Chapter 102
Chapter 102
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 102
Chapter Title: The Eve of the Storm on the Floating Island
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"......"
"Uhahahaha! How about it! Even in that pathetic human form, I haven't lost my nobility, have I?"
"......"
"Hahaha! You're despairing, aren't you! Why? Not what you expected? Heh heh heh..."
"......"
"Now, etch this supreme beauty into your eyes. As a male, you'll feel the sting of defeat, right? Heh heh heh."
"......"
"......Hm. Even to your eyes, I'm quite handsome, aren't I? Well, I don't know much about human aesthetics, but of course I would be, being me."
"......"
"Hey... say something. I'm starting to get scared... no, annoyed."
"......"
"...Hey?"
Despair gripped my body.
How could this be...
Why so despairing, you ask?
Because of the experience points...
...No, that's not it.
Fine, I have to admit it.
I... had huge expectations for Prostia's female form.
I mean, come on?
In fantasy stories, dragons turning into women are always described as insanely beautiful.
My expectations had broken through the roof... but this? This is too much.
Of course, there was always the possibility of a male polymorph.
But usually, when you think polymorph, it's female, right? Even the system called her "she"?
I had every right to expect it!
After coming to this world and seeing countless beauties, my sense of aesthetics was starting to go haywire, but even I couldn't help building up massive hype for a polymorph beauty.
And yet... a guy?
A pretty boy, no less?
You fucking lizard...
Judging by that speech pattern, she definitely did this on purpose.
More than anger, a hollow emptiness washed over me.
Still, I had to get up.
It was despairing, but I had to keep living.
I forced some energy into my limp body and slowly rose.
"H-Hey...?"
Prostia clearly looked flustered at my zombie-like shambling.
I didn't care, one way or the other.
A dreamless, hopeless lizard bitch.
"I'll keep my promise... I'll find you a place to stay. Follow me."
"Uh, y-yeah..."
After that, I walked in silence.
I ignored her no matter what she said.
"Curious how I've toyed with humans before? Heh heh heh."
"......"
"Some were decent for humans, but they all fainted at my majesty. Hahaha."
"......"
"Ah... right. Curious about the gods? I, the great one, repay favors. So I'll specially answer."
"......"
"Uh... this is about your temporary subordinate, Baekju... greatsword? Anyway, they were curious. I'll specially reveal top-secret info they crave!"
"......"
"Or shall I tell you about other monster kings or demon kings? Just the ones to watch out for. Humans can't get this anywhere. Huh?"
"......"
"Hey, you. This is really top-secret info? Outsiders drool over..."
"......"
"......"
"......"
"Ah, r-right! I know countless spells! I feel like I bent our oath a bit, so... if you want, I can teach you dragon magic!!"
"......"
"What did I bend? I should've gone back to hibernate, but... hm... a little fun shouldn't hurt. I didn't cause much harm, so it's within the oath, right?"
"......"
"Hahaha. Now that I've met you again, there's something I must do. Curious what it is?"
"......"
I couldn't remember a word she said.
I ignored her relentlessly as we left the old schoolhouse and trudged down the hill path.
It'd take minutes at full speed, but I had no strength left.
How could this happen?
Since when had I become so obsessed with a dragon's female form?
From years of gaming? Unknowingly?
The sense of loss was immense...
My chest felt hollow, like a gaping hole.
Prostia was still yammering beside me, but it was all white noise.
About ten minutes later?
"...Hey!!"
Something charged from behind with a thud, so I sidestepped.
A yelp and rolling on the ground followed.
"Ow ow ow..."
Uhaha! An ancient dragon rolling on the ground in pain—how pathetic!!
...Normally I'd force a laugh, but I felt nothing.
I'd felt this before.
When shit hits the fan, you just want to hole up at home.
Or when really pissed...
...Nah.
Real rage at least brings the will to kill them all. Now? Just tedious...
How could a dragon's polymorph be male? A pretty boy or handsome youth?
Go play with that Kaiz bastard in your category.
"Y-You! You planned this! That silence was to trip me! You wicked bastard!"
"......"
"H-Hey?"
I ignored and walked past.
Then...
"Y-You...!"
Sounded like sniffling, but an ancient dragon? Imagination.
"You insolent wretch! Why ignore a dragon?!"
"......"
"Don't! Ig!nore! Me!!"
She stomped the ground. Noisy.
Do whatever.
We'll never see each other again anyway.
Then Prostia clearly sniffled.
"Y-You don't mean... you're like this because I turned male?"
"......"
"Argh...! Dragons have no fixed gender! We choose our own... so look! You were so obvious, I was just teasing!!"
"......"
"Fine... if that's how you want it..."
Yeah, whatcha gonna do.
Attack me?
Fine.
Right now, dying blocking you wouldn't bother me.
