Leon couldn't believe what was happening, even as he stood on the podium.
Before the entrance exams, he and Rossweise had stayed up all night devising strategies to lower their daughters' scores, aiming to ensure they passed without becoming the model family of the year.
To that end, they simulated at least twenty different interview scenarios and compiled nearly a thousand potential questions the interviewers might ask. They even tried a brief separation to dampen their passion for each other—though, in the end, that didn't work out.
Because, unbeknownst to this clueless couple, their relationship was too strong. A simple separation wasn't going to lessen their feelings.
After going through all this trouble, they thought they had everything in the bag. Even though Muwen had ranked second, they believed they had narrowly avoided the "social death" they feared.
However!
Just when they were ready to pop champagne in the face of victory, Death took off its mask—
And revealed Aurora's face!
Leon felt like his life had turned into a coffee table cluttered with nothing but tragic cups.
"Daddy~ Daddy~ I got first place, why aren't you happy?" Aurora tugged at his sleeve, blinking her big, innocent eyes up at him.
Leon looked down, rubbing her small head. "Daddy's not unhappy. Daddy's very happy. Look, Daddy is even smiling—ha, ha, ha—"
"Daddy, your smile sounds worse than crying," Aurora said, her words sharp as ever.
"..."
"Look at Mommy, she's really happy, but she's still being modest."
Modest?
Leon glanced at Rossweise.
The dragon queen didn't look the least bit upset. Her expression was still cold and indifferent, but if you looked closely, there was a barely noticeable curve at the corner of her lips.
She was clearly pleased.
What on earth are you so happy about, Mother Dragon?! Our whole plan just crumbled into dust before our youngest daughter!
"Keep your composure, Leon. Although we failed, look on the bright side."
Leon raised an eyebrow. "What bright side?"
"Your daughter won another championship for you."
Rossweise paused for a moment before delivering another sharp blow, "Oh, and second place, too."
"Well, thanks so much for reminding me!"
Speaking of which, although the first-place model family was supposed to be the combination of Aurora, Leon, and Rossweise, Muwen, who placed second, was also specially invited onto the stage by Vice Principal Wilson.
After all, they were a family, and it wouldn't be humane to leave poor Muwen standing by herself in the audience.
Once the whole family of four was on stage, Vice Principal Wilson also joined them.
As per tradition, the first to be interviewed was Aurora.
"Hello, Aurora Melkvey," the vice principal said warmly, bending down to her level and smiling kindly. It was clear he had a soft spot for the Melkvey family's little dragons—each one clever and talented. Exactly the kind of students St. Heath Academy wanted.
Leon shot a glance at the old man, muttering inwardly:
"Uppercut, uppercut, give him a good uppercut!"
Of course, this was just Leon's mental rant. Aurora's tendency to throw an uppercut was easily triggered, but it was situational. If she knocked the vice principal's glasses off during the entrance ceremony, their family might dominate the academy's gossip mill for years.
"As everyone knows, this year's exam was significantly harder than in previous years, yet both you and your sister Muwen scored remarkably high. Could you tell us what your study routine is like?" Vice Principal Wilson asked.
In her sweet, innocent voice, Aurora replied seriously, "We listen to Daddy."
"Oh? So, you're saying that you and your sister owe your success entirely to your father?"
"Yes."
Such a good daughter. Why are you always so honest, but every word feels like it's stabbing your father in the heart? If I had known this, I wouldn't have taught you two so well!—It's all my fault for being too excellent! (Stifling laughter).
Leon coped with the embarrassment by telling himself cold jokes in his head.
The vice principal, satisfied, stood up and wrapped an arm around Leon's shoulders like an old friend.
Leon shot a sideways glance at the hand on his shoulder. He really didn't like dragons who had no sense of personal boundaries.
"I'm sure most of you have heard of Leon Cosmodeous. A few months ago, he was the one who prevented the crisis of the space rift, saving many nearby clans. Our principal, Angelina Olette, even affectionately called him—"
"The Hero of the Dragons!"
With those words, applause erupted from the audience.
But on stage, General Leon was already drenched in sweat.
Damn it!
