A harmless lizard was captured by my teacher.

"...Ugh, would you stop digging in so deep?"
"Gekk."

Getting punished was one thing, but there were things that had to be done.

*Thud.*

Unfortunately, my teacher’s light-footed movements were so swift that we reached her room in no time.

“Sit.”

Baek Yeon-yeong grabbed me by the nape and set me down on her bed.

*Rustle.*

I immediately burrowed myself between the neatly folded blankets.

The familiar scent of her bedding was comforting.

If I could, I’d roll around and savor every bit of it.

“…Gek.”

But I couldn’t just play around like a child.

My teacher brought me here for a reason.

Her recent threat was probably just a warning out of fondness for her unworthy disciple.

I adjusted my posture.

"Your body keeps growing… but why does your mind…."
“Gek?”

“When I first met you, you seemed much more mature. It’s a bit concerning.”

Baek Yeon-yeong sat across from me, calmly scratching near her neck.

"Gek-ggek-ggek."

"Foolish disciple. Do you know the trouble you've caused your teacher?"
"Gehh..."

I did nothing wrong.

I just saved a few people and threw them some herbs. That’s it.

They’re the ones who misinterpreted everything.

…Although I did consider sneaking into this room.

"Well, never mind. It’s my fault for not teaching you the basics, so this time…."

This time?

What does she intend to do?

I feel like the fur on my tail is standing on end.

"By the way, Hyiya, I heard that you spoke in the voice of a dignified mystical creature."

“Gekek?”

A dignified mystical creature’s voice?

I might be a mystical creature, but my voice… well, it’s a bit unrefined.

"It didn’t quite sound like that to me. But if I can understand what you're saying, I suppose that’s good enough."

“Gekk.”

What does it matter how it sounds?

As long as the meaning gets across, right?

…Wait, the meaning gets across?

“Gek?”

It makes me want to gather a few humans and conduct a survey.

Baek Yeon-yeong always had a knack for guessing what I was saying, but it was just guessing.

But now, she seems to genuinely understand what I’m saying.

It’s not like I’ve never spoken human words before.

When the Red Dragon hurt Baek Rang, I managed to speak in a human voice.

But after that, not a single word came out.

Considering my teacher’s words and the fact that the Heavenly Demon Cult believers wrongly accused me…

…Am I actually talking now without realizing it?

My “gek” cries hold meaning in their own way.

In my head, I think about what I want to say and then make the “gek” sound, so the tone changes with the message.

Whether it’s “Geekk” or “Gek-gekk,” it sounds similar but has entirely different meanings.

What if only I hear it as “gek,” but it sounds clear to others?

That would explain why they called it a dignified voice.

Let’s test this.

My teacher’s embrace is the best.

“Gek-geek-gekk.”

I tried saying it, but her expression didn’t change.

Maybe it’s because she doesn’t show much expression?

Although Seolhwa’s embrace was a little nicer, wasn’t it?

“Geeng-gekg?”

It was softer and warmer.

“Gekk-gekk-gekk….”

When I was in Seolhwa’s arms, she gave me honeyed sweets, unlike my teacher, who just swatted at bugs.

“Gari-gekk.”

…

Is it not working?

*Squeeze.*

“Enough of this nonsense.”

“Geeek…”

“Foolish disciple. Do you think this would make your teacher flinch?”

“Kek-kehk.”

“You say that, but I know you enjoy my embrace more than anyone.”

Huh?

“Gekk!”

Can you understand me?

“Isn’t that obvious?”

From her reaction, it seemed like she really could understand me.

“I may not know exactly what something like ‘spirit bag’ means, but I get the gist.”

What?

I didn’t say it like that.

…My words seem to be getting a bit distorted.

At least the general meaning is coming through, thankfully.

“Things like ‘runway’ and ‘ten-thousand-horse judge’ are completely unclear, but they’re not so confusing.”

“Gek-ggek!”

Why are you interpreting it like that?

I should be thankful she can’t understand the true meaning of those words.

If she could, then that would really be trouble.

“Geeeng…”

Let’s change the subject quickly.

“That expression… it’s the look of a lizard that’s been caught hiding something.”

“Keeek…”

“Well, fine. If my disciple is this troubled, I won’t pry further.”

Just as expected of my teacher.

“I should ask after feeding you a truth serum next time.”

“Geeeeek!”

“…It was a joke, just a joke.”

It’s a joke, right?

Her expression didn’t change, so it was hard to tell.

“Enough fooling around. Let’s get to the main topic.”

“Gekk.”

“I heard about it already. That you claimed one of the Dragon Gates as your own territory.”

“Gek!”

…How did she hear that?

“A disciple of mine should be able to manage at least that much.”

She lifted her finger and gently patted my head.

“You’re even starting to look like a dragon. Though you’ve reduced your size, the spirit you exude hasn’t lessened.”

Baek Yeon-yeong slowly stroked my horns and fur.

It made me feel sleepy.

Though she’s reserved and stern, her touch is surprisingly gentle.

“Hyiya, what do you think of dragons?”

My teacher suddenly asked me an unexpected question.

While I was pondering her question, she continued speaking.

“They are revered as the most sacred mystical creatures, sometimes even seen as nature itself.”

That’s pretty close to what I thought.

“But no one really knows if dragons truly exist.”

In this world, dragons seem rarer than I’d initially thought.

There are dinosaurs using martial arts and bicorns advocating for monogamy, but dragons remain unconfirmed.

