Adrian tuned into the presence of the escort knights. It seemed they were following Kyle up to the summit. Apparently, they’d judged that Kyle—headed for the treacherous peak—was at greater risk than Adrian and Mikhail, who would be waiting at the safer midpoint.
“Are you planning to wait inside the carriage?”
Mikhail asked Adrian, whose eyes were still following Kyle’s movements. Adrian gave a faint smile and slowly shook his head.
“No, we’ve been riding in that carriage all day. I’m sick of it. Might as well look around a bit.”
“Suit yourself.”
Mikhail felt the same way—he, too, was tired of being cooped up. The two decided to stroll through the forest, breathing in the crisp air and the cool breeze. As they walked among the trees, Mikhail would occasionally gesture toward any stump they passed, silently asking if they should rest. This time was no different. He pointed to a large rock wide enough for two people and said,
“…Don’t you think we should take a break?”
“I’m fine.”
Adrian shook his head. Mikhail’s concern was probably because of his injured leg, but the kindness wasn’t needed. A gentle breeze occasionally rustled through the dense forest, brushing against the two young men’s hair, while birds chirped above, engrossed in their own lively chatter.
“It really feels like last night’s chaos was just a dream.”
Adrian murmured with a soft smile, his gaze drifting toward the green canopy and the clear blue sky.
“Yeah, doesn’t it.”
Mikhail nodded, watching Adrian. His eyes lingered briefly on Adrian’s hair, fluttering in the breeze, before he spoke again.
“Wonder what kind of madness we’ll go through next year.”
From the black mana of the volcano to the gladiator tournament, they’d seen it all. Mikhail grumbled with a look of weary exasperation.
But his true feelings were the complete opposite of the bored expression he wore. Compared to before he’d entered the academy, he found himself far more excited for the coming semester. As long as Adrian was by his side, he was confident that no one else would make the year as fun.
And… he clenched the fist on the side hidden from Adrian’s view. Three years remained. Before graduation, he would tell Adrian how he felt—again. Maybe next time, Adrian would give him a different answer.
“Next year, huh…”
Hmm. Adrian echoed Mikhail’s words under his breath. His eyes were still fixed on the sky. The phrase “madness and mayhem” felt accurate. For someone who’d enrolled at the academy expecting only to study herbalism, he’d ended up entangled in far more than he’d planned. He hadn’t even achieved his original goal, yet had already set aside the fun of it all.
Whether or not he stayed at Basamiel next year wouldn’t really affect Mikhail’s fate. Mikhail had been born to become a Hero, and no matter what major crisis occurred next year, he would ultimately follow that destiny.
“If everything were peaceful all the time, it’d be boring.”
The outcome was already determined—what mattered was how the one carrying that fate chose to enjoy the journey. Adrian turned his calm gaze on Mikhail. No doubt, countless hardships awaited this young human in the years to come. Even so, he hoped Mikhail would overcome them—and that he’d find little moments of joy along the way. The dragon simply looked at the boy in silence.
Unaware of any of this, Mikhail simply nodded at Adrian’s words.
***
Adrian pretended to be examining the weeds growing from a tree stump. Though they were just common species found all across the continent, to Mikhail, they might as well have been rare medicinal herbs.
“You really came all the way out here just to dig through grass?”
Mikhail grumbled curtly from behind, having been trailing Adrian like a shadow the whole time. Out of Mikhail’s sight, Adrian twisted his lips and crinkled his nose. Persistent bastard. Give it a rest already. He was constantly looking for the perfect chance to put some distance between them.
“Ah.”
Adrian suddenly spoke, as if something had just occurred to him. Mikhail, leaning against a nearby tree, straightened up and asked, “What?”
“I left my medicine in the carriage. I was supposed to take it earlier.”
“What? How could you forget something that important?”
“I’m not gonna die just because it’s a few hours late.”
Unlike the flustered Mikhail, Adrian simply sat among the grass, gazing up at him with an unreadable expression.
“…You want me to go get it for you?”
