[Ch. 23] A Dragon Named Korph (Past)

....161 years ago...

Raylon and Amanda would chat over their evening tea while I read in an attempt to ignore them. A few months had passed since Raylon started joining us for tea after the instability event. He wasn't acting cautious of me, however, occasionally I would catch him glancing at me when he thought I couldn't see him.

Amanda spoke to me suddenly, "Lady Moao, please don't forget that tomorrow night is the welcome ceremony for another student."

"Mmn."

She continued unabashed by my disinterest, "I heard it is one of the Princes of the Dragon clan. How great is that?"

"Mmn."

She held a hand over her heart as she spoke with starry eyes, "I wonder if he will have wings! Oh, I bet he is handsome. All of the dragon princes are so dashing and rugged! It's such a shame that there are so few here... I've always dreamed that a tall and gallant Dragon Prince will suddenly arrive, pick me up, and fly me off into the sunset~"

Raylon nearly choked on his tea. His smile twitched, "I-Is that so?"

She nodded, "Every woman has the same fantasy. Isn't that right, Lady Moao?"

I ignored her.

"Okay... Maybe not every woman... But it still is exciting to welcome in a new student. The welcome ceremony is always so lively and entertaining."

Raylon chuckled, "So will the two of you be on time or will you be late like before?"

Amanda's face twitched, "I think we will be on time.... Maybe..."

I flipped a page of my book in an aloof manner, "Or we won't go at all."

She looked at me with an irritated expression, "Don't forget the headmaster said it's mandatory."

I didn't respond and casually took a sip from my tea.

She sighed, "He said they would be serving rare wine."

I hummed in agreement, "Mmn."

Amanda clicked her tongue, annoyed that I wasn't more interested. Raylon laughed, "Actually, I know-"

"RAY!" A voice bellowed, drawing all of our attention.

We all looked as a short boy wearing the skins of animals ran over to us. His brown unkempt hair was kept in braids adorned with feathers. His toothy grin was missing one of his front teeth giving him a childish look. His skin had been darkened by the island sun and was contrasted by his many pinkish scars.

One could tell right away which nation he belonged to even if he didn't have any wings on his back.

"Korph! Isn't your welcome ceremony tomorrow?" Raylon stood up and walked out towards him with his arms outstretched. They hugged, slapping each other on the back. As they stood next to each other smiling, I couldn't help but notice their distinct height difference. Korph was much shorter than Raylon....

...He was even smaller than Amanda and me.

Amanda noticed it as well and tried to stifle her giggles.

Korph completely ignored our presence as he beamed at Raylon full of energy, "That stupid thing is tomorrow. But I had to find you immediately! I came to visit you, but your brother said you were attending the Academy. So naturally, I had to come!"

"Naturally." Raylon chuckled and treated him as if he was his little brother, "But how did you know I was here?"

"I smelled you, of course!" He answered in a matter-of-fact tone.

Amanda let out her giggles unable to contain them, "Oh my! How honest."

Korph finally looked at us as if just noticing us for the first time. He stared us up and down not even attempting to hide his discontent and jealousy. He snapped his head back to Raylon, "Why are you associating with this big-breasted creature and her dog?"

I blinked rapidly, "Big breasted-"

"Dog?!" Amanda shouted indignantly.

Raylon quickly cleared his throat, "Prince Korph, this is Lady Moao. She is the daughter of the Baron. This is her maid, Amanda."

Korph walked over to me and looked me up and down. He wrinkled his nose in disgust, "No wonder she is so hideous. Uck! She reeks of the Baron!"

I placed my book down silently and looked him back in the eye. Raylon ran over noticing the tense atmosphere, "Please, Korph. Don't cause trouble. They are actually nothing like the Baron or his people."

Korph looked at Raylon in horror, "How could you say such a thing?! The Baron and everyone in his nation are disgusting! They all deserve to suffer for their sins! And you! You hated the Baron and his nation more than anything! Why did you suddenly change your mind?"

Raylon started to panic, "K-Korph-"

He looked back at me and focused on my chest, "I see! She must be hypnotizing you with those giant breasts!"

My jaw tightened as my eyes grew colder.

He glared at me and wagged his finger, "Just because you have the breasts of a milking cow, doesn't mean you can just use them to control the minds of men!"

"What?" I stood up instantly, staring at him coldly.

You little ****! I'm going to hit you so hard you lose another tooth!

Amanda noticed my intent and quickly jumped in, "Lady Moao! You mustn't fight! You will be expelled if you're caught!"

I replied through clenched teeth, "We didn't have the welcome ceremony yet. So how would I know that he attends the Academy?"

"Oho? I would like to see you try to even hit me!" Korph said, puffing out his chest. He held his fists out in an attempt to antagonize me even though he was so clearly at a disadvantage.

"Hey, hey. Calm down." Raylon said stepping in, "Let's not cause a scene here for the sake of all of our nations."

"You're right." I straightened up and turned to Korph with a degrading look, "Plus, I don't fight children."

