I'll Stop Regressing and Raise a Baby Dragon - Chapter 7

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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 7
Edward stood a half-head taller than Theodore, his posture impeccably upright like that of a model student.
His neatly arranged hair was platinum blonde—the very symbol of Kroiman itself.
Yet his intelligent eyes held a deep green, like a dense forest.
‘He takes after his mother more, it seems.’
Unlike Theodore, who emanated a chill even while motionless, Edward had a soft, gentle bearing.
He held an exceptionally thick book in one hand and grasped the doorknob with the other as he spoke to Theodore.
“Come on, get out. We agreed to do the formal introductions at dinner.”
“Pardon? Who decided that, and when? I heard nothing about it.”
As Theodore protested indignantly, Edward smiled and replied.
“Father decided it.”
……
“Want me to tell him you’re unhappy about it?”
“No.”
Theodore answered in a small, thoroughly deflated voice.
“Wash up and change before dinner.”
……All right.
Theodore turned and left, glancing at Kai and me in turn, then shuffled slowly out the door with slumped shoulders.
“Sorry about that. I startled you, didn’t I?”
Once Theodore vanished, Edward turned to me with an awkward smile.
“It’s fine, Master Edward.”
At my reply, he raised his lips slightly and spoke slowly.
“So you’re Eria?”
“Yes.”
“I hope you’ll feel comfortable here. And if Theodore bothers you again later, let me know.”
Edward offered a gentle smile.
But his eyes, which bored into me, held no emotion whatsoever.
A forced smile.
It was warm enough to fool anyone who didn’t know better.
‘At least that one before seemed honest, whatever his rough temper.’
What was this one thinking so hard about behind those small eyes?
“You’re very kind. Thank you for your consideration.”
I answered with a smile of my own.
Edward, finding no need for further conversation, excused himself and left.
Only after confirming that both brothers had completely left did I close the door again.
Then I hurried to check on Kai.
Fortunately, Kai seemed calmer than before.
“Eria.”
“Mm?”
“Who are they?”
“Those people from before?”
Kai nodded.
“The one talking really loudly before is Theodore.”
“I know. Theodore, Edward.”
“Were you asking because you wanted to know why they’re here?”
“Yes.”
“I’ve become family with those people.”
“Family?”
Kai tilted his head, eyes wide.
“Are you and I family too?”
“No, not exactly.”
Seemingly struck by this, Kai’s eyes opened round as coins as he asked again.
“Why not?”
“Because we’re friends.”
“Friends?”
“Friends are people who… share candy with each other.”
As I said this, I gave him a piece of candy. Kai grinned and popped it into his mouth.
“Candy is good!”
“Yeah, candy is good. Don’t you want some more candy?”
“Yes.”
I pulled out several pieces of candy from my pocket and showed them to him.
Then, before Kai could take them, I tucked them back into my pocket and spoke.
“If a friend gives you one piece of candy at a time, then family gives you several.”
Shaken by my decisive action far more than before, Kai asked with wavering eyes.
“So… you’re giving all the candy to Theodore and Edward?”
“No, that’s not it. All of this is yours, Kai. I like you more than Theodore and Edward.”
“Really?”
Kai’s face lit up with a bright smile as he reached his arms toward me.
“Yes. But since I’m your friend, I’ll only give you one piece at a time.”
Kai’s expression immediately drooped, and he pulled his arms back down.
“…I want to be family with Eria too.”
I laughed lightly and stroked his head.
After tilting his head toward me for a long while, Kai eventually asked with a more relaxed expression.
“Why did Eria become family with those people?”
“Because I want revenge.”
“Revenge?”
“Yes. Against the people who made me this way.”
“Do you need a lot of candy for revenge?”
“Well… yes, I need quite a bit. People who can give me candy.”
Kai tilted his head as if he didn’t understand.
I didn’t bother explaining further and simply smiled it away.
The saying that forgetting is a blessing must surely be true.
I remember the pain I received through countless regressions in vivid, meticulous detail.
So vivid it could emerge from my dreams even as I sleep.
At least Kai was spared that arduous memory, and for that I was grateful.
“I need strength.”
