Vol. 4 Ch. 81

The promotion assessment concluded successfully.

Exhausted, Noa left the training grounds with her homeroom teacher Lydia supporting her.

Leon silently watched his daughter’s small figure retreat into the distance. A faint, gratified smile appeared beneath his helmet.

"You’ve still got a long road ahead of you," he murmured.

Just as Leon was lost in thought, the assistant instructors approached him.

"Big Brother, that duel just now was incredible!"

"Yeah, yeah, it’s amazing how you managed to maintain control while still putting on such a spectacular fight."

His temporary colleagues showered him with praise.

But Leon only replied quietly,

"It’s because that child is exceptionally talented. I couldn’t possibly use the same level of difficulty for her as I would for other students."

"Well, that’s how our little girl is—no matter the setting, even wearing a helmet and carrying a shield, she’ll shine," someone teased.

The instructors continued discussing the duel between Leon and Noa, clearly impressed. Leon, however, didn’t linger. Staying too long would only risk someone figuring him out.

He quietly left the training grounds and slipped around to a storage room at the back of the building.

Standing at the door, Leon glanced around to ensure no one was nearby before opening it. As the door swung open, a suit of armor tumbled out—more precisely, a person wearing the armor.

Leon crouched down and peeled the “9527” label off his arm, sticking it onto the unconscious man’s armor. Then, he rapped the man’s helmet twice.

*Knock, knock.*

"Sorry, buddy, but for my daughter’s sake, I had to knock you out temporarily."

"Don’t worry though, your performance as 9527 was brilliant. Your end-of-month bonus is safe."

"Don’t thank me; peace in our nation starts with sacrifices like yours."

After another light knock on the helmet to express his gratitude, Leon dragged the man to a stairwell corner. From a nearby balcony, he retrieved a potted plant he’d prepared earlier and—*crack!*—broke it.

Leon scattered the shards and soil around the unconscious man’s head, completing the setup.

Now it looked like a heroic assistant instructor had been tragically knocked out by a falling plant pot.

Ignoring the logic of whether a potted plant could actually knock out a dragon wearing a helmet, Leon admired his handiwork.

Dusting off his hands, Leon stood up, but before he could fully appreciate his masterpiece, footsteps echoed from upstairs.

Instinctively, he rolled to the side, hiding beneath a nearby shelf.

The commotion soon attracted other instructors.

"Let me tell you, that Noa kid has a bright future ahead of her!"

"I completely agree! Wait…who’s that lying there?"

The instructors rushed over and quickly assessed the scene.

"9527? Oh, come on, big guy! You fought so fiercely earlier, and now a flower pot takes you down?"

"Hey, wake up, man! You okay?"

They shook 9527’s shoulders, and he groggily regained consciousness.

"Uh…what happened? What’s going on?"

"You got knocked out by a flower pot."

"This pot’s quality is insane. Let’s ask the logistics department where they got it," one joked.

9527 removed his helmet and rubbed his neck. The pain was clear.

"…A flower pot knocked me out? But why does my neck hurt so much…"

"Maybe it hit you at an angle. You know, headshots don’t always knock people out," another suggested.

"Is that so… Wait, crap! The assessment!"

"Dude, it’s over. The assessment ended just now."

"It did? When?"

"Just now! Don’t tell me you’ve got flower-pot-induced amnesia?"

"This… can’t be. I don’t even remember participating—"

"The headmaster said your performance was outstanding. Your bonus is doubled this month."

"Really? Oh…uh, yeah, that was definitely me just now."

Hiding under the stairs, Leon heard their conversation and finally relaxed. With no loose ends to tie up, he quietly slipped away.

Even if someone investigated later, he wasn’t worried. The vice principal would cover for him—after all, if the old guy didn’t, Leon would stop bringing Rosvisser to school to show off. Let’s see who panics more then.

*Clicking his tongue,* Leon left the grounds and made his way to a quiet grove, where he removed the black-and-gold armor and stored it in a wooden chest. With the chest in hand, he calmly exited the academy.

Rosvisser and Sherry were already waiting at the gate.

"All done?"

Leon nodded. "Yeah, it’s done."

"Good. Let’s go home."

"Sure."

Leon glanced at Sherry. "Thanks for your help."

"You’re too kind, Lord Leon."

With that, Sherry unfolded her dragon wings and transformed into a massive silver dragon. Though smaller than Rosvisser in her true form, she was still large enough to carry them.

As they flew home, Rosvisser leaned lightly against Leon’s shoulder, the chest containing the black-and-gold armor placed before them.

After chatting for a while, Leon opened the chest, his thoughts briefly wandering as he stared at the armor.

Rosvisser smiled mischievously, tempted to bring up the time she had embedded dragon runes in the armor as a prank to trick him into wearing it. But she decided against it. That was a private joke best kept between them.

"Rosvisser."

"Yes?"

Leon gestured for her to come closer. Raising an eyebrow in curiosity, she leaned in.

He whispered something in her ear.

In an instant, her expression darkened, mixed with exasperation.

"You! You’re absolutely ridiculous!"

Rosvisser glared at him, but Leon simply shrugged.

"Come on, I did so much for Noa today. Can’t you indulge me just this once?"

"…No!"

"Please, honey."

"Leon Cosmod, are you seriously begging me for this?"

"Yes, because this is even more tempting than a bunny outfit."

Sherry, flying in front: *Bunny outfit? What kind of games do they play at home?*

Rosvisser quickly covered Leon’s mouth, her face flushing. She hadn’t even mentioned the rune prank, yet here he was blurting out about bunny costumes!

Leon looked at her, his eyebrows raised in silent inquiry:

"Can I? Can I? Can I?"

Rosvisser sighed in resignation.

"Fine."

"You're the best, wife!"

Sherry: *What did I just overhear…?*

---

**Later that night, in the bedroom.**

Rosvisser lay on the bed, her wrists bound to the headboard with silken ropes. Her long legs, pale and smooth, contrasted sharply with the black battle armor she still wore around her waist.

Her disheveled hair cascaded over her shoulders, her expression a mix of exhaustion and defiance. The partially broken armor gave her the appearance of a defeated Valkyrie.

Leon smirked.

"A seductive warrior, wounded yet stunning. Scars only enhance that beautiful face."

Rosvisser: …

"The fall of a heroine often signals the rise of a new one," he continued dramatically.

Rosvisser: …

"Do you have children? No? What a pity—dying here means the end of your bloodline."

Rosvisser: …

"Your blood tastes exquisite," Leon teased.

Though she wanted to roll her eyes, it was her turn to speak.

"Dark Lord, you’ve made two mistakes," she replied, her tone emotionless.

Leon gasped, his acting skills going into overdrive.

"W-What?! What mistakes?!"

"First, you shouldn’t have been alone with a trained heroine. Second, you shouldn’t have tasted my blood."

"Ah! The Curse of Blood!" Leon clutched his head dramatically.

"Ugh! So hot… My body’s burning…"

Moments later:

"Dark Lord, I’ll see you in hell."

"Ha! Your child is already taking root in my womb. Kill me, and you’ll have no heir!"

At last, the scene ended.

Rosvisser sighed, utterly drained. Her childish husband had managed to wear her out, emotionally and physically.