Chapter 123
Chapter 123
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 123
Chapter Title: Dragon IN Elementary School (3)
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After the entrance ceremony ended.
The children headed to their respective classes.
Amid that massive crowd, Su-ryeon voiced her discomfort.
"There are too many humans. We really need to cut their numbers by about half."
At Su-ryeon's sudden remark, Cho-ryeon nodded faintly in agreement.
"I agree. There are so many humans that the Earth is suffering. It looks like we need to reduce the human population to cut down on carbon dioxide."
"It's been a while since we last saw eye to eye, Cho-ryeon."
"Yeah, it has, Su-ryeon unnie."
Whisper whisper—
Su-ryeon and Cho-ryeon murmuring strange things.
"This is ridiculous!"
Hwa-ryeon stared at the two dragons like they were idiots and spoke up.
"That would mean fewer of my minions! No way!"
"Tch."
"What a shame…"
Su-ryeon and Cho-ryeon lowered their heads regretfully at Hwa-ryeon's words.
The dragons chatted idly as they walked down the sleek hallway of the brand-new elementary school.
It wasn't long before they reached their destination.
"It's 1-1! This is our class!"
"Let's go! Let's head in!"
Slide—
The dragons opened the classroom door and stepped inside.
At that moment, the gazes of the children already seated poured in.
Curiosity mixed into those children's eyes.
"So cool…"
It was only natural.
Unlike the other kids, Hwa-ryeon, Su-ryeon, and Cho-ryeon had a distinctive aura.
"Her hair is red! That's so awesome!"
"That one's blue! And there's green too!"
Hop to their feet—!
Starting with one child's shout.
The kids swarmed the dragon sisters.
Rushing in—
"W-What's this?! Why are you coming at me?! Wanna fight?!"
Clench—
Hwa-ryeon balled her fist toward the suddenly charging children.
She was ready to plant a straight punch in their faces if they crossed the line.
But the children's eyes held only pure curiosity.
"Did you dye your hair? It's so pretty!"
"Get away from me! Don't cling to me, you humans!"
"You're tall and cool too!"
"Hmph, of course I'm cool! It's me, after all!"
Hwa-ryeon secretly enjoyed the attention pouring her way.
Meanwhile, Su-ryeon.
"Did you dye your hair too?"
"Don't talk to me."
"O-Oh… okay…"
She brushed off all the interest directed at her with a prickly attitude.
And Cho-ryeon.
"You're super cute! Like a hamster!"
"Thanks for the compliment! Let's be friends! Hehe!"
She responded with a warm, sunflower-like smile.
And so, the dragons drew all the children's attention and took center stage in Class 1-1.
Slide—
"Everyone, sit down. The teacher's coming."
She said it alongside Kim Si-hu, the S-Rank Hero who had given the pledge as student representative.
Kim Si-hu spoke toward Hwa-ryeon, who was still standing.
"You too, go sit down. The teacher's coming."
"Hmph."
Hwa-ryeon sneered at Kim Si-hu and said.
"I don't listen to weak humans like you!"
"..."
"What're you looking at!"
"..."
Kim Si-hu glared at Hwa-ryeon without a word and took a seat in the front row.
It was the moment a strange tension began to drift through the classroom, like a clash between predator and prey.
***
As Kim Si-hu had said, the homeroom teacher arrived.
They decided to have a simple self-introduction session.
Naturally, it started in order of attendance number.
"Hmm?"
Su-ryeon furrowed her brow at the face of the No. 1 student.
"Looks familiar. What was his name again."
The name escaped her, but the face rang a bell.
Its owner opened his mouth confidently before the class.
"I'm Gu Min-gu. I came here to make a ton of money later. Hi, everyone!"
Gu Min-gu.
A kindergarten classmate of the dragons.
"I know you!"
Hop to her feet—!
Hwa-ryeon shot up from her seat, pointed at Gu Min-gu, and yelled.
"You're one of my minions!"
"I-I'm not your minion! I never accepted that!"
"Where are your friends?"
"I came alone! They weren't interested in studying!"
Min-gu said that and recalled the past.
