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Chapter 10
“Lower being—how insolent!”
“You’re really Arrel, right!”
With a flash, Bice scooped Arrel up and pressed his fluffy body against her cheek. The tips of his ears and his bare nose turned bright red.
“I thought dragons would be all scales, but you’re just a cute little baby!”
“Th-this is noooot allowed!”
“I’m not putting you down.”
“Th-this round thing is not a toy! And speak properly, will you?!”
“Why should I be formal with a baby who just hatched?”
“Grrr!”
“More importantly.”
Bice stopped fidgeting Arrel and looked him in the eye.
“How do I use dragon magic?”
“You just use it.”
“…?”
“…?”
They stared at each other in mutual confusion.
“You can’t possibly use magic like that.”
Cassius, who had been silently listening, finally spoke.
“This is a half-formed oath between a dragon egg and a human who hasn’t even formed a proper bond or imprint.”
“Hey, you!”
Cassius answered calmly.
“Cassius, Tower Master of the Magic Tower.”
“If you’re a tower master, are you the boss of all those incompetent imitators of dragons?”
“I think I’ll have to remove your heart.”
“Wait a second!”
Bice quickly grabbed Arrel before things escalated and tapped his tiny nose.
“You shouldn’t talk to him like that. He’s the one who lifted my curse and is protecting us until your imprint forms.”
“So he’s my husband’s subordinate?”
“Not husband—Bice.”
She pinched Arrel’s soft cheek.
“So what does ‘incomplete oath’ mean, Tower Master?”
“It means your souls are not properly connected. Once the dragon fully awakens, the oath will likely break.”
“So I won’t actually have to live as Arrel’s wife?”
“That’s correct.”
“Thank goodness.”
“Wha—hey! That’s rude to your husband!”
“Don’t get offended. The affection you feel right now is probably just the curse.”
“What?!”
“Once he awakens, he’ll likely be freed from both the curse and the bond.”
“Nice, Arrel! Then once you wake up, you’ll be completely free.”
“Hold on.”
Bice suddenly frowned.
“So I can’t use magic because the oath isn’t complete?”
“Yes.”
“So I still have to protect Arrel…”
“Yes.”
“So I only get responsibility and none of the benefits?”
She sighed deeply.
“What an unfair contract.”
“Hey! I got a husband and you’re complaining!”
“I don’t need a baby husband from another species.”
“Whaaat!”
“Then I’ll make a proposal.”
Cassius interrupted their argument.
“You may stay in the Magic Tower. I will also help you break your curse.”
“Really?”
“Of course. However.”
His calm voice sharpened.
“You will become experimental subjects of the Magic Tower.”
“…Pardon?”
“It will be simple testing procedures.”
His smile was languid, almost enchanting.
But Arrel was not fooled.
“What are you saying?!”
“As I said, you must have value to stay in the Tower.”
“You’re saying I have to become a lab subject?”
“Yes.”
Cassius continued mercilessly.
“You have no usable magical ability and no means to contribute. The only way for you to prove your worth is to offer yourselves to magical research.”
“That’s… kind of unfair.”
“Then feel free to return home.”
He opened the door with a flick of his finger.
“And suffer forever under your curse of being loved.”
“…I…”
Bice hesitated.
Cassius gently placed a hand over hers, holding a contract and pen.
“Experiments will be harmless. Mostly tests.”
“…Can I think about it for a day?”
“Of course.”
But behind the door, mages began to appear, dragged out one by one.
“You will be guided to your rooms.”
Cassius said politely.
At least, it sounded polite.
Magic Tower Council Room
High-ranking mages gathered, all already briefed about Bice.
“Why did you bring that duke’s daughter here?!”
“She’s turning the entire tower upside down!”
“Everyone who passes by her starts following her like fanatics!”
“Good.”
“…Pardon?”
“Discomfort increases willingness to become test subjects.”
Cassius leaned back casually.
“Do you think I am the only one curious about separating a soul for experimentation?”
Silence fell.
One by one, objections were raised—about nobility, politics, the imperial family.
But Cassius only dismissed them with cold indifference.
“If the Duke complains, we’ll say she consented.”
“If the Imperial family intervenes?”
“They are just another variable.”
Even the dark mage in the corner nodded nervously, agreeing that Bice’s ability to communicate with monsters and dragons made her extremely valuable for research.
Cassius’s gaze darkened slightly.
“Monster waves. Divine Order interference. Rumors of necromancy traces.”
He tapped his finger lightly.
“And now a dragon.”
“Ideally… I would like to dissect her soul.”
No one laughed.
Not even slightly.
