Illusionary Feather hadn't gone far when the others caught up. Under a star-strewn sky, with the brightly lit night banquet venue just ahead, he suddenly turned. "Miss Lily," he said, "here are your twenty fireballs back."

Lily froze when singled out. A hint of fear flickered in her eyes. After just one outing with this guy, she knew his power ran deep. Earlier, he'd merely stretched—and her twenty fireballs had never made it past the starting line. Now he was "returning" them? She braced for battle.

Before anyone could intervene, colorful little fireballs burst open in their mouths. Vivid patterns spilled out, painting the night sky. Guests at the banquet looked up in wonder. As the last fireballs exploded, words shimmered above: "Happy Birthday, Leilo and Lyster!"

Thunderous applause erupted from the venue. Leilo, Lyster, and Illusionary Feather slipped back to the changing room. When the ballroom music began, they reentered slowly. Leilo in a black tuxedo and Lyster in a black gown danced gracefully under the glow of magic lamps—naturally occurring crystals carved into elegant shapes, pulsing with light when infused with mana, the ultimate choice for noble gatherings. Both wore radiant smiles.

Illusionary Feather shared one dance with Blazing Heart. Yote watched from afar, uninterested. To avoid trouble, Kerdling—dressed in men's attire—danced with Lily in her white gown.

The rest of the night passed smoothly. They stayed together at the estate.

The next morning, Illusionary Feather changed into his school uniform. Blazing Heart kept her gothic dress. Lily and the others also donned uniforms—they were heading back to the academy today. Though the journey would take more than a day, uniforms were mandatory.

The Henrys tried to persuade them to stay longer but ultimately only wished for their return visit.

As Lyster prepared to watch Leilo’s group depart, Illusionary Feather asked abruptly, "Lyster, are you a Sorcerer? I sense magical fluctuations around you."

"Hmm. I specialize in wind magic. Why?" she replied.

"Come with us. Getting into the academy shouldn’t be hard for you," he suggested.

Lyster glanced at her parents. Duke Grel seemed to understand. "Go," he told her. "We won’t cage our daughter. The academy holds fresh wonders for you."

Relief washed over Lyster. She grabbed Leilo’s hand, eager to leave immediately. Leilo followed with a smile, calling back, "We’re off!" The duke and duchess exchanged warm glances, watching the lively group disappear before returning inside.

Only when the castle spires vanished from sight did Illusionary Feather ask, "All in favor of taking the car, raise your hands."

Lily, Kerdling, and Yote stiffened. Hands flew to their mouths, faces twisting in disgust. They’d somewhat adjusted to his driving—but enduring that torture again? No thanks. As Leilo and Lyster, confused, started to raise their hands, Yote yanked Leilo’s arm down. Lily and Kerdling blocked Lyster’s motion.

"Is my driving really that terrifying?" Illusionary Feather asked, wide-eyed and innocent.

"You demon!" Lily shot back. "Lyster, we’d rather walk than ride with him!"

"What’s wrong?" Lyster looked puzzled.

"Let me explain," Yote gagged, the mere thought of the car ride making him queasy. He steadied himself. "On the way here, he gave each of us a paper bag. Every single trip. And the first few? Packed full. Ugh~"

His vivid description—even his expression—made it feel horrifyingly real.

Watching Yote’s performance, Leilo and Lyster’s smiles froze. "We’ve been away long enough," Leilo said quickly. "Let’s just ride our dragons back. The academy must be worried."

Everyone nodded vigorously.

"Sadly, I don’t have a dragon. The car it is," Illusionary Feather declared seriously.

"N-no problem!" Kerdling interjected. "You two can ride Steelplume with me. He doesn’t mind you."

"Fine," Illusionary Feather sighed, reluctantly agreeing. The group exhaled in relief.

They summoned their dragons: Lily mounted Scarlet, Yote climbed onto Ironwing, Leilo and Lyster shared Ironscale’s back (the dragon whined happily as Lyster settled on), and Illusionary Feather and Blazing Heart rode behind Kerdling on Steelplume. They set course for the Dragon Tamer Academy.

To kill time mid-flight, Illusionary Feather had questions.

"Lyster, how did you know where the Lv9 blueprint was hidden?"

"Yang Rui told me. He made the whole plan."

"Uncle Oak was involved? Why didn’t we see him at your place?"

"Oh—he hid outside. Didn’t want you spotting him."

"No wonder I wondered where Uncle Oak went. Turns out he was in exile."

"Leilo, I—"

"It’s fine. I’m not blaming you."

The couple’s tender moment left everyone silent.

"Who exactly is this Yang Rui?"

"A strategist who approached us. When I mentioned stealing the blueprint, he claimed he knew its location and laid out the plan."

"Short guy? Glasses? Hair parted sharply to one side?" Illusionary Feather recalled the谋士-like figure he’d seen before.

"Yes."

"Did he return with you?" Illusionary Feather remembered launching him airborne.

"No. Only Uncle Oak and his men came back."

*This isn’t over*, Illusionary Feather thought, falling silent.

He shifted topics. Three days later, they returned. Illusionary Feather alone handled the old hag at the academy.

Days afterward, news spread: Yayang Academy’s headmaster had been replaced. Leilo’s rank was reassessed to Lv8, but he chose to stay in Class F out of loyalty to his homeroom teacher. Lyster transferred to the Holy Mage Academy with Lily.

Just as everything settled smoothly, Illusionary Feather remembered one critically important thing he’d forgotten.

"Two moves," the silver-haired queen teased from her office, a smirk playing on her lips. "You’re in for it, brat."