A Crimson Flame Dragon guard landed smoothly on the academy grounds, its powerful wings kicking up a small gust of wind, and Constantine leaped down from its back with practiced ease.
This mode of transport was the dragon equivalent of a private jet—eerily similar in prestige and function to a certain Silver Dragon Prince's six-winged dragonhawk companion.
As Constantine approached, Hefei, who had been slightly anxious earlier, felt her worries dissipate entirely upon seeing her father's familiar, stern face.
She wanted to run forward and give him a big hug but stopped mid-step, her small feet freezing on the cobblestones.
She remembered her father's strict teachings: in public, a princess must maintain her composure. Don't make overly exaggerated gestures or express too much emotion.
Recalling this, Hefei forced herself to remain still, deciding not to proceed further.
Unexpectedly, her father was the one who closed the distance. He stepped forward, bent down, and pulled her into a warm, secure embrace.
"Father..." Hefei murmured, surprised but delighted.
"Why did you stop?" Constantine asked, his voice softer than usual. "Hefei, don't you want to see your father?"
"No, no! I missed you so much, Father," she confessed, her arms tightening around his neck.
Constantine allowed a faint smile to touch his lips, patting his daughter's head gently. He didn't tease her further. "Sorry to keep you waiting."
"It's alright, Father."
Watching this tender scene between the fiery father and daughter, Leon couldn't help but marvel quietly to Isha.
"Looks like old Constantine is a quick learner. In just a few months, he's mastered the art of being a proper daughter-slave. Well done. Keep it up."
After a brief, affectionate exchange, Constantine took Hefei's small hand in his and walked over to where Leon and the others stood.
"Why is it you again, Silver Dragon Prince?" Constantine asked, his tone more curious than accusatory. "Didn't your wife come with you?"
Both Leon and Isha seemed momentarily surprised by his question.
In the past, Constantine would never have initiated such casual conversation. He always wore that cold, detached expression that seemed to say, "Your life or death has nothing to do with me."
Only matters concerning Hefei or combat ever elicited any significant emotional response from him.
But now, he was the one breaking the ice. It seemed Constantine had not only learned how to bond with his daughter but also how to "chat" with others—a small but significant social evolution.
"Rossweise is busy with clan affairs," Leon explained. "She mentioned she'd be late today."
Constantine simply nodded, asking no further questions.
Isha glanced around at the growing crowd of dragon families and suggested, "Since Rossweise won't be here for a while, why don't we take a stroll around the school? It's been quite some time since I last visited properly."
Everyone agreed to the idea.
Muen and Aurora eagerly took the lead as self-appointed "tour guides," Hefei and Muse walked hand-in-hand behind them, while Mevis stayed near the back of the group with Noah. Constantine, perhaps staying true to his reformed but still "cool" persona, lagged a few steps behind everyone else.
Leon and Isha walked side by side at the front of the group.
"You went to the Human Empire again on this trip, didn't you?" Isha asked in a low voice, ensuring only the two of them could hear.
Leon nodded, his eyes scanning their surroundings out of habit. "I replenished the Lionheart Guild's magical resources and worked on boosting their overall strength. They're our first line of defense."
Isha crossed her arms and raised an elegant eyebrow. "Was the urgency triggered by your last encounter with Shadow in the Flaming Valley?"
"Yes," Leon admitted, his expression turning grim. "I have a feeling..." He exhaled slowly, his hands slipping into his pockets. "The final confrontation is approaching. I need to strengthen my allies as much as possible before then. We can't afford any weaknesses."
Isha offered a small, approving smile. "Well, little brother-in-law, you're starting to show real leadership qualities. Planning ahead, thinking of the bigger picture."
"Leadership might be stretching it," Leon said with a modest shrug. "It's more about giving those who are willing to fight a real chance to make a difference. To protect what we've built."
"Fair enough." Isha's gaze turned more probing. "And what about yourself? I heard you were... frustrated after the setback in the Flaming Valley. Rebecca mentioned you even started developing new techniques. How's that coming along?"
Leon's eyes glinted with a familiar, determined fire. "It's going well. My master, Tiger, passed down his lifetime's worth of sword techniques and insights to me. I've been practicing diligently, refining my skills and my control over my power. It's not about more power anymore; it's about better control."
He continued, a note of quiet confidence in his voice, "During my time in the Empire, in addition to helping the guild, I've been working tirelessly to internalize my master's teachings. Thanks to the Primordial Dragon King Noah's advice and, honestly, watching Rossweise's grace under pressure, I've gained a deeper understanding of my own abilities."
