The two guards exchanged glances and laughed as if they couldn’t believe it.

“Kiddo. Just move along while we’re being nice.”

Jake felt a surge of anger.

“I’m not a kid, okay? I just haven’t grown to my full height yet. I’ll be a proper adult next year!”

“Hahaha. That’s what being a kid means, kiddo.”

“Wait a minute. Isn’t he the same age as our young master? The young master has his coming-of-age ceremony next year, too, right?”

The guard gestured to his chest, mocking Jake.

“Ugh. This one’s tiny, isn’t he? Kiddo, if you’re going to lie, make it believable.”

Jake’s lavender eyes flashed with anger.

“You guys are really asking for it! Get out of my way! Open the gate!!”

In front of the large mansion gate, the guards were blocking Jake, arguing with him.

As the commotion arose, Seian, who was strolling in the garden, walked towards the mansion entrance.

“What’s all this noise?”

“Ah, young master! This little brat suddenly demanded we open the gate.”

Seian glanced at Jake beyond the gate.

“I told you, I’m not a kid! You’re making a mistake. I’m… actually a dragon! Don’t do something you’ll regret!!”

The guards laughed even harder.

“What? A dragon? Hahaha. You’ve really lost it, haven’t you?”

Seeing the jet-black hair, he ignored his words and smiled.

‘Black hair… it’s him.’

“Ahem. You there. You’ve benefited from me, haven’t you? Hello! I’m Jake. As I said earlier, I’m a dragon.”

Seian frowned and told the guards.

“Don’t let him near here.”

The guards grabbed Jake and dragged him away. Jake, dangling with his arms held, shouted.

“Let go! Let me go! You guys…!!”

Whoosh. Thud.

The two guards who were holding Jake flew off into the distance.

‘Phew… This level of magic is manageable.’

Jake lightly leaped over a door that seemed three times his height and walked steadily towards Seian.

Due to the significant height difference, Jake stood on his tiptoes and pushed his face close to Seian’s as he spoke.

“You ungrateful fool. Don’t you know Dragon Jake? That’s me right here!”

Seian stared into Jake’s eyes with a bewildered look.

The shimmering opal hue seemed different from that of ordinary humans. He swallowed hard and opened his mouth.

“Dragon… it doesn’t seem to be just a boast. Let’s hear what you have to say first. Follow me.”

Seian led Jake into the mansion’s drawing room and instructed a maid to bring tea.

He took a sip from the teacup and asked.

“Phew… So, what’s the reason you came to see me?”

Jake also picked up his teacup and drank, following Seian.

“Ugh… It’s awful. Why do humans drink this stuff? I prefer sweet chocolate. Do you have any of that?”

Seian frowned and had the maid bring out chocolate.

Jake smiled brightly, picking up chocolate and cookies, and said,

“Mmhmm… Talking to a dragon like that… such manners. Chomp, chomp. So arrogant. Yum yum.”

Seian’s hand trembled as he held the teacup, closing his eyes gently as he spoke.

“Just tell me why you’re here.”

“Mmm! These cookies are delicious! Can I have some more?”

Seian frowned. Jake wiped his mouth with his arm and grinned.

“My reason? Just let me live and eat here.”

“What kind of crazy talk is that…?!”

(Present) [Imperial Year 331, July 1st]

After sending Sera away, Sherburn sat on his bed, loosening his waistband.

Haa, haa.

He took out his member, gently grasping and shaking it while breathing heavily.

‘I didn’t intend to go as far as kissing…’

He tilted his head back and increased the speed of his moving hand.

Tap, tap, tap, tap.

Just before the kiss, Sera’s image came to mind. Around Sherburn, a bright, ash-colored pheromone was emanating.

‘She definitely hasn’t had a pheromone manifestation yet. Why did I even kiss her? Her face was pretty, but… the kiss was definitely unpleasant. Then why do I keep thinking about it?’

“Ha… Sera…”

Sherburn uttered Sera’s name aloud.

The movement of his hand became even more intense.

Taptaptaptap!

“Kuh… Ugh…!”

Psh. Pshoo.

Seren Orphanage.

“Are you trying to take Sera for yourself or something?”

Yuni and Kyle were having an argument.

“Ha… Look. Of course, I’m glad Sera is coming along too. But I didn’t ask her to come with us; it just happened that way. Why are you taking it out on me?”

