Chapter Sixty-Five: Searching for Her Husband Across Thousands of Miles (Mist)

Trelima, this beautiful city has long claimed the title of the Holy Empire’s jewel. Even without the famed Rhine Academy of Magic as its emblem, countless business opportunities await discovery within its borders. As the Academy’s renown grew and its admissions became ever more selective, enterprising and learned individuals established their own institutions here, determined not to let those drawn by the Academy’s reputation leave in disappointment. Thus, a city already bustling with prosperity began to show the makings of the world’s foremost center of learning.

The Rhine Academy of Magic has stood for over two centuries, producing countless formidable figures who have made distinguished contributions to the Holy Empire’s progress. Its current headmaster, the Frost Saint Harvey Terry, has long since attained the rank of Archmage. The Academy’s faculty is exceptional, but its true advantage lies in the ambient magic that surpasses anywhere else in the world. The entire school is like a colossal fountain of mana, with magical energy welling up ceaselessly, making cultivation within its walls twice as effective for half the effort. The cause of this phenomenon remains a mystery even after many investigations by magicians; they can only regard it as a treasure bestowed upon the world by the God of Light.

Although there were still more than two weeks before the start of the term, the broad avenues were already packed to overflowing with students from all corners. The newcomers soon discovered that their first challenge was not to earn a coveted spot in the magical aptitude test, but simply to find suitable lodgings in this crowded city.

“Is my beloved truly here?” asked the black-haired youth of his companion. It was his first time mingling in such crowds, and though the wares along the streets tempted him, the crush of people made him long to return to his true form and trample those who bumped into him.

“That’s what that mermaid said. I remember Ruby once mentioned wanting to study here,” replied his companion. If the boy’s youthful features could evoke affection, then she was the ideal elder-sister beauty in any man’s heart. Her long purple dress and hair shaded with brilliant gradients gave the impression that colors, unwilling to remain mere pigments, had leapt out of a mural to become her.

There was a reason these two dragons, concealing their true identities, had slipped unnoticed into Trelima. Phyloxys wanted Ruby’s help for a small matter, only to find he had already left his little wooden cottage. With no other recourse, she turned to the absentminded mermaid, and it took the slow-witted Aqueya quite some time to recall the name of this city.

The location of the Rhine Academy was common knowledge. The Poison Dragon and the Black Dragon soon found its imposing golden gates, towering and inward-opening, compelling all who approached to look up in awe. These doors, pure gold, symbolized honor and wealth—a gift from the Emperor at the school’s founding. An entire gold mine had been emptied, tons of gold delivered to the dwarves, who crafted the doors with exquisite skill. Powered by an intricate magical array, the gates’ reflected brilliance alone could dazzle the eyes of new students.

The two dragons, of course, gazed longingly. If circumstances permitted, they would undoubtedly revert to their true forms and make off with the gates then and there. Remembering the strength of the Academy's denizens, Phyloxys calmed herself and turned her attention to the area surrounding the entrance.

A twenty-meter-tall white wall, perfectly joined to the golden frame, extended left and right, encircling the entire Academy. Phyloxys could keenly sense defensive magical barriers above and below—hard to believe this was an academy and not a fortress. The white walls, though mostly pristine, bore deliberate graffiti. Upon closer inspection, these were the words left by the school’s top graduates. At the Rhine Academy, every valedictorian could inscribe their innermost thoughts upon the wall. What could be more alluring than to have one’s motto immortalized in the place of their alma mater?

“No unauthorized entry!” As the two dragons approached while admiring the sights, they were stopped by the gatekeeper—a burly man unmoved by beauty, who sternly warned them even in the face of Phyloxys.

“We’re here to find someone,” Phyloxys replied, not wishing to make trouble. After spending time with Ruby, she understood that strength was not always the answer; sometimes words were more effective.

“If you’re looking for someone, you’ll need to give their name and class, then press your residence stone to enter.”

“The person’s name is Ruby. I don’t know the class.”

“There’s no record of anyone by that name entering or leaving. You may go now.” The gatekeeper walked to a nearby stone pillar, channeling his magic into it. After quickly checking the records, he returned with his verdict.

“What did you say! You fool—mmph!” Mels, clearly a muscle-headed dragon, was about to revert to his true form and cause trouble. Phyloxys, expecting this, clamped a hand over his mouth and dragged him away.

“What are you doing?” Mels demanded irritably when they reached the base of the wall.

“Mels, you’re not a child anymore. You ought to start thinking with your head. Do you really believe that if we reveal ourselves here, we could fight our way out?” Phyloxys sighed. The more time she spent with Ruby, the more she realized her kin were all muscle and no brains. Even a dragon would stumble in a city teeming with masters. She herself might be safe, but Mels, a juvenile, would be everyone’s target—and they wouldn’t need to band together to take him down.

“Can’t I?” Mels grumbled.

“A proper dragon must first learn to get along with humans.”

“Why should I get along with humans? I, Mels, would rather die outside the dragon’s lair than befriend a human—any human but my beloved!”

