Chapter 506

Chapter 506: Dark Demon Could Not Sleep (4k)

The lights in the dining hall were slightly dim.

On the table covered with ornate tablecloths, there were various dishes of meat cooked in different ways.

Especially in the center, the piled-up ribs looked like a small mountain, and the sauce drizzled from the top flowed to the bottom of the plate, releasing a thick aroma that made one’s mouth water uncontrollably.

Dark only glanced at them and felt his appetite surging wildly.

He hurriedly restrained his hunger, patiently waiting for Senior Pandora to arrive.

Apart from being surprised, he also felt a bit delighted by her visit.

The “Demon King Execution Ceremony” was a major event that could attract anyone to the capital city.

If Senior Pandora really left the school as she said during the summer vacation, then this event was the reason for her visit to the capital.

Similarly, perhaps some professors from the academy would also come to the capital.

Dark couldn’t help but think of Professor Lily and Professor Kazel.

After such a long time, he really missed them.

As he pondered, he suddenly heard footsteps approaching and involuntarily looked up towards the door.

…

The maid leading the way stopped at the entrance of the dining hall.

Pandora and Hefestus entered together.

Her gaze passed over the mountain of ribs and finally saw her long-unseen junior.

At first sight, she reined in her increasingly open smile, showing a more reserved side.

“Senior.”

Dark smiled slightly and got up from his seat, going around the table to meet her.

It had been over a month since they last met; outwardly, Senior Pandora seemed unchanged.

But her expression was noticeably more cheerful.

This might be due to the other lady beside her?

Dark had already noticed some hints in the academy, but he hadn’t asked about it.

Now it seemed clear that Pandora Senior indeed found family during her travels over the Christmas break.

But he didn’t know which family member this ageless-looking woman was to her.

With a hint of curiosity, Dark greeted her first after getting closer: “Good evening, Senior. Have you just arrived?”

“That’s not it.” Pandora couldn’t help but smile widely, “When visiting someone’s home, one always brings gifts, right?”

As she spoke, she directly handed him a large package.

Dark took the gift with both hands and felt its weight, asking curiously, “What’s this?”

Pandora replied, “Easter egg models. I didn’t expect these model Easter eggs to have spread to the city; I thought they were only sold at the Dueling Arena.”

Dark’s face darkened, “Are you trying to unload your excess here?”

“It’s not mine,” Pandora squinted and pulled Hefestus from behind, “Allow me to introduce, Hefestus Dragone, my mother.”

“Hello, Dark Demon,” Hefestus removed her hood, revealing silver hair that shimmered under the light.

Dark immediately sensed a unique aura from this silver-haired lady.

But he didn’t ask questions yet, instead reaching out to shake her hand respectfully, “Nice to meet you, Hefestus Dragone Auntie. I’m a first-year student at the Noble Academy of Saint Maryann and had the pleasure of meeting Senior Pandora in the library.”

Hefestus winked at him, her long eyelashes fluttering slightly, and chuckled, “I’ve heard everything about you from Pandora.”

“Is that so?” Dark awkwardly withdrew his hand—though not entirely.

Even with the strength he gained from opening three chakras, he couldn’t move even a finger!

Another powerful woman!

Wasn’t he supposed to be surrounded by girls who were “weak as kittens”?

Why did every girl around him seem like a powerhouse?

Where was Rose?

Dark tried to continue as if nothing happened, “Auntie, I prepared some midnight snacks. Would you like to try them?”

Hefestus turned to look at the table and released his hand, saying, “You’re thoughtful.”

“He’s always been considerate,” Pandora couldn’t help but laugh.

Dark turned his black face and asked, “Would you like cold or hot drinks?”

“Do you have cold drinks?” Pandora asked curiously.

Dark responded, “Of course. We have iced black tea, iced lemon tea, and iced milk tea. You name it.”

“Then let’s have iced lemon tea. It’s refreshing,” Pandora naturally followed Dark.

Olivia pulled out a chair from the table, moved the plate originally placed opposite to Dark’s side, and scooped ice from the ice box into the cup before pouring the lemon tea and stirring it.

Pandora and Hefestus then sat down.

Dark didn’t hesitate to pick up a fork and put ribs onto Pandora’s plate, smiling, “Don’t be shy, eat more.”

In the academy, Dark already knew Pandora was a pure carnivore, but in the crowded cafeteria, she had to hold back somewhat.

Now at home, there was no need to restrain herself.

Honestly, he wanted to organize a “Who Can Eat the Most” competition to see whether Diana or Pandora had a bigger appetite—yes, little Aurora might also qualify.

Talking about Aurora, Dark softly said, “Inform Miss Montiel Farley.”

Olivia walked out of the dining hall to inform the maid at the door.

Thinking about it, since Pandora and her mother visited late at night, they would naturally stay at the Duke’s Mansion, and Dark had already arranged for a bedroom, though he wasn’t sure how long they would stay.

Since they were staying in the mansion, it was necessary to introduce them to everyone else.

Alvaraite and Claire were absent, so next would be Jasmine, the head maid, and Aurora.

After that, Dark began to have a quiet conversation with Senior Pandora.

While the two young people were whispering, the elder Hefestus Dragone did not interrupt, elegantly eating the meat on the table.

Being a pure-bl**d dragon, even in human form, she still had a bottomless stomach.

Hefestus was quite satisfied with Dark’s family situation.

Someone who wasn’t wealthy enough couldn’t afford to raise their daughter.

Though her daughter didn’t need a man to support her, there were times when she needed a place to rest, and having a boy who could provide that comfort was crucial.

Of course, she wouldn’t give her daughter away because of the family’s financial status.