Korph's mouth dropped, "Children?! I am not a child! I am 20 years old!"

How the heck is this tiny child older than me? Curse that dragon blood.

I looked away uninterested, "You are so short, it fooled me."

"Y-You big breasted *****! Say that to my face!"

"No thanks. I don't feel like kneeling down."

"You-you! You ugly succubus! I am the dragon prince! You can't talk to me like that!"

I spoke back without a trace of anger, "Prince Korph, you appear to be quite grumpy. You must be hungry, so please have some snacks. Children need food to stay energized after all."

He stomped his foot, "Do not treat me as a child!"

Raylon and Amanda watched as the two of us continued to bicker. They didn't know whether to be surprised by Korph tempting death or hearing me speak so many sentences. Raylon finally sighed, "I should get going before this turns into something bad. If I leave, Korph will definitely follow me."

Amanda nodded at him, "Yes, I think that would be very wise. We wouldn't want to be considered accomplices to murder."

"I couldn't agree more." He waved, "I will see you tomorrow miss Amanda."

She waved back, "Have a nice night."

Raylon sauntered away without another word. Korph looked back and forth between him and me. Finally, he ran after Raylon before turning around and shouting, "This isn't over! You stupid big-breasted succubus!"

I watched their retreating figures seething under my stiff face. I turned back to Amanda who shivered under my frigid eyes. My voice was sharp, "Amanda."

"Yes, lady Moao?"

"I think we need to return soon so that I can continue with my research."

Amanda's face paled, "Please, my lady. Anything but that."

I ignored her pleadings, "When is the next break?"

She sighed knowing she couldn't convince me out of it, "In a few weeks."

"Good."

Amanda walked me back in the room and helped me change into my night clothes. I sat at my desk with a bottle of wine and dismissed Amanda for the night. I pulled out my many books and began to take notes on them. I drank and wrote until early morning. Only when I saw the sunrise did I crawl into bed and immediately fell asleep.

Amanda burst into my room declaring that it was time for lunch. I ignored her and continued to sleep. Amanda shook her head and began to tidy the room. Usually, Amanda would force me to wake up, but today was the day of the ceremony so our classes were canceled. She sat and waited well into the afternoon before growing impatient. She finally forced me out of bed and then began to dress me.

Why is she dressing me up like this again?

Amanda sighed, "We have to prepare you for the ceremony tonight."

It's not like I forgot, but I still pretended to play dumb, "Hmm?"

"The welcome ceremony." She added, "With alcohol. That's why I didn't wake you up this morning for class."

"Mmn."

After I was forced into tight clothes and permitted to have a few bites of fruit, we left for the ceremony.

…..

[Author's note: This part is from no one's point of view.]

Raylon arrived at the ceremony punctually as was expected. The guests were expected to arrive before the guest of honor. Then, they would cheer as the guest walked in. After the introduction of the new student, smaller conversations were allowed to start. It was a strict ceremony that threatened to expel anyone who didn't follow the rules.

However, Moao was nowhere to be seen.

The Headmaster was able to force her to attend, but he wasn't able to get her to arrive on time. The Headmaster spoke, "Let us all welcome Prince Korph of the Dragon clan to the Academy of Magic. May you make everlasting friendships and memories." He raised his glass as everyone followed suit. They shouted cheers to Prince Korph before drinking their glass. Music began to fill the hall as conversations began to break out.

Princess Mona had been standing next to Raylon during the ceremony and turned to him, "Are you happy to have another friend here?"

He smiled back at her, "Of course. Whenever Korph is around, it is never boring. I'm sure the school will be more lively now."

"I wonder if he will survive." Mona muttered to herself.

Raylon looked at her, "What do you mean?"

"Oh, well... It's just that I heard he arrived yesterday and had an argument with Lady Moao."

Raylon made a face, "Oh, that. It was just Korph being possessive like usual."

"Well, I'm surprised he survived. I heard Moao was so angry she even shouted!"

Raylon pursed his lips. He hated rumors.

She continued as she thought deeply to herself, "I wonder if that's why she isn't showing up?"

"I'm sure she is just going to be late. She was late to my ceremony as well."

As they were speaking, Korph, noticing Raylon's smell, quickly made his way over to him while he ignored anyone else trying to make a conversation. He looked at Raylon with a toothy grin, "Ray! I'm glad you're here. There are far too many annoying people around."

Raylon snickered, "Please be nice. They are all here for you."

Korph laughed as he began to scout out the room. He eyed Raylon suspiciously, "That big breasted bird isn't around, is she?"

Mona's mouth dropped as Raylon shook his head with a complicated expression. "...She's not."

Korph sighed in relief, "Good. She is such an eyesore."

As if hearing him. The announcer shouted, "All attention! Lady Moao-"

A woman with pure white hair and cold green eyes appeared behind the announcer. Amanda stood behind her with a meek smile. Korph turned abruptly and pointed while shouting, "Ack! It's the big-breasted bird!"