After deciding that we were going to hunt the Lion Croco, I carefully wrote our names on the paper along with the beast we intended to hunt. My hand trembled slightly despite my attempt at composure. Submitting it felt like sealing our fate. The Croco was notorious. One wrong move and it would be an instant kill. I could feel my stomach twist at the thought.
I let out a small, frustrated sigh. "I submitted it," I muttered, my annoyance barely contained.
Liro leaned back in his chair, a lazy grin playing on his lips. His crimson eyes glinted with amusement as he spoke. "Why are you worrying so much? It is just a weird animal that we are going to kill."
I bit my lip, irritation bubbling at his casual attitude. "And that weird animal is almost A-rank," I said under my breath, trying to sound reasonable but failing to hide the tremor in my voice.
Liro chuckled softly, tilting his head as if studying me. "Scaredy-cat fucker," he said with a teasing smirk.
My anger flared instantly, my cheeks heating as I snapped. "That is enough—"
Pinggggg.
The sharp sound of a magical chime echoed through the classroom. The familiar alarm cut me off mid-sentence, signaling that it was time.
A deep, calm voice announced from above. "Okay, students. Get ready for the transportation chamber."
I let out a long, weary sigh, feeling the tension knot in my chest. "Asshole," I whispered under my breath, letting the word slip without much thought.
He caught it almost instantly, shooting back with a grin. "Slut."
I groaned, pinching the bridge of my nose. Working with him was infuriating. Every interaction was a challenge to my patience. At the same time, I could not deny that there was something strange about his presence that made him reliable
One by one, all of the second-year students rose from their seats, carefully gathering their gear. The classroom buzzed with nervous energy, quiet whispers, and the occasional laugh of overconfident students. Liro rose last, stretching lazily as Sofi fluttered lightly on his shoulder, her small wings beating gently in anticipation.
We walked out into the main hall, the corridors echoing with the sound of footsteps. The academy was alive with motion. Students from other classes were already moving toward the massive teleportation chamber, a structure that shimmered with the faint blue light of high-level magic. The energy in the air was tangible, crackling softly like the quiet hum of a distant storm.
We walked as hundreds of chatters buzzed in our ears. I spoke to a few of our classmates and some others, but they left when they felt his gaze on them.
"You are scaring them," I whispered.
"If they get scared by my eyes, what can I do?" he replied lazily.
We walked on in silence for a while, the sound of our footsteps rustling along the polished stone floor.
"So how did you even manage to tame a proud being like a dragon? I mean, they are not impossible to find or tame, but a teenager like you..." I asked, the question lingering in my mind for days.
He gently petted Sofi. "Well… six years ago, I was practicing water magic deep in the jungle. That is when I found her mother. Pregnant and bruised, I healed her, and in return she gave me the egg. It was easy from then on, since dragons tend to see the first person who cares for them as their parent. No, all animals do."
"Hoo. But the jungle? Who in their right mind would go there to train? And your parents are crazier for even allowing something like that."
"And why do you even care about my personal life, shitty hole?" he replied, a sharp edge to his voice.
"Can't you live without insults?" I asked, exasperated.
A moment of silence passed as we walked further away from the others, his pace effortless and far ahead of mine.
"Would it be your first time doing it?" he asked, his crimson eyes softer than usual.
"Yeah… I have never used this transportation or whatever stuff," I admitted With a tint embarrassment
He scoffed. "It might be too scary for you. You can hold onto me if you want."
"As if. You..." I lost my words for him. Truly insufferable.
With banter and chatter, we finally reached the place. It was massive. In the center was a huge circle, and in every corner stood intimidating-looking mages, their presence almost oppressive.
The principal used a voice enhancer and spoke in his usual middy tone. "Students, let us calm down for a moment and listen."
All the students stopped chattering one by one.
"Doesn't he look more intense than usual?" I whispered to Liro.
"Hmm… for a man whose one leg is practically in the coffin, he sure looks intimidating… pfft," he replied lightly.
The principal fixed a piercing gaze on us. We shut up immediately. "There may be persons who have used the teleportation device and some who have not. Those who already know how this works will assist those who do not. Do not be afraid and hold your ground. This journey will last ten minutes."
He made a series of gestures, and the device started humming with energy.
It became dark and cold instantly. The worst part was that I could hear mumbles in a language I did not know. I shivered and, almost without realizing it, hugged Liro's back.
With a blush, I whispered, "You are the one who said I could do it, okay?"
"Country bumpkin," he replied casually.
I was about to fire back with a sarcastic retort, but I was vulnerable this time. Almost everyone around us was invisible, their frightened whispers floating in the darkness. He was the only one I could Trust and See
Liro's voice softened. "Do not worry. The cold is to maintain the temperature. Otherwise, you would die from how fast we are traveling. The darkness is to hide our speed, and the whispers are the top mages chanting the teleportation."
His calm and intelligent voice eased me slightly. "But they are just creepy at this point. I do not even understand the words."
"They are high S-tier mages. Do you know how important they are? Teleportation magic is so rare that countries fight over these people."
"I suppose… important, and all. How many are there anyway?"
"Fewer than two hundred."
Surprised, I muttered, "Now that is rare."
"Of course it is," he replied simply.
I did not know how much longer the journey would last, and I wished it would end soon. I pressed myself against his back tighter.
Then, everything turned blurry. I could hear birds chirping, animal noises, and the relief of others around me.
I let out a sigh of relief. We had finally emerged from that hellish tunnel. My vision cleared, revealing the beautiful yet dangerous wilderness before my eyes. We were truly in the Dark Jungle now.