Chapter 17

Conditional Bonding

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 Conditional Bonding

Mint chocolate.

The combination of mint’s aroma and chocolate’s sweetness.

A masterpiece of its time, unparalleled in its flavor.

In modern times, it’s mostly known as an ice cream flavor.

Mint chocolate won a gold medal in a British dessert contest, proving its worth as a prestigious dessert combination. However, its distinctive minty taste makes it a polarizing choice.

I’m not a fan of mint chocolate. While I can eat it, the taste of mint always reminds me of toothpaste.

“But, Miss Sophia, do you know what mint chocolate is?”

“What? Mint chocolate?”

But damn, I’m going to have to make mint chocolate myself.

“...I've never heard of it. Is it a combination of mint and chocolate?”

“Huh? Really? You love mint, yet you don’t know mint chocolate...?”

“Yes, it's completely new to me. But it sounds intriguing! Mint and chocolate together—how exciting!”

Sophia’s eyes sparkled with delight as she exclaimed like a wise sage who had discovered a universal truth. Could this be her ‘Eureka’ moment?

Something felt off. Was mint chocolate unknown in this world? I had no idea it was so pure here.

And now, thanks to my quick thinking, I was about to taint this pure world with mint chocolate.

“Ah...! It might be a strange combination for you, so maybe it’s best not to try it. I should come up with something else...”

“Churrrp! No, no! Just thinking about it makes my mouth water! Please make the dessert with mint and chocolate, as you first mentioned!”

Sophia, with the aura of a saint, was practically drooling at the thought.

A saint corrupted by the mere idea of mint chocolate. I could imagine Sophia praising mint chocolate instead of her ancestors.

With Sophia now fixated on mint chocolate, there was no turning back. I had to go through with it, despite my reservations.

“Miss Sophia?”

While I was lost in thought, a warm sensation enveloped my hand. Sophia had grabbed my hand tightly, her golden eyes glistening with anticipation.

It was the gaze of a saint receiving a divine revelation.

“To think you’d go to such lengths for me…! I, Sophia the Lightbringer, am truly moved by your dedication.”

-Ding!

‘Conditional bond...?’

Once again, my vision was filled with notification windows. Sophia was genuinely moved. That meant she was serious about the mint chocolate.

But something was strange.

With Derke, just holding hands was enough for a successful bond. But Sophia’s bond came with conditions.

Was it because Sophia was an SSR-grade dragon? She was indeed a difficult heroine to bond with, just like in the game.

I had no choice but to accept. Refusing meant facing her eternal hatred, which equated to certain death. No matter how much I disliked mint chocolate, I valued my life more.

‘I wonder if Derke would collect my soul if I died...’

Accepting the conditions opened a quest-like window. Despite not being a bonded target, I could see Sophia’s basic information.

She was 660 years old, the average age for a fourth-year student. And she was a light attribute dragon, which explained her title as the Dragon of Dawn.

‘Can I make the dessert within five days?’

The conditions seemed simple: satisfy Sophia with mint chocolate. Despite her picky palate, I was confident that introducing her to mint chocolate would be successful.

The only issue was the five-day deadline.

“Miss Sophia? I will make sure to create a dessert that perfectly suits your taste. Using mint chocolate!”

“Today, I’ve come to see humans in a new light. You’re the first human I’ve met with such brilliant ideas.”

“You flatter me.”

“Alright, Mr. Breeder. I’ll be looking forward to it. Since it might take some time to prepare… it would be ideal if you could make it within five days.”

Sophia confirmed the five-day deadline. She was quite patient for a dragon. But for me, every moment counted.

“I understand. I’ll make sure to satisfy you.”

“Good. Now, it’s late...”

Ssssh...

Sophia released my hand with a satisfied smile, signaling the end of our conversation.

However, I couldn’t leave it at that. To meet the conditions, I ironically needed Sophia’s help.

“Miss Sophia? As a humble servant, I find myself limited… Could I ask for a favor?”

Grasp!

I grabbed Sophia’s hand again and knelt on one knee, like a nobleman pleading with a high-ranking lady.

To cater to a dragon’s pride, this level of formality was essential.

“What? What kind of favor?”

Sophia seemed flustered as I held her hand and knelt. Her expression resembled someone receiving a marriage proposal.

“I hesitate to ask, but...”

“What is it? Speak, and please let go of my hand. It’s not disrespectful at all...”

I was glad I went to the trouble of kneeling. See? She was blushing and at a loss for what to do.

If I had just bluntly asked, she might have deemed me too audacious and used her breath attack.

“I have enough mint leaves, but I can’t procure high-quality desserts like chocolate as a servant. So I was hoping...”

“You want me to get chocolate for you?”

“Yes, exactly.”

As expected of an SSR-grade dragon, she quickly understood. No wonder she was the student council president. If she could get the chocolate, I could handle the rest.

“Alright. I’ll get the chocolate.”

Sophia, clothed in her saintly attire, answered with determination as if she had received a divine command.

“Thank you!”

“But you better satisfy me. Making something subpar with the ingredients I procure would be an insult to my pride.”

There it was again. Her pride. My pride had to take a backseat, it seemed.

“Of course! You can count on me.”

I confidently assured her and left her room. It was almost time for everyone to sleep.

Honestly, I wasn’t confident. Making a mint chocolate dessert...

I had no idea what to make. Given the kitchen tools available, ice cream was out of the question.

Plus, my dislike for mint chocolate made me worry if I could bring out its true flavor.

But disappointing a dragon wasn’t an option. The situation demanded I succeed.

“Roll call is over. It’s bedtime. Goodnight.”

I made my way through each floor, announcing the end of roll call with a tired voice.

The dragons of all grades returned to their rooms.

Click!

I also entered my dorm room, longing for rest and sweet sleep. All I wanted was to lie down immediately.

However...

“Hey, Breeder. Finished with roll call?”

“Gah...?!”

A huge lion was sitting on my bed, leaning against the headboard. A white-maned lion that spoke human words.

The lion was even sitting cross-legged, legs shaking while wearing clunky boots on my bed.

“Haha! You’re so easily startled. In the wild, you’d already be dead if you let your guard down like that.”

“Mr. Berman? What brings you here...?”

The lion, who dared to put his boots on my bed, was none other than Berman, the head of the Academy’s Security Department. I never imagined a beastman would be so accustomed to sitting on beds.

He was in charge of the academy’s security.

The Security Department was mainly composed of beastmen, responsible for maintaining the academy’s safety. But protecting dragons seemed contradictory.

Thus, the Security Department was often deployed for night patrols and odd jobs, like when Erdin brought in Hugo, the wolf beastman.

“You’re aware that Hugo got injured yesterday, right?”

“Yes, how is he?”

“He suffered a minor fracture at the back of his neck. Thankfully, it’s not severe.”

“Whew, that’s a relief.”

I would’ve preferred if it had broken completely. Trying to dump the barn work on me...

“Even though beastmen have excellent recovery abilities, it’ll take him two days to heal.”

“I see. But you didn’t come all this way just to tell me that, did you?”

A sense of uneasiness crept over me.

This isn't good.

“Haha! You’re sharp for a human. Yes, you know we’re short-staffed, right?”

“Oh...please, no.”

“Since Hugo’s injury was partly your fault, you’ll need to cover the night duty at the dormitory until he recovers.”

Damn it… When am I supposed to sleep?

Each day after the end of the break felt longer and longer.

Just like the hands of a clock in the Department of National Defense.