Korea is still very much a society that values educational background.

Those who graduate from prestigious universities receive higher scores and better treatment.

So when the parents heard that today’s special class was being taught by someone who didn’t graduate from Korea University, they were taken aback.

What could be so special about this teacher that they were chosen to lead a special class on behalf of the first-grade teachers?

Some speculated that the teacher might be the chairman’s son, and most parents nodded in agreement.

There were even parents who were ready to file complaints if the class didn’t meet their expectations.

And now, as the class is underway…

“Magic has advanced, but societal issues remain unresolved. That’s why many magic scholars are focusing on these problems. For example, the potential variations of healing magic…”

The parents were once again taken aback.

Since magic is a mandatory subject, the parents had a basic understanding of it. They could tell how impressive the content was without anyone having to explain it to them.

“What is this?”

“…It’s incredible, isn’t it?”

“Didn’t they say he didn’t graduate from Korea University?”

“That’s right… I heard he graduated from some provincial university.”

“I also heard he’s on a temporary contract.”

“…Is that so?”

The visual aids were presented with perfect timing, and the teacher’s words flowed more smoothly than those of most eloquent speakers.

To the parents, Lee Jaesang was clearly not just a temporary contract teacher.

Meanwhile, the students gathered on the right side of the divided auditorium weren’t particularly surprised. In fact, they seemed to enjoy watching the parents’ reactions.

“And that concludes the debate on the direction of modern magic studies.”

As the first part of the open class wrapped up, applause erupted. Just as the students had been thrilled when they first witnessed dual magic, the parents’ faces were now filled with excitement.

“This is what you’d expect from Mythical High…”

The parents were already familiar with the stories about Lee Jaesang.

– “Mom, Mr. Lee’s class is amazing!”

– “It’s unbelievable that someone like him is just at Mythical High!”

– “What? Isn’t Ms. Yoo Haein famous? Are you trying to pick a fight with me, Mom?”

But these were just stories they’d heard over the phone. After all, students tend to get excited easily. They thought it might not be a big deal.

“There wasn’t a single part of the class that wasn’t smooth.”

“Yes, indeed.”

“If he weren’t a teacher, I’d want to hire him as a private tutor… I’d even consider hiring him illegally.”

However, not everyone in the parents’ section was impressed.

With looks that could turn heads anywhere in Korea, a pair of vertically slit pupils continued to gaze at Lee Jaesang with an unyielding expression.

‘Nothing special.’

Damian, Liz’s uncle and one of the dragonkin from the celestial realm, found the class smooth but underwhelming.

– “Mr. Lee’s class is amazing! He’s so good at teaching!”

Liz had been so enthusiastic that even Damian had raised his expectations a bit. But humans were still humans. To a dragon like him, it was lacking.

Liz’s desire to stay in the human world was something he understood, but most of the family opposed it. Damian was the only one trying to understand her.

So he hoped to find some inspiration or curiosity in Lee Jaesang’s class to justify leaving Liz in the human world.

‘If this is the limit of humans…’

Even dragons, with their long lifespans, value their time. Especially since Liz was at a critical point to fully develop her magical talents.

He wasn’t going to leave her in the human world just because the class was a bit smooth.

‘I guess I’ll have to take her back, as my brother suggested.’

Just as his resolve was hardening…

“Now, I’ll demonstrate some actual magic.”

Lee Jaesang’s voice echoed through the auditorium once more.

‘Wasn’t it over?’

The day’s schedule wasn’t over yet. He wasn’t going to drag his niece away immediately, so he might as well see Lee Jaesang’s abilities to the end.

Damian’s face, as he looked back at Lee Jaesang on stage, remained impassive.

***

It only took a brief class to turn the parents’ skeptical glances into ones of admiration.

Of course.

I had worked so hard in my past life to secure research funding. Compared to the demanding sponsors, parents were nothing.

‘So that’s Liz’s uncle.’

As I scanned the auditorium, my eyes stopped on one spot. I couldn’t recognize Shin Haeryeong’s father, but I immediately knew who Liz’s uncle was.

After all, there was a man with golden hair, dressed in what looked like a fantasy uniform, standing among the parents. Even a fool could tell.

‘He’s probably thinking it’s underwhelming and that he should take Liz back.’

I guessed his thoughts as I observed his bored expression from afar.

It was understandable. Dragons are known for their impatience.

The only dragon I knew was Liz, but still.

‘The class isn’t over yet. Let’s see if his expression changes by the end.’

I brought the microphone back to my lips.

“Now, I’ll demonstrate some actual magic.”

The class I had prepared was divided into two parts: theory and demonstration.

‘I don’t plan to do anything half-heartedly.’

I wasn’t foolish enough to try to impress a dragon with just words.

I had decided not to hide the results of my last three months of research any longer, so I had plenty to show.

However.

‘I still don’t want to catch the attention of the academic community.’

So my concern over the past week wasn’t about what to show, but how to surprise only the dragon.

While making it look impressive enough to the general public.

It was time to show the result of that contemplation.

“Here. I have an apple.”

All eyes turned to the apple in my hand.

Without hesitation, I took a bite.

The crisp sound echoed, leaving only the bitten apple in my hand.

“Typically, healing-themed magic targets living organisms, whether animals or plants. However.”

I placed the apple on the podium and took out a piece of paper with a magic circle drawn on it from my pocket.

“One of the spells I’m researching allows for the preservation of deceased subjects. For example.”

Magic flowed into the paper.

The magic circle glowed blue, and the blue light enveloped the apple.

Soon, the bitten part of the apple began to shine brightly.

“As you can see, it can even affect a bitten apple.”

As the apple slowly returned to its original form…

“…What is that?!”

