Lanius's invitation led Connor to room 505, a place that smelled of oil, metal, and secrets. The walls were lined with crates marked by strange runes, and a cluttered desk overflowed with tools and glowing parts. It felt more like a miniature workshop than a dorm room. Yet among all that cold iron, a small pot of flowers bloomed brightly by the window — a strange, delicate contrast to the mechanical chaos.
"Help. Need. Parts." Lanius's deep, muffled voice came from under his helmet.
Connor sighed, half amused and half confused. Lanius wanted replacement parts for his mechanical armor — items the blacksmith didn't have. The dwarf smith had promised to order them, but Lanius was too impatient. The reason was simple: the Academy's upcoming dispatch training. No one knew when it would start, and he wanted his gear perfected before then.
When Connor asked how he planned to get the parts, Lanius simply replied, "Tonight. Escape."
Connor froze. Escape? From the Academy? The barrier surrounding the campus was a fortress of magic — not something a student could just slip through. But Lanius revealed a small black cube, a device capable of disrupting a portion of the barrier for a few seconds.
It was insane. Yet, Lanius was serious. If Connor refused, he would go alone.
Connor weighed the risk. If they were caught, the punishment would be brutal — suspension, failed credits, delayed graduation. But if he refused, and Lanius got caught on his own, the blame might still fall on him as the group leader. Either way, he was cornered.
When he asked Kyle for advice, the voice inside his head calmly suggested,
[Ask Myael.]
Myael — the noble princess from their group. She had attendants allowed to freely move in and out of the Academy. If she helped, there'd be no need for any "escape."
[We must contact Kurnugia,] Kyle added firmly.
Kurnugia. Myael's dragon maid. The thought made Connor's stomach tighten, but Kyle insisted. So, he decided to go with Lanius to the Black Scale Dormitory, the noble students' territory.
The building was stunning — floors of polished marble, silent staircases, and corridors lined with priceless paintings. Commoners like Connor rarely even got close to this place. He felt like he was walking through another world.
At the door, the dragon maid herself appeared — Kur, calm and elegant, her presence sharp enough to silence the air around her.
"Welcome to the Black Scale Dormitory. Follow me. I'll take you to Lady Myael's room."
Without waiting for permission, she led them inside.
They reached the top floor, stopping before a lavish door. Kur instructed them to stand five steps back, then knocked softly. After a muffled response, she turned and gestured for them to enter. But just as Connor was about to follow, Kur stopped him.
"Mr. McCloud. You have something to discuss with me."
Lanius disappeared into Myael's room, and the door closed behind him. Kur turned and walked down the hall without looking back. Connor hesitated, then followed — remembering Kyle's words about needing to contact her.
The deeper they went, the heavier the air felt. Kur's polite mask fell away. Her voice grew cold.
"I've heard disturbing rumors about you and my lady. You dared to approach her, despite my warnings."
The temperature dropped. Darkness crept along the corridor like smoke.
Connor tried to steady his breathing, but before he could speak, the world around him shifted.
The hallway vanished. The light disappeared. All that remained was endless blackness.
From the darkness, Kur's calm voice echoed — but it was no longer human.
"You were right. I can't harm you… because of Myael's order. But that doesn't mean I'll forgive your arrogance."
Her human form cracked apart. Wings unfurled, enormous and scaled in pure black. Her tail whipped through the void, and glowing golden eyes opened within the darkness.
The maid was gone.
Before him stood Kurnugia, the Dragon of Death — her true form, vast enough to blot out the world.
"Human foolishness knows no bounds!" she roared, her voice shaking the void itself. "You dare to stand before me without fear? Then I will teach you fear!"
Her shadow rose, a mountain of darkness ready to crush him.
But just as her claws descended, a calm voice echoed from Connor's body — one that didn't belong to him.
[Is that person… truly that precious to you?]
The dragon froze mid-strike. Her golden eyes widened.
"…Who are you? No one else should exist within this human's mind."
Blue light gathered around Connor, swirling like mist.
Then the voice spoke again — steady, ancient, and proud.
[My name is Connor McCloud. I come from the future.]
The dragon's expression twisted in disbelief, the void trembling with her rage and confusion. The ancient guardian of darkness had just come face to face with something she could neither crush nor comprehend.
And so began the wrath of the dragon.