Second Life of a Dragon Raising Hunter

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Chapter 7

If I were to describe the first impression, she looked like a magnificent ice sculpture carved by a great artist in female form.

Her transparent, sparkling silver hair and crystal blue eyes appeared unreal, almost ethereal.

Fortunately, Yeon-woo had a decent level of resistance to beautiful women. After all, he felt like a top-tier warrior right now. It had only been two days since parting ways with Alkeinea.

No matter how pretty Baek In-hwa was, it was undeniable that she fell slightly short compared to Alkeinea. Ah, I mean…! I want to touch! Ah…!!

Yeon-woo feigned calmness on the surface, trying to act lively as he raised his hand in greeting.

“Hello, you’re Baek In-hwa, right? I’m Choi Yeon-woo. We’ll be in the same class, so please take care of me.”

…Oh dear, did I just greet her so skillfully? The ingrained social butterfly in me could not be helped, it seemed.

[Looks like you’re used to talking to girls, Dad? What’s going on? What’s going on? What’s going on? …….]

His daughter has gone haywire! Get a grip, Shar! Just talking to a girl is something anyone can do!

[The family is in ruins……!! Ah….]

If she were born, her face would have turned pale. Shar’s voice swirled around in Yeon-woo’s head. He tried to offer words of comfort to Shar, mostly praising Alkeinea. Although her expression wasn’t visible, Yeon-woo could sense that Shar felt better, which relieved him.

After a brief moment of staring directly at Yeon-woo, Baek In-hwa slowly opened her mouth, seemingly suspicious about the sudden introduction or how he knew her name.

“…Yeah. Nice to meet you.”

Her tone was slow and lacked discernible intonation. Oh dear, this isn’t good.

[What’s not good!? Can’t charm her!?]

That’s not it. It’s just that she looks unpleasant.

[This time, I’ll trust you….]

“You… came early. Didn’t you explore the Academy?”

“Uh? Sorry, what? I couldn’t hear because I was lost in thought.”

Yeon-woo could hardly catch her words due to Shar’s voice overlapping. When he asked again, Baek In-hwa, who had been silent for a moment, shook her head, signaling it was nothing, and glanced out the window again. Is she angry?

An awkward atmosphere hung between Yeon-woo and Baek In-hwa. It had become a bit uncomfortable.

Baek In-hwa was among the best scorers of this year’s newcomers. It wouldn’t be bad to get friendly with her. And most importantly…

She was one of the few who remembered the end of her life.

Isn’t there something commonly referred to as a time paradox in sci-fi novels?

What happens to the future when a time traveler’s actions in the past cause changes in cause or effect? That.

For example, there’s Shar. There’s currently no problem, but Shar shouldn’t actually be here at this point in time. I couldn’t even predict the results of this.

Baek In-hwa’s situation was no different. Even if he saved her successfully, some law of causality might kick in to lead her to death once more.

How to save her after the incident of her death last time was secondary to my concerns.

If I wanted to avoid that, I needed to maintain a good relationship with her. At the very least, she should be able to ask for my help without hesitation when events occurred.

Since a paradox would inevitably arise due to Shar and Nea, I wanted to save everyone I could during that process.

In the awkward air, Yeon-woo forced himself to speak.

“You don’t have to be too guarded. You’re very famous, you know…. Should I emphasize how weak I am so you don’t feel worried about me?”

After pondering for a moment, Baek In-hwa finally relaxed her expression slightly. Now she looks somewhat human.

“…Well, I guess that’s true.”

She slowly took a seat by the window.

How picturesque that looks.

Thinking that, Yeon-woo turned his body to face the seat in front of her. This was a conversation laid out in exchange for his pride. It needed to continue.

Looking up at her, she was even more dazzling. If this were before his regression, he might have gotten arrested just for trying to talk to her.

But now that he was fifteen, Yeon-woo was also a flower handsome enough for Claire. He shouldn’t be that off-putting. As he thought that, he gathered his thoughts.

Honestly, he lacked confidence. He thought of himself as having an appealing face, but Claire’s compliments might be just her motherly perspective. Oh my, my son is so handsome~.

Alright, what should I start with? It would be better to select a topic that wouldn’t make her feel uncomfortable.

He felt a strong sense that he didn’t really know how to talk to people. Look at that haughty demeanor. How can she just sit there without moving?

“You, you came from the Ice Palace, right? Is it really super cold there?”

“…Sort of.”

Baek In-hwa’s “sort of” likely meant it’s freezing enough to die if Yeon-woo went there, but he let it slide. Where would he find the right words to answer such a blunt question about the cold?

