After declaring himself, Illusionary Feather walked into the dormitory with Belka.

They approached the dining table where Illusionary Feather had already placed plates of breakfast. Sitting down, Belka asked, "Aren’t we calling Blazing Heart to join us today?" noticing he hadn’t gone to wake her as usual.

"Hmm. I’ve noticed she’s been sleeping deeply lately. Let her rest. Besides, I have classes today—I’m not sure if it’s convenient to bring her along." Illusionary Feather paused his meal to reply.

"Well," Belka explained, "dragons can attend practical lessons with their masters, but theory classes have no rules. Everyone just assumes it’s not allowed—imagine an Earth Dragon squeezing into a classroom!"

"We’ll discuss it after eating," Illusionary Feather said calmly.

"Then I’ll dig in."

"I’ll dig in."

After their brief prayer, they began eating.

Suddenly, Belka noticed a startling change in Illusionary Feather’s aura.

His usual lazy demeanor had vanished. Staring at him, she saw the bearing of a solitary monarch—a presence she’d only seen in one other person. But such an aura felt unwelcoming, unfit for a StudentCouncil member dedicated to helping others.

"Little Brother Yu," she ventured gently, "why do you seem so distant from your sister today?"

"Eh?" Illusionary Feather, already aware of her gaze, was slightly taken aback. He set down his chopsticks. "Is it that? I just believe talking while eating is impolite, so I..."

"Not that," Belka cut in bluntly. "You feel... strangely isolated. Right here in front of me, yet utterly alone."

At this, Illusionary Feather smiled. His aloofness melted away like mist, transforming him from a solitary monarch into a benevolent ruler—warm, approachable.

"Did I imagine it?" Belka blurted out, staring at this unfamiliar version of him. "Is this still my Little Brother Yu?"

"Not at all," he replied matter-of-factly. "Joining the StudentCouncil means I can’t stay lazy and dump work on you or others. And since you said I seemed isolated earlier... this is necessary."

"Ah~ So today’s Little Brother Yu isn’t yesterday’s," Belka sighed, feigning annoyance before waving a hand. "Well, well—as long as it’s you, I won’t pry further."

"Huh?" Now Illusionary Feather was confused.

They finished breakfast in this oddly charged silence.

"Let me walk you to school, Little Brother Yu," Belka offered habitually.

"But the school’s right ahead—just a few steps away," he protested awkwardly. "And... don’t you have classes too?"

"Do you dislike your sister now?" Belka lowered her head, hands covering her face in theatrical despair.

"No! I just wondered about your classes—" he stammered, flustered.

"Oh, I’m on break for now. That’s why I come here daily for meals." She suddenly looked up, her signature mischievous grin flashing. "Your flustered face is so cute, Little Brother Yu."

"I see..." Illusionary Feather realized he’d been teased again—but felt no anger.

"Heh~ Since I’ve finished mooching breakfast, I’ve got errands. I’ll be back at noon!" With that, Belka summoned Swift, leaped onto its back, and vanished.

Illusionary Feather didn’t crane his neck to watch her go. Truthfully, he’d never cared about glimpsing under girls’ skirts.

After Belka left, he prepared to head to class. To ease Blazing Heart’s worries upon waking, he left a note on the table before stepping out toward the Yayang teaching building.

Not long after, Blazing Heart stirred awake. Rubbing her eyes gently, she called flatly, "Master~ Master~"

"..."

Silence answered.

She threw off the covers, wearing a pink nightgown. Slipping into white slippers, she shuffled out calling "Master~" repeatedly.

Reaching the dining room, she found only a plate of breakfast and a note. She snatched it up:

> *Blazing Heart,*

> *Master has class. Eat your breakfast. Stay inside and wait for me.*

> *—Illusionary Feather*

She crumpled the note without a glance at the food and strode out with clear purpose.

That day, Illusionary Feather arrived startlingly on time—a sight that baffled his seatmate, Leilo.

"Illusionary Feather, why aren’t you late today?" Leilo blurted.

"Is punctuality a crime?" Illusionary Feather replied, genuinely puzzled.

"Uh—" Leilo choked. What stunned him more was that Illusionary Feather had actually spoken. Before, it had always been:

*"Hey, why late again today?"*

*"...*

*"Seriously, every day?"*

*"...*

*"Do you even own a clock?"*

*"...*

Now, words had finally come. Leilo nearly tears up—*He spoke to me! All my efforts paid off!*

Seizing this "progress," he pressed, "Then why were you always late before—"

The bell cut him off. Illusionary Feather turned back toward the blackboard. Leilo slumped, then brightened—*He’ll tell me at break!*

Their homeroom teacher, Minette, entered for Mechanical History. Dressed as usual in a black trench coat, leather halter top, short shorts, and thigh-high boots, she commanded every male gaze except one. Her classes boasted near-perfect attendance from boys.

Mid-lecture, the door slid open. Minette’s eyes met a small figure in a pink nightgown. For a heartbeat, she felt her soul being sucked into those void-like black eyes.

The girl didn’t linger. She walked straight to the back row, stopping beside a blue-haired, violet-eyed boy who made hearts skip beats. Wrapping her arms around his right arm, she intoned tonelessly, "Master~"

The boy simply turned, smiled, and ruffled her hair with his left hand.

"Master~ Hungry," she stated.

The classroom remained frozen in shock.

Only when Illusionary Feather stood and approached the podium with the girl did someone gasp, "So cute!"

F-class erupted into chaos.

Minette stared, stunned, as the boy who’d always ignored authority bowed respectfully. "Teacher Minette, an urgent matter has arisen. May I request leave for today?"

