I Awakened the World’s Weakest Dragon… or so They Thought

I clicked the link to the betting pool and threw down 5,000 crystals.

I bet that I would absolutely be there tomorrow night.

Right after the confirmation chime sounded, the wildly updating forum went dead silent for two seconds.

Then, a screen full of question marks.

"Is she actually going?"

"Does she just love throwing her crystals away? Wouldn't it be better to buy a high-grade purification potion and scrub that mud off?"

"A Swamp Dragon still wants to come out and embarrass herself?"

Miles immediately sent me a message.

"Beatrice, withdraw the bet."

"Tomorrow night's ceremony will be broadcasted to the whole school. If you go, you'll only embarrass me further."

I didn't reply, so he called me.

"What are you throwing a tantrum for?"

"Everyone is just joking around. Why do you have to make such a big deal out of it?"

I almost laughed out loud.

"You started the betting pool, and Lucia made those prank videos."

"How am I the one throwing a tantrum?"

Miles paused.

"Lucia didn't mean any harm. She's just excited about resonating with the Phantom Dragon."

"As for the bet, it’s just to lighten the mood."

Lighten the mood?

Making me the joke of the school is certainly one way to do it.

A video suddenly popped up on the forum.

In the center of the venue for tomorrow's ceremony sat a wooden barrel filled with foul-smelling, rotting mud. Next to it was a sign:

"Beatrice's VIP Waiting Area"

The camera panned, and Lucia was sitting next to Miles.

"Don't go too far, guys. Beatrice will be sad if she sees this."

A few guys laughed so hard they doubled over.

"If she actually shows up, I'll drink this whole barrel of mud!"

"No way, save some for Miss Swamp Dragon. How can she form a contract without her precious mud?"

Bursts of laughter erupted in the video.

Someone asked Miles if I would show up tomorrow night.

His tone was absolute.

"No."

"She hates people staring at her."

"With things blowing up like this, she won't dare leave her dorm for at least a week."

He sounded so sure, as if he really understood me.

But he clearly forgot.

When we were kids, he was bullied and isolated for being small and scrawny. I was the one who firmly stood by his side and chased away his bullies.

When school started, he was mocked by some noble kids because his clothes were washed until they faded.

Again, I stood by him and shot those snobs down one by one until they were speechless.

I was the one who stayed with him through his darkest times.

Back then, Miles had red eyes and told me:

"If anyone ever bullies you, I'll fight them to the death."

Now, he was the one treating me like a joke.

On my phone, Miles was still rushing me.

"Withdraw the bet."

"If you need crystals, I'll transfer them to you."

"If you don't go, everyone will forget about it in a few days."

I looked at the video, at how his shoulder was practically pressed against Lucia's, and suddenly asked:

"Are you afraid I'll embarrass myself, or are you afraid I'll ruin Lucia's chances of joining the Elite Knights?"

His tone stiffened.

"What does this have to do with her?"

"Isn't she trying for the A-rank Knight qualification tomorrow night?"

"You guys even made celebration banners. If a Swamp Dragon like me shows up, it'll really ruin the genius knight's photos."

Miles instantly flared up.

"Beatrice, can you stop being so bitter?"

"Lucia has high talent because she worked for it."

"It's not her fault you resonated with such a useless dragon!"

A useless dragon.

So that's what my dragon was in his eyes.

I hung up immediately.

Not long after, Miles transferred 5,000 crystals.

"Take it, and don't show up tomorrow."

I sent it right back and posted on the forum:

"Don't close the bet."

"Whoever doesn't bet on tomorrow night is a coward."

The forum completely exploded.

Some added 2,000, others threw in their entire living allowance.

Lucia also added 10,000.

She even hypocritically commented, "Beatrice, I’m betting you won't come because I just don't want to see you get hurt again."

I couldn't be bothered to reply.

My dorm door was suddenly pushed open.

My roommate, Mia, rushed in carrying a pile of cleaning supplies, her face red with anger.

Loud laughter echoed from the hallway outside.

"Beatrice, remember to scrub hard tomorrow night! We don't want to smell your stinky mud!"

Mia grabbed her wand to chase after them, but I stopped her.

"Don't worry about it."

I looked at the ever-growing prize pool.

The amount betting against my arrival had already exceeded 150,000 crystals.

"After the ceremony tomorrow night, they're going to be crying real hard."