As the dismissal bell rang, the academy gradually became lively.
"See you tomorrow, Jeanne-san."
"See you, Fujita-san."
While Jeanne Alter was still stuffing her books into her bag, Fujita Eimi had already packed up. After waving goodbye, she left the classroom with several close girlfriends.
They weren't rushing off for club activities but to karaoke nearby. Eimi had even invited Jeanne Alter, who declined politely, claiming she had something else to take care of.
Though slightly disappointed, the understanding Eimi didn't push further, merely saying they should go together next time Jeanne was free.
The sky today was cloudy, with thick patches of clouds drifting across the sun, allowing only occasional rays of golden sunlight to reach the ground before being quickly blocked again.
"Honestly, another club invitation... How many times has it been now?"
Walking with the crowd across the street, Jeanne Alter let out a weary sigh.
After what happened previously, practically everyone in the school now recognized her—the legendary transfer student.
Soccer, basketball, tennis, track clubs—all eyed her hungrily, like vultures spotting a fattened prey. Before she could even say anything, they'd nearly started fighting to recruit her.
She could understand the sports clubs, but why were even cultural and art clubs showing up?
It made no sense at all...
Naturally, she rejected every single invitation. She had no interest in bullying normal people or wasting her free time on club activities. She had a gut feeling that once her true power was revealed, these peaceful days would vanish.
Ah… Peaceful days are wonderful. Speaking of which, I'm already several hundred years old—maybe I should consider retirement?
"Hm?"
Jeanne Alter suddenly halted, puzzled.
What had caught her attention was a petite, adorable girl.
With long, jet-black hair reaching her waist and dressed in a black gothic-style outfit exposing slender limbs, she appeared extraordinarily cute—though by appearance alone, she seemed no older than eleven or twelve.
But Jeanne Alter's attention wasn't merely drawn by the girl's charm—although she couldn't deny she was indeed very cute.
Despite her appearance as a small girl, Jeanne Alter, as the Dragon Witch, immediately recognized her as a dragon.
Moreover, this wasn't just an ordinary dragon. Even if they fought seriously, Jeanne Alter suspected her own chances of winning were slim. Just standing near the girl, the mere trace of her presence made Jeanne Alter instinctively tense up, as if facing a mortal enemy.
Her diminutive appearance might deceive others, but the girl was unquestionably terrifyingly powerful.
Jeanne Alter couldn't figure out why such a formidable dragon would appear in Kuoh Town—and even directly before her eyes.
Was it mere coincidence? She wasn't sure.
After a moment of hesitation, she decided to act as if she hadn't seen anything and simply leave.
She'd barely begun enjoying her ordinary life; she didn't want to get caught up in trouble this early. Better grease her feet and slip away quickly.
But just because she wanted to run didn't mean the other party would let her.
Before Jeanne Alter could even look away, the dragon girl had already turned her head toward Jeanne Alter, instantly locking onto her position.
Realizing escape was impossible, Jeanne Alter scratched her head irritably, finally accepting her fate and reluctantly walking toward the girl.
Approaching closer, Jeanne Alter suddenly wore a peculiar expression.
Earlier, she'd focused entirely on the dragon's aura, but now she was stunned by the girl's attire.
Though she wore black clothing and white bloomers, the front of her outfit was wide open, with only strips of black tape covering her most private parts.
Jeanne Alter's cheeks instantly flushed hot just looking at her. How could she walk around dressed like that? Did she have no shame at all?
The dragon girl, however, seemed completely unconcerned, staring at Jeanne Alter with pitch-black, emotionless eyes.
About to impatiently ask about the girl's identity and intentions, Jeanne Alter paused when the girl suddenly raised her arm, pointed ahead, and spoke without a trace of emotion:
"That... what is it?"
Jeanne Alter blinked blankly, then followed the girl's pointing finger to a window displaying an assortment of desserts.
Only now did Jeanne Alter realize they were standing in front of a dessert shop.
"That's strawberry daifuku. Next to it is matcha red bean daifuku. They're usually eaten as snacks or desserts after meals."
"Desserts..."
Jeanne Alter couldn't read the girl's thoughts from her cute yet utterly expressionless face.
Koneko was also expressionless, but her excitement for delicious sweets was always obvious.
"Do you want to eat it?"
Jeanne Alter tentatively asked.
The dragon girl said nothing but gave a small nod.
"So you wanted to eat them…"
Seeing the dragon girl appeased so simply, Jeanne Alter decided to buy some—it wasn't like it was expensive anyway.
"So, do you want to come inside with me, or wait out here—"
Before Jeanne Alter could finish, she noticed an immense surge of magic power gathering in the girl's palm, instantly sending chills down her spine.
Chaldea's sake! What are you trying to do?!
...
In a secluded alley few people frequented, the cloudy weather made it seem even darker than usual.
Rumor had it this type of place spawned monsters called "punks" who dropped money when defeated, but stole yours if you lost. A novel protagonist named Konata had supposedly made her fortune from this method.
