[Ch. 51] A Dragon Love Rival (Past)

Korph left us and went to find the members of the Phoenix clan. Raylon could see his pale face as soon as he arrived. He felt a bit unnerved by it, "What's that face for?"

Korph muttered in a dry voice, "I think you may have another love rival."

"I'm sorry, what?"

Korph sighed, "My sister is unnaturally interested in Moao."

Raylon immediately frowned while clenching his jaw. He really wasn't in the mood for even more competition. Tama and Michiya glanced up at Moao's name and suddenly became interested in the conversation.

"Moao's here?" Tama jabbed Raylon with a suggestive grin, "Aren't you excited to see her again?"

Raylon pushed him away, "It's not like I'm excited or anything."

....

Kali dragged me off after dressing me in traditional garb and braiding my hair similar to the women in her tribe. I wasn't used to someone touching me in such a friendly matter so I let her pull on me without knowing what else to do. She brought us to where everyone else was.

Kali gave Raylon a sadistic smile, "Doesn't she look natural?"

I stood in the middle of the two with a tense frown as she continued to cling to my body. I had no idea what to do, but I wanted her off already.

Raylon glared at Kali, "Hey! Hands off!"

I forced myself to not breathe out a sigh in relief.

"Why?" Kali said with a smug smile, "Are you jealous of a girl being able to see and feel her naked body?"

"Why y-you-! How could you say such a thing?!"

...He's clearly jealous.

"Come on Ray." Korph said as he tried to comfort him, "It's not like Moao is interested in women. Relax."

I interrupted, "I'm okay with both."

After all, I've lived as both a man and a female and I dated both males and females. Gender is a blurred line after everything I went through.

Kali peered at my face, "What exactly do you mean?"

"I'm okay with both men and women."

"Like. As friends?" Tama stuttered, also unable to understand the situation.

"..."

How are they confused?

I narrowed my eyes, "Romantically."

For a moment everyone stared blankly. Then they suddenly caught on and hastily looked away in embarrassment. I turned to look at Korph who smiled painfully, "Admitting such a thing… Isn't going to get you killed, but it isn't something we usually hear."

"Ah."

I really hate the double standards in this world. Unfortunately, almost every world I came across so far has been like this.

Mona had been sitting on a blanket in the grass reading without paying attention. She finally noticed us and motioned us over, "Miss Amanda!"

Amanda skipped off towards her, happy to get away from the previous conversation. "What are you reading Princess Mona?"

"It's the continuation of the Emperor's Kiss."

"Wow! Is that the new volume?"

"Yes! I will read it for you. Please sit." Kali moved over to Mona and laid down in the grass in order to listen to the story as well.

There was a clear gender divide.

Under the tree on one blanket were Mona, Amanda, Kali, and Herais. They were listening to Mona read a romance novel. Under another tree, the men were speaking rambunctiously and enjoying their alcoholic drinks. Taishiro, Tama, and Yoichi sat with Raylon and Korph.

I turned to the spot with the women and paused.

I then turned to the spot with the men and hesitated.

I don't know where I should go....

Feeling uncomfortable, I decided not to choose either. I walked over to the edge of the hill and looked over to see the vast lake. The lake was the size of a small sea. It was the largest freshwater lake on the continent.

Dragon island had a mountain filled with foliage and was projected by this lake for centuries. The Dragon clan's leader lived in the caves at the mountain where the majority of their religious ceremonies took place. At the top of the mountain, there were rumors that actual dragons lived there. However, outsiders weren't allowed on top of the mountain so I didn't know if it was true or not.

It would be interesting to see a real dragon.

I stood at the edge and closed my eyes, allowing the gentle breeze to flow over me. I could smell the lake and sand. I've never cared much for water, but there is something relaxing about sitting on an island and enjoying the breeze.

Korph shouted, "Oi! Moao! Be careful over there. Sometimes the edge can crumble off."

Tama waved me over, "Yeah! Come here Moao. Have a drink."

I didn't care much for people like Tama. He was incredibly loud and boisterous and always untidy. His messy brown ponytail laid over his shoulder revealing a wide-open green yukata. He was the "leader" of the group since the others always seemed to follow him around.

As I approached, I noticed a presence in the tree above. I looked up to see Michiya sitting on a branch reading a book. Tama rolled his eyes, "He's studious, isn't he? Even on his break, he's trying to learn."

"Mmn."

I eyed the book he was holding and realized he was still trying to figure out the spell he couldn't master. He doesn't seem like the type to give up easily. I admire a person like that.

Michiya felt my gaze and smiled, "Good day, Lady Moao. It's nice to see you again."

"Mmn."

I reached to my side and undid my small purse. A white light rushed out as I pulled a book from it. The group watched with wide eyes.

Raylon shouted in surprise, "Is that a transdimensional purse?!"

"Mmn."

Yoichi asked in wonder, "Where did you buy it?"

"I didn't."

Tama shouted in disbelief, "You made it?!"

I ignored him and held up the book to Michiya who took it in confusion. He tilted his head, "What is this?... Is this for the spell?"

"Mmn."

"Are these your notes? They are so meticulous!"

"Mmn. Hopefully, it helps."

He grimaced, "I can't accept this. I should figure it out on my own."

Ah, he must be the type that is determined to do everything himself in order to prove that he is capable.

My eyes fluttered as I looked at his face, "You should accept help. It will make you stronger, not weaker."

