The Genius Tamer of the Academy

Chapter 219

Since the morning class was canceled, I headed to the training ground early today.

By now, the two had gotten used to working together, and they hunted targets on their own even if I just left them alone.

After tearing apart ten flying rubber discs, the two finished their training and came running toward me.

“Basilus!”

I watched the scene with satisfaction and called out to Basilus.

Basilus, covered in dirt from rolling around the training ground, headbutted my side.

It felt like just yesterday that he fit in my arms, but now, he was growing so big that I might have to be the one getting carried soon.

I have no idea how big a dragon can get… Judging by his increased appetite recently, he’s still in his growth phase.

But those blinking eyes haven’t changed much from when he was a baby.

“Did you train enough?”

I asked as I alternated between petting Basilus and Kloshti.

The two nodded their heads eagerly.

Since we’ve been at it for three hours, it might be time to switch things up.

“Basilus, want to practice polymorph?”

“Woong!”

Actually, Basilus’ polymorph magic had improved significantly and was now almost at an advanced level.

At least we no longer had the mishaps of him ending up with three eyes.

Yeah, no accidental horror movie scenes anymore.

It’s nice to watch him calmly now that his skills have improved.

Pababat—

I watched the little guy leap up with my arms crossed casually.

As usual, thick smoke billowed and dissipated, and Basilus popped out of the fluffy cloud.

“Kkuwoo!”

Polymorph is usually used for camouflage or to enlarge the body for intimidation…

But this guy reverted to his hatchling size and was tottering around.

What the heck, why are you doing that?

“Trying to look cute?”

“Kku….”

Now he’s even wagging his tail.

Is this a dragon or a puppy?

“Cheats!”

It always ends with him asking for more food….

“You’re not cute.”

“…”

“Hey, that only works when you’re a baby—Ow!”

Basilus jumped on the spot and then canceled his polymorph in midair. The suddenly large creature flattened me beneath his weight.

“Ugh!”

That hurts, you little…!

Think about your size!

He knows everything now, but he’s starting to play tricks on me, making me feel like I’ve raised him wrong.

“Child, huh….”

Ah.

Suddenly, I remembered the talk about kids, and a chill ran down my spine.

Why does that thought have to pop up now?

“…There’s no way.”

“Kku?”

“It’s nothing.”

I patted Basilus’ head, whose eyes were blinking with curiosity, while I dismissed the prophecy.

Then, I suddenly sensed someone approaching and turned my head.

Whoosh—

“Huh?”

Something just passed by.

Whoosh—

A shadow loomed overhead, and something that looked like a fishing rod seemed to be trying to hook me.

“What the….”

What the heck is going on?

I chased after the direction where the fishing rod disappeared with a confused expression. Just then, a cheerful voice came from behind.

“It’s a present!”

The only person who would be smiling so innocently while doing something like this had to be Yoon Haul, and of course, it didn’t deviate from my expectations one bit.

Yoon Haul, claiming that this cat fishing rod was my gift, went a step further.

“Quick, catch it!”

Swish, swish!

Now it’s darting back and forth right in front of my face…

It seems like she doesn’t know any better, but it’s really making me feel uncomfortable.

I feel like I’m being mocked!

Swish! Swish!

“S-stop it!”

“Huh?”

“Hey, hey. This is annoying. I’m not some kind of animal; why a fishing rod….”

“I-is this not it? What is it?”

Not even close.

Yoon Haul scratched her head, swinging the fishing rod in the air, and added with a disappointed expression.

“I thought you’d like it….”

Judging from her face, she genuinely thought I’d like it.

Now I get it. That’s why she was glancing at me back then in the store, checking my reaction.

So that’s why she kept looking back; she was planning to buy it secretly?

Considering the effort she put in, I would have gladly accepted any other reasonable gift.

But this…

I can’t just go along and catch that bait.

Yoon Haul, realizing that this wasn’t the reaction she was expecting, mumbled with a slightly crestfallen face.

“The shopkeeper said this is how you use it, but I guess I was wrong… It’s not that great, huh….”

Yeah, it’s used like that, but not for humans, you know.

But when those earnest eyes are staring at me like that, the words “I don’t like it” rise to my throat but then sink back down.

Ha… haha….

“It’s… it’s great. It’s a gift, so of course, I’m grateful.”

“Then do you want to try again? It’s a state-of-the-art exercise tool!”

W-wait a second. That’s not where this is supposed to end up!

“Han Siha, over here!”

Is my dignity as a human really okay like this?

“Yoon Haul.”

In a desperate bid to preserve my dignity, I called out to Yoon Haul. Thankfully, a reasonable solution flashed in my mind.

“Go get Joey, Joey!”

* * *

Whoosh!

I flicked my wrist, waving the fishing rod, playing with Joey.

Only then did Yoon Haul, with a face of realization, speak up.

“Ah, so that’s how you use it….”

“I was wondering why you were waving it around in front of my face.”

“…”

Yoon Haul laughed awkwardly, explaining that she had never seen such a thing before.

She thought it was some kind of exercise tool meant to train agility or reflexes.

