Slacker Second Gen C40

Chapter 40: Dragon Dad 10

The bowl-shaped arena had a green field at the bottom, where an enormous, snow-white ice dragon lay sprawled on the grass. A thin layer of snow surrounded him, making the scene look as though a small iceberg had been placed in a bowl.

The young dragon was busy at his side, diligently gathering and shaping the snowflakes.

The friendly competition between the two schools had concluded. Both had their victories and defeats, but overall, the Central Magic Academy had won more events. In particular, when it came to magic spells rooted in the dragon language, Central Magic Academy’s students had yet to lose a single match.

The students from Maikesiduo, no matter how unwilling they were to accept it, could only hang their heads like defeated roosters.

This year, they had made significant progress. They had trained hard before coming, even with the principal personally leading their team, but they still couldn’t surpass their rivals.

Their dejection didn’t last long, however, because the dragon was now lying right on the field where they had just competed, occasionally puffing out snowflakes from its mouth.

The students of Central Magic Academy, their hair tied back in braids, boldly approached to play with the snow produced by the dragon.

Seeing that the dragon didn’t stop them, more and more students joined in, enjoying themselves.

Some students made snowballs out of the snow on the ground and began tossing them at the Maikesiduo students sitting on the sidelines.

“Hey! Let’s have a competition with this! Surely you won’t lose to us at this too, right?”

The Maikesiduo students: “…” Furious!

Faced with such provocation, they could no longer dwell on their earlier defeats. Their fighting spirit reignited, and they charged forward to retaliate.

Lacia had originally started producing snowflakes just to entertain the young dragon. While the young dragon was having a great time, the students were even more thrilled.

They went wild, even using magic in their play. Snowballs started flying through the air in strange arcs, as if alive, relentlessly chasing their targets.

Some spells caused the snowballs to explode into fine snowflakes mid-air, while others made them collide and merge into larger snowballs, which then turned back to chase their original throwers.

The young dragon was still shaping snow when she suddenly lifted her head to find herself surrounded by people, with silhouettes above her as well.

A snowball, enchanted by several students and ultimately beyond anyone’s control, flew through the air and smacked into the back of the young dragon’s head. She fell face-first into the snow.

The first to notice the tragic scene were the students of Central Magic Academy. They saw that Teacher Lacia had stopped puffing out snowflakes and immediately sensed danger. They scrambled to escape, while the Maikesiduo students, infected by their panic, also fled.

But no one was faster than the dragon.

Lacia, who had been lying down and serving as a snow-making machine, raised his head and let out a roar. A howling wind, mixed with icy snow, swept across the entire arena. This was no gentle snowflake magic; the frost from this spell instantly froze the group of rowdy students.

The young dragon climbed up from the snow, her face covered in snowflakes, only to find many large ice blocks around her—each containing a frozen student.

The teachers from Central Magic Academy were already accustomed to this sight. They smiled calmly as they watched the scene unfold.

If a student hadn’t been frozen by Teacher Lacia at least once during their school years, their academic journey would be incomplete.

This was the first time Airigen had witnessed such an event. He hesitated for a moment, gripping his staff, before cautiously approaching the dragon, who had once again lowered his body.

The Maikesiduo students trapped in the ice: Principal, save us!

Airigen walked up to the dragon and asked, “Your Highness, I am Airigen of the Watse family. Would you be interested in temporarily staying elsewhere for a while?”

Lacia stared at him with his mysterious purple eyes for a moment. “No.”

Airigen was unwilling to give up so easily. He glanced at the young dragon, who was still shaping snow, and continued, “My family owns a vast forest and mountainous region. Perhaps the young dragon would like it.”

“My family’s territory, Langar City, has a mild and pleasant climate. The temperature is just right, and the forests, grasslands, rivers, and lakes remain untouched by pollution. The holidays are approaching, and perhaps Your Highness could take the young dragon there for a short stay and some relaxation.”

If this suggestion had been made earlier, Lacia wouldn’t have been interested. At his age, he had seen all kinds of landscapes. But his young dragon had yet to experience such sights.

Taking her out to explore might not be a bad idea.

Resting his head on his claws, Lacia thought for a moment before giving a positive response: “That sounds fine.”

Airigen appeared calm, but he was actually holding his breath in nervous anticipation. Hearing the dragon agree, even the usually composed Airigen couldn’t help but smile.

“It is an honor for my entire family to host Your Highness. I will make all necessary preparations and eagerly await your arrival.”

The teachers from Central Magic Academy had initially paid no attention when they saw Airigen approaching Lacia for a conversation. Others had invited the dragon before, but none had succeeded.

Who would have thought that, after just a few words, their Teacher Lacia was about to be whisked away?

In Airigen’s presence, the teachers maintained their composure. But as soon as Airigen left with light steps, several teachers rushed over to the dragon.

“Teacher Lacia! If you want to take Qian to the forest during the holidays, you can come to my place! My family also has forests! We even have large orchards and farms!”

“Teacher Lacia, Langar City is too remote. If you’re looking for lively places, why not visit the royal city? You could even stay at the palace! If my father hears that you’re willing to stay in the palace, he would surely treat you with the utmost hospitality!”

“Teacher, in this weather, the seaside is the best place for fun. My hometown, Ikabo, has the most beautiful coastlines and beaches. Why not spend the holidays there?”

“Teacher…”

The group clamored noisily, overwhelming Lacia, who covered his ears in annoyance. Lazily, he replied, “You’re all so troublesome. I don’t care where we go; it depends on what Qian wants.”

The teachers understood—where they went depended on the young dragon.

Qian, who had been shaping snow all this time, finally managed to create something, though it was a vague and formless lump. She looked up to find herself surrounded by familiar faces.

Seeing their mouths open and close as they spoke too quickly and all at once, Qian couldn’t understand a word. All she could perceive were their open mouths.

