Chapter 16
The Result of ImprovisationThe Result of Improvisation
“Hoo, I shouldn’t push myself like this next time...”
I took a moment to catch my breath on the stair landing.
My legs were trembling as the tension released. Cold sweat ran down my back.
With only the fourth-year roll call left, I was halfway up the stairs to the fourth floor. I hadn’t realized that conducting evening roll call would be this stressful.
I felt like a warrior climbing the final level of a tower, preparing for the final boss battle. My determination was that of a dragon slayer gearing up for the ultimate challenge.
I had no intention of upsetting the dragons. I was merely fulfilling my duties as the dormitory supervisor.
However, I seemed to lack flexibility. All I wanted was to confirm the SSR-grade dragons, but I almost ended up clashing with the third-year representative.
Of course, Tiana’s aggressive personality played a part.
She was arrogant, violent, and typical of dragons who looked down on humans. If I had handled her wrong, I would’ve been in serious trouble.
Thanks to the SSR twin sisters, I survived. I also managed to confirm their identities.
They didn’t seem particularly friendly towards humans either. It looked like all the third years had strong personalities. Nevertheless, I survived thanks to them, so I should try to build a rapport with some treats later.
I took a deep breath and climbed the stairs to the fourth floor. The senior girls would be upset if I delayed any longer.
‘This time, I’ll just make a quick appearance and leave.’
I intended to do just that. I didn’t want any more conflicts. I would quickly check for any irregularities and move on.
“Huh? What’s this situation?”
Arriving on the fourth floor, I found myself talking to no one in particular.
The fourth-floor hallway was eerily silent. There wasn’t a soul in sight.
‘Is it possible they skipped roll call because they’re graduating soon? It’s hard to believe they’d skip roll call altogether, even if they’re like senior soldiers.’
Even if there was a custom for this, having no one to report to was a serious issue.
What was going on? My mind was blank. I waited for a moment, but no one appeared.
“Seriously?”
I gulped.
Something felt off. Could they have all left without permission? On the first day?
If there was an issue with the total count, the blame would fall entirely on me. I couldn't punish the dragons, so all the responsibility would fall on my shoulders.
“Damn it.”
A tragic ending was playing out in my head.
Feeling anxious, I started moving. I needed to see if anyone was around. When I reached the first dorm room, I noticed the door was slightly ajar.
‘What? The door’s open? Did they leave in such a hurry that they couldn’t even close the door?’
An uneasy feeling crept over me as I peered through the gap.
I grabbed the doorknob and pulled.
But I shouldn’t have opened that door. At the very least, I should have knocked.
Maybe it was the stress from all the work, but my judgment was clouded.
“Kyahhhhhhhhhhhhh!”
“Waaah!”
As soon as I opened the door, a scream erupted.
The source of the scream was Sophia. I screamed as well, caught off guard.
Sophia had just taken off her negligee, revealing her pale abdomen and underwear.
“Mr. Breeder…?! What are you doing here?!”
“...!”
I was too stunned to speak.
Sophia was in a luxurious room, changing from her comfortable negligee into a pure white uniform. She was likely changing for roll call, but was running very late.
“Answer me! Why did you come in without knocking?! I thought you were more polite than this...!”
I had inadvertently seen a dragon’s naked body. I could be in serious trouble for this. Yet, for some reason, Sophia was only yelling at me, not attacking.
[Decreasing affinity! (Current relationship: Neutral)]
[If a non-bonded target becomes hostile, you cannot pursue a relationship. Be cautious!]
The system message flashed before my eyes as Sophia yelled at me.
Despite not being a bonded target, my biscuits must have built some affinity. Instead of becoming hostile, she remained neutral.
That might be why I wasn’t immediately killed.
Regardless, I had to manage my affinity with non-bonded targets. If I didn’t, I would lose any chance of continuing.
“It’s a misunderstanding...! That’s not it—”
“Not it? Then why did you open my door without knocking?!”
“...Mint! I have urgent news about the mint dessert you requested...!”
“Mint? Dessert?”
To prevent further misunderstanding, I blurted out mint. The keyword that Sophia was crazy about.
