Seikoku no Ryuu Kishi: Volume 3 Chapter 1

Chapter 1 - The Month of Gemini's Selective Training Camp

Part 1

An eye is staring at Eco in the dark.

Its blood red pupils are blazing like a burning torch.

One, two, three...... the number of eyes are increasing.

"Don’t ...... Don’t look at me!"

Eco ran wildly as if to escape the ominous sight.

She was wandering in the dark without any direction.

But regardless of how far Eco ran, she couldn’t escape those eyes.

The blood red eyes were like moons hanging up high in the sky, staring at Eco.

"H-Help......"

Eco who usually didn’t show sign of weakness shouted out loud for help.

Because her overriding fear has long exceeded her self-esteem limits.

"Ash…Please help me!"

Even when she had shouted a name that she rarely mentioned, there was no response.

"Urk......!"

Eco suddenly fell to the ground and hit her face hard. There seems to be something wrapped up at her right ankle and that’s the culprit that tripped her.

"W-What is this......?"

Eco wanted to quickly stand back up, but this time, even her left ankle was caught.

"No...... Don’t!"

Even when Eco was struggling to cling to the ground to avoid being pulled away, her effort was in vain.

Her fingers can’t cling to the dark slippery surface and the feeling is like the skin of a soft animal.

In a few moments, Eco’s hands had also been entangled and she lost their freedom.

In the next second, she was easily raised in mid-air.

This frightening feeling, Eco had experienced it before.

"This is a...... Necromancia?"

Soon, the object with nine eyes appeared in front of Eco. Its eyes became the only light source, dimly lighting up its surrounding.

The initially black shadow had finally revealed its true-self.

It was a shocking space cover with a dense creepy purple earthworm.

But those creepy objects are no ordinary earthworms. Each of them is a tentacle which is thicker than Eco’s arm.

Those countless tentacles are facing Eco.

“Eek……”

Eco kept on struggling. If this continues, her body will be the sacrifice for those tentacles.

However, the more struggle, the more firmly the tentacles gripped her hands. Not only that, the rest of the tentacles had launched series of attacks by tearing Eco’s clothes.

"Stop…!"

Those frightening tentacles were squirming on Eco’s naked skin.

Such as her chest, tummy, and inner thighs......

The frightened Eco was having goose bumps.

"S-Stop- how dare you look down on me!"

Even though when she shouted with all her might, those tentacles attack became more intensified.

"I've had enough... this is.... too cruel...."

In the end, Eco who was covered in rags hanged in mid-air.

She felt like a livestock who was going to be slaughtered.

“Boo…Hoo…”

The humiliation Eco received made her furious, almost as if her blood is boiling. However, the tentacles were not even bothered by her and continued to wrap her body.

"Why...... didn’t you come and save me?"

Ash face emerged in Eco’s mind

Why did he sit back and watch his master experience such misery and yet refuse to rescue her?

No, in fact, Eco had long been aware that Ash is her master, and she is the one that is being reared.

But, because of her self-esteem, she is unwilling to admit that Ash is her master. Also, she in turn treated Ash as her pet dog.

Is this karma? If this is the case, such fate can only be blamed on herself.

"I'm sorry ...... I'm sorry ......!"

Eco is in tears. Unfortunately it was too late. Even if she shouted with all her might, Ash would not show up.

Eco was aware of that and she shut her eyes.

No matter what kind of punishment God bestowed, she intended to accept it with her heart.

The tentacles swarm on her body and gradually have her covered-

Right at this moment, a low sound that is originated from the ground can be heard all over.

'This time, let’s us have our stuff settled for once and for all- ‘Daughter of Avalon '<-- This is not the be changed. -->

Part 2

"Hey...... wake up. Hurry up......"

Ash’s shoulders were vigorously shaken which cause him to wake up from his sleep.

"Hmm...... Eco?"

While rubbing his sleepy eyes, Ash looked around. The room is dark. The sun rays that’s managed to pass through the curtains silt is still very weak. It will be some time before the morning bell rings.

Ash was rather surprised for such rare thing to happen.

