School and Fresh Beginnings, Part 1
Meanwhile, a quiet, confidential conversation was taking place deep within the National Intelligence Service (NIS).
"Director, you need an agent to be assigned exclusively to assist the dragon? Specifically, an agent with an eight-year-old child?"
"Yes. Since the child has chosen the dragon as her mother."
"I will review the agent roster and report back to you, Director."
"Very well. Keep up the good work."
About a week passed, and the list of candidates was narrowed down to just one. Most of the other agents had either been married for a very long time or were unmarried.
The summoned agent entered the office, and her eyes went wide upon receiving the documents for what was described as a new long-term assignment.
"Has it been five years since you started working as an agent? What do you think? Frankly, you're the only one who fits the bill."
"You're assigning this to me? By your direct order, Director?"
"You don't have much of a choice. Besides, it's an assignment where you don't have to risk your life, so there's no reason to refuse, is there, Agent Choi Seung-ah?"
"Well, that's true. My daughter just started elementary school, too... I suppose I should be grateful to receive an assignment like this."
"Han Min-ah is also in the middle of transferring schools. Her face hasn't been shown on the news, but there's no telling what might happen if the media gets wind of her."
"Does that mean she's transferring to my daughter's school? In that case, I should reveal my identity to the dragon, correct?"
"Exactly. You hit the nail on the head. Reveal your identity to the dragon. I'll also give you my direct line and the President's personal number, so make sure to save them."
Choi Seung-ah had been suddenly summoned to the Director's office, only to be handed an assignment to exclusively assist a dragon.
A dragon. She hadn't even known such creatures actually existed. She had also been told that the dragon was raising a child, who happened to be eight years old.
Checking the documents, she saw that the child belonged to the couple who had recently been all over the news. She knew their parental rights had been revoked, but she hadn't expected a dragon to be involved.
Still, the silver lining was that she wouldn't have to risk her life on a field mission, and it was an assignment that would allow her to spend time with her own child.
Receiving the Director's direct line and even the President's personal number meant this was a mission of the utmost importance, but she still had a few questions.
"How will the budget be handled?"
"Ah, we will provide an ample budget every month. More than enough. We can even provide a vehicle if you need one."
"Also, looking at your marksmanship evaluations, you're quite a crack shot. Carry a pistol with you. It's an order from above. Just make sure it stays hidden."
"May I be excused now?"
"Yes. I'm counting on you, Agent Choi Seung-ah."
When her phone began to ring first thing in the morning, Flare used her tail to bring it over and unlock the screen.
Displayed on the screen was a text message from Silvere with information regarding the school transfer process.
"It's already time for her to transfer. Min-ah really went through a lot."
Min-ah was currently a hot topic at her school. Although her face hadn't been shown on the news, she was practically a celebrity there now.
It was even worse among the teachers.
Because of this, the government had swiftly pushed through the transfer process. Her original school was a consolidated school in the countryside, but now she would be attending an elementary school in the Seoul metropolitan area.
It was quite close to where they currently lived—only about a ten-minute walk.
Just as Flare was thinking about this, a message arrived from Silvere.
Ring-a-ling~
The cafe door opened with a clear chime, and the sight that greeted Flare as she stepped inside was rather intriguing.
A dark-haired woman was learning the ropes of the cafe, starting from the absolute basics, just as Flare had.
Silvere seemed much stricter now compared to when she had taught Flare.
Well... the woman in question was clearly struggling.
"You want me to work here? Me?"
"Well, you need a cover job and a place to commute to, don't you? I'll even pay you a separate salary."
"Understood. Then what should I call you?"
"My official human name is Kim A-yeong, but you can call me whatever you're comfortable with."
And so, Choi Seung-ah had succumbed to the power of capitalism, leading to the current state of affairs.
It was right at this moment that Flare arrived.
"Oh, you're here early. I have someone to introduce to you."
"This is Choi Seung-ah. She was sent by the NIS. She has a daughter the same age as Min-ah, so I thought they might make good friends."
As Silvere warmly welcomed Flare and explained, Choi Seung-ah, who had been learning her duties, turned her head toward Flare.
"Excuse me... Are you, by any chance, Ms. Han Yeoreum?"
"Yes, that's me. Is there a problem?"
"No, no! Not at all! I've just been assigned to assist you, Ms. Yeoreum."
"Then you obviously know what I really am, right?"
As Flare spoke, she partially undid her polymorph to reveal her hidden horns and tail. Choi Seung-ah tensed up instantly.
Swallowing her nervousness, Seung-ah showed Flare the mission documents and shared the details of Min-ah's new school.
"First of all, she will be transferring to the elementary school my daughter attends. They'll be in the same class, too."
