50 [Ch. 50] Dragon Island (Past)

It was a week after our trip and our return back to the Academy.

We all sat at the table enjoying the tea in front of us. I sipped at it carefully while everyone glanced at each other. They were afraid to speak loudly or even have a conversation. It wasn't as relaxing as it usually was.

I hadn't thought too much about the men I killed at the inn. They had tried to attack and kill Korph, so I naturally didn't feel guilty about their fate. However, the mood around me seemed to change.

After the incident at the inn, everyone started to act differently around me. Occasionally, I would catch them watching me as if they were afraid I would suddenly become unhinged and slaughter everyone around me. They all tiptoed around me as if they were afraid I was a bomb that would explode at any moment.

The only exception to this was Korph.

He didn't care at all and acted completely normal. He didn't think much of the Hong Guang people, so he wasn't even fazed by the heartless way that I dispatched them. To him, they weren't even human.

Usually, I wouldn't care about the uncomfortable atmosphere around me. However, now I felt odd. My skin seemed to crawl and my chest felt like it was sinking into darkness.

I don't like this feeling.

Unable to handle the tense atmosphere, I stood up and walked away. Korph shouted after me, "Oi! Where are you going?"

"Library."

He clicked his tongue and laid his head down on the table, "She's always going to the library... How boring..."

As I walked around the empty library, I came across Michiya with an unusual scowl. He was searching through a stack of books as if trying to find something specific. I approached him and stared at the back of his head, "Is something wrong?"

He jumped at the sound of my voice and spun around, "You scared me! Haah... Why are you here?"

I repeated myself, "Is something wrong?"

He looked away with a slight blush, "I-I have been trying to figure out an offensive spell."

"Mmn."

I glanced down at the book and recognized it immediately. It was an advanced skill and there were never enough explanations to help anyone master it. It was known to be a spell that you can either do or you can't. There was no learning it.

He shrugged helplessly, "I'm not very good at offensive magic."

"Then use defensive magic."

He looked shocked, "What? You think I should just be a healer?!"

I shook my head, "No. Just use the defensive as offensive."

He looked down and furrowed his brow in thought, "I'm not quite sure what that means."

I'm sure he will figure out my meaning. He's smart.

After I exchanged my current book for a new one, I returned to my personal lounge to see everyone there. Amanda smiled, "Guess what Lady Moao! We have a school break coming up soon and Korph had an idea."

I felt my body relax after hearing Amanda's usual tone.

Korph nodded, "Yeah! Every year during the hot weeks, some people from the Phoenix clan come to Dragon Island to go swimming. You and Amanda are invited as well."

Raylon spoke, "Are you interested Lady Moao? I will be going."

I gave him a soft smile, "Mmn."

Korph spoke to me, "All of my brethren have been hounding me to bring you there."

Raylon and Amanda spoke simultaneously, "Why do they want you to bring her home?!"

Korph smiled weakly at them, "Not for the reason you're thinking of."

They recalled the previous incident at the tavern. The Dragon clan wanted me to visit to properly thank me for saving Korph's life. It didn't take a genius to figure that out.

He added, "I also need to give you all that Dragonshine, but I don't have a way to transport it. If you come, you'll be able to get it."

"Mmn."

Amanda beamed, "So is it okay to go?"

"Mmn."

Amanda shouted in joy. Mona looked at Amanda with a bright smile, "You seem quite excited, Miss Amanda."

She nodded quickly, "I and Lady Moao have only ever been to the scholar's nation before. We don't get to explore often."

Raylon and Korph snickered knowing that there was a lot Amanda didn't know about me.

Occasionally the school would have scheduled breaks between the Summer and Fall, as well as the Winter and spring. If one wanted to have more breaks, they would have to get an excuse from the Headmaster. I was one of the few who could do this. I was rarely that excited for the scheduled breaks, but this time I felt a bit elated.

Before I wouldn't have cared, but this time was different.

Once the time came, Amanda and I traveled to Dragon Island using a carriage pulled by spiritual beasts. Once we arrived at the vast lake surrounding the island, we had to take a boat. I stayed in the middle of the boat clutching my seat.

I really hate water.

