The Genius Tamer of the Academy

Chapter 71

[Forced Affinity Increase!]

[Forced Affinity Increase!]

[Forced Affinity Increase!]

The Drake from the specimen room.

It already has a master, but it can be taken.

[Would you like to temporarily tame the ‘Specimen Room Drake’?]

Han Siha tilted his head in disbelief.

“No way.”

It wasn’t the first time he’d seen a status window, but the fact that the target was Drake, a monster he was currently fighting, was unbelievable. Under normal circumstances, there was no way to tame a monster in a situation like this.

Although the Drake wasn’t in the best condition, it wasn’t near death or incapacitated. Furthermore, the conditions for taming, such as affinity, had not been met.

Forcing the affinity to rise?

“Can this even work?”

*Grrr.*

Instead of delivering a finishing blow to Drake glaring at him, Han Siha slowly extended his hand. His gaze seemed to suggest that he would kill it once it was tamed.

But then, unexpectedly,

[Taming Successful.]

“Screeech!”

A bright white light enveloped Drake. The creature, which seemed like it was about to go berserk, suddenly calmed down.

Han Siha muttered in disbelief.

“I think… I have a knack for reptiles.”

Maybe I should have majored in reptiles.

* * *

“What… What the heck?”

Solia stood there, mouth agape, unable to believe the situation before her. Just moments ago, the Drake, which had been rampaging wildly, was now docility wagging its tail.

‘Did he really tame it?’

It was a miracle born out of a series of dire circumstances.

‘Is he truly a natural Tamer?’

Solia couldn’t hide her confusion.

Han Siha was just as surprised. He hadn’t expected his new skill to be this effective.

And it wasn’t a skill that had developed from Basilus, but a new skill of his own.

[Tamer’s Touch: Temporarily tame a monster during battle. Rapidly increases affinity.]

[One monster at a time, lasts three hours.]

[Only works on monsters with a level difference of 10 or less.]

Though the skill came with several conditions and a cooldown of one day, it was an incredible skill. Not only could it be used to defend oneself in critical situations, but it could also be used offensively.

“You really… tamed it, right?”

The voice, trembling with desperation, caught Han Siha’s attention. He turned to see Derrick, who was on the verge of tears, shaking uncontrollably.

“Please… Save me, Han Siha, please.”

Just a while ago, Derrick had done several things to anger him.

Han Siha frowned as he looked at Derrick, who had been left for dead after the majority of the hunting party had abandoned him and fled. He couldn’t even stand up, likely due to a broken leg.

Noticing Han Siha’s displeased gaze, Derrick clutched his injured leg, looking utterly pitiful.

“If we get out of here, I’ll give you money. As much as you want, really. Please…”

Sigh…

Han Siha sighed and smacked the back of Derrick’s head.

“Ouch!”

“You were practically dead meat, you know that?”

“Th-thank you! Thank you so much! Sniff… Sob…”

The sound of crying reached his ears. It was hard to tell whether Derrick was crying from pain or relief at being alive.

It seemed almost a miracle that he was still conscious, given how much blood was pouring out from the leg that had been bitten by Drake.

‘It’s a wonder he’s still sane.’

He might be dumb, but he sure has a tough body.

Han Siha knelt down to lower himself and quickly tied a cloth around Derrick’s leg to stop the bleeding.

Tie tight!

He tied it as tightly as he could, eliciting a scream.

“Aaaaah!”

Han Siha added a heavy remark.

“Even if you got out of here, you’d have died from this. You idiot.”

“…Sob.”

“And you’re not even getting bonded, are you?”

“What?”

“Your hand, give me your hand.”

“My… hand?”

No bonding occurred.

Han Siha clicked his tongue and frowned.

“Useless idiot.”

“Sob.”

As Derrick wallowed in regret, Solia hesitated, carefully observing Han Siha. There was, in fact, one more person who had recklessly come here to hunt Drake for fame and fortune.

Solia lowered her head in silence.

‘Purification magic comes from a pure heart.’