Who was the first to start clapping?! Was it you?! I'll chop off your dragon horns later and use them to make liquor!
Back in the principal's office, when Angelina Olette had called Leon the "Hero of the Dragons" with no one else around, he had felt uncomfortable.
At fifteen, Leon had joined the dragon-slaying army, facing and slaying hundreds of evil dragons. Yet, a few years later, the hero who had slain dragons had somehow become the hero for dragons—
Ah, life is unpredictable.
And now, the vice principal had shouted this illustrious title in front of hundreds of dragons.
Might as well roast me over a fire right now!
Being hailed as a hero by the very species he had fought against... this was all kinds of weird and awkward.
"And Leon has raised three exceptional young dragons. His eldest daughter, Noah C. Melkvey, is currently the top student in the hatchling division. I'm sure you've all heard of her, haven't you?" the vice principal continued.
"Yes~"
"Noah is amazing!" the little dragons echoed.
"Exactly. And now, Leon has brought his equally outstanding second and youngest daughters to St. Heath Academy. It's no exaggeration to say that Leon's contributions have laid a foundation for the future of the dragon race!"
Another round of applause rang out as the vice principal's praise was met with enthusiastic approval.
But just as he was about to continue, he felt a strange warmth on his hand, the one resting on Leon's shoulder.
He glanced down, muttering, "Why is my palm sweating... am I too excited?"
Leon shot him a death glare, silently praying for this cursed ceremony to end soon.
The vice principal went on to heap more compliments on the "Hero of the Dragons," Mr. Cosmodeous.
Then he invited Muwen and Aurora to hug their heroic father in celebration of their successful enrollment.
The heroic father, holding back tears, could do nothing but accept the hugs.
Afterward came the inevitable classic.
"Mr. Leon, now that your daughters' segment is over, let me ask you, do you remember what else you did when you stood here two years ago?"
Leon swallowed, sneaking a glance at Rossweise.
The dragon queen kept her gaze straight ahead, a faint smile playing on her lips. She showed no intention of joining the conversation.
Leon turned his eyes back, playing dumb with one last desperate attempt. "I... I forgot, Vice Principal."
"Well, let me remind you. Two years ago, you stood in this very spot and kissed your wife, Ms. Rossweise."
Leon smiled sheepishly. "Did I? Haha, well, that was just me being young and foolish."
"Well, Mr. Leon, as this ceremony is coming to a close, how about you end it with a kiss, just like last time?"
"Uh..."
"What do you all think?" the vice principal called to the crowd.
The dragons in the audience, eager for drama, cheered in excitement.
"Yes! We support it!"
"I've heard the Silver Dragon couple is incredibly loving. Finally, we get to see them in action. Kiss! You have to kiss!"
"Kiss, kiss, kiss!"
"..."
The chants grew louder and louder.
Leon couldn't tell if this was still an entrance ceremony or if it had turned into a wedding.
"Oh~ Daddy is going to kiss Mommy~" little Muwen chimed in, joining the chaos.
Leon sighed internally. There was no escaping this.
He turned to look at Rossweise.
Her smile widened. "Just a kiss on the cheek."
Leon narrowed his eyes slightly, noticing the smugness in her expression.
Why that smile?
Did she think Leon wouldn't dare kiss her?
Did she think kissing his "fake wife" in front of so many people would embarrass him?
Or... was it something else?
Heh... Rossweise, you're so childish.
We've been through too much together for me to be scared of this!
Leon steeled himself, slowly leaning in toward Rossweise's pale, delicate cheek.
Muwen, standing nearby, clenched her small fists in excitement. It was rare to see her parents being affectionate in front of her and her sisters, so she was both nervous and thrilled.
Aurora was just as eager.
But...
Was this really going to be just a kiss on the cheek?
Aurora wasn't satisfied with that.
Her eyes darted mischievously, and just as her father was about to plant the kiss, she called out, "Mom!"
"Hm?"
Instinctively, Rossweise turned toward her daughter's voice, momentarily forgetting Leon's proximity.
And then—
"Mm..."
Their lips met, perfectly timed.
Watching her parents' stunned faces as they accidentally kissed on the lips, Aurora proudly flicked her little tail in triumph.