Eco had actually woken up early and wake Ash up. It is a rare sight for Eco who is a sleepy head by nature and he didn’t even feel her usual aggressiveness.

"What’s wrong with you?"

Ash jumped up from his bed and look at Eco unusual appearance. His sleepiness was suddenly swept away.

"That......"

Eco shows some uneasiness in her expression. For Eco who is always haughty, it is hard to think that she can come out with such expression. Even her pair of stubs that signify a young dragon also looked pale.

In addition, Ash was also very surprised that Eco put on her clothing this morning. Because in the past, Eco always woke up naked, without even one exception.

Ash was surprised to find that there is a hint of soap fragrance from Eco’s body. It seems that she had taken her bath when Ash is sleeping.

"What’s the matter?"

"On the bed...... that......"

Eco flushed while looking at the beds. "What’s wrong with the bed?"

Ash craw out from the futon on the floor, and move towards the bed.

Eco with her embarrassed looks, look downwards and blush. By look at her face, Ash finally understood why. He remembered his conversation in the past with Eco.

-"Anyway... I have not seen you secrete a Bright Dragon Crystal."

-“How can I casually expose those shameful things in front of others!"

-“Bright Dragon Crystals are formed when excess magic crystallizes(?) Even when seen, I think it is no big deal….!!! "

-“Although I do not deny that I inevitably will run into the kind of really intolerable situation. At least carelessly become incontinence..."

"Ahh… Now I understand. Eco you have finally incontinence, is it not?"

After Ash cast her a snappish smile, Eco’s shoulders are shaking.

"I-I, it is not my intentional to do so...... There is always times when things happen without our consciousness!"

"It is alright, don’t you worry about it. Anyway, for us humans, it's no big deal."

"Really?"

"Of course. I even wanted to carry it as a good luck charm!"

"Wha-What did you say?"

"Hey, what are you fussing about? In fact, there are also of many students who take it as an amulet!"

"I-I can’t believe it...... Also, how do they carry it?"

"You just have to put it in your pocket or inside the bag!"

"H-How is it possible......? Are you kidding me? Those liquid......"

"Liquid? You are the one who is joking. It is always solid!"

After hearing, Eco clenched her teeth.

"What do you think I had come out with!!! How could it be solid!!!"

Ash crossed his arms and think. He had never heard of a liquid Bright Dragon Crystal. Even though he had become more and more curious about what is happening, but priority is to calm down Eco’s anger.

Ash took a deep breath to calm down his heart. What he needed right now is to speak with her.

"Listen to me carefully. There exist many differences between humans and dragons cognitive. Perhaps to dragons, it is indeed a very shameful thing, but for us humans, that it but a small matter. "

“Err…”

Even though Eco is still hiding something, but perhaps she is moved b Ash, her temper finally calm down.

"So please let me have a look."

Ash stretched out his hand towards the bed, but Eco quickly blocked.

"I-I really can’t...... it is too shameful!"

Seeing Eco blushing and her humbly pleading looks, Ash’s heart starts to race.

"Don’t worry, Eco. You are my pal! Regardless of what substance you had secreted, I will never abandon you and will never laugh at you. I will accept you as who you are."

"...... Really?"

Eco’s eyes are wet as if she was deeply moved and she finally move aside.

"Alright...... I believe in you."

"Then I’ll make my move."

With mixed feelings, Ash flipped over the blanket.

"......?"

However- the moment he saw the sheets, Ash was shocked.

There was a huge world map on the middle of the bed sheet. When Ash is still in his village, he had helped taken care of his younger sister. This sight made him felt nostalgic.

"You...... After this long argument, it is you who wet the bed!"

"If not so, what were you originally thinking about!"

Eco flushed while shaking her pair of fists.

"Err, I originally thought it was the ......Bright Dragon Crystal."

"Don’t you know it is many times more shameful to come out with the Bright Dragon Crystal!"

"Is that so- Urgh!"

With Eco iron fist bursting, Ash was knocking against the wall in one hit. If he wants to fix the gap between humans and dragons, it seems that he needed to communicate with her more.

Part 3

Early in the morning, there were several male students who gathered at the laundry drying area. And beside it was the water storage, clothes could be washed there.

