Vol. 4 Ch. 23

In the first-floor hall, all the previously “eliminated” players gathered to watch the final showdown between father and daughter.

“Go, Noa! Go, Dad!”

“Cheer up, Noa-chan!”

Moon and Helena took on the role of the cheer squad, enthusiastically encouraging both sides. Aurora was held in Isha’s arms, her small tail twitching with excitement.

Over these past hours of gameplay, Aurora had enjoyed plenty of amusement, but it had always felt like something was holding back the true excitement. Now, with her big sister facing off against her dad in the ultimate showdown—this was a rare treat.

Unlike other fleeting sources of fun, a good “father-daughter duel” would age like fine wine, getting better over time. Aurora even considered asking the staff for a **Memory Stone** or two to record this epic battle so she could replay it endlessly once they were home.

And she wasn’t the only one eagerly watching; she could feel her aunt’s anticipation too.

“Auntie, who do you think will win, Big Sis or Dad?” Aurora asked.

“Objectively speaking, even a hundred of your big sister wouldn’t stand a chance.” Isha gave a factual analysis but added, “Though, who knows? Your dad might hold back.”

Aurora’s big eyes blinked, sparkling with mischief. “But Auntie, even if Dad let the whole of Samaya flood with his ‘holding back,’ Big Sis still wouldn’t stand a chance, right?”

Isha laughed and gently tapped Aurora’s nose. “Just keep watching. I’m as curious as you to see how this ultimate duel will unfold.”

Meanwhile, Rosvisser watched quietly from the side.

She knew that Leon would hold back enough to let their daughter win. But the problem was, Noa wasn’t a fool.

Knowing Noa as well as she did, Rosvisser was sure her daughter was aware of how outmatched she was against her father. This meant Leon’s acting skills would be put to the test.

He would have to appear completely serious while holding back subtly enough that Noa wouldn’t notice. It had to be a convincing show of “I gave it my all, but somehow, I couldn’t win!”

Only by showing a natural moment of “unintentional carelessness” could Noa accept the outcome of this match.

Of course, Leon and Rosvisser had already discussed this thoroughly in the cellar. They both wanted Noa to win but didn’t want it to feel forced. If it was too obvious that he was holding back, it would only upset Noa. In that case, it would be better to play seriously.

For Leon, “perfectly losing” was much harder than easily winning.

“I have to take this more seriously than when I fought those Dragon Kings,” Leon thought to himself.

In the center of the hall, father and daughter stood ready for their ultimate duel.

Their game was **[Bell Snatch]**.

The rules were simple: each wore a small bell on their waist, and whoever snatched the other’s bell first would win.

Standing across from each other, both had bells fastened around their waists and were poised to begin.

“Hey, kid,” an elder voice in the dark golden waterway of Noa’s consciousness suddenly addressed her.

“Yes?”

Since the time flow in the mind space differed from reality, Noa had enough time for a quick chat.

“You realize that in a physical contest like this, against your father, you don’t stand a chance, right?”

“Yes, I know.” Noa’s tone was calm as she spread her hands, speaking slowly.

“But what am I supposed to do? Surrender and ask Dad to just hand over the prize, the Black Sacred Stone?”

“That sounds efficient.” The elder laughed. “But I know you won’t do that.”

“I never expected this game to end this way. So the **Night Spirit Crystal** might not be something I can—”

“If you want to win, stop saying defeatist things,” the elder replied, unusually stern.

The elder’s white dragon eyes reflected Noa’s small form, and she continued. “Although your opponent’s strength is overwhelmingly superior, preparation is still necessary. Are you planning to just throw yourself at him recklessly because you feel you can’t win?”

Noa’s expression shifted briefly, a trace of emotion flickering across her calm face before vanishing.

Taking a deep breath, she thought for a moment, then replied, “Aside from the difference in strength, Dad’s combat experience is much greater. Everything I know, he or the academy taught me; it’s all very predictable.”

“Exactly. So keep it flexible. Don’t rely solely on what you learned at school—adapt and think on your feet.”

Noa nodded. “Understood.”

“Finally, a bit of encouragement is always in order.”

The elder looked at Noa, her small figure almost mirroring the elder’s own past self.

Long ago, countless people had advised the elder not to attempt to be the savior of the dragon race. But she’d chosen that path regardless. And now, in this little girl, she saw the same determination—the courage to keep going, no matter the odds.

“Though it’s just a simple **[Bell Snatch]** game, I’m pleased to see your resolve to keep going, little one. Give it your all, so there’s no regret.”

Noa responded with a low “Mm,” then returned to reality.

The staff announced the start of the game.

Father and daughter stared each other down from about five or six meters apart, neither making the first move.

“Didn’t expect you to hold onto a card like this, Noa,” Leon said, smiling.

“Dad, do you know who I hoped to face off with when I found this card?”

“Who?”

Noa’s gaze remained fixed on the man in front of her.

“You, Dad.”

Leon raised an eyebrow, intrigued.

“I thought you might’ve chosen Mom or Helena. But me?”

“Of course, it’s you. It’s always been you.”

Noa bent slightly, crouching low in a stance that signaled she was about to pounce.

