Chapter 8: Would you mind if your little pet lies on your chest like a spoiled child?

Charis’s carriage passed a grayish-yellow castle, surrounded by dormitories of the same hue, their scale impressively grand.
Students with satchels and wooden toolboxes were everywhere, their wide black robes almost a uniform.
Some groups carried oddly shaped brooms, not for sweeping but seemingly for some competitive event.

“These human students are quite interesting.”
Talos commented like a tourist.
Charis ignored her, focused on another matter.

‘How do I deal with the treasures I took from Aisha? She hasn’t asked for them, but keeping them tucked in my chest is so uncomfortable.’

Yes, Charis regretted wearing the saintess’s robe.
Fit aside, it had no pockets to hide her loot.
What good was this robe beyond its holy appearance?

A necklace and a piece of parchment were stuffed in her chest.
She kept waiting for Aisha to demand them back, but Aisha acted as if she’d forgotten them entirely.

‘Is Aisha just forgetful? But I need to figure out what these things do. Maybe I can use them…’

“Charis.”
Aisha suddenly called her name.

“Ah… what’s up?”
Charis, accustomed to sitting like a duck, leaned back slightly to keep her loot from slipping out.

“We’re almost home. You can tuck your tail in.”
Aisha pointed at Charis’s small tail.
Charis took a deep breath, retracting it back under the saintess’s robe.

“Done. So we’re living in a student dorm?”

“Oh? How’d you know it’s a student dorm?”

“The sign we passed said ‘Heitzera Student Dormitory,’ and tons of students in uniforms were walking toward us.”

Charis’s analysis was logical.
Aisha, surprised, nodded with a smile.

“Not bad. You’re quite observant. No wonder Ophelia had trouble catching you.”
Aisha teased, leaning to nudge Ophelia’s shoulder.

“She was just too cunning, and I wasn’t at my best.”
Ophelia glared at Charis, her tongue loosening as they neared the dorm.

“That’s because I’m fast.”
Charis puffed out her chest proudly—she was skilled at escaping, dodging several of Ophelia’s strikes!

“Arrogant and conceited…”
Ophelia and Aisha said in unison.
Charis turned away, unbothered.

“Alright, Ophelia, Aisha, I’ll drop you off at the academy.
Don’t forget the victory banquet in a week—dress up nicely.”
Aisha’s mother instructed.
Aisha clung to her playfully, while Ophelia nodded respectfully.

The carriage soon stopped in an open area before the dorm.
Grooms and horses rested nearby, their eyes lighting up at the sight of Aisha’s carriage, watching from a distance.

After disembarking, Aisha and Ophelia each took one of Charis’s hands, waving goodbye to Aisha’s mother.

Once the carriage left, Charis’s hands were freed.
She noticed the sign had changed to [Heitzera Faculty Dormitory].

“Faculty dormitory? You’re not students?”

Charis froze, studying Aisha and Ophelia.
Barely adults, and they were already teachers?!

“Finishing Heitzera Academy’s fourteen-year magical curse curriculum in two years and becoming a curse instructor—isn’t that normal?”
Aisha said casually, bending to pinch Charis’s cheek.

“That’s normal?”
Charis questioned her dragon existence.

“And it’s not just me. Ophelia’s a swordsmanship instructor at the academy.
We’re among the youngest in the kingdom’s history.”

Aisha spoke with pride, but Ophelia didn’t appreciate the spotlight, urging them along.

“Aisha, let’s get her inside before someone notices her.”

“Fine, fine, I promised. Come on, Charis, let’s go home.”
Aisha cupped Charis’s cheeks, clearly fond of this pinching habit.

The dormitory’s second floor, left turn, led to a light brown door.
White flowers lined the porcelain-white corridor, likely tended by nearby residents.

“[Unstoppable Form]!”

Aisha pointed at the door, its surface shimmering with faint purple light.
She walked through it, phasing like a glitch in a game.

“Aisha! No random curses in the dorm! I have the key!”
Ophelia rummaged through her pockets, but Aisha’s head poked back through the door, grinning.

“Come on, hurry up. Keys are such a hassle.
As faculty, don’t we have privileges?”

“Using it like this is against the rules.”

“It’s not the first time. If you don’t come in, I’ll drag Charis through first.”

Aisha’s quick hands grabbed Charis’s wrist, pulling her toward the door.

“Wah!”

Charis felt her head bump something soft—likely Aisha’s chest.
Softer than Ophelia’s, but not as overwhelming as Luline’s.

“Alright, Charis, check out our home. It’s yours now too.”
Aisha steadied Charis by the shoulders.
Charis, head still pressed against Aisha’s chest, nervously scanned the room.

A breeze lifted white sheer curtains.
The polished wooden floor gleamed like it was coated in oil, reflecting her face.
Redwood furniture sat snugly together, and a large gray-red sofa faced a fireplace, big enough for a whole dorm to sit on.

“Our living room’s standard academy style—spacious enough for a small party.
Where do you want to stay?”
Aisha introduced enthusiastically.
Charis felt a faint sense of foreboding, as if choosing a spot meant agreeing to something more.

Bang!

Ophelia finally opened the door with her key.
A stickler for rules, she looked at Aisha with exasperation.

“Aisha, you should follow the rules.”

“Come on, Ophelia, we’re home—no need for so many rules.
How about you pick a room for Charis?
Or I’ll take her to study all night.”

Aisha didn’t mind pressing her chest against Charis.
Charis’s head itched, her nose dizzy from the closeness.

“Aisha, don’t cling to her so much.
She’s the one who stripped you bare!”
Ophelia warned, but Aisha shook her head.

“She’s just our little pet.
Do you mind a pet snuggling up?
It’s like a kitten or puppy.”

Aisha puffed out her chest.
Charis found it comfortable but also frustrating.

‘Aisha doesn’t even see me as human. Ophelia’s reaction is more normal.’

Charis didn’t want to dwell on it—she was caught out of necessity.

“She’s not a kitten or puppy—she’s a dragon!”
Ophelia stepped over, trying to pull Charis from Aisha, but Aisha dodged with a vanishing curse.

“Relax, Ophelia. I know you want to pet Charis too, but wait your turn.
I’ve got something on her.”

Aisha looked down, her violet eyes crescent with amusement, fixed on Charis’s neck.

“Uh… what’s on me?”
Charis sensed Aisha staring at her collar area.

“Hand over the stuff yourself, or should I take it?”
Aisha’s arms circled Charis’s waist, fingers counting up her ribs one by one.

“Ah! I’ll give it! Stop teasing me!”

Charis surrendered, overwhelmed.
Aisha was too good at bullying her.

“Tch…”
Ophelia stood to the side, arms crossed, looking like she’d been forced to watch something offensive.