Several hours later, the family of three arrived at Saint Hiss Academy.

Situated in the heart of the eponymous mountain range, the academy's geographic location made it naturally defensible and challenging to access. Much like Sky City, it was reachable only by races capable of flight.

Landing in front of the academy gates, Roswitha reverted to her human form.

Accompanying them were several other families from the Dragon Clan, though families like Noa's, with "both parents present," were considerably rare.

"Let's go," Roswitha said, taking Noa's hand and stepping toward the academy gates.

Leon, hands stuffed in his pockets, followed closely behind.

Upon entering the gates, what greeted them was a design of austere elegance—a sprawling pathway stretching across the campus. Further in stood a massive stone carving of a dragon.

It must be a monument to honor some Dragon Clan hero, Leon speculated.

Walking down the pathway, they arrived at the admission registration area for the Hatchling Division.

Being an elite academy exclusive to the Dragon Clan aristocracy, the process was swift. The family of three was promptly attended to by an academy staff member.

The staff led them to an office and began recording basic information.

"Name: Noa K. Melkevi. Silver Dragon Clan. Age: one year and... three months?"

The staff member glanced at the information on the registration form, appearing somewhat surprised.

She looked up at Roswitha and Leon, who sat across from her.

"Sir, Madam, Saint Hiss Academy mandates that the minimum age for hatchling enrollment is one year. However, after a century of development, nearly all entering hatchlings fall within the age range of four to six. Your little princess... isn't she a bit too young?"

Roswitha had anticipated this question.

The staff member was correct—most hatchlings did not enroll until they were at least four years old.

A hatchling like Noa, barely over a year, might possess rudimentary mobility and cognitive skills, but catching up with the Hatchling Division curriculum would likely pose challenges.

Yet, since Noa herself insisted on enrolling back then, Roswitha had no reason not to fully support her daughter.

She knew her child better than anyone else.

Noa had always disliked being treated like a little kid. That stubborn and tenacious streak in her was, in truth, more like that of a fully grown adult.

"Yes, we've considered the matter regarding her age," Roswitha responded curtly. "My husband and I don't believe it will pose a problem. Our daughter, too, holds no objections."

The staff member turned her gaze toward the little dragon girl seated between the two parents.

On Noa's cherubic and youthful face, there was no discernible expression. Her eyes did not wander curiously around the room, either.

Instead, she simply sat there, well-behaved, listening closely to the adults' conversation.

It was rare to see such composed and quiet behavior in a hatchling, let alone one barely a year old. Even four- or five-year-olds in the Dragon Clan were famously energetic and hyperactive.

Yet here she was, this little dragon girl projecting an aura of tranquility and maturity that the staff member had not encountered in ages.

"Very well. It was just a personal observation," the staff member said with a smile.

She completed the remaining sections of the registration form and retrieved a card from a drawer below, presenting it with both hands to Noa.

"Your little one meets the basic qualifications to take our academy's entrance examination. Please take this test card and proceed to the fourth floor for the assessment."

Noa accepted the test card, hopped off her chair, and said, "I'm going now, Mama."

"Alright, good luck."

"Mm-hmm."

Noa jogged out of the office.

As she left, the staff member stood up as well. "Little Noa's likely a live-birth hatchling, correct?"

Roswitha nodded.

"In that case, could the two of you please follow me to the third floor for the live-birth family assessment?"

Exchanging a glance, Leon and Roswitha gave each other a subtle nod.

At this point, no one understood the concept of an assessment better than this family did.

Leon was practically one step away from recounting how many times he'd been kicked in the head by his master's mule as a child to reassure Roswitha about their preparedness.

If they still couldn't pass, Leon might just don his Black Gold Chariot armor and pay a "visit of persuasion" to the headmaster's office.

Following the staff member to the third floor, they saw that two families were still ahead of them in line.

It looked as though there would be some waiting time involved.

After all, Saint Hiss Academy was known for taking its family assessments seriously.

"I'll step inside to register you," the staff member said with a small nod. "There are two families ahead, so your patience is appreciated."

"Thank you," Roswitha replied with a courteous dip of her head.

The staff member entered the office in front.

Leon and Roswitha took their seats on a long bench in the hallway.