“I’ve always wanted to truly go up against you, Dad. So, even if it’s just a game of **[Bell Snatch]**… I’ll give it everything I’ve got.”

Leon couldn’t help but smile, though he wasn’t entirely sure why his daughter was so set on “facing him head-on.” Still, her courage and determination to challenge him despite knowing their strength gap delighted him.

Once, when he was young, he’d done the same thing—facing off against his master despite being outmatched, only to end up getting pummeled.

Well, he certainly wouldn’t go as hard as his master had on him.

“I’m coming, Dad.”

“Alright.”

At her word, Noa shot forward, making a direct move for the bell at Leon’s waist.

But a straightforward attack like this was child’s play for Leon. A simple sidestep was enough for him to avoid her strike.

As he sidestepped, he reached for the bell at Noa’s waist. His movement was quick, but not as fast as it could be. He had to keep it just slow enough that Noa wouldn’t catch on to his “helpful oversight.”

Noa’s response was equally swift. Missing her first strike, she immediately shifted her center of gravity and spun to shield her bell.

Leon’s hand grazed air.

Landing on her feet, Noa pressed her toes to the ground, quickly launching a more aggressive attack.

Due to her shorter stature, she had to jump to reach the bell on Leon’s waist. However, any jump revealed weaknesses midway through the action. Noa realized this flaw after her first failed attempt.

So for her second attack, Noa refrained from jumping and focused on disrupting Leon’s balance.

With her lower height, she could force her dad to bend defensively.

Leon quickly spotted her tactic and smirked. “Turning a disadvantage into an advantage. Not bad, Noa.”

“A very good teacher told me…” Noa said, her hands never pausing in their assault. “Don’t rely too much on routines; keep thinking.”

In the depths of her mind, the “excellent teacher” gave a proud little humph.

“Well then—try this!”

Leon reached out, taking advantage of his height and long arms to grab Noa by the back of her collar, lifting her off the ground.

This was the gap in their abilities. With even a bit of his strength, any tactic Noa tried could be countered effortlessly.

“Well, I’ll be taking your bell now,” he said, stretching his hand toward the bell on her waist.

Noa wriggled, realizing she couldn’t use her legs for leverage while dangling in the air.

In this critical moment, she bit her lip, then swung her hips, using her body’s momentum to sway slightly.

With precise timing, she hooked her tail around her dad’s arm, shifting her body away from his reach.

Leon blinked in surprise. “Wow, you’re really flexible, huh?”

“There’s more where that came from!” she quipped.

Using his arm as a pivot, Noa leveraged her tail to “pry” herself upward, doing an impressive pull-up on Leon’s forearm until she managed to swing herself onto his shoulders.

Now seated on his shoulders, she clung tightly, just like when they’d play “dragon knight” games with Moon.

“But sitting up there, how will you reach my bell?” Leon asked, gripping her ankles lightly, worried she might lose balance.

Noa giggled. “Oh, like this!”

She suddenly leaned backward, her legs hooking under his arms to secure her position.

B

ending her body into an elegant arch, Noa’s head dangled upside down, her hair streaming down as she stretched her arm, fingers brushing the bell on Leon’s waist.

“I’ve got it!”

A gleam sparked in her eye as her hand inched closer to his bell.

But Leon was still a step ahead. Gripping her ankles tightly, he spun around in place, dizzying her.

With her target now spinning, Noa’s assault faltered, and she had to relent.

After a few spins, Leon gradually stopped, setting her down gently.

“You’ve improved a lot since I last noticed,” Leon praised her sincerely.

“I told you, Dad, I’m giving it my all.”

After a brief pause to catch their breath, Noa charged forward once more, and Leon readied his defense.

They both knew this would likely be the final round, as they had figured out each other’s tactics.

This third attempt would decide who claimed the bell.

Noa darted around, attacking from various angles, her quick maneuvers dazzling the onlookers.

“Your daughter… is really only five?” Even Claudia, who’d seen much, was astounded by Noa’s natural talent.

“She’ll be six this fall,” Rosvisser replied.

“Mommy, Moon will be six soon too!”

Rosvisser patted Moon’s head lovingly. “Yes, sweetheart, you will be six soon.”

“When I was Noa’s age… I couldn’t come close to attacking and defending with such fluidity…” Helena marveled. “I always knew she was strong for her age, but I didn’t realize she could match up to Leon like this…”

Pride filled Rosvisser’s heart as she listened to the admiration for her daughter. Yet, as Noa’s mother, she also knew the deeper truth—that her daughter’s skill didn’t just come from talent. It came from unseen hours of hard work and countless efforts in silence.

In the hall’s center, Noa spotted a tiny opening, leaping forward to grab the bell on Leon’s waist.

This attack was swift, so much so that Leon barely managed to dodge. But as with her initial move, a failed strike exposed an even bigger opening.

Leon prepared to counter, aiming for her bell once more.

And then, a sudden twist changed everything.

Instead of immediately adjusting her posture, Noa noted his approach angle, aimed carefully, and extended her tail to his bell from an angle he hadn’t anticipated.

Leon was caught completely off guard by her tail’s unexpected maneuver.

“Oh no…”

*Ding-ling!*

Noa’s feet touched the ground, hands empty. But hanging from the tip of her silver tail was the delicate little bell.