“THAT’S CRAZY, Klaus.”

“Did you catch the thieves who tried to rob your island?”

“I can’t believe there are people stupid enough to offend your family.”

Ah, right.

That was the official story.

Zirkus already expected the truth to be twisted.

After all, it wasn’t like Klaus could simply broadcast that he was a dragon– and the “thieves” who trespassed his island were actually Dragon Hunters who were there to kidnap him.

Fortunately for Klaus, only Zirkus, Yelena, and Enzo were there when he was attacked.

[Klaus’ family made us sign a non-disclosure agreement. Of course, the contract has a powerful spell that will kill us if we break the promise. In return, we got some awesome gifts.]

Zirkus still remembered what happened back then…

[“As a token of my gratitude for signing the non-disclosure agreement, I brought gifts for you,” Klaus announced while holding three medium-sized treasure chests. “Consider these as a bribe from me.”]

[Yelena smiled apologetically at the dragon. “You don’t have to, Klaus.”]

[“I got you a pearl necklace that could help you improve your singing voice.”]

[Yelena smiled and slightly bowed her head. “Thank you very much, my dear friend.”]

[“You’re welcome, Yelena,” Klaus said. “And for you, Enzo, I got you an old book written by my grandfather about the Dragon Race.”]

[“…”]

[“You’re welcome,” Klaus said when Enzo said nothing, then he finally turned to Zirkus. “And for you, my new friend…”]

[Zirkus tried to hide it, but he was excited about the gift that Klaus prepared for him.]

[A free gift was always welcomed, you know?]

[“Tada!” Klaus said excitedly as he opened the lid of the treasure chest that he handed to Zirkus. “I got you some ancient dragon saliva!”]

[Zirkus was offended. “Excuse me???”]

[“It’s good for your skin, silly!”]

Zirkus clenched his hands tight when he remembered that all he got from almost going deaf was a bottle of an ancient dragon’s saliva while Yelena and Enzo got some cool stuff.

Klaus claimed that dragon saliva was good for the skin, but he wouldn’t try it himself.

[Because, apparently, he’s already beautiful.]

Zirkus couldn’t help but feel scammed.

“We caught all the thieves~” Klaus said cheerfully to the people asking questions about the “attempted robbery” on the Treasure Island. It was the dragon’s press release after the game was canceled. “It’s a shame that the game ended that way. But I promise to make the next treasure hunt more fun and exciting. And safer, of course~”

The class cheered for Klaus.

A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

Zirkus almost covered his ears with his hands.

[These kids are so noisy.]

“Hey, are you alright?”

Zirkus turned to Klaus who asked if he was alright. “Huh?”

“You’re so quiet,” Klaus complained lightly. “I’m not used to it since you’re usually loud.”

“I don’t think I need to be loud when you and your friends are already contributing to the noise pollution?”

Oops.

He didn’t mean to be sarcastic.

The other students looked offended by what he said, but Klaus didn’t budge.

“Do your ears still hurt?” Klaus asked worriedly. “I knew you should have rested more.”

[???]

Was it just Zirkus’ imagination or Klaus was really worried about him?

What happened to this brat?

[And Klaus is looking at me now even though he used to say my face offends him.]

Was it…

[The power of friendship???]

Argh, Zirkus got the goosebumps.

Klaus snapped his fingers as if to get Zirkus' attention. “Hey. Are you listening to me?”

“Not really,” Zirkus said, then he knitted his eyebrows. “What are you doing here anyway? We’re not in the same class.”

“Ey, it’s just self-study time for all the classes in our year~” Klaus said cheerfully. “Is it wrong to visit a friend?”

[???]

Zirkus pointed at himself. “Me? Am I your friend?”

“You proved yourself as a very good friend when you helped protect me during the robbery,” Klaus said, grinning. The brat even put an arm around Zirkus’ shoulders. “Your face isn’t my type, but I love the loyal type. So, I’m giving you the privilege to be my friend, Zirkus.”

THAT WAS SO CRINGE.

[This brat is even calling me by my first name as if we’re close.]

Zirkus thought he was going to die from too much cringe.

“Klaus, you’re here?”

Their classmates gave way to the person who arrived.

Yelena?

[Noonim is also from a different class.]

“I thought Zirkus would be lonely, so I came to play with him,” Klaus said cheerfully. “What are you doing here, Yelena?”

“I’m here to ask Zirkus to join me for lunch,” Yelena said, then she turned to Zirkus. “Let’s eat together, Zirkus. My treat.”

[???]

“Oh, then let me join, too,” Klaus said cheerfully, then he grabbed Zirkus by the arm and pulled him up. “Let’s go!”

Zirkus was shocked when Klaus dragged him as if he was as light as paper.

[This kid is scary!]

***

“YELENA, I heard you were hurt. Why didn’t you call me?”

“Rivo was so worried about you, Yelena.”

Blergh.

Zirkus felt like he was going to have an indigestion while watching the ~drama~ happening right in front of his salmon.

[Do these kids think they’re filming a drama?]

He was having lunch with Yelena and Klaus in the dining hall when the Heavenly Trio arrived.

By ‘Heavenly Trio,’ he meant Enzo, Rivo Creswell, and Nixie Winslet.

“Are you sure you’re okay now, Yelena?” Rivo Creswell, sitting beside Yelena, asked worriedly. “Should we head to the hospital so they could give you a full check-up?”

“I also have some potion with me,” Nixie, sitting on Yelena’s other side, said. “It’s good for recovering…”

“I’m fine,” Yelena said, smiling at Rivo Creswell and Nixie Winslet. “I’m sorry for making you worry. I hope what happened to me didn’t ruin your vacation.”

Boom.

[Noonim is really savage.]

Rivo Creswell and Nixie Winslet, who were on a vacation together when Yelena almost died, turned red as if they were embarrassed.

“Ahem.”

Zirkus didn’t turn to Klaus who was obviously trying hard not to laugh at the situation.

“Yelena, I’m really sorry,” Rivo Creswell said, his voice full of remorse. “Had I known you’d be in danger, I would have gone with you.”

“But you didn’t,” Yelena said “cheerfully.” “It’s okay, though. I know my place.”

“Yelena, please don’t be too hard on Rivo,” Nixie Winslet said, obviously upset. “He’s trying.”

Yelena turned to Nixie Winslet with a full smile. “Are you Rivo’s spokesperson now, Nixie?”

The table suddenly turned cold.

Even Klaus immediately shut his mouth.

Only the sound of Enzo’s knife hitting the plate echoed in the suddenly quiet dining hall.

[Everyone is busy listening to the drama, huh?]

Zirkus, on the other hand, felt his indigestion coming.

[I need to throw up.]

***

ZIRKUS FELT better after throwing up and washing his face.

He ran to the washroom while Yelena, Rivo Creswell, and Nixie Winslet were “filming” a drama.

[Aigoo.]

He flinched when he realized that the water was colder than normal.

Then it reminded him that ~winter was coming.~

It only meant one thing.

“I need to leave the academy soon,” Zirkus whispered to himself. “When should I submit my drop-out form?”

“You’re leaving the academy?”

He flinched when he heard the familiar voice, then he turned around to face the owner. “Enzo?”

[I didn’t even feel his presence…]

“Where are you going, Zirkus Huxford?” Enzo asked in a lowkey angry voice, his golden eyes glowing menacingly. “Who said you can leave the academy without my permission?”

[Excuse me?]

Zirkus knitted his eyebrows. “Why do I need your permission to quit the academy?”