This was a principle of light magic. She had failed to adhere to it.

Blinded by the desire to be ranked third, she had knowingly jumped into a dangerous situation. It was entirely her fault.

If Han Siha hadn’t been there today, she would have undoubtedly died here.

Filled with shame, Solia honestly admitted it.

“Thank you for saving me.”

“…”

Han Siha’s straightforward gaze landed on Solia. His expression was calm and composed, betraying no sign that he had just tamed a Drake out of nowhere.

Han Siha nodded, speaking as if it were no big deal.

“No need to be that grateful.”

He’s more generous than I thought.

“You can’t die yet. If you die, I’ll die too.”

“What?”

“So stay alive.”

If Solia had died, it would have caused significant turmoil in the overall story. The devastation that could have ensued was beyond description.

From Han Siha’s perspective, his words were sincere, but they could easily be misunderstood.

“…”

Solia blinked, mulling over Han Siha’s words. Then, her face suddenly flushed.

I can’t believe he said that so directly.

She had thought that their childhood connection was all there was to their relationship.

But maybe Han Siha placed more importance on it than she thought.

Solia’s ears turned red.

Han Siha blinked and asked again.

“What?”

“N-Nothing.”

Solia quickly scurried away.

* * *

Drake was promptly handed over to the faculty.

Since the skill had a three-hour limit, there was no point in trying to keep the creature, and Han Siha didn’t want to carry around something that was only strong in brute force.

Above all, Basilus intensely disliked it.

‘koo! Ugly!’

Although the Drake was a fellow dragon species, Basilus didn’t like how it looked.

It seemed like Basilus needed a bit of character education.

This little guy has a surprisingly nasty attitude!

When Han Siha confidently led Drake into the faculty office, the professors who had insisted such a monster couldn’t exist in the specimen room turned pale.

Previously, several professors had patrolled the area but failed to detect Drake’s “concealment.” Dean Ernest was furious at this negligence, and a few of the involved professors were suspended as a result. The reason given was that this could have easily led to a major incident.

As for me…

I received a reward.

“Money….”

Money is everything.

On top of that, Derrick gave me a hefty sum as well.

There’s definitely a difference in scale between a nouveau riche and me, but money is money, no matter where it comes from.

I smiled contentedly as I turned my head.

In the spacious auditorium of Ardel Academy, where students had gathered for the upcoming assembly, the only topic of conversation was Drake.

One of the students from the Drake hunting party was bragging loudly.

“I opened the specimen room’s door, and suddenly, Drake slithered out. I immediately decided to trap it…”

“But you ran away, didn’t you, you little coward?”

Derrick, wrapped in bandages, glared at him with murderous eyes.

“You abandoned me, you bastards. If it weren’t for Han Siha… You guys would be sitting here with my skeleton.”

The boastful student immediately shut his mouth under Derrick’s menacing gaze.

Other students, who hadn’t been there, grabbed Derrick, their faces filled with excitement.

“So, did Han Siha really take down Drake all by himself?”

“Well, more or less. Actually, he didn’t even fight it. He just tamed it, like that.”

“Tamed it? Drake? Is that even possible?”

“I don’t know. That guy’s insane. If that was possible, I’d have become a Tamer too.”

Their expectant and curious gazes turned toward me.

It was clear they wanted to ask me directly if it was true.

Should I tell them a heroic tale? It’s annoying.

Even if I don’t say anything, it’s already a well-known fact that I was the key player in the Drake hunt.

As I was quenching my thirst with a sip of water, Won suddenly popped up beside me.

Plop.

Sitting right next to me, Won grinned and patted my shoulder.

“Wow, you’ve become quite the celebrity. The Tamer who tamed Drake.”

I heard I’d even be receiving a certificate along with the reward money, thanks to Dean Ernest’s recognition.

It’s obvious that when I go up on stage, all eyes will be on me.

I’m already feeling the pressure.

I waved my hand dismissively at Won’s words.

“It’s not that big of a deal.”

