Slacker Second Gen C45

Chapter 45: Dragon Dad 15

After visiting Aeregon, Lacia took the young dragon to two other locations. By the time the trip was over, the holiday had nearly come to an end.

The Central Magic Academy, which had been quiet for a month, became lively again as students gradually returned to school.

In the Dragon’s Tower

Headmaster Ude, dressed in a heavy mage robe, sat on a crystalline ice chair.

Around the round ice table, several other headmasters were present.

Seven of the ten largest magic academies in the empire had sent their headmasters. The remaining three, due to the extreme distance, could not make it in time but participated remotely through magical gem projections in this meeting initiated by the Ice Dragon.

“I will contact students in various regions. If they encounter magical beasts, they should report them immediately. We also need to locate the fissures leaking murky dark magic. However, isolating these fissures will be difficult—it will require high-level mages to set up magic formations to prevent people and livestock from approaching.”

“Perhaps we should leave a few fissures open in remote areas, enclosing them and using them as training grounds for young mages in case magical beasts appear.”

“After so many years of peace, most young mages have grown accustomed to a stable life. Who knows if they even have the courage to slay magical beasts anymore?”

“They need to start training early. This generation is likely to face the emergence and rampage of magical beasts and dark creatures. If they don’t get used to it now, what will they do in the future?”

“Fortunately, we have his Highness Lacia with us. He can help the children grow under our protection.”

These magic academy headmasters, whose average age was over two hundred, were all great mages.

Though concerned about the Ice Dragon’s warning and prophecy, none of them panicked. Instead, they quickly engaged in a serious discussion.

If magical beasts began to appear in large numbers, and dark creatures emerged from the fissures, mages would be the first line of defense.

Every student in a magic academy represented a future fighting force and a crucial protective power for the world. As headmasters and top-tier mages, they carried an immense responsibility.

The meeting lasted from morning until afternoon before finally concluding. The headmasters left the Dragon’s Tower in small groups.

“Ah… this disaster… who knows how many lives it will claim this time?”

Madam Lyra, the headmistress of the Hollyleaf Magic Academy, sighed as she held her staff. Her snow-white hair reflected her years of wisdom.

Walking beside her, Headmaster Ude stroked his beard, which was tied into a small braid.

“It is our duty to ensure young mages receive proper training so they can protect themselves and others. As for everything else… Lyra, even though we are great mages, we are not omnipotent.”

Madam Lyra sighed again.

“I understand.”

Then she suddenly changed the topic.

“Didn’t we discuss strengthening student exchanges and increasing their training opportunities? In a few days, why don’t you bring your students to our academy? Let’s have a proper ‘exchange.’”

“I can even open my magic labyrinth for them. Anton has placed many alchemical creatures inside—I think they’d be perfect for these little ones to practice on.”

Headmaster Ude chuckled. “Of course. In the past, our two academies exchanged visits too infrequently, only once every two or three years. I hope we can do it twice a year from now on.”

After seeing off the other headmasters, Ude’s straight posture immediately slumped. He started patting his back and legs, muttering,

“Lacia’s ice-formed table and chairs… sitting on them for too long is unbearable. My old legs are completely sore and frozen.”

“Heh, those old geezers were all putting on a strong front. I bet they’re all rubbing their legs right now too.”

—

The Students’ Reactions

When news spread about the increased exchanges between magic academies, the Central Magic Academy’s students responded enthusiastically:

“This is great! We get to visit other schools!”

“Josh’s senior class went to Hollyleaf Magic Academy once. He met his wife there! I heard the scenery is amazing, and there’s a magic labyrinth garden. That’s where they fell in love!” The romantics among the students were filled with excitement.

“I’d rather go to Fairless Academy. I heard all the students there are tall, strong, and handsome. They have amazing physiques, heehee!” The older female students exchanged knowing looks.

“If we’re going anywhere, it has to be Vividi Magic Academy! Umac City and Harle City are famous for their beauties!”

“I want to visit the Northern Magic Academy. Their school is built in a deep valley, and they raise many local flying beasts. The students use them for transportation—how cool is that?”

