The Blue Dragon Clan’s Very Suspicious Little Chick - Chapter 13

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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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Chapter 13

“Instructor, what on earth are you doing in the dirt?”
Aran was utterly bewildered, but Cheongun scooped her up without ceremony, brushed the soil from her feet, and fussed over her with worried little huffs.
“If you’re going to practice running, we’ll do it on the grass over there.”
So that was where all the Instructor’s insistence on grass drills came from!
Master, soft ground makes it harder to run, doesn’t it—!
Grass gets caught between my claws!
Sorim stepped forward beside the perplexed Aran, his expression flustered as he began his explanation.
“Ah, you see, it’s like this. The young lady has expressed a desire to begin Flight practice, and since I wasn’t certain of the proper method, I was simply observing for the moment.”
“Flight? Flight training should be done in the Nursery, shouldn’t it?”
Cheongun said the same thing as Sorim.
Sorim glanced between his lord and Aran, then continued with careful deliberation.
“Yes, sir. That’s what I thought as well, but the young lady insisted this spot was better.”
Aran bobbed her head in agreement with Sorim.
“Chirp-chirp.”
(Master, you’re in the way. Off with you now.)
Cheongun, unable to understand the words, studied Aran with a grave expression.
Flight practice?
He gently lifted one of her wings and examined it—it looked impossibly small and delicate.
Cheongun said nothing, but Aran could read his thoughts plain as day across his face.
Goodness, you mean to fly with those wings?
They still have so much growing to do.
Of course, that was a misunderstanding.
Aran set her beak and fluttered her wings indignantly.
“Chirp! Chirp-chirp!”
(Let me down and let me practice! I have a plan, I’ll have you know!)
But Aran’s display had the opposite effect.
Cheongun examined her more closely and spotted a tiny abrasion on one of her feet.
“Instructor, look here a moment. There—isn’t that a wound?”
What? A wound?
Aran was simply stunned, but Sorim, who had been watching until then, went very still.
“She showed no sign of pain, so I failed to notice. That was my oversight.”
Aran tilted her head as far as it would go in protest.
“Chirp? Chirp? Chirp-chirp?”
(But it doesn’t hurt! That’s not a wound—it’s just a marking, maybe?)
Of course, her excuses fell on deaf ears and convinced no one.
In the end, Aran didn’t get to run even once before she was hauled off to see the physician.
“Squeak? Chirp-chirp!”
(Mother! Dragons don’t have all the scales! A Vermillion Bird’s feet are perfectly serviceable too!)
She even appealed to Cheongun with invocations of her mother, but the world remained ignorant that Aran was anything more than an ordinary young Vermillion Bird.
This is absolutely unreasonable—!

***

In the end, Aran found herself being treated for feet that didn’t ache at all, sentenced to a single day of rest.
“Chirp.”
(There are limits to disrespecting a great Vermillion Bird.)
The baby bird with a grand spirit rolled back and forth across the room, her beak stuck out stubbornly.
“Chirp-chirp.”
(If they won’t let me practice like this, how am I ever supposed to fly all the way to Xuanwu Palace?)
As she brooded, a knock sounded at the door.
Aran perked up hopefully.
“Chirp?”
(Is that Yeon?)
If she could get Yeon to call Hwi over, she could explain why Flight practice was necessary!
But something seemed off about the figure that entered through the open door.
“Chirp?”
(What are you doing?)
The creature who had toddled in with faltering steps just yesterday was now crawling on his hands across the floor.
“Oh, Aran!”
Upon spotting Aran, Yeon’s drooping eyes crinkled in delight, and he lifted his hands to sit up properly.
Then, as though he’d been rehearsing, he launched into an earnest declaration.
“Really, Aran! Babies get stronger when they crawl! So Yeon is gonna crawl now too.”
It was the most peculiar nonsense she’d ever heard.
“Chirp?”
(What on earth are you talking about?)
Yeon grinned innocently, beaming as he spoke again.
“I mean it! It’s not ’cause I want to grow bigger than Aran, and it’s not ’cause I’m worried you’ll be sad either!”
Good heavens, this little wretch.
Aran felt her chest tighten—she was half-tempted to fall for his scheme—but what was the point?
The Vermillion Bird, second to none in rationality, swallowed a bitter laugh and looked directly at Yeon.
“Chirp, chirp-chirp.”
(Listen carefully to what I’m about to say, Yeon.)
At her serious tone, Yeon’s eyes widened with tension.
“Chirp-chirp. Chirp-chirp-chirp.”
(First, you’re a dragon. You’re supposed to grow far, far larger than a bird. There’s no such thing as a pathetically small dragon in this world.)
“But, that’s just… I mean…”
“Squawk, chirp-chirp?”
(And besides, what kind of man born into this world speaks out of both sides of his mouth? You promised you’d hold me close—did you already grow tired of it?)
Yeon jolted in surprise and scrambled to his feet.
“No! That’s not it—I just… Yeon’s worried that maybe Aran will be sad…”
“Chirp.”
(Even if I were foolish, it’s better to have one fool in a house than two.)
“What? Aran is… foolish…?”
When Yeon took the metaphor literally and seemed about to fret over it, Aran let out a sharp squawk.
“Chirp-chirp!”
(That’s not what this means!)
Agitated, Aran sputtered and fluttered.
“Chirp-chirp! Chirp-chirp-chirp?!”
(I am going to become a truly magnificent Vermillion Bird! Must you really need me to spell it out for you?!)
Yeon, who had been fidgeting the whole while, burst into a broad grin and scooped Aran into his arms.
“I know! I know! Aran is an amazing and super smart Vermillion Bird!”
“Chirp-chirp. Chirp-chirp.”
(That’s right. And my wings are itching—I want to practice my Flight. So I need you to tell Sorim about this.)
Yeon nodded emphatically.
“Mm-hmm, I’ll tell him. Aran’s wings are itchy so she needs to practice flying. I’ll make sure to tell my brother.”
Aran felt the child’s small hand stroking her head and shook her head slowly.
For all his forward manners, the Azure Dragons truly were a kind lot.