Apparently, she assumed this was how it was supposed to be used for training.

“I thought it was weird, but I was just trying to respect your taste….”

“…As long as this guy likes it.”

I chuckled and petted Joey, who was lying on his back, belly up.

Definitely cuter than a dragon.

Animals are always better when they have fur, aren’t they?

I muttered to myself, saying something that would have surely upset Basilus and Kloshti if they’d heard, while I watched Yoon Haul’s Joey.

He was a cute little creature with dark gray fur that slightly covered his face.

He was so small that I could easily lift him with one hand.

Smiling contentedly, I rested my chin on my hand.

Joey looked over at me with an air of arrogance, as if fully aware of how adored he was.

Everything about him was great, but there was one thought I couldn’t shake every time I saw him.

I turned to Yoon Haul and asked.

“Why doesn’t he grow at all?”

“Maybe he’s fully grown!”

“No way. Are you feeding him properly?”

“Of course! He finished his food clean this morning too. He eats a lot, never too little.”

“Is that so…?”

Cats in this world seem a bit different, huh?

He eats, but doesn’t gain weight or grow.

I don’t know his exact species, but he certainly doesn’t seem to be the size of an adult. Every time I see him, I can’t help but feel something’s off.

I pulled Joey into my arms and set him on my lap. I checked him over, worried he might be sick, but that didn’t seem to be the case.

He had a healthy complexion, smooth skin without any visible swelling, and looked perfectly fine on the outside.

I even considered if he might have some genetic disorder, but there was no way to confirm that in this situation.

“Hmm. I don’t know.”

When something defies medical explanation, I just decide it’s one of those things.

After all, this is another world.

Things that don’t make sense are just possible in another world!

That conclusion eased my mind.

“Well, as long as he’s healthy.”

I laughed quietly as I looked down at Joey.

* * *

The underground hideout in the Odryse Mountains.

To avoid imperial pursuit, they had to relocate the hideout several times.

But so far, there hadn’t been any news from the Ardel Empire, and for now, they stayed here.

Han Si-hyuk closed his book with a bored expression.

In this place, there was only one person he could talk to.

Today, dressed in a flashy outfit, she greeted him with a bright smile.

Sepia placed her hand on Han Si-hyuk’s shoulder and asked.

“Han Si-hyuk, how are you feeling today?”

“I’m always fine.”

“Your episodes have definitely reduced lately, haven’t they?”

“Ah, yes. That’s true.”

Han Si-hyuk nodded appreciatively.

When Sepia first arrived, Han Si-hyuk couldn’t control his rampages at all.

He had thought it was the price for acquiring a wrongful power and believed he would never be cured.

But Sepia, a highly skilled mage, had helped him.

Not only had she taken him in when he had nowhere else to go, but she also took care of him with unwavering dedication, and he was deeply grateful for that.

As a result, Han Si-hyuk’s wariness toward Sepia had lowered considerably.

And Sepia felt the same.

“This is a special gift. I figured you might be bored, so I bought some books while I was out.”

Sepia brought a pile of magical books for Han Si-hyuk, who was always confined to the library.

Sepia couldn’t help but smile as Han Si-hyuk, touched by the gesture, made his usual sullen expression.

Blinking in surprise, Han Si-hyuk asked.

“…Are these for me?”

“Yes. Some were hard to find, too. Look, this one is a limited edition! I snatched it up; it was the last copy in the bookstore.”

“This one was out of print….”

“I worked hard to get that too. You said you wanted to read it.”

Han Si-hyuk hesitated for a moment before speaking cautiously.

“Yes, thank you.”

His transparent expression was so pure, it was endearing.

The two stared at each other in silence for a while before they both chuckled softly.

Sepia, with her hands resting on her waist, spoke casually.

“If you need anything else, just let me know.”

“Ah.”

No, I’m fine.

In the past, Han Si-hyuk would have drawn a clear line with such requests.

But now, slowly stroking his chin, Han Si-hyuk added with a playful glint in his eyes.

“The steak you bought last time was quite delicious.”

“…Now you’re just openly ordering me around?”

“I don’t get many chances to make the former chairwoman run errands for me.”

“Your sense of humor improved too.”

“You get better at this kind of thing with practice.”

With the rare limited-edition book in his arms, Han Si-hyuk shrugged.

It seemed like they were truly becoming comfortable with each other, as Han Si-hyuk was getting bolder.

“Haa… fine.”

Sepia clicked her tongue but nodded, not seeming to mind.

However, even while they were joking around without a care…

Sepia couldn’t stop thinking about Abaddon’s orders.

As long as she didn’t cross him, she would inevitably have to carry out Abaddon’s command one day.

‘Use that brother of his.’

Sepia mulled over those words and slowly turned to look at Han Si-hyuk.

Han Si-hyuk, who had reopened his book, met her gaze as if to ask what was wrong.

Looking into his eyes, Sepia felt today might be the day to bring it up.

With a heavy feeling in her chest, like a stone weighing down on her heart,

Sepia parted her lips, struggling to get the words out.

“Han Si-hyuk.”

She called his name.