Shut Up, Malevolent Dragon! I Don’t Want to Have Any More Children With You

As they neared the northernmost lands, the temperature plummeted, and snow began to fall softly from the sky.

Fortunately, the tour group had provided travelers with thick clothing, and St. Heith Academy had ensured proper winter gear for the students participating in the field test.
That evening, Leon stood outside, watching the Young Dragons laughing and throwing snowballs at each other. It reminded him of his days at the Empire’s Dragon-Slaying Academy, where every winter, the students would flock to the training grounds for massive snowball fights.
Snowball fights, he knew, had a certain etiquette. Unlike “team battles,” snowball fights were essentially “everyone for themselves,” and Leon had mastered the art back then: never, ever become the random target of three or more students, or you’d find yourself pelted with an unmanageable number of snowballs.

Watching the students play, Leon thought about how long it had been since he’d joined a good snowball fight. After graduation, he’d joined the dragon-slaying army, and his time had been entirely occupied with battle, leaving little room for simple fun. Even in recent years, with his daughters still too young for such a “rough” game, he hadn’t had the chance.
Well… perhaps when they grew a bit older, he could revisit those carefree days.
“Hey!”

A sudden shout broke his reverie. Leon turned, only to be hit square in the face with a snowball.
Shaking the snow off, he looked in the direction it had come from and found Rosvisser, bent over and forming another snowball, grinning mischievously. She was bundled up in a fur-trimmed cloak, wearing gloves and a pair of pink earmuffs with little dragon claws, looking surprisingly playful for someone who’d just called *him* immature.
“Here comes round two! Catch this!”

The queen mimicked a throwing stance and launched the next snowball with all her might.
Leon had ample time to dodge, but seeing her so eager, he decided to humor her. He turned slightly to the side—just enough to make it look like he’d tried to dodge but not enough to actually avoid the snowball.
It struck him in the chest, bursting into fragments of snow.

With a triumphant smile, Rosvisser brushed her gloves together. “Two hits, two shots. How would you rate that?”
The first one had caught him off guard; the second, well… that one he let hit him because he adored his wife.
How would he rate it?

He clapped, clearly amused. “The Queen, with her unparalleled aim, has once again proven herself the greatest dragon in history.”
Rosvisser smiled and patted her tail in satisfaction. She knew the second snowball had hit him only because he’d allowed it, but it still pleased her. It wasn’t about the snowball itself—it was knowing that someone cared enough to be attentive to her mood, even with something as small as a snowball fight.
Leon might have his stubborn streak, but his actions always spoke volumes. 

As the two strolled side by side through the falling snow, the background sounds of laughter and playful yells filled the air as the students continued their snowball fight.
“By dawn, we should reach the northernmost lands,” Rosvisser said, glancing at him. “Only six or seven hours left.”
“Right… I wonder if we’ll actually run into Konstantin.”
Leon’s tone was calm, neither tense nor relaxed.

Rosvisser looked at him thoughtfully. “Last time, it took the three of us just to defeat him in the Red Dragon Sanctuary. This time, it’s only us…”
“Different circumstances. Last time, I hadn’t fully recovered my magic, and you were still getting the hang of Primordial Force. We were on the back foot from the start,” Leon said. “But this time, I have the magic reserves of two dragon marks, and you’re more adept at Primordial Force. Plus, your Soul Judgment has come a long way. We have the upper hand.”
Rosvisser nodded. “I agree, but there’s still an unknown variable. Last time, Konstantin used a protective heartscale fused with other dangerous parts, but this time, he’s using Primordial Force. We can’t be sure just how much stronger he’s become, so we’ll need to be cautious.”

Hearing her analysis, Leon nodded solemnly.
“If it looks bad, we retreat,” he said. “We’re just here to assess the situation and see if he’s really going after the Primordial Force.”
“Yes, we have the upper hand in terms of strategy,” Rosvisser agreed, though her voice held a hint of doubt. “The only issue is whether our approach will work. Konstantin has Feir with him, and he likely knows where to find the remaining Primordial Force. We’ll be relying on luck.”