Fortunately, today's sky was clear, which made it a suitable day for doing the laundry. Ash moved towards the water storage and filled the laundry tub with water. He wanted to clean the sheets that Eco wet quickly, before he ran into any acquaintances...... Just when Ash was secretly thinking-

"Yo, Ash!"

Someone suddenly slapped his back, which caused him to choke and cough several times. When he looked back, it turned out to be his good for nothing friend Raymond Kirkland. Like Ash he was also carrying a basket full of dirty clothes.

"Why? Since you looked kinda glum, you must have been quarrelling with Eco is it not?"

"Nah......"

Ash tried to hide the sheets quietly, but they were still seen by Raymond’s sharp-eyes.

"Woah!...... You still wet your bed even at this age!"

Once he found the world map on the sheets, Raymond could not help but laugh. The other students who also heard that, turned towards Ash.

"N-No...... it is not me who wet my bed!"

"Since it is not you ...... Is it Eco?"

Ash whispered in Raymond’s ear over his shoulder.

"I beg you not to tell anyone. Eco seems to have received a big blow...... she is without her spirit this whole morning."

"Really? There are also times when Eco is feeling frustrated. That is really unexpected."

"It is because she has a high self-esteem...... I think she can’t forgive herself for bedwetting."

"Don’t you look at her that way. She is just only a two and a half month old young dragon. It is normal for her to wet the bed!"

"What you said also seems logical to me! Her looks made me forgot about it."

Ash and Raymond were chatting while washing their clothes. After Ash put in some detergent, he began to scrub the stains on the fabric.

"Speaking of laundry, are you also responsible for cleaning Eco’s clothes and underwear?"

"Who will wash it if I don’t?"

Ash snappily replied. In fact, Ash is responsible for cleaning all Eco’s clothing.

"Eco’s underwear...... If it is possible I'll help her wash them."

"Do you think there is someone foolish enough to pass their room keys to a thief in this world?"

Ash remains silent after speaking this sentence and concentrates on washing his clothes. If he continues to go on chatting, he will be too late to catch up with this morning scheduled assembly.

Raymond was also concentrating on washing his clothes in the beginning, but Raymond is not a person who can quiet down. In just a moment, he could not help but bring up a topic.

"Do you know what happened to Jessica Valentine? Didn’t she have a crush on you? There is some trouble in the SKFC because of her resignation!"

"Please don’t even mention that topic ...... I had a stomach ache by just thinking about it."

Recently, in Ansarivan, St Valeria’s church had just been occupied. What Raymond had said made him recall this incident.

The person who rescued Jessica who unfortunately became a hostage in this incident is none the less Ash. Ash secret as the legendary hero- Silver Knight, was also known by Jessica.

As results, Jessica who is the SKFC- Silver Knight Fan Club’s president was promoted to become a member of the student council. The reason why Jessica was selected is to prevent the Silver Knight’s secret from being spread among the SKFC’s members.

All this arrangements had been made by the student council’s president, Rebecca.

It is certainly a good thing for Jessica to agree to keep Ash’s secret. But since she joined the Student Council, she is still eyeing Ash’s sperm which gave him a headache.

"But as long as you nod, immediately there will be a girlfriend, no? I never thought that you would actually overtake me by becoming the first......"

Raymond clenched his teeth and showed signs of not backing down.

"It can’t be...... in my opinion, Jessica doesn’t really like me. I feel that she wants to bear my child more. It is hard to feel happy being liked by girls this way."

"You sure? When she was the SKFC’s president you may be right. But for now, I think it is no longer the same."

Raymond’s objection puzzled Ash.

"What do you mean?"

"It means that- she now really loves you! I guess that it is because you save the beauty as a hero. Even if when she really loves you, can you still not accept it?"

"Err ...... I have never liked Jessica. Since I don’t like her, and yet if I'm going to date her, I don’t feel that doing this is right."

"Otherwise, who do you really like?"

Raymond revealed his unusual serious expression and stare at Ash. It seems that he seriously wanted to know the answer.

"Me? About that...... I am not really sure myself."

