Chapter 22: Is it necessary to lift it up for testing?

Despite her reluctance, Charis was dragged into the shop by Ophelia.

The shop’s sign was tucked inside, forcing Charis to tilt her head to read it.
A worn wooden plaque read “Reptile Clinic.”

According to Ophelia, Sherri ran the clinic and was one of Xaska Kingdom’s top dragon ecology researchers.

Inside, Charis immediately spotted a black-haired woman slumped over the counter.

Her white coat nearly touched the floor, a stethoscope dangled loosely from her neck, and thick square glasses sat in front of dark circles—she looked exhausted, likely from frequent all-nighters.

“That’s Teacher Sherri. Looks like she’s asleep.”
Ophelia moved to wake her, but Charis froze in place, refusing to budge.

“How can you disturb someone sleeping?
Look at those dark circles—let her rest.”
Charis feigned concern, her words sounding sincere.

“Oh? So you care about people now?”
Ophelia’s mocking tone was unmistakable, and Charis nodded, holding back her irritation.

“Yep! I love humans! So let’s go home!”

Charis turned to bolt, but Ophelia held her hand tightly, pulling her back with a gentle lift.

“Running? No chance.”

“You… you’re really making me do this checkup?”

Charis’s small brows furrowed pitifully, her pure blue eyes tugging at the heartstrings, almost begging for sympathy.

“Nice acting, but I’m set on this.”

Ophelia flicked Charis’s forehead.
Charis yelped, covering it with both hands, glaring at Ophelia with resentment.

“Staring won’t help. You’re a wild dragon.
Even house pets need epidemic inspections, and you, with no safety certification, need it more… It’s for your own good.”

Ophelia listed her reasons thoroughly, counting them on her fingers.
Charis had no comeback.

‘The sword saintess really sees me as a pure pet. Fine, I’ll endure!’

Seeing Charis puff up silently, Ophelia nodded, pleased her lecture wasn’t wasted.

With Charis settled, it was time to wake Teacher Sherri.

Ophelia pulled Charis to the counter, knocking loudly on it.
Sherri merely turned her head, still asleep.

“Sigh… Teacher Sherri! I’m here!”

Ophelia shouted, startling Sherri awake.
She fumbled to fix her glasses, which had slipped to her lips, blinking in shock at Ophelia.

“Phew! It’s you—scared me half to death.
What brings you here?”
Sherri patted her face, then noticed Charis, a head shorter, beside Ophelia.

“Who’s this…?”

For some reason, the moment Sherri’s eyes landed on Charis, goosebumps prickled her skin.

Out of courtesy for a first meeting, Charis thought to greet her.

“Hi, I’m—”

“You’re a dragon, right? I can tell.
How’d you grow to look like this? So rare.”

“Huh?”

“Not bad, your reactions are logical too.”

Sherri stepped out from the counter, circling Charis, nodding and muttering strange academic terms.

“How’d you know my race?”

Charis was baffled—she’d hidden her dragon traits perfectly; no passerby could tell.

“Because Ophelia has few friends and wouldn’t bring just anyone here.
Plus, your body gives off a unique magical essence scent.
I’ve studied plenty of dragons, so I know.”

Sherri propped her chin, studying Charis, then turned to Ophelia.

“Ophelia, how’d you get her?”

“Picked her up, basically.”

“That’s some luck.
Hand her over to me?”

“No way.”
Ophelia tightened her grip on Charis’s hand, her stance firm.

“Not here to give her to me?
Pity, I thought our friendship was that deep.”

“No, Teacher Sherri, I just need you to give her a checkup.”

“A checkup? Sure~ But I’ll need one piece of payment from her.”

Sherri crossed her arms, her gaze scanning Charis from face to abdomen.

“Uh… what are you looking at?”
Charis clamped her legs together, hands covering her stomach.

“Oh? She’s shy!”
Sherri’s eyes lit up with intrigue.

“She’s got a bit of spirit, Teacher Sherri.
Don’t treat her like a typical research subject.”
Ophelia clarified.

“Got it, got it. Since she’s sharp, I’ll ask her directly.”
Sherri grinned, pointing to a pristine operating table.

“Willing to lie down and let me take an abdominal scale?”

Take an abdominal scale? That sounds painful!

Charis shook her head like a rattle, absolutely refusing.

“Teacher Sherri, she only has scales on her tail and horns—nowhere else.”
Ophelia added.

“What? That’s impossible!
Even humanoid dragons should have more scales.”
Sherri’s jaw nearly dropped—Charis defied her expectations.

“I’ve checked her. She’s mostly human-like, so I want you to examine her body for any issues.
I’m a bit worried.”

Ophelia explained her reasons, debating with Sherri further.

Charis didn’t catch much, only hearing Ophelia say she was “worried about her,” which surprised her.

‘We’re supposed to be enemies.
I don’t mean to fight, but you’re letting your guard down like this?’

Since the checkup was for her benefit, Charis decided to accept it.
Free medical care was a win!

After Ophelia and Sherri’s negotiations, Charis willingly climbed onto the operating table, mouth open for Sherri’s inspection.

“Tongue coating healthy, no cavities, horns in the two-prong stage—juvenile dragon.”

Sherri reported as she examined, Ophelia jotting notes in a small book.

“Ugh… are we done?”
Charis closed her mouth, full of air.

“One last thing.
Ophelia, grab a measuring tape.
I’ll record this dragon’s tail diameter.
You hold her hips steady and lift her tail.”

“Got it.”

Seeing Ophelia approach to measure her tail’s thickness, Charis curled it tightly.

“Do you have to lift it to measure?”
Charis clutched her tail, looking at Ophelia.

“Yes, we need the base diameter.
Now take off your clothes and lie face down.”
Ophelia grabbed the tip of Charis’s tail, slowly taking control.

“Take off my clothes? With you both watching?”
Charis felt embarrassed, especially with Sherri nearby.

“Oh? Guess I can’t stay then.
You call out the numbers, I’ll record.”

Sherri pulled a curtain, shielding the operating table, and stood outside.

“Just undress.
Get it done, and we’ll head back.”
Ophelia urged.

“Don’t rush me… I’m not refusing.”
Charis gritted her teeth, slowly slipping off her shoulder straps.
Her soft, fair shoulders gleamed under the surgical light, pinkish-white and striking.

‘Ugh… why do I feel like a villain forcing her?’

Ophelia felt odd—every time she blurred the line between Charis and humans, this feeling crept in.