The Blue Mage Raised by Dragons

Book 3: Chapter 36

Apollonia raised an eyebrow at Tafel. Does this mean you approve of my plan? She glanced at Vur before smiling at Tafel. Since it seems like youre the one who makes the decisions.

By plan, you mean the one involvingTafel motioned at Mary with her headand, wait. Why am I even trying to hide it? She thought I was a devil coming to kill her. She knows about the plan, doesnt she?

The one where Apollonia tries to take my throne from me by summoning a devil to kill me? Mary asked. She nodded. I know about it.

Tafel stared at Mary with a blank expression. And thats something youre alright with?

Yes, Mary said. Ive never killed a devil before. Im looking forward to it.

And thats how it is, Apollonia said. Youre not going to interfere, right? Its her wish.

Thats. Tafel bit her lower lip. But does she know about the other part?

What other part? Apollonia asked, raising an eyebrow. There is no other part.

Arent you forgetting the human wave? Mary asked as she picked up a dried mango. Of course, I know about it. After I kill the devil in one strike, Ill run away. Im very fast.

Tafels expression darkened. Youre

Um? Mary made a small sound as she reached out for another mango but grasped empty air with her hand instead. She looked down just in time to see Vur stuff the last slice into his mouth. You did it again! My mangoes. She hung her head before glaring at Vur, clenching the hilt of her sword. Im going to train. Goodbye.

Vur made a face as he swallowed the mango slice. Like I thought, mangoes still taste bad.

Then whyd you eat it? Tafel asked with a sigh. She pursed her lips as Mary left the room. Im going to follow her. I want to see what kind of training she puts herself through. Vur yawned and leaned back, resting his head against the back of the couch. He was just about to close his eyes when Tafel grabbed his hand. Youre coming too.

Eh? Vurs eyes widened. Me? Why? Dragons dont train. We naturally grow stronger.

Tafels eye twitched as she dragged Vur out of the room. Youre going to train with me!

Should we go too? Mr. Skelly asked Alice.

Nah, Alice said, shaking her head. I dont want to be made fun of after not being able to keep up with those two. Theres other ways for us to be useful. She turned her head and gestured at Apollonia, waving her down. Do you have a library?

Ah, yes, Apollonia said. Ill show you where it is.

Mr. Skelly and Alice followed Apollonia out of the room, leaving behind a woman with blue hair all alone on a couch in front of a table filled with empty plates. Alora blinked as her head swiveled around. Wow. Its so quiet. This is amazing! She curled up into a ball and closed her eyes before chuckling to herself. I wonder if Dad can sleep with the annoying trio bothering him now that Im not there.

***

Can I observe your training session? Tafel asked. She stood next to Vur, facing Mary who was standing under a tree.

It doesnt matter to me, Mary said. She grabbed a flat rock nearby and placed it by her feet. She pressed her forehead against the rock and kicked her feet off the ground, balancing on her head without using her hands. She crossed her arms over her chest and closed her eyes. Somehow, the sword on her waist wasnt affected by gravity and didnt fall out of its sheath. Mary took in a deep breath and exhaled, her body stiffening up like a statue.

Tafel tilted her head. What are you doing?

Mary didnt respond.

Hello? Tafel asked, crouching down to see eye to eye with the empress. Unfortunately, Marys eyes were closed.

Vur walked up to Mary and pushed her knee, causing her to topple over. The empress yelped as she scrambled to her feet, glaring at Vur with glistening eyes. Her lips quivered as if she were about to cry. Its you again! Why do you always oppose me!?

Vur coughed and shifted Tafel in front of himself, using her as a shield. Tafel scratched her neck. Um, so, what kind of training was that?

I was becoming one with a carrot, Mary said with a pout. Her hand trembled as she pointed at Vur. I had I feeling I was about to experience a breakthrough until he pushed me over!

Wait, Tafel said. Becoming one with a carrot? Shouldnt it be one with a sword?

Mary shook her head, her hair whipping about. Ive already become one with the sword. Becoming one with a carrot is the next obvious step.

What part of that is obvious?

Mary furrowed her brow. No one likes carrots. Carrots are always avoided. No one notices a carrot when they walk past one. If I can become as unnoticeable as a carrot, then no one will be able to read my attacks.

Are you sure it works that way? Tafel asked, her voice tinged with doubt. She raised an eyebrow as she took a step backwards. I was expecting, um, a lot from your training methods, but I guess not.

Mary snorted. As someone whos lost to me, you have no right to criticize my training methods at all, she said. For as long as Ive been able to wield a sword, Ive swung it ten thousand times every day until it was as natural as breathing. If you cant even do ten thousand swings, your opinion doesnt matter to me. She bit her lower lip as she glared at Vur. Though I hate to say this, Im sure your husband knows what Im talking about. No one can be that strong without going through intense training.

Vur cleared his throat while puffing his chest out, a smug smile on his face.

Hey, Tafel said as she pinched her husbands waist, her eyes lukewarm. What happened to dragons cannot lie?

Vur patted Tafels head. Its not lying if I havent said anything.

No, lying by omissions a thing, you know? Tafel asked. If you dont correct someones obviously wrong interpretation about yourself, youre basically lying.

Vur scratched his nose. Grimmy didnt have anything about lying by omission in his code of honor, so I think its okay. He nodded at Tafels defeated expression. But Ill ask him to be sure next time.