In fact, he could roughly guess how cold it was. The Ice Palace was located in Northern Siberia, considering it bordered the Arctic Ocean…

“There are many exploded gates over there, so you must have lots of real combat experience.”

“…Yeah.”

She was incredibly blunt. She might not be the best conversational partner, but honestly, they didn’t have much time left until the ceremony began.

And, he actually knew a little about her. He had seen in an interview with his biological father before his regression that she was actually shy and reserved.

Taking that attitude simply indicated a lack of socialization, didn’t it? Thinking that made her feel somewhat cute.

[Dad!?]

No, that’s not what I meant…. Ugh!

“Where are you from?”

“Me? I’m from a small unnamed town between here and Seoul.”

“That’s close. From here.”

He nodded in agreement with her returning question. She definitely lacked words, but there seemed to be enough intention to engage in conversation. The Ice Palace was an isolated place, after all. There probably weren’t many peers around.

He was getting a grasp on her personality. It was so lifeless it made him want to die….

“……”

While Yeon-woo was indulging in such self-pity, a white fingertip gently touched his arm resting on the chair’s back.

“Whoa?!”

A chilling wave coursed through him. The sensation felt like a droplet from an icicle hanging in midwinter fell on the back of his neck, sending shivers down his spine as Yeon-woo recoiled and nearly tipped over.

Luckily, the desk broke his fall, so he didn’t get hurt too badly, but Baek In-hwa seemed just as startled, her eyes wide.

[Pu, puehehe! S-sorry for laughing, Dad…. Hehe!]

No, uh… laugh as much as you’d like. You know? They say laughter extends your lifespan. If you laugh hard enough, you might recover half of Shar’s lifespan spent to return to the past….

With those thoughts, Shar gasped in surprise, then began to chuckle helplessly. So, she believes me.

“…Sorry, are you okay?”

“Y-yeah. I’m fine. Why did you suddenly do that?”

Even as Yeon-woo said so, her expression remained rigid, as if she were deeply shocked and remorseful. This girl really has a self-detrimental personality.

“…I wanted to let you know that this level of cold is typically the weather here.”

Though the topic had already passed, it seemed she was desperate to bring it up again. She was a clumsy one. Without thinking, Yeon-woo spoke up.

“You haven’t talked to many people, have you?”

“…!”

“Oh, I think the others are coming. Let’s talk later.”

Leaving behind a frozen Baek In-hwa, Yeon-woo turned to face the front.

As the classroom door swung open, students poured in. If they saw the two of them deep in conversation, it would draw too much attention, so Yeon-woo decided to fake sleep.

Faking sleep… he was quite used to it….

*

The class professor for Group 5, Yoo Ha-yeon, was quite a unique person.

Wearing baggy athletic gear with sandals and hair in complete disarray, her entrance was sufficient to grab the attention of thirty students.

With a casual voice, she briefly explained that she was a Hunter, what this and that were, mentioned weekends off, and that classes would start on Monday. Upon finishing her quick rundown, she plopped down onto a professor’s chair and told everyone to introduce themselves.

Then she lay down using the Harmony Academy pamphlet as a makeshift blanket, making it seem like she was planning to doze off listening to the students’ introductions as if it were ASMR.

Naturally, the students exchanged glances as they stared at unfamiliar faces.

Really?? In the hesitant atmosphere, Yoo Ha-yeon called out the name of the student sitting in the front.

This was no ordinary experience. Even Yeon-woo, who had met a multitude of oddities during his time as a Hunter, found himself feeling nervous in front of her.

She lacked any professionalism expected of a professor.

What on earth is happening? Is it acceptable for a professor of the renowned Harmony Academy to behave like this?

It might be because he had only met unique, responsible professors in his previous life, but her extraordinary level of laziness was shocking.

Yeon-woo’s inner Confucian dragon seemed to awaken.

However, surprisingly, after the first student’s introduction ended, she called out the name of the student sitting next to him. Of course, she was still hiding behind the pamphlet.

Even on the first day, it seemed she had already recognized everyone’s details. Is she diligent, lazy, or what? Just pick one!!

Anyway, the introductions started flowing smoothly. After all, they were going to be future colleagues and rivals. He wanted to leave a good impression or at least overpower the atmosphere, so things were heating up.

From about the fifth person, some started telling funny stories or chatting cheerfully, which kept the mood from getting too stale.

But still, there wasn’t a single individual to take lightly.

There were several who would be far above in ten years. Especially notable were three people, including Baek In-hwa.

It was rare for all three to come from martial arts backgrounds, but fortuitously, it seemed Group 5 didn’t have many from Alkeinea either.

A birdman with a keen appearance introduced himself, his wings almost as large as his body.

