Vol 2 Chapter 1 (2/2)

Left behind, I had no choice but to knock

”—Please come in”

Hearing a female voice respond, I cautiously opened the door

The room's interior was even dimmer than the corridor and there was a unique s

The top floor of the clock tower should be the best spot for natural lighting but the ere covered by thick curtains

There were two people in the room

One was a young blue-eyed blonde reclining in a luxurious chair The other was a wo on the side

The girl was petite and looked even younger than lance But my battle-hardened instincts rejected such a notion

That expression of confidence, that gaze that see others, that body totally relaxed—She was undoubtedly a seasoned veteran even more experienced than me From her, I could feel cal for retirement

”You ht?”

I gazed into the girl's eyes and asked

”Wow, you have good eyes It's been so long since Iunderestimated”

The girl sht as she spoke She sounded different fro the door when I knocked, which meant that it was probably the maid beside her who had answered

The girl's gaze checked me out from head to foot without reservation Then she said:

”Just as you say, I aard's chief, Charlotte B Lord And over here is Mica Stuart, my personal secretary”

Introduced by the girl—Principal Charlotte—the maid lowered her head and bowed to me

”I am Mica Stuart, pleased to make your acquaintance”

”I am Mononobe Yuu, nice to meet you too”

After introducing myself to the principal and Mica-san, I then asked:

”So why are you taking the trouble to examine me, Principal?”

”Including staff, everyone in Midgard is fe a athered here are my harem!”

Spreading her arms, the principal declared loudly

”S-Sure”

I si how to react The principal was evidently a bit eccentric I could sort of understand why shi+no her

”Hence, because there's no choice, I decided to diagnose you personally”

Standing up from her chair, the principal walked towards me

”Uh, but Principal, you and Mica-san are ladies too”

”Hmph, don't compare Mica and I with those innocent maidens Besides, I have no interest in men at all”

Revealing the shocking truth nonchalantly, the principal looked up at ht and had tender and delicate snohite skin, judging from what she said just now, she should be older than the students

”May I ask your age, Principal?”

”Curious? I don'tyou, but you won't be able to walk out of this room, okay?”

The principal narrowed her eyes and smiled maliciously

”Then forget it”

”Yes, that's the smart choice”

With the corners of her lips rising, the principal grabbed my left hand

”What are you doing—”

”So this is your dragon mark?”

The principal ignoredat the small birthmark on the back of my left hand

”Y-Yeah”

My dragon mark was far smaller than other Ds I was quite impressed that she found it, unbelievably

”There is a wound near it When did it appear?”

The principal pointed at the swelling next to the dragon mark

”Oh, when I woke up this , somehow the wound was there I probably scratched it somewhere”

”I see”

Staring at ht her face near and planted her soft lips on the back of my hand

”Wha”

A warirl extend her red little tongue, licking the wound, I felton the wound accompanied by pleasurable pain, it almost made me cry out

—Smooch

Then the principal moved her lips away Calmly, she observed the wound that etted by saliva

”P-Principal?”

Unable to understand the situation, I called to the principal

”Shut up and don't move”

But the principal commanded with a forceful tone I had no choice but to hold ue

Then after several minutes, the principal finally released my left hand

”—I understand for the most part This is fine This ends the examination”

”Huh?”

I opened my mouth wide in surprise

”What are you so shocked for? You want a super beauty like ed to servicethe students' dragon marks”

Sed

”The goal is to check dragon marks? Then you don't mean that”

I could only think of one reason for doing that I could not help but gasp

”Don't panic, once the exa that aside—”

The principal pulled ht her face up close Then with a mischievous smile, she said quietly to me:

”Since the exaht? Do you want to go on an adventure with me?”

”Adventure?”

I frowned and asked

”Yes, since the school is currently conducting a health exairls are dressed in nothing but underwear, aren't they? How could we not go for a peek?”

”A-Are you really the principal?”

Hearing such an outrageous proposal, I blurted out a retort and forgot to use polite language

”What, you refuse? I thought you'd understand this irrepressible urge, seeing as you are a man Or perhaps you have no interest in women?”

