Chapter 221: A Grown Tol To-ri (2)
No matter how much I rubbed at my eyes, the result stayed the same.
[Checking the unique characteristic of the legendary-grade named monster, Dark Dragon, Dialuria.]
[Twisted and Dangerous Affection in the Dark]
[#Father can’t stop him]
[#Mom is annoying, too]
‘What is this?’
It was hard to understand what the hell was going on. Somehow, I could feel that he had been sticking to me too much, but I never expected him to grow in this direction.
‘This…’
I found it so ridiculous that I couldn’t help but laugh. Perhaps it was because I had been away for such a long time.
I thought that I’d been good to him and cherished him in my own way, but I didn’t realize that he would become this way because I hadn’t gone to see him in so long.
‘Plus, what’s up with the hashtags?’
If Dialugia knew what her son thought of her, it would drive a stake through her heart.
The only thing I could be relieved of was that his disposition had not yet been decided.
‘Is it possible to change the characteristic already created?’
I was anxious about one thing.
There was no choice but to pray for a good disposition. It seemed a little late, but I had to pay attention to his education with all my strength from now on.
‘If you can change the odds, change it… They have to choose a disposition that is as good and safe as possible.’
Only then could this extreme situation be reversed.
“I said you should be quiet, didn’t I?”
“Haaaa!”
“It’s not good if you threaten other people.”
“Kiek!”
“Today, you need to be quiet in order to be together with me. Otherwise, I’ll send you back to your mom right away. You got that?”
“Kiee-ek!”
He had an expression full of dissatisfaction. However, seeing that he nodded effusively, it seemed that he did not want to return to his mother.
It was natural to show such a reaction since I only saw him again after a few months, but my anxiety did not go away. I felt like sending Tol To-ri back to his mother right away.
However, when I remembered how tired Dialugia looked, I knew I couldn’t. First, I had to control Dialuria with a half-threat to keep him well-behaved.
However, he kept trembling and sending wary looks whenever women passed by.
Most people were interested in whether he seemed cute, blowing air out of his nose while blinking those big eyes. I was sure he would bite if they approached too near.
As I entered the lecture room with these thoughts, I saw the trainees looking at me with nervous expressions on their faces. They greeted me as soon as I took my seat.
“Instructor, hello.”
“Yes. It’s nice to meet you, everyone.”
How everyone here treated me had changed the moment they found out about my titles, and how most of them had their base talent situated within alchemy. I also knew that the more they tried to dig in information about me, the more they realized how unique I was in this field.
Sure, there might be stronger people than Cha Hee-ra on this content, and there may be wizards who were more familiar with magic than Jung Hayan, but there was no alchemist who was better than me, as far as I knew, especially among players.
I was a Dragon Alchemist, a unique legendary-grade class. Even if there was someone who had a better understanding of alchemy than me, there was no way he could follow me in the field related to dragons.
In other words, they saw me as just a mere production worker, so they must’ve thought that I had risen to the top with only alchemy. I was a person who changed the continent’s perception of alchemy and was named one of the continent’s Eight Seats.
I even devoted myself quite a bit to this class, so it was not unreasonable that people who respected me began to increase.
‘Even I think it’s a little amazing…’
I could even see Han Sora straightening up, expecting what I would be teaching today. Unfortunately, I had no intention of starting another lesson.
“In fact, there will be no class today.”
“Ah…”
As soon as I said this, more than half of the class donned saddened expressions.
Though the trainees ended up enjoying alchemy class, I had already taught them all that I could. What direction they would next take would depend entirely on them.
“There are also only three days left until completion… I’ve taught you most of the basic things. Some of you have already changed your class as an alchemist, so you must know, some of the knowledge I gave you is much greater than the basic knowledge they infuse.”
‘Although this is all based on Ramus Tucker’s Introduction to Alchemy…’
Heroic-grade books contained more advanced information than a normal one. More than half of the trainees in my class would have no problem making some money just from being an alchemist.
“In fact, even if we did an alchemy experiment today, there wouldn’t be a big difference for you. From now on, this is an area where each person must study in the direction they will choose to take. How you will grow will be up to you.”
One of my more dedicated students raised his hand.
“Then today’s class…”
“Let’s make it a little more fun. For this session, I’ll turn it into a time to respond to your questions. Perhaps this will be a little more helpful for you. I’ll answer any question you might have.”
“Ah!”
I was expecting to receive some academically-related questions, which was why the first question surprised me.
“Well, then Instructor Lee Kiyoung. If it’s okay, can I ask you about the… creature on your back?”
A lot of the trainees seemed wary of Tol To-ri, who had been glaring at all of them.
It wasn’t a question I couldn’t answer, so I spoke with no hesitation.
“This is a dragon.”
“Ah…”
Murmurs responded to my answer.
“Er… I’m Kim Min-young, a trainee who has been appointed to join the Magic Guild. That… I’ve heard that a dragon chose instructor Lee Kiyoung. Is it that dragon?”
“The dragon that chose me is this child’s mother. Perhaps, if you go to Lindel, you can check it with your own eyes. There is a big nest just outside the city. In terms of size, it will probably be several times that of this training camp.”
