The next morning, a family of four stood in the front yard, awaiting the arrival of the Leviathan dragon school bus.

Leon sported two heavy dark circles under his eyes, his legs shaky, struggling to even stand upright.

Noa and Muen looked at him curiously.

"Why do you look like you pulled another all-nighter?" Noa asked.

"Ah... stayed up too late doing homework," Leon answered groggily.

Noa raised an eyebrow. "Homework? Adults have homework too?"

"Children have their homework, and adults have theirs too," Roswitha chimed in from the side, smoothing things over.

Noa nodded and refrained from asking further.

Muen blinked her lovely eyes, looked at her mom, then at her dad, and excitedly exclaimed,

"Muen discovered a super amazing pattern!"

The other three promptly turned their gazes toward the youngest.

"It’s like this: when Mom is in good shape, Dad becomes all weak. And when Dad is in good shape, then Mom becomes all weak! Isn’t that right? It has to be like that!"

Though it sounded a bit strange, the observation seemed... strangely accurate.

The dynamic between Roswitha and Leon resembled a seesaw. Someone always got lifted high, and someone always ended up down low, bearing the weight.

As to who plays the "teacher" and who the "student," that depended on who first seized the initiative.

Leon patted Muen’s little head. "My dear daughter, you’re simply too smart. If anyone dares say you’re just cute and nothing more, I’ll be the first to fight them to the death."

Chattering away, the family waited as the Leviathan gradually came into view, floating in the air before slowly hovering above the Castle.

Noa ran forward, turning around briefly to wave goodbye to the others.

A beam of light ascended, transporting Noa aboard the Leviathan.

The massive dragon began to depart, soon vanishing into the horizon.

Leon scooped Muen into his arms. "So, what do you want to play today?"

Muen thought for a moment, then replied, "Let’s go to the training grounds to work out~"

"Work out? Why the sudden interest in fitness?"

Muen quickly shook her little head and explained, "It’s not really an interest—Muen noticed Dad always looks so weak, so it must be because you lack exercise. I need to supervise Dad so you can get stronger. That way, it’s good for Mom too."

Hearing this, the couple’s faces flushed bright red.

Roswitha hurriedly amended, "How would Dad working out benefit Mom? It’s all for his own good, really."

"Nope, nope! If Dad gets stronger, he’ll be better able to protect Mom~"

Oh.

Turns out it was a misunderstanding, hahahahaha~

"And besides, Muen also wants to train harder and become stronger!"

The Dragon Clan had an innate yearning for strength embedded deep in their bones.

Even someone as mild and peace-loving as Muen couldn’t help but aspire to become more "powerful."

Yet, she wasn’t seeking to defeat or conquer anyone; as she put it:

"I just want to keep up with my big sister."

Leon didn’t hesitate to agree. "Alright then, Dad will take you."

With Muen in his arms, he headed toward the Castle’s backyard.

Roswitha stood in place for a moment, then turned and went upstairs.

Father and daughter arrived at the training ground’s track and began warming up.

Leon introduced Muen to a few basic warm-up exercises, explaining their importance.

"Stretching comes first. Stretching is a crucial part of warming up. It helps relax the body, improves flexibility, and reduces the risk of injury during exercise."

As he spoke, Leon spread his legs shoulder-width apart, raised one arm, placed the other on his waist, and performed a standard stretching move.

Muen observed carefully, copying him to the best of her ability.

"Next is walking to warm up. This helps wake up your body and adjust to the gradually increasing difficulty and rhythm."

Father and daughter began pacing briskly at the starting line.

Leon took larger, slower strides, while Muen, with her shorter legs, scrambled to keep up with quick, rapid steps.

After they completed a few more warm-up activities, they finally prepared for a short run.

"Count me in," came Roswitha’s voice from behind them.

The two turned their heads to look.

Roswitha had changed out of her usual long gown. She now sported a lightweight athletic outfit, her long silver hair tied up in a high ponytail that swayed with her movements, making her appear tall and sharp.

"Mom, don’t you have work today?" Muen asked.

"Not too busy these days. What’s the matter, don’t want me to join?"

"No, no! It’s great that Mom’s joining us~"

Roswitha leaned over and ruffled Muen’s hair. "But you’ll have to try your best, okay? Mom won’t go easy on you."