Snapping out of her daze, Minette waved a hand irritably. "Fine. But be here for practicals this afternoon."

"Thank you." He nodded politely and left with Blazing Heart.

F-class roared louder. Minette took a sharp breath. "Silence! Class resumes. Discuss this later."

The frenzy quieted—but predatory grins flickered in some boys’ eyes.

Blazing Heart’s refusal to eat without him made Illusionary Feather sigh inwardly. Though he’d abandoned his "energy-saving mode," shed old habits, and softened his demeanor... traces of his past self lingered.

Since practicals were scheduled for afternoon, he spent the morning with Blazing Heart in their dorm room. No words passed between them, but his mind raced.

By afternoon, Belka hadn’t returned as promised. Illusionary Feather walked to class, Blazing Heart clinging to one arm, his toolbox in the other.

They reached the classroom just as the bell rang.

Behind them stood Minette Delsy—their practicals instructor. Ignoring stares, Illusionary Feather led Blazing Heart to the back row. She settled onto his lap, arms locked around him. He felt the weight of her trust but said nothing.

Minette’s eyelid twitched at the display but chose to ignore it. Hostile glares from classmates slid off Illusionary Feather like rain.

After Minette outlined the day’s task, F-class marched to their designated workshop area—a cramped corner by the fence, reserved for the class’s lowest-ranked student.

"Each station has an identical half-finished project," Minette announced, "plus spare parts. Complete it by dismissal using your own design."

"Any questions?"

Silence.

"Summon your dragons. Begin."

Flashes of light erupted across the yard. One by one, Earth Dragons materialized beside their masters.

Since each area was spacious—large enough for two flying dragons, the largest kind—there were no pools. But water dragons weren't a concern; typically, water dragons and jiaolong only got disoriented on land and didn't die.

From his corner, Illusionary Feather had a clear view of everyone and every dragon. He took a quick glance: three flying dragons total, many Earth Dragons, and four water dragons.

For Inventors, most dragons were only useful for carrying things; only rare ones truly helped. Take Leilo's iron dragon—it was an enormous asset. Leilo ranked third in class, and those around him watched with envious eyes while he and his dragon happily created.

"Ironclad, bring that iron plate over."

"Hmm~" (a cheerful grunt)

"Get the hammer from the toolbox."

"Hmm~"

"..."

The dragon and human worked in perfect sync, making onlookers covetous.

Illusionary Feather barely glanced before starting his own work. Worried about oil stains on Blazing Heart, he had the dragon stay by the perimeter wall—a spot safe from stains and relatively cool.

It was still summer, the hottest part of the afternoon.

To protect students, Minette had raised sun-shielding barriers for everyone. But the last one seemed broken, leaving Illusionary Feather's area uncovered.

—Again? If it were just me, fine.

Seeing smug, gloating looks from the sides, Illusionary Feather—who was already drained—put down his tools. He stripped off his oil-stained practical skills uniform, led Blazing Heart away from the sun-baked corner, and walked through the crowd to Leilo's area.

Many watched Illusionary Feather, some muttering harshly.

"Are they staying there until dismissal?"

"Ha~ How ridiculous."

"Last place is last place—even their gear is trash."

Leilo had seen what happened, so when Illusionary Feather approached, he guessed the reason.

"Leilo."

"Huh?" Leilo, still lost in thought, responded vaguely.

"Blazing Heart will stay here. I'll leave once I'm done."

"No problem. Ironclad, dump the toolbox contents—make a seat for little Blazing Heart."

As Ironclad moved to use its mouth, Illusionary Feather took off his coat and stopped it. "Never mind, Leilo. She can sit on my coat."

"Thanks." Illusionary Feather spread the coat out, giving Leilo a sincere smile.

"No worries. Plenty of space anyway."

They exchanged a smile. Illusionary Feather left Leilo's area and, passing Minette, asked, "Teacher, is this okay?"

"Hmm. As long as the other party agrees, it's fine."

Back at his station, Illusionary Feather didn't even put on his discarded clothes. He worked faster and faster, assembling everything exactly as he envisioned.

Suddenly, his area was shaded. Looking up, he saw an azure dragon descending.

Once it landed, Belka stepped off Swift's back with style. She pulled a blue armband with black lettering from her pocket and handed it to Illusionary Feather. "Little Feather, wear this. Always have it when you go out—it's the Academy StudentCouncil armband. I was delayed at noon with some business."

Nearby students saw this; some nearly dropped their jaws. Almost everyone knew Belka, president of the Academy StudentCouncil. Her closeness to Illusionary Feather was obvious, and with him wearing the armband, it was clear—he was a newly recruited member.

Those who had been gloating froze, their faces stiffening.

"Little Feather, the StudentCouncil can swap spots, you know."

"Never mind. I've handled it."

"I see. Then I'll head back. Equipment damage is usually reported before term starts. But Yayang's stuff—broken like this and unreported? Truly saving the school money." Belka walked back to Swift's back, left with those words, and departed.

It was a veiled accusation.

Everyone understood.

When Minette inspected Illusionary Feather's work, she couldn't believe her eyes. Perfect assembly, unique design—made by the school's lowest-ranked student? Had the school underestimated him, or had he plagiarized?

The answer was obvious. No one but Illusionary Feather could conceive such an ingenious design. Some nearby projects even faintly echoed his style.

After Minette's evaluation, Illusionary Feather and Blazing Heart sat under the shade in Leilo's area, waiting to leave with him after class. It was clear—he now considered Leilo a friend.