I had stuff to do back home, but... it'll work out.
"Behold! The form you wanted!"
"...Huh?"
Fwaaah!
A brilliant light enveloped Prostia's body.
The humanoid silhouette of light reshaped like clay.
A daintier build, longer hair, and above all, plump breasts and hips.
Yes, plump.
When the light faded, the man was gone.
The ultimate beauty.
Among the women I've seen, if Asita's the top and I ranked them, she'd be right below... on par with or slightly above those 12 beauties... supreme allure.
Her looks might fall just short of Asita's, but her aura overwhelmed Asita or even Loveheart.
An untouchable nobility they lacked.
No matter her personality, she exuded elegance.
Her fangs remained, ugly before but now just cute.
Hair blending gold and red, sharp yet alluring eyes. Perky nose, long lithe limbs, ample breasts and hips...
Her outfit changed too.
Previously some typical male noble attire; now a red dress harmonizing perfectly with her crimson hair.
Especially the low-cut shoulders and cleavage—huge plus for me.
Honestly.
Totally my type.
That noble face pouting cutely in contrast was irresistible.
"W-What do you think! This is what you wanted, right?! I specially made it around your age!"
"......"
"...Still silent? Then what does it take for this body..."
Grab!
"Eek?!"
I grabbed her hand; she startled. Lizard... no, who called her lizard? Me? Fucking dragon bitch?
From now on, Prostia-sama even in my heart.
A notification rang in my ear.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ You have witnessed a transcendent being beyond nobility. Transcendent experience points have been granted. ✨ LEVEL UP! ✨ Lv [Current] → Lv [Current+8] + All Stats +8
How many times? Six...? Eight?
No. Level ups don't matter now.
Here, dreams and hope abound.
"H-Hey...?"
"Prostia-sama."
"Y-Yes? What is it? Kinda scary..."
Visibly flustered, she blurts it out straight.
Even that's cute.
"Why hide your true form until now?"
"What?"
"This noble, beautiful, fantastical form!"
"...Well, I am certainly noble."
She blinked, then puffed up proudly in an instant.
"You can be female too!"
"I'm closer to female originally!"
"Beautiful...! Sob..."
Tears welled up naturally.
Realizing a dream is this overwhelming.
"You... crying from my beauty?"
"Yes, of course...! Who wouldn't weep witnessing such beauty?"
The dragon polymorph (female) from countless games, never satisfying.
One of my dreams fulfilled here and now.
"Hmmm... haat!"
Flaaash!
"Urk?! My eyes... from nobility...!"
Prostia glowed again suddenly.
When it faded... not my age anymore, a mature woman...!
...Fucking sexy.
Insanely pretty, but how to describe...
Like if that previous form grew up.
Breasts and hips exploded in size, fully developed everywhere... but an inexplicable allure beyond that.
Said she fell short of Asita before?
Now she's equal.
This is future potential?
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ You have witnessed a noble being in a new form never taken before! Level has increased! Level has increased! "Ah, aaaaah!"
System windows, levels—shut up.
Just beautiful.
"Hehe. How's this?"
Another flash; now much younger.
This... yeah.
Cute beauty stirring protective instincts, beyond lust!
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ You have witnessed a noble being in yet another new form... Why is she doing that? Level has increased! Level has increased! Shut up, system window.
Go away. This is for my eyes only.
"Hahaha. Well? Super beautif—?! W-Who said you could hug me?!"
"S-Sorry... Overwhelmed by your nobility... couldn't contain myself."
"Hmph!"
She pushed me away, escaping my arms with a subtly satisfied look, then flashed again.
Back to my-age form, her face fully arrogant original...
Arrogant? Wanna get beat, lizard drag?
This expression suits her perfectly.
Aaah... so refined.
"I'll specially forgive you. But that demands proper conduct, right?"
"Conduct...?"
Her slender ankle caught my eye.
Pretty shoes now, but if ordered to lick those dainty toes... I'd lick like mad.
Like a dog, cat—slurp till she squirms.
"Address me with '-sama'."
"......?"
"It's only proper. Utterly reverent."
"......"
My silence made her uneasy; her expression shifted.
"W-Well... not always, just once is fine...?"
Why uneasy?
Obvious!
"Prostia-sama!"
I bowed low; she looked stunned.
"Prostia-sama! So noble!"
"...I-Is that so? Of course! Uhaha!"
"Indeed!"
"Praise more!"
"Prostia-sama!!"
"More!!"
"Aah! Prostia-saaama!!"
I banged my head on the ground.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ Loveheart sends a message. What are you doing? Stop it!! What the hell, bitch. Watching me this whole time?
Shut up, slut.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ Equality's ? Olnist? sends a message. Amusing. Do more. Yes sir! More I shall!
But my noble queen frowned displeased.
"Those gods... trying to ruin my fun?"
