Chapter 4

The air went dead still.

Next second? Jaws hit the floor.

That world-ending black magic storm? The second the dragon met my eyes, it stopped. Just stopped.

The blood-red drained from its eyes. Fast.

It gave me one long, deep look. Then it threw its head back and let out a deafening roar. Its massive body morphed into a violent black tornado. It smashed right through the broken ceiling. Vanished into the clouds.

The storm died instantly.

Everything happened way too fast. People just collapsed to the floor.

My heart was hammering against my ribs. Took me forever to catch my breath.

I almost died.

People were shaking. Helping each other up to evacuate. Right then, a silver origami crane fluttered through the wreckage. Landed flawlessly on my shoulder.

It unfolded. Professor Julian's voice came out. Cold. Absolute.

"Elara. My office. Now."

I stared at it.

Now?!

We literally just survived a dragon attack. Everyone was evacuating. And the strictest, coldest professor on campus was summoning me right this second?!

Ten minutes later. Head full of questions. Trembling. I pushed open the door to the Ancient Magic History office.

The second I stepped inside, a freezing, terrifying aura hit me like a wall.

Julian sat behind a massive desk.

He wore a meticulous dark robe. Buttoned all the way up.

He was wrapped up tight. But as he flipped files, his tight muscles flexed faintly under the fabric. It radiated fatal tension.

Except... something was off. His breathing was heavier than usual today. A little ragged.

"Come here." He didn't look up. His voice was low and hard.

I walked forward, trembling.

Just as I neared the desk, he looked up.

My eyes accidentally swept past his neck.

My breath hitched.

On his cold white skin, a black, wild dragon tattoo faintly appeared.

It existed for a split second. Then it vanished deep into his collar with a pulse.

The crazy campus gossip was true!

Add the black dragon smashing through the roof just moments ago. Add Julian's absolute insane timing for a meeting...

An absolutely crazy thought exploded in my brain. A thought that made way too much sense.

This untouchable, ice-cold professor sitting right in front of me?

He wasn't just some bloodthirsty ancient dragon from the rumors.

He was the dragon.

The exact same feral beast that almost leveled the entire school just now!

My brain imagined him turning into a black dragon and burning people to ash.

I swallowed hard. My legs turned to jelly.

"Show me your spark charm." He stared at me. His eyes were deep.

"Yes... Professor." I quickly pulled out my wand. I fought my shaking fingers.

"Bang!"

A pitiful spark shot out. It fizzled and died instantly.

Dead silence in the office.

I kept my head down awkwardly. I waited for his toxic verdict.

But Julian didn't speak.

He stood up. His massive shadow completely engulfed me.

He suddenly leaned in. He stared blankly and intensely at my neck.

"Your pendant." He spoke hoarsely. His black eyes showed hidden curiosity. "Very unique."

My heart dropped.

On my collarbone hung a raw crystal pendant. It stabilized my weak magic.

Worst of all, just last month, I sent a super HD close-up of this pendant to Shadow. That damn jerk Leo!

I covered my collar in terror. I frantically shoved the pendant deep into my robe.

Why is he staring at my pendant? Did Leo leak my private photos to other professors?!

The thought made blood rush to my head.

"J-just cheap junk, Professor." I stammered. I felt too guilty to meet his eyes.

Julian narrowed his eyes slightly. His lips pressed tight. He seemed to want to say more.

"Oh, door's wide open?"

A frivolous voice broke the thick air.

Leo Vance leaned against the doorframe.

Seeing him made my stomach churn again. I wanted to slap his face twice.

Too bad. I'm a magicless dud. I can't offend any professor.

Bitterness welled up in my heart.

Leo whistled in surprise. "No way? Julian never cares if students live or die. Now he's giving private tutoring? Did the sun rise in the west?"

Julian stood straight. His eyes dropped to freezing point instantly.

Leo walked in fearlessly. He mocked cheaply. "What's up, Julian? Heard you stared at a comm-crystal all day. Did you just get dumped? Have nowhere to vent? Suddenly caring about a student's life?"

The air froze instantly.

I looked at Julian in shock.

This untouchable iceberg professor actually twitched his eye suspiciously.

His icy eyes flashed with a dark, uncontrollable... jealousy. He looked like a starving wolf robbed of its fresh kill.

"Get out." Julian parted his thin lips. He spat one cold word.

A massive magic pressure turned into a gale. It slammed the door shut violently. It almost smashed Leo's face flat.

I swallowed hard. I felt so guilty I just wanted to run away.

I can't afford professor drama!

"Professor, if there's nothing else, I'll go rewrite my paper!" I turned to leave.

I was going crazy.

Caught by this moody dragon professor, will I even graduate alive?

"Sorry Professor, I have heavy coursework. I might not have time..."

"Nail this tutoring, and you get an A for finals." He cut me off. He casually dropped a huge bomb.

I stopped dead.

An A? An A in Ancient Magic History?!

With that A, I won't be kicked out even if I score zero in Potions!

"But about your bloodline... details are inconvenient here." Julian smoothed his creaseless cuffs. "Tonight at seven. Starlight Garden Restaurant. We'll eat and talk."

Bloodline? What does that mean...

And go to the most luxurious magic restaurant in the city for tutoring?

I wanted to refuse.

But in front of that shiny "A", all fear and doubt vanished.

I'd gladly sell my soul for an A.

I caved instantly. "Yes Professor, no problem Professor!"

Night fell.

I changed into a clean robe. I rushed to Starlight Garden Restaurant.

A waiter led me to the deepest, most hidden private room on the second floor.

I pushed the door open. The sight stopped my heart instantly.