After stroking Dark Blazing Heart’s head for a while, Illusionary Feather recalled her earlier interruption. She’d claimed they weren’t sisters at all—just two personas split from a single person. This wasn’t child’s play. Split personas, each with their own physical body? Illusionary Feather had seen dissociative identities before—even experienced something similar himself—but physically separated personas? Unheard of. Two bodies meant two people, plain and simple.

Illusionary Feather couldn’t wrap his head around it. Two bodies from split personas? They looked like sisters to him.

As he puzzled over this, Dark Blazing Heart—still enjoying his head pats—seemed to sense his confusion. She lifted her hands, caught his fingers, and nuzzled his palm while gazing up at him. Her eyes crinkled with a blissful smile as she explained, "Master, it’s not what you think. I don’t know why, but we were originally one person. Only after being sealed inside the egg did we begin to separate."

She paused to catch her breath. "From what I remember, we were meant to merge again. But your sudden appearance woke us both too early. That airhead followed her instincts and rushed out to form a Contract Seal with you. I was too shy to go out then… and by the time I gathered my courage, you’d already left." Regret flickered across her face at the end.

Listening to her, Illusionary Feather finally understood. Their premature separation was partly his fault. But why both personas instinctively recognized him as their master? Even she didn’t seem to know. Her explanation made that much clear.

Now that their relationship was clear, a new question loomed: Should he force them to merge? And if they did, would they become someone entirely new?

Before he could decide, the previously docile Dark Blazing Heart suddenly lunged. She shoved him onto the ground, pinning him beneath her. Blazing Heart yelped and scrambled away from his lap. Without hesitation, Dark Blazing Heart leaned down, her lips seeking his.

Illusionary Feather’s mind went blank as her face drew closer. The next instant—*peck*.

---

Meanwhile, Belka and her team landed their dragons near a merchant camp. Peering down at the crowd below, Belka’s earlier announcement had drawn every eye. Just as she’d predicted, the camp held few travelers—mostly merchants familiar with the Dragon Tamer Academy. Curiosity now pulled them out to see what the commotion was about.

The others frowned. Fighting here would endanger innocents. But letting the targets escape wasn’t an option.

"Focus on locating them first," Belka ordered sharply.

The team dismounted on a nearby grassy patch. As they approached the camp entrance, a crowd blocked their path—spectators eager for entertainment. The onlookers parted slightly, some young men clearly captivated by the girls’ beauty. Yet none dared approach, cowed by the commanding auras of Belka and Avira.

Under their watchful stares, the girls entered the camp.

The "camp" was little more than a temporary clearing ringed by wooden stakes. Merchants pitched tents inside, packing everything up when they departed. Travelers could rest here with the caravan leader’s permission, making it a transient hub of mixed company.

Belka’s group strode purposefully toward a large tent in the southern section. Whispers rippled through the merchants:

"Aren’t those the black-clad strangers from days ago?"

"Did they really break into the Dragon Rearing Mountain sanctuary?"

"Nonsense. They seemed perfectly polite when they arrived. Smelled like gunpowder, but hardly criminals."

"Best not to meddle."

Ignoring the chatter, Belka halted before the tent—large enough to hold over ten people. Inside, the ten black-clad figures had known they were exposed since Belka’s announcement from Swift’s back. Confident no "greenhorns" could extract secrets, they sat calmly sipping tea.

Belka politely announced their presence before lifting the tent flap. Her team filed in, blocking the exit. The black-clad men turned.

"Boss," one asked, puzzled, "did you invite these girls?"

"Since when do you chase after jailbait?" another jested.

Before more taunts could fly, their wooden table exploded into ashes.

Everyone froze. Lily snapped, "You scum! Did you dare—" Belka clamped a hand over her mouth, cutting her off.

The men’s expressions hardened. They settled back onto their chairs, the apparent leader speaking smoothly: "Ladies, to what do we owe this visit?"

Lily tried to retort, but Belka silenced her again. Avira stepped forward instead. "A minor matter. Recently, several Rivoss Empire agents infiltrated our academy’s sanctuary. Though they failed, we must investigate. Your attire—and the lingering gunpowder scent—suggest Rivoss origins. Any insights?"

