My Trash Talent Is Actually OP!

Asher hadn't recovered from the thought of raising five banished dragons. He hadn't even digested the news he had heard.

Yet the same five dragons were busy chatting loudly behind him with Zain and Zero. Zero, of all people,who hardly even smiled at him,was laughing with them.

He didn't care about that anyway. What he wanted to think of was how to get Emma and Naomi to the academy before night fell, so he could continue towards the north.

He also had to handle a dungeon along the way international missions stuff, and he had already been assigned one.

As they arrived close to the van, he spotted the group seated on logs that Emma had created for them. Naomi was not in sight, which was good.

Approaching the group, Tay, who had spotted the newly risen dragons, expression fell, turning to a deep frown.

"There's more?"

Asher sighed heavily. "Dragons, yes. Normal souls, no. I haven't found good ones yet."

Tay cast him a disgusted look. "You seriously intend to raise even humans?"

Asher shrugged. "I need sensible soldiers that actually did good while alive. These ones are criminal—especially the black smoke over there," he pointed at Zain, who feigned a pained expression.

"Where's Naomi?" Asher finally asked, after a quick look around. He then added, "And Cinder?"

"Cinder is asleep in the van, while Naomi went to gather fruits. Something about making sure she remained consistent."

Emma replied, not casting him a glance as she was focused on her phone screen. He didn't reply anyway. He just watched her face closely, noticing something, but he didn't say much.

Sinnett chuckled and got his locs to expand into the forest to search for her. They grew twice their length, that even Nova was shocked.

Once he had gotten hold of Naomi, his locs retracted, dragging her out with a lot of fruits in a net his locs had formed.

He put them in the van, got in, and started the engine. Asher snapped his fingers, causing all the raised dragons to vanish, leaving just Zain and Nova.

Everyone got into the van, except Zain. Asher looked at him with a raised brow, wondering why he wasn't going in, but he just smiled.

"I'll join you when you're done with your business at the District. I'll be where my grace is." That said, he vanished into nothingness. Then the van moved, not giving Asher time to register what had just happened.

---

The gates of Caer District opened with a slow hiss.

The streets shimmered faintly under a barrier dome that filtered the sunlight, giving the district a sterile glow.

Asher could already feel the weight of the mana pressing against his skin. The regulations here were suffocating compared to the untamed magic he was used to, despite the fact humans lived around.

He wouldn't be surprised though, because most humans couldn't sense mana or even see the energy flow.

"Definitely not my kind of place," he muttered under his breath.

Emma, seated behind him, seemed unusually quiet. Naomi was next to her, one leg crossed, head against the window, massaging her thighs.

They reached the old side of Velcrest International Academy—less glamour, more function.

No towering gates or runic statues here. Just cobbled walkways, mana-stamped stones, and the echo of old magic in the air.

Sinnett cut the engine and opened the door. Stepping out, he took a deep breath and smiled. "Let me do the talking."

Asher didn't argue. None of them had met the Headmistress. They barely knew who ran the academy out here. But as soon as Sinnett stepped forward, the air shifted.

A low growl rumbled from beyond the gate, followed by the soft thump of padded feet.

A massive beast, part feline, part shadow, emerged first, its body marked with glowing red sigils. Behind it, she stepped into view.

Dark, massive hair flowed down her back like coiled silk, and her eyes, deep crimson, cut through the group with precise attention.

She wore no grand robes or crest, just a fitted beast-hide jacket over a strapless top and skirt that barely covered her thighs, and high boots marked with clawed runes.

Her gaze snapped to Sinnett.

"You're late."

"Only by a day," Sinnett grinned.

Ivy didn't return it. Her eyes shifted to the rest of them. "You brought more than promised."

"Didn't promise anything," he replied, hands up. "Just thought you'd be interested."

She stepped forward, her beast matching her stride, and looked Naomi over first. Her eyes narrowed slightly.

"Elven magic. Not surface-level. It runs deeper. What House?"

Naomi blinked. "I… I don't know."

Ivy tilted her head. "Not surprising. Most don't. House refers to your bloodline, ancestry, origin. Elves carry legacy in blood. Each House holds a different purity, different oath, different affinity."

Naomi seemed unsure how to respond.

