After hearing Leon's thoughts on parenting, Constantine's perception of him seemed to shift slightly. For someone he had long considered primarily a brute-force warrior, Leon demonstrated an unexpected and careful depth when it came to raising children. His ability to analyze a child's emotions and potential with such care wasn't something one typically encountered among the more traditional dragon lords.
After a moment of quiet contemplation, Constantine finally said, "I understand your point. I will speak with Hefei about her future."
Leon smiled, satisfied to let the matter rest there. He wasn't one to preach, and his earlier remarks had been offered more as a casual exchange between fathers than a lecture.
However, just as the thoughtful mood settled, Constantine added with a familiar smirk, "Even if you possess some skill with children, your youngest daughter still cannot compete with Hefei in the literary field."
Both Leon and Rossweise exchanged confused glances.
"What are you talking about?" Leon asked, his brow furrowing.
"Hefei and Muse have been writing letters to each other for some time. You are aware of this, correct?"
Leon nodded. "I am. And?"
"Have you actually read any of their correspondence?"
"I haven't read them personally," Leon admitted. "But there was one time Muse encountered a few complex characters she didn't recognize and asked for my help."
Hearing this, Constantine's smug expression grew even more pronounced. "Well, that just proves it. Hefei has already surpassed Muse in this area. Her confidence and vocabulary show she is excelling. If she knew, I am sure she would be quite pleased."
"Hold on a second," Leon interrupted, his competitive spirit stirring. "You're calling children's letter exchanges a 'literary field'?"
"If that counts as literature," Rossweise chimed in with an amused roll of her eyes, "then the romance novels I read should be considered dragon classics!"
"Regardless," Constantine declared, ignoring her jab, "Hefei is ahead of Muse at the starting line."
Hearing this, Leon's own competitive streak flared up instantly. "Oh please, Spitfire. Muse is a few months younger than Hefei. Of course she knows fewer words! If you're so eager to compete, why not wait until they're both at the academy?"
"The academy?" Constantine mused, the idea catching his interest. "That's actually... not a bad idea. Didn't Noah start attending when she was a little over a year old?"
"She did," Leon confirmed, then narrowed his eyes. "But how do you know so much about my eldest daughter's academic record?"
"She left quite an impression on me during the events in the Far North."
"The Far North?" Leon thought back and recalled the incident. That was when Constantine, freshly escaped from the Empire's control, was believed to be seeking the Primordial Force in that frozen region. Leon and Rossweise had rushed there with the Leviathan. "But as it happened, Noah's outdoor academy assessment was also taking place in the Far North."
The three groups had crossed paths purely by chance. "And before Rossweise and I arrived," Leon continued, a note of paternal pride creeping into his voice, "Noah relied on her quick thinking, courage, and resourcefulness to stall Constantine long enough for us to get there. According to her account, she did manage to cause him some genuine trouble."
To his credit, Constantine had shown restraint and never intended to harm the children. That incident had, in fact, softened Leon's impression of the Crimson Flame Dragon King.
Now, hearing Constantine indirectly praise his daughter, Leon couldn't help the swell of pride. "My eldest daughter is a one-in-a-million genius. Starting school at that age was perfectly natural for her."
Watching Leon bask in this fatherly glory, Constantine let out a dry chuckle. "I had considered enrolling Hefei at the same age as Noah. But on second thought, if I did that, she wouldn't have the chance to properly outshine your youngest daughter."
Leon blinked. "So?"
"So," Constantine announced, his tone calm yet brimming with confidence, "I will have Hefei remain at home for now, learning basic magic and knowledge under my personal guidance. When Muse is old enough to start at Saint Heath Academy, they will both enroll at the same time." His demeanor practically screamed, You'll have no choice but to admit defeat, Leon.
"Defeat?"
At the sound of that word, Rossweise, who had been quietly observing the exchange, immediately sensed trouble. She knew her husband well. Leon could brush off coercion and ignore flattery, but the moment someone challenged him—especially with the word "defeat"—he was all in.
"Defeat? I've never been defeated, Spitfire," Leon declared, his competitive spirit fully ignited. "If that's how you want to play, fine. When Muse is ready, they'll both attend Saint Heath Academy. Just make sure Hefei is prepared."
"Prepared for what?" Constantine asked.
"To face the possibility that she might lose to Muse in every subject," Leon replied with a triumphant smirk.
"Hmph. My daughter, the daughter of the Crimson Flame Dragon King, will not lose," Constantine retorted, crossing his arms. "But you might want to help Muse prepare her second-place acceptance speech."
The two fathers bickered back and forth, their debate growing more and more absurd. Rossweise watched, highly amused. It turned out there was something even more satisfying than arguing with her own stubborn husband—it was watching him argue with someone who was just as stubborn.
"Mommy, Mommy! Hefei and I are hungry. Can we go eat something?"
Before Rossweise could fully enjoy the spectacle, Muse tugged at her skirt, pleading sweetly. The two young dragons had finished their exploration and returned, their stomachs now empty.
Rossweise crouched down to pinch her daughter's cheek affectionately. "Alright, little ones. What do you feel like eating?"
Muse and Hefei exchanged a single, knowing glance before shouting in unison, "Barbecue!"
Rossweise chuckled and stood up. "Alright, let's go get some barbecue."
"Yay!" the two girls cheered.
"Thank you, Auntie!" Hefei added, beaming.
Such polite little dragon girls, Rossweise thought, it was sometimes hard to believe Hefei had been raised solely by Constantine.
Meanwhile, the two childish fathers continued their heated debate, now on the topic of their daughters' artistic talents.
"Hefei's doodles clearly show artistic depth and inherent skill!"
"Oh please. We're judging a child's doodles now? If that's your standard, should I start calling your territorial growls 'music'?"
"You are impossible!"
"And you're ridiculous!"
Before their argument could escalate further, Rossweise interjected firmly. "I'm taking the girls for barbecue. Are you two going to stand here arguing all day, or are you coming with us?"
The two fathers stopped mid-retort and exchanged a glance. Their eyes silently communicated, as if they shared the same simple thought: Barbecue does sound good.
Then, without another word, they fell into step behind Rossweise and the girls, following them like obedient ducklings.
Watching them trail along, Rossweise sighed inwardly.
The good news was that her sometimes-childish husband had finally found a kindred spirit he could truly get along with.
The bad news was that his new friend was just as childish as he was.