Mikhail caught the look in Adrian’s eyes and understood immediately what he wanted.
“Yeah. I’d appreciate it if you did.”
Adrian gave a light nod, as if to say, You just figured that out? Probably no one else in the kingdom would have the guts to ask a prince to run petty errands—except Adrian. And he did it with such an indifferent expression, too. But somehow, that in itself was so very Adrian.
Mikhail let out a breathless chuckle, staring at Adrian, who had long since abandoned any sense of formality. In any case, there was no way he was going to let Adrian limp all the way back to the carriage on that leg.
“Fine. Just wait here.”
“Oh, and—”
Just as Mikhail turned to leave, Adrian spoke again without moving from where he sat.
“Could you bring me some tea, too? The medicine’s really bitter.”
“…Got it.”
Getting tea would take a bit more time than just retrieving the medicine. Adrian beamed up at Mikhail with a broad grin.
“Thanks.”
He offered his gratitude in advance—because when Mikhail returned, there would be no time for it.
***
Huh? Where’d he go?
Mikhail looked around as he returned from the carriage. The spot where Adrian had been sitting was now empty.
Then it happened.
“Mikhail.”
He turned his head toward the sound of Adrian’s voice calling his name.
“…Adrian? What are you doing over there?”
Mikhail slowly placed the medicine container and teacup on top of the rock. Something felt off. That unsettling sensation—an ominous ripple from deep inside his chest—began to rise again. It was a feeling he had experienced a few times before, during his time with Adrian.
Before long, he saw the full picture: Adrian standing at the edge of the cliff.
With that injured leg… when did he get over there?
Frowning slightly, Mikhail tilted his head, confused. He took a cautious step toward Adrian, who stood perilously close to the precipice.
“Mikhail.”
“…You need to take your medicine. Come back over here, Adrian.”
Mikhail gestured with the medicine case, taking another careful step closer. But Adrian simply shook his head slowly, a strange smile curling on his lips.
Then, as Mikhail took one more step forward—crack!
The ground beneath Adrian’s injured leg gave way. His expression shifted in surprise as his balance faltered.
Mikhail’s eyes widened as he saw Adrian’s body begin to tip backward, slowly falling away.
Without even realizing it, Mikhail ran. His body moved faster than his thoughts could process, sprinting to the edge of the cliff.
“Adrian!”
Dropping to his knees at the ledge, he quickly scanned below. Thank god—he spotted a pale hand gripping an outcropping in the cliff wall. Adrian was hanging there, his eyes squinting in strain as he clung to the narrow ledge.
Mikhail exhaled sharply, a surge of relief flooding his chest.
Without caring that his clothes were getting filthy, Mikhail lay flat against the edge of the cliff. He stretched his arm down as far as it would go, forcing a smile to reassure Adrian.
“…Thank god, thank god. It’s okay—I’ve got you.”
His voice wavered, trembling faintly.
Adrian looked up at him, locking eyes with that clear, unguarded gaze. He didn’t say a word, only stared at Mikhail’s face as if memorizing it. So, you can make that kind of face too…
Adrian glanced at his own hand, still holding tightly to the edge. It was a cruel method, maybe, but… someone had to confirm the end of this game. A simple disappearance wouldn’t be enough.
Mikhail reached down as far as he could, but he was just—just—out of reach. He strained his fingers, stretching them further, trembling with effort.
“Grab my hand!”
Gritting his teeth, Mikhail broke out in a cold sweat as he leaned further over, arm extended to the limit. His fingers desperately swiped through the air, trying to hook Adrian’s hand—but they still didn’t connect.
“Just take it already!”
Adrian’s fine, golden hair whipped back in the breeze. And in that gust, his expression came into view.
He was smiling.
Mikhail felt the blood in his entire body run cold.
“…Adrian?”
And then—Adrian let go.
Both hands, effortlessly released from the cliff’s edge.
Through the thick forest, between the trees, a voice cried out in anguish—echoing far and wide.
Adrian you cruel dragon lmao