Gasps of amazement erupted from the parents and everyone else.

It seemed like a simple spell, but the principle of healing-themed magic is to maximize the regenerative power of living subjects.

Reviving a bitten apple was a new realm of healing magic.

‘If I stop here, it will attract too much attention.’

I deliberately put on a disappointed expression and continued my explanation slowly.

“Unfortunately, it can’t be maintained for long at the moment.”

The apple maintained its original shape for about five seconds before returning to its bitten state.

It was an intentionally staged failure.

As a temporary spell still under research, it would draw some attention but not become a huge topic.

“But if this magic is perfected, its industrial value would be immeasurable. A world where no one goes hungry could become a reality.”

I concluded with a smile.

“This is the ideal direction I believe magic should aim for. I’ll work tirelessly to ensure your children can share this vision with me. Thank you.”

As soon as I finished my thank-you speech, applause filled the auditorium.

Even though it was a failed spell, the direction was commendable.

For a brief moment, it challenged a new realm of healing magic.

Most parents probably thought the teacher had that in mind.

That was impressive enough, so no one questioned the true nature of the magic.

Yes.

People are like that.

‘What do you think, noble lizard?’

I shifted my gaze to Liz’s uncle, the golden-haired dragon.

His previously indifferent eyes were now wide with astonishment.

‘Yes, a dragon should notice.’

I had disguised it as a healing-themed spell with light magic effects and even staged a failure, but it wasn’t actually a healing-themed spell.

‘He never expected a human to use time-themed magic, did he?’

I grinned as I watched the dragon’s eyes fill with shock.

***

The special classes continued one after another.

After the first-grade session ended, the second and third-grade representative teachers took over.

With my already limited time, I couldn’t afford to watch their classes, so I left the auditorium.

Most parents and students stayed, but not everyone.

As I took a moment to catch my breath outside, someone approached me.

With shoulder-length golden hair and pupils that hinted at his non-human nature.

“I’m Damian.”

He was one of the people I needed to impress today.

‘What kind of mana…’

Just his presence was enough to make an impression.

As expected, a dragon is a dragon.

“Ah, you’re Liz’s uncle, right?”

“You know me?”

“Liz mentioned you.”

“Hmm, I see.”

With a face as haughty as a noble, he stared at me intently.

Given my past experiences, a sudden thought crossed my mind.

‘Could he have some ability to sense dark magic?’

Liz had her sense of smell, and Jin Siwoo had his sight.

In that order, it would be time for hearing.

‘Do you hear the sound of dark magic?’ or something like that.

“Your class was… impressive.”

Fortunately, his words were ordinary.

“Ah, thank you. It’s an incomplete spell, so I’m embarrassed.”

“Incomplete, you say…”

He chuckled softly.

“Well, whatever your reasons for hiding it, that’s fine. Dragons aren’t known for being loose-lipped.”

“Your nephew seems quite light on his feet.”

I couldn’t bring myself to say it out loud.

“The phrase ‘for a human’ doesn’t quite suit you, does it?”

Damian looked at me with his usual arrogance, though his expression had softened a bit.

“Take good care of my nephew, will you?”

“Of course. He’s a good student.”

“…Yes, though he has his shortcomings. I’ll leave him in your hands. I must be going.”

He glanced skyward and whistled a clear, melodious note. As the sound resonated, a breeze began to stir.

“Is he summoning a spirit or something?”

I soon realized my imagination was lacking.

Descending gracefully from the sky, as if walking on air—or was it flying?—was a Pegasus.

“Wow! A Pegasus!”

Seeing such a mythical creature for the first time was extraordinary. To me, a Pegasus felt even more special than a divine beast.

“May I touch it?”

Before Damian could respond, I reached out, entranced by its elegance and mystique.

“Wait, Saints doesn’t like strangers’ hands…”

“What?”

He stopped mid-sentence, watching as the Pegasus nuzzled gently against my hand.

“What were you saying?”

“…I see.”

Damian studied me intently, then smiled.

“May fortune favor you on your journey, human mage.”

With those cryptic words, he mounted the Pegasus and soared into the sky.

“What was that about?”

I had no idea what he meant, but knowing he acknowledged me felt pretty good.

A dragon. A real dragon from the Celestial Order, not a fool like Riz, had recognized me. And I even got to touch a Pegasus.

I looked down at my hand, grinning. A tuft of the Pegasus Saints’ hair lay in my palm.

“Unexpected bonus, huh?”

Pegasus hair, imbued with its master’s mana, would surely be useful.

“Thank you for the gift, esteemed guardian.”

As I nodded in satisfaction, watching the Pegasus disappear into the distance, a voice interrupted my thoughts.

“Teacher, you seem in high spirits.”

I turned to see Shin Haeryeong.

“Hey, Haeryeong, aren’t you supposed to be in your special class…?”

I trailed off, my words catching in my throat.

Standing beside her was a man who could only be her father.

Even in front of Damian, the dragon, I hadn’t been this flustered. Not even when the principal caught me practicing dark magic.

But now, I was visibly shocked, no mirror needed.

“This is my father. He wanted to meet you…”

Shin Haeryeong’s voice, unusually subdued, barely registered.

I knew exactly who the man beside her was.

– You’re the worst friend ever.

– And you’re the best.

I recalled our last moments together.

– Get a grip!

The face that had supported my head, tears in his eyes, overlapped with Shin Haeryeong’s father.

In my stunned state, I whispered his name without thinking.

“…Shin Haeseong.”

“You… know me?”

Oh, I knew him all too well.

‘Shin Haeryeong’s father is Shin Haeseong?’

Reuniting with an old friend, aged exactly ten years, was far more disconcerting than I had anticipated.