Chapter 102: Reaching Consensus with the Dragon Faction

“So, why exactly did you two come here?”

Inside Ruby’s private kitchen, Eve had lost interest in Ryan and left. Kimfney and Tynasha remained drowned beneath the lake. The three of them left sat around a round table and began their conversation. Though some onlookers lingered outside, hoping to get Ryan’s autograph, at least they weren’t being ogled like circus animals anymore.

“Officially, it’s to investigate the death of the city lord. But I’m only here to direct battles. The princess is much the same—we don’t really have investigative skills. Personally, I just wanted to tell the whole school that you’re my friend, and also to hand you these red beans.”

Ryan candidly admitted he was just tagging along. Having climbed the ranks from an apprentice mage himself, he was well aware of the severe discrimination among magicians. So he made a bit of a scene upon entering the academy, but soon realized he was somewhat superfluous.

As for the killed city lord, though it had caught the emperor’s attention, His Majesty was too busy with state affairs to personally hunt the culprit. It was easier to appoint an acting city lord. And if the culprit couldn’t be found, the guard would just pick some unlucky fellows to demote as punishment.

“No need to trouble yourself. With me here, who would dare bully him?”

The goddess of magic glanced at Ryan with obvious displeasure over his interaction with Ruby. Ryan could only grin bitterly; she was still as fierce as ever after all this time.

“I really didn’t expect you to become a teacher... thank you.”

Ryan found his effort unnecessary, not because of Magyona but due to Ruby’s identity. He hadn’t imagined Ruby would become a teacher. As they spoke, a glass of apple juice was placed on the table, and Ryan thanked the male student who brought it to him.

“No, no need to thank me, Lord Ryan. I’m Ximei, your devoted fan! Please, give me your autograph.”

Ximei was overwhelmed with joy, shaking his head. He had begged Ruby for a long time to get a temporary waiter position so he could follow her around. Being able to personally serve his idol a drink was a dream come true—and a perfect chance to ask for an autograph.

“You really know me well?”

Ryan took out pen and paper and wrote his name by hand. Signing personally felt more sincere than inputting magic onto a magical sheet. Then he looked at the drink he liked and asked,

“Yes, Ryan Elsman, eighteen years old, graduated from Polaris Magic Academy as a Grand Mage. Later, you were recognized by a certain magic corps captain and joined them, earning many merits. Your greatest feat was probably dueling the Golden Sword Lion. After becoming a Magic Master, you were appointed captain of the Golden Sword Lion Magic Corps. You are my first idol, and the second is Teacher Ruby.”

As a true fangirl, Ximei had memorized all these details—information dug up by paparazzi-like professionals after Ryan rose to fame.

“That duel with the Golden Sword Lion was thanks to my comrades, not just me. And your teacher is even stronger than I am.”

Ryan smiled and handed Ximei his autograph. The fangirl cheered and quickly left Ruby’s private kitchen, politely not disturbing their conversation.

“Mr. Ruby, how much do you know about the city lord’s case?”

Ryan suddenly asked. Ruby and Magyona showed no particular reaction. Ruby remained calm, while the goddess of magic casually ate the custom-made ice cream.

“Why do you ask?”

“Just a feeling it’s connected to you. That girl earlier must be the city lord’s only child, right?”

“Yeah, I just met her by chance.”

Ruby chose to withhold information, knowing that revealing too much would hurt the girl and make things difficult for Ryan.

“I see. Actually, there’s one more thing—I’d like to borrow Dragon for a few days.”

Seeing this, Ryan realized Ruby probably knew part of the story but didn’t want to say. Instead, he revealed another purpose of his visit. The branch that had been sprouting from Ruby’s head slowly opened its single purple eye.

“No, Dragon and I are partners. I don’t have the right to decide where he goes. You’ll have to ask him yourself.”

Ruby refused decisively. Before Ryan could show disappointment, Ruby added that Dragon was his first partner since coming to this other world. Though others might see them as master and servant, in Ruby’s heart, Dragon was always a friend.

“Little Lion, what troubles do you want to bring to Lord Dragon?”

Dragon leapt down from Ruby’s head and stood on the table, asking Ryan. Before the great demon lord Satan’s creation of lustful desires, he was just a little lion.

“Well, that’s quite rude. Recently, my magic corps discovered a ruin near the imperial border, estimated to be thousands of years old, probably crafted by dwarves.”

Ryan knew Dragon’s status was no ordinary one, so he was polite for a while before bringing up the ruins. Before humans dominated the continent, other races lived here, including dwarves. After fierce wars, humans occupied the richest lands, and the dwarves, realizing they couldn’t win, had to trade with humans.

“Dwarves, huh...”

At the mention, Ruby pondered. Dwarves were known for strong spirits and craftsmanship. Though only half the height of an average human, they possessed immense strength. Their creations were exquisite and durable. In Terrilima, there were even dwarf-run shops.

“Yes, the structure is very peculiar, with many traps to prevent intruders. We lost quite a few men in the haste and gave up further investigation. I think with Dragon’s help, we could enter smoothly.”

“What do you think, human boy?”

