"So your injuries are all healed?"
"Mm, all healed."
Little Light nodded, "That's good. As expected of my big sister. Surviving three fights with a Dragon King and coming back in one piece."
"Come on, not that exaggerated," Noah smiled.
The two sisters were chatting when Leon, holding Luna, walked over with Rossweise.
"Daddy, Mommy~"
After confirming big sister was all right, Little Light then threw herself into their mother's arms.
The queen bent slightly, hugged her little daughter, and rubbed her cheek, "Did you miss Mommy?"
"Yeah~"
Smooch!
Little Light planted a kiss on Rossweise's cheek, then looked at Leon, "When did Daddy come back?"
Leon had spent the past months in the Empire tracking Lord Shadow; Rossweise had told the kids he was off on a secret mission with the Dragon Kings.
So Little Light asked.
Although she'd learned about the Nightmare Moon Forest incident through her entertainment-intel network, she didn't know the specifics.
Why would Daddy, who was supposedly on a secret mission, suddenly appear in the Nightmare Moon Forest?
And happen to show up at the most dangerous moment for big sister?
Those were top-secret things intel couldn't dig up.
So Little Light only asked symbolically, not expecting her mysterious father to tell the truth.
"He just came back not long ago. What, did you miss Daddy?"
"Yep yep, I missed him!"
"Do you miss Daddy more or Mommy more?"
'Daddy, you've been agonizing over this since I was in the womb, haven't you?'
Little Light was a little speechless, but still gave the standard answer,
"I miss Daddy and Mommy the same amount!"
'Ugh, so tiring.'
'Having a father who always competes is exhausting.'
'Luckily Mommy isn't like that—'
"I've got one more kiss from Mommy than you, Little Light. I win."
"So what?"
Little Light: "..."
This time she really had to go live with Aunt Isa.
The family chatted for a bit, and soon it was time for class.
Luna and Little Light held hands and went back to class.
Noah also had to check in with her class and prepare for today's promotion exam.
The little dragons on the playground dispersed one by one, leaving only the couple.
"You and Shirley go wander around for a bit. I need to get ready to sneak in."
"All right. If you run into trouble don't force it, don't want any misunderstandings."
Leon nodded and waved, "See you at the school gate at noon."
Rossweise waved back, "Mm, I'll wait."
Watching Leon's back, Rossweise's lips curved slightly, "What a troublemaking fool."
Fool loves to make trouble;
She loves the fool.
Reasonable.
———
The Young Dragon division's promotion exam was about to start.
Inside the vast practice hall, students hadn't entered yet, but dozens of black armors were already prepared.
"Didn't expect they'd use the old method again."
On the stands, Vice-Principal Wilson sighed, "This can't get out, otherwise it won't help the current peace between the two races."
Principal Oullette smiled lightly, "It won't, don't worry, old friend."
Looking at the black armors below, Vice-Principal Wilson narrowed his eyes a little and said, "Many years ago, even I looked at this armor with dread. But it seems it's been a long time since anyone's heard news of that guy."
"Perhaps he died on some battlefield."
"How could that be? Someone that strong wouldn't die so easily."
Principal Oullette shook his head and laughed, "Or maybe he settled down, married, had kids, and is living a retired pastoral life?"
Vice-Principal Wilson agreed, "Could be."
While the two principals chatted, the black-armored cosers below talked among themselves.
"Never thought I'd get to play this guy again, kinda nostalgic, actually."
"Nostalgic about the time his lightning strike broke your old man's tail?"
"How dare you!"
"I haven't seen lightning magic that strong in ages, or that kind of figure."
"Why so sentimental, bro? Cheer up, at least the human-dragon war is over."
"True. Hey, what's your test number this time?"
"3365. Yours?"
"3456, smooth!"
"Tch~"
"Hey man, that armor of yours looks so new, really well kept."
Silence.
"Oh, playing aloof. Don't be so cold, relax, just spar with the kids a couple of rounds and you're done~"
"Mm."
"What's your number?"
The cold-as-ice mint-condition armor looked down and answered in a lowered voice,
"9527."
"What a boring number."
9527 shrugged, pretending not to care.
"Oi oi oi! Big Pot!"
At that moment, a dragon teacher with a slight accent walked over and knocked on 9527's chestplate.
The sound was crisp, clearly good armor.
The face under 9527's helmet tightened and he unconsciously took a step back.
Could they have figured out some trick.
"Big Pot! Your armor..."
Bad! Bad! Bad! Bad!
"Your armor... Isn't as good to watch as mine."
———
Noah and Helena waited tensely outside the practice hall.
The teacher had just announced the exam rules:
Students would perform one-on-one closed simulated combat against training partners inside the hall who were playing "black armor." No restrictions on magic. Principal Oullette and Vice-Principal Wilson would watch from the stands and oversee every match. Finally, scores would be given jointly by the "black armor," the grade teachers, and the principals.
Also, to ensure fairness, each "black armor" would participate in at most 1–3 matches.
The little dragons would draw lots to select their simulated combat opponent.
Helena looked down at the number slip in her hand, '1309.'
That meant her simulated opponent would be black armor number 1309.
"It starts with a 1, I should be pretty early."
Helena frowned slightly, anxiety and nervousness showing on her face.
This made her more nervous than when she was in the Nightmare Moon Forest.
Back then they were a two-person team and Noah was by her side. Whatever they did, she had a friend with her, and that sense of safety was priceless.
But the rescheduled promotion exam used the old one-on-one format, which understandably made Helena anxious.
Just as she felt at a loss, a small hand gently covered her chilled, nervous hand.
Helena startled and glanced sideways.
Noah was smiling at her.
Helena could see Noah forcing a smile on her cold little face.
"Just like always, don't be nervous, you'll pass."
Noah reassured her, "We've struggled through monsters like the Warhammer Dragon King, are we going to be afraid of teachers playing 'black armor'?"
Helena gave a bitter smile, turned her palm over, and placed it against Noah's; their fingers interlaced lightly, feeling the warmth of her friend's hand.
That calmed her considerably.
"But when we met the Warhammer Dragon King, I kept holding you back..."
"There's no holding back, say that again and I'll get mad, you dummy Helena."
Noah never thought that day was Helena dragging her down.
Not being able to protect a friend in a life-or-death moment was Noah's own shortcoming.
In the days after surviving, Noah had been reflecting and questioning herself:
'If I were stronger, could I have led Helena out before Daddy and the others arrived?'
The Grind King has always been like this. Standards for herself are harsh to the point of brutality.
Besides, Helena is her best friend, how could Noah think this silly sea-dragon girl is a burden?
"Mm... I know."
Helena felt a bit better; she clenched the number slip, "1309... I'll definitely pass."
Seeing her friend calm down, Noah finally smiled with relief.
"Oh right, Noah, what number did you draw?"
"I haven't looked yet."
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