Chapter 54
“Humans… how dare they…”
Sitael looked down at his tattered body.
His entire form was mottled red and black — burn marks from fire, deep stab wounds from blades, and bruises left by merciless beatings.
“Oh? And which mighty dragon was it that got beaten by such mere humans again?”
“Kehehe, stop that. You shouldn’t speak like that to the noble dragon, you know.”
Sitael glared at the human magicians before him through his hazy vision.
Normally, he could have killed them all with just a flick of his hand — but now, bound and restrained, he could do nothing.
All he could do was listen to these insolent humans spew their mocking words.
‘This is all because of that damn Tower Master…’
“You’ll pay for this… all of you—”
But just then, the jailers suddenly froze in place — they had received the signal they’d been waiting for.
However, Sitael, whose sight was blurred by the blood trickling down his face, didn’t notice it.
‘To let me think I escaped on my own… to deliberately create an opening for me — what’s their real intention?’
He felt a flicker of doubt, but it didn’t last long.
A butterfly fluttered quietly around the unconscious dragon’s body — and then, everything went still.
Now free, the holy dragon Sitael escaped to a safe place and immediately reached out to other dragons.
Just as Diamid had intended.
—I recently discovered a fragment of a dragon relic. But, as you know, no such discovery has been reported before.
—Curious about who dared claim it, I tracked them down. Turned out, it was an unknown dragon — a half-breed living shamelessly among humans! I was going to kill it!
—For the honor of our kind, that bastard must die.
Diamid was speechless as he listened through his familiar.
—But don’t take this lightly. The target is inside the Mage Tower. You’ll need to be careful — there’s a monster living there. …To think I, a dragon, would fall to a mere human male.
Sitael’s voice, thick with resentment, lingered long in Diamid’s ears.
The day after the dragon’s intrusion, Diamid happened to run into Jaina.
She bowed her head slightly.
“Hello.”
She thanked him politely, but couldn’t help feeling puzzled.
‘Isn’t the Tower Master supposed to be hard to meet? Lately, I’ve been running into him unusually often… or am I imagining things?’
While Jaina pondered this, Diamid’s voice reached her ears.
“Your mother was a hero — she gave her life to slay the Demon King. So why is it that the dragons reject you?”
“As I told you before, it’s because I’m a half-blood.”
“Half-blood?”
“Yes. I’m not the daughter of a hero — I’m the daughter of a filthy dragon who fell in love with a human man.”
“……”
“So please don’t mistake me for a spy of the dragons.”
“In that case… are you like Bezriche, then…?”
“Huh?”
Jaina blinked, waiting for him to continue, but Diamid pressed his lips tightly shut and said nothing more.
Seeing his expression, Jaina cautiously offered,
“If you want me to leave, I will.”
She knew that Diamid was a man who valued silence above all.
After yesterday’s commotion, which she had indirectly caused, she wouldn’t have been surprised if he expelled her.
But unexpectedly, Diamid said something quite different.
“No. Stay here.”
Then he turned and walked away.
Jaina stared blankly at his retreating figure before bowing her head.
“Thank you.”
“……”
“For letting me stay here… and for saving me yesterday.”
Diamid paused mid-step, as if something came to mind, and opened his mouth slightly — but in the end, he said nothing, and disappeared down the corridor.
Three years passed since Jaina’s tenth birthday.
During that time, she studied under a new harpsichord teacher, as well as tutors in etiquette, dance, and even foreign languages.
All of this happened with Diamid’s silent approval.
“Now then, walk this way again, please.”
The new teachers at the Mage Tower were nothing like Charlotte — they didn’t torment Jaina.
Instead, they treated her with care and sincerity.
Even Jaina could tell they were exceptionally well-qualified instructors.
They were kind to her and often praised her talent.
A talented student — that’s what they called her.
Jaina didn’t know why Diamid was having her learn so many things.
She could only vaguely guess it might have something to do with Bezriche.
Still, even without knowing the reason, she truly enjoyed every moment of learning.
It wasn’t out of obligation — there was genuine joy in gaining new knowledge.
With little else to do in the Tower, surrounded by scholars who spent their days buried in research, studying simply became her natural rhythm.
“Young miss, the flowers you ordered have arrived.”
That year, Jaina had started a flower subscription.
The Tower’s Botanical Research Department had begun cultivating all-season flowers beside the monster flowerbeds, and thanks to Hilbenzia’s favor, Jaina could receive them early.
‘Should I make a topiary out of these?’
Looking at the spring flowers — long past their natural season — Jaina carefully arranged them into a vase.
Three years ago, her small hands could barely manage it, but now, at thirteen, she could do it easily.
