BFBG 18

Chapter 18

After Aris and Lionel left, I was lying alone on the bed, staring at my status window.

“…I don’t get it.”

I looked again at the race section.

[Race: Dragon, ???]

Seriously, even looking at it again, it was absurd.

I’m a dragon?

‘It already makes no sense that I’m a dragon, but what’s with the fact that there’s still an unrevealed part after “Dragon”?’

What made even less sense was the fact that the “???” remained attached.

What kind of situation is this?

‘Ah… could I be a half-breed?’

What if I wasn’t a pure-blood dragon, but a hybrid born between a dragon and another race?

Then this whole situation would actually make sense.

‘But can dragons even have children with other races?’

Wouldn’t that be impossible?

I think the principal said it wasn’t possible.

I’m pretty sure he said something like that.

‘Dragons can’t reproduce with other species, so they’re practically extinct. Wasn’t it something along those lines?’

I couldn’t remember the exact wording.

Anyway, I remembered the conversation having that general meaning.

‘If that’s true, then I’m not a half-breed…’

But if I’m not, then is there any other reason why my race entry says “still unrevealed”?

‘What, maybe I’m some miraculous existence?’

Like those miracles of love you hear about in stories.

Maybe a god was moved by the tragic love between a dragon and another species and granted them a blessing.

‘Hmm. That doesn’t sound right.’

The gods of Yeongsa weren’t that romantic.

There was no way they’d grant a miracle like that.

‘I don’t know.’

The information I knew and the current situation completely contradicted each other.

I couldn’t reach any conclusion.

‘Then does that mean this body is a polymorphed form?’

No, that couldn’t be.

If I were using polymorph, Rozarin would have noticed while examining my mana veins.

‘Then this human body is my original body?’

Would that mean the genes from my other side are stronger, suppressing the dragon genes?

‘The fact that I currently have a human-like body means the other race must have a form very similar to humans. Among humanoid races equal to or above dragons… there are only about two.’

Spirit race and demon race.

‘But demons always have horns, right? Do I have horns?’

I rubbed all over my head.

Not only were there no horns, there weren’t even any signs that horns might grow.

‘Nothing. Then I’m not a demon.’

That left only one possibility.

Spirits.

‘Am I a half-dragon, half-spirit?’

The spirit race.

A species that lives in the spirit realm, known for lacking a fixed physical form.

‘But aren’t spirits born from spirit trees?’

Spirits weren’t just unable to reproduce with other races—they didn’t reproduce at all.

Was it even possible for a spirit and dragon to have a child?

‘Ah. Seriously, I have no idea.’

My head hurt.

What exactly is this body of mine?

The next day.

I was summoned by Rozarin and headed to her personal laboratory.

“I’m here.”

“Oh, you came? Sit there and wait a moment.”

Rozarin was drawing something on paper.

I couldn’t tell what it was.

It looked somewhat like a magic circle, but since it wasn’t circular, it clearly wasn’t one.

‘She’s insanely good at drawing.’

How does someone draw so neatly without even sketching first?

The lines were clean, and the symmetry was perfect.

A genius at magic is good at art too, huh?

“That’s impressive skill.”

I didn’t know what she was drawing.

But it looked genuinely amazing.

Just as I was admiring it—

“So you recognized it at a glance after all.”

Rozarin smiled as if she’d expected that.

“Told you it’s incredible, right? It’s the masterpiece of my life.”

“A masterpiece indeed. I assumed you casually drew things like this all the time.”

“Come on. Even someone like me can’t just mass-produce things like this.”

Rozarin added the final pen touches and looked over the entire drawing.

Judging by her bright smile, it seemed she was satisfied with the result.

“Mmm. Perfect. As expected of me. Everything about it is flawless.”

Her eyes sparkled.

She looked happier than ever.

“Are you planning to submit it to some kind of competition?”

I didn’t know if Yeongsa even had art contests.

But if it did, this seemed worthy.

That was how perfect and beautiful Rozarin’s completed drawing was.

