MTLNOVEL vol. 5 chapter 70 - The Bear Patch
“Teacher Mevis, I… I’d like to invite you to dinner!”
“Hmm, alright.”
“Really?! I heard you never have dinner with any of the male teachers, but you’re actually agreeing to go with me?”
“Of course. Bring my student along—we’ll have dinner together as three.”
“…N-never mind.”
The man sighed, and the rose he held seemed to droop along with his spirit as he walked away, dejected.
Noa, standing nearby, maintained her expressionless demeanor but couldn’t hide the faint irritation in her tone.
“Teacher Mevis, this is the thirteenth time this semester you’ve used me as a shield.”
“Hmm, that sounds about right.”
“What do you mean ‘about right’?”
“There are only about fifteen male teachers in the Dragon Division. You’ve helped me reject thirteen of them—only two and a half remain. Keep up the good work.”
“That’s a lot more than just a ‘few’!”
Mevis’s faint smile appeared, her dimples softening her usually cold features.
Her smile was rare, reserved for moments when she spoke to Noa.
Reaching out, Mevis gently ruffled Noa’s hair.
“Are you spending tonight with your sisters?”
“It’s Friday. They’ve already gone home.”
“So, you’ll stay back and train again?”
“Yes.”
A light breeze swept across the field, where a few students and teachers were playing soccer as part of the academy’s extracurricular activities. Neither Noa nor Mevis had much interest in such sports.
After a brief silence, Mevis said,
“Before your extra training, have dinner with me.”
“Teacher, could you try inviting someone with a little more warmth in your tone?”
“And you could be less cold when offering feedback, Noa.”
The two exchanged glances before breaking into a shared laugh.
Turning toward the cafeteria, they walked side by side. Noa, usually composed, couldn’t hide her excitement—her tail wagged slightly behind her, betraying her mood. Dragons’ tails often moved involuntarily when they were happy.
“Why are you inviting me to dinner tonight, Teacher?” Noa asked, curiosity creeping into her voice.
In her memory, Mevis had never dined alone with anyone. If she wasn’t with Helena, it was during group gatherings.
Tonight, it was just the two of them, and though Noa felt flattered, she couldn’t help but feel a bit nervous.
The meal was simple yet balanced—rich in protein, fiber, and nutrients to support the rigorous demands of student and teacher life.
Seated across from one another, Noa asked again,
“Was there a reason for this, or…?”
“Not really,” Mevis replied. “I just felt like it, so I invited you.”
“So, adults can just do whatever they feel like?”
Noa, who had grown more mature compared to her younger years, no longer used "adults" as an excuse for everything. She strove to act responsibly, understanding her limitations and fulfilling her duties with precision and care.
Becoming an adult was no longer something Noa obsessed over.
“It’s not freedom, Noa,” Mevis said quietly, her gaze dropping to the clear soup in front of her. The faint reflection of her face rippled on the surface.
“It’s just… no one tells me what to do anymore.”
“What did you say, Teacher?” Noa asked, not catching her words.
“Nothing. Let’s eat.”
“Alright.”
The two ate in silence. Noa’s upbringing as a Silver Dragon Princess ensured her table manners were impeccable—graceful, quiet, and deliberate. Mevis, too, ate with precision and elegance, her demeanor hinting at a disciplined upbringing.
Watching her teacher so closely for the first time, Noa’s gaze fell on a small detail: the bear patch sewn onto Mevis’s jacket.
After a moment of hesitation, she asked,
“Teacher?”
“Hmm?”
“The bear patch on your jacket—it’s cute. Did you sew it yourself?”
Noa ⊛ Nоvеlιght ⊛ (Read the full story) had long been curious about why her cold and collected teacher had such a contrastingly adorable patch on her jacket. As the "aloof Silver Dragon Princess," she had refrained from asking, but tonight, the opportunity felt right.
“Oh, that… It was sewn by a family member. I’m not good at sewing.”
“A family member…”
Noa blinked her large, bright eyes.
“I’ve never heard you mention your family before.”
Pausing briefly, she added,
“I don’t even know which tribe you’re from.”
Noa realized that despite spending so much time together, she knew very little about Mevis’s background. While the academy ensured all teachers were rigorously vetted, Noa’s natural curiosity about Mevis had grown over time.
“My tribe…” Mevis smiled faintly before continuing.
“It was destroyed a long time ago. As for my family… they’re in a far, faraway place.”
“Oh, I’m so sorry, Teacher. I didn’t know—”
“It’s fine. It happened long ago.” Mevis’s rare, warm smile made Noa feel at ease.
But in Noa’s understanding, “a faraway place” often meant…
“Teacher, are they… no longer in this world?”
It made sense why someone as stoic and strong as Mevis would carry such a personal memento—a way to keep her family close to her heart.
After this heavier conversation, the two fell into a comfortable silence, though Noa occasionally snuck glances at Mevis. Her gaze lingered on the bear patch.
For some reason, it looked oddly familiar.
Noa tilted her head in thought but dismissed it after failing to place where she’d seen it before.
As they ate, Noa suddenly felt a twinge in her stomach.
“Teacher, my stomach hurts a little. I’m going to the bathroom.”
“Go ahead.”
Noa hopped off her chair and hurried out. Only when she was out of sight did Mevis shift her focus.
Reaching into her pocket, Mevis retrieved a small packet of light blue powder.
“This should be enough,” she murmured, sprinkling the powder into Noa’s soup.
The powder dissolved instantly—colorless, odorless, and tasteless.
After ensuring the evidence was destroyed, Mevis sat back calmly.
“I’m back, Teacher.”
“Feeling better?”
“Yes, just a little cramp, nothing serious.”
“Good. Drink your soup—it’s quite nutritious.”
“Alright.”
Noa picked up her spoon and sipped the soup, unaware of Mevis’s watchful gaze. Mevis’s eyes stayed fixed on Noa’s throat, only relaxing once the last of the liquid was swallowed.
A faint, enigmatic smile flickered across her face.