I'll Stop Regressing and Raise a Baby Dragon - Chapter 27

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Episode 27
Unlike Edward, who was frowning behind me, Kael wore an affable smile.
“Haha, the Young Master is truly virtuous, with a kind heart indeed.”
“He’s my beloved older brother.”
“…Both of you praising me so generously—I’m almost embarrassed.”
Edward concluded the exchange without so much as a blush on his face.
“Ah, well, I was thinking we might set a date for the next house call.”
Kael steered the conversation away, pulling out the notebook I’d seen him with earlier.
And then he took hold of that pen.
“…When would suit you?”
Edward asked calmly.
His gaze had already fixed itself on the pen.
Something shifted—a subtle tension now emanated from him, cutting through his earlier composure.
And I felt it too; my own pulse had begun to quicken.
My heart was racing so fast it felt as though it might burst free from my chest.
‘…It was fine just moments ago.’
The calm I’d felt only seconds before now spiraled into chaos.
I felt the forced smile on my face begin to twitch, so I let it drop.
Instead, I feigned drowsiness, rubbing my eyes and pulling the blanket closer.
My hands were trembling, slicked with cold sweat, so I tucked them beneath the covers.
I didn’t want to raise suspicion at this point.
‘It’s fine. Nothing’s happened yet.’
If something did go wrong, Kai was waiting right next door.
Whatever else might be said, there was no one here who could stand against a dragon, newborn or not.
Besides, Kai wasn’t wearing the Mana Restraint Tool like when he was in the Research Facility.
‘…Though if Kai ended up facing Luke, that would be a different story entirely.’
That absurd thought nearly made me laugh aloud.
Since when did I think like Theodore?
But that ridiculous notion did ease my tension considerably.
And it was enough to let me continue speaking naturally again.
“…Please come whenever it’s convenient for you, Doctor.”
“What are you saying, Eria?”
Before Kael could even respond, Edward raised his voice in feigned surprise.
“If you already have a set schedule, then so be it—but if not, your recovery comes first.”
Worry dripped from Edward’s voice as he spoke carefully.
Not content to hide it in his tone alone, his expression too had become perfectly guarded.
By then, even the rims of his eyes had flushed red.
‘…Did he really have to go that far?’
Just how much had he committed to the role of a devoted older brother?
“Well, um, I think there should be time! I can always make—”
Kael, wedged awkwardly between us, fidgeted as he watched our faces.
His discomfort vanished the moment he glanced at his notebook.
“Ah, fortunately there’s nothing particularly urgent scheduled for this week.”
“Is that so? That’s a relief.”
Edward sighed with relief.
Kael made the first suggestion to us both.
“Shall we observe how you respond to the treatment, and then I’ll return in three days?”
“Yes. That’s possible.”
At Edward’s agreement, Kael smiled and began writing something in his notebook with the pen.
“…Kael.”
“Yes?”
“That pen—I see it quite often.”
Edward asked smoothly, his eyes gleaming with what seemed like genuine curiosity.
“Who gave it to you?”
As if the pen’s origin truly mattered to him.
‘What will he say…?’
I swallowed dryly, careful not to let it show, and waited for Kael’s answer.
He turned to look back at Edward and held up the pen.
“Ah, this one?”
“Yes.”
Kael showed no sign of confusion.
“This was a gift from my sponsor, many years ago.”
He turned the pen so I and Edward could see the snake-patterned design clearly.
“A truly generous person, aren’t they?”
His face was brimming with pride and reverence as he spoke.
“Without their help, I wouldn’t have made it to university—I’d have been scraping by day to day.”
Of course, he showed no sign of tension or agitation whatsoever.
‘…That’s not a good sign at all.’
Edward’s eyes widened and he nodded earnestly.
“They’ve done me a favor too. Otherwise, I might never have met you.”
Edward listened intently to Kael’s words, appearing to empathize.
Yet despite the smile playing at his lips, his eyes remained joyless.
“Ha ha ha, quite right—I carry this pen with me always, as a token of my gratitude.”
Kael laughed heartily, stroking the pen’s design.
It seemed like a gesture made without thought.