“If it’s no pressure for you, then go ahead. You’ve been with me so long, it feels like you’re bound to me. I think it’s good for you to go out and see the world. And if you worry about my safety, there’s a very reliable person here.”

Ruby shared his thoughts with Dragon, who nodded confidently.

“Hmm...”

“Mr. Ruby, if you don’t mind, next time you should come visit me. There are many scantily clad girls there who like to hold something at their chest when they sleep.”

“Do you think that’s enough to tempt Lord Dragon? I just want to go for a walk.”

Dragon dismissed Ryan’s seduction attempts. Even a fool could tell Ryan had done his homework on Dragon’s preferences. Yet, as he spoke, Dragon had already perched on Ryan’s shoulder.

*Bang!*

Just as Ryan was about to thank Dragon, the only door to the room suddenly slammed inward. The intruder walked in, obliviously asking, “Why won’t this door open?”

Magyona, the muscle-bound idiot, covered her face, unwilling to listen. Her magical lock had thwarted many, and magical attacks would be reflected back, but pure brute force demolishing the door was truly unstoppable.

“Tynasha, you’re back. No injuries?”

Ruby saw the damp strands of green hair and guessed what she’d been through. He tossed her a towel and helped her soak it, then placed a cup of hot coffee before her.

“I almost drowned! But in the haze, I think I saw a mermaid. It was a miracle.”

After a long time, Ruby’s attentive care warmed Tynasha’s heart. Though she believed it was mostly due to the hot coffee. Magyona’s strike had nearly killed her—when she fell into the water, she almost drowned but was rescued. When she woke, she was on the shore. She recovered quickly, but the other was still unconscious.

“Ryan came here for business. What about you? Don’t tell me you’re using your dumb brain to solve the case.”

Magyona clearly resented Tynasha breaking down her carefully arranged door and launched a ruthless jab.

“No, Ruby, didn’t Caesar agree with you to update the card counts monthly? I just came to pick up the goods and check on you... both of you.”

When Caesar learned the exact card numbers, he realized it wasn’t something done in a day or two. So he made a deal with Ruby to send someone monthly to collect the cards as templates. Tynasha scratched her cheek and looked at Ruby, realizing she was also added to the list of people to check on.

“Counting the time, the release date must be close.”

“Yes, actually, the trial cards have already circulated among the nobles. Though widely praised, there have been many side effects. For example, two nobles gambled their lands over a rare card and ended up dueling. In the end, it was my father who had to step in and negotiate.”

Tynasha laughed as she recounted the nobles’ antics. They were so wrapped up in gambling that even emperor-gifted lands were risked. Naturally, the emperor was furious and harshly scolded the two nobles blinded by greed. He also confiscated the rare card as punishment.

“Ruby, before you left, you told me I’d have to handle things myself from now on. Since then, I haven’t gotten stuck once. I’ve handled everything calmly, so...”

The green-haired princess spoke shyly, like a child reporting her grades to a parent. She detailed how she managed the tedious affairs. Her expression was unmistakably pleased, as if her tail were wagging behind her.

Ruby and Magyona understood her meaning perfectly. They exchanged looks, conveying a brief silent conversation.

“You go.”

“No, you go.”

“I’m not familiar with her.”

“Neither am I! If you keep arguing, you’ll be scrubbing the laundry board tonight.”

“Good job.”

Ruby lost this silent battle of wills. As a penalty, he had to step in. He ruffled Tynasha’s hair to encourage the girl seeking praise. Tynasha’s lips curled slightly, revealing her happiness.

They didn’t stay long at Rhine Academy and left the same day. Ryan was eager to investigate the dwarf ruins, and as princess, Tynasha couldn’t stay away from the capital for long—this time, she had sneaked out.

“Ruby, take care. I’ll come visit you again.”

Before leaving, the princess boldly hugged Ruby and patted his back. For some reason, she’d felt uneasy since earlier, with her eyelid twitching. The last time it twitched like this, her pet rabbit had died. Now, she could only hope she was overthinking it.

“Nana, you too. Watch out for that sneaky cat.”

After releasing Ruby, Tynasha hugged Magyona the same way. The goddess of magic was used to this clingy princess and didn’t say anything to make it awkward.

“They really came at just the right time. In a few days, we won’t be here.”

After sending off the two uninvited guests and Dragon, Magyona spoke, seeming to think they were lucky.

“Hm? What do you mean, not here?”

“Don’t you know? In a few days, the academy’s extracurricular internship begins. We’ll all leave here for field training.”

Magyona was surprised Ruby, though a teacher, didn’t know this. Probably because the school hadn’t officially announced it. But the students all knew that every year at this time, there was an extracurricular internship, called something like ‘Intimate Encounters with Magical Beasts.’

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PS: Please bookmark and recommend! (The story was a bit stuck today, so I combined two chapters and made it shorter.)

PS: Head pats are a powerful skill that can straighten out yuri relationships!

PS: Thanks to book fans Qianshi775 for 500, Cain Bloodhoof for 200, and Mr. Yitia and Brother Zheng Qing for 100 each.