"Okay! Muen won’t go easy on Mom either!" The little dragon girl bristled with energy, her fighting spirit ignited.

Leon twisted his ankle and teased, "With the little bit of exercise you do each day, you sure? Don’t twist something out there."

"Not much exercise, true," Roswitha countered, stretching lazily before lunging to press each leg. "The only proper workout I can recall was the last time I clobbered you on this very training field."

"Correction—narrowly beat, not clobbered," Leon retorted, attempting to regain a sliver of dignity.

"Call it what you want, but I won."

"Oh, you cheeky—"

"Not convinced? Want another match?"

"Yes! Another match between Mom and Dad!" Muen cheered, clearly excited to watch the spectacle unfold.

Leon hastily knelt down to cover his daughter’s mouth. "No need for kids to always think about fighting—it’s rude."

Muen tilted her head and asked innocently, "Dad, is it because you can’t beat Mom?"

Leon’s face turned crimson. "W-what do you mean can’t beat her? I just don’t want to hurt her."

The little dragon girl gave him a dubious look. "Really, Dad?"

Leon grew even more flustered, but he stuck to his guns. "It’s true... Absolutely true."

"Oh. I thought maybe you really couldn’t beat her~"

Hey now.

How did such a young kid learn to hit right where it hurts the most?

That’s definitely a habit she picked up from her mother, right?

Roswitha walked to the starting line. "Alright, whether he can or can’t beat me, we’ll save that for later. For now, let’s see who can run longer."

This wasn’t a contest of speed but one of endurance.

Leon had a sinking feeling about what Roswitha was going to say next.

"Hang in there, Leon~"

She dropped her tone and mouthed the words silently, "Classmate~"

Ah.

Just as he expected.

Leon joined her on the starting line.

Muen positioned herself in between her two parents.

Leon picked up a small stone, tossing it into the air.

As the rock fell, Leon flicked his finger, releasing a zap of lightning that disintegrated it instantly.

The three took off at the same moment.

As they started running, both parents deliberately slowed their pace to accommodate Muen.

The three formed a neat file: Muen running joyfully in front, Roswitha behind her, and Leon bringing up the rear.

"You’re not even tucking in your tail as you run?" Leon called out.

"Helps with balance," Roswitha explained ahead of him. "When I go all out sprinting, I stop worrying about trivial things like that."

"Well, want to consider showing your tail too?"

"No thanks. Pass."

"Hmph."

The training track was about 400 meters per lap.

Since Muen had only just started training, she completed only two laps before stopping to rest.

This also marked the start of the real race between Leon and Roswitha.

This ridiculous couple sought to outdo each other in everything.

From who their daughter favored more, to who was teased more often by the big sister, to who took the lead during sex.

Even an activity like running with their kid had now turned into a competition.

Alright then. Very spirited!

The Silver Dragon Clan was known for maxing out its speed stats. Against Roswitha, Leon didn’t hold much of an advantage.

Especially given that he had cranked out SEVEN rounds of "homework" just last night.

A combination of "academic subjects" and "physical education"? Not even mere mortals could keep up, let alone Leon.

But standing shoulder-to-shoulder with Roswitha at the starting line earlier, he had already made up his mind:

There was no retreat.

One of the Dragon Slayer codes:

"Born to fight, and fight to the bitter end!" —

Twenty minutes later.

Roswitha nudged Leon’s shoulder with her foot. "Do you give up?"

Leon lay on the track in a starfish position, panting heavily with his eyes closed, "N-no, I don't."

"Don't give up? Alright, get up and keep running."

"L-let’s reschedule—give me two days to train."

Roswitha shrugged. "Take two years, for all I care. Heck, I’ll throw in six months extra."

She crouched down, flicking Leon’s cheek with her tail. "So, dearest Mr. Leon, can you sing for me now? 'Oh, Rubber Duckie, you're the one~'"

Leon groaned audibly.

"If you’re this petty, karma will bite you someday!"

"Thanks for your concern. Petty is my middle name."

Roswitha stood up, taking off her jacket to reveal a spicy, form-fitting sports bra beneath.

She tied the jacket around her waist and walked toward Muen. "Come on, Muen. Let’s find something else to work on. Dad’s too weak~"

Mother and daughter united, huh?

Alright, just you two wait!

What goes around comes around—don’t underestimate your old man!

