Early in the morning, Aurora slowly woke from her slumber.

The sound of pages softly rustling reached her ears.

In a daze, Aurora sat up, her little pink hair a mess, eyes barely open. She turned toward the source of the page-turning sounds.

What she saw was her second sister seated at the desk, with pen and paper in hands, writing and drawing. A towering stack of books occupied the desk.

Not only that, Aurora noticed the headband tied around her second sister’s head. Written boldly on it were two words:

**“Hard Work.”**

Plus a gigantic exclamation mark.

“Oh no, seeing Second Sis studying hard the moment I wake up—this must mean I’m still dreaming. I’d better go back to sleep.”

And with that, Aurora flopped back down, shut her eyes, and went back to bed.

Moments later, Aurora sat up again.

Muen was still diligently studying at the desk.

The pink-haired girl, now fully awake, thought to herself:

“When the lazy finally decide to stop slacking, it can only mean... there’s fun to be had!”

Aurora threw off her covers, leaped out of bed like a tiger, and padded over to her sister’s side in her cute pink pajamas, tail wagging excitedly.

She peeked at the book Muen was poring over—it was a fundamental magic theory text. But it was more “academic.”

Normal books on magic typically taught practical and hands-on magic skills.

However, the text Muen was studying was more focused on theory—or more precisely, exam preparation.

These types of theoretical magic books were usually read when one needed to pass specific magic exams.

Aurora scratched her head and asked, “Second Sis, what’s suddenly gotten into you to make you work so hard?”

Without looking up from her book, Muen replied, “Saint Hiss Academy’s new semester admissions is in a month. I plan to apply.”

“Huh? But the academy’s hatchling courses are designed for young dragons aged seven and up. That’s why most of the applicants are older.”

Aurora paused, then earnestly added, “Except for Big Sis—she’s just a monster.”

“If Big Sis could pass the exam and keep up with the classes, then so can I!”

Muen pouted as she spoke, her pen moving nonstop. During the conversation, she finished answering a lengthy theoretical question and immediately started tackling another.

About a year ago, when Leon first introduced her to magic, Muen had covered parts of these theoretical concepts.

So now, she didn’t find the material too difficult.

As Aurora watched her second sister working with such fervor, as though injected with adrenaline, she widened her eyes in amazement.

A laid-back dragon like Muen wouldn’t suddenly decide to apply to Saint Hiss Academy without reasons.

There had to be some kind of motivations driving her.

And as for that reason, well, it wasn’t too hard to figure out—it definitely had something to do with that girl named Helena.

Saint Hiss Academy was located deep in the Dragon Clan territory, far from the lands of most tribes.

Thus, all students—whether from the hatchling program or the young dragon division—had to board at the academy. They could only return home on weekends and during holidays.

This meant that during the regular term, Noa would spend more time at the academy with Helena than at home with Muen.

It was this realization that had driven Muen to want to pass Saint Hiss Academy's entrance exam so urgently.

Only by entering the academy could she once again become Noa’s inseparable little shadow.

“But relying on self-study alone to pass the academy’s entrance exam won’t be easy,” Aurora said. “Big Sis once told me that when she was younger, she had Dad help tutor her.”

Muen paused mid-writing, set her pen down, and turned to look at Aurora. “What if Dad doesn’t have time to help?”

Aurora blinked and then chuckled mischievously.

“There’s no way a doting dad like him wouldn’t have time for his precious daughter’s studies. Even if he were in the middle of stopping the end of the world, if you went to him, he’d put it on pause just for you.”

Muen burst out laughing at Aurora’s joke.

She tidied up her books, climbed off her chair, and announced, “Then I’ll go ask Dad right now.”

With a stack of exam prep books in her arms, Muen made a beeline for the door, her movements decisive and determined—the once lazy mascot now thoroughly transformed into a proactive problem-solver.

Aurora’s brain went into overdrive.

After a brief mental brainstorm, Aurora snatched a few books from the desk and hurried after her sister. “Wait up, Second Sis!”

---

Meanwhile, in the training grounds behind the sanctuary.

Leon was helping Roswitha practice channeling Primordial Power.

The couple sat cross-legged on the ground, facing each other.

Roswitha held out her hands, palms facing one another. Soon, a crystalline orb of white light began to shimmer and glow between them.

“You’ve made great progress compared to a few days ago,” Leon remarked as he glanced up at Roswitha. “Is it tiring?”

Roswitha shook her head. “It’s much easier now. I think I’m starting to get the hang of it.”

“Good. Let’s take a break. You've been practicing all morning.”

“Alright.”

Since Roswitha’s workdays kept her busy, the two could only squeeze in practice sessions during mornings and evenings.