"Good," Ivy said instead, "Means no noble arrogance. And no bindings."

Asher didn't reply, knowing fully well Naomi was worse than that. But maybe being in a place like this would change her—hopefully.

Then her attention turned to Emma.

"You. Verdant Warden. Elemental class, but with tethering to living constructs. Nature still likes you."

Emma nodded once, confirming her statement.

Ivy made a sharp whistle, and another beast came forward—a stag with thick moss growing along its back and pale green antlers that shimmered in the sunlight.

"Stand still," she said.

Emma stiffened as the creature approached. It sniffed her once, then dipped its head and walked past.

"Accepted."

Naomi gulped as Ivy turned back to her. The feline creature began circling again, brushing against her leg as it moved.

Naomi didn't step back. Her hands stayed by her side, fingers twitching slightly, she was tempted to kick the beast.

The beast stopped and sat down.

"Accepted."

"That's it?" Naomi asked, brows raised.

Ivy's eyes gleamed. "They don't lie. People do."

She stepped away from them and gestured toward the long stone path leading to a wide entry hall. "Dorm C. Ask for Thorne. You're under probation. Any mistakes, you're out."

Then she turned to Sinnett, voice low, and stepped closer to him. "You owe me more than an introduction," she whispered. Then he smiled.

"I brought you talent, good ones at that," he leaned down to kiss her, but she placed her fingers on his lips and frowned.

"Nothing for you. Bring me wine next time, then I'll let you do anything you want."

"You sure?"

"Yes. That's a fair price for an untamable beast." She winked and turned around.

Ivy walked off without another word, her beasts disappearing behind her like mist dissolving in sunlight.

The group watched until she was out of sight.

Naomi lingered only for a few seconds longer before following the moss-backed stag toward the dorm path. She didn't turn around.

Emma watched her go. Her gaze remained calm on the surface, but Asher could tell it wasn't. She didn't move until Naomi vanished through the pathway leading to the dorm.

Then she turned. "Asher."

He was already halfway back to the van, but paused and turned at the sound of her voice.

"Can we talk for a second? Alone?"

He glanced at Sinnett, who nodded like he understood something already. The others were already inside the van waiting for him.

Asher stepped off to the side with her, down a short slope near the edge of a field, around a hidden corner.

Emma stopped, arms crossed lightly, eyes on the ground for a beat before she looked at him. "I just… I wanted to say something before you go."

Asher said nothing.

"I know it hasn't been long," she said quietly, "but I'll miss you." She looked up at him again, her usual confidence softened around the edges. "You've been acting different lately, but I really like it this way."

He smirked faintly. "Is that a compliment or...?"

That made her smile. "A compliment. Maybe."

Asher ran a hand through his hair and let out a breath. "I'll miss you too, Emma. Try not to make the place too green while I'm gone, and don't let anyone treat you like trash."

She blushed faintly at that.

Then, without another word, she stepped closer and pressed her lips to his.

He froze, only for a second.

Then he leaned in, returning it, just enough to mean it. He let his arms wrap around her waist. He was tempted to lift her off the ground, but there wasn't any time.

When she pulled back, there was silence between them. She placed her head on his chest and laughed softly. "I'm sorry."

Asher smiled as well. "It's fine, didn't think you'd actually go for it... first."

Emma looked at him one last time, smiled, and kissed him again. Then she whispered, "Thank you."

Then she turned and walked away toward the dorms, boots silent against the stone path.

Asher stood there for a moment, staring at nothing in particular. Then he exhaled. Vorgath and Orion materialized before him, their heads low.

"Follow her, stay out of sight, and if anything goes wrong, get her out of here immediately and inform me."

"I'll repeat myself...if there's anything wrong, make sure she's safe first and inform me, or come to me with her. If she gets out of your sights, I'll kill you. Not a scratch. She doesn't cry. And if she needs anything, inform me."

"Understood?"

"Yes, Master," they both replied in unison, and vanished into the shadows of the building, moving until they reached Emma and hid under her shadow.

Asher exhaled and made his way back to the van.

"Start the van," he said as he got in, voice low but steady.

Sinnett grinned but didn't say a word, of course he knew. The engine roared to life, and they pulled out of the academy grounds, heading to the city's tower.