Illusionary Feather was plunged into darkness under Blazing Heart’s lead. Yet he could still feel her in his arms—she hadn’t left, but her body trembled slightly, as if still terrified of the person she’d mentioned.
Illusionary Feather knew nothing about that person. He’d never imagined the seemingly naive Blazing Heart could fear anyone so intensely. But words were useless now. He’d take it step by step. If anyone dared trouble her, he wouldn’t mind stretching his muscles a little.
Soon, light returned to his vision. When he could see clearly again, he found himself in a vast cave glittering with gemstones of every hue. Piles of ores and rare metals surrounded him—he felt like he’d tumbled into someone’s treasure vault.
Just as he was about to ask Blazing Heart where they were, a shadowy figure wrapped in dark mist materialized before him. The Blazing Heart clinging to his chest instinctively darted behind him. Chivalrously, Illusionary Feather stepped in front. Before he could demand the figure’s identity, a voice like silver bells rang out from the shadows, tinged with excitement: “Welcome back, Master.”
Illusionary Feather froze. From his observations, he’d guessed this was likely a cave in Dragon Rearing Mountain—the very place where he and Blazing Heart first met, where she’d also called him “Master.” Months later, here he was again, hearing the same title from another voice. Judging by the accent, she couldn’t be much older than Blazing Heart.
He was speechless. Was fate toying with him? Two lolis in the same spot, both calling him “Master”? For now, he needed to uncover her origins.
Truthfully, he still didn’t fully understand Blazing Heart’s past. Figuring out this shadowy loli’s story seemed equally impossible.
An awkward silence hung heavy. The dark mist around the figure slowly faded. Blazing Heart, still hiding behind Illusionary Feather, gripped his hand tighter—as if letting go would make him vanish.
Meanwhile, not long after Illusionary Feather entered Dragon Rearing Mountain, Belka and the others sprang into action. Their mission: uncover who had infiltrated the mountain and capture them if possible. At minimum, they needed identities to plan their next move.
Reporting back to the Academy Head with zero intel would be useless. Without targets, retaliation would be messy.
Fortunately, they’d tracked the intruders’ location. Rushing there now might still net a capture. After discussion, they decided to leave one person guarding the airship while the rest investigated. The reason? They’d forgotten about someone always present yet overlooked—not by choice, but because she preferred staying hidden.
In a corner of the meeting room, a tiny green figure pored over a book. Only when the others drew lots—assigning Misha to stay behind while the rest departed—did she glance up. Her head tilted curiously, then dipped back into her pages.
After quick preparations, the group gathered on the airship’s deck, ready to mount their dragons and race to the target. Their only regret: Illusionary Feather was nowhere to be found. Missing him at such a critical moment was infuriating.
But thoughts aside, they focused on the mission.
Back in the cave, Illusionary Feather finally saw the figure revealed from the mist. His eyes widened in shock. His face stiffened, only his twitching eyebrows and lips betraying his disbelief. Before him stood someone identical to the Blazing Heart hiding behind him—so alike that even after months together, he couldn’t tell them apart by face alone.
Their auras differed sharply, making distinction easy for him. But strangers would never spot the difference, no matter how hard they stared.
The newly revealed Blazing Heart flashed a mischievous, devilish grin at his stunned expression. She pounced into his arms. “Surprised, Master? Am I not adorable? Don’t I look just like that girl behind you?”
Her sudden lunge startled the timid Blazing Heart, who shrank further back—but her hand stayed locked in Illusionary Feather’s grip. He held tight, knowing she’d have fled otherwise.
Now, Illusionary Feather needed answers: What was their relationship? Friends or foes?
He took a deep breath, then exhaled slowly. Without a word, he led both girls to a smooth patch of ground. Warmth radiated from below. He sat first. The dark Blazing Heart beamed, snuggling against his right side. She wrapped her arms around his, nuzzling his sleeve. The fearful Blazing Heart perched timidly on his left, clutching his hand while staring away, refusing to look at her twin.
Watching them, Illusionary Feather suspected they were twins—split personalities of one being, judging by their clashing natures and strained bond. But guessing was pointless. He’d ask directly.
“Blazing Heart,” he began gently to the girl on his left, “can you tell me what’s going on between you two?” She turned, hesitating as if gathering courage to speak. But before she could, the dark Blazing Heart cut in: “We’re sisters, Master! Well, more precisely—we’re two halves of the same person, separated into different personalities.”
The interruption made the timid Blazing Heart flinch, burying herself in Illusionary Feather’s chest. The dark one’s eyes flashed with disgust. Her sweet smile twisted, and her hand lifted as if to strike.
Just as she moved, Illusionary Feather tapped her head lightly with a chop of his hand. She froze. Then his touch softened into a gentle stroke through her silky hair. Her terrifying expression melted back into blissful contentment.
Despite their opposite natures, both girls adored him beyond measure.
While Illusionary Feather grappled with their origins, Belka’s team stormed a rest camp outside Dragon Rearing Mountain. The camp’s occupants scattered, gaping up at the rival dragons soaring overhead and their riders.
“Invaders of Dragon Rearing Mountain will be hunted down—no matter how far they flee.”
