Dark Dragon: The Summoned Hero Is A Villain-Chapter 51: Back Where I Come From

They stepped into the cafeteria to find it half full, mostly with students trying to make the most of their free day.

The morning light streamed through the large glass windows, glinting off trays and the ever-present enchantments keeping the food warm.

The three of them grabbed their meals, with Noah collecting the usual Stone-tier fare, along with the spiced tea that had been added to the package today.

Arlo, on the other hand, paid to get more food, heaping his plate like a man preparing for war.

Juniper, unsurprisingly, chose dainty portions from the Gold-tier section with elegance, though she still scowled at the food options before sitting down.

They sat at their usual spot near the windows. Juniper took the spot right beside Noah, sitting close enough that her shoulder brushed his. Arlo dropped across from them with a thud, immediately beginning to shovel food into his mouth like he hadn’t eaten in days.

"This is nice," Juniper said, placing a napkin over her lap with grace. "The three of us, relaxing like this. Of course, it’ll be just the two of us later," she added, smiling at Noah as she leaned her head slightly onto his arm.

Arlo grinned, still chewing. "Funny you say that, because I thought I already told you Noah and I have some... very important business to handle later."

Juniper didn’t even blink. "Your ’important business’ can wait. It’s not every day a girl takes her boyfriend on their first official date. The entire day is planned. And trust me, there’s no room in it for clingy third wheels."

Arlo clapped his hands. "First of all, ouch. Second, third wheels are the most stable. Three points make a triangle. You know what else is stable? Triangles. The strongest shape."

Noah said nothing. He just ate quietly, eyes moving between the two of them as they went back and forth.

"I’m serious, Arlo," Juniper continued, her tone still sweet but her eyes sharper. "If I even see you lurking around the edge of our date, I will punch you. In the throat. In public."

Arlo raised a finger, voice mockingly soft. "Violence isn’t the answer, June."

"It is when you’re involved."

"Still rude."

Juniper turned back to Noah, who was on his second slice of toast, and patted his hand lovingly. "Don’t worry, I’ll make sure we have fun. He can sulk wherever he wants."

Arlo leaned back in his chair, sipping his tea slowly. "Oh, I’ll be nearby. I wouldn’t miss this soap opera for the world."

"Call it that again and I’ll soap your face."

Noah kept eating, thinking about the fact that he’d been in this new world for nine days now. And he’d confirmed exactly what he’d thought. Once one has power, they can change the world.

Within minutes, they finished their food. And so, they left the cafeteria with full stomachs, Juniper linking her arm with Noah’s as they walked toward the academy gates.

Arlo trailed behind with exaggerated steps and a dramatic sigh, clutching his chest like a man scorned. But a warning glance from Juniper kept him at a healthy distance.

The academy’s gate stood tall and ornate, etched with enchantments that shimmered faintly in the sunlight.

Outside the gate, a black carriage awaited, its surface polished to a mirror shine.

It was the kind of carriage Noah and his classmates had rode from the palace to the academy just eight days prior. All smooth edges, golden trim, and no horses in sight.

At the front sat a cloaked figure in black, unmoving, hands resting lightly over reins that didn’t exist.

The carriage ran on enchantments, and from what Noah had learnt, was a symbol of wealth and status. He immediately knew without asking that it belonged to Juniper’s family.

She beamed at him as the carriage door opened on its own. "Come on, boyfriend," she said with a playful wink.

Noah cast a brief glance at Arlo, who waved him off with a smirk, before stepping inside.

The seats were cushioned with soft velvet, and the interior carried the faint scent of expensive perfume and cedarwood.

Juniper sat beside him, close enough to touch, her dark hair spilling over her shoulder as she studied his face.

The carriage began to move, silent and smooth, gliding down the path toward the capital.

Juniper didn’t speak at first. She simply stared at him, that same unreadable smile playing on her lips. It was only after several long minutes of silence that she tilted her head.

"You know," she said softly, "you haven’t once asked me who I really am. What if Arlo and I are from tyrannical families?"

Noah glanced out the window, watching the forest blur past. "Does it matter?"

She blinked, surprised. "Well, I suppose not. But... doesn’t that bother you? You’re surrounded by nobles. Students with secrets and agendas. Shouldn’t you want to know who you’re dealing with?"

Noah leaned back. "If you want to tell me, you will. If you don’t, you won’t. Either way, I’ll be fine."

She stared at him, thoughtful. "You’re very strange."

He shrugged. "Where I come from, people wear masks all the time. Pretending to be kind. Pretending to be good. Pretending to care."

"Every answer you receive will be structured to let you lay down your walls. To pull your guard down. So they can get what they want from you. I don’t imagine that it’s any better here either."

Juniper leaned her head against the side of the carriage, eyes not leaving his face. "Earth sounds like a sad place."

"It is," he admitted. "At least the version I knew. Inequality everywhere. The ultra wealthy live like gods while the rest fight over scraps. And no matter how hard you work, there’s always someone pulling the ladder up just before you can reach it."

Juniper didn’t reply at first. The quiet stretched between them.

"So," she said at last, "is that why you’re trying to get stronger? Why you destroyed Ben Stanley?"

Noah nodded. "If I have power here, then I don’t have to stay at the bottom. I can climb. And maybe, just maybe, I can make sure people like me don’t get crushed underfoot again."

A slow, almost dazed smile spread across her face. "That’s... kind of hot."

Noah blinked. "What?"

"I like ambitious men," she said with a twinkle in her eye. "You don’t just want strength. You want change. That’s rare. And rare is beautiful."

He rolled his eyes, trying not to blush. "I’m not trying to impress you."

Juniper grinned, scooting just a little closer. "Too late for that."