The day of Muen's elemental awakening was fast approaching.

The couple had been eagerly anticipating this day for quite some time.

Tactful: This day would determine Muen’s future path of growth.

Blunt: Whether she’d take after her father or her mother would be settled today!

Knowing it was the day of awakening, the couple had been locked in a low-simmering rivalry ever since seeing each other that morning.

“Good morning! The weather’s great today, isn’t it?” Leon greeted cheerfully.

Roswitha shot him a glance, her tone teasing. “You actually initiated a morning greeting? Looks like you’re in a pretty good mood.”

“Of course I am! Muen’s about to awaken and inherit the same magical element as her dad. Why wouldn’t I be happy?”

Roswitha crossed her arms and gave a dismissive snort. “Muen will undoubtedly awaken fire magic. The genes of the Dragon Clan are far stronger than you think.”

Leon shrugged nonchalantly. “If your Dragon Clan genes are so powerful, why did Noa awaken thunder magic?”

“That was just a matter of probability.”

“Hmph, once the symbol for thunder magic lights up in Muen’s awakening array, we’ll see if you can keep that smug look.”

“Just you wait.”

The couple walked side by side down the corridor—Leon with his hands in his pockets and Roswitha carrying herself with regal poise. They appeared close and intimate, but in reality, it was more about keeping their heated debate private from any potential eavesdroppers.

Leon was adamant that Muen, like Noa, would awaken thunder magic.

If that turned out to be true, it would be the dragoness’s worst nightmare.

See? Even your oh-so-“powerful” Dragon Clan genes are nothing compared to me, the mightiest Dragon Slayer!

Meanwhile, Roswitha was equally convinced that the robust genetics of the Dragon Clan would undoubtedly ensure their youngest daughter awakened the quintessential fire element.

A mere human defeating the bloodline of the Dragon Clan? Impossible.

Leon Casmod, you just got lucky last time. Your luck will run out.

The couple continued their debate as they made their way to the backyard training grounds.

Anna and the others were already busy preparing the awakening array that would soon be used.

An awakening array was designed to detect one’s innate magical element. Within it was the essence of all the magical elements that existed on this continent. Once Muen awakened, the corresponding element’s symbol would appear above the array.

The star of today’s event was standing nearby, a mixture of nervousness and excitement plastered across her face.

“Muen, over here!”

Leon waved toward his darling daughter.

The little dragon girl perked up at the sound and immediately turned to look in her parents’ direction. She leapt off the long bench she had been sitting on and jogged over.

“Mommy, Daddy~”

She stopped in front of her parents, her voice full of excitement. “Muen is about to awaken her element~”

Leon crouched down and ruffled her hair gently, his tone both encouraging and doting. “Don’t be nervous. Just relax and follow exactly what Daddy taught you.”

“Mm-hmm, I know, Daddy.”

Muen then looked up at Roswitha. “Mommy, you’ll both be watching Muen the whole time, right?”

Roswitha also knelt down, taking Muen’s small hands in hers. “Of course, sweetie. Mommy and Daddy will be with you the entire time.”

As much as the two parents hoped their daughter would awaken the same element as themselves, and as much as they enjoyed sparring over it, their primary feelings were concern and care, as only parents could feel.

They were also genuinely thrilled that Muen, at her tender age, was already ready to awaken her innate element.

After all, most dragonlings typically needed two or three more years before reaching this milestone.

What could they say? Muen really deserved her title as the little sister of the talented Involuted King.

Adorable and charming when she needed to be, prodigious and driven when it counted.

The Melkevi family was nothing but brilliant talent across the board!

The three chatted a little longer before Anna came over.

“Your Majesties, Your Highness, the awakening array for Princess Muen is ready. You may begin at any moment.”

Roswitha acknowledged the announcement and turned to Muen. “Go ahead, Muen. Mommy and Daddy are right here.”

“Mm-hmm.”

“Good luck!” Leon lightly cupped Muen’s cheeks in his hands, giving her an affectionate pat.

Muen nodded vigorously. With Anna holding her hand, she stepped into the awakening array.

Leon and Roswitha straightened up, glancing at each other before sharing an unvoiced chuckle.

