"Ah~wooo~"

Outside, the sky was still dark when Illusionary Feather let out a yawn and woke up—an unthinkable routine for Bellka just days ago, now repeating daily since their return.

He lay in bed in Room 303 of the Yayang Dormitory. Smaller than the shared rooms in the Sword Saint Dormitory, these were single-occupancy suites.

Reflecting on recent events, even the trouble-averse Illusionary Feather found it all rather troublesome.

It began on the final day inside Dragon Rearing Mountain. After his contracted beauty pulled him into the rift, he’d blacked out again.

Next, students still inside the mountain—and their dragons—were scattered around the ancient hall’s ruins via the Teleportation Array. Waking to find themselves outside, they finally relaxed, reuniting with their dragons.

Thanks to *someone’s* interference, many remained dragonless—but more had gained flying dragons than in past years. Was this misfortune-turned-blessing, or simply luck’s doing?

Everyone returned to their teachers. All dragons except the flying ones had retreated into their Contract Seals—mystical imprints left after bonding, spacious enough to house dragons and gear, each seal’s interior unique.

Teachers began roll calls. Every class accounted for—except Yayang Class F’s Illusionary Feather. Teacher Minette’s expression darkened. Bellka frowned, worry etching her brow despite no ill premonition.

Unbeknownst to them, Illusionary Feather slept soundly aboard the airship. Curled against him lay a breathtakingly beautiful少女, completely bare, her crystal-pale skin glowing in the dim light. Her ink-black hair spilled over them like a silken blanket—a scene of serene intimacy.

Seconds later, Illusionary Feather’s fingers twitched. He blinked awake, groggy, staring at the ceiling.

"Where…?" His voice rasped, disoriented.

Silence. He glanced around—and froze at a dark, fluffy shape near his chest.

*—No. Yarn balls are messier. Thinner threads. And they don’t smell this sweet.*

"What *is* this?" The strange object scrambled his thoughts.

Reaching to lift the round, non-yarn-like thing—

A soft, sleepy whimper answered him: "*Mmm~ mmm~*"

Like lightning striking his spine, Illusionary Feather jolted fully awake. "N-n-no way… that g-girl from Dragon Rearing Mountain?!"

As if summoned, the少女’s lips brushed his skin. A flat, emotionless whisper: "*Master.*" She pushed herself up, her bare hips settling squarely on his abdomen. Completely exposed, every curve laid bare before him. Heat flooded his cheeks—his supposedly impervious face burning crimson. His lazy body betrayed him with an unwelcome reaction.

*—So beautiful. So soft. So warm. I like it…*

Shaking his head fiercely to banish the thoughts, he squeezed his eyes shut. "B-Blazing Heart… put some clothes on." At least he remembered her name.

She tilted her head, blank-faced. "No clothes."

*Sigh.* Gently lifting her off him, he set her beside him on the bed. Standing, he finally recognized the room—his shared quarters with Bellka from yesterday. Divine intervention: draped over a chair lay Bellka’s forgotten pink nightgown.

"Bless the heavens!" He snatched it up, relief washing over his face. Handing it to Blazing Heart, he urged, "Here. Wear this."

She stared, expressionless. "No." Then, tilting her head: "Does Master dislike me being unclothed?"

Stunned by her refusal, he nodded instantly at her question.

To his surprise, she obediently took the gown and slipped it on.

"*Phew.*" He exhaled sharply.

"Does Master like it?" Her voice remained flat as she brushed her hair free from the neckline.

Watching that small gesture, he nodded firmly. Though her face stayed blank, a trace of amusement flickered in her eyes.

Clothes settled, reality crashed back. *Time to return.*

Grabbing Blazing Heart’s hand, he yanked her up—only for her to stumble forward. Instinctively catching her, he swept her into a princess carry and bolted for the door.

On the deck, airships and flying dragons already filled the sky. Below his ship, a group waited anxiously. His face fell. "*Oh crap.*"

Stiffly, he called down: "Who are you all waiting for?"

The tense atmosphere below shattered into killing intent the moment they saw him—disheveled, cradling a nightgown-clad girl. The air turned glacial.

*—Run or apologize?*

Before he could choose the thirty-sixth stratagem, a figure shot upward. A hand clamped his shoulder, pressure mounting. Bellka smiled sweetly, her voice icy: "Little Yu~ We’ve been *so* worried. While we waited, you were… *entertaining* this young lady? Sister truly misjudged you."

Bone cracked under her grip. His left arm went limp—but he held Blazing Heart steady, absorbing the impact to spare her jarring落地. Only when her feet touched earth did he release a slow breath. No grimace. No flinch. He knew this was Bellka’s worry twisted into punishment. Straightening, he offered an apologetic smile: "Sis, I don’t even remember how I got there. And it’s not what you think."

Blazing Heart’s eyes burned with fury. Through their bond, she’d felt his pain. Her glare at Bellka turned venomous.

Bellka’s smile vanished. Horror replaced anger as she realized what she’d done. "*Little Yu!*" Her hands fluttered toward his shoulder. "I lost control—I didn’t mean—"

"Later," he cut in gently, nodding toward the approaching teachers and classmates.

Teacher Minette scolded him fiercely but accepted his half-truth: "*I must’ve touched something by accident and got spat out.*" He’d pegged her on day one—she avoided trouble. As for the classmates? *Let them think what they want.*

The hassle-averse teacher ushered the still-excited students inside. Illusionary Feather retreated to his assigned room, Bellka trailing guiltily. Leilo, lost in flying dragon euphoria, soared with friends near the ship’s edge.