---

Dinner.

"Dad’s all worn out..."

"Open wide, Daddy. Ahh~~."

"Ahh~~."

At the dinner table, Leon slumped sideways like a deflated balloon, resting his head on the table. Muen carefully scooped some fried rice into a spoon and brought it to Leon’s mouth.

Roswitha sat beside him, legs crossed, sipping her post-meal tea leisurely. "Old bones. Don’t push yourself too hard."

"It’s gotta be last night’s homework. If I hadn’t stayed up so late, I’d definitely have won today," Leon muttered.

"Oh? So, still thinking about doing more homework tonight?"

Leon jerked upright at the words and then pulled Muen into his arms. "I made a promise to Muen that I’d tell her a story tonight."

Muen, holding a spoon in her hand, blinked in confusion. "Dad, did we ever make such a promise?"

"We didn’t before, but now we do."

"Oh, okay!"

Roswitha chuckled softly, set down her teacup, and stood up. "The maids will clean the table later. Don’t stay up too late telling stories tonight, get some rest early."

"Got it, Mom~"

Roswitha waved her hand and left the dining room, heading back to her own room.

Having spent the better part of the day with Leon and Muen, it had been a while since Roswitha worked up such a good sweat. She peeled off her workout tank top and pants, leaving only her undergarments, and walked barefoot into the bathroom.

Warm water cascaded over her soft skin, washing away the weariness accumulated throughout the day.

After a simple shower, Roswitha wrapped herself in a towel and emerged from the bathroom.

She sat down in front of the vanity mirror and began to tend to her damp hair.

Her gaze unintentionally landed on a parting gift Isa had given her yesterday when she left the Red Dragon Castle.

After returning yesterday, she hadn’t even eaten dinner before heading off to “do homework” with Leon.

Naturally, she hadn’t had the chance to open the gift yet.

Letting her hair fall loose, Roswitha reached out, picked up the box, and began unwrapping it.

Inside was—

"A swimsuit?"

The swimsuit was primarily silver-white, with plenty of fabric—a very modest design.

So modest, in fact, that it didn’t quite seem like the type of thing Isa would give.

If anything, that sly Red Dragon might have been expected to send something more along the lines of lingerie with a bit of flair to it, right?

Roswitha didn’t quite understand.

Nonetheless, she carefully stored the swimsuit in her wardrobe.

"Hmm, I don’t think Noa and Muen have ever been to the seaside before. Maybe I should take them there sometime."

Murmuring to herself, Roswitha closed the wardrobe.

As she turned around, she caught sight of a silhouette on the balcony.

"Sherry?"

"It’s me. My apologies, Your Majesty. I didn’t realize you had just… taken a bath, so I’ve been waiting here."

Roswitha adjusted her towel upward to cover the Dragon Mark on her chest before stepping out onto the balcony.

"It’s fine," Roswitha said. "Have you found any trace of Tiger Lawrence?"

Previously, Sherry had reported back, saying that Leon’s mentor, Tiger Lawrence, had seemingly vanished without a trace, eluding all their attempts to locate him.

This time, perhaps there was progress to report.

"We’ve now confirmed that both Tiger Lawrence and his wife are no longer in the Empire. They moved away about a year ago," Sherry reported. "All their property was donated to a certain orphanage in the Empire, and as for the livestock on their farm, they were given to the neighbors. Except for… um…"

Roswitha raised an eyebrow. "Except for what?"

"Except for a donkey. The neighbors said the couple specifically took that donkey with them when they moved."

Was this donkey some kind of family mascot for Leon?

He seemed to have been fond of it from childhood to adulthood, as if he couldn’t bear to part with it.

Roswitha was a bit speechless and even felt like laughing.

But she couldn’t appear too frivolous in front of her subordinates, so she cleared her throat awkwardly instead. "Ahem—Alright, I get it. Continue searching for Tiger’s whereabouts outside the Empire. Report to me immediately if there’s any news."

"Understood, Your Majesty."

"Good work."

"It’s nothing. I’ll take my leave now."

With those words, the silhouette flickered briefly before vanishing from Roswitha’s sight.

Roswitha walked to the balcony railing, gazing out at the moonlit mountains and forests in the distance. Her thoughts drifted.

"Leon’s master… why would he leave the Empire?"