I had no clue what it depicted.

Still, it looked like something that would instantly catch attention in an exhibition.

“Of course I’ll submit it. Though not in this state. I’ll refine it to the limit first.”

“Isn’t it already good enough?”

Was she planning to color it?

‘Why bother?’

Black-and-white already seemed enough.

Wouldn’t adding color just distract from it?

“No. It’s still lacking. The efficiency can improve, and the activation speed can be reduced by another 0.1 seconds.”

…Efficiency? Activation speed?

“Normally, even this newly developed octagonal magic circle would guarantee first place… but this time there’s a strong rival. I need to polish it more. That’s why I asked for your cooperation.”

Wait.

It was a magic circle?

‘So it was an octagonal magic circle Rozarin developed.’

Every magic circle in Yeongsa was circular.

That’s why I’d confidently assumed her drawing wasn’t one.

I never imagined it was a newly developed magic circle.

Was this one of Rozarin’s original spells too?

‘But… I’ve never seen Rozarin use an octagonal magic circle in the game.’

None of her known skills originated from octagonal circles.

‘What is this?’

Was the game just a game, different from reality?

As I wondered—

“Want to see?”

“Huh? Ah, yes. I’d appreciate that.”

I’d been wanting to see it anyway.

I nodded immediately.

“Good. I’ll show you.”

Excited by my interest, Rozarin grinned and extended her hand toward a training dummy in the corner.

“Watch carefully.”

The octagonal magic circle from the paper appeared before her palm.

A beautiful octagonal circle using her mana as ink.

Soon it transformed into a spell and shot toward the dummy.

‘That spell…’

I knew it well.

One of Rozarin’s original spells.

Her signature move.

“Intermediate Light Magic: Eraser. My original spell.”

A spell derived from Sealing Blast, sacrificing power and range while maximizing speed.

Because of that overwhelming speed, it was called an instant-cast spell.

Eraser.

“Unlike circular magic circles, using an octagonal structure improved trajectory stability. In exchange, speed decreased slightly, but trajectory control became much steadier.”

As I listened to Rozarin proudly explain her magic, I thought:

The real Eraser wasn’t like that.

‘That’s not how you use it.’

Was it because I knew the original Eraser?

Or was my dragon instinct enraged at seeing such a flawed spell?

Or was I simply dumbfounded by the reality of this genius mage?

‘Why ruin something that was already complete…?’

Watching that absurd version of Eraser irritated me for no reason.

“Stop staring blankly and say something. Give your thoughts.”

Rozarin crossed her arms and lifted her chin.

“What? You look speechless. I understand, but—what are you doing?”

I extended my hand toward the dummy.

“You asked for my opinion. Fine. I’ll give you my honest impression.”

Mana gathered at my fingertips and began drawing in the air.

The form closely resembled Rozarin’s Eraser magic circle.

“Just flashy packaging. In reality, an impractical bubble spell.”

“…What?”

Rozarin’s brow furrowed sharply.

Her expression screamed displeasure.

“You. That statement just now…”

“There’s a saying. Magic does not smile upon those who forget the basics.”

Words Rozarin herself would say far in the future.

“The spell you just used only looks impressive to the uninformed. In reality, it wasn’t even built on fundamentals.”

A standard circular magic circle.

Mana transformed into light and pierced the dummy’s forehead.

I hate to say it myself, but it was a perfect Eraser.

“You… that spell just now…”

Rozarin’s eyes trembled with confusion, shock, and disbelief.

“Someone once said magic is a mirror reflecting the mage.”

Another of Rozarin’s future sayings.

“I understand now what that means. Emotions really can be felt beyond magic.”

Rozarin’s magic contained her heart.

“What exactly are you so desperate about, Senior Rozarin?”

“…!”

Her pupils shook violently.

‘At this point, I’m wondering whether I even need your help with my research.’

‘Let’s discuss research cooperation another time. I think we both need time to think.’

With those final words, Jian left the lab.

