Vol 7. Chapter 36: Is It Hard to Court a Dragon Queen?

A few days later, at Saint Heath Academy — in the headmaster’s office.

While Wilson had yet to arrive, the candidates were chatting casually.

Upon hearing that Leon had somehow obtained a full five pieces of Emerald Dragon’s Tears, even Claudia couldn't help but raise an eyebrow in surprise.

“Where did you get that many Dragon Tears?”

Leon shrugged. “From Constantine.”

“What dirt do you have on the Fire Dragon that made him hand them over?” Isha added.

“Ay, alas, what can I say? When it comes to connections, I have to act all modest while getting all the benefits.”

Isha raised her leg and pretended to kick Leon’s ass in irritation.

Just then, there was a soft knock at the door.

“You probably secretly told Constantine you’re running for vice principal, and promised to take care of that cheap dragon’s daughter once you get the position, didn’t you?”

Isha tugged on his collar.

“No, no, my lady, don’t sully the sacred bond between brothers with filthy political favors,” General Leon solemnly rebuked.

“I’m writing home and telling little Ross to give you a good beating!”

The two bantered and bickered.

Claudia, standing quietly to the side, listened in silence.

She had thought the four Dragon Tears she’d gotten from Valendna were already impressive. After all, the assessment’s requirement of five was rather excessive by design.

She hadn’t expected Leon to actually manage it.

If the previous two rounds of evaluation had put her on even footing with Leon, then this round’s score would undoubtedly be in his favor.

And following this round was the final trial of the selection: combat.

No need to guess — whoever won that last round would win the position.

At the thought, Claudia bit her lip quietly.

Still, she wasn’t too discouraged. Becoming vice principal was merely one of several ways to expand the Sea Dragons’ network. Even if she failed here, she had other means.

“Isha, may I ask how many Dragon Tears you obtained?”

Beren suddenly stepped forward and struck up conversation with Isha.

The abrupt new voice broke Claudia’s thoughts. She looked over toward the group.

Isha had been chatting happily with Leon just moments ago, but the moment Beren came over, her mood dropped by half.

She glanced sideways at Beren and casually replied, “Two.”

She didn’t bother coming up with a lie — too much effort. Might as well just tell the truth.

“Oh, I see. Isha, I’ve got four pieces. I can give you one, so we both end up with three — that should put us both in a decent scoring range for this round.”

“Oh? So you’re here to curry favor.”

Claudia wasn’t interested in love affairs, but she was happy to watch the drama unfold.

Isha raised her eyebrows, not responding right away. Instead, she reminded him:

“You’re giving me one? That’s a violation of the rules, Beren.”

“It’s true it’s not strictly allowed under the official competition guidelines... but I don’t think anyone here would report us. Right?”

The two other Dragon Royal candidates were essentially Beren’s lackeys — part of their own little clique — so they wouldn’t report him. Claudia and Isha had been through thick and thin together in battle, so they’d turn a blind eye. Leon was family, and he’d already fought on the dueling stage. None of the candidates here would tattle over a non-critical advantage — it just wasn’t worth the trouble.

Isha glanced down at the Dragon Tear Beren held out, then let out a soft scoff.

“I’m pretty selfish. If you really want to help, how about giving me three? That way I’d meet the target number right away.”

Beren froze.

“Three...?”

“Mm-hmm.”

Leon shot a glance at his older sister.

He could tell she was deliberately making things difficult for Beren.

Isha didn’t want even one — but if she rejected him outright, he’d just keep pestering her. So she raised the bar so high he’d give up.

“Stop trying to flirt.”

But, to everyone’s surprise... Beren actually started negotiating.

“Three’s a bit much, Isha. But I could give you two — that’d bring you to four. And I...”

“I know basic arithmetic, Beren. No need to explain it to me in such detail.”

Isha sighed. She really didn’t think there was anything worth discussing with Beren.

“You don’t need to give me anything.”

“Isha—”

“Ah, Headmaster Wilson. You’re here.”

Isha’s gaze drifted past Beren’s shoulder to the door of the headmaster’s office.

Wilson walked in at a slow pace.

“Good morning, everyone. It’s been a few days — I hope you’ve all gathered enough Emerald Dragon’s Tears.”

The arrival of the old dragon cut off Beren’s persistent nagging at just the right time. He turned back around and trudged to his seat with a disappointed look.

Wilson moved around the desk and had his assistant bring out six wooden boxes, each neatly ★ 𝐍𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 ★ labeled.

“Alright, now please place all the Dragon Tears you’ve gathered into the box with your name on it.”

The candidates followed his instructions.

Noticing Leon had deposited five pieces, Wilson raised his eyebrows slightly.

“Well done, Prince.”

“Thank you, Headmaster,” Leon replied with a nod, keeping it brief.

Even Beren, the Dragon King, looked mildly surprised.

“He really got all five...”

“Looks like we’re done for.”

Beren glanced at his two useless cronies, then looked at Isha again. After a brief pause, he muttered loud enough for her to hear:

“Don’t give up so easily. You never know the outcome until the end.”

Then he sneaked another look at the object of his affections.

But Isha didn’t even spare him a glance in return.

Beren had probably been a Dragon King too long. He’d completely forgotten how to court a woman.

Watching the whole thing, Leon thought to himself:

“Is chasing a Dragon Queen really that hard? Please — it’s not even slightly difficult.”

After everyone submitted their Dragon Tears, Wilson had the assistant store the boxes away.

Then, he announced the rules for the final round of evaluation.

“The final round: Combat Trial.”

Headmaster Wilson explained:

“To serve as vice principal of Saint Heath, responsibility and negotiation skills aren’t enough. You must do more — you must possess the strength to protect the academy and its students in times of crisis. I myself defeated several Dragon Kings to win this position.”

And now you spend all day shipping CPs, Leon thought to himself with a snort.

“The final round rules are as follows.”

Wilson continued:

“Six candidates will draw lots and face off in one-on-one duels. The three victors will then engage in a free-for-all battle. The last one standing will be the winner. This is a pure, traditional Dragon combat trial. I sincerely ask you all...”

Watching Wilson’s lips move, it was clear he was about to say, “I sincerely ask you to give it your all.”

But then he glanced at Leon — already itching to go.

If Leon went all out, the match would end in two minutes flat.

So instead, he said:

“I sincerely ask you to enjoy the process! Well then, in half an hour, we’ll begin the final evaluation in Training Hall One!”