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Nikita’s monumental use of Ice Dragon magic.

The entrance exam concluded successfully, heralding the birth of a new ancient dragon mage.

It was a despairing story for children of the same generation, but from a national perspective, an ancient dragon mage was a troublesome asset.

However, ancient dragon magic is illegal in the first place.

"Because you were there, senior."

When I asked Nikita casually, she mentioned me.

I, too, am a user of ancient dragon magic.

Since someone like me existed, it wasn’t strange for another to appear.

A case like mine, which turned the illegal into the legal.

Thanks to that, the First Prince’s faction had already secured additional witnesses through the Blue Tower Master in advance.

Such cunning people.

Who would’ve thought they prepared this in secret?

Still, I was glad it helped Nikita.

Most importantly, Nikita doesn't have any lingering remains of the ancient dragon.

Only traces.

‘That means she won't face the same restrictions as me.’

Even that alone makes Nikita a worthwhile ancient dragon mage.

And so, the entrance exam ended in success.

Neither Nikita nor Xenia were the kind to fail an entrance test.

No one knew what the final rankings would be, but there was reason to be hopeful.

A showdown between Celestial Magic and Ancient Dragon Magic.

Which did the professors value more?

With these thoughts, the exam concluded, and the student council began to gather.

There was a small afterparty planned for the student council members who worked hard.

Just a simple meat feast.

"Chacha, others will be here soon, so go ahead and eat first."

With the secretary’s permission, the student council members started eating, all looking exhausted.

They ate with desperate energy, trying to replenish their calories.

Only someone like me, who had confidence in their stamina, could stay fresh.

Balancing studies and student council duties was a hellish schedule for most.

"Wow, you guys already started!"

Latecomers quickly joined the barbecue.

And among them, I saw the face I’d been waiting for.

I naturally walked over.

"Midra."

He turned toward me with a piece of meat in his mouth.

"Oh, senior! Enjoy your meal."

"You too."

Midra smiled brightly.

"You came to ask something, didn’t you?"

Such a perceptive guy.

Luckily, the others were far away and focused on eating.

It was a good moment to talk.

"The remnants of the ancient dragon implanted an egg in my right eye."

"Hmm."

Midra didn’t react as strongly as I’d expected.

Maybe it wasn’t that big a deal?

"We're screwed."

But his response was grim.

"You think there’s no solution either?"

"I don’t know why you think I’d have one."

He chuckled slyly.

"I’ve got many talents, but I don’t know much about ancient dragon magic."

"I see."

I wasn’t too disappointed.

It’s my problem to solve anyway.

I don’t want to push my burden onto others.

Midra looked at me for a moment, then grinned.

"But it’s not like there’s no way."

"You know something?"

"Not exactly, but there’s someone among the new students who might be connected. Your little sister who uses Celestial Magic."

Xenia, huh.

I tapped my chin.

She is the reincarnation of Zerion.

If it’s Celestial Magic, there might be a way.

"Thanks. I hadn’t considered that."

"You know how it is — the closer something is, the less you think about it."

Midra looked like it was nothing.

"But appetite might be your real problem."

"You knew about that?"

"The records of dragonkin eating humans are quite well-known."

Most records related to ancient dragon magic were destroyed, so I wouldn’t call that common knowledge...

Midra often says strange things as if they’re obvious.

"Be careful."

"I’m not planning to eat anyone."

"Yes, but dragonkin are different."

I froze and looked at him.

His expression was serious.

"Dragonkin feel intense hunger toward other dragonkin. Eating one of their own is how they grow strongest."

Other dragonkin…

Someone immediately came to mind.

A recently discovered user of ancient dragon magic.

One who can even speak with dragons.

The one who told the dragons about Zerion’s death.

"I’ll keep that in mind."

"Yes, please don’t eat me even if you’re starving. I’ve still got a lot to do."

"I said I’m not eating people."

After a few more trivial exchanges, I parted ways with Midra.

I also tried to ask about the vampire mysteries, but it seemed he didn’t know much.

Seriously, I have no idea how much he really knows.

After the party, I returned to the dorm.

Stretching my slightly sore body, I opened the door — and someone greeted me.

"Hey, Royalty. Wandering around this late — don’t you feel bad for me waiting all alone?"

"Don’t start with that annoying tone."

It was my roommate, Card.

Come to think of it, Card mentioned earlier that he had something to say about the civil war in the Panisys Kingdom.

I roughly took off my coat and the Veil Bandages and turned to him.

"So, what’s the story? Has the civil war ended?"

"Unfortunately, nothing like that. The nobles are still holed up in the royal palace, stubbornly resisting."

They’ve got nothing left to lose — it’s no surprise.

Even if it means dying, they won’t give up the palace.

"Then what is it?"

"I heard something from Lord Solvas."

Solvas Umbra.

A member of the Umbra Count family in the Panisys Kingdom.

"During the civil war, a treasure stored in the kingdom was stolen."

What he said next made me narrow my eyes.

“Tell me more.”

“This is a secret even within Panisys… but there once was a king of Panisys who lived for 300 years.”

A lifespan of 300 years is impossible for a human.

Though, exceptions do exist.