”You're wrong, I am a normal male”

”Then there's no proble on men, I've alanted friends with si spot I discovered—”

Just as the principal showed excitement in her eyes, she suddenly vanished from view

I looked up to see the secretary, Mica-san, lifting the principal up by her head, suspending her in midair

”Charlotte-Same, do you understand your position? Please do not lead students astray”

Now that I a from a closer position, I discovered that Mica-san was very intie that it was alht was similar to mine, quite tall for a woman

”L-Let o on an adventure with my friend!”

Mika-san ignored the struggling principal S at me, she said:

”You may return As for Charlotte-sa anything improper to the students”

”O-Okay, got it”

Despite her gentle expression, I felt overwhel pressure Also, she had approachedher centre of gravity, I concluded she was most likely trained in martial arts Mica-san was clearly no ordinary secretary

Hence, I swiftly spun right and walked to the door

”Mononobe Yuu”

But just as I was about to exit, the principal called to me

I looked back to see her speaking while still suspended in the air by Mica-san

”Your wound—It is a medal that will never disappear Be proud of it”

Staring at my left hand, that hat the principal said to me

—A medal that will never disappear?

What did she ly at the principal but she simply showed a hint of a smile on the corners of her lips with no intention of explaining more

Thus suspended in midair, the principal was taken to the inner part of the principal's office

—What did that mean?

With doubt in my mind, I closed the door and returned to the classroom

Part 4

Apart froard had another undisclosed function

Spreading out with the island as its center, Midgardsorons, thereby protecting Midgard

This ned for fighting dragons

Lessons taught about how to use powers for fighting dragons Outstanding students were selected to join the Dragon Subjugation Squad

The reason why they were combat ready to such an extent was because it was already certain that dragons would attack Midgard eventually

Dragons would select a suitable D as their e in color Once the D coon, the D would turn into the saon

Although this felt unbelievable, two years ago, it was said that this phenoainst ”Purple” Kraken

Then teeks earlier, after Iris' dragon ard

”—There is a reason for this impromptu health examination”

During third period after the health exa in the classrooo

Standing at the lectern, shi+noaze across us then continued

”The dragon that we have planned continuously to vanquish—'Red' Basilisk—has already startedfrom its territory in the Sahara Desert”

The classroom clamored Apart from Mitsuki, all classmates showed surprise on their faces

Having heard about the health exaht to myself, just as I suspected, now this made sense

Apart fro on marks

After people's shock subsided, shi+nomiya-sensei spoke:

”Ever since Basilisk appeared twenty years ago, it has never left the desert We suspect that its unusual behavior is for the purpose of finding a on marks under the pretext of a health examination And the result is—”

The air grew tense It seemed like even Mitsuki did not know the examination result yet because she stared seriously at shi+nomiya-sensei

”—Out of all the students in Midgard, no one's dragon ed color”

Phew Sitting adjacent to me, Iris exhaled in relief

However, shi+nomiya-sensei shook her head while her expression remained solemn

I had a bad feeling Me deep in my heart sounded an alarm

”You cannot relax because this is an extremely bad result If Basilisk's destination matches our predictions, then it is an undiscovered D who has been targeted”

Hearing shi+no the situation, Iris said frantically:

”T-Then we must protect her!”

”Yes, you are right We will not give up on our kin Right now, NIFL is searching towns along Basilisk's route of advance As soon as they are found, arrangeard”

shi+nomiya-sensei replied forcefully, Immediately, Lisa raised her hand to speak

”Is there anything we can do to assist? Si the Leviathan battle, if we could stall it somehow—”

”No Basilisk is the complete opposite of Leviathan which focused the ons, Basilisk possesses the greatest attack power Once you engage it in battle, there are only two options Kill it or be killed”

”Then why not take this opportunity to kill it?”