The white feathers only on his head and sharp eyes truly made him resemble an eagle—the bald eagle famous as America’s national bird. Why is its beak yellow?

“Nice to meet you, fellow classmates. I am Namgung Seong, the eldest son of the Namgung family. Though my skills are lacking, I appreciate your kind support. Let’s get along for the next year.”

Seeing a bird speak human language was always a marvelous sight. While he had grown accustomed to it by now, he still couldn’t shake the mystique. The birdman lightly flapped his wings once before taking his seat. Thunderous applause erupted.

Separately, the magical energy surrounding him was perfectly suppressed. Only a faint sky-blue hue revealed itself. Quite the expert.

‘Look at the modesty. That family really instills character.’

[How a bit annoying, huh?]

In response to Shar’s remark, Yeon-woo forced a smile.

That thought had already signaled defeat, Shar.

And then another individual rose.

“Greetings. I am Je Gal Seong-ryong from the Je Gal family. I sincerely request your unfettered guidance.”

While Namgung Seong’s speech was somewhat modernized, this one was the pure classic martial artist’s way of speaking.

A dragonman from the East with a long, carpy mustache. Among them, he was a descendant of the Huang Long (Yellow Dragon) lineage.

Though they were the closest species to dragons that weren’t dragons, that didn’t automatically mean they were as strong as dragons.

True, they were indeed the direct lineage of dragons. Their scales and magical energy were incredibly impressive compared to the average person.

However, as generations passed, the blood inevitably thinned. What they possessed was a diluted Dragon Heart, which could not be compared to Yeon-woo’s authentic one gifted by a real dragon.

With a face more akin to that of an elderly man rather than a high school student, he constantly glanced at Yeon-woo. Maybe he instinctively sensed something.

After revealing his fan and quickly folding it back, he cleared his throat with a cough and finished his introduction.

Soon, time flowed by, and Yeon-woo’s name was called.

Yeon-woo stood up and said, while it would be nice to leave a deep impression, he currently was the weakest in the Academy. He wanted to slip through unnoticed.

“Hello, my name is Choi Yeon-woo.” [A half-dragon, right.]

“…That’s it. I’m from a rural area, so I might not know much. I would appreciate your guidance on my shortcomings.” [If there’s something I don’t know, please tell me.]

“In return, I have some practical experience with monsters, so feel free to ask anything without hesitation.” [If you bow your head, I might share!]

That was not the intention behind his words. Forging a lie is unacceptable, Shar!

In Yeon-woo’s mind, he shouted, and Shar guffawed.

The moment he tried to introduce himself, Je Gal Seong-ryong regarded him with suspicion.

[That Je Gal Seong-ryong is something else. He probably instinctively sensed that your dad has a Dragon Heart, huh?]

‘Yeah, seems like it.’

Certainly fascinating, that Je Gal Seong-ryong. Among those considered the finest, he would be worthy of the title Seong-ryong (成龍) receiving wishes from the Je Gal family.

With applause resonating, he returned to his seat. Whew, just as he took a breath, a sharp gaze was directed at him from behind. Baek In-hwa.

Why is she looking at me like that?

While remembering names he had heard during introductions prior to his regression, it was finally Baek In-hwa’s turn.

As she stood up, gasps of admiration echoed from those around, regardless of gender. It was a well-deserved acknowledgment.

“……Hello. I’m Baek In-hwa. I came from the Ice Palace. Please take care of me.”

Her self-introduction was very brief and somewhat lacking in content, but it was probably the best she could manage. As Yeon-woo prepared to applaud, her gaze shifted to him.

“……And you talk well.”

Ah, there’s the reason for her displeased expression?

While her sudden coming out startled her classmates, Yeon-woo turned and mouthed an apology, bowing his head.

As if reading his lips, Baek In-hwa plopped down into her seat, looking a bit sullen. Seizing that moment, Yeon-woo clapped vigorously, and the slightly stiff atmosphere began to lighten.

It seemed she believed it was her way of trying to joke. Truly, when someone is handsome and pretty, they can get away with such nonsense.

Aside from that slight trouble, the first day wrapped up smoothly.

Even while snoring, Yoo Ha-yeon displayed some prowess by selecting the next student after one completed their intro. Immediately after the final introduction wrapped up, she jumped up and left the classroom.

From now on, it was going to be pure intense training. With that thought, as he stood, two sizable figures closed in on him.

“Got a moment?”

“Haha, what a coincidence, Seong-ryong. People always say you and I are opposites, you know?”

Thus, two notable figures, aside from Baek In-hwa, approached him.

…Well, Seong-ryong is one thing, but Namgung Seong, what about you?

(To be continued)