Avira tread carefully. Without concrete evidence, outright combat would violate academy protocols. This was a fishing expedition: to extract information, confirm identities, or at least secure descriptions for future retaliation.

The black-clad men understood perfectly. Relations between Rivoss and the academy were frosty beneath a veneer of peace. One misstep could ignite open war. All tensed, ready.

The burly leader spread his hands. "We’d gladly assist, but we’ve only just arrived. Haven’t seen any countrymen—barely secured shelter here thanks to the caravan leader’s kindness." His answer denied both involvement and knowledge. With no proof, Belka’s team could only press through conversation.

Belka released Lily and stepped forward. "I lead the academy’s investigation team. Detail your activities these past weeks."

A hulking man beside the leader scowled. "Boss, why answer? Who are these brats to demand our private affairs?"

"Brother Six," the leader chided gently, "the Dragon Tamer Academy commands respect. We owe them courtesy." He turned back to Belka. "We arrived half a month ago seeking materials for a project. Five days in, we spotted six white-robed figures near the Dragon Rearing Forest—four men, two women. Each bore a dragon emblem on their robes, identical in placement but varying in design. They discussed exploring the forest."

"We paid them no mind. After they left, we settled nearby. The forest’s presence made us uneasy… until this caravan arrived days later. The leader kindly let us stay." He gestured vaguely. "You may verify our story with the merchants outside. Now that I recall—it might have been *them* who attacked your sanctuary."

"Exactly!" another black-clad man chimed in. "We’re law-abiding folk, ladies!"

Belka’s team exchanged uncertain glances. Another group? Or a fabrication?

With no evidence and the men cooperating superficially, lingering would only draw suspicion. Belka signaled retreat.

*Watch them closely. Wait for them to slip up.*

---

Back at Dragon Rearing Mountain, Illusionary Feather grappled with his own chaos. He stared wide-eyed at Dark Blazing Heart, who’d pinned him down and stolen a kiss. She ignored his shock, deepening the kiss until her tongue gently parted his lips. Illusionary Feather froze solid—a little girl had just tongue-kissed him. The sheer absurdity left him paralyzed, letting her tongue slip inside.

When his senses returned, searing heat flared at his chest—the Contract Seal’s location. Less intense than her kiss, but enough to scorch through his shirt.

He glanced down. A large patch of fabric had burned away, revealing the Seal. Its usual dark purple hue had deepened to inky black, stark against his skin.

Looking up, he met Dark Blazing Heart’s triumphant smirk. She licked her lips slowly, eyes gleaming with possessive satisfaction.

Illusionary Feather sighed. A sharp chop landed squarely on her head. "Don’t get cocky, little girl," he said, his voice laced with playful menace.

He sat up effortlessly, hoisting her under the arms and setting her aside. Then he pulled the stunned Blazing Heart close. "Now. Explain your situation properly."

"What would Master like to know?" Blazing Heart asked softly—a rare moment of initiative.

"That kiss was compensation, wasn’t it?" Illusionary Feather murmured, stroking her hair.

She paused, then gave a tiny nod.

Dark Blazing Heart shot her a venomous glare.

*Flick.* Illusionary Feather flicked her forehead hard.

"Ugh~" Dark Blazing Heart rubbed her forehead, puffed out her cheeks, and glared at Illusionary Feather.

"Since neither of you will speak up," Illusionary Feather said without waiting for a reply, "let me explain your situation. If I’m wrong, correct me—don’t fear the master’s anger." He continued, "Blazing Heart avoids this girl because she unconsciously took the master away, feeling guilty. That’s why she kept hiding after arriving. After the kiss just now, she felt compensated—no longer scared, justified, and brave enough to resist, right?"

Though phrased as questions, Illusionary Feather was certain.

True enough, Blazing Heart didn’t utter a word in rebuttal.

"Why must I be called ‘this girl’!" Dark Blazing Heart said indignantly.

"Actually, someone calls you Dark Blazing Heart!"

"Whoever dares must die!" Illusionary Feather fled in panic.

"Oh, since I just ran," Illusionary Feather said casually, "let’s stick with Dark Blazing Heart."

