The human looked around the hallway, confirming that no one was within earshot of us before turning back to me. “Are you thinking about the danger you got away from?”
“Does it matter?” I asked, glaring at her.
“I-It’s just that, well, you know, you don’t have to worry about being in danger anymore. Easier said than done, I know, but you’re safe here; I guarantee it.”
“Perhaps you should be more concerned about your own safety if you keep making assumptions about me.”
Though I’d said this as a threat, she returned it with a gentle smile.
“You can take it slow, but little by little, I hope you come to trust all of us and let your guard down a tiny bit at least.”
I snorted. “To whose benefit? Certainly not mine.”
“You’d be surprised. The school has all kinds of people in it. I’m sure there’s someone here whom you’ll learn to trust...or at least are kind of okay with.”
“Are there any other elder dragons here?”
“No, but—”
“Then there’s no chance of that ever happening. Nobody has had or will ever have my trust outside of my people.”
“But aren’t the elder dragons the ones who almost killed you?”
I paused. What an uncharacteristic mistake. “There’s your answer about how I feel about trusting others, then.”
“I’m just saying. It’s always good to have someone to confide in. If you want, I could—”
I burst out laughing. “That may be the most humorous thing you’ve said all day.”
“It wasn’t meant as a joke... All I’m saying is that I know what it’s like to trust no one, and I much prefer having someone to talk with. I’m not saying now, but in the future—”
“There is no future where that ever happens.” I guarantee it as someone actually from the future.
“Okay, okay, fine. Be that way. But just know that I may be your overseer, but I’m here for you if you need it.”
“How kind of you. If you want so desperately to do something for me, how about you take off the limiter?”
“You know I can’t.”
“‘Can’t’? Sounds more like you won’t.”
“Well as a Guardian—”
“In training,” I interjected.
“In training, yeah, whatever. Either way, you’re my responsibility. I have to keep the limiter on you for everyone’s safety. Besides, it’ll be a whole thing if I take it off, and the Guardians, especially my master, find out you’re here—” Realizing that she might have said something she shouldn’t, she looked at me in panic. “Ah, forget that last part.”
That was the second time she’d let it slip that nobody in her order knew I’d arrived here. I didn’t bother trying to hypothesize why she’d keep my presence a secret. After all, it didn’t matter. What did matter was that I wouldn’t have her organization getting in my way. This should make killing the Blade Saint a simpler affair if I have only this Guardian in training breathing down my neck.
Even with my power being limited, all I needed to do was outmaneuver her mentally and get her to assist in a scheme that would help me kill the Blade Saint. If she truly trusted me, then I might be able to make her do things for me under the guise of her helping me live in this realm.
“A-Anyway, let’s keep moving, shall we?” she said. And with that, we were off again. “So, you’re trying for the combat track, huh?”
I simply nodded while looking out at the window. The sun’s already beginning to set?
“It’s pretty competitive, so be careful.”
“Remember, you’re speaking to an elder dragon.”
“I’m speaking to an elder dragon who’s supposed to be acting like a human. But even so...I’m not sure if you’ll get past the third level.”
First the vampire, now her? Is the Blade Saint really that fearsome right now? “The Blade Saint?” I asked.
The human’s eyes widened with surprise, and I could tell the question she was dying to ask.
“The vampire said so.”
“Oh, President Victoria did? Yeah, him. He’s the same year as us, but he can already put up a good fight against most people.”
“He’s a second year but the leader of the third level?”
“Oh, was that not explained to you? A student’s level isn’t determined by their grade year but by their performance on the test. That’s why it’s so competitive, because even a first year can fight their way up to the fifth level. As a first year, he made it to the third level, and then President Victoria made him the leader of the level. I personally think that he could reach a much higher level because he can’t lose in a fight against anyone with a weapon. I mean, of course he can’t. He’s the Blade Saint, but even so, he—” The human froze, once again realizing that she’d spoken too much.
What an absolutely wonderful opportunity that’s fallen into my lap! Her penchant for leaking information could help me maintain an advantage in my fight against the Blade Saint. It might not be long before she even reveals a weakness of his unprompted!
My revenge felt closer to fruition than before. During this placement exam, perhaps, I could fatally harm him and frame it as an accident. At least that way, I might be able to keep my life while taking his without raising any suspicion from either the vampire or the human. Either way, it was clear that a useful tool—this human—had fallen into my lap. All I needed to do now was use it effectively without her realizing.
“A-Anyway, we’re close to the dorms, so I’ll take you there now. Follow me!” the human said.
“By all means. Lead the way.”
Wherever you are, Blade Saint, just wait. I’ll have your head soon enough.