Leon declared confidently, “Muen will awaken—”

Roswitha interrupted, equally sure, “—the element of—”

“Thunder/Fire!”

At last, the results of this half-a-month-long marital showdown, centered on family dynamics and status, were about to be revealed!

Leon and Roswitha turned their gazes back to Muen in perfect synchrony, all their focus on the small figure standing in the center of the awakening array.

The Maid Squad stood in a semicircle nearby, ready to assist at a moment’s notice.

Though awakening innate magic carried little inherent danger, this was still the princess’s first time channeling magic. A close watch never hurt.

“When you’re ready, Your Highness, you may begin,” Anna said from the edge of the array.

“Okay.”

Muen took a couple of deep breaths, steadying herself.

She closed her eyes and followed the steps her daddy had taught her. Slowly, she fused her physical strength with her spiritual energy, forming magic power.

An invisible wave of energy rippled outward from her, lifting the hem of her clothes and tossing her hair ever so slightly.

The awakening array beneath her began to resonate in response. Its intricate patterns glowed with a soft golden hue.

“The process of condensing magical power seems to be going smoothly,” Leon observed, watching as Muen became enveloped in the light of the array. “Usually, it takes a few tries to succeed the first time. I didn’t expect Muen to manage it on her first attempt.”

Roswitha hummed lightly in agreement.

The next step was to naturally release her newly formed magic through her internal magical pathways.

Muen focused quietly on the sensation of her magic flowing—it felt like water, seeping into every corner, surging without pause.

Using her magical pathways, she had to guide it to the outside world.

Thanks to her father’s detailed and effective guidance, Muen executed the process without complication.

Now, as soon as the awakening array detected her magic, it would immediately display the symbol for her corresponding element.

Everyone, from Leon and Roswitha to Anna and the entire Maid Squad, watched with bated breath, eagerly awaiting the result.

As Muen’s magic began to pour forth, faint red arcs of energy danced along her arms, accompanied by flickers of flame around her.

Roswitha’s eyes lit up. This was a sign of fire magic manifesting!

Sure enough, in the next instant, the symbol representing fire magic appeared above the awakening array.

Anna clapped enthusiastically, and the Maid Squad joined in with their own expressions of congratulations.

If Roswitha weren’t too mindful of maintaining her image as queen, she would’ve undoubtedly dashed over to sweep her daughter up in a celebratory bear hug and cover her face with kisses.

Ordinarily, fire magic awakening was nothing unusual for a Dragon Clan member. But in Muen’s case, the implications were profound.

The silver dragon queen turned her gaze slowly toward Leon, a victorious smirk on her face. “What’s the matter, Leon? Why aren’t you smiling? Smile for me! Aren’t you happy your daughter succeeded?”

Leon said nothing.

The silence was deafening.

Of course he was proud of his daughter for successfully awakening her element, but before he could even relish that joy, he first had to survive Roswitha’s “gleeful rubbing it in.”

In this world, happiness was never infinite. For someone to laugh, someone else had to cry.

Don’t you agree, Dragon Slayer?

Naturally, Roswitha wasted no time capitalizing on her victory. Slinging an arm over Leon’s shoulder, she flashed him a mischievous grin.

“I get it, I get it. You’ve won so many times now—even Noa’s awakening went your way. But guess what? This time, it’s my win.”

She withdrew her arm, patting Leon on the cheek. “Alright, now adjust your attitude. There’s no point crying over spilled milk. Let’s go congratulate our daughter.”

“...Wait. Something’s not right.”

“What isn’t? Are you seriously going to deny that giant fire symbol?”

Leon's eyes narrowed, and he slowly raised a hand, pointing toward Muen. His expression shifted rapidly to one of shock and excitement.

“The awakening... isn’t over yet.”

Roswitha’s head snapped to face the array at his words.

Sure enough, as Leon had said, Muen’s awakening was still in progress.

The flames surrounding Muen began to subside, replaced by an erratic, electric-blue glow!

Roswitha’s pupils widened slightly, her silver irises reflecting the sudden brilliance of the light.

In the stunned silence that followed, the fire symbol above Muen merged seamlessly with the symbol for thunder magic.

Whether among humans or the Dragon Clan, this was a phenomenon recorded only in ancient texts—

“Dual Awakening...”