“Yes, mint! The dessert with mint!”
“Mint? Dessert...?”
As expected, Sophia reacted immediately. She even licked her lips slightly.
Just hearing the word mint seemed to whet her appetite.
Thank goodness. I couldn’t afford to lose any more affinity. I nearly lost a key target.
“Yes...! I had no other time to speak with you, so I had to come now. Please forgive the intrusion.”
“Then why did you come so secretly?”
“Why? To protect your pride, of course.”
“My pride?”
“Yes. No one else knows you enjoy mint, do they?”
“How did you...?”
“Most people can’t appreciate the true flavor of mint. Many even dislike it, thinking it strange...or even the dragons that enjoy it.”
“...”
Sophia couldn’t refute my words.
Mint, it seemed, was universally divisive. People either loved it or hated it.
Sophia, who loved mint, couldn’t help but agree with my reasoning.
With her momentarily speechless, I seized the opportunity.
“That’s why I came secretly during roll call. I didn’t want the other ladies to know about your preference for mint and make you uncomfortable.”
“So, you mean to tell me you’re not just a worker in the lounge, but also the dormitory supervisor?”
“Yes. Didn’t you know?”
“Not at all! I thought the faculty staff were still handling it as before... Anyway, please turn around! I’ll finish dressing quickly.”
“Ah, yes.”
I turned around promptly. I was unintentional, but a bit disappointed. I hadn’t seen much due to the surprise.
Anyway, I had managed to avert a crisis. As I turned to face the door, something unexpected happened.
Rumble!
‘What now? An earthquake...?’
The dormitory started shaking. A sound like a rush of footsteps filled the air.
I realized it was similar to the experience in the lounge earlier today.
It had to be dragons rushing towards us.
Sophia’s scream must have attracted them.
The door burst open.
—Sophia? What happened?
—President, are you alright...?!
—What was that noise? Sophia screamed?
As expected, the dragons rushed in. They were all dressed in what looked like uniforms.
Despite being fourth-years, they were all dressed formally.
—Hey, you’re that worker from earlier?
—What’s going on? Where’s the duty professor?
—You, human, are you the new dorm supervisor?
—Why are you in Sophia’s room?
The dragons bombarded me with questions as soon as they saw me.
‘This is bad. What do I say this time?’
Sophia was luckily persuaded, but what about these dragons...?
“Everyone, please step back. It seems there’s a misunderstanding.”
Sophia, now fully dressed, stepped forward.
“President, what’s going on? Why is a human worker in your room?”
“A bug came out, and there was some commotion.”
“A bug? Oh, right. You were terrified of bugs.”
“Ahem, I was reprimanding him for that.”
“So you screamed because of a bug?”
“Yes. I apologize for the late-night disturbance. Also, it seems Breeder will be acting as our dorm supervisor from now on, so I suggest we conclude tonight’s roll call.”
Sophia’s explanation seemed to satisfy the dragons.
Since it came from her, they were quick to accept it.
They muttered complaints like, “I didn’t need to change clothes for this...” and “I guess we’ll have to change back. What a hassle,” as they dispersed.
“Hoo, Breeder? Could you close the door?”
“Oh, yes.”
Once the dragons had left, Sophia sighed in relief. I also let out a sigh of relief as I closed the door.
“That was to protect my pride.”
“What?”
“Protecting my love for mint from becoming known.”
“Ah, thank you for your kindness, Sophia.”
I finally understood why she went out of her way to protect me.
All for the sake of her pride.
“...Let’s drop the formalities. So, what do you need to tell me? Didn’t we already discuss the dessert earlier?”
Sophia’s eyes gleamed as she cut to the chase.
Her golden eyes shimmered with curiosity, ready to punish me if my reason was frivolous.
“Well, you see...”
“Spit it out quickly. Otherwise, I’ll ensure the student council president pays for intruding on the fourth-year representative...”
“Do you know about mint chocolate?”
“Mint...chocolate?”
Mint chocolate.
Sophia’s expression lit up.
Her eyes sparkled like a dragon seeing a pile of jewels.
It was a sight to behold.