Kyle glared at Yuni as he spoke.

“I’ll talk to the director too. If Sera is going, I’m going to follow her.”

When Kyle turned around, Sera returned from the shrine and ran towards Yuni and Kyle.

“Yuni! Kyle! You were together!”

“Sera! Sera, Sis!”

Kyle quickly turned his body back towards the direction Sera was coming from.

“Sera. What did they say at the shrine? How did it go?”

“Sera, Sis! What’s this about going to the Marquis’s place?”

Yuni and Kyle asked simultaneously.

“Hold on, let’s talk one at a time. Whew… First, it seems there’s nothing that can be done at the shrine.”

Sera caught her breath and continued speaking.

“Sigh. The pheromone manifestation… hasn’t happened. They say your prayer only reaches the god if your registered name is known. Apparently, this happens often.”

“Name? Isn’t Sera your name?”

Yuni asked, puzzled.

“Ah, actually… my dad gave me a name, but when my mom separated from him, she changed it so he could never find us again.”

Sera hid the fact that her father was a nobleman.

‘If someone claiming to be my grandfather finds out while searching for my name… he might try to kill me. Not just me, but Yuni and Kyle might be in danger too.’

“I didn’t know Sera had another name. Anyway, if you find your name, you’ll have your pheromone manifestation! Can you… find your dad?”

Yuni asked with a face full of curiosity.

“Hmm. I’ll have to find a way somehow. And there’s one more peculiar thing, if you don’t have a pheromone manifestation, you can’t feel any sexual desire, right? But I can… feel sexual desire.”

Kyle blushed at Sera’s words. Yuni glanced at Kyle and then asked Sera.

“Then it doesn’t matter if you don’t have a pheromone manifestation, right?”

“Well… the other person can’t feel sexual desire for me.”

Sera scratched her cheek awkwardly.

Kyle and Yuni seemed unsure of what to say.

“How… how could that be…? That’s so cruel…”

“Sera, don’t worry… Kyle… Kyle will be okay. So… um… uh…”

Feeling uncomfortable with her friends’ awkwardness, Sera blurted out.

“Oh? Ah, hahaha. Are you pitying me? It’s okay, it’s okay! I’ve… kissed someone before!”

“What?”

“Wh-wh-what?!”

Both of them looked shocked at the same time.

“How? With whom? Suddenly? When?”

“You weren’t forced… were you?”

Kyle’s eyes turned sharp.

“No, no! It’s not what you think… It’s just, one of the priests… I was just checking if I could feel any sexual desire. I was fine!”

“Really? You were fine? How was it?”

Yuni asked with eyes full of curiosity. Kyle couldn’t hide his disappointment and let out a deep sigh.

“I-it was good! My heart was pounding… and I felt weak… But the priest said… kissing me was so unpleasant and disgusting. It was that hard for him…”

Kyle grimaced and ground his teeth.

‘Unpleasant and disgusting to kiss Sera? That bastard… I should find out his name and go punch him…’

“What?! Unpleasant? Disgusting?! Who is that priest?! I should go and beat him up!!”

Yuni shouted angrily.

‘For once, she’s saying something sensible.’

Kyle thought as he looked at Yuni.

“Right… while kissing you… how dare he…”

“Haha. Calm down. There are reasons for everything. I’m actually grateful he was honest.”

Sera calmed the two who were about to explode.

“Sigh… But… Sister. What do you mean by going to the Marquis’s mansion?”

Kyle asked with a worried expression.

“Ah. That… I just heard about it this morning, too. It’s sudden for me as well. They offered me a job opportunity at the Marquis’s mansion.”

“Sera, please don’t go. Can’t you not go…?”

Kyle pleaded sadly. Sera replied, looking troubled.

“But Kyle… I think it’s a really good opportunity for me right now.”

Yuni chimed in from the side.

“Yeah. Sera hasn’t had her pheromone manifestation properly yet. Maybe the temple in the capital can find another way.”

Seeing Sera’s troubled expression, Kyle remained silent and just looked sullen.

“Leaving as soon as tomorrow… It’s such a shame to part like this, but I’ll definitely write to you. And it’s not like we’ll never see each other again. Kyle might have a chance once he becomes an adult!”

‘Tomorrow… so soon?’

