Teacher by day, Farmer by passion - Chapter 183

Chapter 183: The Dragon girl [1]
Just then, Kathum and Mati arrived.

Mati carried a woven basket of freshly gathered herbs against her hip. Her steps were light, and delicate.

Among the four Herb Garden Sisters, Akha stood out as she was already a Grade 3 Alchemist.

Khani and Kathum had both reached Grade 2, steadily climbing the ranks.

But Mati… poor Mati. Despite being born from a race with naturally high alchemy affinity, she’d received none of the talent.

Zero pill refining sense. Not even a flicker of flame control. Instead, she’d found her calling in cultivating herbs.

And oddly enough, it fit her perfectly. She even loved it.

“Master,” the two greeted in unison as they approached.

Mati stepped forward and handed the basket to Akha. “Eldest Sister, here are the herbs you requested.”

Without waiting for a reply, she turned her attention to Ace. “Master, I assume you’re here to check on the girl you brought in, right? She just woke up. I’ll take you to her.”

Ace blinked, still unsure of which girl they were talking about. But after a brief pause, he nodded. “Sure. Better to assess the situation first.”

Behind him, Akha, Khani, and Kathum waved goodbye as he followed Mati, their expressions warm and encouraging.

“Take care, Master!”

P

“Tell us what she looks like later!”

“Be gentle, she’s still a little weak!”

Ace raised a brow at the last one but kept walking.

The mystery girl awaited, and he was about to get some long-overdue answers.

The gentle crunch of gravel accompanied their steps as Mati led Ace along a narrow path winding through the herb fields.

The soft scent of spirit grass and blue filled the air, calming and earthy.

Mati didn’t speak at first. She wasn’t the chatty type, as always more action than words. But she could feel his curious gaze lingering on her now and then.

Probably still wondering about the girl.

“She’s stable now,” Mati finally said, keeping her eyes on the path ahead.

“Didn’t speak much when she woke up. Just stared at the ceiling for a while… like she was remembering something painful.”

Ace gave a noncommittal hum, hands in his pockets. “And you’re sure I brought her in?”

Mati nodded. “yes, Master. You were the one who found her, unconscious, with that ring clutched in her hand.”

“With a ring?” Ace muttered under his breath.

They soon passed under a wooden archway lined with climbing vines, the entrance to a quiet glade nestled deep within the garden grounds.

At the far end stood a small herbal cottage, its door slightly ajar. “She’s inside,” Mati said, stopping just short of the entrance.

“I’ll wait out here. She might open up more if she’s alone with you.”

Ace looked at her for a moment, sensing the faint concern in her tone, then gave a quiet nod and pushed the door open.

The light inside was soft. Dust particles drifted lazily through the air, catching the sunbeams that filtered in from the window.

And in the middle of the room, sitting cross-legged on a simple bed of woven leaves and cotton, was the girl.

Ace took a seat across from the girl, his expression calm but curious.

Without a word, he pulled up the system interface and opened her profile.

[Name: Angie]

[Race: Dragon]

[Talent: Divine]

[Grade: Peak Legend Rank]

[Cultivation Technique: Unknown]

Ace blinked, mildly surprised. A dragon? Divine talent? Peak Legend? He looked at the small girl in front of him—barely old enough to be wandering alone, much less carrying that kind of weight.

Then the system picked up her surface thoughts.

[Ah… why isn’t he saying anything? Isn’t he the owner of the Immortal Heart? Then why is he so weak?]

Her inner voice was laced with confusion, and a thread of panic.

[Stop overthinking! Ahhh—did you forget Immortal Heart owners can read our thoughts?! Ah! Please say something already!]

Ace couldn’t help it. His face twisted, and the next second, he burst into uncontrollable laughter.

The girl, Angie, flinched slightly.

Her eyes trembled, the sheen of tears beginning to form.

She clenched her little fists, trying her best to look composed and dignified, even as her bottom lip wobbled.

Ace wiped the corner of his eye, still chuckling. “You’re a funny one,” he said softly.

Then, without thinking, he leaned forward and gently patted her head. “There’s no need to be so tense, Angie. You’re safe here.”

“Human, are you telling the truth?” Angie asked cautiously, her eyes narrowed, posture stiff. Ace smiled gently. “Un un, I am. Now, how about we start with your name?”

[Hmm… Sister always said never to trust a human… That despicable one who stole from us was also human. Should I really give him my full name? I should just give him a fake name.]

She hesitated, chewing her lower lip. Her eyes darted up to study him again and then realization struck. Her eyes widened in horror. [Didn’t he just called me Angie already?! ]

She stared at him, frozen like a deer caught in moonlight. Ace… couldn’t hold it in.

He threw his head back and burst out laughing again, louder than before. “You’re just too honest for your own good,” he chuckled, wiping tears from the corner of his eyes.

Angie’s cheeks puffed up, her tiny fists clenched in her lap.

Then, with a loud snort, she let out a small hiccup and to Ace’s surprise, tears began to roll down her cheeks.

“Y-You’re a b-bully!” she cried, voice wobbling as she rubbed at her eyes.

“Laughing at me like that… I was being serious!”

Ace froze mid-chuckle, his heart skipping a beat. Oh no. He’d broken the tiny dragon.

Angie sniffled, glaring at him through watery eyes. “*sniff* *sniff*, I was trying my best to be polite and strong and… and dignified! Like Sister said a dragon should be!”

Her lower lip trembled as she looked away, clearly embarrassed now by her outburst.

Ace without thinking, he scooted closer and gently patted her head again, his voice softening. “Alright, alright. I’m sorry, little one. You were being very brave.”

Angie snorted again, this time quieter, leaning into his palm just a little.

“You still laughed…”

“I did,” Ace admitted, “but only because you’re too honest, and too adorable for your own good.”

She blinked up at him, unsure whether to accept that as a compliment or start crying again.

“…Stupid human,” she mumbled.

Ace smiled warmly. “There we go. Now, how about we try this again? I’ll tell you about me, and you can tell me whatever name you’re comfortable with.”

“…Okay,” she whispered, voice barely above a breath, her tears finally slowing.

Ace nearly burst out laughing once again.