If anyone else had been watching, they would have let it pass without a second glance.
But.
‘Three to six. Then again from three to twelve….’
He caressed the rim in the same direction, with the same intervals each time.
It wasn’t the first or second time I’d noticed it.
Every time he took that posture and then used the pen to prick the test subjects,
most of the children would lose consciousness or cry out in agony.
“…….”
Our eyes met.
In that fleeting instant, his gaze was lifeless—the eyes of a corpse.
A chill—
Goosebumps erupted across my entire body.
If not for the bed beneath me, I might have lost my balance entirely.
…Had I underestimated him because his manner of speaking seemed so guileless?
“I’d love to meet this fine person someday.”
At Edward’s words, Kael’s expression grew wistful.
“Well, it’s been so long since we last spoke… They exist only in my memories now.”
Edward’s eyes drooped sadly at this.
“What a pity.”
“But now I have the young master to work with!”
“Because your skills are truly exceptional, sir.”
“Ah, well. It’s all luck. Sheer luck.”
With that, Kael tucked the pen and notebook into his pocket.
He rose from his seat.
“Then I shall see you again in four days.”
He picked up his bag and headed for the door.
“…Please, take care on your way!”
I offered the warmest smile I could manage as I bade him farewell.
Edward followed him from the room.
“I’ll see you out.”
“Ah, yes—please, go on ahead.”
Kael made no objection and opened the door.
With a light bow from Kael, the two of them stepped out into the hallway.
“……Ugh—”
Something I’d been holding back came rushing up, and I gagged.
I climbed out of bed as quickly as I could manage.
But I didn’t get far before my legs gave out and I collapsed to the floor.
“……Uhhh—”
‘The room won’t stop spinning….’
A deep vertigo overtook me, and I leaned back against the wall.
My chest felt tight and suffocating.
“……None of this,”
No. That’s wrong.
None of this should matter.
I never met the person I saw in the Research Facility.
“Gasp… gasp…”
For a very long time.
Only after soothing herself at such length could she finally stand.
‘…Kai.’
He would still be waiting.
“…I’m sorry.”
Now that someone from the Research Institute had infiltrated this close.
‘If Kai and I are to survive with peace of mind, I need to devise a plan quickly.’
With a heavy heart, she trudged toward the desk.
She had to hurry with what needed doing so she could reach him.
***
Edward and Kael maintained silence as they walked toward the Entrance Hall.
Throughout the walk, Kael hummed a light tune.
It was a melody Edward had never heard before.
When the soft, flowing notes would suddenly cut off and resolve into a single complete phrase.
It left behind an inexplicable unease and displeasure—a strange song indeed.
‘I want to stop hearing it.’
Edward forced a dark smile to suppress his inner thoughts.
“Ah, does Young Master also enjoy this song?”
Kael, catching sight of that smile, asked.
“It’s not bad.”
Edward answered curtly.
“Haha, I suppose my singing voice leaves much to be desired.”
Kael laughed awkwardly, as if sensing Edward’s true feelings.
“No, that’s not it…”
At Edward’s follow-up explanation, Kael waved his hand.
“There’s no need for you to match my rhythm.”
“…”
“We’ve known each other since childhood, haven’t we?”
“…Yes, that’s true.”
Which was precisely why he was so unsettled.
One of the few people he had trusted completely as ‘his side’.
The possibility that such a person could belong to that dreadful organization…
‘There’s so much I need to discuss again with Eria.’
I should tell her to think more carefully about matters concerning Kael—
“So wouldn’t it only be natural for Young Master to choose me over that fool?”
“…Pardon?”
Did he mishear?
What did he just say…?
“I couldn’t sleep nights worrying about Young Master.”
Slowly, casually.
Arrogantly.
Kael jabbed Edward’s arm.
“…!”
In his hand was a Snake-Patterned Pen.
“Playing with that will make you bite, Young Master.”
“…K-Kael—what is this, what—”
Edward staggered, steadying himself against the wall.
“Well, it’s not as though Young Master had any choice anyway.”
Kael smiled with contempt and slipped the pen back into his pocket.
“Or would you prefer to become the worst Croiman in all history?”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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