Chapter 8

“Come in.”

A familiar voice. It’s Teacher Jung-min Shin.

Since entering university, this teaching assistant has helped students in countless ways, providing a lot of conveniences.

There have been times in tough situations when I received help, and when I got into trouble, this teacher even covered for me.

In a department where I have no close friends apart from male classmates, this teacher might be the only person I can trust and rely on.

When I entered and closed the door, the teacher looked at me with a suspicious expression.

“What brings you here?”

“I want to apply for retaking a course this semester.”

“Retaking a course? Are you a Korean Literature student by any chance?”

“Yes, I’m a Korean Literature student.”

“That’s strange. I’ve never seen you before… What’s your name?”

“Although I’m like this now… It’s me, Seo-hyun, Teacher Jung-min.”

“Seo-hyun? Seo-hyun from the class of ’18?”

“Yes. It’s me, the Seo-hyun who always caused trouble and who was always helped by you. I’ve mutated, so I look like this now.”

“…Goodness gracious.”

Although the teacher said this, there was still a look of disbelief. However, after glancing through the documents I had submitted, the teacher’s mouth dropped open. I had also brought along hospital records just in case.

“Did your gender change, too?”

“It seems so. I’ve heard it happens occasionally, but I didn’t expect it to happen to me.”

“Goodness… Anyway, you’re here to retake a course from last semester?”

“Yes. Do you need any additional forms?”

“No, these should suffice. However, it would be best if I let the professors for the courses you’re retaking know about this.”

“I guess so.”

“It would be less surprising for the professors if they are informed. If you don’t mind, I could do it.”

“Hmm… I think it’d be better if I visit them myself. I sort of disappeared without a word last time.”

“True. Anyway, the professors don’t seem particularly busy now and should be in their offices. By the way, when did you recover?”

“It’s been about two months now. They said I was asleep for exactly three months.”

“What did you turn into?”

“Well… a dragon.”

“A dragon?”

“Yes. To be specific, a western dragon. Commonly known as a dragon or ‘Drake,’ right?”

“Dragon? Hang on. Is this you then?”

The teacher showed me a smartphone with a headline from two months ago. Quite embarrassing.

“Haha… Yes, that’s me.”

“Goodness, you’re truly remarkable. So, the lightning was real then?”

“Yes. It seems like it’s a characteristic of my species. I awakened to it naturally, I guess.”

“That’s incredible… As long as you don’t drop lightning on me when you’re angry, we’re good.”

“Would I do such a thing?”

“You did stand up to seniors when they tried hazing, didn’t you? That guy was pretty big…”

“Ayy, that’s old news. It was before I went to the army, anyway. Plus, since I turned into a dragon, I’ve become gentler. There’s no longer a reason for me to do that.”

“Why did your temperament change?”

“Since I became a dragon, it’s like I’ve felt more emotional stability. The doctor in charge of mutants even told me that it’s the first time they’ve encountered someone so emotionally stable. You don’t have to worry.”

Having said that, I waved my hand, and the teacher smiled.

“It’s truly a relief. With this mutation, I hope you’re able to expand your social circle. You were such a good kid, but it was sad to see you only hang out with male classmates because of that incident long ago. You should try being closer to your juniors.”

“My juniors are scared of me. With how society perceives mutants these days, it seems kind of hard. Also, I believe that it’s better to have deep but fewer connections.”

“True, it’s your value system, so I won’t say much about it. Still, I hope that the benefits of interacting with others outweigh the fatigue.”

“…I’ll keep that in mind. Thank you for the advice, Teacher.”

“To add, now is a good opportunity to change how others perceive you. Your face has become so beautiful now, so there’s a possibility you could date someone.”

“Teacher… Only two months ago, I was male…”

“I know, I know. It’s a psychological barrier, right? Such issues with gender identity are common among mutants who have changed gender. Still, I think it’s better to keep your options open. People’s values tend to change over time.”

“I think so too. But, not now.”

“Alright. Anyway, I was worried, but it’s a relief.”

“Thanks for worrying. I was slightly moved that other classmates also worried about me.”

“Well, you two were always together, weren’t you? Though, you both did have somewhat isolated lives, just the two of you.”

“That’s somewhat true. We were a group of five.”

“Is it that none of them mutated?”

“I’ve told them I did, but the details will wait until after the semester begins. It’s better to discuss such things face-to-face.”

“Ah, good point. Anyway, with term starting, there’s bound to be chaos. Oh, by the way, didn’t you need to go on an academic field trip for third year, first semester?”

“Yes, I was supposed to go last time but ended up like this…”

“It seems like the academic field trip will take place not long after the semester starts, so try mingling with your juniors then. I’ll facilitate that.”

“I’ll try. Thank you, teacher. I’ll go greet the professors now.”

“If you wait a bit, the department head will be here soon. It’d be better to wait five minutes than to wander around the research lab.”

“Alright.”

While waiting, the teacher asked me various questions about the past two months, but I replied that nothing significant happened.

“There was a Minotaur-type Mutant captured, and one of our students was involved?”

“Yes. His name is Lee Si-hyeon. Do you know him?”

“I do, of course. All the students remember him. Wow, what a connection. Isn’t he your junior?”

“I guess he probably doesn’t know. I just gave my name and left my seat. People were trying to take pictures of me.”

“Ah… There will be a lot of interesting events after the semester starts.”

“Interesting events?”

“Haha, so why don’t you try befriending Si-hyeon when school starts? He has a good reputation and is quite popular, so your social network could expand quickly.”

“Isn’t that a bit too calculated?”

“Where in the world does a relationship exist without calculation? Moreover, as he’s your savior, he might approach you first. If he does, don’t be too harsh on him.”

“I won’t deliberately.”

“Then it’s settled.”

At that point, the department head arrived.

Professor Kim Yeon-hwa, who is responsible for teaching modern literature.

“Oh, you’re here, Teacher Jung-min?”

“Of course, I should be.”

“There’s no teaching assistant as diligent as Jung-min. Anyway, did you prepare everything I entrusted you with?”

“Yes. Oh, there’s something I want to tell you, if you have time.”

“Is something the matter?”

“Well, about this student.”

“Who? Never seen this student before. We have such a beautiful student in our department?”

“Department head, it’s me, Seo-hyun from the class of ’18.”

“Seohyun!? That big male student? Oh, I heard about you taking a leave due to illness. Were you mutated?”

“Yes… I’m truly sorry for disappearing without a word.”

“No, no. Such things can happen with mutations. Are you okay? With the poor perception of mutants, it must’ve been tough.”

“Haha… Not really.”

“That’s a relief. But, was adapting to the change of gender difficult?”

“Maybe thanks to my species’ characteristics, I’m emotionally very stable, so there wasn’t much adaptation needed.”

“I see. What species is it?”

“It’s a dragon.”

“Dragon? East or West?”

“Western dragon. Commonly called ‘Drake.’”

“What an amazing phenomenon! Have you completed your course re-enrollment? We will see each other again this semester.”

“Yes. Completed it. Haha… I’ll work hard.”

“Good, good. If you face any difficulties, talk to Teacher Jung-min or me. Understand?”

“Yes.”

“By the way, Teacher Jung-min, do the other professors know about this student’s mutations?”

“No, but I just asked Seohyun to visit the professors.”

“No need to bother with that. There will be a meeting today anyway, and I’ll inform them.”

“Ah, thank you, department head.”

“Of course. If I have the title of department head, it’s my responsibility.”

In no time, the department head swept in, delivered a flurry of words, and disappeared like the wind.

“…Saved some effort. So, should you go now?”

“Yes, I must. I need to prepare for the semester.”

“Great. Good work.”

*

After visiting the department office, it was, as always, extended unemployment.

Of course, I visited the hospital a few times here and there to check on my physical condition.

Other than that, it was about my younger sibling dragging me around everywhere.

She made me feel as if she were treating me like a fashion doll, dressing me in brightly colored clothes, complaining how I always wore dull ones.

“Wow… this really suits you.”

“…How embarrassing are you planning to make me, little sister?”

“Well, dressing up like this makes it so much better, doesn’t it? Don’t you think so, Seo-Ah?”

“Yes, yes. I felt like I was fading into the background before.”

And watching her smirk today made me feel she was plotting something, but I probably just imagined that.

This current situation where I’m being treated as a fashion doll is all my mom, Mrs. Lee Mi-hwa’s doing.

Though we are technically sibling—no, now sisters—our shared apartment frequently gets raided by Mrs. Lee, who, after seeing my drab wardrobe, exclaimed, “What is this? You’re a girl!” and promptly dragged Seo-Ah and me to the department store.

And thus, I am currently dressed as though heading out for a photoshoot.

Mom even made sure to buy me a bright hat for my horns.

“Occasionally, one should dress up. You’ve become so beautiful.”

“How come your words are exactly like Seo-Ah’s?”

“Did she say the same? It must be because we’re mother and daughter. It’s natural, right?”

“…Indeed.”

After tearing through the department store, I returned to our apartment utterly drained.

Initially, I thought becoming a dragon would make me impervious to fatigue, but the endless energy a woman displays while shopping at a department store has truly surpassed all limits.

Mom, citing an engagement, left with a whirlwind and went off to meet her friends.

As I sat dumbfounded in the living room tidying away my newly vibrant clothes, Seo-Ah approached me.

“Soon the new semester starts, how do you feel? Are you excited?”

“Not particularly. I’m just worrying about being tortured by group projects again.”

“Eh, anyway, I’m in the Humanities College, so if you don’t have anyone to walk with, I can be your partner.”

“Go hang out with your classmates. You’re a freshman.”

“You don’t understand, do you, sister?”

“What?”

“All the female freshmen seem friendly at first, but after vacation, factions are already formed, each armed with hidden daggers. People will start forming three or four text chat groups.”

“Do you think I don’t know that? Still, it’s best to build some sort of support network within your department. I did it, after all.”

“Hmm… Alright, can I visit occasionally?”

“…Do as you wish. If anyone bothers you, be sure to let me know.”

“Why? Are you planning to help?”

“Help? More like I’d help the brave soul who bothers you. I know your temperament. This is to ensure that you don’t get into trouble.”

“…”