"So I just need to buy her school supplies? A backpack and things she'll use at school?"
"The transfer process is almost complete. You'll just need to purchase her backpack and the supplies she'll need."
Once they finished discussing Min-ah, Choi Seung-ah excused herself to continue learning her duties. Flare also stood up, told Silvere she was leaving, and stepped out of the cafe.
Back home, Flare called Min-ah over and sat her on her lap.
"Min-ah, do you remember your old school?"
"I remember."
At Flare's question, Min-ah recalled her previous school. It wasn't a particularly pleasant memory, so she quickly pushed it out of her mind, but it was a vague, lukewarm recollection—neither entirely good nor entirely bad.
"But why do you ask, Mom?"
"It would be hard for you to keep going to that school now, wouldn't it?"
Thinking back on the recent events, Min-ah nodded.
"I think so. But what about school then?"
"That's why I called you over, to tell you about it."
Min-ah looked up with a curious, expectant expression.
"Am I still going to school?"
"You're still going to school. But instead of that one, you'll be going to an elementary school near here. So don't worry, you'll be perfectly safe."
"Then will you come with me every day when I go to school, Mom?"
Looking into Min-ah's wide, hopeful eyes, Flare found herself utterly unable to refuse. With a warm smile, she said,
"Yes, I'll walk you there every single day. And I'll come pick you up when it's over, too. In exchange, tomorrow you and I are going to buy your backpack and school supplies, okay?"
"Yay! Because I get to go with Mom!"
Seeing Min-ah's enthusiastic reaction, Flare felt just how much the little girl relied on her. But just like a dragon that had been abandoned once, humans also became highly dependent after such trauma.
She was at an age where she desperately needed parental attention and affection. More than anything, seeing her this happy made Flare feel that letting Min-ah pick out whatever she wanted tomorrow would be perfectly fine.
"Then you have to wake up early tomorrow, okay?"
"I will!"
Having made their promise, Min-ah happily began playing with Flare's tail.
As she played, a sudden curiosity struck her.
"But Mom, your tail is so long and your horns are long too. Can I see your real dragon form later?"
Flare was slightly taken aback by Min-ah's question. Her true form was far too massive to easily reveal, and as the Dragon Lord, she couldn't suppress the overwhelming aura of her true body.
While she could suppress her presence in her polymorphed human form so that others felt no intimidation, doing so in her true form was impossible.
Flare pondered how to answer Min-ah's question before finally speaking.
"Hmm... Min-ah? Mom's true form is so big that it might be a bit difficult to show you."
"But if you're really curious, I promise I'll show you someday. Okay?"
Hearing Flare's answer, Min-ah held onto her tail tightly, insisting that she absolutely had to show her, and managed to extract a firm promise.
The next day, at the slightly awkward hour of just past 10:00 AM—well before lunchtime—Min-ah and Flare arrived at a store to buy her school backpack.
"Min-ah, over here. Pick whichever one you like."
Stepping into the store, Min-ah's eyes lit up at the sight of the colorful backpacks. She wandered around, browsing the selection, before grabbing one and running back over.
What Min-ah held in her hands was a bright, rainbow-colored backpack.
Flare was left utterly speechless by the color scheme.
"Mom, how about this one?"
"Min-ah... What is up with these colors...?"
"I really like it... Can I not have it?"
Unable to simply ignore Min-ah's genuine excitement, Flare hesitated, thinking deeply, before carefully speaking.
"Min-ah, how about we use that one when we go on trips instead of using it for school...?"
"Mom? Do you not like it...?"
"No, no! It's just that since you like it so much, it would be a waste to use it for school."
Flare desperately tried to preserve Min-ah's innocent heart, wrapping her words in the gentlest way possible. Fortunately, Min-ah seemed convinced.
She ran back over and returned with a much more sensible red backpack.
It was clear she still preferred vibrant, eye-catching colors, but Flare had to compromise. At least this was a much better option.
She'll probably realize her tastes are a bit unique when she grows up, Flare thought to herself.
In the end, Min-ah successfully secured the rainbow backpack as well. The moment they got home, she ran straight to Hyun, showing it off with a proud face that practically begged for praise.
"Hehe, what do you think? Mom told me to pick whatever I wanted, so I chose this. Isn't it pretty?"
Hyun caught Flare's eye. Reading her silent sigh and the unspoken pressure to handle this delicately, he did his absolute best to phrase his response gently.
"It looks great on you. How about we make that your special bag for when we go out, Min-ah?"
"Okay! Hehe!"
She was still only eight, so it was a massive relief that she was completely oblivious to their subtle maneuvering.
