Chapter 107
Amor Academy was fundamentally a place of learning, but it wasn't like that for everyone. In this bastion of ruthless meritocracy, those with middling talent or an urgent hunger for a cushy future found themselves in a savage jungle of biting and clawing. It wasn't enough just to advance through the years—students had to prove they could survive in the real world beyond the academy's walls to earn their diploma. But since that proof was grueling almost to the point of torment, it was common for upperclassmen to be stuck in student status for three or four extra years.
Into this brutal arena blew a gale named Mars Noctus, an Aura Lord. Most students had either witnessed his prowess firsthand or held the title of Lord in awe and reverence. But there were those who didn't. The ones who'd been hailed as geniuses before arriving here realized, upon entering this gathering of the continent's brightest, that they were just frogs in a well—and they drowned in despair. Then came the revelation of this Lord figure, the lowly son of a baron's house, and rumors exploded everywhere: fraud, rigged results, the works.
Intellectually, they knew the imperial family had verified it as legit, but jealousy and crumbling self-esteem blocked any acceptance. And with Polo Helios—the son of the empire's transcendent powerhouse, Helios Count—as his close friend, plus the duke's daughter, the princess, the saintess, and now even the Northern Grand Duke's daughter by his side, no one dared step up to condemn him outright. Anyone with that kind of guts would've turned that pointless envy inward for self-improvement instead. But for these blinded fools, only cowardly, petty malice ruled their hearts.
They yearned more than anyone for Mars's downfall—but all they heard as time passed was envy or praise for him.
"Heard? That first-year Mars Noctus is His Majesty's benefactor!"
"He took down a Heaven God Cult executive himself this time? Amazing at his age!"
The exact opposite of what they'd hoped. Stuck stewing in their base jealousy, unable to act, their pathetic days dragged on. That's when the dragon whispered to them.
"Don't... you want to get stronger?"
* * *
"A drug... you say?"
"Yes."
It was a typical day, classes wrapping up, when Professor Idrus—the homeroom teacher for our class—called me aside discreetly. He'd never summoned me like this before, so I went half on edge, and sure enough, it was the opening shot of yet another bizarre incident.
"Recent investigations reveal a surge in illegal drug use. It might just be underground trafficking, but the worrying part is that some of our academy students have already gotten their hands on it."
"That's awful... How severe are the symptoms?"
"Well... At first, it boosts concentration, promotes overall physical growth and development, and sharply enhances reflexes, cognition, and even intelligence. Think of every human capability amplified by more than threefold."
"Sounds like a wonder drug, not a narcotic. Hell, now I kinda want some."
What the hell is that? Insane. Not some game cash shop item—you just pop it and triple your power? No wonder it'd feel unfair after all the beatings I've taken from my master.
"Hah. If that were all, we wouldn't be investigating. The issue is, we can't identify its components at all."
According to the professor, this weird drug had trickled through the underworld in tiny quantities until its effects leaked out, driving up prices and demand. But even the shadows can't stay quiet forever—the empire's investigators sniffed something fishy, procured samples through back channels, and hit a dead end: origin unknown. They tried reverse-engineering it for mass production, but couldn't analyze the ingredients properly. Even a crude brew should have traces of famous herbs, but this? Nothing.
"And the real problem hit the other day. One user died."
"!"
James Cowell. Eldest son of a respectable knight family, but always told he fell short compared to his siblings. Nursing a wounded heart from jealousy and humiliation, he heard about this miracle drug. Skeptical at first, he confirmed its power personally, shelled out a fortune, and got hooked on the rush. No direct addiction, but once you taste that temporary body enhancement, going back to normal? Impossible.
James, heir to a marquisate's fortune, had stashed plenty in secret and blew it all on the stuff.
"He was taking at least one a day. Probably thought steady use could make the effects semi-permanent."
He beat all his siblings with the drug's power, even bested his lord-father. But joy was fleeting. He collapsed vomiting blood on the street. His guards rushed in, but when he opened his eyes again... he wasn't human anymore.
"Yes, literally. Not a metaphor—a lizard? Something like that, from what I heard."
James awoke with a face like a lizard's grafted onto a human, unrecognizing his own knights. His intelligence tanked too; he rampaged mindlessly, rational thought gone, turning the area to rubble. Luckily subdued quickly—no deaths, just injuries—but the empire took it seriously, launching a full probe and recall order.
"So why'd you call me?"
"We're watching too, but who better to know student matters than another student? You've got independent investigative authority from His Majesty now—perfect time to use it."
"Can't argue with that..."
Hearing the full story, I felt the gravity. A drug turning humans into monsters, masked by massive power boosts? Diabolical.
Highborn kids like our young masters and ladies could easily snag untested black-market crap. In this meritocracy, it must've seemed like forbidden fruit.
"If you spot a deal, or a student or staff with it, let us know. If unavoidable, handle it at your discretion."
"Got it."
I figured none of my close ones had touched it, but a question popped up.
"What's the drug called, anyway?"
"Ah, that... Buyers call it 'Drak.'"
* * *
Actually, in the three days since my serious talk with Polo, I'd tried approaching the female squad members again, but they were ghosts. Bump into them in the hall? They bolted. After class? Vanished without a trace. Hard to even say hi.
Maybe my obliviousness shocked them that bad—they were clearly pissed. I'd figured time would fix it, but heading back one day, a doubt crept in: what if they'd gotten into Drak?
Not as brutally addictive as my past life's brain-melters, but easy power beyond limits? Tempting as hell. Even if uninterested, I couldn't rule it out, so I asked around and learned they were holed up in the princess's private quarters. Rushing over, I caught a sound just before knocking.
"N-no, I can't... something like this... I...!"
Luna's voice, trembling in fear. My brain short-circuited before I could process—instantly, I kicked the door down.
"Stop that!!"
"?"
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What I saw inside: Celine grinning slyly while holding a flashy, revealing party dress; Luna red-faced, grabbed by Astraia; Hertia and Prazia—with Prazia mid-snack—staring wide-eyed at my sudden entrance.
They'd been trying on outfits, all in underwear. My intrusion froze them, gaping blankly my way.
"Uh..."
Before I could stammer an excuse, Prazia lunged, jabbing fingers at my eyes—and the world went black.
Poke—