Michiya looked back at the book with a gentle smile. He nodded softly, "I understand."

"Looks like you have another love rival, Ray. How many does that make?" Tama began to jab Raylon causing him to grunt. Raylon had already been eyeing Kali out of jealousy, now he turned his envious eyes to Michiya.

Raylon gritted his teeth, "Lady Moao if you give men gifts, they'll get the wrong idea."

I ignored his blatant jealousy and turned to him, "I brought you something as well."

He immediately brightened up with eyes full of anticipation, "What is it?"

The corner of my mouth twitched seeing his childish reaction. I pulled out another book with an inconspicuous cover, "It's a copy of my visual novel."

He reached out for it, "Oh! The popular one that was always selling out at the market square?"

"Mmn." I sat down next to him and Korph.

"I can't wait to see it! I'm sure your drawings are-"

As soon as he flipped open a page, he ceased talking and turned red the next instant. He smacked the book closed as steam rose from his face.

Korph asked, trying to peer at the book, "What is it?"

Raylon quickly hid the book from him, "N-nothing! Just ink drawings."

Yoichi joined in, "You draw visual novels?"

"Mmn."

He clapped his hands together, "Amazing! I read visual novels occasionally."

Tama shouted with laughter, "Occasionally? Please. Your room is filled with them. Not to mention the dirty ones-"

Yoichi spoke over him loudly, "What is one of your works? Maybe I have heard of one of your novels."

"Midnight Run."

"No way! That is one of my favorites! To think you wrote that bestseller. Do you think you could sign my copy one day?"

"Mmn."

Yoichi looked so excited he would burst. He was the smallest and youngest of the Phoenix nations group. He was a meek boy who hid behind his brown hair and followed along with the group. He is Princess Mona's cousin and was similar to her in temperance, but didn't have much ability for using magic. His light pink kimono had a peony flower on the back indicating his family's symbol.

Tama thought for a moment, "Wait… Midnight Run… Isn't that one of THOSE erotic visual novels?"

"Mmn." I answered without shame.

Taishiro's face twitched as he made a sudden connection. He turned to Raylon with a smirk, "Oi… Raylon… What kind of book did she just give you?"

"NOTHING!"

As Taishiro attempted to grab at it, Raylon held it away from him in a panic. Korph took advantage of it to swipe the book out of Korphs hand. He opened it up and frowned, "Why are there two naked people… Hugging? Are they hugging? It seems like a pretty complicated hug."

Raylon snatched it back, "Don't look!"

The corners of my lips twitched, "They aren't hugging. They are engaged in a wrestling match. You ought to try it."

Raylon shouted in embarrassment, "S-Shameless!"

Korph scratched his cheek with a naive expression, "I didn't know two men could wrestle like that."

Yoichi giggled, "Raylon, she gave you THAT one? Oh! It's such a good novel."

Tama smirked at him, "How would you know it is a good novel?"

Yoichi blushed and looked away from Tama's toothy grin.

"Wow." Taishiro exclaimed, "Moao, you are just full of surprises. You can drink more than Korph, use advanced magic like it's nothing, and you even draw visual novels! Are you sure you aren't some god?"

Taishiro and Tama both belonged to the same family as they both wore a green yukata with a Camellia symbol. Taishiro wasn't as annoying as Tama. His body was tall and lanky which was the complete opposite of Tama's muscular build. He didn't have much of a personality, but played the Quion often, a musical instrument similar to that of a small harp.

Tama changed the subject, "Ray, when will your brother arrive?"

"He will arrive tomorrow."

Taishiro turned to me, "Have you met his brother yet, Moao?"

I shook my head. I had no idea Raylon and Mona had a brother.

"He is nothing like Raylon or Mona. He's huge and excitable. A very interesting person."

Tama spoke indignantly, "Interesting? All he ever tries to do is fight! He is too hot-tempered."

Taishiro snickered, "That's because you two always argue and end up fighting."

Well if Tama doesn't like him, then I like him already.

"In any case." Raylon spoke abruptly, "He will most likely try to fight you, lady Moao."

Taishiro nodded, "Especially once he sees she has Korphs old weapon."

Tama joined in, "I bet it'll be when he finds out Raylon has a crush on her."

"Shut up!" Raylon shouted.

Korph began to laugh hysterically, "You're both wrong! It'll be when he realizes she's the daughter of the Baron."

"Oi! You want to bet?" Tama looked at him with a sly smile.

"Yeah! I know I will win!"

"I want in on this." Yoichi looked at them, smiling meekly.

Michiya looked down at the excitement and was also interested, "But, who do you think will win the fight?"

A silence passed through the group as they considered it. In the end, Taishiro, Tama, and Yoichi decided that Raylon's brother would win. While Korph, Raylon, and Michiya decided I would win.

The girls stopped reading and looked over at the commotion in interest. Mona called over, "What are you all so excited about?"

Tama shouted, "We're taking bets to see who would win in a fight: Your brother or Moao."

Mona and Amanda paused before answering simultaneously, "Definitely Moao."

Tama looked at Mona in surprise, "You think Moao would win over your brother? But she's so small!"

Mona made a troubled expression as she recalled the scene from the tavern. The other two girls put their money on Mona's brother. Tama asked Mona, "What do you think will cause them to fight?"

Mona thought carefully, "Well, I think it will probably be because of Moao's attitude."

My attitude? I don't have an attitude.