Chapter 70: An Unprecedented Transfer Examination (8)
* * *Even though the path to Manchuria was still blocked due to the North Manchurian Incident, it didn’t stop people from heading there—People who sought to turn the crisis into an opportunity.The first to make a move were the mercenaries seeking riches and fame—Foreign mercenary groups who were planning to use Manchuria as a stepping stone to reach the Kaesong Dimensional Portal, and all sorts of people hoping to come across a windfall like a dragon’s rib bones.With the mercenaries’ increase in activities, the Korean army also began to advance northward in earnest. Hence, the North Manchuria Incident was resolved more swiftly than expected.Normally, it would take at least a year for the state of affairs to return to how it was before the incident…However, this was an undeniably positive development compared to the initial predictions that Manchuria would become a lawless land for the next decade or so.And behind the blood and sweat of mercenaries and soldiers, there was another group that was secretly thriving in this situation.It was reporters.Whether they were genuine war correspondents with strong professional ethics or unscrupulous reporters simply chasing clicks, every day was a day to rejoice for the reporters who came up to Manchuria.Not only were incidents and accidents occurring almost on a daily basis, but there were also newsworthy stories involving famous figures like Tanahashi, a prominent figure in the mercenary world, and the Saintess, as well as stories that were directly released by the military and the government.For reporters, Manchuria was like a goldmine with new stories pouring in every day.And then, there was an incident that was the pinnacle of such news…A dragon.The giant shadow appeared above the heads of the reporters who had gathered at the base airfield after receiving a message from the Sonjuk Mercenary Group saying that they had something amazing to show them.- It’s a dragon! It’s really a dragon!- Oh my God.- I-is that for real?The dragon, with its wings spread wide and shimmering red scales, landed in the airfield and lowered its head to let someone descend to the ground.Some reporters recognized the person dismounting from the dragon.The man who had teamed up with the Saintess to fight against Kahal Magdu, cut off Jung Mapil’s arm, and even participated in a dragon-conquering mission while partnering with the military… the new recruit of the Sonjuk Mercenary Group.The subject of absurd rumors that would make even the most unscrupulous reporters, who wrote both fiction and news, scratch their heads in confusion.It reached a point where some of the reporters gathered here began to speculate that he might not even be a real person, or that he was a fictional hero created by the South Korean military for the purpose of propaganda.However, as soon as he arrived at the airfield, riding a dragon no less, the reporters were convinced that even the most exaggerated rumors about him were true.An Earthian riding a dragon? If he was capable of a feat like that, none of the things he was supposed to have done to date would be surprising.Anyway, as if they all had the same thought, the reporters began to bombard the dragon and the new recruit with camera flashes.Some reporters urgently called for filming teams or tried to gather any available information about the new recruit, but they were in the minority.Most reporters were eagerly waiting for an opportunity to draw his attention, trying to come up with ways to snag even a single line for an interview.And the dragon hadn’t been present, they would have used their numbers to push their way in and shoved a microphone in his face.However, none of the reporters present were bold enough to provoke the dragon. Hence, the dragon and the new recruit were able to exchange farewells amidst the camera flashes.Due to the considerable distance from the reporters, no one could hear what the new recruit said. But the voice that came out from the dragon’s mouth was clearly heard by everyone at the airfield.[Earthian, I hope we meet again someday.]With a farewell that carried a hint of goodwill, the dragon flew into the sky.Only three people didn’t watch the dragon leave the airfield: the Saintess under her Invisibility Cloak, the dwarf, and the new recruit.As for the rest, every reporter had their eyes glued to the sky until the dragon disappeared beyond the clouds.Only after the dragon’s long tail had disappeared beyond the horizon did the new recruit finally speak to the reporters.- Any questions?It goes without saying that all the reporters rushed at the young mercenary.- What is your relationship with that red dragon? How did you meet it?- Was that the same dragon that the military was said to have subdued? What is the military thinking?- Is the Saintess involved in this matter as well?Like a school of hungry fish, the reporters bombarded the mercenary with questions. The shouting was mild compared to those who kept shoving microphones into his face.Although it was extremely rude, the new recruit responded while maintaining his expression.In other words, instead of providing the information or clear answers the reporters desired, he stirred up their imaginations with ambiguous statements.Anyway, the interview went on until a dwarf, who introduced himself as a teacher from the academy, intervened.- Prospective student Cheon Yeomyeong, I am Margan, a teacher at Lord Howe Academy.With the reporters’ attention focused on him, the dwarf handed over a crumpled piece of paper while mentioning an unprecedented position.- As a Transfer Admission Examiner, I hereby authorize your transfer to Lord Howe Academy. Do you agree?As soon as he finished speaking, all the reporters present had the same thought.They would have no shortage of news for the next week. * * *
『The Manchurian Dragon Really Existed… The Appearance Of The Dragon Cutting Through The Clouds.』
『A Dragon Carrying A Human? Does Earth Finally Have A Dragon Rider?』
『‘I Hope We Meet Again Someday’—A Recording Of the Dragon’s Real Voice.』
The blue-eyed girl, Hong Seti, chewed on her thumbnail as she sifted through the numerous articles on her laptop because she was unable to calm her restless heart.
Was it because of the news about the dragon that flooded the media, including social and Superhuman-related news? No, that wasn’t it.