Kyle felt as if the world had gone dark. His eyes lost focus.

“Kyle… I’m sorry. Kyle… are you okay? Uh… um… should we wait until you become an adult? If another opportunity arises, we can go together!”

“Hey! Who knows when such an opportunity will come again…?! Kyle isn’t a child. Sera. This is about your life.”

Yuni spoke to Sera, who seemed at a loss.

“But still… seeing Kyle so upset…”

Seeing Sera watching Kyle’s reaction, he seemed to regain his composure and spoke up.

“…You’re right. Yuni is right. Kyle… will come find you, Sera. It might be tough at first, but Kyle will bravely endure! I’m sorry for making you feel bad, Sister… don’t hate Kyle…”

“What? No, why would I hate you…? Thank you for understanding.”

Sera wiped Kyle’s tears.

“Oh, Yuni. You’re going to meet the knight soon, right? You have to tell me all about it when you get back.”

Yuni blushed and nodded.

“I have to see the director. I was told to go as soon as I returned from the shrine. See you at dinner!”

Sera stood on her toes to pat Kyle’s head and then ran to the director’s office.

‘Sera… to the Pianta capital…’

Kyle seemed lost in thought.

“Teacher! I’m back!”

Sera rushed into the director’s office, panting.

“Sera! Did the pheromone manifestation go well?”

“No, I…”

Sera explained what happened at the shrine.

“Hmm… Is there a way to find your name?”

Sera spoke, keeping the story about her father a secret.

“Yes! Don’t worry. I have a letter from Mom. I’m planning to go to the capital and try to find it somehow.”

The director hugged Sera tightly and said,

“Alright, Sera. You must take care of yourself. Prepare to leave today. Say goodbye to the children and get some rest.”

The thought of not seeing the kind director, who reminded her of her mother, made her heart ache.

“Yes. You take care too, Teacher. Thank you so much for everything.”

She forced a smile, holding back the tears that threatened to spill.

Sera left the director’s office and walked slowly to her room. Kyle was waiting in front of it.

“Sera, Sis…”

“Kyle? Were you waiting for me here?”

“Sis… no matter how much I think about it… Kyle… can’t bear to part with you… Ah, no… I’m sorry. You have to pack, right? I’ll be going now…”

Seeing Kyle’s eyes well up with tears, Sera grabbed his arm as he turned away.

“Don’t cry, Kyle. Will you help me pack? Let’s spend a little more time together…”

Next to Sera’s bed, a bouquet Kyle had given her was placed in a vase.

‘I thought she threw away the flowers I gave her…’

Kyle blushed to his ears as he looked at the flowers he had given.

“There’s nowhere to sit… so why don’t you sit on my bed?”

Kyle and Sera sat side by side on the bed.

‘I can smell Sera…’

Kyle quickly covered his sudden arousal with his hand.

“Kyle, you know… I really don’t want to leave you either. It really upsets me. But it’s not like we’ll never see each other again. If I find my name and settle down… I’ll definitely come looking for you. I promise.”

Sera comforted Kyle as she looked at him. Kyle, his face flushed, kept his head down.

‘Damn it… Sitting on Sera’s bed together… Smelling Sera’s scent, what an idiot…!’

“Kyle… I’m sorry. You can understand, right? You can wait, right?”

“…”

Sera let out a shallow sigh and followed Kyle’s gaze. At the end of his gaze was the bluntly swollen shape of a phallus.

‘Huh…? Is that… Kyle’s…? Did it get bigger…?’

“Kyle? Can you actually feel sexual desire?”

Kyle nodded vigorously without saying a word.

“But there are still months left until the coming-of-age ceremony…? What about the pheromone manifestation…? Did you pray?”

Kyle was slightly flustered but mumbled.

“Sister… I-I don’t know about that. Right now, Kyle is…”

‘Tomorrow, I won’t be able to see Sera.’

Kyle mustered the courage to speak.

“I-I just want to… kiss you, Sister.”

Kyle spoke, his face flushed and tears slightly welling up, his voice trembling.

Sera looked into Kyle’s sparkling golden eyes.

“What?! But I was told kissing me is… unpleasant and disgusting…”

Sera felt her heart race and her body heat up.

‘It’s Kyle, but… why am I feeling this way… Ah, it’s because of that dream…!’

“Sister… can I… kiss you?”