For instance, like Lord Duke of Whitewood, who lives nearly eternally due to the mystical being Whitewood.

Such mystics can even transcend human lifespans.

That’s why I quickly realized what Card was implying.

“…A vampire mystic.”

“Right. That existed within the Panisys royal family.”

How many people did the king of Panisys devour over those 300 years?

His obsession with immortality was grotesque.

But in the end, he couldn’t achieve true immortality and died.

“He ended up becoming nothing more than a bloodthirsty monster. The royal knights had to step in and kill him.”

From that point on, distrust toward the Panisys royal family took root.

A reputation, once formed, is more terrifying than people realize.

Even a smart person can start to doubt themselves if everyone around them points fingers and mocks them.

Since then, the Panisys royal family has been consistently criticized, and eventually, they truly became incompetent.

Perhaps the signs of civil war had begun even back then.

“And recently, similar unrest is stirring in the Empire.”

“You’ve only ever been in the academy, and yet you know all this?”

“Don’t underestimate a former spy. I still have ears feeding me local intel.”

Even if he quit being a spy, it seemed his information network remained intact.

He really is thorough.

“So, you think the recent unrest is due to the person who stole the relic from the Panisys palace?”

“That’s the most likely scenario. And you, Wangnon, you know something about this too, right?”

“Yes.”

Thanks to Card, I learned the origin of the vampire mystic.

And also why the civil war, which hadn’t broken out until now, finally began.

“In the past, there was a mystic user who didn’t belong to the mystic sect—he’s now under Celestial Grace’s command.”

“What?”

“The one who stirred up the civil war and stole the vampire mystic… was Celestial Grace.”

Card swallowed the water he had been drinking.

“If things have escalated that far, even I’m starting to feel the pressure.”

Celestial Grace is one of the main pillars of the empire.

Perhaps even more powerful than the king of Panisys himself.

Card knew exactly what it meant to go up against someone like that.

“Card, it’d be better if you backed out now.”

If he got caught up in this, he could end up in serious trouble.

When I warned him, Card thought for a moment and then looked back at me.

“Wangnon, you're going to fight Celestial Grace, aren't you?”

“Yes. That bastard is tormenting my friend.”

Iris, my dear friend, was suffering.

I was determined to rescue her from Celestial Grace’s clutches.

“Alright, then I’ll see this through to the end too.”

“This is seriously dangerous, though.”

“You’re only moving forward because you’ve got something to believe in too, right? Besides, the vampire mystic is technically still a relic of Panisys. You think Lord Solvas will just sit still?”

So Solvas had already begun tracking the mystic.

“If incidents are still cropping up, it means he hasn’t found it yet, right? We’re experts in tracking intel. Leave it to us.”

Card rubbed his nose casually.

“After all, we’re friends.”

“Card.”

I let out a dry laugh.

“You must see this whole thing as a high-success-rate gamble.”

“…This is why you’re such a sharp little brat.”

Panisys had been devastated by civil war.

For Card, not only his homeland but even his job had been lost.

He’d even abandoned that homeland to seek asylum in the empire with the prince of Panisys.

Card had nothing left to go back to.

Which meant he had no choice but to bet everything on a gamble with high odds.

“If I place a big bet and get results, won’t those bigwigs you’re connected to be pleased and grant me whatever I want?”

He really was no rookie in the world of politics and espionage.

He had already calculated everything before offering his intel.

“What do you want?”

“A cozy mansion and lots of maids with big chests and slim waists would be nice.”

“Why don’t you earn an honest living and find yourself a good wife?”

“I’m just not the type to settle down with one woman.”

What trash.

“And hey, Wangnon, it’s not like you’re in any position to criticize.”

“What did I do?”

“You’ve got one of the top positions and talents in the world, and you're constantly surrounded by beautiful women. You don’t have the right to look down on my humble dream.”

I clamped my mouth shut.

He was always good with words, but in this area, I just couldn’t beat him.

His was just a dream, but mine was an ongoing reality.

“You might as well just accept it all. They’re all beautiful and they genuinely love you.”

“Don’t talk like you’re trying to wreck my morals.”

“You think nobles had the concept of concubines for no reason? You’re a natural-born noble, yet you're so timid about this kind of thing.”

“I’m not even a noble anymore.”

I was expelled from my house, after all.

“And even if those girls accept it, do you really think they’ll get along?”

They're all so jealous—it's a miracle they haven’t clawed each other’s eyes out yet.

Card grinned lewdly.

“Women… as long as they believe they’re the one being loved most, they’ll be okay. Especially in… certain areas.”

“If you’re going to keep spewing nonsense, I won’t let it slide.”

“It’s data-backed. A woman who has shared a night with you has made up her mind to give you everything. If you love her with all your might, she’ll allow you anything.”

Card gave me a pitying look.

“You poor soul who doesn’t know love.”

I seriously wanted to punch him.

“Just my personal opinion, take it as you will. I’ll let you know if I get more info on the vampire mystic.”

With that, Card left to go to sleep.

I remained seated, watching him leave with a complicated expression.

I could feel that the time to clarify my relationships with those girls was drawing near.

It was a long night, full of tangled emotions.