Dragon System: Red Dragon Legacy-Chapter 63: A Dragon’s Burden

Orion walked back toward his classroom, only to realize the first class had already ended.

He spotted Estaban and Sofia standing together and headed their way.

"Hey, Orion—you’re back," Estaban said. "Why was the headmistress looking for you anyway? Was it because of what happened at the testing grounds?"

Orion stayed silent.

Sofia stepped closer and wrapped her arms around him again. "By the way, you still haven’t told me what exactly happened there," she said, pouting.

"Dude," Estaban snapped, irritation clear in his voice, "can you please keep your hands off my sister when I’m around?"

Orion grinned. "Can’t you see? It’s your sister who can’t keep her hands off me."

Estaban turned to Sofia, silently pleading for at least a shred of his dignity.

All he got in response was a scoff.

He sighed. "Anyway... now that we have five members... including my sister, we should go to the club management office and register."

"Okay, let’s go," Orion said, then paused. "By the way, I don’t see Lloyd and Martin anywhere. Which division are they in?"

"They’re in B Division," Estaban replied. "And don’t worry—I already told them everything. They’re on their way. We’ll meet them at the registration office."

By the time they arrived, Lloyd and Martin were already waiting.

"Hey, guys. How’ve you been?" Orion said with a gentle smile. "I heard you managed to get into B Division."

"Yes," Lloyd replied, excitement in his voice. "And it was all thanks to you."

"Don’t mention it," Orion said. "Now, let’s make ourselves a club."

They completed the registration, and a staff member escorted them toward the club building. Along the way, they passed hundreds of rooms, each reserved for different clubs.

Soon, the man stopped in front of one door.

"Here you go. This will be your club room," he said. "Once you have more than twenty members, we’ll assign you a bigger one."

With that, he left.

Orion turned to the group. "Alright, boys. It’s time to plan our first step."

Only Estaban understood what he meant. The others looked completely clueless.

’Right... It’s time I tell them.’

Orion fixed Lloyd and Martin with a serious gaze.

"You’re probably wondering what I meant. So here it goes—"

"Dude," Estaban interrupted, glancing at Sofia.

"Oh. Right." Orion looked at her. "I’m sorry, but this is an extremely confidential meeting, so..."

Sofia understood what he meant, and her expression darkened.

"I see... you don’t trust me yet," she said quietly. "I understand."

She turned and began to walk away.

A sharp twinge of guilt struck Orion’s chest.

"Wait—Sofia, I’m sorry!" he called out.

She stopped and turned around.

Orion smiled faintly. "Please... stay."

"No," she replied, shaking her head. "You’re only saying that because you feel guilty."

Then her expression softened.

"Don’t worry. I’m not mad."

She smiled gently.

"It’s only a matter of time before you fall for me anyway. I can wait."

With that, she turned and left.

Orion smiled faintly.

’This girl... she’s really something.’

He was surprised by how quickly she was making him fall.

"Alright," he said, shaking his head. "Let’s talk business."

He looked at Lloyd and Martin, his expression turning cold.

"What I’m about to tell you is extremely dangerous. After hearing it, if you decide you don’t want to be part of this club, that’s fine—but you must promise absolute confidentiality."

Both of them gulped and nodded.

Orion wasn’t worried. If needed, he had other ways to keep secrets buried.

"The reason I gathered you all here," he continued, "is because I want you involved in my grand plan."

He paused.

"To take over this world."

Lloyd and Martin froze. Their minds completely short-circuited.

’Has he gone insane?’ Lloyd thought.

Sensing their confusion, Orion gave them the same explanation he had given Estaban—and even allowed them a glimpse of his power.

Only then did understanding dawn on them.

"We understand," Lloyd said slowly. "But... we have a request of our own."

Martin and Lloyd exchanged a glance.

"You see... I was once part of the Silverstone Count family," he said. "But after they saw my class, my father called me useless and..."

Tears welled in his eyes.

"...killed my mother, saying she had no use anymore because she was infertile."

He then looked at Orion with burning intensity.

"So I want you to help me take my revenge on them."

Orion nodded without hesitation.

"I promise you—I’ll do whatever it takes to help you get your revenge."

He understood that pain. And he fully intended to honor that promise.

Then Orion turned to Martin.

"Alright. What about you?"

"My request is the same," Martin said. "When my family died in a monster attack, Countess Maria took me in and raised me like her own son."

His voice grew heavy.

"I’ll never forgive those bastards for what they did to her."

Orion nodded, understanding.

After learning more about their pasts, the three of them finally began discussing their plans.

"First," Orion said, "have you heard about the new shop in the market selling something called matchsticks?"

"Yes!" Estaban shouted. "It’s the hottest shop in the entire market!"

"That shop is mine."

Everyone’s eyes widened.

"What? Really?" Lloyd blurted out. "Did you actually come up with the formula? But how? I thought your class was combat-based!"

"Stop," Orion said, raising a hand. "Yes, I created the formula. I’ll teach you the formula later."

He turned serious again. "I want you to use the shop’s warehouse as your personal lab. I’ll give you instructions on what you need to do later."

Lloyd nodded eagerly.

"And Martin—you’ll assist Lloyd for now. I’ll assign you your own role later."

Martin nodded, disappointed but unsurprised, as he was the weakest among them. At least Lloyd had a class that was actually useful.

"Estaban," Orion continued, "your task will be difficult. Use your noble connections. Gather as much information as possible on the nobles and the current state of the kingdom."

"Yes, sir!" Estaban saluted.

Orion rolled his eyes and let out a deep breath. A sudden wave of exhaustion hit him, and he collapsed into a chair.

As he sat in silence, the others started talking among themselves.

"Maybe I should make some biological weapons," Lloyd said excitedly. "And artifacts that fire them!"

"Oh! And I could challenge my brother for heirship," Estaban added. "That would give me more access to noble circles!"

Their voices grew louder and louder, and Orion started to grow angrier and angrier.

"SHUT UP!" Orion roared.

Everyone froze.

"Who do you think makes the plans here—you or me?" he snapped. "Just shut up and follow my lead!"

"S–sorry," Lloyd stammered, backing off.

"Yeah, man. We were just trying to help," Estaban added.

Orion clenched his fists... then sighed.

"I’m sorry," he said quietly. "I really am. My head’s killing me, and I’m under more stress than you can imagine."

The others exchanged looks. The dullness in Orion’s eyes said everything.

"Is this about the headmistress summoning you?" Estaban asked.

Orion nodded. "Partly, Yes."

"Then you should take a break for a couple of days," Estaban said.

"Yeah," Orion replied. "You guys discuss things here. When I get back, tell me what you’ve come up with."

With that, he left.

Orion wandered into a small garden near the club buildings. Countless thoughts raced through his mind.

He wanted to shut them all out—but he couldn’t.

Ever since coming to the capital, he had been dragged into business, politics, and countless other matters. People were constantly spying on him. And that didn’t even include everything else he had to worry about.

It was easy to forget sometimes, but he was still only seventeen.

All of it was too much for a teenager to handle.

Granted, he was a dragon now—but still—

"Agh..." Orion groaned, clutching his head.

That was when he noticed Sofia approaching. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝐰𝚎𝕓𝐧𝚘𝘃𝗲𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝕞

"Hey," she asked gently. "What’s wrong? Why are you holding your head like that? What’s been bothering you?"

Hearing her soft voice brought him a little comfort.

Orion didn’t hold back. He told Sofia everything that had been weighing on him.

Without a word, Sofia pulled him closer and rested his head against her chest.

"You need to relieve some stress," she said softly. "How about we ditch the rest of class and go on our date?"

Orion smiled faintly.

"Okay."