Lisa answered defiantly These ords ste from competence and confidence, but shi+nomiya-sensei made a troubled look

”As much as I'd like to do that too Our preparations are incomplete We cannot afford to suffer painful losses due to insufficient preparation Please understand”

”Hmm”

Despite feeling dissatisfied, Lisa still dropped the issue

After confir that no one else had questions, shi+noentle tone:

”Oh, although I've said er for the ties, please carry on with your usual lives and save up your energy That's all”

With that, we returned to daily life after finding out about the distant crisis

However, I still felt agitated and unsettled inside my heart

—Undiscovered Ds

This term echoed in my mind

During my tio, because she was a very young girl I thought separating her from her parents would be too cruel

And back then, I did not know that Ds were targeted by dragons

But it was that decision that led to the current situation

—Should I have sent that child to Midgard back then?

Looking out theinto the distant sky, I prayed that she was still living a happy life with her family

”I feel so nervous”

During the lunch break that day, I kepttable as Lisa and the others Unaware of how things came to be, Mitsuki and Iris were also present

The venue was the cafeteria on the first floor of the catering building With Brynhildr Class' entire roster gathered on this table, ere clearly the center of people's attention

With Mitsuki being the student council president while I was a boy, it could not be helped that we attracted attention However,fervently at Lisa and the others too

Perhaps used to such an at relaxed and composed

The table was already covered with food Compelled by the situation, I had to treat Mitsuki and Iris as well, but seeing as I owed them many favors, I had no complaints at all

”Mononobe, thank you for paying for lunch But why are you treating us today?”

Despite thanking me, Iris felt perplexed and asked

I could not possibly reveal the reason was because of Iris' disgraceful yell, so I shi+fted aze away and answered:

”Nothing much, because I've caused lots of trouble to everyone, this is a show of ratitude”

This was not the real reason but not a lie either I was very grateful to Lisa and the others for treating ender As for Mitsuki, she was looking after me on a daily basis

”Eh? It's you who saved me many times, Mononobe I should be the one to say thanks”

”Hmm How should I say this? I think I've already received too much thanks from you, Iris”

I suppressed my embarrassment and replied

”Received too much? What do you mean?”

But Iris widened her eyes and tilted her head in puzzle behind h, froratitude

”Uh, that's, teeks ago”

No helping it I had no choice but to explain to her quietly and auously in a way other people would not understand About what had happened that day, this was actuallyit up

”Teeks ago? Isn't that—”

Iris' face i so red that it was almost about to smoke She bowed her head

”Eh? H-Hey, Iris?”

I was surprised by her unexpected reaction With her mental circuits overheated, Iris did not respond to me at all

”Excuse me, Nii-san, what did you just mention? If it was verbal sexual harassment, it is not permitted, you know?”

Listening intently on the side, Mitsuki glared at me

”Mononobe Yuu, if you are shaain, I would have to teach you a lesson, yes?”

Lisa also stared sharply atme

Iris came back to her senses at this time and waved her hands frantically to deny

”Oh, n-no! It's nothing! Mononobe didn't do anything!”

”Then why is your face so red?”

Hearing Firill's calm observation, Iris instantly became aard

”Ehhhh!? Is my face that red?”

”Mm”

Ren nodded Iris pressed her hands on her cheeks and looked at me helplessly

”Wah, oh no, my face is so hot W-What do I do, Mononobe?”

”E-Even if you ask me, I don't kno to answer you”

Seeing Iris' reaction, even I began to feel embarrassed

”Eh? Even Mononobe-kun's face is going red? How suspicious”

Ariella leaned forward to observe my face

”Y-You're overthinking things Forget it, the food is all here, let's begin, shall we? Because time is limited for the lunch break”

I desperately tried to change the subject and Iris followed my lead

”That's right, the food won't taste good if it goes cold, right? I-I'm so famished, I can't bear it anymore!”

She sounded like she was reciting dialogue but seeing how Iris resolutely refused to broach the subject, everyone stopped pressing the issue

”Since Iris-san says so, we should halt our questioning of Nii-san on this occasion Also, we seem to have attracted many people's concern”

Mitsuki swept her gaze across the students in the surroundings ere observing us then picked up her fork Mitsuki's lunch was japanese-style pasta

I felt that she implied she would demand an explanation later, but at least the crisis seemed to be over for now

”Then I'll start!”