“Not a big deal? Everyone’s been talking about it. Even Adela was asking how you tamed Drake. Teach me too.”

“Good luck.”

“That’s the most annoying response ever.”

I couldn’t exactly explain that it was because of a new skill.

For the time being, I’d just say I’m a naturally talented Tamer.

Won’s eyes sparkled as he asked,

“So, what kind of award is it?”

“I don’t know. The reward money is enough for me.”

“Money’s better than an award.”

Nod.

Of course, if it’s an award given under the Dean’s authority, it’ll likely come with significant bonus points, so it’s good news in any case.

That’s when it happened.

Bang, bang.

Dean Ernest, standing at the podium, banged on the lectern.

The noisy students quickly fell silent.

“There was a dangerous incident on campus recently.”

It was a heavy opening statement.

Dean Ernest’s eyes, though kind, burned with a subtle ferocity.

It was clear that if a major accident had occurred, he would not have stayed quiet.

“I hope this serves as a reminder that a moment’s carelessness can cost you your life.”

His gaze swept over the students from the Drake hunting party, causing Derrick to bow his head deeply in shame.

Solia, although keeping her head held high, had a flushed face, clearly embarrassed.

After slowly scanning the students, Dean Ernest’s gaze finally landed on me.

“However, there was a student who showed great courage despite the circumstances.”

Following the Dean’s gaze, all eyes turned toward me.

“Isn’t that Han Siha?”

“Probably.”

“Wow, lucky guy.”

“So, how much is the reward?”

“They say Drake skin sells for a lot.”

Whisper, whisper.

As the students’ chatter grew louder, Dean Ernest lightly tapped the lectern again.

“Student Han Siha?”

* * *

The reward is nice, the award is nice, and the bonus points are nice.

Everything is nice.

But why is the name of the award…

“Ah, the ‘Good Child Award.’”

“….”

Pfft.

When I turned my head, Won was already laughing so hard he could hardly breathe.

Damn it.

With an awkward smile, I looked at Dean Ernest.

“He says it’s the Good Child Award.”

“It suits you. You’re such a good kid.”

Snicker…

Adela and Lee Han chimed in. But what I’m most worried about is Won.

He’s going to tease me about this for at least a week. The name of the award seems to have really struck a chord with him.

The problem is that while they might still be children, I’m definitely not!

How old am I, getting a Good Child Award?

I haven’t received one of these since elementary school!

“For protecting the school’s safety by subduing Drake and serving as a model to others, we present this award to Han Siha.”

Dean Ernest even handed me a plaque.

Upon closer inspection, there was a crisp white envelope tucked inside the certificate.

This is nice.

Even if it’s called the Good Child Award, the substantial reward money makes it all feel worth it.

With a brazen smile, I turned back to the audience.

Dean Ernest’s warm voice continued.

“A few words of acceptance, perhaps?”

“Ah, yes.”

I slowly scanned the students seated in the auditorium.

Amidst everyone laughing, there should be at least one person whose mood has soured.

I glanced around the students, one by one.

Second years, third years, fourth years.

I passed by the neatly lined students until I reached the fifth year.

Ah, there they are.

I smirked and spoke.

“In fact, this incident wasn’t solely Drake’s doing.”

“Hm?”

“I realized it while taming it. The creature was clearly being controlled.”

What’s he talking about?

Rustle, rustle.

Excited murmurs spread among the students.

In truth, during the taming process, a Tamer can discern whether the target is under someone else’s control.

The message window clearly showed it.

Specimen Room Drake.

It already has a master, but it can be taken.

Of course, I had known this beforehand.

The Specimen Room Drake incident was entirely a man-made disaster.

My words carried significant weight because of this.

Dean Ernest asked with a stern expression.

“Is that true? Who could have…?”

Oh, look at that. Trying to sneak away.

Scuttle, scuttle.

A student wearing a robe was fidgeting in the back, trying to slip away unnoticed.

Without hesitation, I pointed my finger at them.

“It’s that bastard.”

Bonus Chapter for Every Review on Novel Updates.