NOVEL NEXT Chapter 34.2
34.2. Endless Summer 3
Nord, having completed his business at the Adventurer’s Guild, next visited his usual spot at the Royal Research Institute—his mentor’s laboratory. It was time for his final report at the end of his long break.
Having spent more time away from the royal capital than ever before, his report was correspondingly long and covered a variety of topics.
“So, you fought a General Spider, huh… and even fed the meat to it?”
“Yes, it ate it with great enthusiasm.”
Nord was reporting on Newt’s behavior to his mentor.
The mentor, as usual, wore a lab coat and glasses, flipping through a booklet on the desk while conversing with Nord.
The booklet was Newt’s observation journal, detailing what kinds of monsters it fought, what it was fed for each meal, and whether it exhibited any peculiar behaviors. Nord had documented changes in Newt’s behavior during their time outside the capital, where it gained hunting experience over the long break.
When Nord fed the General Spider and Knight Spider meat to Newt, it first sniffed cautiously, but after a taste, it devoured the rest eagerly.
Initially, Nord had no desire to eat spider meat, but Newt’s obvious delight was so infectious that he tried some himself.
After thoroughly cooking it, the meat reminded him of crab he once ate at the port.
Edible parts of spiders were limited, however. After salvaging useful materials like the exoskeleton and silk sacs, only the meat in the legs was left.
Nord and Newt quietly ate the meat, competing with each other for the small portions—but that’s not the main point.
“Still, you’ve done a fantastic job!”
The mentor stowed the observation journal on a shelf and praised Nord with a pleased expression.
“This two-month observation record is truly fascinating. It’s even led to new insights into wyvern behavior.
This might not only advance my research but could even influence the Iron Dragon Knights themselves!”
The mentor’s excitement grew, his voice so loud that Newt, lying on the lab floor, lifted its head.
But the creature quickly lost interest, as if thinking, Oh, it’s just this human again,and settled back down with its forelimbs as a pillow.
“I wish I had something to give you in return…”
The mentor glanced around but saw only research materials and tools scattered about.
Nord, having no use for such things, politely declined.
“Oh, is that so? Well, if you ever need anything, let me know. I may not look it, but I have plenty of connections. I could help out.”
The mentor’s words reminded Nord of his noble lineage, a thought that lingered as he left the lab.
Initially unsure about receiving an official assignment, Nord had been relieved when it came with perks like using a Knights’ wagon for free, saving him travel expenses.
Though he had secretly hoped for monetary rewards, he couldn’t complain.
As he mused over these things, Nord hurried homeward in the wagon, now past evening in the royal capital.
§
“I wish you’d stayed home longer…”
In Nord’s room on the second floor of the Ferris household, his younger sister Iris grumbled.
Her blonde curls fell straight down her back, and she wore green pajamas that matched Newt’s scales.
Lying on Nord’s bed, she petted the deep green-scaled Newt resting on the floor.
“Right, Newt?” Iris tilted her head, speaking softly, and Newt imitated her with a small chirp, “Kyu?”
“It couldn’t be helped—it was work.”
“But still…”
Nord had taken on the mission not only to earn money but also to train Newt in hunting and document its progress.
It was an official order he couldn’t refuse as a trainee member of the Iron Dragon Knights.
However, six-year-old Iris might have understood this intellectually but couldn’t accept it emotionally.
“I wanted to play with Newt more!!”
She buried her head in her pillow and kicked her legs in frustration.
Her charming appearance was amplified by her adoration for Newt, the baby wyvern.
Resentful of Nord’s long absence, she hadn’t been able to spend much time with Newt during the summer vacation.
“That’s my fault. But tomorrow, I have no plans, so you can play with Newt as much as you like.”
“Hmm…”
“Kyu?”
Iris sat up on the bed, still pouting. Her happiness at the prospect of playing battled with lingering dissatisfaction.
“Alright, it’s bedtime now. I’m turning off the lights.”
“No way! I’m not sleepy yet…”
“If you stay up late, you won’t have energy to play with Newt tomorrow.”
“…Fine.”
From here, it was simple. Nord quickly blew out the candle.
Iris protested but gave in once Nord mentioned Newt, a tactic he had perfected over the past six months.
With the light out, Nord climbed into bed. He took the window side, leaving Iris near the door, their usual sleeping arrangement.
Moonlight streamed softly through the open window, illuminating the room faintly.
Iris whispered to Newt for a while, but her voice grew quieter until it faded into peaceful breaths.
Nord tucked the blanket snugly over Iris’s shoulder to ensure she wouldn’t catch cold.
Ever since Newt came to the Ferris household, Iris had started sleeping in Nord’s bed to stay close to it.
Even during summer, which made sharing a bed unbearably hot for Nord at times, tonight felt different.
With Iris sound asleep, Nord finally closed his eyes, drifting off to the soft sounds of Newt and Iris’s breathing.
A late-summer breeze, carrying the scent of autumn, fluttered the curtains gently.