“…”

After he left, Rozarin sat alone in silence for ten minutes, replaying his words.

‘Just flashy packaging. In reality, an impractical bubble spell.’

‘Magic does not smile upon those who forget the basics.’

‘What exactly are you so desperate about?’

Every single sentence was infuriating.

‘A brat who just started learning magic… acting like he’s mastered it and preaching to me…’

Part of her wanted to shout.

What do you know to speak so arrogantly?

You only use magic effortlessly because of ridiculous talent!

You know nothing of the hardships of magical research!

She wanted to yell all that.

But—

‘…I couldn’t refute him.’

The words never left her mouth.

They rose to her throat in anger but never escaped.

‘What am I so desperate about…?’

Jian had struck the core.

Rozarin really was anxious.

‘Father. Mother. To gain your acknowledgment… to prove money isn’t everything… I need achievements even people ignorant of magic will recognize.’

Her parents had changed completely after gaining immense wealth.

To return them to their former kindness, she believed she needed world-changing accomplishments.

‘And the result was a spell lacking even the basics… How pathetic.’

She’d become trapped by stubborn conviction and lost sight of the essence.

A flashy shell around empty substance.

The description fit perfectly.

Her Eraser was merely empty foam.

“Haa…”

Rozarin sank into her chair and leaned back.

Looking up at the ceiling, she muttered:

“But I can’t help being anxious…”

At this rate, not only would she fail to restore her parents, she might not even continue walking the path of magic.

She remembered the message Lea delivered from her parents.

‘A message from your elders.’

‘If you fail to produce visible results worthy of our acknowledgment before graduating Garam Academy, return home immediately.’

‘And if you refuse, we’ll continue obstructing your path until you give up. We’ll use everything the Genek Merchant Company has.’

To earn recognition from people who disliked magic, she’d need achievements capable of revolutionizing magical systems.

“…Life really is difficult.”

Rozarin only stared blankly at the ceiling.

“What’s this now…?”

After leaving Rozarin’s lab, I was spacing out in a quiet nearby garden when I received unexpected information.

[EX-Rank Mental Strength draws out the dormant ‘Dragon Instinct’ hidden deep within the mind to its utmost limit.]

[As the origin of dragons, you can perceive all magical formulas and reproduce all magical formulas.]

There was a new “NEW” notification at the bottom of my status window.

And this message had appeared.

‘It wasn’t there before I entered the lab.’

Why suddenly?

The answer came easily.

‘After realizing I’m a dragon… maybe this appears only when I use magic.’

After all, if I wasn’t sure I was a dragon yet, getting a message saying [Dragon Instinct has awakened] would make no sense.

Apparently, the condition was: gain certainty you’re a dragon, then use dragon power through magic.

‘Very Yeongsa-like.’

Yeongsa often required multiple conditions before removing “???” entries from status windows.

I was used to systems like this.

‘Still, I didn’t expect EX-Rank Mental Strength to be involved too.’

An ability born from synergy between being a dragon and having EX-Rank Mental Strength.

I never predicted that.

‘EX-Rank Mental Strength is more versatile than I thought.’

Well, this was basically an unexpected bonus because my body was special, so maybe it wasn’t fair to praise the stat itself.

Still, huge win.

‘But if that’s the case… maybe the genes from my other unrevealed race have also awakened through EX-Rank Mental Strength?’

Very possible.

‘If so, by researching other races and testing whether I can perform their unique abilities… maybe I can identify the bloodline of my other half.’

Worth trying.

Okay.

‘First, to the library for research on other races—’

I was about to stand up.

Then—

“Lord Jian.”

A voice came from behind me.

A voice I’d heard just yesterday.

A voice I shouldn’t be hearing now.

“Sorry to disturb your rest. Could you spare me a moment?”

I slowly turned.

‘Yodala?’

More precisely, Yodala disguised as Lea, the maid of the Genek Merchant Company, stood there.

‘…Didn’t she finish her job and leave?’

Why was she still inside the academy?