…

The sixth-year students were set to visit Hollyleaf Magic Academy.

Coincidentally, the Meiwa siblings, who had been caught working at an inn while disguised as beastfolk during the holiday using magic, were in the sixth year.

Coming from a renowned adventurer family, they were well-known among their peers and naturally took on a leadership role among the students.

The teacher leading this trip was Fizke.

With his good temper and fun personality, he was very popular among students. He was also skilled in creating transformation potions, prank potions, and even the strange beastfolk transformation spell.

Seeing that he was leading the group, the students were curious and surrounded him, chatting and laughing.

“Fizke, why are you leading us?”

Fizke answered humorously, “Because I’m good at healing. If you guys get hurt, I can treat you immediately.”

The students burst into laughter, not taking it seriously.

Past exchanges had always been casual—just friendly competitions like when the students from Maikesiduo Magic Academy visited. Nobody really got hurt, though some unlucky ones might lose their hair or make a fool of themselves.

Looking at their cheerful faces, Fizke smiled as well.

“Fizke, everyone’s here. Why haven’t we left yet?”

“Wait a little longer… Oh, there he is.”

As the students, excited for the trip, looked up and saw the Ice Dragon flying overhead, they fell silent.

Someone trembled and asked in disbelief, “Is… is Professor Lacia coming too?”

Fizke gave them a pitying look. “Yes.”

Why?! According to the upperclassmen, Professor Lacia usually disliked going out, right?

Fizke raised his staff and announced, “Alright, let’s get going.”

The students were confused. “Going? But, Professor, where are the horses? The carriages?”

Fizke smiled. “It’s time to test your flying skills. Let’s go.”

The students: “…”

Seeing them hesitate, the Ice Dragon circling above lost patience and breathed out a gust of icy breath. In an instant, the ground was covered in frost.

Shivering, the students quickly activated their magic wands.

With incantations, their wands enlarged. Some students straddled their wands, while others crouched on them awkwardly.

Those proficient in flight magic soared past the treetops at a steady pace. Those less skilled hovered just two centimeters off the ground, their feet still brushing against the grass, their wands sputtering forward like broken machines.

Some mischievous students crouched low on their wands, deliberately reaching for tree branches while calling out to their friends for a race, making strange noises.

“Woooh!!!”

Fizke was like a shepherd dog herding little lambs, staying at the back, urging the students forward, and even stopping midway to tutor them so they could keep up with the ones ahead.

No matter how they looked at the start, by the time they arrived at Hollyleaf Magic Academy, the group of students was so exhausted that they could barely stand.

The ice dragon that had been flying overhead all this time also descended at this moment, transforming into a stunning beauty in a teacher’s robe, standing at the very front.

He was still holding a sleeping child in his arms.

The students, whose faces were pale from exhaustion and whose magic was depleted, couldn’t help but glance enviously at the little dragon.

So nice… able to sleep all the way here without worrying about being hit by dragon breath for lagging behind.

Qian rubbed her eyes, groggily resting against Lacia’s shoulder as she looked at the students who were on the verge of collapsing.

The headmistress of Hollyleaf Magic Academy, Madam Layla, arrived at the school gates with a few teachers.

“Welcome, everyone.”

She walked up to Lacia. “Professor Lacia, I’m so glad you accepted my invitation. And Qian, welcome to you as well.”

Because Madam Layla specialized in ice magic, she had studied at the Central Magic Academy in her early years, making her one of Lacia’s former “disciples.”

The news that sixth-year students from Central Magic Academy were coming for an exchange had already spread among the students of Hollyleaf Magic Academy, and they had been eagerly anticipating their arrival.

In a sixth-year classroom, a student excitedly announced from the doorway, “They’re here!”

“They’re here! Boss, let’s go see for ourselves!”

“I heard one of them is a descendant of an adventurer family. I wonder how they compare to our Boss Leo.”

“If it’s ice magic, there’s no way they can beat Boss Leo.”