To ordinary, vulnerable girls, such alleys were extremely dangerous—but obviously, neither Jeanne Alter nor the dragon girl she was holding hands with qualified as ordinary or vulnerable.
If any ignorant punk attacked these two, they'd likely die without even realizing how.
"What were you thinking back there?"
After dragging the dragon girl into this alley, Jeanne Alter confronted her, hands planted firmly on her hips.
The girl tilted her head expressionlessly, clearly not understanding Jeanne Alter's anger.
"Those desserts… I wanted to eat them," she stated flatly. "But something was in the way."
"So you decided to blow up someone's shop window?"
Such bizarre logic rendered Jeanne Alter speechless.
This girl severely lacked common sense, yet wielded immense power Jeanne Alter couldn't ignore.
"Listen closely, kiddo."
Jeanne Alter patted the girl's head lightly. "Human society has rules that must be followed. Even if you're a powerful dragon, since you're appearing here in human form, you clearly don't want unnecessary attention, right?"
"Whether it's the glass window blocking your way or the desserts inside, those are other people's possessions. Destroying or taking them without permission is absolutely forbidden."
Unsure if the girl would heed her words, Jeanne Alter nonetheless felt obligated to give this basic explanation.
The girl tilted her head again, her dark, bottomless eyes reflecting nothing.
"So… I can't eat those desserts?"
"No, you can eat them, but only if you trade something of equal value—what we usually call 'buying.' Hmm... maybe it's easier if I show you directly?"
Shortly afterward, Jeanne Alter led the dragon girl from the alley and into another dessert shop. She didn't dare return to the first one; after all, the powerful magic outburst earlier had likely already caught Rias and her group's attention.
In front of the girl, Jeanne Alter demonstrated the entire purchasing process.
Jeanne Alter felt like she was babysitting—despite knowing this was a powerful dragon, potentially much older than herself, the girl truly acted like a clueless child.
Her current obedience was probably thanks to Jeanne Alter's [Dragon Witch EX] skill. Jeanne guessed this girl would exhibit a dragon's wildness when facing anyone else.
Not in a hurry to leave, the two sat down at the shop. Jeanne Alter quietly watched the dragon girl eat the purchased desserts without having paid a single yen herself.
"Is it tasty?"
"Yes," the girl replied flatly. "Sweet, soft, tasty."
Well, as long as she liked it.
Jeanne Alter had worried the expressionless girl might find them bland.
The dragon girl seemed unfamiliar with desserts, though Jeanne wasn't surprised—it was rare enough for a powerful dragon to sit quietly enjoying sweets.
After finishing several desserts, including strawberry daifuku, the dragon girl suddenly stared blankly at the ice cream next to her.
After gazing at it for a long moment, she raised her head and asked Jeanne Alter:
"What's this?"
"Ice cream."
Jeanne Alter replied calmly, "Your first time seeing it?"
"Yes."
"Do you know how to eat it?"
The girl tilted her head again.
"You don't use your hands?"
"Well… technically you could, but since they gave us spoons, let's use them."
"Spoons?"
The girl paused, then raised her small hand gripping the spoon awkwardly like a weapon.
"You mean this?"
"Yes, exactly. But you clearly don't know how to use it…"
Jeanne Alter sighed.
"Give me that. I'll feed you."
She increasingly felt she was dealing with a child—a dangerously clueless, unpredictable child unlike any she'd cared for before.
It felt like babysitting a nuclear bomb. Sure, she'd survive the explosion—but the world wouldn't forgive her for letting it happen.
When Jeanne Alter reached out her hand, the girl froze slightly. Her deep black eyes flickered subtly, something indefinable shifting inside.
"Mm..."
...
"And now it's come to this…"
Sitting on her newly purchased sofa, Jeanne Alter stared gravely at the dragon girl standing quietly before her, feeling a massive headache brewing.
After treating the girl to sweets, she'd essentially latched onto Jeanne Alter, silently following her everywhere.
Clinging to a last shred of hope, Jeanne Alter asked tentatively, "Don't you have anywhere you want to go or something you want to do? Why must you follow me?"
After a brief silence, the dragon girl shook her head expressionlessly.
"I smelled something nice, followed it here… I thought it was the desserts, until I saw you."
Her pitch-black eyes stared intently at Jeanne Alter.
"You smell good... I feel comfortable around you. So, I don't want to leave."
Jeanne Alter's last hope vanished completely—the girl had no purpose other than her.
And thus, Jeanne Alter had unwittingly brought this dragon girl home.
She worried slightly about Koneko encountering this dragon girl—Koneko had become a frequent visitor for Jeanne's desserts, after all.
Suddenly, her sleeve was tugged gently, pulling Jeanne Alter from her thoughts.
"Ice cream... I want more."
Jeanne Alter frowned slightly.
"You just ate some. Was it that tasty?"
The dragon girl's brows creased faintly, pondering something deeply before quietly replying:
"It was delicious, but... not only because of that."
"It's because... you fed it to me."
"So… I liked it very much."
---
T/N: Ophis... another daughter acquired perhaps? Also that dragon witch skill is busted in this world :sob: