, with a visible countdown.
Having started from a completely different point than others, had I been granted the unexpected advantage of wielding dragon mana?
It was the only explanation that made sense.
Crepon, who had been staring intently at me, finally spoke.
“This question seems pointless.”
“What?”
“Asking someone who thinks wielding dragon mana is normal how they do it… it’s like asking how they drink water.”
Is it, really?
“Then let’s move on to the second question. You were clearly dead. To my eyes, your life force was extinguished. But then, you suddenly returned.”
“That…”
So that’s how it appeared to him. Honestly, it had been a gamble. Even though the reward was a year of lifespan, wielding Archxius’s mana had completely drained my life force.
Could an empty lifespan be replenished? When the counter had already reached zero?
I had those doubts, but I had no other choice at the time. There was no other way.
And besides…
I doubted whoever had put me in this body would let me die so easily.
Well, that was just wishful thinking in retrospect.
“To be honest, I don’t know for sure.”
“You don’t know?”
“Yes. You’re aware that I have a… unique illness that’s shortening my lifespan.”
The Headmaster nodded. He had already confirmed it with his Sage’s Gaze.
“Neither the Dukedom nor the academy has been able to identify my illness.”
Not even Archxius, or even I, the possessor. I had suspected everything, from a blocked meridian to a rare poison. I had consumed every medicine imaginable.
But…
‘Nothing worked.’
There was no cure for my dwindling lifespan. Elixirs only delayed the inevitable.
So I had lived day by day, relying on elixirs to extend my borrowed time.
As if he saw something in me, the Headmaster looked at me with an unreadable expression, then patted my shoulder.
“I understand. This old man has taken up too much of your time.”
He snapped his fingers, and the barrier surrounding us dissipated.
“This conversation will remain between us. It seems most are unaware of your… condition.”
“Thank you.”
“You have good friends.”
Friends?
I tilted my head, then understood what he meant.
“They can come in now?”
“Of course. This old man has been too talkative.”
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The door opened carefully, and they filed in. Erina, with her fiery red hair.
“I took care of the elf for a while.” she said.
Adele, still in disguise, Christina standing quietly beside her.
“So you’re finally awake.”
Agnes and Lee Han entered, their gazes scanning the room.
“Um… Young Master, you’re awake.”
Petra, rubbing her eyes sleepily, joined them. The main and supporting characters from the original story were all here. Even those who hadn’t appeared in this scene in the novel. They had all come to visit me.
The Headmaster smiled and waved at me. Was he referring to them as my friends?
“Deron! Are you feeling better?”
“Erina, don’t touch the patient so carelessly.”
“Alright, alright… Agnes.”
The two bickered playfully.
“Han, shouldn’t you be getting treated too?”
“I’m fine. For now.”
The chemistry I had only read about in the novel…
“Come and sit.”
“….”
scenes I hadn’t witnessed…
were unfolding before my eyes.
I might be a terminally ill, unlucky genius trapped in this body, but…
couldn’t I enjoy this moment, just for a little while?
Seeing the characters bicker and interact so peacefully, I couldn’t help but smile.
“Deron… smiled?”
“It’s been a while since I’ve seen the Young Master smile so brightly.”
Oh, how embarrassing. I tried to suppress my smile and looked around.
“I told you not to touch him!”
“Ow, ow! Adele, that stings!”
“It’ll be a troublesome if you cause a scene here. Please be quiet in the infirmary. Both of you, calm down.”
My lips curved upwards again. This was a good sight. The Demon King, the massacre… I would deal with them later. For now, I would savor this moment.
And so, time flowed peacefully, like a gentle stream.
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Team, assemble!
