CHAPTER 122 – CHARLOTTE MARGARET ORIGIN

CHARLOTTE MARGARET

Growing up as a half-dragonoid in the affluent Villa Margaret of Tasty Town, my upbringing was a blend of opulence and discipline. My mother, a human duchess, and my father, a dragonoid soldier from the Old Arcadia, had carved out a comfortable life for us amidst the chaos of the Dragonoid Liberation War.

From a young age, my parents instilled in me the importance of etiquette, manners, and academic excellence. My mother, with her regal grace, taught me the ways of a proper duchess, while my father, ever the vigilant protector, hired private tutors to hone my scholastic abilities.

Despite their wealth and influence, my parents were unyielding when it came to matters of the heart. They forbade me and my siblings from indulging in teenage romances, insisting that we focus on our education and future careers.

But like any rebellious teenager, I defied their wishes. In my first year at Tasty Town's Magic High School, I fell victim to puppy love. For two fleeting months, I was ensnared in a whirlwind romance, only to discover my beau's infidelity through the cruel gossip of my peers.

Heartbroken and disillusioned, I swore off romance entirely. I distanced myself from boys, channeling my energy into my studies and academic pursuits. My brief foray into love had taught me a valuable lesson, one that aligned all too well with my parents' stern admonitions: that the path to success lay not in the tumultuous throes of teenage romance, but in steadfast dedication and hard work.

As my second year of high school unfolded, my family was rocked by devastating news: the Neo Arcadia Terrorists, under the leadership of Gazelle Lockwood, had orchestrated a series of bombings targeting buses owned by my mother's company. The state media's insidious insinuations painted my parents as unwitting accomplices in their own misfortune, casting a shadow of suspicion over our once-privileged lives.

In a desperate bid to clear their names, my parents spared no expense, hiring top-notch legal representation and draining their savings to compensate the families of the bombing victims. Even our beloved Villa Margaret was mortgaged to the hilt as we teetered on the brink of financial ruin.

As our family's fortunes plummeted, so too did the once-thriving businesses of my parents. My mother's bus company fell into bankruptcy, while doubts cast upon my father's security agency led to a loss of clientele.

Under the weight of mounting pressure, my parents tightened their grip on us, their expectations bordering on draconian. My older sister, feeling the weight of their scrutiny, pushed herself to graduate college and secure a stable job. My younger sister and I followed suit, striving to excel in our academic pursuits despite the chaos that engulfed our lives.

Amidst the turmoil, one figure stood out in my class to prevent me from getting to the top: Gaeun Medizin. However, despite her academic prowess, she was often the target of cruel taunts and bullying due to her shy demeanor and rounded figure. Despite my initial resentment at being rivaled academically, I couldn't help but pity her plight.

The turning point came when I witnessed her being subjected to a humiliating prank by one of her supposed friends. Unable to stand by idly, I intervened, offering her comfort and support in her moment of vulnerability. As I handed her a luxurious old handkerchief to wipe away her tears, a bond was forged between us, one that transcended the superficialities of our past rivalry. From that day forward, Gaeun and I became inseparable allies, navigating the turbulent waters of high school together.

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Gaeun was the only one who truly seemed to get me. Her refined demeanor mirrored my own, a testament to our shared upbringing. Our families, once bound by business partnerships, now found themselves intertwined in a delicate dance to escape the clutches of poverty.

As the days passed, I noticed a shift in Gaeun's schedule. Her weekends were no longer spent in leisure but rather in the halls of the magic high school, where whispers of secretive activities lingered like shadows. Concerned for my friend, I decided to follow her one day, my curiosity outweighing any sense of propriety.

My clandestine pursuit led me to a vacant lot, where an unexpected scene unfolded before my eyes. Gaeun stood among a group of individuals, their faces shrouded in determination as they bound three hoodlums. A fiery-haired figure named Kate Zephyrus took charge, interrogating the captured miscreants while Gaeun meticulously documented the proceedings.

The revelation left me reeling. Our quiet town harbored secrets far darker than I could have imagined. The absence of the Imperial Army's presence had fostered an environment where student-led militias flourished, a necessary defense against the rising tide of Neo Arcadia's terrorism.

Determined to uncover the truth, I confronted Gaeun one morning, my voice betraying a mixture of concern and confusion.

“Gaeun, what's your involvement with the student council?” I inquired, hoping to understand the depths of her newfound allegiance.

“You mean Vice Prez?” Gaeun's voice carried a hint of pride as she responded. “Vice Prez asked me to join her special unit to keep the peace in Tasty Town.”

“But isn’t that dangerous?” I couldn't help but voice my concern. “You're not exactly the athletic type, Gaeun.”

“It's okay,” she reassured me with a smile. “Vice Prez and Kate have my back. We watch out for each other's weaknesses.”

Despite my doubts about our Vice President and the hoodlum Kate, I allowed Gaeun to pursue her own path. She seemed happier, less lonely in their company. Still, I resolved to keep a close watch, just in case their special unit turned out to be more perilous than promising.

One Saturday night, as I manned my father’s gun shop per our weekend routine, terror struck. Four masked men stormed in, brandishing weapons and demanding our inventory and cash. Frozen in fear, I could do nothing but comply as they ransacked the store.

With a gun pointed at me, I felt the weight of helplessness suffocate me. But then, a ray of hope emerged in the form of a golden-haired elf with eyes that gleamed like molten gold. With lightning speed and precision, she dispatched the intruders, unleashing a whirlwind of kicks, punches, and well-aimed rubber bullets.

In the chaos that ensued, the burglars were swiftly subdued, their criminal ambitions dashed by the unexpected arrival of a single guardian angel in elfin guise.

In that moment, as I watched the golden-haired elf effortlessly dispatch the intruders, a profound admiration welled up within me. Doubts that once clouded my perception melted away, replaced by a deep sense of respect and loyalty. I finally comprehended the connection Gaeun felt, the comfort of not being alone in the face of danger.

As the chaos settled, I realized that the elf was none other than Hiraya Misteltein, our Vice President. Her eyes lingered on a stolen Desert Eagle, a glint of determination reflecting in their depths.

"Phew! Good thing I arrived in the nick of time," Hiraya remarked, wiping sweat from her brow. "How much for this, Miss Charlotte?" she inquired, gesturing towards the firearm.

"It's... it's on the house!" I stammered, overwhelmed by gratitude. "But please, grant me one favor..."

Hiraya's curiosity piqued as she tilted her head inquisitively. "What is it?"

"Please allow me to join your squad!" I blurted out, the words tumbling from my lips before I could second-guess myself.