I've been best friends with Ross for more than six years, and this is not the first time we disagree on one another. Our disagreements are often about which is a better food: hamburger or pizza, or which is a better vehicle: motorcycles or cars, and which womanly assets are better: boobs or ass.
Out of all the disagreements we had, this is the most serious. It's about our ideal justice. I believe in the ally of justice, while he believes in the process of justice.
I know that most of that part is decided on whom we're always with. Ross is always with the princess of this country, who upholds the laws that her father and ancestors have established. On my side is Yehanna (Deva), who thirsts for swift justice and revenge.
For most of the time, I would stand my ground and debate. But that's not the instance here.
Yehanna is deeply hurt by Ross' words, and Ross didn't even know that he hurt her.
I made a deep sigh. I stopped petting the Pearl Dragon and went to Yehanna's side. I tapped her trembling shoulder which made her snap out of her emotional breakdown.
"There's no use in mulling about it," I said to Ross with a smile on my face. "Even if Deva comes for my head, which is I think wouldn't come, I still have Hanna. She is more than enough to protect me from that villainess."
Yehanna briefly looked at me, then she exhaled. She let go of her sword and made a relieved smile.
The Pearl Dragon followed me and rubbed her face on my back. I resumed petting her soft whiskers and smiled at the white knight and the princess. "And now I have Miss Odette. With a combatant and a healer right by my side, I won't die."
"Well, it is at it is." Ross scoffed. "We may have to agree to disagree, but I'm happy that you accepted our little help. We-"
Ross stopped speaking when he noticed that something weird was happening.
All of a sudden, the Pearl Dragon's body glowed. There was a brief white flash of light. When it faded, it revealed the pink-haired priestess Odette on her human form.
This so-called Divine Priestess is rubbing her cheeks on my hand. I planned to slowly pull my hand away from her, but it was held by her soft fingers. She hasn't noticed that she returned to her human form right now as her eyes are closed.
"Ah! The warmth of a Dragon Sage's hand. It's so blissful." Odette moaned as if she was dreaming.
"Hey, Odette." Princess Amaryllis tried to grab her attention.
"Mmm~ I am sure that you are my destined one, Lord Dragon Sage." Odette continued to dream.
"Odette! Hey, wake up! You're embarrassing yourself!" Princess Amaryllis shouted.
Odette slowly opened her eyes and finally realized the state she was in. She looked at everyone, and then to me, and then to my hand that she refused to let go.
"Ah! I'm so sorry!" Odette immediately jumped back, finally releasing my hand. Her face is strawberry red. She bowed down and cried. "I'm sorry, I'm so sorry, Lord Corasell! I didn't mean to be creepy like that!"
"N-No, it's okay!" I scratched my head with a forced smile. "All girls tend to be clingy to a handsome guy after all."
"Handsome?" Odette innocently tilted her head like a curious puppy. "Where?"
Everybody laughed. Ross, the princess, and even Yehanna. I just embarrassed myself in front of them for the second time.
It hurts me that I just got roasted like that. And it hurts me more than Odette seemed to be serious and has no idea that she just burned me. It's like a pinch of salt to an open fresh wound.
Ross looked at his wristwatch and then signaled the princess. "Mary, we need to go."
"I know you'll get along well, Lord Corasell. Odette is a good girl." Princess Amaryllis said. "Please take care of her!"
"I will!" I smiled. I turned to Ross. "Hey, let's have a glass of pint next time when we're not busy."
"Will do!" Ross turned his back and waved his hand goodbye.
The white knight and the princess exited the Combat Room. We also left the arena after cleaning some things up.
Since Odette is my new Dragonoid Contractor who appears to have no idea of the layout of the Library yet, I showed her around. I introduced to her the cafeteria, the magic facilities, and the main library. Since the Dragon Sage Library is mostly comprised of actual and literal libraries, it didn't take long to end her tour.
We ended on one of the tables in the library's second level.
"So, that's it." I shrugged with a carefree smile. "The Dragon Sage Library is just a place filled with books, bookshelves, and more books! I hope you don't get bored on your stay here."
Odette shook her head. "No, not at all! Compared to the Southern Shrine where I work, this library seems like a big playground! I know there are endless books to keep me occupied here if I'm bored. But oh, of course, I will still help you with your Dragon Sage Thesis! That's a Dragonoid Contractor's job after all!"
"That's good to hear." I smiled. I'm quite glad that it's easy to get along with this girl. I just need to initiate a conversation and she'll pop like a firecracker.
"So, um, Lord Corasell." Odette tilted her head and looked at the ceiling. "What kind of Dragon Sage Thesis are you working on?"
I saw Yehanna put down her second cup of coffee on the table and stared at me as if she was waiting for me to answer Odette.
"What?" I turned to Yehanna.
"I've been wondering what you are trying to achieve with those time magic grimoires you asked me to transcribe last time. Though you already told me the spell you wanted to create, I haven't heard the details." Yehanna said in a serious but poker face.
I smirked. "What I'm trying to invent is the Timeline Prediction spell."
"Timeline Prediction spell?" Odette appears to be even more confused.
"Let me give you a bit of background. Timelines are the chronological arrangement of events that connects the past, present, and future. But aside from the timeline we are in, some infinite timelines and possibilities may or may not exist at the very same time. What I'm trying to predict is the cause and effect that makes us move to another future result that exists in the other timeline."
"I-I'm not sure if I can follow." Odette forced a laugh.
"For example." I grabbed Yehanna's cup of coffee on the table and raised it. "If I use Timeline Prediction spell, I will see a future possibility where if this cup is spilled, I would end up marrying Yehanna in the future. On the other hand, -"
I returned the cup to its original position and grabbed my pen tucked on my coat and gave it to Odette's delicate hands. I continued explaining my nerdy knowledge.
"I will also see a future possibility where if this pen is thrown out in the window, I will end up marrying Odette in the future. You see, I'm researching a spell that is akin to a magical hybrid of telescope and kaleidoscope which analyzes the cause and gives the effect that will happen in the future."
"So basically, you're trying to create an omniscient spell," Yehanna muttered. "By knowing the actions of the present, you will know all the possible futures."
"W-Well, yeah." I gave a nervous smile. "Though there are still problems in my Timeline Prediction Thesis. It can only be used by a person with an IQ of 1000 and above, as seeing the multiple timelines will overload a human's brain with data. I must overclock my brain eightfold, and even with such a heavy toll, I can only see five future timelines at a time. Also, I still must experiment if I can do it backward; analyzing the present effect to find the past cause. If it works, it will help resolve most of the unsolved detective cases."
"I'm impressed." Yehanna smiled. "Most Dragon Sages are obsessed with creating the most powerful spell, or the most profitable magic. But you, on the other hand, are focused on improving the future and resolving mistakes from the past."
"I agree!" Odette cheered. "You are doing your thesis, not for the sake of power and reputation, but humanity's welfare! I am so moved by your noble intentions, Lord Corasell!"
"T-Thanks." I scratched my head. "I'm glad that you two approve of my thesis. I thought it was bull crap at first, but-"
All of a sudden, Yehanna's elbow swept on the cup on the table, which spilled the coffee on the floor.
"Whoops!" Yehanna acted surprised as if it wasn't intentional. "I spilled the coffee. Well, I guess we will get married in the future, Uly~"
"What the-"
"Ah!" Odette shrieked. The expensive pen, which I used to write notes for my thesis, flew out of the window. "W-Whoops! I-I'm sorry, Lord Corasell! I accidentally threw the pen! We will get married in the future too! I'm so sorry!"
"The hell are you two doing!? It's just an example!"