Chapter 70 70- Never Forget Dragons Hold Grudges For Centuries
LEXI
Principal Istvan sighs, the sound long and tired, like she’s already thought this through more than once.
“I am inclined to believe you.” She says at last.
“The Academy gave a report of significant damage done to Mr Nyvas‘ room, and quite frankly I can’t imagine you invited them in there or destroyed it
yourself.” Her gaze flicks briefly to Blake, then back to me..
“Additionally, I haven’t actually received any complaints about your behaviour from professors or other students until now.” She adds. Something about that
doesn’t quite ring true. I raise an eyebrow, just a fraction, and she notices.
“I did receive one complaint from Professor Matthews.” She amends smoothly.
“About Blake. But given the incident earlier in the day, and the fact that it was verbal only, I have dismissed it as irrelevant.” She reasons. Oh. That makes much more sense. And the way she says it, matter–of–fact, decisive, tells me she genuinely means it. She isn’t brushing it aside to be polite. She’s actively weighing context, behaviour, pattern. She’s looking at Blake’s actions and the reasons behind them, not just the outcome. Maybe he won’t be in quite as much trouble as I thought. I give a small, careful half smile and decide to ask the question Blake very clearly has no intention of asking himself.
“So… What does that mean for Blake now?” I prompt. Principal Istvan leans back slightly in her chair and looks directly at him.
“It means I’m being realistic.” She says.
“I could attempt to punish you, Blake, but is there actually any punishment I could give you that you would cooperate with? One that would meaningfully
bother you?” She asks him directly. Blake smirks, unapologetic.
“Probably not.” He answers easily.
“I thought as much.” She replies without missing a beat.
“But I DO have to do something.” She sighs. Then she folds her hands again, posture straightening as she lays out her decision.
“So here is how I am ruling this incident. As the wolves were in your room, your territory, without invitation, and they are well aware of how territorial
dragons are, they were technically in the wrong. Additionally, you did not cause them any permanent damage, which is really the only reason I can justify
this outcome.” She adds. My stomach twists a little at that.
“So, I am going to leave it be. You already… Punished… The wolves yourself.” Her mouth tightens slightly around the word.
“The damage to your room can be repaired, and I will ensure that you do not face consequences for missing class today. Particularly you, Lexi.” She continues as she looks at me directly now.
“I understand that your intervention was essential in diffusing the situation. So… Thank you for that.” She tells me. I feel some of the tension drain out of my shoulders. But only some. Because as the relief settles, something else creeps in alongside it. There are… Basically no consequences. For anyone. I can’t decide whether that’s good or bad. I don’t want Blake in trouble. The thought of him being punished for defending himself, and his hoard, makes my chest tighten uncomfortably. But he hurt people. Badly. Even if they started it. Even if they were stealing. And the wolves… They broke into his room and tried to rob him. Surely they should face consequences too? The fairness of it all feels… Uneven. I frown slightly, lost in that thought, when Principal Istvan continues, her tone suddenly lighter.
“We do, however, need to take measures to avoid future incidents. So, in order to cover my ass.” She gets cut off when Blake snorts. She clears her throat
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Chapter 70 70- Never Forget Dragons Hold Grudges For Centuries
then continues.
“To cover my ass, the Academy will be putting up a sign in the hallway by your door. Stating that anything past that point is dragon territory, and to enter at their own risk.” She finishes, unbothered. I blink. Once. Twice. I’m not sure what I was expecting. But it definitely wasn’t… That.
I stare at her. Just… Stare.
“Your… Your solution to this issue is… To put up a sign?” I ask, completely baffled.
“Yes.” Principal Istvan replies calmly.
“Then no one can say they weren’t warned.” She reasons. I open my mouth. Close it again. Right. Of course. That makes perfect sense. In a deeply unhinged, very Academy sort of way. I let out a slow breath and give up internally. I am never going to understand this place. Not its logic. Not its priorities. Not the way it treats potentially lethal magical creatures like inconvenient paperwork problems.
“As for you, Blake. I am sympathetic about your hoard, and I am mostly able to sweep this incident under the rug this time.” She stresses the words just
enough to matter.
“But don’t hurt anyone again while you’re here. I doubt I could do this a second time.” She continues, her tone shifting, firmer now, heavier. The warning hangs in the air. Blake shrugs, completely unapologetic.
“As long as no one breaks into my room, touches my hoard, attacks me, or harms Lexi, I have no reason to hurt anyone.” He says evenly I resist the urge to glance at him sharply. The statement is calm. Logical. And somehow still deeply unsettling. The principal lets out a heavy sigh, the sound of someone who knows exactly how futile arguing would be.
