THE DRAGON DEVOURING ART

Chapter 6

Lucifer reined in his aura, and the rest of the lessons continued as usual.

When the final class ended and the instructor began to leave, another man stepped into the room through the doorway.

He was tall and broad-shouldered, his posture composed yet carrying a quiet authority.

His hair was neatly tied back, and the faint lines around his eyes hinted at both age and experience.

A subtle scent of ink and faint cologne drifted in as he entered, and his calm gaze swept across the students before settling on Lucifer.

The room fell silent.

“Lucifer,” the man said evenly, his tone clear but without unnecessary warmth. “You are needed at the principal’s office.”

Lucifer’s eyes narrowed slightly upon hearing the man’s words.

He paused briefly, then stood up and followed the man out.

As he did, faint whispers from his classmates spread through the air.

…

Lucifer followed Instructor Kael through the corridors.

As they walked, he glanced at his surroundings.

Far off in the distance, a youth was crouching down, another slightly muscular one punching fiercely at his gut.

Tears trickled down his face as he pleaded, enduring the suffering.

Lucifer glanced at Instructor Kael through the corner of his eyes. However, the man acted as though he didn't see anything and just kept on walking.

He clenched his fists, his gaze drifting toward the scene once more, then relaxed them.

On the way, aside from the few pots of flowers, they saw other cases of bullying. However, each time, Instructor Kael just pretended as though it was non-existent.

Through the corner of his eyes, he glanced at Lucifer, whose expression was strained.

‘This is the rule of the world. You have to learn to accept it.’

‘Without a good talent, you are helpless to humanity and so can only remain at the bottom, obediently becoming a punching bag for the others.’

Soon they reached the principal’s office.

“Head in.” Instructor Kael gave the order and waited outside, gesturing toward Lucifer.

Lucifer nodded, his expression betraying his nervousness as he stepped inside.

Lucifer stepped into the principal’s office, and the faint scent of old paper, polished wood, and brewed tea drifted through the air.

The office was neat but not overly decorated.

Shelves lined with neatly arranged files stood against the walls, and sunlight filtered weakly through the half-drawn blinds, casting pale stripes across the floor.

Behind a wide desk sat the principal.

He wasn’t particularly tall, yet there was something about the way he sat, straight-backed, hands calmly clasped, that radiated authority.

His black hair was flecked with grey, and his sharp, steady eyes held the kind of calm that made people uneasy.

The faintest smile rested on his lips, though it never reached his gaze.

“Lucifer,” the principal said quietly, his voice smooth and composed, yet carrying weight. “Have a seat.”

Lucifer obeyed, lowering himself onto the chair across from the desk, his movements careful.

The principal’s eyes didn’t waver. They lingered on Lucifer’s face, observing every expression he made as though he was suspicious of something.

After Lucifer sat down, the principal began speaking. “I heard from your friends that you encountered a Black Dungeon. However, upon arriving at the location, we realized that the dungeon seemed to have vanished. Can you retell everything that happened?”

Lucifer paused slightly, his face displaying a complex, strained emotion.

After a long while, he finally pressed his hand against his forehead as though he was feeling a headache and replied.

“Principal. I can't… remember.”

Lucifer didn't want to reveal any information about the legendary dragon or the fact that he was no longer completely human just yet. For now, all he wanted to do was grow stronger.

The principal stared intently at Lucifer, causing him to feel an unbearable weight pressing down on him.

He tensed up instinctively and lowered his gaze, not daring to meet the principal’s.

After a short while of tense silence, the principal finally smiled once more, though it seemed forced.

“I understand. In that case, as soon as you recall anything, don't hesitate to come to my office and tell me everything.”

The principal paused slightly, then added, “Remember, Lucifer… we humans thrive by lifting others.”

Lucifer’s face seemed to freeze at those words.

The principal sent him away shortly after. However, the words the principal spoke were still ringing in his mind…

‘We rise by lifting others? Then why… why am I treated like this while everyone turns a blind eye? Humans are truly selfish creatures!’

Lucifer seemed to understand something as he muttered under his breath.

“Every creature is cursed in their own way. Just like how the dragons are too prideful and the elves are too kind, humans are too greedy!

“When it concerns their safety, he tells me we rise by lifting others, but when it doesn't affect their resources and lives, they just turn a blind eye to it.”

‘Such absurdity…’

Just then, a sharp sound tore through the air as a fist shot forward.

Bang!

Before Lucifer could react, he was punched fiercely across the face, causing him to stumble backwards and crash heavily to the ground. He immediately raised his head to see who it was.

“Brat! Next time, when I tell you to get me a cup of water before the teacher comes, you do exactly that!”

The fat pig, James, said through clenched teeth as he struck another punch at Lucifer.

Bang!

Pain exploded in his mouth as he coughed out blood. In this attack, James had used his D-grade ability, Muscle Enhancement, to deliver the strike.

Lucifer felt as though his jaw had shattered.

Seeing the state Lucifer was in, James raised his head to stare at the lackeys behind him.

There were three of them with varying expressions. However, none of them held any sympathy toward Lucifer.

“You two, pick him up and drag him to the usual location. We will teach him a lesson. Although I can pretty much beat him in front of the other students here, it will give my parents a bad name…”

Hearing his words, the two immediately nodded and rushed toward Lucifer, one of them grabbing onto his legs and the other his arm.

The third youth let out a few praises as they took quick strides toward an abandoned warehouse.

It was said that the academy purposefully left this warehouse for students who didn't want to be prominently known as bullies to carry out their acts.

On the way, a few students passed by them. However, seeing James and the dragged Lucifer, they took to their heels, not willing to involve themselves in it.

They entered one of the rooms in the abandoned warehouse and dumped Lucifer, causing his body to crash onto the cement ground with a loud thud.

At this point, Lucifer’s face was bloodied, and his eyes were filled with anger.

His thoughts drifted as his blood began to boil…

‘Will I remain like this forever?’

‘I have the talent now, so why do they still treat me like I am the bottom trash?’

He clutched his head and couldn't help but raise his terrifying gaze toward James and ask,

“Why, James? Why do you bully me so much?”

Feeling his gaze, James’ heart skipped a beat. Then his emotions flared. How could this trash dare make him feel scared?

“You dare to ask me that? It seems your lesson today will not end in a few hours…” James growled…

However, inwardly, Lucifer’s mind had already snapped.