After a short rest, they planned to eat breakfast together before sending the queen off to her morning court session.

“Let me see your hands,” Leon said.

“For what?”

“To check if they’re injured.”

“Oh, alright.”

Roswitha held out her hands, which felt cool to Leon’s touch, her skin soft and delicate.

“Your Majesty, your hands are so small. Let’s compare them to mine,” Leon suggested with an overly casual tone.

Roswitha noted his transparent attempt to cover his true intentions and quirked an eyebrow. Did he really think the queen couldn’t see right through him?

Childish.

“Alright, let’s compare,” she agreed with mock seriousness.

She raised her palm to match his.

Just as she expected, Leon interlaced his fingers with hers in the next moment.

Ten fingers intertwined, impossible to pull apart.

“Your Majesty, your hands are so cold. Let me warm them up for you,” the dragon-slaying hero declared self-righteously.

The queen arched a beautifully shaped brow and smiled playfully. “Then I truly must thank you.”

“No need to thank me, Your Majesty. As your captive, it’s my duty.”

“Oh, is that so? Well, then, my another hand feels cold too. Will you warm that one as well?”

“Of course, Your Majesty!”

Roswitha slowly extended her other hand, smiling as Leon leaned in to grasp it. But in the next instant, she suddenly reached out, grabbed him by the collar, and yanked him toward her.

Leon tilted his head slightly upward, his nose brushing lightly against her elegant chin. The silver-haired beauty’s breath fell softly on his face, warm and fragrant.

“If you want to hold my hand, just say so, dear~ husband~”

“And if I did, would you obediently let me?”

“Nope.”

“Tch, as if that matters. I’m holding it now, and you’re not getting away.”

What a liar. It was just hand-holding—did he really think mere fingers could restrain the mighty Silver Dragon Queen?

If she truly wanted to pull away, she wouldn’t waste her time indulging in this flirty little game with her foolish, lovestruck husband.

Roswitha chose to humor Leon in their “marital games” only because she enjoyed spending this quality time with him.

With less than ten minutes to go before breakfast, their gazes met. One high, one low, their entwined hands shared warmth as black and silver eyes stared deeply into each other. Their eyes held equal measures of yearning and anticipation.

The next moment, they leaned in toward each other’s lips.

Why not savor the taste of each other before breakfast—

“Mommy! Daddy!”

“Ah—cough, cough! Ahem...uh...”

The previously inseparable hands shot apart in an instant.

Jumping back from each other, the pair turned their flushed faces away, trying to appear as nonchalant as possible.

“Ah...M-Muen, Aurora, good morning.”

Leon rubbed his hands awkwardly as he stood up. “Why are you two up so early today?”

“Second Sis has something wants to ask you,” Aurora began to explain but quickly noticed her mother’s slightly flushed cheeks and her father’s odd expression. Changing the subject, she asked, “What were you two just doing?”

“N-Nothing! Nothing at all...”

“Nothing? Then why are you both blushing?”

“Uh, well, we were...uh...training, yes, morning training!”

Aurora nodded slowly and dramatically. “Oh---, I see.”

“Oh, right. You mentioned Muen wants something from me?”

Leon crouched down to take Muen’s small hand in his and gently asked, “What is it, Muen?”

“Dad, I want you to tutor me. I’m going to take the Saint Hiss Academy entrance exam in a month,” Muen replied earnestly.

Leon blinked in surprise.

He didn’t respond right away but turned to exchange a look with Roswitha behind him.

Roswitha was equally taken aback. She stepped forward to ask, “Why are you suddenly interested in going to school, Muen?”

“Because I want to spend more time with Big Sis,” Muen replied.

Roswitha raised an eyebrow. “I see...you really cling to Noa, aren’t you?”

“Is that okay, Mommy? Muen will work very hard, I promise!”

Seeing the determination in their daughter’s eyes, the couple silently exchanged another glance. Finally, Leon nodded.

“Alright, no problem. I’ll tutor you. But it won’t be easy, you know.”

“That’s okay, Daddy! Muen will stick with it no matter what!”

The little dragon girl was brimming with confidence.

And Leon believed in her too.

“Um...Daddy?” Aurora tugged at Leon’s sleeve.

“Yes, Aurora?”

“I...want to try as well.”

“...And what’s your reason?”

“To study hard, excel every day, and grow up to become a useful member of the Silver Dragon Clan!”

Aurora pounded her chest with determination, as if about to enlist in the military.

Leon cast a skeptical look at his youngest daughter. Her reasoning seemed...questionable, to say the least.

Sweetheart, are you *sure* you’re not signing up just to stir up trouble at the academy?