Melsia stood on the podium, most of the audience's eyes fixed on her.
Before she could begin her speech, the palace doors opened, and the shadows of four figures appeared.
The attention of the crowd shifted toward them, including Rin and Eugene.
Who are they? Why are they here?
A sudden pressure filled the hall.
Eugene felt as if gravity itself had grown heavier.
Four individuals entered.
The first had black hair and red eyes. He wore a large, loose coat in shades of black and brown, lined with soft fur at the collar. Beneath it were slightly loose garments in matching colors. He was tall and powerfully built, his features radiating pride and a distinct, commanding confidence.
This was Thor, the leader of the Border Guardians Organization.
Beside him stood a slightly shorter man, instantly recognizable. He wore a long brown coat over a white shirt and black tie, and in his hand he carried a golden fan engraved with the image of a dragon.
This was Moses, one of the Four Guardians and the founder of the Sun Academy.
Between them stood a woman with long red hair, blue eyes, and freckles. She wore a wide, flowing white dress adorned with rare blue-gold bracelets.
Moses.
Thor.
And Camilla, the head of the Justice Organization.
The last among them was one of the four geniuses of the Monian Empire. He had black hair, a scar across his forehead, thick eyebrows, and a tall, imposing build. He wore clothes similar to Eugene's.
He was known as "The Beast."
His name was Jaber.
With each of the four stepping inside, shock and awe spread further across the faces of the crowd.
Eugene watched with a mix of amazement and mockery, wondering,
Why is that huge guy wearing winter clothes?
When Melsia saw Jaber, Camilla, Moses, and Thor, clear tension and nervousness appeared on her face.
She was about to give a speech in the presence of some of the most important and influential figures in the Monian Empire.
She took a deep breath, forcing herself not to overthink it.
She opened her eyes and spoke with a voice filled with confidence and joy:
"First, I would like to thank everyone who attended this celebration, even though it is not a particularly important occasion.
Second, I would like to give special thanks to these great individuals. Despite how busy they are, they still took the trouble to come here, and that truly means a lot to me."
Eugene bounced his leg beneath the table, barely able to wait any longer. His focus was completely locked on the many dishes in front of him.
These people are strange.
Why do I have to wait until she finishes talking?
I just want to eat.
Rin, on the other hand, was focused entirely on Moses.
Strange. Despite disappearing from the academy for months—and the expressions and behavior he showed when he saw the emblem—here he was now, attending a banquet, smiling as if nothing had happened.
Melsia continued:
"Finally, I would like to take advantage of this moment, while everyone is present and attentive, to announce that during my recent journey around the Lake of Affection region, the Valkyrie Clan has finally agreed to proceed with the continuation of the Bullet Project.
Starting today, my father—"
She gestured toward her father, who stood on the second-floor balcony overlooking the hall.
"—will officially begin this project."
Her words were like a spark thrown into still water. Shock, joy, and disbelief spread across the faces of everyone present.
Moments later, applause and cheers erupted throughout the hall—even from Thor, known for his strict demeanor and perpetually stern expression.
"I didn't understand a single word she said," Eugene muttered, his mouth stuffed with meat. He held a glass of juice in his right hand and another piece of meat in his left.
"Eugene… what is this?" Rin whispered, his voice tense and shocked.
Eugene looked at him, raising an eyebrow at Rin's tone.
Rin reached for a napkin and began wiping Eugene's face as if he were a child.
"Hey—stop, Rin. Move that away. I'll clean my face myself."
"Haha, what's going on here?"
Melsia approached them, holding a thin glass filled with grape juice.
"This nuisance won't let me eat in peace," Eugene said, pointing at Rin with mild annoyance.
Rin tossed the napkin into a nearby bin.
"How many times have my mother, Alex-sensei, and I told you not to eat so much or make a mess—especially in refined places?"
Eugene waved him off, both eyebrows raised.
"Refined or not, I'm hungry and I want to eat. End of story."
Melsia sat down at the table while she and Rin watched Eugene, who at that moment cared about nothing except his stomach.
Ten… twenty minutes passed.
"Do you ever get full?" Melsia asked, clasping her hands together on the table.
Eugene wiped his mouth.
"No. Why?"
Melsia stood up and turned toward him.
"Enough. Leave the food for later."
"Do I have to?"
"Yes."
"Alright, give me five more minu—"
Before he could finish, Melsia grabbed his hand and pulled him away.
They climbed the stairs, then turned left toward a gray wooden door. She opened it, and they entered a long, dim corridor, at the end of which stood a red door.
As they walked, Eugene examined the hallway.
"Where are we going?"
"You'll see," Melsia replied.
When they reached the door and opened it, Eugene's eyes widened—then his expression darkened.
"What is this? You brought me to a huge, empty gray room."
Melsia didn't answer. She walked to a specific spot on the floor, then turned back toward him.
"Listen. You promised me you wouldn't tell anyone—and that you would take this, no matter what. Didn't you?"
Eugene raised an eyebrow suspiciously.
"Yes… but what exactly is this?"