“Wow…”
“I would like to tell you a little bit more, but most of the detailed information about the dragon is confidential. There is no need to block in our guild. The Empire controls the information. Of course, very basic information is already available on the market, but… Anyway, let’s stop talking about this. Any other questions?”
“Er, Instructor Lee Kiyoung?”
“Yes.”
“If it’s okay, by any chance, you… with the Mercenary Queen…”
“Yes. I have a relationship with her.”
‘Are they really asking these questions?’
The ones who had been asking me were the same girls who had tortured Han Sora. It appeared that they weren’t aware of how valuable this time would be for them.
“Do you have any plans of adding more lovers?”
The next question was a little more spectacular. Apparently, they were more interested in personal questions. Unfortunately, if they thought I would take in one of them, they were wrong.
“Kiee-ek!”
Tol To-ri also began to stare at them, looking seemingly frustrated with their questions. I also felt a little annoyed, yet I knew it was my fault for not specifying which questions to expect.
However, for these trainees, they were throwing away the opportunity to get good tips for alchemy.
It was then that Han Sora raised her hand.
“I’m Han Sora. That… About what you said earlier, you said that from now on, it is an area where each person should study… I want to know exactly what you mean.”
“Okay.”
‘This is a good one.’
It was the most realistic question for one to ask.
“Can I think of it as a question that asks me how I wanted to grow?”
“I’m embarrassed, but… That’s right.”
She was probably asking this because she knew just how bleak her future was.
“Well… If I were to explain it simply, you could think of it as going into an advanced course of one discipline. Let’s suppose that we are learning about cars. You guys have now realized what a car is like. We know how a car is, and we know what it does.”
“Yes.”
“Let’s think of it as a little specialization. Yes, specialization. Now that I realized what a car is, I just need to dig into it a little more intensively. Which way you go, of course, is up to you.”
“Ah…”
“Some people will study the exterior of cars, and others will dig into engines and some of the devices inside. Perhaps some people will change their direction and think about motorcycles. The same goes for alchemy.”
“…”
“Potions, homunculus, chimeras, catalysts… the areas vary. Of course, there may be other areas that I do not know.”
“If it’s okay, can I ask you what area you studied?”
“Of course. I first majored in living bodies. Naturally, I set foot in other areas, too, but it can be said that the main thing I started researching was about potions and living bodies. After that, I studied dragons professionally.”
“Ah…”
“Being a pioneer in one field has quite a merit. Those who think ‘what can be done with only alchemy’ are people who don’t deserve to be an alchemist. Look.”
As I slowly gathered magic power in my hand, magical power splashed out of my hand with a snapping sound. As I flicked my fingers lightly, a pair of dragon arms began to form on either side of the blackboard behind me.
At this point, the trainees were probably well aware that this was not a simple model.
Although the size was reduced to one that could fit in the classroom, I could see the trainees’ faces whitening as the arms began to move.
“It… can’t be…”
“Huh?”
Awe was written on everyone’s faces.
“How… This is… This is nonsense. How is this even possible?”
‘Effort and experience, class correction, a genius wizard’s support, and a devoted dragon, non-dry resources, as well as natural luck.’
In fact, the most important were the last three, but I couldn’t say that.
“It seems a little difficult to answer that question. It’s okay to say as what I just showed you is my breadwinner. If you think carefully about why an alchemist is not just a class, but a wizard’s higher class, the answer will eventually come.”
“Ah…”
“You may be able to realize the ridiculous things you imagine in your head. If you just drink, you might be able to make a potion that can turn you into a superhuman. Perhaps there is someone who can create the Homunculus or Sage’s Stone. Of course, even if it takes a lifetime, some people do not realize even half of the class’s contents… Your question was pretty good, trainee Han Sora.”
“Thank… you.”
“A lot of time has passed receiving unnecessary questions… Let’s finish with a few words.”
“Ah…”
“You’ve all worked hard.”
“…”
“Perhaps most of you received offers from guilds or clans, right?”
“Yes.”
“Some are medium-sized, and some are large, and some are small, but well, it doesn’t matter. The important thing is that Lindel needs you.”
“…”
“The reason I joined this class is that I was asked to share some of my alchemy knowledge at the city level… no, the Empire level. If you think about it that way, you will find an answer. The world has changed. They think they need an alchemist at the Empire level so that it would be okay for clans and guilds to invest a little more in alchemy and other production positions.”
“Ah…”
“You are part of a project under the Empire level. I’m not going to tell you to show outstanding performance, but at least try to get out and make sure you don’t get humiliated. If you can’t prove your worth, you’ll be thrown back and will have to beg on the road.”
I didn’t know if they understood what I said, but the room had now become quiet.
“The reason I taught you to the best of my ability was not because I like you, but because it was a national project. I think you can understand what I’m talking about.”
“…”
“Don’t disgrace my name, everyone. And…”
“…”
“If you come to me when you’re having a hard time, I’ll give you some advice. Thank you for your hard work.”