It turned out that the Black Clan leader did not recognize Merlin, so she had to think of another way to get a free ride without exhausting her energy by flying.
"I'm Merlin from the Blue Clan. I want to go to the academy. Can you help me?" Merlin introduced herself, hoping the Black Clan leader would assist her.
"Why would I help you? It's a waste of time," the leader replied dismissively.
"Please, give me a ride. I need to get to the academy," Merlin repeated, trying to persuade him.
"I don't want to help someone from the Blue Clan, and I certainly don't want to share my horse with a man like you," the leader scoffed, clearly disliking Merlin.
Everyone knew the Blue Clan and the Black Clan were sworn enemies; it was no secret. But Merlin, unconcerned with such rivalries, just wanted help getting to the academy.
Besides, knowing the leader couldn't attack her gave Merlin a sense of security.
"Are you sure you don't recognize me?" Merlin asked again, hoping he might recall.
But the current Merlin was vastly different from the one who had stopped the Black Clan leader in the marketplace the day before. Even her black eyes marked a stark contrast.
"Why would I recognize you? It doesn't matter. Now move aside; you're blocking my way," the leader said, his tone growing irritated.
"Please, I'm tired of flying. Besides, you're riding your black dragon. Surely you can let a mere human like me hitch a ride," Merlin said, referring to his companion animal, a fact she had learned from Luky.
The Black Clan leader was startled that Merlin could see his black dragon, as no one else could see deceased companion animals.
From his perch on a tree, Luky watched and was equally astonished.
"How can she know about his deceased companion? Even I can't see it. There's definitely something strange about her," Luky thought, growing more curious about Merlin, whom he had dismissed as a clueless fool just days ago.
"Fine, I'll give you a ride," the Black Clan leader finally relented.
"Yes!" Merlin quickly mounted the horse with the leader's assistance.
"Oh, by the way, what's your name?" Merlin asked.
"Zaky," he replied curtly.
As the horse began to trot swiftly, Luky followed silently, not daring to show himself. He knew Merlin was clueless about the martial world, clans, companion animals, mana, and internal energy. She didn't even know the kingdom's history.
Before reaching the academy, Merlin asked to stop at the market they had passed the previous day. She had something she wanted to do there.
"Do you remember this place?" Merlin asked, trying to jog Zaky's memory.
Unfortunately, Zaky didn't recognize her. He merely saw her as a strange person with many secrets.
"Of course, I remember. This is my territory. Everyone here fears me because I'm the Black Clan leader. Impressive, isn't it?" Zaky said proudly.
"I wasn't asking about that. Why is he so full of himself as a leader of an evil clan? Oh, my goodness, there's nothing impressive about him," Merlin thought irritably.
She headed to a clothing shop to buy new clothes, as it wouldn't be appropriate to go to the academy dressed as a boy. Merlin wanted to re-enroll at the academy to take revenge on Sujin, the person responsible for her blindness.
Meanwhile, Zaky, waiting near his horse, became intrigued by Merlin's ability to see things others couldn't. This made him willing to wait and take her to the academy since it was also his destination.
After changing clothes, Merlin approached Zaky to continue their journey.
When she neared him, Zaky was visibly shocked by her transformation.
"What's with your chest? Did you pad it with fabric?" Zaky asked, startled, almost reaching out to check.
"Are you insane? It's real!" Merlin slapped his hand away.
"So, you're a woman?" Zaky said in disbelief.
The person he had thought was a man turned out to be a beautiful woman, and she looked much better in women's clothing.
"I've been saying my name is Merlin from the beginning, so of course I'm a woman," Merlin explained again.
"People here can't tell men from women. Everyone has long hair, and only makeup distinguishes them as women. No wonder they couldn't tell when I wasn't wearing makeup or styling my hair," Merlin thought to herself.
"Let's continue to the academy," Zaky suggested.
"Why are you so eager? Earlier, you refused to take me to the academy. I'll just walk," Merlin replied.
"We're heading to the same place. Why would you walk?" Zaky said, baffled by her behavior.
"Why did you refuse me earlier? Are you planning something evil? The Black Clan is infamous for its wickedness," Merlin said while walking, with Zaky following, leading his horse.
"If you know that, why did you ask me for help?" Zaky asked, confused by her logic.
"Well, because… because…" Merlin hesitated, unable to admit that it was because Zaky couldn't hurt her.
"Because what?" Zaky pressed.
"Because you look handsome," Merlin lied, unwilling to tell the truth.
"Oh, my goodness, I'm lying to him. Honestly, Luky looks better when he's in human form," Merlin thought to herself.
Zaky, with his numerous scars from countless battles, looked more intimidating than handsome. But he seemed pleased with the compliment, smiling for the first time.
"Really? Do you like me?" Zaky asked, delighted. After years of being feared, hearing a beautiful woman call him handsome was refreshing.
"I'm doomed. What have I done? Is he happy? Doesn't he own a mirror? Oh, my goodness, this is my fault for lying," Merlin thought, feeling guilty.
"I might like you if you were a good person. But sadly, you're evil. You've caused trouble in the market, and you're notorious for your cruelty," Merlin said, trying to reason.
"Is it wrong to help people end their suffering by freeing them from poverty?"
"What are you even saying? Killing people isn't helping them. They deserve freedom!"
"If I became good, would you like me?" Zaky asked, making Merlin even more confused.
Sometimes lies could awaken something in someone, but Merlin didn't like Zaky. Should she tell the truth?
"Oh, my goodness, I've made him misunderstand," Merlin thought, exasperated.