Vol. 4 Ch. 79

Noa now understood why the black armor looked so detailed and flawless when she entered the arena—it wasn’t just any prop. The real deal was here.

Though she had no idea why her father had infiltrated the exam, now that he was here, Noa wouldn’t let such an opportunity slip away.

From the earlier exchanges, it was clear her dad wasn’t holding back too much. He was far more serious now than during their playful games back in Sky City, like the final round of the bell-grabbing challenge in their werewolf party game.

This was her chance—a long-awaited moment to spar with her father for real. She had been waiting for this day for what felt like forever.

Noa understood she wasn’t yet at her father’s level, but how could she know her limits without testing herself against a true master?

---

“Well done. Quick adjustments mid-fight, clever and versatile,” one instructor commented.

“She’s flexible, but with her body still developing, she lacks the physical advantage needed for some advanced techniques. It’s a shame, really,” another noted.

“I don’t think it’s a shame at all,” her homeroom teacher chimed in. “For someone her age to achieve this level of skill, even with physical limitations, is remarkable. Think of it as a foundation—once she grows, she might quickly reach the strength of a Dragon King.”

The instructors were unanimously impressed with Noa, showering her with praise.

What they didn’t know, however, was that her opponent wasn’t just any black-armored instructor—it was her father.

Leon, known as a doting yet pragmatic father, understood how critical this test was for Noa. He wasn’t the type to let his daughter win out of favoritism. If this trial wasn’t challenging enough, she might leave with regrets.

As her father, her first teacher, and the person who knew her best, he could control the fight’s intensity in a way that pushed her to her limits without harming her.

---

In the center of the arena, Noa watched her father’s stance.

He had crouched slightly, clearly taking a more serious combat posture after her previous attacks forced him to pay attention.

The two stood a few meters apart, their gazes locked.

“Well, if it’s you, it’s no surprise you’d understand my attack patterns. I can’t rely on the half-hearted techniques you taught me before,” Noa muttered.

Beneath the armor, Leon was already formulating his next move.

*“Wow, I nearly got hit by my own daughter. I guess I’ll need to take this a bit more seriously. Where will you strike next, Noa?”*

---

After a brief standoff, Noa made the first move again. This time, however, her approach was slower, and she refrained from channeling any lightning magic.

*“She’s relying on physical techniques? Smart. Without magic, she can focus more on observing her opponent’s movements,”* Leon thought.

As Noa charged forward, she scanned for openings.

*“Left? No, he’s ready for that. Right? Same problem. Repeating my previous moves won’t work.”*

She shifted her attention to her father’s knees, considering using her small size to attack his lower body. However, Leon’s stance accounted for such attacks, making it likely she’d only expose her own weaknesses.

With their distance closing, the instructors held their breath, eager to see how Noa would strike.

She feinted to the side, a move Leon easily sidestepped. But instead of retreating, Noa crouched, coiling her legs before leaping into the air.

“She reached that height? Incredible explosive power! How did she manage that?” one instructor exclaimed.

“It must be some sort of physical technique to temporarily enhance her strength. But as far as I know, we don’t teach such techniques in the Young Dragons Division,” another noted.

Her homeroom teacher smiled. “True, we don’t. But Noa has exceptional parents. I’d guess they taught her themselves.”

“In that case, her parents must be quite remarkable. I’d love to meet them someday.”

“You already have,” her teacher replied cryptically.

---

In the air, Noa’s right hand began gathering lightning magic, the sound of crackling energy echoing like birdsong.

*“Using the momentum from her fall to strengthen the impact of her attack? Clever, but predictable. Silly girl.”* Leon was already planning his counter.

From the stands, some observers shook their heads.

“Jumping straight down from above? That’s not a great strategy.”

“She can’t adjust her posture mid-air, making her an easy target for a counterattack.”

“Her approach feels too rushed. Even though her power is significant, it’s reckless.”

The instructors critiqued her, while Leon smirked beneath his helmet.

*“This is too easy. All I need to do is catch her kick. She’s left herself wide open.”*

But just as Leon prepared to intercept her, the crackling sound of the lightning magic abruptly changed.

“What the—”

Before anyone could react, the lightning in Noa’s hand transformed into the shape of a wolf’s head.

An A-rank lightning spell: *Thunder Wolf Breakthrough.*

“What a seamless shift! Incredible!” Vice Principal Wilson exclaimed.

Principal Olette, however, remained skeptical. “Even so, at that distance, it won’t be fast enough to hit 9527, let alone with a technique like Thunder Wolf Breakthrough.”

“But what if…” Wilson’s voice rose in excitement. “What if she’s not using it to attack?”

---

In the arena, Noa’s *Thunder Wolf Breakthrough* wasn’t aimed at Leon. Instead, she launched it in the opposite direction.

The resulting recoil propelled her, shifting her trajectory mid-air.

“What?!”

In an instant, the force from the spell sent Noa soaring over Leon’s head. She landed gracefully behind him, in the perfect position for a surprise attack.

“She’s insane! She never intended to attack from above. Her target was his back all along!”

Her unexpected use of the spell turned her perceived disadvantage into a strategic advantage, catching everyone off guard.

“Bonus points! Give her all the bonus points!” an instructor shouted.

“You just got outplayed by a kid!” another joked, watching Leon’s armor-clad form stiffen.

The sharp crack of lightning returned, accompanied by the triumphant sound of birdsong.

Noa’s determined expression shone through the glow of her magic, her hair swept back by the energy.

“Dad—”

“One move… to decide it all!”