Although Ash dully answered, in that moment, the memory of his first kiss crossed his mind.

His unexpected kiss with Eco. Her tender lips and her warm tongue...... just by recalling made his heart race. This is what Ash cannot deny.

But that was just an accident. That time, Eco had just eaten an Ansal sweet, and she was drunk and confused. She must have had not remember her actions.

"Anything wrong? Why are you blushing?"

Raymond curiously asked.

"No, nothing!"

Ash quickly shook his head and began to wash his clothes seriously.

Part 4

On the way back to the dormitory after having finished washing the clothes, Raymond unexpectedly asked a question.

"Speaking of the month of Gemini, we have to talk about the Selective Training Camp. The names for those who are able to participate are going to be announced soon, right?"

"Ahh, I heard that it is likely to be announced at today’s assembly."

Raymond was surprised.

"What, even you don’t know about it? I thought the student council’s members had already received a notice regarding it!"

"The participant list is treated as confidential. Even for us student council members, it seems that only Rebecca has received the name list."

"Is it......? Well, anyway, this has nothing to do with us."

Ash could only smile after hearing what Raymond said.

The Selective Training Camp – was actually an annual intensive training camp organized by the Ansarivan Dragon Riding Academy every year during the month of Gemini.

But, only fifty students who exceled in their results were eligible to participate. Actual Combat, written answers, attitudes and etc...... The candidates had to excel in all aspects, in order to be selected.

It was considered a very honourable thing to be selected at the Ansarivan Dragon Riding Academy.

Though Ash looked forward to the camp, but...... Even when now he was a member of the student council, he still could not change his image as the ‘Number One Problem Child In The Academy’.

Raymond was right, Ash simply did not expect that they had a chance to be favoured.

Part 5

The school's students were assembled in the hall for the first period in the morning.

The school had also announced the change of seasonal uniforms on the same day as the arrival of the month of Gemini. Raymond and the rest were delightfully surprised by being able to see girls in their thin clothes. But for Ash, it was the beginning of a worrisome period.

Ash’s left hand was imprinted with the dragons contract - Seikoku.

Generally, the size of the Seikoku would not be any larger than the size of a palm. But, somehow Ash's Seikoku alone was far larger than the normal ones.

The large area had his whole left arm covered. Ash had decided from the bottom of his heart to hate that shocking pattern and had never liked to expose it to others.

Actually, in the past, Ash was often ridiculed because of this feature. Ash who could no longer bear the others, finally decided to cover his left hand’s Seikoku with bandages.

The problem was, once it changed to the short-sleeved summer uniform, another problem would be born from it. The bandages originally served the purpose of covering the Seikoku to prevent the others from being disgusted. But, once it was summer, those exposed bandages instead had been attracting attention. That was why the reason Ash hated seasonal changes...... was understandable.

Soon- The Chancellor made his appearance in front of the podium. Immediately, the hall had become silent.

"Surely you must of been looking forward to it for a long time, my students. I’ll immediately announce the list of participants eligible for the Selective Training Camp."

Ash personally felt there was a little nervousness in the air which was different from the usual school assemblies. For those who were like Ash that "will never be selected" naturally they were not particularly tense. However, for those students who harboured a slight hope, their palms were sweating with nervousness.

The chancellor, who was always friendly and cheerful, had put on a priest like serious expression.

"For those who are named, please answer loudly and come forward."

The chancellor moved his eyes downward to look at the name list.

"Advance course third grade, Rebecca Randall-san."

“Hai!”

Rebecca coolly left the group of students from the highest grade and moved forward. The red hair looked as if was blazing more than usual.

The chancellor read out the names of those selected one by one. The students from the higher grades consisted of most of the students. There were more than thirty people who were from the third and second grade of the advance course.

"Next is the advance class first year, Silvia Lautreamont fourth Princess-sama."

“Hai!”

After she answered with an exceptionally brave voice, Silvia left the first grade group to stand on the podium in front. Her bright blond hair looked like a bright aura that only gods had.

"Hey, what are you mesmerizing about? Are you in love with her?"

Raymond casually whispered in Ash's ear.