Upon arriving at the island, I didn't waste any time jumping out and landing ashore. The Dragon clan representative was already waiting, dressed quite similar to Korph. The only difference was his towering appearance with short dark hair and scars across his muscular body. I stood momentarily admiring his appearance before bowing.

"You must be Lady Moao!" The man grinned, "I've never seen such a terrifying aura around a woman with such an expressionless face! It must be you!"

"...Mmn."

The Dragon clan can be so honest it hurts.

Amanda stepped off of the ship with the help of the crew. Korph motioned to us, "I will show you where you'll be staying."

Those on Dragon Island believed themselves to be one with the earth. They refused to build any buildings or destroy nature. As such, they learned to live with nature without destroying it. As we walked by, I noticed many Dragon clan members hiding in the trees while watching us. They all had wide obnoxious smiles as soon as they realized who we were.

I felt someone grab my arm and my body tensed up automatically. I had an urge to rip my arm out of their grip but feared I would offend the islanders. I could only swallow my distaste and look at who had grabbed me. The girl holding me gave a seductive smile, "Are you Moao?"

I nodded. She placed her arms around my neck causing my body to stiffen up even more. The girl licked my cheek, "Oh! You taste amazing."

My mouth dropped in horror.

I'm actually going to vomit.

"Oi! Kali! Back off!" Korph ran out holding a branch and began to shoo the clingy girl off. The girl hissed at him and jumped back into the trees, disappearing immediately. Korph ran his fingers through his hair in embarrassment, "Sorry about that. That is one of my sisters. She is a little crazy."

Crazy?! Didn't she just try to eat me a second ago? That's more than just crazy!

I nodded at him nonetheless, "Mmn."

He chuckled, "Just to warn you, the accommodations aren't anything like yours, but follow me."

We followed Korph as he led us to a part in the trees that seemed more secluded than the rest. He climbed up a rope that was made from a vine, revealing a set of bridges connecting the trees. I followed him, carrying Amanda's luggage while helping her up. He then led us to a couple of hammocks.

He smiled broadly, "Here is where you will be staying. If you walk further down the bridge, you will come to where the Phoenix nation is staying."

Amanda blushed, "Is there anywhere we can find privacy?"

Korph looked at her in confusion, "What do you mean?"

She blushed more, "Like… To change? Or bathe?"

"Right here is the most privacy."

"What?!" She shouted, "There's no walls!"

Korph smiled at her, "We've never had this issue before. Bodies are just bodies. Unlike the other nations, we don't think of them as sinful and see them as natural."

I interrupted, "So you don't mind seeing me naked?"

Korph and Amanda both turned a darker crimson at my shameless words. Korph sputtered out, "D-Don't say it like that! Just know that no one will be interested in watching. Well... From the Dragon clan at least."

Amanda sighed, "Okay. We will be careful then."

Korph chuckled dryly, "Anyway, the females of the tribe usually bathe at night while the men bathe in the morning."

"Wonderful! Where?"

"At the lake."

Amanda felt the rest of her soul leave.

I stared at Korph in anticipation. He met my gaze with a look of confusion, "Yes?"

"Can I wear pants?"

Amanda froze as Korph smiled, "It's not a problem here. Everyone wears them."

"You can have mine." A creepy voice interrupted from behind us. Amanda jumped at the voice and my eyes widened in surprise before returning to normal. I would have jumped if not for my numb emotions.

I turned and saw Kali hanging upside down just behind me. Korph shouted, "Kali! Leave her alone! But... Bring her an extra pair of pants."

Kali returned with a pair not too long after. She made a disturbing smile, "I will give you these to take home, but let me just make sure it will fit first."

Suddenly… I feel uncomfortable...

Korph shook his head in exasperation, "Oi! Kali! Why are you so-"

Before anyone could say anything more, she undressed me with lightning speed. Korph shrieked and quickly turned to look away. He cleared his throat awkwardly as he looked away, "I'm sorry… My people became obsessed with you after you freed all the slaves... Kali… Well… She became obsessed in a different way."

"..."

I don't want to be here anymore.

Kali snorted, "Her skin is soft, Korph. I like it. Nice and supple-"

He interrupted, "Please stop."

If not for my excellent self-control, I may have massacred this island by accident.