I spoke while stroking Kai’s head.
Even if in this life you and I have not suffered the pain we once did.
Everything you and I have endured does not simply vanish.
For the countless lives you and I have lived, I will find them all and take my revenge.
“To do that, I need the help of the Kroiman family.”
The Kroiman family, standing at the pinnacle of magic.
As a founding family of the Senatra Empire, which stands at the peak of current humanity, their influence is formidable.
The fact that the Illegal Research Institute conducted massive illegal research without being easily discovered.
Suggests they must have had quite powerful backing.
So I too needed strong allies.
The Kroiman family was the perfect fit.
‘They’ve shown me more favor than I expected, which has actually made things better.’
Not only the current family head Luke, but I’ve also won the favor of Edward and Theodore, who will become the next heads of the family.
Naturally using them in my revenge plan.
‘For now, it won’t be easy since Edward and Theodore seem to dislike me.’
In a situation where I don’t even know when I’ll succeed in taking revenge, relying solely on Luke is too risky.
“Kai, while we stay here, let’s train too.”
“What’s training?”
“It’s fun. If you do well, I’ll give you candy.”
At my words, Kai had pouted his lips, but then his eyes sparkled as if some strange thought had occurred to him.
“I don’t like just one piece of candy.”
“If you get one every time you do well, you’ll end up with so many.”
“I still don’t like it.”
“Then should I give you something other than candy?”
“Yes.”
“What kind of thing?”
At my question, Kai stopped laughing and looked at me.
Silence fell.
Beyond the violet retina, tinged with an enigmatic light, I could see my own face wearing an awkward smile.
A heavy chill ran down my spine.
…Am I nervous right now?
‘I thought I was getting along with Kai fine this time without any real trouble…’
Was it just my imagination?
Or did I make some mistake?
I found myself looking back on everything I’d said and done to Kai over the years.
No matter how hard I examined my past actions, there was nothing that seemed worth worrying about.
Was it the 237th time? The 302nd?
In my previous lives, I’d died more than once because Kai and I had grown estranged.
That version of Kai couldn’t control himself—consumed by excessive obsession and distrust toward me.
He eventually lost his reason and spiraled out of control, which resulted in the entire research facility being erased, myself included.
It was a memory I couldn’t forget, so I learned to perfectly adapt myself to Kai’s moods and needs in nearly every situation.
Or at least, that’s what I thought until now.
“Eria.”
“Hm? Yeah?”
Kai squeezed my hand, as if urging me to focus.
He must have noticed my thoughts drifting elsewhere.
Feeling oddly guilty, I turned to face him with a serious expression.
I had no way of knowing what would come next from his lips.
“I want to become family with you, Eria.”
“…What?”
“If I train well, I want to be your family this time too.”
Why did he have to say something like that with such gravity?
He made me tremble for nothing.
I released the tension I’d been holding throughout my body and nodded with a smile.
“All right, then let’s become family once we finish our revenge. I’ll give you lots of candy.”
“Really?”
Kai laughed brightly and pulled me into a tight embrace.
‘It’s fine—Kai’s still young, after all.’
As I tried to convince myself, a knock sounded and Annie entered the room.
“Miss Eria, Young Master Kai. It’s time for dinner.”
“Ah, understood. Come on, Kai, let’s go.”
I hurriedly pulled Kai from my arms and dragged him by the hand.
The displaced Kai pouted, clearly displeased with the sudden separation.
But thanks to the prospect of food, he quickly brightened and trotted along after me.
‘If I train well, I want to be your family this time too.’
‘Why does that suddenly keep coming back to me?’
An odd unease settled over me, but for now, I needed to focus on eating.
***
“Edward, hold a moment.”
After dinner had ended.
Theodore stopped Edward, who was heading toward his room carrying a book as thick as an encyclopedia.
“Theodore? What is it?”
Edward turned back to ask, and Theodore glanced around before speaking in a low whisper.
“Come over here.”
Edward gave a small nod and followed Theodore to their private hideaway.
The moment they arrived at the small attic used as storage, Theodore broached the subject.
“Edward, what do you make of those new arrivals?”

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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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