The day he decided to go to the elementary school in 04 District, leaving his friends behind.
'You guys really not coming? If you study well there, you can get good jobs later.'
'Nah, we're not going. We'd have to take the subway all the time, super annoying. Plus, unlike you, Min-gu, we're not smart. Teacher Bong-gu said learning a trade is better.'
'You planning to stay in 09 District forever? You gotta think about getting out, like those guys' dad!'
'We're fine here. It's gotten even nicer to live in lately.'
'...Fine. You guys go to the local school and learn a trade or whatever. I'm going to the 04 District elementary school.'
For a better future.
Min-gu had applied to the futuristic elementary school in 04 District, dreaming of a brighter tomorrow.
Just like the Yi Ha-jun family, who had escaped 09 District through blood, sweat, and tears.
'Someday, I'll get out of 09 District like that guy.'
After Min-gu's simple self-introduction.
Next up, Kim Si-hu stood with a curt expression.
Kim Si-hu spoke in a slightly arrogant tone.
"You all know who I am."
"Su-ryeon, do you know who that is?"
"Nope."
"First time seeing him."
"..."
The dragons interrupted a bit.
But Kim Si-hu kept his composure and continued.
"As you know, I'm the son of an S-Rank Hero. I'm smart and strong. If you've got any tough problems, come to me first. I'll help you out like a hero."
Shrug—
With that, Kim Si-hu sat right back down.
"Hmph, acting all high and mighty."
Hwa-ryeon didn't like Kim Si-hu's puffed-up shoulders.
"Next up is Na-jin—"
"Not yet!!"
So, at Kim Si-hu's turn to go next, she immediately shot to her feet.
Standing up, Hwa-ryeon glared at Kim Si-hu and declared.
"I'm Hwa-ryeon! And you're Kimchi Hu!"
"It's Kim Si-hu."
"Whatever! You think you're hot stuff at fighting? Then meet me on the rooftop at break time! I'll show you who's really best!"
Roooar—!
Hwa-ryeon's bold challenge, brimming with confidence.
Kim Si-hu didn't back down an inch, facing her off like they were about to fight.
At that, the homeroom teacher intervened with a gentle tone.
"Let's both calm down… How about we finish self-introductions first…?"
Lee Hee-ju, a teacher in her thirties.
She didn't have much experience as a homeroom teacher.
But her inherently soft personality made her popular with the kids.
Lee Hee-ju sighed and spoke again in her gentle tone.
"Haa… Everyone calm down… No fighting… We should all get along as friends…"
"He's not my friend! He's gonna be my minion!"
"Why would I be your minion? Don't talk nonsense."
Bicker bicker—
A fight with neither side yielding.
Lee Hee-ju watched it all, dropping her head.
'...Did I get the wrong class?'
It was the moment she felt certain her homeroom days would be tough.
"If you're so good at fighting, bring it on! Scaredy-cat!"
"Heroes don't swing their fists recklessly."
"Hero? The only heroes I recognize are Masked Ranger and my dad!"
"...Are you dissing my father right now? He's an S-Rank Hero."
"Hmph, my dad's SSS-rank!"
"N-No such thing exists!"
And so, the children's self-introduction time was hijacked by Hwa-ryeon and Si-hu's feud.
'Jackpot. I'm sitting this one out.'
Smirk—
Unlike the homeroom teacher burning up inside.
A smile crept onto Su-ryeon's lips.
***
After getting beaten by the Dragon Slayer.
I realized I lacked experience.
And I thought about why I was so inexperienced.
'It's because I've been freeloading off Dimensional Gate raids.'
Monsters all flee from Dragon Fear.
So I skip all the fights and can't gain experience.
Freeloading has its downsides too.
So.
I learned how to control Dragon Fear.
Through texts with the Association Chairman, who contacted Yellow Dragon for me.
[Association Chairman]
[Yellow Dragon is recovering from the fight with the Dragon Slayer, so I'll relay instead. Yellow Dragon says to hold your breath and block the energy flow to control Dragon Fear.]
Hold your breath and block the energy.