"Compared to a few months ago," Leon concluded, "I wouldn't say I've undergone a complete transformation, but I've definitely reached a new level. I'm sharper, more focused."
"You always manage to surprise us, Leon," Isha said with a genuine smile. "I hope this time is no different."
"Me too," Leon replied, his sincerity evident.
Their conversation took a sharp turn when Isha asked, her voice dropping even lower, "By the way, Leon, earlier I noticed you looking at Mevis, Noah's teacher. Is something on your mind?"
Leon paused mid-step, his casual demeanor faltering for a second. "You noticed that?"
Isha smirked, a knowing look in her eyes. "So, it's true?"
"Yeah," Leon admitted, his gaze drifting back toward where Mevis was walking with Noah. "I feel like I've seen her somewhere before. Not just at the academy."
"Then why didn't you say anything to her?" Isha pressed.
"Come on, big sis," Leon said, giving her a sidelong glance. "I'm a happily married man. Walking up to a young female teacher and saying, 'Hey, I think I've seen you before,' doesn't that sound a little... weird? Or suspicious?"
Isha chuckled softly. "Alright, alright. Point taken. You'd do well on the Silver Dragon clan's moral standards committee with that kind of vigilance."
Leon shrugged off the remark but quickly grew serious again. "But seriously, why did you bring it up? Do you feel the same way?"
"Yes," Isha replied thoughtfully, her own eyes narrowing slightly. "But the familiarity I feel isn't just from having met her briefly in Sky City. It's more... subtle. An echo. Do you know what I mean?"
Leon considered this and nodded gravely. "I do. The first time I saw her in Sky City, I had that same nagging feeling. But back then, I was too focused on preparing to fight Odin to give it much thought."
Now that both of them shared the same sense of unresolved déjà vu about Mevis, it couldn't be easily dismissed as coincidence.
However, neither of them could pinpoint where or when they might have met her before the Sky City event. It was frustrating, like a familiar melody stuck in the mind whose lyrics remained just out of reach.
"What do you plan to do?" Isha asked.
Leon thought for a moment, his strategist's mind clicking into gear. "After the conference, I'll have the Lionheart Guild investigate through Imperial records and informants. Discreetly. And I'll find legitimate reasons to come to the academy more often to observe her closely, see if anything triggers a memory."
Isha nodded in agreement. "A sound plan. I'll keep my eyes open as well."
The group eventually reached the academy's vast central sports field, where numerous other Dragon Kings and noble representatives had already gathered, creating a vibrant, powerful scene.
Mevis and Noah were chatting amiably when Mevis suddenly frowned, a hand going to her temple as if she'd heard something.
"Noah, I need to step away for a moment. A sudden headache. I'll be back soon."
"Alright, Mevis. I hope you feel better," Noah replied, concerned.
Mevis offered a quick, apologetic smile to Leon and the others before hurrying off, her pace brisk and purposeful.
She made her way to the secluded rooftop of a nearby lecture hall, where Sherry (Elizabeth) was already waiting, her posture tense.
"It's time to execute the ignition plan, isn't it?" Mevis asked, stopping a few steps away, her voice devoid of its usual warmth.
Sherry (Elizabeth) didn't turn around, her gaze fixed on the crowd below. "Yes. With so many prominent figures from the clans gathered here, the energy is perfect. This is the moment."
Mevis clenched her jaw, a brief internal struggle visible in her eyes before her expression hardened into resolve. "Understood. Let's do this."
Sherry (Elizabeth) raised her arms, and dark, viscous magical energy surged from her palms, swirling into a malevolent smoke that shot like an arrow toward Constantine, who was still standing on the field below.
Down on the field, Constantine, engaged in a quiet conversation with Hefei about her classes, suddenly stumbled forward as if shoved by an invisible, powerful force.
"Father!" Hefei cried out, her voice instantly filled with alarm. "Are you okay? What's wrong?"
Constantine didn't respond. His face turned a sickly pale shade, and beads of cold sweat rolled down his temples and forehead. He clutched his chest, a low groan escaping his lips.
Hefei's panicked cries immediately drew the attention of Leon, Isha, and the surrounding dragons.
Before anyone could react, tendrils of thick, black smoke began to seep from Constantine's body, coalescing around him like a sinister shroud.
Leon's eyes widened in shock and recognition. He knew this signature all too well.
"This isn't ordinary magic rebellion..." he shouted, pushing Hefei gently behind him as he stepped forward. "It's chaos magic! The corruption from the Black Dragon Scales! It's activating!"