Like little birds or chicks waiting to be fed.

She took out some snacks from her pocket and stuffed one into each of their mouths, silencing them.

Not long after this competition, the holidays arrived.

Students had three long breaks each year, each lasting a month.

As soon as the holidays began, the students left, and the campus instantly became quiet.

The teachers also began leaving one by one, except for a few who stayed behind, such as the wood elf, Lexur.

In past years, Lacia was one of the teachers who stayed behind. But this year, he planned to take the young dragon to Langar City for a short stay. He entrusted his pet unicorn to Lexur’s care.

Langar City was some distance from the Central Magic Academy. Lacia planned to fly there, as the distance was perfect for training the young dragon’s flying skills.

Before they set off, Lacia crouched in front of the child, teaching her how to shift from human form to dragon form.

This took him some time.

“Can you feel the magic within your body? Don’t suppress it. Let it flow through every part of your body…” Lacia held the child’s hands.

Qian clenched her tiny fists and tried hard.

“Hmm…”

She scrunched up her face in concentration, but her efforts were misplaced.

Lacia lightly patted her back, resting his forehead against hers. “Let Father help you. Do you feel the magic flowing?”

Qian nodded, bumping her head gently against his.

The magic broke free, finding its path like a rushing stream reaching her limbs.

Qian, now back in her dragon form, had grown slightly larger. She was still slowly digesting the magic she had absorbed earlier, and her body was now as thick as an adult’s thigh and even longer than before.

Of course, beside the adult dragon in its full draconic form, she looked like a tiny speck.

The massive dragon nudged the soft, elongated belly of the young dragon with its nose, gently urging her to take flight.

The little azure dragon’s whiskers fluttered, moving as though by a breeze, as she inhaled and exhaled clouds of mist. Her entire body naturally began to emit a misty aura as she stepped onto the clouds and ascended into the sky.

However, she didn’t fly very high. After all, this was her first time soaring into the sky. Her claws fumbled awkwardly, as though testing the air beneath her.

The giant dragon spread its wings and followed closely behind her.

Slowly, the massive dragon extended its wings and flew beneath the little azure dragon, lifting her higher. One large and one small dragon gradually ascended together, reaching the clouds.

Once they were within the clouds, the little azure dragon instantly became like a fish in water, weaving through the mist. Her whiskers and scales appeared and disappeared amidst the shifting clouds.

The ice dragon remained beneath her, always flying close enough to catch her should she tire, allowing her to rest on its broad back.

After a brief rest, the little azure dragon took flight again. As she grew accustomed to the high-altitude flight, she stopped flying straightforwardly and began experimenting with various playful movements.

She brushed past the wings of the giant dragon, flew underneath it, and used her head to nudge its rounded belly, as if enjoying the shade of a parasol.

The ice dragon let out a low, gentle sound.

The little azure dragon then circled around the ice dragon’s neck, her head and tail nearly meeting to form a loop, as if she had put a ring around his neck.

She even attempted to circle around the ice dragon’s head in a similar manner. However, she quickly became dizzy from spinning and nearly fell from the sky, only to be caught in the dragon’s mouth.

Hanging from her father’s mouth, she was carried for a while before recovering and climbing onto his back.

In the distance, a flock of birds flew by.

The little azure dragon’s gaze was drawn to them, and without realizing it, she began to follow them, veering off the path the dragon was leading.

The flock of birds was startled by the approaching young dragon, and their once orderly formation immediately descended into chaos.

The curious young dragon dove into the flock of birds for fun, only to be bumped and even pecked at in the ensuing panic.

Only then did she realize that these birds were nothing like the ones she had encountered at school.

This young dragon, who could consume empty skeleton crystals, could still be frightened by a bug popping out of a fruit—or bullied by a flock of ordinary birds.

Caught off guard by the sudden attack, the little azure dragon twisted her body and let out a slightly panicked cry.

Her distress caused further panic among the birds, creating chaos on both sides.

The soft cry caught the attention of the giant dragon ahead. Lacia turned around to find that his child had wandered off midway to play with the birds and had fallen behind.

He immediately turned and flew back.

As soon as the massive form of the adult dragon approached, the birds were terrified, fleeing in all directions to escape. Left behind was the little azure dragon, tumbling through the air to avoid the chaotic flock.

The frightened child rushed to her parent’s side, using her cries to recount the dangers she had just faced.

The dragon gently nudged his young one with his head, responding with soft, comforting sounds.

For the rest of the journey, the adult dragon kept his child close, chasing after any flocks of birds they encountered to scare them, sending them scattering in all directions.

The birds chirped noisily, perhaps complaining about the bothersome dragon causing a ruckus just to entertain his child.

When they landed on a grassy field where a magic circle had been prepared in advance by Lacia, he instantly transformed into his human form.

Since they were not at school, he wore a long robe embroidered with intricate patterns, tied at the waist with a gemstone belt.

The young dragon, still unable to freely switch between her human and dragon forms, remained hanging on her father’s body. Her tail wrapped around his waist, her head rested on his, and her claws gripped the fabric of his clothes at his shoulders and chest.

Grabbing hold of her claws, he lifted her off of himself.

“Qian, come, try transforming into your human form.”

The little azure dragon clenched her claws tightly, exerting all her strength. “Qi…!”

Even her tail went taut from the effort, but she failed to transform.

In the end, he had to resort to the previous method to help her.

This time, the process was smoother, and the young dragon quickly transformed into a little girl. Additionally, her dragon tail, which had been dragging behind her, was gone this time.

However, while her tail was gone, something else had gone wrong. Her hands were still dragon claws and hadn’t turned into soft, childlike hands.

Lacia: “…”

The child’s two small claws rested in his hands as she gazed at him innocently.