Chapter 28 - The Genius, the Reason for Heartbeats, and First Love (2)
Nothing in this world is immutable. When there's a beginning, there will be an end; no matter how beautiful a flower once was, it will eventually decay and wither.
Even those who live for eternity are no exception.
Even if the body remains unchanged, the mind is gradually worn down by the relentless flow of time. Eventually, it will become nothing more than an empty shell, devoid of its own will.
The end is near. The Primordial Dragon sensed this truth long ago.
No matter what she experienced, she felt no joy. Her emotions had dulled, and the act of putting on expressions had become routine. It was time to acknowledge her limits and step down from her position as Headmistress.
Yet, she had delayed this inevitable parting, all because of a certain professor who had unexpectedly entered her life.
This eccentric had rekindled the emotions she thought were long dead. He was always one step ahead of her expectations, making her heart race. He made her smile sincerely, reminding her she was still alive.
Because of this, Sion dared to dream of a future—a future where loneliness was forgotten, where she could smile and live a little longer, happily.
'But, perhaps that dream was too much to ask.'
These days, she found herself incredibly happy.
She had hoped to propose co-running the Academy as a reward for the professor's achievements in preventing a terror attack.
When she heard that the Academy had suffered major damage from an enemy assault, she couldn't help but smile, curious about just how far that professor had foreseen everything.
But in the end, her attachment to that joy became her undoing.
She couldn't afford to lose Lian. This time, she would live up to his expectations.
She would quickly handle the enemies that had launched the assault and regain the trust she had lost. With this in mind, she had made a decision that turned out to be a grievous mistake.
'There's a limit to how foolish one can be.'
Within the Academy was hidden a relic of the Demon Lord. It was indeed a valuable artifact, but it could never be more precious than the lives of the students.
Protecting the students should have been her priority. Just as Lian had stayed behind to protect them, she should have remained here with them.
The moment she failed to see this simple truth, she proved herself unfit to be an educator. She had no right to serve as the Headmistress.
"I am unfit for the role of Headmistress. Please, take my place as Headmaster of the Academy, Lian."
And so, Sion bowed her head before Lian. She was the Primordial Dragon, a being who would never bow to even the Emperor. But she had no intention of shamelessly clinging to her position after twice betraying someone who had trusted her.
How could she look him in the eyes?
Lowering her head, she confessed her guilt.
"In truth, I should have relinquished this position long ago. I've been holding on only out of sheer obstinacy."
Her judgment had grown clouded. Her whims had endangered others. Even if she claimed senility, there was no excuse for her disgraceful behavior.
"I held onto this position because of a promise I made to an old friend, but I must now accept that I've reached my limit."
She thought of the Hero who had helped build this Empire. The girl who had pulled her from the cave and given her dreams.
Before her death, the Hero had confided a fear: that the world would forget her and her companions. She feared their shared memories would be lost from the hearts of all.
And so, Sion had made her a promise.
Even if the world forgot her, Sion would remember. She would tell their stories to future generations, nurturing dreams in young minds, carrying her friend's spirit into eternity.
But that promise had withered.
"She left me behind, unable to freely pass on. Since the day I began to resent her for leaving me to face this alone, I was already lost."
Even if she told the students about her friend's stories, Sion was the only one who truly knew her.
Only Sion could remember what kind of people her friends were, what thoughts they held, and the smiles they shared. That loneliness had gnawed away at the Primordial Dragon for thousands of years.
"I leave all authority over the Imperial Academy to you. Please, lead these people in my stead."
Now was the time to step back. Surely, Professor Lian had already grasped this.
It would be a lie to say she was not bitter at the end, but with that man in charge, she felt assured the Academy would be in good hands. Now, she could begin to prepare her final affairs.
At least, she thought so…
But for some reason, Lian's face had gone deathly pale, as if he had just received a death sentence.
The man hastily stopped her and cried out.
"Please, don't say something so tragic. That would only trample on your friend's feelings!"
His hand held hers firmly, as if he wouldn't let her go. Through his touch, warmth seeped into Sion.
"Her words, that she feared being forgotten—surely they were only meant to save her dearest friend, whose spirit was on the verge of breaking."
Sion was grateful for his concern, but she had long realized this truth.
Her friend wasn't the type to make selfish requests. Leaving behind such a statement was her way of hinting at the sacrifice she'd been prepared to make.
"But to live forever in longing is impossible."
She was so very tired now. She couldn't even remember her friend's face clearly anymore. So she pleaded for escape.
Sion's voice was almost a cry, yet still, his hand didn't release her.
"Live on. Life is always unpredictable, isn't it? Perhaps even someone like you has unexpected encounters awaiting."
He understood she was bound to eternal life. He knew that any bonds she formed would ultimately end in solitude. But even so, he wanted her to live on.
For a moment, anger surged within her at his selfishness. She wanted to shout, "What do you know about me?"
But she couldn't bring herself to voice such complaints.
His white hair fluttered in the breeze. Gazing into her golden eyes, he spoke to her with unmatched arrogance.
"I'm certain you will find someone. Someone who will create a moment so unforgettable, it will last with you forever."
He couldn't walk alongside her through eternity, but he promised her happiness, a memory she could never forget.
He would give her a memory so vibrant, it would remain within her, even through eternity. So she would never again be alone. He asked her to stay with him.
"…I simply can't match up to you."
Once again, he had completely outpaced her expectations. A gentle smile naturally spread across her face.
Where had he found the nerve to confess at a time like this? How had he known that it would make her happy? What was he thinking?
There was nothing predictable about him, and she found herself captivated.
Most of her emotions might have faded, but being with this man made her laugh without end. He made her want to live a little longer.
'Perhaps giving in to one more whim isn't so bad.'
The thought of passing on her position was gone. A far more fitting reward had come to mind.
With a mischievous smirk, she poked his cheek with her forefinger.
As her touch lingered, a black mark appeared—a symbol of a dragon's chosen companion, the mark that had once made an ordinary girl the founder of an Empire.
This was the highest blessing, granting good fortune, longevity, and doubling the recipient's magic. If their auras synchronized well, he could even evolve into a dragonborn within a decade.
She might have made mistakes, but this was a fitting reward to make up for them. It wouldn't hurt to lift the mood by teasing him a bit.
The Primordial Dragon opened her mouth to speak, planning to tease him: "Your bravery is impressive! Let's see if you can truly make me fall for you!"
But…for some reason…
The words wouldn't leave her lips.
Her mind spun. Her face flushed uncontrollably. She couldn't even look him in the eye.
This string of sensations left her bewildered. Though she might not be well-versed in her own emotions, she could hardly pretend not to recognize this feeling.
'Stay calm. We're from different species, after all. This must be… curiosity, nothing more.'
She tried to convince herself as she looked at Lian. Her hands shook, her legs twisted beneath her, but she was the great Primordial Dragon, after all.
She had lived for almost an eternity. For her to feel flustered over something so trivial was simply beneath her.
Resolved to stay composed, she made up her mind…
"A-actually, I just remembered! The dormitory wards need repairs!" she blurted, flying away, slamming straight into a tree, falling, and finally flying off as if nothing had happened.
It was a moment destined to be a lifelong embarrassment.