Dragon’s Bloodline

Serge became 14 years old.

14 years old.

Most countries would treat 14 year olds as adults. They could carry marry from that age on.

The earl gave Serge a sword meant for self-defense on his birthday.

The katana hed gotten from Ria before had a much better performance, but it was the thought that counted. No one else had given him anything.

(I wonder how the people back home are doing)

His memories from before he reincarnated were much stronger after meeting Ria. However, that didnt mean he didnt miss his hometown.

He wanted to go back there before the Millennium and protect them from at least some of the danger.

Serge, did you

Chris called out to Serge, who was gazing outside of the window.

Did you actually grow taller than me?

Eh?

It was as she said. When he stood up, Chris was looking up at him.

Neither of them had realized at all. Theyd been near each other the whole time, so them not noticing was all but natural. More so given their current ages.

Serges everyday lifestyle hadnt changed much. He attended his classes, received lessons from Azel, then went home to sleep. As for what was added to that, it was his subjugations with Chris.

At first, Chris was completely exhausted just by a single trips journey. Her level had gone up a little, so her endurance went up accordingly.

She was able to go back and forth from the forest now, so she wasnt an inconvenience with the other members.

But even so, she probably wouldnt be able to become the Heros comrade. Even the much stronger Serge couldnt even think of standing a chance against Rias shadow.

Eh? The Hero? There isnt one anymore.

Even so, when Azel said that it was a huge shock.

Eh? Eh? When you say there isnt a Hero, not one anymore I mean, what are you saying? Did he disappear together with the empire or something?

By the way, Serge.

Huh? Whats up?

You, would you succeed me as the Great Sage?

Eh?

That was sudden.

I intend to fight in this next Millennium. I dont think that Ill be surviving it. However, like my predecessors, I have to make sure that the sage knowledge is passed down.

He was being serious. It wasnt a joke.

W-why me

Intellect, mana, insight, willpower. You even have memories from your previous life. Is that not enough?

It felt like he was valued. However, Azel had probably been watching him for that reason.

Hed probably been doing so for a very long time.

Well, you dont have to answer right away. There isnt much time though.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of becoming the Great Sage?

The advantage is knowledge. Youll inherit the knowledge that has been passed down from generation to generation of Great Sages. And youll have perpetual longevity. For disadvantages none.

None?

He couldnt believe it.

You just have to decide what you should do. Thats what Im doing.

Thats what this was?

Him leading this academy city and observing the world from the shadows, leading it to a better future.

Was that what me meant by that?

Will I obtain power?

If you make use of the knowledge.

What about Carla-san? Id think shes more suited for it than me.

She said that she would return to her country and live solely for it.

It was true. She had fought against a dragon and killed it for her country, becoming the Dragonslayer.

In the end, he wasnt able to make his decision quickly.

What Serge wanted was power. The power to protect his comrades.

If he could get it, there shouldnt be any reason not to choose it.

However, the reason that he wasnt able to answer just them what because of the look in Azels eyes.

His eyes didnt just look like he had grown old. His eyes bespoke of exhaustion, causing Serges hesitation.

Serge left to the pavilion and gazed at the moon. It was a full moon. When it started to wane, the next one would be Chris birthday.

Serge wanted to give her something as a present, but something being sent by a member of the opposite sex on your 14th birthday signified that they wanted to court the other, so he couldnt do anything.

(I wonder if I could launch some fireworks for her?)

Or maybe there was something else he could do? He was thinking about stuff like that.

Serge?

Chris was standing under the moonlight.

She was only wearing a jacket over her thin silk.

What are you doing?

To be honest, he thought she was someone else for a moment.

Of course that wasnt it.

Itll be your 14th birthday soon, right? I cant give you a present, so Ive been thinking about something I could do.

It was the truth, after a fashion, at least.

Therell be no one giving me a present, so anything from you would be nice

This was her reaping what she sowed.

Normally, if a girl didnt have a man that loved them, they wouldnt be courted.

Really? Then Ill give you an amulet. Whatd be good

Serge searched around his storage space. Hed made various things while practicing bestowal magic.

What he chose from his items was a silver barrette.

I made it myself, so its not something fancy, but it has various kinds of magic bestowed on it, so I think itll be useful.

When he passed it to her, Chris grasped it tightly.

Thank you.

Saying that, she immediately tried it on. Gathering her long black hair, she put it on.

Does it suit me?

Under the moonlight.

Her black hair and the silver matched harmoniously.

No, it wasnt the jewelry that was beautiful

It does, but Id like it if you wore more proper things for your party. If you want, Ill give you a present for your next birthday, too.

Serge said that, but the next year would be the third year the Demon King spoke of.

What time would the demons start their invasion in that third year? Thinking about that, he wasnt able to make it a promise.

Its a promise!

Later on, at her birthday party in the earls mansion, Chris uncharacteristically wore a white dress and some light make-up.

Although that alone gave her a much different impression from usual, there was a certain thing decorating her pinned-up hair. It was the silver barrette.

Even when she was asked for it, Chris wouldnt tell others where shed gotten it. She just said that it was a present shed received before her birthday.

(This is that, isnt it)

Even if Serge were a thickheaded-type protagonist, he wasnt a protagonist whose hearing got worse as it was convenient for it to be, so he somehow realized it.

Chris held good will towards him.

He was conscious that a flag had been raised. However, honestly, Serge wanted the mans dream: a harem.

It could be said to be cruel, but Serge had already been a virgin for thirty years including his previous life.

If he married Chris, he wouldnt be able to have mistresses. She would definitely cry if he were unfaithful to her.

Thats why he shouldve avoided the Chris route from the start, but

(Im not a man that would just say oh well.)

He couldnt do something so cruel to such a cute girl.

On that day, Serge danced with Chris until his eyes spun.

Since neither of them were particularly good at it, it was actually rather charming.

Chriss brother talked about them rather sarcastically afterwards.

By the way, there was one other thing.

It was something Serge learned later on, but when a woman asked a man for a birthday present, it was known as a reverse proposal.