“Still, the concept of dragons is widely known.”

The dragon my teacher spoke of is likely a true dragon, hidden away by the status screen.

“Have you heard of the term ‘Nine Offspring of the True Dragon’?”

Nine Offspring of the True Dragon?

“It refers to the nine children of the True Dragon.”

Nine children of the True Dragon.

I vaguely recall hearing about it back when I was human.

“Not all of a dragon’s children are mystical or sacred.”

One of the Nine Offspring is Docheol, a creature classified among the Four Fiends, so my teacher is probably correct.

But why bring up the Nine Offspring all of a sudden?

“Like the two beasts that guard the Dragon Gates.”

Baek Rang had mentioned that each of the Dragon Gates has its own guardian.

The Volcano Gate is guarded by the Fire Rat.

The Snowy Mountain Gate by the Ice Bird.

The Rocky Mountain Gate by a rock serpent.

And the Floral Mountain Gate by a turtle with plants growing on its back.

Are half of them dragon offspring?

The Fire Rat is said to be the weakest among them.

The next weakest is the Ice Bird.

These two are probably not the dragon’s offspring.

Baek Rang specifically warned that the serpent and the turtle’s areas were dangerous, so they must be part of the Nine Offspring.

“Chodo and Gongbok.”

So their names are Chodo and Gongbok.

“Gongbok is a mystical creature that resembles a legless dragon and wields the power of the earth.”

The master of the Rocky Mountain is Gongbok.

“Chodo is a creature resembling a frog or a turtle with a massive flower growing on its back.”

The ruler of the Floral Mountain is Chodo.

“These are the dragon’s children. To truly evolve into a dragon, it may be helpful to seek clues from them.”

Though the true dragon’s existence is uncertain, its offspring do exist.

Where there are children, there must be a parent.

Their existence proves the presence of a true dragon.

“However, they’re probably not in a state to have a conversation. Even without the Dragon Gate’s power, they’re comparable to the Red Dragon under your command.”

“Gek!”

Comparable to the Red Dragon?

While the Red Dragon may be my follower, there’s no guarantee I could win against her in a serious fight.

Our last encounter only ended because she admitted defeat after one decisive blow; in a fight to the death, the outcome could be very different.

…And she knows the Red Dragon became my follower?

I don’t recall being observed.

How could she possibly know?

“Since you’ve claimed the Dragon Gate, there’s bound to be conflict with them.”

“Geeek…”

“Moreover, with the Fire Rat expelled from the Volcano Gate, there’s no deterrent left for them.”

I had wondered how the Fire Rat managed to survive in the Volcano Gate; it must have been thanks to the fire energy.

The Ice Bird likely survives thanks to the cold in the Snowy Mountain.

But with my power eliminating the fire energy in the Volcano…

It’s now an easy target.

Of course, with two mid-level dragon creatures stationed there, any reckless invasion would end badly for the intruder.

“Though the Dragon Gate’s nature might keep them in check, a single invasion attempt is likely.”

“Gek-ggek…”

An invasion.

With my new territory comes responsibility.

Now I have to face creatures potentially equal or stronger

 than mid-tier dragons.

“But what’s the problem with that?”

Baek Yeon-yeong said it as if it was nothing.

“You’re my disciple, after all.”

“Gekk!”

Right.

I shouldn’t be intimidated.

If they come to me, I should be grateful.

I was already planning to clear the nearby Dragon Gates, so if they come on their own…

Using the secret technique of the Gek Cult, overwhelming numbers, even the strongest enemies can be defeated.

There’s no defense against a dogpile.

“To find traces of the true dragon, you’ll have to face the Nine Offspring. If they have any sense, negotiations might work, but for Chodo and Gongbok, that won’t be possible—you’ll have to defeat them.”

A new goal emerged.

While managing the nearby Dragon Gates, I’ll search for traces of the true dragon.

The best option would be to take down the Nine Offspring.

“You have a determined look. Steadfast and firm. Yes, a disciple of mine should have at least this much resolve.”

My teacher’s lips curved slightly.

“…At this level, I might even say you’re a little impressive.”

I doubted my ears.

My teacher was usually so reserved that praise was rare.

Sure, she’d say if I did well, but this kind of compliment was a first.

Not “good job.”

Not “adorable.”

Impressive?

Just three syllables, but it felt better than anything I’d heard.

“Good. If you defeat the Nine Offspring, you’ll gain more than just traces of the true dragon. Since they’re the dragon’s children, their nests should hold treasures worthy of them.”

The treasures don’t matter.

One compliment from my teacher is worth more than a hundred gold bars.

The idea of being Baek Yeon-yeong’s impressive lizard…

Just thinking about it makes me smile.

“Millennium Snow Ginseng, Millennium Fire Lily, maybe even Millennium Ho Shou Wu or Clear Star Stone Oil. You could find such elixirs.”

Elixirs sound tempting.

I wonder if my teacher would be pleased if I brought one back.

The best motivation isn’t precious treasures or elixirs.

It’s my teacher’s smile.

“Well, it might not be useful to you, but I’ve heard there’s something called the Elixir of Fertility.”

…

Elixir of Fertility…?

I can get that by defeating the Nine Offspring?

“Gek-ggek-ggek!”

I could fight all day for that.

“Hyiya, what’s with that expression? …Ah, I see, it’s dark. Yes, dark indeed, as though your intentions are seeping out.”

Heh-heh… Elixir of Fertility… heh-heh...