“Fine. Do what you want. You’re going to anyway.” She says at last. Then her gaze sharpens, pinning him in place.
“Just know that if you go too far, I will have no choice but to expel you.” She pauses.
“It may feel unfair. And it probably is.” She adds quietly. That surprises me.
“But you are drastically stronger than the majority of people here. Everyone knows it. And I am not stupid enough to pretend otherwise.” Her voice is steady
now, resolute.
“If you are strong enough to hurt others so easily, then you are strong enough to stop them without hurting them badly. I have to take that into account when making my decisions.” She concludes. The words settle slowly, sinking in piece by piece. I don’t like them. But… I get them. It’s annoying. Frustrating. Unfair in that way that still somehow makes sense when you think about it long enough. Power changes the rules. Responsibility follows strength whether you asked for it or not. I glance at Blake, wondering how much of that actually landed.
“Well… That’s that then.” Principal Istvan folds her hands neatly on the desk.
“Lexi, before you go, I would like to speak with you. Blake, you may leave.” She tells him bluntly. Blake tenses instantly. His posture changes in a way I recognise now, subtle but unmistakable. Shoulders tightening. Jaw setting. He frowns and makes no move to leave, gaze flicking between the principal and
me like he’s already calculating several unpleasant possibilities.
“It’s fine, Blake.” I say quickly, forcing brightness into my voice even as my stomach twists.
“Wait outside for me? I’ll be out in a minute.” I tell him. It is fine. Probably. But that doesn’t stop the uneasy coil of nerves tightening in my gut. Being asked to stay behind alone with authority figures is never a good feeling, no matter how innocent you are. Blake hesitates, then reluctantly nods. But before he leaves, he very deliberately leans down and kisses the top of my head, slow, unmistakably affectionate, while making entirely too much eye contact with the principal. Like… A lot of eye contact. I am burning red by the time he finally straightens and walks out. The door closes. Principal Istvan waits a beat, then speaks again, tone calmer, quieter.
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Chapter 70 70- Never Forget Dragons Hold Grudges For Centuries
“I wanted to tell you that I am aware of the harassment taking place on the SCRI app.” She says.
“Due to the mostly anonymous nature of the posts, I generally can’t do much about it. But if anyone posts anything inappropriate with their name attached, their accounts will be suspended.” She explains. I nod slowly. Not exactly helpful, but I do understand it.
“I also wanted to ask, if you had any other concerns.” She continues, watching me closely now. She doesn’t say it outright, but it’s clear she’s already reading between the lines. Online harassment rarely exists in isolation. I hesitate, then nod again.
“A few altercations.” I admit.
“And… Stuff like nasty messages written on my desk. People knocking into me. That kind of thing.” I tell her awkwardly. She doesn’t look surprised.
“I can ask the Academy to clean your desk off.” She says smoothly.
“And I will ask your professors to keep a closer eye on behaviour in their classrooms.” She adds.
“Oh, the Academy already cleaned my desk. I asked it myself.” I say, blinking. That carns me a raised eyebrow.
“Oh?” She says, clearly surprised. I shrug, a little sheepish but mostly amused.
“I talk to the Academy a lot. It responds a lot too. I quite like it.” There’s a brief pause. Then I add, because the thought has been nagging at me for days
now.
“I’ve been wondering if there’s a reason why it seems to interact with me so much though. Do you know?” I ask. The principal smiles. Not the polite, administrative smile she usually wears, but something warmer. More personal.
“That’s the thing about this Academy. A lot of students think I control it. Or that some other professor or organisation does. That’s not the case.” She answers as she gestures lightly with one hand.
“It does whatever it wants. Much like your dragon friend.” She points out. I can’t help the small smile that pulls at my mouth.
“If it’s choosing to interact with you, it’s simply because it wants to. Perhaps you did something it likes. Or behaved in a way it approves of. It’s very old magic. Older than anyone here.” She continues, her tone turns candid.
“We don’t really know exactly how it works, if I’m being honest.” She admits, resting her hand on the desk, fingers bruslung the polished wood fondly.
the drawer beneath her hand rattles slightly. She smiles more. “But the Academy can be quite friendly to the right people.” She finishes. As if in response, Actually… This is the most emotion I’ve seen from her since I arrived at the Academy, I guess she’s friends with the Academy too.
“Yeah, it is.” I say softly, warmth blooming in my chest.
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Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