A black-haired, black-eyed boy named Leo swaggered toward the school gates, surrounded by a crowd of students.

The students from both schools met in front of the magical fountain at the entrance.

The Central Magic Academy students, who had been on the brink of collapsing, immediately straightened their backs, putting on an air of noble indifference. Led by the Meiwa siblings, they gazed provocatively at their rivals.

Leo, who already had an inherently defiant look, scowled even more when he met those challenging stares. The atmosphere grew tense, as if a brawl might break out at any moment.

The one who disrupted the tension was Qian.

She recognized Leo and walked toward him.

Leo finally noticed her and Lacia, his expression stiffening.

During the holidays in Isaac City, Leo had met them once and, due to Qian’s uniqueness, had learned about their dragon identities. After they left, he had been so excited that he couldn’t sleep for days.

Not only had he seen a real dragon, but he had also held a living, breathing dragon.

He just hadn’t expected to see them again so soon.

Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, Qian stopped beside Leo and stretched out her hands. “Hug.”

Lacia narrowed his eyes.

The students from both Central Magic Academy and Hollyleaf Magic Academy all let out puzzled sounds.

The Meiwa siblings, who believed they had the closest relationship with the little dragon, were even more shocked, their eyes widening as they shouted in disbelief.

“Qian?!”

“Why? Why is Qian letting that guy hug her?! She never asked me to hug her! Waaah!”

“That bastard looks so punchable! Why does Qian seem to like him?!”

“Waaah, why, Qian? That guy is a bad— I mean, he’s a stranger! Come back! Come back to your big sister’s arms!”

Some students couldn’t resist boldly encouraging Lacia.

“Professor Lacia, that guy is stealing your little dragon!”

Meanwhile, the Hollyleaf Magic Academy students were equally shocked.

“What? A dragon? A real dragon is at our school?”

“Is it that incredibly beautiful professor? Ah! He looks so elegant and gentle!”

“That’s the legendary Ice Dragon! So cool! Oh my god!”

“Then this must be the little dragon?”

Leo stiffly picked up the little dragon in front of him.

He had no idea why she favored him, but there was no doubt that it was a delightful surprise.

The only downside was that gaining the little dragon’s affection seemed to come with earning the big dragon’s animosity.

Under the gaze of those piercing violet eyes, Leo felt a chill run down his spine.

It wasn’t until Lacia was pulled aside by Headmistress Layla to discuss matters that Leo finally felt the temperature around him rise again.

Meiwa and the others approached aggressively but softened their expressions under the little dragon’s innocent gaze.

Meiwa pulled a shiny green gemstone pendant from her pocket and tried to entice Qian. “Qian, look! This is a treasure I got from my family’s vault! It’s all sparkly—come over, and I’ll give it to you!”

As thanks for Qian’s previous “generosity,” the Meiwa siblings had specially prepared this gift when they returned home. Originally, they had planned to give it to her at the right moment, but now they had to use it to lure her away from this strange man’s embrace.

Qian took the green gemstone, then pulled a golden fruit from her pocket and handed it to Meiwa—but she didn’t leave Leo’s arms.

The students of Central Magic Academy used every trick they could think of to lure her back.

Finally, Meiwa gritted her teeth and used magic to transform into a beastman, shaking her fox ears. “Qian, look! Do you want to touch fluffy ears?”

Qian’s eyes followed the movement of the ears.

Meiwa was delighted. She took the bait!

Qian reached out and grabbed her fox ears. But just as Meiwa was about to take the opportunity to pull her back, Qian’s other hand grabbed onto Leo’s ear.

Meiva, Leo: “…”

By the time Lacia and Headmistress Layla returned, they saw Qian clutching both Meiwa’s and Leo’s ears while being held in both of their arms.

Both of them had utterly blank expressions.

Students from both schools stood behind them in two distinct groups, each with rather peculiar expressions.

Headmistress Layla looked at the students from both schools walking together so “harmoniously” and smiled in satisfaction.

“It’s wonderful how quickly young people can become close. Ah, youth is such a beautiful thing.”