MMLP 16

Chapter 16

I didn’t clap, but I looked up at Pfeperx with eyes full of admiration.

“It’s an honor to be taught by you.”

“Of course it is.”

His condescending look and curt tone — I had been on the receiving end of those so many times that I could sense the situation with my skin before my head even processed it.

This bastard is looking down on me.

The reason became clear soon enough.

“If it weren’t for Lord Kaulen’s recommendation, Miss Revieta, would you have even dared to dream of receiving my private lessons? You should be grateful for his generosity.”

The name Kaulen explained everything. To extend his reach into multiple ventures, Kaulen was sniffing around the Mage Tower too, and apparently, just like me, he had recruited a wizard who was flashy on the outside but empty inside.

By sending his own man, he could investigate or interfere with me, and at the same time, solidify ties with the Mage Tower through Pfeperx. From Kaulen’s perspective, it was a clever enough move.

But that was strictly from his perspective. As for me, being forced to take lessons from a Kaulen follower was so revolting it made me nauseous.

“Yes. Um, can I go to the bathroom first?”

“No. Hold it.”

Ignoring my request, Pfeperx tossed a book onto my desk and immediately started the lesson.

Page 274. I flipped to the page he indicated, where a grand illustration of a dragon spread across it. Skimming words like “origin,” “past,” and so on, I realized our first class was going to be history.

“In the beginning, dragons ruled the world.”

Oh no. I’m already sleepy.

“They taught magic to humans and created culture. People worshiped them as gods. For centuries, dragons reigned as gods, kings, lovers, and friends. But once humans developed their own independent scholarship and arts, a period of schism began.”

With a snap of Pfeperx’s fingers, the illustration burst out of the book as a translucent hologram, playing like a video.

In the projection, people argued heatedly with fierce expressions. Strangely, though there were no speakers or devices, their shouting could be heard clearly.

“Humans bound to dragons are nothing but slaves stripped of free will. Even if dragon civilization is a century ahead, it is only a loan granted by their permission. We should rage at being deprived of the chance to achieve on our own. That is why mankind needs a human king to rule us.”

“Blasphemy! How dare mere humans doubt the omniscient, omnipotent dragons! Without their blessing, there would be no progress in technology or civilization. Just as we do not question the very concept of justice, so too must we never question the great dragons. That is why we must have faith.”

The clash of swords rang out, followed by screams that nearly deafened me. The hologram showed scenes awash in blood.

Debates turned into factions, and factions turned into wars between nations — it took less than a century.

Standing on the foundation of ideological difference, and after long ages, we now see today’s Dractarion Empire and the Holy Kingdom of Erindor.

To end the war, Rosinante would have to grow quickly and return. But who knows if that timid boy can manage? Until his relationship with the saintess deepens, he’ll suffer plenty. Still, he’s the male lead, so he won’t die.

Worrying about his return before he even left must be a sign of my impatience. I glanced at the clock, and its second hand ticked maddeningly slowly.

“I wonder if he’s made it safely to the imperial palace…”

* * *

After leaving the duke’s mansion, time flowed in strange fragments, as if cut into pieces. His body was in the palace, but Rosinante’s mind was elsewhere.

Even when the young tyrant barged into the palace, Rosinante was unafraid. Not because he had suddenly awakened power or trained in a few days, but because he now had someone cheering for him.

It feels like I’ve awakened a strength I didn’t even know I had. To cause such a miracle… Revieta really is an amazing sorceress.

In a world where Revieta existed, Rosinante felt no need to fear Diego.

His bright blue eyes beneath his shining golden hair stared straight at Diego without a tremor. Reading the sharp hostility in Rosinante’s unwavering gaze, Diego instinctively drew his legs together.

Originally, Diego had planned to kick Rosinante in the stomach the moment he saw him — beating a submissive target until breathless always soothed his bad mood.

But he couldn’t. Some instinct screamed that touching Rosinante as he was now would bring no good.

“Tch.” Clicking his tongue in annoyance, Diego put a hand on his hip and spoke with a crooked stance.

“So, you managed to crawl back to the palace. What, did you gallop in here on all fours like the animal you are?”

“Count Grimlore lent me his carriage.”

“Ha! And that’s why scum like you disgrace the imperial family — because you lick up whatever is handed to you. You should’ve crawled here on your own legs, like the worm you are.”

As he spoke, Diego’s old confidence returned. Yes, this brat was nothing but a worm. Insulting or beating the lowest-ranked bastard son was a privilege guaranteed to Diego, the First Prince.

Emboldened, Diego swung his fist. A stationary target never missed. Thud — with a dull sound, Rosinante’s head snapped to the side.

“If you don’t want to suffer worse, beg for forgiveness.”

The Rosinante Diego knew would’ve folded with a dead look, without clinging to pride. That’s how it always went. But this time—

“And what exactly should I be begging forgiveness for?”

The boy before him stood tall, shoulders straight, without a hint of intimidation. Diego ground his teeth to hide his bewilderment.

“For your rash actions that disgraced the honor of the imperial family…”

“If that’s your logic, the one who should be reflecting is you, not me.”

“What?”

“You showed up unannounced at the duke’s mansion and caused chaos with your reckless behavior. On top of that, you embarrassed the young lady with a selfish, inconsiderate confession.”

Rosinante didn’t even bring up his own suffering, but he made sure not to overlook the harm done to Revieta.

Diego was furious.

“A wretch who shouldn’t even exist dares talk back to me?!”

His eyes flared with a dangerous red glow — the telltale sign of him about to unleash the awakened royal power.

“I’ll make you remember your place.”

With a chilling voice, Diego invoked his ability.

His awakened power was gravity manipulation.

He intended to increase the gravity around Rosinante, to crush him to his knees.

But even as the air grew heavy, Rosinante’s gaze didn’t falter. Only the palace guards Diego had brought — the ones who used to eagerly stomp Rosinante under command — collapsed to the ground under the crushing force.

“Argh! My knees!”

“C-can’t… breathe…”

One soldier screamed as his knees slammed into the ground, while another clutched his throat, gasping desperately.

Why isn’t Rosinante affected? He clearly saw his power working, judging from the chaos at his feet.

With no time to think, Diego quickly pulled back the gravity and stopped using his ability.

That didn’t mean he gave up. Even if he couldn’t use the dragon-born power passed down the royal line, there were still many ways to torment an insolent brat.

“Teach this arrogant 13th Prince some manners.”

The less-injured guards grabbed Rosinante and beat him savagely. Arms, legs, stomach — nowhere escaped their blows. The crushing pain pressed down only on Rosinante’s body, not his spirit.

I can’t let this continue.

The need to change roared in Rosinante’s heart, almost bursting from his chest. Yet all Diego heard was silence — not even a groan escaped Rosinante’s lips.

“Your Highness, any more and—”

“Keep going. Don’t stop until he’s unconscious.”

After dozens of kicks, Rosinante’s body finally crumpled to the ground. He was still breathing, just barely.

Diego didn’t know it, but that was fortunate for him.

If Rosinante had truly been at death’s door, the Holy Kingdom’s spy hidden nearby would’ve sent Diego to the afterlife first.