Melsia stepped on a hidden mechanism.
The floor shimmered with a faint blue glow before part of it vanished, revealing a long spiral staircase descending downward.
Melsia went first. Eugene followed without asking further questions, his mind racing.
After descending for some time, they reached a relatively small red door. The moment it opened, cold air rushed out, and moonlight spilled down the stairs.
Eugene gasped.
"That's… a magical teleportation gate."
They emerged onto the top of a tall tower standing alone amid vast waters. Clouds drifted overhead, seagulls cried in the sky, cold air brushed against them, and the scent of damp earth filled the air like a quiet symphony.
"W-what is this place? Why did you bring me here?"
Melsia stepped toward the edge of the small tower rooftop and lifted an old wooden chest.
Eugene stared intensely, his eyes practically screaming:
What's in the box?
She opened it and removed an oval egg, patterned in red and blue.
"What… is that?"
Melsia raised it carefully.
"This is a real dragon egg."
Silence fell. Only the sound of waves crashing against the tower remained.
Then—
"Hahaha! A dragon egg? You've got to be joking. What is this thing supposed to be?"
Melsia's expression hardened. She spoke calmly, but her anger was unmistakable.
"I'm not joking. This truly is a dragon egg."
Silence returned.
Eugene stared at her face, her tone, and the egg itself.
"What?! You're telling me you're keeping a dragon egg?! Have you lost your mind?" he shouted.
"Where did you even get it? Dragon eggs are practically myths—they're that rare!"
She steadied herself.
"I obtained it when a group of strange individuals attacked my father. After they were killed, several boxes were sent to the stolen-goods recovery center. I took one of them and discovered it contained a dragon egg. So I hid it."
"What?!" Eugene shouted again.
"So it's not just a dragon egg—it's a stolen one," he said, lowering his voice slightly.
"Seriously… is there something wrong with you?"
"I know it's wrong," she said, "but it's connected to criminals, and it's extremely rare. It's better if I keep it. It will benefit my family greatly in the future—and it won't fall into the wrong hands."
Eugene rubbed the corner of his eyes, staring down.
"So… you want me to take the egg?"
"Yes."
"Why? If it's already hidden here, just keep it."
"I can't."
"Why not?"
"This palace is full of guards. Sooner or later, they'll find it. And this place is cleaned every week. I've already delayed them for two weeks—I can't keep doing that."
Eugene looked at her in disbelief.
"Then what's the difference if I take it?"
Melsia looked at the egg for a moment.
"They won't find it because you live at the academy. And you're planning to become a tamer. If the egg hatches and grows, you can say you found it by coincidence."
Eugene frowned.
"And you're a tamer too. Why don't you do it yourself?"
Melsia raised her voice slightly.
"I don't want to remain a tamer."
Eugene blinked in surprise.
"Why? And why did you even join the academy? Are your parents forcing you?"
She twirled a strand of her hair around her finger.
"No. My parents are kind to me. It's just that the environment I live in is full of narcissists, liars, and people who envy even the smallest things. The clearest example is Ralph."
"I want to be a tamer so I can distance myself from that world—and so I can be respected as Melsia, not as Michael's sister or Kanfi's daughter."
Eugene scratched his neck, one eye half-closed.
"I see…"
He extended his hand.
"I'll keep it until it turns twenty. Then I'll give it back to you."
Melsia handed him the egg. Eugene placed it inside the chest and covered it with his coat to conceal its shape.
They returned the way they came, sealed the hidden passage, and went back down to the banquet hall.
Eugene glanced toward Rin, Rim, and Fred, who were still eating and talking at the table.
Melsia headed toward her father.
As Eugene walked back, a server carrying chocolate cake passed by. Eugene followed him without thinking.
The cake was placed on the table. Eugene set his coat beside it—but the coat slipped, briefly revealing the chest.
In that moment, someone rushed in, snatched the box, and fled.
"Hey—wait! Stop!"
Eugene chased him all the way to the back garden door.
The man burst outside. Eugene followed.
"I told you to stop!"
The man finally halted among trees and flowers bathed in moonlight.
Eugene stopped behind him. The man turned around.
"Oh. You annoying rich kid. What do you want? Give the box back."
It was Ralph.
"And if I don't?" Ralph sneered. "What are you going to do—hit me?"
Eugene glanced aside, then smirked.
"Hit you? You're just a spoiled, cowardly rich boy. I don't need to."
The words struck Ralph deeply, but Eugene continued.
"Tell me—how's life at the academy? Must be easy when everything's handed to you. Honestly, you're not even worthy of being the center of attention."
Ralph's blood boiled. Veins bulged as he clenched his teeth.
"You peasant—if you—"
"No. Shut up. I don't listen to trash like you."
In an instant, Ralph punched Eugene in the face, sending him flying backward more than ten steps.
"Spoiled brat. Looks like your foolish mother didn't know how to raise you—so I'll do it myself."
"Raise me?"
Eugene planted his feet firmly, pulled his arm back, and extended his palm forward.
"Come on, trash."
To be continued.