Iris picked up her spoon, perhaps to hide her eetable curry and rice with astounding vigor

—So Iris was conscious of that too

Glancing sideways at Iris whose face was still bright red, I delivered my sandwich to my mouth

In other words, I was not the only person trying hard to pretend everything was normal

Now that the thought crossed s

”Shall we all begin as well?”

Lisa asked me

”Yeah, sure Please go ahead”

I nodded and everyone else started to eat

For a while, only the sounds of utensils striking dishes could be heard But before long, everyone began to chat naturally

Of course, the topic was Basilisk

”—About Basilisk starting to move Does everyone think that its real objective is a D?”

Mitsuki asked everyone in a serious tone of voice Lisa frowned and said:

”Judging on basis of the time scale, I believe that it is too soon 'Purple' Kraken and 'White' Leviathan's attacks were separated by as long as two years But this time, only teeks has elapsed, you know?”

I her bread into pieces to eat, stopped and refuted her

”Hon ed in color After all, this is the first tiht?”

Despite showing a troubled expression in response to Ariella's opinion, Lisa still nodded in agreement

”Indeed There is the viewpoint that Basilisk should be judged on its oithout discussing relations with other dragons However, if its target was a D outside, then many problems could arise”

Hearing her say that, Firill lowered her head and murmured quietly:

”Right, those outside Midgard have not yet become our faht to be protected”

I could guess roughly what she meant

In a case like this, the situation could end up very different depending on what kind of person the targeted D was

”What do you mean? Aren't all Ds on our side?”

But Iris widened her eyes and tilted her head in puzzlement She did not quite understand what Firill said

Lisa and the others looked at one another with troubled looks This was quite a sensitive issue, which hy they were hesitating on how to speak up

Hence, I decided to explain

”Iris, we Ds are people too Of course, there are good people and bad people You get this, right?”

”I-I get it”

Seeing Iris nod, I continued

”Although it's coanized crime and terrorists to exploit the powers of Ds, there are occasionally Ds who take the lead to do bad things Those Ds would be deeets for elimination”

”Deemed disasters?”

It see for the first time This was probably the elephant in the room for Ds, orclass

However, Lisa and the others seemed to be in the know, so they probably had heard rumors

Sleipnir, which I belonged to duringDs deemed as disasters While I was still on the tea eable than Lisa and the rest

”In other words, they are treated as dragons and not considered hu soet very complicated”

”I see now So there are people who actively decide to be disasters”

Iris said mournfully

Back when Leviathan was targeting her, Iris had told on and harm everyone Precisely because of that, she ave up being human

”But those people are an extreard, their hu jobs to create resources, they can legally earn more money than they could spend in a lifetih risks and benefits won't choose to become mankind's enemy”

”H a D, I hope she isn't a bad person”

Iris spoke as though saying a prayer

I agreed completely

If the person targeted by the dragon was a deeht even

However Just as shi+no we could do

I somewhere far away at the s would not develop into the worst-case scenario

Part 5

Directly in hindsight, the worst-case scenario orrying about—an increase in the number of Basilisks—was finally avoided thanks to NIFL's action

But presented before our eyes was an outcome no one predicted

”—This ti us After a blanket search in the towns ahead of Basilisk's advancing direction, NIFL discovered and took two Ds into protective custody”

On the Friday that happened to be one week after the health exaym

Seeing Mitsuki standing there on the podium, I could not help but recall the scene when I first transferred in

Perhaps this kind of gathering occurred whenever any newcomers arrived, so as to introduce them to the whole student body

”Of the two, one of theon ed Now, it is aloal is to make contact with the D”

Listening to Mitsuki's speech, the students whispered to one another, but their gazes were not directed at Mitsuki but the newly joined Ds behind her

”However, theres is no cause for panic Basilisk's bodily structure is unsuitable for ht to be rather difficult Even if Basilisk could advance in the sea as quickly as it does on land, its speed is still extremely slow It will probably take at least a ard”

Mitsuki should have noticed the situation in the crowd but she continued explaining calmly

Although I was not optis were fine with Basilisk unable to cross the sea, Midgard seeht be in a safe zone

”We have ample time to et we have been planning to vanquish since a long ti as everyone puts in their full effort, I am certain ill be victorious!”