Roswitha sat with her head bowed slightly, her tail curling unconsciously. Clasping her hands on her lap, she rubbed her fingernails nervously.

She was clearly tense.

Leon leaned back against the bench, casting her a sidelong glance.

Since last night, she'd been going on about how nervous and stressed she was—so much so that she'd even resorted to her "special methods" to give Leon a "lesson."

For the first time, she'd actually explained her reasoning afterward. In the past, she never used to provide explanations.

It seemed this entrance exam carried serious weight for her. It was, after all, a pivotal moment for Noa.

Leon wet his lips and slightly lifted his hand, ready to hold Roswitha's pale, elegant fingers.

But after a brief inner conflict, he instead placed a hand on her shoulder.

"What’s the matter?" he teased lightly. "Did last night’s stress relief wear off already?"

Roswitha rolled her eyes at him, a playful glint in her gaze. She could tell he was making an effort to lighten her mood. "You know, you’re terrible at being comforting."

Leon shrugged. "Then how would you like me to comfort you? A repeat performance?"

"Go to hell."

Roswitha playfully berated him but couldn't help chuckling.

That tiny joke proved effective, easing a bit of her earlier anxiety.

She leaned back against the bench, exhaled a slow breath, and waited quietly for the assessment to begin.

About an hour later, the two families ahead of them completed their evaluations.

The staff member from earlier returned, escorting Leon and Roswitha into an office.

This one was noticeably larger, with an interior adorned in luxurious décor.

Seated across from them behind a long table were three elderly dragons, their hair as white as snow.

The two seated at either end wore serious expressions, sitting upright with an air of exacting discipline.

In contrast, the elder in the center bore a warm smile, his demeanor resembling that of a gentle scholar. He wore gold-rimmed glasses, exuding an air of refinement.

"Please wait here for a moment," the staff member instructed Leon and Roswitha at the door before stepping forward to engage in a hushed discussion with the three elders.

Taking advantage of the lull, Roswitha leaned toward Leon and whispered near his ear, "What do you think, based on your experiences? Are these three easy to deal with?"

Leon scrutinized the trio closely, eventually delivering his verdict.

"Easy to kill."

Roswitha blinked in disbelief. "W-What?"

Nodding earnestly, he clarified, "Mm. The pre-you-captured-me version of me would’ve taken their heads off in fifty moves, tops."

Roswitha sighed heavily, pressing her fingers to her temples. "That’s not what I meant. I’m asking if their assessment questions will give us trouble!"

Leon shrugged again. "Don’t worry. We prepared thoroughly for the test portion. Nothing’ll catch us off guard."

About five minutes later, the staff member returned with two test packets.

"Please proceed to this testing area," she gestured. "There’s no time limit, but discussion between the two of you is not allowed. Thank you for understanding."

Leon and Roswitha were guided to opposite sides of a desk separated by an opaque screen.

And so, the assessment officially began.

Looking down at the test, Leon found most of the questions were ones he and Roswitha had dissected during their late-night cram sessions.

Frankly, those few nights of preparation had brought their mutual understanding to a level that most couples couldn’t achieve even in years of marriage.

Consequently, the test turned out to be far less arduous than they’d initially feared—they made quick work of it.

After about half an hour, they handed in their exams.

The staff member presented the completed papers to the dean on the left for review.

"Now please take a seat, you two," said the staff member, adding two chairs opposite Principal Wilson and another dean.

Leon and Roswitha exchanged puzzled looks.

Wasn’t the assessment over? Why were they being invited for a discussion?

Confused but compliant, they moved to the chairs.

The white-haired elder in the middle introduced himself warmly. "Good day. I’m Walter Wilson, vice principal of Saint Hiss Academy. It’s a pleasure to oversee your assessment."

"Good day, Principal Wilson," Roswitha greeted formally. "I’m Roswitha Melkevi, leader of the Silver Dragon Clan. This is my husband, Leon Cosmody. It’s an honor to participate in your academy’s evaluation."

Principal Wilson gave a nod. "Let’s skip the pleasantries and proceed to the second phase of the assessment: the interview."

"In—interview?!" Roswitha stammered.

Wilson smiled, eyes narrowing. "Yes. A new addition to our assessment process this year. Tell me... are you two ready?"

The couple’s faces tightened immediately.

"Ready... ready for what?!"