A few days ago, Rosvisser had tried to contact Grandmother Veronica to pinpoint the area where they’d found Primordial Force before. With a specific location, they could ambush Konstantin. But Veronica was notoriously elusive, and neither Isha nor Headmaster Oleth had any idea where she was.
Their only hope now was that the Primordial Force Rosvisser had mastered would resonate with the energy beneath the northern ice, helping them locate Konstantin.
“Nothing ever goes smoothly, does it?” Leon said, trying to lift her spirits.

Rosvisser gave a small laugh and nudged him in the chest. “Since when are you the one comforting me, little human?”
“Oh, am I the little one here?”
“Who else?”

Leon squinted at her. “Queen, could it be that you’ve also practiced—”
“Have a snowball, idiot!”
Meanwhile, far from the chaos of the snowball fight, Noa and Helena had been invited to a cozy indoor barbecue. Well, “banquet” might be a stretch, as it was just six of them, including the two girls.

They’d been joined by Yuna, the helpful senior Noa had met earlier, along with her friends, Anton and two other senior students.
“These skewers are top quality. Anton scored them from the tourist group next door—try some!” Yuna said, handing skewers to Noa and Helena.
The two young dragons each took a small bite.

“Thanks, Yuna!” they chorused.
Yuna’s eyes curved into little crescent moons as she smiled back. “Don’t mention it. Eat as much as you like.”
As they ate and chatted, Noa noticed Yuna’s bracelet, a beautiful milky white band with a crystalline sheen.

“Yuna, your bracelet is gorgeous!” Noa exclaimed.
“Oh, this?” Yuna glanced at her wrist and smiled. “My dad gave it to me recently. He said it’s made of some rare material.”
“Your… dad?” Noa echoed, surprised.

“Yeah, Odin, the Thunder Dragon King,” Yuna replied casually.
Both girls’ eyes widened in amazement.
“Your dad is a Dragon King?”

While it was common for St. Heith Academy students to come from noble and royal dragon families, it was rare to meet someone who, like Noa, was the daughter of a Dragon King.
Yuna chuckled modestly, rubbing the back of her head. “I must’ve forgotten to mention it.”
“Not surprising,” Anton chimed in. “Your dad’s rarely around. Easy to forget.”

Yuna rolled her eyes at him. “Hey, adults have important things to do.”
Anton shrugged and continued grilling the skewers.
Noa returned her attention to Yuna. “My mom has a pendant necklace that looks similar to your bracelet.”

“Really? Guess it’s not as rare as my dad made it sound,” Yuna laughed.
“Oh, busted!” Anton teased.
Yuna tossed a pillow at him, but Anton caught it effortlessly.

“No, no, my mom’s pendant was a wedding gift from my great-grandmother. It’s still pretty special,” Noa clarified quickly.
Yuna nodded thoughtfully and shifted the conversation. “So, have you two found a team for the field test?”
Noa raised an eyebrow. “Team? We need a team?”

“Of course. The conditions in the northern lands are harsh, and the test is challenging. It’ll be hard to do well if it’s just the two of you,” Yuna explained.
Taking the hint, she offered, “Why don’t you two join our team?”
“Yuna, let me remind you, we’re here for the test, not for babysitting,” Anton interjected.

Yuna ignored him and continued, “Come on, Noa, Helena. Join us.”
Noa hesitated. Yuna’s offer was kind, but Anton’s point wasn’t lost on her. They were here to take the field test, not to look after younger students, and Noa wasn’t sure if she and Helena would hold them back.
“Please join us,” a soft voice added. Another senior girl smiled gently at Noa. “If you applied for this test, you’re taking it seriously. Follow our lead, and you’ll be fine.”

Still a bit unsure, Noa bit her lip.
“Great! It’s settled!” Yuna clapped, patting Noa’s head. “From now on, we’re a six-person team.”
Helena and Noa exchanged glances, then nodded in agreement.

The barbecue continued, and everyone’s laughter filled the air. Meanwhile, Noa drifted over to the window, gazing into the snowy night outside. Snowflakes reflected in her bright blue eyes as she whispered to her reflection on the glass:
“I can do this… You’ve got this, Noa.”