"Ah, really? I have a name now! I adore being called ‘master’," Dark Blazing Heart cooed, pressing her face against his arm with a docile look.

"Why can’t I use it? I named you!" Illusionary Feather shouted back from a distance.

"Die!" Dark Blazing Heart snapped. The fleeing figure exploded into minced meat nearby.

Alright, ignoring that odd exchange.

"Next question: can you two merge into one? What happens after?" Illusionary Feather asked. He’d deduced their bond and actions, but this remained unclear.

"Well, merging just combines bodies," Dark Blazing Heart explained clearly. "Personalities aren’t erased—one suppresses the other. External conditions shift which dominates."

"So you share one body," Illusionary Feather hypothesized boldly, "changing based on needs. I want Blazing Heart? Quiet, docile, watching silently. Dark Blazing Heart? Loud, spoiled, but still clingy."

"Mm-hmm," both affirmed together.

"Fine. If you don’t merge, is there danger?" Illusionary Feather pressed.

They exchanged a glance. Blazing Heart answered, "Yes. When leaving, one might be erased."

Illusionary Feather startled, brows knitting tightly.

"Decide yourselves: merge or send one out with me. Once I’m strong enough, I’ll rescue the other," he said solemnly.

Unexpectedly, both girls laughed. "We choose merging. We’ll stay with master forever."

"Since you’ve decided, I won’t stop you. But Dark Blazing Heart—have others visited Dragon Rearing Mountain lately?" Illusionary Feather asked.

"Two groups, master," she reported precisely. "Ten in black robes. Six in white uniforms with dragon embroidery on the hems. Those six radiated deathly fear—I hid my aura. Luckily, the black-robed ones took part of my eggshell first. Otherwise, I’d likely be dead."

Illusionary Feather pulled her into an embrace. "It’s alright now. With master, you’re safe."

Dark Blazing Heart quietly soaked in his warmth.

"Merge now. I’m short on time—if I don’t leave soon, Sister Belka will scold me again," Illusionary Feather said, his solemn expression shifting to exasperation.

The two Blazing Hearts smiled at each other, beginning the merge.

Dark Blazing Heart pulled out the half-eggshell missing its base, muttering, "The other half’s outside. Must retrieve it now… ugh, such a hassle." She tossed the shell upward. Both squeezed inside as the missing half stirred beyond.

Belka and the others, already outside the camp, watched an eggshell-shaped object fly from the black-robed group’s tent. Its pressure forced Swift and the dragons to drop flat.

Through the Contract Seal, Swift relayed: "That shell belongs to a higher-tier dragon." Hatchlings ate their shells for nourishment. Its presence meant a high-tier dragon was likely captured. Failure to reclaim it now would trouble Dragon Tamer Academy later.

Sensible as they were, Belka and Avira exchanged a glance and led the team back airborne. "Focus your dragons’ breath attacks!" Belka commanded. "Avoid the merchants!"

"Yes!" Colorful blasts struck the tent. The concentrated fire carved a deep, narrow crater—only that spot destroyed.

Surprisingly, the ten black-robed figures stood at the crater’s edge. Their robes were torn; some bore arm scratches.

The caravan merchants gaped up, dumbfounded. Attacking without warning? It nearly gave them heart attacks.

Yet sensible, they realized Dragon Tamer Academy targeted the black-robed group. Best to flee—but too many people. If fighting erupted, collateral damage would be disastrous.

Illusionary Feather chased the eggshell outside the cave. He’d been at Dragon Rearing Mountain’s highest peak base. The broken shell soared upward; he ran after it. At the summit, another fragment flew from the void, slotting under the first. The shells fused, sealing the Blazing Hearts inside.

A crushing pressure erupted. Peaceful dragons instantly submitted. Flying dragons plummeted; ground dragons braced for impact, unable to dodge.

Illusionary Feather intervened, gently lowering the flyers. Simple, yet countless dragons—he merely wiped sweat and sat down.

All dragons trembled under the Blazing Hearts’ majesty.

Outside, the two groups clashed fiercely.

Illusionary Feather stared at the floating egg, trouble swelling in his chest.

"Sigh. What a hassle."