"H-How could I be! She is a Princess!"

Ash quickly refuted. His cheeks were red hot.

"Haha, of course I was kidding. Anyway, she is a flower on a high ridge."

Raymond who laughed whole heartedly suddenly became serious.

"That being said, the only boy Princess-sama trusted is you."

“T-That is because we help each other in the student council? "

"Maybe you are the one who thinks so?"

After Raymond gave an evil laugh, their attention was back to the podium

The chancellor continue naming.

"Advanced class first grade, Maximillian Russell-san.”

“Advanced class first grade, Jessica Valentine-san."

As the treasurer of the student council and at the same time also a friend of Ash, Max was chosen. Although it was a surprise that Jessica was also chosen, but Ash remembered, the comment that Rebecca gave her was "She is able to overcome any difficulty if she has the heart to."

"- Next is the Basic class."

After a break, the chancellor flipped the name list over. By doing this, it was confirmed that Ash was not selected. Although he hadn't held any expectations at the start, but there was inevitably some regret. By having such feeling, Ash himself thought that was very extraordinary.

Because as his past self, he would not even be bothered.

"This year, there is only one student from the basic class selected. Third grade Lukka Sarlinen."

A foreign name came out from the chancellor’s mouth.

But the hall was silent. Lukka Sarlinen did not respond for any reason. Soon, the students began to mutter among themselves.

Raymond, who was no exception, started to talk to Ash.

"It's hard to imagine that serious girl is absent......"

"Do you know her?"

Raymond looked at Ash in astonishment.

"You are the weird one for not knowing her! Lukka Sarlinen is a celebrity only second to ‘Scarlet Empress’ and ‘Ice Blue Princess’!"

The former refered to Rebecca and the latter was Silvia. Since she was below these two, it meant that she was really famous.

"Is it?...... Is she such an amazing student?"

"She is a genius for being the youngest ever to be appointed as a Dragner! Isn't that terrific enough?"

"Hold on. The one who held the record for being the youngest isn’t it Rebecca-san......?"

"The one who rewrote Rebecca one-san’s record is no other than Lukka Sarlinen! Moreover, she is obviously the secretary from the student council, how come you don’t know her?"

Raymond obviously looked surprised.

"You can’t blame me, we never even met."

"You've never met each other...... is it true?"

Although Raymond was not yet satisfied, unfortunately they could no longer continue their private conversation. The chancellor who had received an explanation from the teachers continued to speak:

"Lukka Sarlinen-san is absent because of illness. Then, finally -"

However, the chancellor had failed to finish his words.

Because a sudden burst of resentfulness swept the auditorium. Ash looked around puzzled.

It appeared that some students were protesting against Lukka Sarlinen being selected.

"What is happening? It is just that she took her leave and is absent, what’s there to be angry about?"

Right after Ash asked, Raymond with a bitter face replied:

"She was absent not only from this school assembly. I heard that she has been absent for about three months. For someone who is absent for so long to be selected, is it not a wonder for some people to get angry."

"Why has she been absent for three months? Is She injured or sick?"

"......the rumours might be true."

Raymond said something with deep meaning, which made Ash curious.

"What rumours-?"

At this time, the chancellor who was famous for his gentleness spoke with his rarely used loud voice:

"Silence! It is true that Lukka-san has been absent for a long time. But she had left good results. Her total results topped the fifth, so we selected Lukka-san."

The chancellor righteous explanations instantly calmed down the waves of protestation.

"So, I’ll finally announce the 'Specially Recommended' student. The Specially Recommended System was only adopted this year. It is evaluated by the student council president, and not by the staff. Rebecca-san- this student is picked personally by you. Please take my place and announce his name."

“Hai.”

Rebecca coolly walked up to the podium.

"As you have just heard, based on the Specially Recommended System, I had selected one student."

Rebecca suddenly stopped after saying that. A terrible silence enveloped the hall.

Everyone present was nervous, quietly waiting for Rebecca to announce the name.

"That student is- advance class first grade, Ash Blake."

"Bedwetter ~A.S.B. 1365.6~ is closed"

References and Translation Notes

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