Chapter 23: Why don’t you use all your strength on me?

Holding the measuring tape, Ophelia lifted Charis’s tail, sliding it along the dragon scales until it reached the base, tightening it.

“Ugh!”

Charis’s tail stiffened and trembled.
Lying face-down on the operating table, she turned her head, glaring at Ophelia with a hint of complaint.

“What’s with you? Tail cramp?”
Ophelia puzzled over the measurement jumping a size, then realized Charis’s dragon tail might swell from blood flow.

“Nothing! Just finish already!”
Charis buried her face back down, quietly enduring the checkup.

‘Seems Charis, like other dragons, hates being pinned on an operating table.
But her tail’s developing nicely.’

Ophelia glanced at the measurement, reporting to Sherri beyond the curtain.

With the final check done, Charis slipped back into her clothes.
Sitting on the table’s edge, swinging her pale legs, she buttoned up while eavesdropping.

“Ophelia, this young dragon’s in good health.
Given her unique form, I compared her to a normal human girl.
In summary, there are some minor issues.”

“Teacher Sherri, don’t keep me in suspense. What’s wrong?”

“What do you usually feed her?”

“Whatever we eat, she eats.”

Ophelia answered honestly.
Sherri shook her head with a sigh, as if expecting this.

“That won’t do.”

“Why not? She seems happy when full.
Didn’t you feed other dragons regular food, Teacher Sherri?”

“Not the same. Those were adolescent or adult dragons, with plenty of hard essence from their juvenile phase.
But you can’t raise a young dragon like that.
Her scales won’t grow properly—she’ll be fragile.
And this one? She hasn’t even eaten her eggshell.”

Sherri’s analysis hit Charis’s condition spot-on.

Done eavesdropping, Charis spoke to the Demon King internally.

“Demon King, Sherri’s got dragon research down pat.
She even guessed I didn’t eat my eggshell.”

“I wish she didn’t.
Scholars like her uncover dragon value, driving reckless hunters to chase them.
It’s why dragons went from a dominant race to a demon subordinate.”

“Sounds heavy with history.”

“No more talk—it’s no good knowing too much.
Seize today’s chance to visit Rat Tail Alley again.
You’ll find things to strengthen your scales and help you climb curse tiers faster.”

Demon King Talos pointed the way to strength.
Charis took note—she’d have to make it happen herself.

‘How do I get Ophelia to let me go, or take me, to Rat Tail Alley again?’

Thwack.

Charis’s forehead was flicked.
She covered it, looking up to see Ophelia bending down.

“Zoning out? I called you. Where do you want to go?”

“Uh, Rat Tail Alley.”

Charis blurted it out, unaware of the context.

“Rat Tail Alley?”
Ophelia rubbed her chin, nodding.
“Fair point. You might find the hard goods you need there.”

“I told you, young dragons seek their own path to thrive.
Take her to buy some hard goods to munch on—boost her scale’s hard essence.
Don’t skimp on spending; dragons crave all sorts of odd things.”

Sherri advised, returning to the counter to organize Charis’s collected data.

‘She was asking where I wanted to find food to get stronger?
Perfect—our plans align!’

‘I’ve gotta milk Ophelia for all she’s worth.’

Charis’s scheming showed on her face.
Seeing her smug grin, Ophelia pinched her cheek.

“Don’t look so cocky.
If your cravings are too wild, I’ll just get you turtle shells—they’ll boost your scale’s hard essence too.”

“What? You’d really make me chew turtle shells?”

“Worst-case scenario if the budget’s tight.”

Ophelia spoke matter-of-factly, patting Charis’s backside.

“You’re spanking me again.”
Charis grumbled.

“Get moving, or I’ll leave you with Teacher Sherri.”
Ophelia took Charis’s hand, firm but reluctant inside.

“Hmph.”
Charis hopped off the table, pouting but following.

Watching the human and dragon bicker yet move in sync toward the door, Sherri smiled, propping her face and muttering.

“Heh… Ophelia, seeing you now reminds me of your childhood, with that little sister trailing you.
They’re about the same height, aren’t they?”

Sherri’s words made Ophelia freeze mid-step.
She turned, her red eyes glimmering with an inexplicable melancholy.

‘What’s with her? Why does she look so… sad?’

Charis looked up, unable to read Ophelia’s past, only listening.

“That’s all in the past. She’s gone, and I’ve got my new life.”
Ophelia pursed her lips, gripping Charis’s hand tightly.

‘So tight! Using all your strength on me!’

For some reason, Charis felt a strange urge.
She squeezed back—not to compete, but to respond to Ophelia.

Sensing Charis’s “protest,” Ophelia glanced down, her somber expression softening into a smile.

“Yeah, you’re a sword saintess now.
Why did their attitude toward you shift so suddenly—especially your sister’s, just over a curse issue?”
Sherri sighed, her tone tinged with regret.

“My family saw me as worthless.
No point talking about the past—it’s boring.”
Ophelia shrugged, long over it.

“True, no need to dwell.
Living well with your friends matters most.
The Demon King’s defeat is done—forgot to congratulate our sword saintess on her triumphant return.”

Sherri clapped lightly.
Ophelia smiled wryly at the applause.

“Bit late, Teacher Sherri. I’m already leaving.”

“Not late while you’re in my clinic.
Go take Charis shopping—she’s itching to go.”

“Alright, let’s go, Charis, to your precious Rat Tail Alley.”

“Okay.”

Charis replied flatly, watching Ophelia’s back and quietly memorizing their conversation.