Three days later, the entrance ceremony for St. Heath Academy began. The young dragons who had passed the difficult tests, along with their parents or guardians, gathered in the great hall. The place was buzzing with life and noise, filled with laughter.
But can you guess which three unlucky people couldn't laugh at all?
Leon, Noah, and Rossweise were standing on the stage, being stared at by at least a hundred pairs of dragon eyes. Leon had always thought "being roasted over a fire" was just a saying for feeling embarrassed. Now, he thought being actually roasted might be preferable.
A short while earlier, Vice Principal Wilson, the one who had conducted their interview, had taken the stage. He introduced them excitedly.
"Ladies and gentlemen, quiet down, quiet down! Let me proudly introduce these three—the Melkvey family! They achieved the highest scores in this year's assessment! Now, let's hear how they built such a happy family in just two years!"
Leon gave the Vice Principal a fierce look, muttering through his teeth, "Old dragon, you've gone too far—"
.
.
.
Let's go back one hour. The family of four, along with Head Maid Anna, had arrived at the academy for Noah's entrance ceremony. They had brought Muen along. While resting in a lounge before the ceremony, Vice Principal Wilson unexpectedly knocked on their door.
"Congratulations to both of you, and to young Noah, for passing the academy's assessment," the Vice Principal said politely.
After a few pleasantries, he continued. "Noah scored almost perfectly on the test three days ago. The average score for our entrance tests has been around 80 in recent years. I'm truly happy for you both to have such a brilliant daughter. The academy hasn't had a student this talented in many years."
"Speaking of which, Noah is just over a year old, right? She should have only just begun her formal learning. Besides her natural talent, her teacher must be excellent. Who is her tutor?"
Rossweise and Noah looked silently at Leon.
Leon licked his lips and adjusted how he was sitting. "No, there's no special tutor. I just taught her some basics. My daughter is very hard-working."
"Mr.Leon, you have a special air about you, yet you do not seem to be from the Silver Dragon Clan. May I ask which clan you are from?" the Vice Principal asked.
"My husband is from a small, remote tribe. His people were integrated into a major dragon clan long ago," Rossweise said quickly, covering for Leon.
"I see," the Vice Principal nodded.
"Besides Noah's achievement, I believe you two may not know this yet. In the family assessment, you also placed first."
Hearing this, Leon and Rossweise looked at each other. They unconsciously sat up straighter.
"Is it true, Vice Principal? We got first place too?" Leon asked, excited.
"Yes, Mr. Leon. You and your wife performed excellently on the written test. You also impressed us greatly in the interview."
The Vice Principal didn't hold back his praise. "Your understanding of family and your portrayal of daily life made us feel what a real family should be like."
Hearing this, the couple was stunned.
A real family…
Vice Principal, you have such good judgment—no, you have great insight to see that we are a real family!
Yes, yes, you're absolutely right. We are a real, happy, loving family, Leon thought.
"The other families in the interviews, their answers and demeanor were too… perfect. It felt artificial."
The Vice Principal sighed. Then he looked at Leon and Rossweise.
"But you two are different, Mr. Leon, Miss Rossweise. Your bond feels very solid, strong, and genuine. You must be a very loving couple in your daily life, right?"
A couple. Very loving.
The Vice Principal said they were a loving couple!
This was truly blinding everyone's dragon eyes!
"Hmm? Did I say something wrong, you two? Why do you both look so uncomfortable?"
"Oh, no, no, no, hahaha~ Vice Principal, we—"
Rossweise turned and took Leon's arm. She smiled, raising an eyebrow. "We are indeed very loving, right, Leon?"
"…Yes."
"So…"
The Vice Principal stood up. He said excitedly, "Could you please come on stage as representatives of the new students' families and give a speech?"
Leon & Rossweise: ?
And so, the scene from the beginning unfolded.
"Old pushy dragon, you really know how to force people—"
Rossweise quickly and quietly pinched his wrist.
His professional habits might get out of control if he doesn't calm down. He looked at Noah. His eldest daughter was also standing between them with a look of complete despair. She just wanted to enter school quietly, study magic, and graduate quietly.
Why did a family representative have to go on stage and talk? Why couldn't someone else do this socially terrible thing?
The only one who probably escaped this "torture" was Muen. She was below the stage, cheering even more excitedly than the Vice Principal.
Seeing that this family of three wasn't particularly talkative, the Vice Principal had to move things along.
"Noah, you are the youngest person taking the test this time, yet you achieved a perfect score. This must be closely related to your family's guidance, right?"
Noah nodded, her face cool.
"Do you have anything you want to say to your family?"
Noah thought for a moment and said,
"During the time I was studying for the test, I was very thankful for Mom's encouragement and my sister's company."
Hearing this, Leon's heart felt a little tight. It seemed like it was going to be like the first family dinner—"not your part." It seemed that way.
But it was okay. The old father was happy to stay in the background, as long as his daughter could get into school.
"And also, the person I want to thank the most is my father. He helped me a lot. So, thank you. Um, that's all…"
After she finished, Noah glanced at Leon. The old father was almost in tears.
The Vice Principal clapped his hands. "Well, it seems Mr. Leon's teaching is very successful. Mr. Leon, your daughter is thanking you so sincerely. Don't you want to demonstrate something?"
Leon held back his tears and asked, confused, "How do I demonstrate it?"
"Of course, give her a hug and a kiss. Your excellent daughter deserves it," the Vice Principal said.
"Eh?"
Leon had a flashback. Before, Noah wouldn't even let him touch her for a hug or a kiss.
Leon hesitated, feeling awkward, and said to Noah, "A hug is okay."
"A kiss on the cheek is okay," Noah suddenly whispered.
"Hurry up and kiss me, so we can end this socially terrible ceremony quickly."
Amid the crowd's cheers, Rossweise's surprised look, and Muen's excited clapping, Leon quickly hugged his eldest daughter. He gently kissed Noah's forehead. It was a pure, fatherly love. She had finally let her old dad kiss her.
It was very light, very gentle. Noah could clearly feel Leon being incredibly careful and restrained.
But Leon was profoundly happy.
After all, just a month ago, Noah wouldn't even let him touch her. Rossweise, watching this, let out a quiet sigh of relief.
The father-daughter relationship was finally improving.
And Rossweise was also quietly relieved that the request hadn't been "kiss me."
"Now that you've kissed your daughter, how can you forget your wife, Mr. Leon?"
Leon's thought: 'You damn old dragon! Go to hell!'