Mitsuki's speech was astute as ever But given the situation today, it was hard to say that she had convinced the crowd

As a boy, all eyes were on me when I first transferred here, but the situation noas even more severe than last time

Because of the newcomer Ds on the podium, one of them was too unusual

”—Then allow me to introduce the transfer students Please step forward, the two of you”

Two transfer students walked forward as instructed

One was a glasses-wearing girl who gave off a serious i black hair woven into one braid hanging behidn her

She looked like a very ordinary girl, but the problem was the other person

All students' gazes were gathered on a little girl, probably even younger than Ren If this was japan, she looked like she would still be studying in elementary school

Lacking in pight With snohite skin and exquisite facial features, anyone would consider her a lovely young girl on these aspects alone

However, there was one part which humans could not have

She had two little horns, growing on the left and right sides of her head respectively

Those horns were crions Under the illulowed faintly

The girl with horns on her head gazed at us with red eyes

—Are those horns not fake?

Dragon girl This girl's appearance could only be described with that With gazes of curiosity and fear, the croas staring at her

What on earth were those horns? Includingfor the explanation about her

But instead of introducing the dragon girl first, Mitsuki pointed at the glasses wearing girl with black hair

”This is Tachikawa Honoka-san I auide her generously, everyone”

”My name is Tachikawa Honoka, pleased to meet everyone”

The glasses wearing girl—Tachikawa Honoka—took a deep bow She looked japanese NIFL was searching around as Basilisk's original territory, in other words, the region near the Sahara Desert But therethis

In response to the applause, Tachikawa-san s relieved

Then Mitsuki finally shi+fted her gaze towards the horned girl

Instantly, the applause stopped The air went tense and even the sound of people gulping sounded extra loud

”Next, this is Tia Lightning-san She is the girl who has caught Basilisk's eye”

Below the podiuirl was apparently the one whose dragon ed color

Once targeted by a dragon, a D's dragon on, the D would turn into a dragon of the sairl—Tia—her appearance, did it have any relation to that phenomenon?

Most students were probably wondering that Mitsuki seemed to understand this Once the clamor subsided, she continued to explain:

”In order to prevent unnecessary speculation and s, I shall tell everyone this first There is no causal relationshi+p between a dragoncolor and Tia-san's horns After detailed inquiry and examination, we have ascertained that these horns existed before her dragon h dark matter transmutation, the horns were added postnatally Also, no abnormalities were found in her DNA”

Hearing that, the students went into an even greater clamor

Creating a new part connected to the body—This sounded simple

Since dark matter could be transmuted into any substance, in theory, it was possible to perforenic transmutations

However, doing it in practice was another matter

Because a living organis that could be recreated by iination alone

On the first day I transferred into school, everyone was surprised by un creation, but the difficulty of this far exceeded that of un

The surrounding students were staring at Tia in disbelief However, I could feel that everyone's fear for the girl of unknown origins had thinned out greatly

This was probably thanks to Mitsuki's explanation working

Although hu as they could understand, they would not act with unnecessary wariness

Just a bit more and Tia would probably be accepted by this school, just like me that time

Mitsuki continued her speech for this purpose:

”Tia-san simply possesses a rare talent She is no different from us We are all human, so—”

”Wrong”

However, someone interrupted Mitsuki

The speaker was Tia Her voice sounded like a bell, high pitched and clear

Everyone's gaze in the gym shi+fted towards her

”Uh Tia-san, did I say so?”

Mitsuki asked her with a troubled expression Tia nodded

”Yes, Tia isn't human”

Tia spoke in slightly choppy japanese

Ian between the students

”N-Nothing of that sort Tia-san, you are human!”

”No, you're wrong, Tia is—a dragon”

”What?”

Seeing Mitsuki rendered speechless with surprise, Tia tilted her head in puzzlement

”Why so surprised? You are clearly a D Ds are dragons”

”Ds are