"Posing as one of my students? What's the point? To mock me?"
Professor Hafiz glared at the golden-haired, green-eyed boy standing before him, his face twisting with anger and frustration.
"As I said before, changing forms allows me to experience entirely new perspectives. I'd like to see what it's like to live as a boy named Owen," Muria replied, maintaining a calm, amiable smile.
"Why should you get to do that?" Hafiz's expression contorted further, a mixture of grief, rage, and helplessness at his own weakness.
"Do I resemble your companion? At least on the surface?"
Wearing Owen's face, Muria glanced at the group of battered novice dragon hunters, his smile as polite as it was mocking.
"Just looking like him means nothing! We all saw you transform!" one indignant youth shouted back, his voice trembling with anger.
"How hard do you think it would be for me to alter your memories?" Muria's smile didn't waver. "To me, you're nothing more than fragile creatures. Everything about you is malleable."
"You can't do that!" A young girl's voice quavered as she burst into tears at the suggestion.
"Considering you tried to hunt and kill me, merely altering your memories is an act of great mercy." Muria raised his hand, dark energy swirling around it. "Don't worry. You'll forget every unpleasant event from today. In your modified memories, you'll have successfully slain a newly hatched dragon with no casualties."
As Muria finished speaking, the dark light from his hand expanded, engulfing the gathered humans. Though soul manipulation wasn't his specialty, modifying the memories of mortals was well within his capabilities.
"Owen, this dragon hunt was perfect! No casualties, just a few minor injuries. Compared to the reward, our losses are negligible. We'll definitely earn a ton of credits for this!"
"Yeah, once we're back, we should treat ourselves. After all, this mission wasn't easy."
"Credits are just the start. The academy might even give us extra rewards, and our access privileges will probably increase. We won't just be regular students anymore!"
Onboard the specialized train, the golden-haired boy named Owen—now played by Muria—lifted his head, offering a gentle smile as he seamlessly blended into the conversation.
"Let's throw a party! We managed to kill a dragon; we could even invite the student council president to join us."
"The president? You mean that guy? He's probably completed countless missions. Would he really come to something like this?"
"Of course, he would! We just killed a dragon—a legendary ancient species! If we frame it as a celebration of such a major achievement, he might just find the time to show up."
Muria scrolled through a tablet using Owen's account credentials, browsing the internal network of Kassel Academy. He quickly found the student council president's profile, which appeared prominently in many reports.
"Maybe," he commented, looking up from the screen as an assertive girl scrutinized him. "But Owen, something about you seems... different. Like you've changed somehow."
"Different how?" Muria asked, tilting his head in mock confusion.
"I don't know. I just feel like there's something off about you," she said, her eyes narrowing.
"Perhaps my demeanor has changed. After all, this mission was a transformative experience for all of us."
"Maybe..." The girl continued to study Muria, sensing an inexplicable unease—a faint, primal fear she couldn't place.
"Lisa, if you keep staring at me like that, something unexpected might happen," Muria teased, flashing her a playful grin.
"Ohhhh!"
The entire train car erupted into cheers and laughter, the mood lightened by the suggestive remark.
"Lisa, you've got great taste! Owen's a catch."
"I've had my eye on him forever, just waiting for him to make the first move! If I'd known he was this dense, I'd have taken the initiative ages ago."
"Hey, Owen, didn't realize you were such a lady-killer! Guess that shy demeanor hides a lot more charm than we thought."
"My appearance might be mild, but I can be quite... assertive when the moment calls for it," Muria quipped, settling into the boisterous camaraderie of the group like a natural.
"Ah, youth," Professor Hafiz sighed from the far end of the train car. Smiling faintly, he activated a soundproof barrier around himself, effectively tuning out the noise before reclining for a nap.
Screech!
The train's brakes whined as it pulled into a station. Following his companions, Muria disembarked and surveyed the secluded and secretive transport hub.
"It's amazing how the dragon hunters here are a hidden force, operating entirely in the shadows," he mused, shaking his head slightly.
That their existence needed to remain concealed was a stark reflection of the dragons' weakened state. In a world of advanced technology and widespread communication, the fact that dragons were neither famous nor feared spoke volumes about their decline.
"Well, I'm just here to reap some benefits. Their misfortune isn't my problem."
Muria followed the group into the expansive, opulent grounds of Kassel Academy. The grand architecture and lavish surroundings radiated an aristocratic aura, and the lively energy of the students rushing about filled the air.
"A noble academy life, huh? This is something I've never experienced before."
As Muria watched the impeccably dressed students, a subtle smile tugged at his lips.
"Ah! It's President Caesar! So handsome!"
"My dream guy! I think I'm gonna faint—someone catch me!"
"President Caesar is back from a mission!"
Shrill squeals of excitement rippled through the academy as Muria turned to see a striking golden-haired youth enter the scene.
Even in the standard academy uniform, Caesar stood out as if illuminated by his own inner radiance. His every move exuded confidence, magnetism, and authority, like a living embodiment of perfection.
"His dragon bloodline is fairly diluted, but his presence suggests he's an overachieving prodigy," Muria thought, observing the dazzling youth with interest.
As Muria scrutinized him, the golden-haired president seemed to sense the gaze. Turning slightly, he addressed his secretary, "Who is that?"
"That's Owen Baxter, a C-class bloodline student. He recently returned from an external mission with his classmates. Judging by the situation, it seems the mission was a success."
The curvaceous secretary shot Muria a glance, her lip curling in disdain. To her, he was just another unremarkable student, leagues below her boss in every way.
"Don't mind him, President. He's probably just feeling cocky after completing his first mission."
"Perhaps," Caesar replied with a faint nod, striding past without sparing Muria another glance.
Muria's golden eyes gleamed as he watched Caesar leave, a faint smirk playing on his lips. "Interesting."
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