“Enough. If we can’t use the main gate, there must be a side entrance.” Phyloxys suspected Mels had just planted some ominous flag for himself, but didn’t dwell on it. A puff of pale violet mist drifted from her hand, floated over the wall, and settled on the Academy’s defensive array—not to attack, but to gradually eat away at its energy until a gap appeared. Thus, she smuggled herself and Mels inside.

This exploited a serious flaw in the barrier: with such a vast area to protect, the energy drain from two people would go unnoticed. Once inside, Phyloxys realized she had underestimated human ingenuity. Though within the walls, the grounds felt no different from the bustling city outside. The avenues were just as broad; a practice field stretched nearly a kilometer across; beside it, an artificial lake wider than Aqueya’s residence, its banks planted with rare, precious trees—each worth a lifetime’s wealth. Shops for students operated even during the holidays, though only a handful of students could be seen, drifting in and out of the teaching buildings.

“This place...” Phyloxys hadn’t known about the Academy’s unique traits. The magic beneath her feet felt as warm and soothing as bathwater.

“My beloved, where are you?” Mels was already impatiently searching the campus for Mayuna. Phyloxys, too, followed along, curious to explore.

Swart Terry—his name alone marked his connection to the headmaster. Though he called the principal great-grandfather, in truth, he was merely descended from Harvey’s cousin. His position as a teacher was earned by merit, not favoritism; the headmaster would never indulge him beyond reason.

The Academy was dull during the holidays. After several days’ cultivation yielded little progress, Swart began wandering the grounds. On his way to check the golden apple tree by the lake, he caught sight of a striking violet figure. His gaze was instantly captured—what a beauty! He nearly resolved to abandon his long pursuit of Professor Whitefeather and declare his devotion to this newcomer.

“Hello, do you need any help?” After a moment’s struggle, Swart decided to approach the goddess in his heart. Winning a beauty’s favor was always worthwhile.

“I’m looking for someone.” Phyloxys nodded to the reasonably handsome man before her. Though he concealed it well, she saw the fervor in his eyes. The Poison Dragon Lady had endured many such looks on her journey. Strangely, she never felt uncomfortable standing unclothed before Ruby, but under the gaze of these strangers, she wanted nothing more than to swat them away.

“Looking for someone? The Academy is on break—only a few students remain; most haven’t arrived yet.”

“I see...” Phyloxys didn’t notice how crestfallen she looked upon learning Ruby might not be here—but Swart’s heart ached at the sight and he promised to help her however he could.

With Swart’s earnest guidance, Phyloxys and Mels entered the teaching building, which bustled more than the rest of campus. Some students debated spell incantations, others practiced casting. When they saw the two visitors through the classroom windows, all activity ceased. The boys stared at Phyloxys, the girls at Mels.

With the poise of an adult dragon, Phyloxys paid no heed to the humans, occasionally flashing a friendly smile at the boys. The black dragon boy, however, disliked being gawked at like a pet. He bared his not-so-sharp teeth in warning, but his “fierce” expression only made the girls squeal with delight.

“Little brother, where are you from? Why are you here?” In some cases, girls are bolder than boys. One pretty girl stepped from the classroom to stand before Mels.

“What do you want? Let me go!” Once someone broke the ice, more followed. Soon, Mels was surrounded, the girls pinching his cheeks and fawning over him. He couldn’t understand why humans who usually wet themselves at the sight of dragon teeth now responded this way.

“He’s even cuter when he’s grumpy!” the leader cried, impulsively scooping Mels into her arms, pressing his face into the softness unique to young women.

“Mmph!” The suffocating sensation distressed Mels, but the gentle softness sapped his strength. Dragons are not mammals and feel no special attachment to the breasts that nurse human infants. Yet for the first time in his life, Mels was utterly captivated, the embrace reminding him of being swaddled in his egg—so comforting he never wanted to leave.

“That idiot...” Seeing Mels lost among the cooing girls, Phyloxys couldn’t be bothered to intervene. Maybe after this, the black dragon would be a little friendlier towards humans.

“Miss Phyloxys, I regret to inform you that since the founding of the Rhine Academy, there has never been a student named Ruby,” Swart declared, having finally led her into the archives where records of all students were kept.

“Don’t be too downcast. Perhaps he intends to enroll as a new student in a fortnight. If you wish, I can show you around the school.”

“A fortnight... Ah! Aqueya!” At the mention of two weeks, Phyloxys finally realized—Ruby would never have arrived so early. Whether he was even in this city was uncertain; the information had been far too unreliable! With that, she didn’t even bother bidding farewell to her guide, racing back to Mels.

“Mels, we’re leaving!”

“Humans might not be so bad after all...” Mels sat dazed on the floor, looking as though he’d endured something both torturous and blissful, a red lipstick mark still on his cheek—no telling which bold girl had kissed him.

“What nonsense are you spouting now?”

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Mels Wang Jingze: I swear I’d never—how delightful!

P.S. Please bookmark and recommend. I’ll leave this chapter in one piece; it’s double the usual length.
Special thanks to Game Kyushu and “Call Me Lord Huang Even Though I’m Li Xiang Tian” for their generous rewards.