Hilbenzia often scolded her, wondering where all the food she ate disappeared to, since she was still so petite — but to Jaina, it felt like real progress.
“They look lovely.”
Every three days, the flowers in the vase changed.
Jaina smiled softly, feeling like a single bouquet could transform the whole room’s mood.
If someone asked what the biggest difference was between ten-year-old Jaina and thirteen-year-old Jaina—
They might point out her height, her slightly stronger frame, her steadier control over wind magic, her improved mastery of dark magic, her closeness to Bezriche in harpsichord, or her refined manners and dance.
But above all, the biggest change was the gentle, bright smile that now often graced her face.
It was a small luxury — but one that made her truly happy.
“Good morning.”
Jaina lifted her hands from the vase and greeted the day.
And just like that, another of her days began.
“Peanut butter sure has a strange texture.”
“Even so, you’re handling it quite well for something new.”
Jaina stood beside Hilbenzia, baking cookies.
Unlike regular butter, peanut butter had an odd texture, but she quickly adapted.
“It’s not all that different.”
“You’ve only baked cookies once before, haven’t you? For that, you’re doing splendidly.”
The cookies began to bake, filling the room with a warm, nutty aroma.
Especially peanut butter cookies — their rich scent was irresistible.
Jaina watched eagerly as the dough rose in the oven.
“They’re done!”
She carefully lifted the soft cookies onto a cooling rack.
There were quite a few — more than she could eat alone.
“It’s too many for me to finish by myself. May I give some as gifts?”
“Of course, my dear. Do as you like.”
Jaina pulled out wrapping paper she had bought earlier, making Hilbenzia chuckle knowingly.
“That paper didn’t just fall from the sky, did it? You must’ve planned to gift these from the start.”
“I just… feel like I’ve only ever been the one receiving gifts.”
She looked down at the cooling cookies.
“And besides, wouldn’t it be nice if everyone could enjoy something delicious together?”
Peanut butter cookies were popular — sweet and savory, they were the kind of treat few disliked.
Last time, her cookies had failed because she hadn’t creamed the butter properly — but this time, they looked perfect.
Despite being a more challenging recipe, she had done well.
‘Perfect.’
Jaina began wrapping them carefully.
First, she chose ribbons — sturdy enough to hold, but also matching the brown color of the cookies.
Then she wrapped them neatly, tied the ribbons, and admired the result — a beautiful little gift set.
Looking down at her work, Jaina smiled with pride.
“I’ll give the first batch to Lady Hilbenzia.”
Mikael wasn’t particularly fond of sweets.
That’s why Jaina had reduced the sugar and increased the peanut butter ratio — to make them more savory and nutty, just the way he might like.
“What, peanut butter cookies?”
Mikael, who used to live on potions instead of proper meals, wasn’t exactly the type to enjoy snacks.
But after meeting Jaina, and being dragged to the dining hall with her often, even his tastes had started to change.
“You’re already old enough to bake? No way — you’re still just a little runt.”
He looked her up and down, comparing their heights exaggeratedly.
“You, this tiny thing, made cookies? Really?”
“I’m not tiny — you’re just tall, Mikael.”
And she was right.
When Jaina first arrived, Mikael had been a teenage boy. Now, he was a fully grown man.
His handsome face had matured beautifully, and Jaina realized only now that his boyish features back then had just been an unopened flower bud.
Mikael let out a soft laugh.
“Well, I am an adult now… But seriously, when are you going to grow? You’re still like a tadpole with one leg sticking out.”
“I’ll grow someday. I still can’t believe you’re an adult already.”
“Why? Because I look too young?”
“No, because your mental age hasn’t caught up yet.”
Mikael grinned, grabbed her soft cheeks, and stretched them playfully.
“You little brat. Such a cute little brat.”
“Ugh… You’re like a dad…”
“Hmph. I don’t even like sweets, but since you made them yourself, I’ll force myself to eat one.”
As he untied the red ribbon on the cookie bag, Jaina quickly reached out.
“You don’t have to force yourself. Just give them back.”
“Oh? You think you can take them?”
He lifted the bag high above her reach, pulled out a cookie, and took a big bite.
“Honestly…”
He chewed slowly, dragging out his words.
It could go either way — tastes good, or tastes awful.
Finally, he smiled crookedly.
“Not bad. Pretty good, actually.”
Jaina pouted.
‘He’ll never just say it’s delicious, will he…’
“Then I’ll give them to someone who’ll actually say they taste good. Hand them back.”
“Too late. They’re mine now. You’re not taking them back.”
And right before her eyes, Mikael finished every last one of the peanut butter cookies.