***

Yet as the days wore on, Aran came to understand with painful clarity that the Azure Dragons’ kindness had its limits.
No matter how sincerely she conveyed her wishes through Yeon, not a single Azure Dragon would help her practice Flight.

“Poor little Aran, already eager to soar away from her mother’s embrace—how it breaks my heart.”

Gaju spoke first, spouting transparent nonsense to avoid honoring the request, while Sorim avoided Aran altogether, as though he’d decided to have nothing to do with the matter.
“Chirp?!”
(You think I can’t do it myself?!)
The Vermillion Bird who had once been mighty burned with indignation and began to watch for her chance.
After several days of waiting, the opportunity arrived.
When Sorim stepped out of the room for a moment, Aran slipped quietly from her temporary quarters.
Going all the way to the Garden risked being discovered.
Aran had no intention of traveling far; instead, she ran down the corridor with all her might.
And when at last her speed built up, she flapped—
her wings surged forward with powerful strokes.
Amid the mingled sound of tiny feet pattering and wings fluttering, Aran achieved her first true Flight at the far end of the corridor.
“Chirp!”
(I’m flying!)
True, it lasted only a moment—the merest instant.
Yet the sensation of her two feet leaving the ground filled her with a strange, intoxicating joy.
Just as Aran’s spirits reached their peak, a familiar servant appeared before her.
“My goodness! Young mistress? However did you come all this way alone?”
“Chirp.”
(Lucky timing. Open that door for me, would you?)
Aran spoke confidently, stretching one wing to the side, and the servant tilted her head in confusion.
“Open the door? Mm? Where is your trainer?”
“Chirp chirp!”
(Come on, just open the door!)
Aran flapped both wings frantically with a cry, and the servant, yielding, opened the door.
Perfect!
From there, Aran slipped out of the hallway and ventured toward the rear of the building, a place she rarely visited.
Another servant passed by, regarding the young bird with curious eyes, but thankfully made no move to stop her.
Aran discovered a straight, level path lined with flat, broad stones.
“Chirp.”
(This spot will do nicely.)
She stretched her wings fully as though warming up, then folded them back.
After pausing to march in place a few times, she steadied her breathing—in and out, slow and measured.
Now then, let’s try again!
Patter, patter, patter, patter.
Her careful stride gradually lengthened.
Though still clumsy, her whole wings fluttered with vigor.
And when she’d built up enough speed—hop!
This time she rose higher into the air.
At least above her own height?
But that was where the problem lay.
Her inexperienced wings flapped frantically, yet her small body began to plummet at once.
Aran forced herself to stay calm.
It’s not a high enough fall to hurt. This much is nothing at all——
Yet despite her resolve, her tiny eyes clenched shut of their own accord.
But no matter how long she waited, she didn’t strike the ground.
“Chirp?”
(What?)
For reasons she couldn’t fathom, Aran descended gently, more softly than a dandelion seed on a spring breeze.
When she lifted her head in bewilderment, she saw them—a pair of earth-brown eyes, the very ones she feared most.
The Second Azure Dragon, whom she had encountered only twice in half a year at the Azure Dragon Palace, stood before her with a terrible, piercing gaze.
The Azure Dragon Clan’s Questionable Chirping—Chapter 13
E-book publication date | August 5, 2026

Author | Ravioli
Publisher | Odd Eye
Submissions/inquiries | [email protected]

UCI | G720:N+A101-20260722065.0013
Price | 100 won

© Ravioli 2026

This e-book is protected under copyright law.
This e-book has been published under contract with the author, and unauthorized reproduction, distribution, sharing, or transmission in any form without written consent from both parties is prohibited.

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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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