A few hours later, the family of three arrived at St. Heath Academy. It was built in a highly defensive location, right in the heart of the St. Heath mountain range. Like Sky City, only flying creatures could reach it.
After landing at the main gate, Rossweise changed back to her human form and took Noah's hand. Many other dragon families were present, but families with both parents, like Noah's, were a rare sight.
"Let's go inside," Rossweise said. She led the way toward the academy gate, with Leon following closely behind, his hands in his pockets.
They entered a campus that looked ancient, with wide pathways. Just inside the gate stood a massive dragon-shaped stone statue, likely commemorating a great dragon hero.
They walked across the grounds to the enrollment office for the Young Dragon Section. As a prestigious dragon school, they didn't have to wait long before a staff member came to assist them personally.
The staff member led them to an office to fill out some basic information.
"Name, Noah C. Melkvey. Silver Dragon. Age: one year and three months?" the staff member read, looking surprised at Noah's age.
Rossweise had anticipated this. "Well, about her age, my husband and I have discussed it. We don't foresee any problems. Our daughter has no issues with it either."
The staff member observed Noah, who sat quietly and calmly between her parents, unusually composed for a dragon her age.
"Your daughter meets the basic requirements to take our entrance test. Please take this test card and proceed to the fourth floor to wait," the staff member said, handing a card to Noah.
Noah took the card. "I'm going now, Mom."
"Okay. Good luck," Rossweise replied. Noah quickly left the office.
The staff member then addressed Rossweise and Leon. "I'm still curious about her age, but since she wishes to try, we will proceed. Please follow me to the third floor for the family assessment."
Leon and Rossweise exchanged a glance and a slight nod. They were both confident. The staff member led them to the third floor, where two other families were waiting ahead of them.
"I'll go inside to register you. There are two families ahead of you. Please wait patiently," the staff member said.
"Yes, thank you," Leon answered. They prepared for a short wait.
.
.
.
Leon and Rossweise sat on a bench in the hallway. She lowered her head, her tail curling up unconsciously. She placed her hands on her knees, nervously pressing and rubbing her fingernails. She seemed anxious.
Leon leaned back in his chair and looked sideways at Rossweise. Since last night, she had spoken of being nervous and under pressure, even "teaching" Leon about it in her usual way. For her to show such concern, this entrance test must be incredibly important for Noah's future.
Leon pressed his lips together. He looked at the fair skin on the back of Rossweise's hand. After a moment's hesitation, his hand finally landed on her shoulder.
"What's wrong? Did the stress relief from last night stop working already?" Leon joked.
Rossweise let out a short laugh and gave him a playful glare. She could tell he was trying to lighten the mood. "Your words aren't comforting at all."
Leon shrugged. "Well, how do you want me to comfort you? Should I do it more?"
"Go away."
Rossweise laughed and scolded him playfully, then moved her shoulder to make his hand fall away. But the little joke did help ease her recent tension and worry.
She tilted her head back, took a deep breath, and settled in to wait quietly for the test to begin.
.
.
.
About an hour later, the two families ahead of them finished their assessments. The staff member led Leon and Rossweise into an office.
The office was larger and more ornate inside. Three elderly dragons with white hair sat side-by-side behind a long table. The two on the sides sat ramrod straight with serious expressions. The one in the middle had a friendly smile and wore gold-rimmed glasses, appearing gentle and wise.
The staff member motioned for Leon and Rossweise to wait by the door while he had a quiet word with the three elders.
Seizing the chance, Rossweise leaned closer to Leon and whispered, "With your experience, do you think these three will be easy to deal with?"
Leon studied the three dragons carefully. "Easy to kill."
Rossweise was shocked. "Easy to kill?"
He nodded. "Yeah. The me from before you captured me could have taken their heads in the first round."
Rossweise facepalmed, feeling helpless. "I wasn't asking if they were easy to fight… I'm talking about the assessment later. Will they give us a hard time? Understand?"
Leon shrugged. "Don't worry. We prepared well for the written test. We won't make mistakes."
.
.
.
About five minutes later, the staff member returned with two answer sheets.
"Both of you, please come here for the assessment. There is no time limit, but you cannot speak to each other during the test. Thank you for your cooperation."
He led them to a table and had them sit on opposite sides. An opaque divider was placed between them, and the assessment officially began.
Leon looked over the questions. Most were topics they had covered during their late-night study sessions. In those few short nights, they had learned more about each other than some couples marhad ried for years. Answering the questions was not difficult, and the process went very smoothly.
Half an hour later, they handed in their answer sheets. The staff member gave them to the dean on the left for grading. "Please come over and sit down, both of you."
The couple looked at each other, seeing a flicker of confusion in each other's eyes.
Wasn't the assessment over? Why did they need to speak with the school leaders?
Puzzled, they walked over and sat down. The white-haired old dragon in the middle introduced himself gently. "Hello, both of you. I am Walter Wilson, the vice principal of St. Heath Academy. I am pleased to be in charge of your assessment today."
"Hello, Vice Principal. I am Rossweise Melkvey, leader of the Silver Dragon Clan. This is my husband, Leon Cosmodeous. We are glad to take part in the assessment at your school."
Principal Wilson nodded. "Let's not waste time. We will now begin the second part of the assessment: the interview."
"Interview!"
Principal Wilson smiled, his eyes narrowing. "Yes. This is a new stage of the assessment we added at St. Heath Academy this year. Are you both ready?"
The couple's faces grew very serious.
"Ready for what?"