Inside the dark void of Connor's subconscious, Kyle revealed everything to Kurnugia—the destruction of the future, his regression, and the loss of his memories. The mighty dragon listened silently, her golden eyes glowing faintly in the darkness.
When Kyle finished speaking, Kurnugia folded her arms and fell into thought. Connor, watching the blue mass of magic floating before him, muttered under his breath.
"Didn't you say before that getting caught was dangerous? That there were too many variables?"
Kyle's calm voice echoed back. [I did. But I also said that some of my memories about Kurnugia have returned.]
Connor frowned. "And what difference does that make?"
[It means I remember what she did in the future. I know how to persuade her.]
"What did she do?"
Before Kyle could answer, Kurnugia's deep, cold voice cut in. "Human. Even if you've lost fear, you will show respect to your elders."
Connor sighed. "…What did Kurnugia-nim do in the future?"
Kyle answered firmly. [In the future, Kurnugia stood on humanity's side. She fought until the very end—and sacrificed herself.]
The dragon's wings twitched. "…You fought? For humans?"
[I don't recall every detail, but yes.]
Kurnugia's laughter shook the entire space. "You jest! Me, fight for those fragile insects? If that's your story, it's the most ridiculous lie I've heard in a century!"
She lifted her head high, scales glittering like obsidian fire. The air trembled as her chest began to glow—a dragon's breath forming, pure magic meant to annihilate everything in existence.
"Disappear, human! Regret ever mocking me!"
But Kyle's voice thundered across the void. [Then why… did you become family to the lonely Myael Astaroth?]
The dragon froze. Her golden eyes widened. The deadly magic inside her chest collapsed back into her body.
"…How do you know that name? No one besides Myael, me, and… that lunatic knows."
Kyle's calm answer lingered. [Because I'm from the future.]
Silence fell.
After a long moment, Kurnugia exhaled slowly. "…Then it seems I should meet you at eye level."
Her enormous form shimmered with dark light, shrinking down until she stood as a woman in a black maid uniform—without her glasses. Her gaze was sharp enough to cut through stone.
"I'll admit it," she said coldly. "You truly are from the future, regressor. Though your memories are incomplete, your knowledge cannot be faked."
[Thank you for believing me.]
"Don't thank me yet. I still have questions." She crossed her arms. "Why tell me all this? What do you gain?"
Kyle's blue light flickered. [Kurnugia, ruler of death who breathes darkness—I seek your cooperation. Help me prevent the destruction of the world.]
"Cooperation?" she repeated, voice dripping with disbelief.
[In the future, you fought for humanity, but it was too late. If you had acted sooner—if you had joined us before the end—perhaps the outcome could have changed.]
Kurnugia's gaze grew heavy. "…And what exactly do you plan to do to stop this destruction?"
[I don't know.]
"When will it happen?"
[I don't know.]
"…You don't know anything?"
[Not yet.]
The dragon sighed deeply. "You're a pathetic regressor."
She spread her hands, and black magic swirled into the shape of the glasses she had broken earlier.
"I've heard your story," she said. "But my answer—" she paused, sliding the glasses on—"is on hold."
[Why?]
"First, because your claim lacks proof. Second…" Her eyes shifted to Connor. "I don't like that human."
Connor blinked. "…May I ask why?"
Snap!
Her glasses cracked again under her grip. "Do you know what Mayu has been saying since she joined the academy? Connor this, Connor that! Always talking about you! Every day, I hear your name. Do you understand how infuriating that is for me?"
Connor raised both hands nervously. "I-I'm sorry!"
Kyle muttered faintly. [Is that… jealousy?]
"Quiet, you," Kurnugia growled, turning away. The darkness rippled and began to fade.
"This place is your subconscious," she said. "Time flows differently here. You'll soon return to the hallway where this all began. I'll give you my full answer later—and withdraw my warning."
Connor managed a quick "Thank you—"
"Save it," Kurnugia interrupted. "And remember: never speak of what happened here."
In an instant, the black world vanished. The next moment, Connor found himself standing again in the grand hallway of the Blackscale Dormitory.
Kur—now calm and expressionless—walked ahead. "Follow me."
Connor followed, his mind still spinning. [That could've gone far worse,] Kyle said. [At least she isn't hostile anymore.]
"…You really risked everything just to tell her?" Connor muttered.
[It was worth it.]
Before Kyle could say more, Kur's voice sliced through the air. "It's rude to whisper behind someone's back."
Connor froze. Somehow, she could hear Kyle.
They reached Myael's door, and at that exact moment, Lanius emerged.
"Oh? Done already?" Connor asked.
"Negotiation. Success."
"Negotiation? Not a favor?"
"Secret. Cannot reveal."
Connor sighed. "Fine." He noticed something odd about Lanius's helmet and pointed. "Your helmet's crooked."
Lanius twitched, adjusted it furiously, and muttered, "No problem."
"Good enough," Connor said. Kur motioned for them to follow, her tail almost seeming to flick beneath her skirt.
Later that evening, Connor trudged back to his dorm, exhausted. He wanted nothing more than to collapse on his bed—but someone was waiting outside his door.
A familiar girl with golden curls and fierce blue eyes.
"…Shina?"
"You haven't forgotten what I said, right?" she asked sharply.
Connor blinked. "Forgot what?"
Her face darkened. "Our duel results! You said we'd settle it by midterm grades!"
She waved her rolled-up test papers threateningly.
"…Here? In the hallway?"
"Of course not! Open your door!"
Connor opened the door—then stepped inside and locked it behind him.
"Wait! What are you doing?!" she shouted, pounding on the door.
"I never said I'd let you in," he replied lazily.
Her muffled voice grew frantic. "Open it! I've been waiting for hours! People kept staring at me!"
"I can't hear you," he said, lying on his bed.
"You're answering me because you can hear me!"
Connor ignored her and stared at the ceiling.
"…Mayura," he muttered softly. That was the name Kurnugia used—her nickname for Myael. The way she said it lingered in his mind, leaving an odd sense of warmth and jealousy.
[Connor. Look near the door. There's a letter.]
He sat up, blinking. "Huh?"
Two letters lay neatly on the floor: one a temporary report card, the other a notice for overseas training.
He tossed the report card aside. "No need to see bad news early."
Then he opened the second letter.
Dispatch Notice:
Start Date: May 10, 10:00 AM
Location: Unnamed village, Southwestern Platinum Kingdom
Objective: Eliminate a Meteor Swarm nest and explore an uncharted hollow.
Duration: Two weeks
Connor frowned. "An uninvestigated hall, huh…"
The words sent a chill down his spine. Something about it felt wrong—ominous, as if something was already waiting for them deep below the earth.