Editing Talk:Seikoku no Ryuu Kishi: Volume 1 (section)

=== Part 3 ===
The grand fireworks were dazzling. 

The academy gave off a tense, excited atmosphere as the event was close to starting.  

Raymond had wished Ash "good luck in the race", forsaking the long winded official name of "Aries Dragon Riding Festival" in lieu of the more commonly used abbreviation. The Aries Dragon Riding Festival was a grand annual event, held in the month of Aries (fourth month).<ref> The names of months in the story are taken from the names of the horoscopes in order.</ref> 

The race was also a springtime activity held by the Ansarivan Dragon Riding Academy. 

Ash, having changed to a Dragsuit,<ref> Term for the clothes worn when riding a dragon</ref> arrived at the academy's sports field. 

It was a cloudless sunny day, weather suitable for a race. 

Many students on dragons had already gathered on the sports field. 

By a rough estimate, there should be at least fifty people. 

Ash was riding on Brigid, which he borrowed from Raymond, using the reins in his hands to guide Brigid towards the middle of the field. 

"You're in a good mood today, Brigid." 

Brigid gave off a happy low-pitched cry, replying to Ash's greeting with a spoiled attitude. 

Brigid was an Asia fancied by Ash. Having four greatly developed legs and no wings, Brigid did not look like a dragon but more like the large types of lizards. 

Cheers suddenly arose from the students on the field. 

"A good morning to all students." 

The radiant Student Council president appeared at the centre of the temporarily constructed stage. 

The Student Council president did not have a loud voice, but her words were full of confidence and had a penetrating power. 

Fiery red hair, elongated eyes, her beautiful body emitted the cold radiance of a marble statue and terrifying killing intent. Even the petals dancing in the wind paled in comparison. 

Rebecca Randall. 

The «Scarlet Empress». 

Her red hair, bold personality and unparalleled strength were her attractive points as the school idol of Ansarivan Dragon Riding Academy. 

Even the academy's combat skills instructors could not beat Rebecca on her Maestro Cú Chulainn.<ref> An Irish mythological hero. Do google it if you are interested.</ref> When talking about the strongest student of Ansarivan Dragon Riding Academy, 99 percent of the students would immediately think of Rebecca.

"I won't bore you with such a nonsensical thing as how the weather is today," 

The students on the field lowered their heads snickering. "The weather is great today" was the principal's pet phrase, but the festival was an event held by the Student Council, thus the principal did not have to go on stage to deliver a speech. 

"Students of Ansarivan Dragon Riding Academy! Not only is the Aries Dragon Riding Festival a sports competition... It is also one of Ansarivan's important traditions, where the results of the race are included in the official records. Since all of you have decided to participate in the race, then you should aim to stand on the victory podium as number one!<ref> The place medalists in sports competitions stand on when they received their medals.</ref> However, I'm aware that fine tradition and official records are not enough as reasons to motivate you to achieve victory..."

The students started snickering again, but the snickering stopped quickly. 

"So I decided to award the winner a day-long date ticket as a prize. As for the person you are dating, that will be me, Rebecca Randall." 

The moment Rebecca finished speaking, cheers immediately arose from the students. 

"Silence!" 

Rebecca roared. Instantly, the students were quiet like before. 

"Next would be a speech by the representative of the participants. Advanced Course first-year, Princess Silvia Lautreamont." 

At Rebecca's signal, a female student's figure appeared at the other side of the stage. 

Ash subconsciously clenched his fists. 

"The princess is actually the representative of the participants...!" 

Silvia's dazzling golden hair was tied up at the back of her head. Wearing a Dragsuit with the royal coat of arms sewn on it, she leapt off her pal— Maestro Lancelot<ref> One of the Knights of the Round Table in the Arthurian legend</ref> and slowly walked up the stage.

The Lautreamont Knights royal family's fourth princess Silvia. 

The «Ice Blue Princess». 

She was the daughter of the ruler of Lautreamont Knight Country, who holds the title of Paladin. 

Ash, whose pal still had not been born after such a long time, had always borrowed the pals of other students during practical examinations. 

Otherwise, he would have been retained for the year. 

To other students, riding other people's pals was suicide; but to Ash, not only was it not dangerous, it was something natural to him. 