Oh?
Like before, Prostia-sama knows about system windows.
Anyway, queen displeased—back her up.
"Right! No tact!"
"Exactly?!"
"Yes!! Ruining my fun too!"
I echoed without knowing what they said.
She granted a dream; this is nothing...
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ ???? God He?ton is clutching their belly laughing. More messages came after, but I ignored them all.
Long live Prostia-sama—!
After reveling in mad worship, we calmly resumed our goal.
"Stay at the Hart Clan house for now."
"What? No. Isn't that where the lightning is?"
"Hm... Then how about an inn until I arrange lodging?"
"Human lodging? Can't beat my lair, but lead on."
So smug.
Hehe. Fine. She's pretty.
Dragon form? I'd smack her. Now? I'd take a smack.
Appearance matters.
"You've received powers from many gods, huh?"
"You can tell?"
"Yes. All heavyweights, and they gave you good stuff."
"Four?"
"Just from feel: that pesky giant's Eye of Wisdom on All Things, short-legged smith's armament power, that Plna guy... hm. Ambiguous."
Wow, she knows.
Even I forget sometimes. Dragons are dragons.
Giant? Eye of Wisdom is Understanding of All Things—from giant god?
"Can still see that giant smirking... hmph."
"Is that so."
"Yes. Especially that equality nut—dunno details, but gave something impressive."
Equality nut... ah, Olnist?
"Hmph... laugh now, you bastards."
"......"
What're her ties to gods?
Not friendly, obvious.
Ask anyway?
"May I ask something?"
"No."
"Got it."
No surprise.
But her sidelong glances suggested regret; she relented.
"Bring proper compensation later, and I'll allow a few questions!"
"Understood."
Didn't ask what compensation.
This crimson queen would tell when time comes.
"Some trash below? Hm... some decent ones."
Trash? Harsh.
From her view, most are.
"...Ah. Maybe top-tier humans."
Prostia-sama glanced at me, adding that.
No need.
"This school's students."
"Ah. Those I heard about sometimes."
Disinterested tone.
Good for me—no interest in students best.
No fights from curiosity.
But how to explain Prostia-sama to kids?
Stunner beside lone Dre? Questions, but vague cover works.
I thought leisurely.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
"Here? Asita."
"Yup~."
Panting Asita, even beautiful.
Mayal rummaged her pouch, offering a water bottle.
"Thanks~."
Gulp gulp.
"Pha! Feels alive~."
"Drink slow. But Asita... your boyfriend okayed this...?"
"Yesss! Of course~!"
Only the messy-haired boy didn't know Asita's situation.
"Where's Dre... no, Instructor Dre~?"
"Went up alone. Wanted to chat~."
Sultry voice from youthful, alluring girl.
"Inserse? Why here~? Usually down from island by now~?"
"Strong ones pique interest~."
Asita shrugged, exasperated expression.
More surprising: usually quiet classmate.
Eastern-style sword at waist: Dia.
Not close; light nod, she nods back.
Others not welcoming.
Laiyet casual, but near fanatic Ror's superior; saw Ror's awkwardness recently—no friendly greet.
Boys out.
Big guy: Lalz.
Messy-haired swordsman boy: Lius?
Asita knew that much.
Few close friends—all girls, only those not jealous of looks, proud of skills; narrow circle.
Lalz peeked at beauties, especially Asita pretending not; Lius glared at hilltop old schoolhouse.
"Mayal. Where's Dre... Instructor Dre~? Said alone~?"
How much time passed?
Asita worried.
"Maybe 20 minutes. Worried—check?"
"Hm... probably fine, but..."
Fears no ancient dragon.
Whatever in schoolhouse, he'd handle.
"Anyway, original plan when back?"
"Yup. Befriend Dre... Instructor and class kids~."
Dre: instructor and student.
Student status unknown, but friends with Prynar Academy elites never hurts.
Then.
"Coming."
Laiyet flatly.
Dre descending hill indeed.
"No nobility material~... Huh?"
Asita froze mid otherworldly jab.
Woman beside Dre.
Stunning, awe-inspiring beyond beauty—all entranced.
"......"
Why?
Asita and Dre not close.
'No, I'm fine...? Right? Just friends?'
Repeating inwardly, Asita seethed.
Gaze to red-haired woman beside.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
Clarit and El scribbling in classroom.
El: half-year backlog study/assignments. Clarit: student council work.
"...Clarit."
"Yes, El?"
"Pile on. Wanna?"
"......"
Clarit paused quill.
Both girls thinking of today's event.
Party with Instructor Dre, Mayal's invite.
El desperate to go; Clarit unclear on feelings.
But.
"Shall we?"
"...Unexpected."
Diligent her cared enough for that answer.
Their light rivalry escalating to scolding by staff, more paperwork—increased for pride's sake, secret.