As a non-dragon, I had no clue what that meant.
But after about a year of practicing while holding my breath, I found a way.
"Now I can fool up to C-rank monsters, somehow."
I can't trick sharp A- or B-ranks.
But C-ranks are easy.
Thanks to that, I can gain combat experience even in Dimensional Gates.
"Raids are tougher now. But this is way more effective."
Whew—
Today, I finished a Dimensional Gate raid.
Unlike before, I emerged drenched in sweat instead of pristine.
" Raid complete. Good work, everyone."
"Yes, Hero Lee Ha-jun! Great job! Now, about that formal contract with the Association—"
"No thanks."
Formal contracts mean too much work—I wouldn't have time for the kids.
Still, I want to spend time with them after work.
I turned down the formal contract and left.
"It's about 2 PM—school should be wrapping up soon. Gotta hurry."
They said early dismissal for the entrance ceremony.
I quickened my pace toward the futuristic elementary school.
Then, at the school gate, I waited for the kids to come out.
It wasn't long before a group of elementary students exited the gate.
"Hmm, let's see. When will my girls show up…"
Hope they had a good first day.
No weird incidents, please.
As I waited at the gate thinking that, I spotted unmistakable hair colors in the distance.
"There they come. But…"
Why does Hwa-ryeon look so pissed?
Unlike Cho-ryeon, who was waving goodbye to friends.
Hwa-ryeon's expression wasn't great.
If I had to describe it, she looked like a murderer out for blood.
'Guess I should ask what happened.'
I waved to the kids arriving at the gate.
"Kids, Daddy's here."
"Ah, Father! I missed youuu!"
Pat pat pat—
Cho-ryeon immediately ran over and hugged me.
I stroked her head and asked.
"Cho-ryeon! How was your first day? Fun?"
"Yeah! I made tons of friends! Everyone seemed to like me!"
"That's great. Get along with them, no fighting."
"Yeah, Father! I won't fight! Just like Hwa-ryeon unnie!"
"Hwa-ryeon?"
Did she cause a huge scene on day one?
That explains the bad mood.
I asked Hwa-ryeon, who was standing there quietly.
"Hwa-ryeon. Who'd you fight with today?"
Snap—
Hwa-ryeon immediately looked up and yelled.
"I didn't fight!"
"Then why the long face."
"It's 'cause I didn't! I wanted to! But the teacher said no fighting! Weak human! Teacher blocking me! Roooar!!"
She's furious.
Makes sense—if she'd fought, she'd look relieved, not mad.
Still, glad there was no actual incident.
'I should apologize to the teacher later.'
I patted the fuming Hwa-ryeon's head.
"But you listened to the teacher. Good job, Hwa-ryeon."
"You told me to! Even threatened no meat! Dad! I don't wanna listen to the teacher!"
"You still have to."
"Why!"
"She's the teacher."
Hwa-ryeon is a prime suspect for wrecking classroom authority.
So I need to teach her to respect the teacher.
"Of course, if you think it's unfair treatment, some rebellion is okay."
"Then I wanna rebel! I wanna fight the teacher!"
"...Hwa-ryeon, just listen to the teacher."
"Roooar!"
No use complaining to me.
"Come here, Hwa-ryeon."
"Put me downnn!"
"Not till you calm down."
Doesn't look like she'll calm anytime soon.
So I'll carry her home like this.
I hoisted Hwa-ryeon over my shoulder and headed home.
Finally, I asked Su-ryeon walking beside me.
"Su-ryeon. How was your day?"
Rustle—
Su-ryeon pulled out an earbud and replied.
"Nothing special."
"Really? No one talked to you?"
"They did."
"And?"
"I made sure they'd never talk to me again."
"..."
Classic Su-ryeon answer.
And so, I walked home with the kids, chatting about their school day.
'There's a snack bar near the school. Maybe check it out later.'
Glancing at the buildings around school too.
Me and the kids peacefully shared our day.
Heading to our nest.
...
[Please stop jumping around. It's so noisy I'm gonna die. Gonna fail the exam again. Fuck.]
"Post-it? What's this now?"