The trio walked in stiff silence. Bellka dared not speak under Blazing Heart’s accusing stare.

Inside the room, Illusionary Feather flexed his left shoulder.

*—Healed.*

He grabbed Bellka’s hand from behind, feigning annoyance: "If you keep this up, I’ll *really* be mad. It’s just a broken bone—and look, it’s fine now."

"*What?!*" Bellka’s head snapped up, eyes wide.

"See? No need to fret." He tugged her to sit on the bed, then turned to Blazing Heart. Gently freeing his hand from her grip, he pinched her soft, warm cheek. "Stop glaring at Sister Bellka. She’s an amazing sister—even amazing people make mistakes. Especially when worried about someone. I hate those who judge others by a single error."

The hostility in Blazing Heart’s eyes faded, replaced by quiet neutrality. He grinned. "Good girl. I’m Illusionary Feather—*illusion* like a phantom, *feather* like a bird. Your Master from now on."

"Master," she stated flatly, "I’m hungry."

Her words triggered his own hunger. He’d slept through dinner, and the ship was long past meal hours.

Swiveling to Bellka, he pinched her cheek playfully. "Sis~ I’m *starving*. Feed me or I’ll perish!"

He flopped dramatically onto the bed, dragging Blazing Heart down beside him.

Bellka blinked—then laughed softly. From her Contract Seal, she produced a bento box. "I made extras these past days."

The "corpse" on the bed resurrected instantly. Illusionary Feather snatched the box, plopped it on his lap, and tore open the lid. Sandwiches gleamed inside. Blazing Heart sat up cautiously, fingers hovering near the food.

Bellka handed her several pieces. "Take them. My apology."

"Mmmf!" Illusionary Feather’s mouth was already full. "My apology price? No troublesome favors!"

"You’re lively enough—you’ll get the *most* troublesome ones," Bellka shot back, her shadows finally lifting.

"Try me. I’ll refuse anything I dislike." He swallowed hard. "Now—*feed me*."

Beside him, Blazing Heart nibbled her sandwich like a squirrel but stopped after only two and a half pieces.

“Not tasty?” Belka asked, watching her.

Blazing Heart shook her head emotionlessly. “I can’t eat anymore.”

“I’ll finish it,” Illusionary Feather said casually, popping the half-eaten piece into his mouth.

“You’re eating that half too?” Belka eyed him.

“Yeah,” Illusionary Feather replied, oblivious to her odd expression.

Just as Belka moved to act, Illusionary Feather quickly stepped in. “Sister, let me introduce you.”

Belka realized she still didn’t know who this girl was—the one wearing a dress identical to her own nightgown.

“This is an unknown creature I found on Dragon Rearing Mountain. I’ll be raising her—no, fostering her. Her name’s Phantom Night Emberheart.” Illusionary Feather pointed to Blazing Heart on his right before turning to Belka on his left. “This is Sister Belka Rohlin, whom I met days ago. You two get along nicely and don’t cause trouble, okay?”

“I’m Belka Rohlin. Call me Sister,” Belka said warmly.

“I am Phantom Night Emberheart. My master named me. Just call me Blazing Heart,” she replied, dropping her earlier hostility but still toneless.

“Your dress looks just like mine. Wait—is your master Brother Feather?” Belka frowned, studying the familiar gown.

“The dress was taken from this room. And yes, my master is Master Illusionary Feather,” Blazing Heart stated blankly, expressionless.

“Brother Feather, explain. Sister’s listening,” Belka said with a mischievous smile.

Illusionary Feather surrendered instantly, recounting the Dragon Rearing Mountain incident. He added quietly, “This must never reach a fourth ear.”

Belka’s gaze turned serious. She nodded.

Exhausted, all three collapsed onto the bed, ignoring old rules about gender propriety.

As Illusionary Feather slept, he dreamed.

The vision stayed hazy until the end—when a black longsword slid into the chest of a man who looked exactly like him.

He woke back at Dragon Tamer Academy’s takeoff point. The two beautiful girls beside him stared fixedly at his face.

When he opened his eyes, Belka blushed and looked away. Blazing Heart praised tonelessly, “Master is so cute.”

Illusionary Feather tapped her head lightly. “Boys aren’t ‘cute.’ Say ‘handsome’ at least.”

He stood, took Blazing Heart’s hand, and headed out. Belka followed.

After moving dorms, life settled peacefully. But since Blazing Heart arrived, Illusionary Feather started waking early. When Belka visited his new room 303, he opened the door himself. She stepped back, squinting at the sun. “It’s not rising from the west today.”

“Rude, Sister. I wake early sometimes. A master must set an example,” Illusionary Feather said with a slight smile.

Belka froze. He usually grinned playfully—this rare, gentle smile captivated her. (He really is handsome, Brother Feather.)

Days later, Belka told him, “StudentCouncil recruitment’s tomorrow. Only two spots. The test is simple—please join, Brother.”

“If failing doesn’t matter, fine,” Illusionary Feather said warily.

“Just participate. That’s enough,” Belka replied, unusually unpushy.

Illusionary Feather grew suspicious.

—This feels off. But I can’t refuse.

“Alright. I’ll go tomorrow,” he agreed.

“Perfect,” Belka beamed, clasping her hands.

They woke Blazing Heart and ate breakfast together.

Now it’s today—the day of StudentCouncil recruitment.