A solemn old man sat with his eyes slightly closed. His wrinkled face bore a stern expression. His right hand rested on the table, sketching something with a pencil.
The pen tip danced across the paper. In no time, he had drawn a restriction magic array identical to the one on Sky Qi’s collar.
Even with magical shorthand, drawing this array wasn’t easy for Adolf. The magic array was woven from incredibly intricate lines. A closer look would make anyone dizzy.
It was a nightmare for anyone with trypophobia.
The array was so complex that Adolf felt deflated right after finishing it. It was like a small whirlpool, nearly sucking his soul in.
He wiped sweat from his brow. It was truly difficult. No wonder even that blacksmith couldn’t unlock it. But that didn’t mean he couldn’t crack it.
Though he wasn’t the strongest on the continent, no one knew more about magic arrays than him. Otherwise, Sky Qi wouldn’t have swallowed his pride to ask for his help.
His pen scribbled quickly across the paper, trying to uncover its secrets.
He held the paper with the array up to the sunlight. Gentle rays shone through it, illuminating his weathered face.
Suddenly, Adolf’s expression changed. He hastily dropped the paper. Raising both hands, he activated his Sea of Magic at full power. He mustered all his strength to deploy a defense.
An invisible barrier of force formed before him. At his peak level, he no longer relied on elemental defenses. Instead, he combined magic with space to create an impregnable shield.
Two dazzling golden feathers shot forth, emitting blinding light. Like bullets, they slammed into the barrier. Adolf, holding it up, jolted. He almost spat out blood.
Though the feathers didn’t hit him directly, blocked by the barrier, Adolf was left disheveled. He almost collapsed from the strain.
The two golden feathers had nearly shattered his barrier. After impact, they flew back into the sky with a whoosh, as if summoned.
Adolf could hold no longer. He dropped the barrier and slumped into his armchair. He gasped for breath.
Adolf could only see golden wings. They almost completely blocked the window. Sunlight couldn’t enter, yet the room was brilliantly lit.
The wings were made entirely of golden feathers. Like giant light bulbs, they bathed the room in bright light.
Between the wings stood a petite girl. Her angelic face radiated an intangible, sacred authority. One glimpse made you want to kneel and submit at her feet.
“Damn it,” Adolf groaned inwardly. “Sky Qi just left, and now an Infernal Dragon shows up. What the hell is going on?”
This headmaster job was over. He’d bet he couldn’t beat her. Though a peak-level expert on the continent, he wasn’t combat-oriented. He’d devoted decades to studying magic arrays, with no time for fighting.
Before going all out, you must know your limits. Both were S Class Realm experts, but their combat power was worlds apart.
Even at the same rank, dragons were stronger than humans. And he wasn’t built for battle anyway.
In a real fight, he wouldn’t last a minute.
He struggled to his feet, forcing a smile. “Ah, Infernal Dragon, what brings you to my humble abode today?”
“Don’t grin at me,” Jaina snapped impatiently. “He was here, wasn’t he?”
He? Who? Adolf froze, confused. He hurriedly asked, “Who exactly do you mean?”
“The so-called strongest on your continent,” she said dismissively, waving a hand.
Sky Qi? Oh no. Trouble. Adolf sweated for Sky Qi. What had he done to bring a dragon to the academy?
Best not to say anything. Adolf’s smile widened. “Why would he come here? You must be joking, Dragon. Besides—”
“You lie,” Jaina cut him off. “I smell his scent. Just tell me where he is now. No trouble.”
Adolf chuckled awkwardly. He’d forgotten dragon senses were hundreds of times sharper than humans’.
Jaina retracted her wings and horns. She glided gracefully toward his desk.
She pouted. “Isn’t this the magic array from his collar? You said he hadn’t been here?”
Adolf was sweating buckets. No choice—time for his ultimate move!
He took a deep breath. The move was simple: sell out his teammate. “Just a joke. Of course he came. He even enrolled as a student here.”
“He also cross-dresses! Under the name Xu Yueyin.” Adolf was ready to spill Sky Qi’s entire family history.
Kid, don’t blame me. If I don’t talk, I’ll die right here in my office! To hell with promises—he’d cast them aside long ago. Survival came first.
That was his lesson after nearly ninety years.
“C-cross-dressing?” Jaina blinked, stunned. “He wore women’s clothes to hide from me?”
Holy crap. He cross-dressed to avoid this dragon? What had the kid done? How was he still alive with sealed powers? Adolf burned with questions but dared not ask.
“Hey, old man.”
Old man? Me? Adolf almost snapped in anger. But he choked it back. Stay calm! He hated the insult, but he couldn’t win a fight.
He forced a patient smile. “Yes? How can I help?”
Now this old man was as submissive as Jaina’s minion.
“Are you the leader here?” Her icy voice carried endless magic, nearly pulling him into a trance.
“Y-yes, yes,” Adolf stammered.
“Good. I want to join your academy.” Jaina’s voice dropped low. “I’ll get close to him. Make him submit to me willingly.”
Adolf still heard her. Holy shit? What? This dragon wanted Sky Qi as a subordinate?
Such twisted amusement. She’d even join his academy for it.
What a mess…