No matter how short-tempered the dragon was, it would obediently allow Ash to ride on its back. Whether was it a Strada, Asia or Hydra,<ref> Literally water dragon</ref> he could control it with ease. 

Unknowingly, the "Genius Dragon Tamer" Ash's reputation increased, becoming a famous figure of the academy. 
[[Image:Seikoku no Ryuu Kishi v1 027.jpg|thumb]]

The accident that caused everything happened a few days ago. 

Ash borrowed Raymond's pal Brigid to participate in dragonback combat training. Being skilled in combat, Ash defeated his classmates one by one in a short time. 

It would be a lie to say that he did not feel proud of that. 

Concentrated on combat training, Ash did not notice Lancelot walking behind him at that moment. 

Not only was physical contact between dragons very dangerous, it was also a situation the academy did its best to avoid. 

Every time before class, the instructor would always patiently remind them. 

Fortunately, Brigid's butt only gently bumped into Lancelot's left leg. Both dragon and rider did not suffer any injuries. However, Ash's presumptuous actions infuriated Silvia. 

"What do you take combat training for? If you come to the lesson thinking that it is just a game, you will get into trouble sooner or later!" 

Other than her special status, Silvia's strict and hardline way of dealing with things was one of the reasons for her being one of the academy's famous people. 

Her serious attitude in class and her feat of letting Lancelot grow into a Maestro in only a short time undoubtedly gained her the admiration of many. Her unreasonable demeanour, on the other hand, was widely criticised. 

Everyone acknowledged that Silvia was a born beauty but not even one student was willing to be friends with her. 

"Urk...sorry, it was my fault." 

Ash jumped down from Brigid's back and bowed his head respectfully, apologising. 

If this was the usual Silvia, she would have calmed down. Facing an opponent who had admitted his mistakes, Silvia had always been forgiving. It was said to be one of the knight family's precepts.<ref> Basically a set of principles that family members have to abide by. You usually see this in families with prestigious backgrounds</ref> 

However, it was not the same this time. 

Silvia, still angry, examined Ash from head to toe, not intending to let him off yet. 

"You should think with that pea-sized brain of yours! Who exactly is paying the fees for your schooling, uniform, food, accommodation and teaching materials?" 

"...Are you talking about the palace?" 

"Of course not. Though the one paying is the palace, but the money used comes from the people's taxes. If you continue to have that mindset that this is just a game, then you should just quit school as soon as possible so that you would not continue wasting the hard-earned money of the people!" 

"What? Quit school? Are you serious?" 

"There is no free lunch in this world. That is one of the Lautreamont family's precepts!" 

There was contempt in her ice blue coloured eyes. At that moment, Ash realised why Silvia was called the «Ice Blue Princess». There had been almost no points of intersection between Ash's and Silvia's paths during the phase of Basic Course. This was the first contact between the both of them. 

Even if she was a princess, Ash's pride did not permit him to give in. 

"The Lautreamont family's precepts are none of my business! I have already apologised. What else do you want me to do?" 

"This is not a problem that can be solved by just an apology! You still do not have your own pal, right?" 

"Uu..." 

A sensitive issue of his having been mentioned, Ash was rendered speechless. It seems Silvia also knew some things about Ash. 

"Hmph, like master, like dragon, maybe it died long ago!" 

Hearing that, rage burned in Ash's heart. 

"What do you mean by that?" 

"Let it be, Ash. She is the princess, you cannot win against her." 

Behind him, Raymond tried to stop him but Ash ignored him. 

This was not the first time that he suffered such humiliation. It was no suprise that Ash was the target of humiliation from everyone since he still did not have his pal. 

If the insults were directed toward him, Ash could still bear with it. 

However, if it was an insult directed towards his pal, he would not let it go that easily. 

Ash would fight back with all his strength until the other party apologised. 

Similar situations had occurred several times, Ash, who should have been seen as the victim, slowly became the problem child in everyone's eyes. 

If one were to ask students about the most troublesome person in the academy, ninety-nine percent of the students would instantly think of the Advanced Courses first-year, Ash Blake. 

"Take back what you said immediately." 

Even if she was the princess of the kingdom, she should not be allowed to humiliate others as she pleased. 

So, Ash took a step forward, having no intention to hide his anger. 

The lesson was interrupted. Everyone's attention was on Ash's confrontation with the princess.