To snatch treasure from a dragon required more than just courage!

…

Just as the dining hall atmosphere was heating up, Aurora Montiel Farley approached from the corridor.

When she received the maid’s notification, she was somewhat surprised.

But then she thought, if Dark informed her about guests, wasn’t he treating her like family?

Not a guest, but family.

A hint of sweetness rose in her heart.

So she quickly changed into a more formal house dress and came to the dining hall.

This feeling remained until she pushed the door open—she immediately smelled a strong presence!

“It’s a dragon!”

Dragons and giants were two species standing at the peak.

But in legends and historical records, the relationship between pure-bl**d dragons and pure-bl**d giants was never good.

They were natural enemies, but rarely clashed directly due to their living environments.

They were rare races that viewed each other as imaginary enemies.

…

Aurora slowed down at the door.

Pandora and Dark’s conversation stopped abruptly, instinctively turning their heads toward the door.

Hefestus continued to eat ribs while casually glancing at the door.

“Two dragons!”

Aurora slid back a step, her usually timid expression completely gone, replaced by a serious look.

“Giant, elf, and human?”

Hefestus’ eyes flickered with light, instantly seeing through Aurora’s essence.

“Solar giant and moon elf mixed bl**d, interesting.”

…

The atmosphere in the dining hall tensed up instantly.

Dark narrowed his eyes and said, “This is my sister, Aurora.”

His intervention eased the tension.

Aurora relaxed her expression, walking quickly and sitting down to Dark’s right.

Dark introduced her, “This is Senior Pandora, a fourth-year student. She will be a fifth-year in autumn.”

Then he turned to Pandora and said, “Aurora will enroll in September and has already received her admission letter.”

Pandora examined Aurora with interest, smiling, “So she’s a first-year. Nice to meet you, I’m Pandora Dragone, and this is my mother.”

“Nice to meet you!” Aurora quickly stood up, “I’m Aurora Montiel Farley. Please take care of me in the future.”

Pandora looked at this familiar little sister and said, “Saint Maryann is divided into different colleges. If you’re assigned to the Mana Academy, come find me. By the way, are you related to Diana?”

Aurora paused, then said, “Do you know Diana? She’s my cousin.”

“I know Diana,” Pandora pressed her lips with her hand, whispering, “Diana and I often sneak out to Traveler’s Street with Dark. Do you know Traveler’s Street? It’s a commercial street under Saint Maryann, where you can buy almost anything. The night snacks there are delicious.”

“Traveler’s Street? Is there such a place?” Pandora sat down, her eyes filled with longing.

Pandora smiled, “Many students think the academy only has teaching buildings and dormitories, but Saint Maryann isn’t like that. There’s everything you need inside. After we enroll, we’ll spend nine months in the academy, but it won’t be boring.”

Aurora thought for a moment and asked, “Is it like a small town?”

“Some differences,” Pandora picked up a piece of meat dripping with sauce, waving it at her, “You’ll know once you enroll. If the academy courses aren’t burdensome, you’ll find many great things.”

Aurora watched Pandora eat a small bite, swallowing slightly, struggling to control her appetite.

She was always worried about gaining weight from eating too much.

“With a giant’s digestive system, a bit of meat is just fuel for growth,” Pandora hinted at Aurora’s lower body, urging her, “Aurora, you should eat more.”

Aurora lowered her head, “But even if I don’t gain weight, I don’t want to become as big as Mom…”

…

“Montiel Farley City Mainland would definitely cry if they heard that.”

Listening to their growing familiarity, Dark couldn’t help rolling his eyes.

Senior Pandora, are you developing followers?

He could already imagine a big eater leading two smaller ones sweeping through the night stalls at Traveler’s Street.

Anyway, since Pandora and Aurora started chatting, Dark had to switch his conversation to Hefestus Dragone.

“Just call me Auntie.”

Hefestus winked at him, her overly pale face making him feel like Senior Pandora had suddenly matured.

Hefestus was like a mature version of Pandora, very similar in both appearance and personality.

But Dark, who was familiar with Pandora, realized after talking with Hefestus that his initial impression was completely wrong.

Senior Pandora’s “outgoing” nature sometimes gave the impression of being forced, but in truth, she was actually a very introverted person, her inner self fragile like glass, always protected by a steel shell.

Only someone like Dark, who was harmless, could cautiously approach her.

Despite becoming more outgoing after finding her mother, her inner softness hadn’t changed much.

In contrast,

Hefestus was a completely consistent person.

Steel armor, steel claws, steel heart.

From a brief conversation, Dark knew she was the type who would definitely get what she wanted.

“Is this a dragon?”

Dark’s thoughts raced.

Irina and Eve had told him earlier that Hefestus had a dragon-like aura.

And now, she was clearly a standard dragon!

That means Senior Pandora is a mix of dragon and human.

This matched Dark’s guess.

After all, few people could casually produce “Dragon’s Inverted Scale” as a Christmas gift.

Thinking back, that scale was probably shed by Senior Pandora herself…

Dark couldn’t help glancing at the smiling senior, wondering where exactly the scale was located on her body.

But as soon as he let his mind wander, he suddenly realized how wicked it was to use the “inverted scale” for creating a golem!

Dark’s face paled.

Although Pandora likely knew he intended to use the “dragon scale” for the golem when he bought the “White Dragon Pearl,” knowing and seeing were two different things.

“I can’t let her know I really used the scale for the golem!”

Dark subtly kept an eye out as he spoke.

Fortunately, he hadn’t shown the “Baby Blue-Eye Dragon” in front of her.

But suddenly, his expression changed as he noticed the golems gathering in this direction.

It was snack time!