Vol 7. Chapter 23: Thirty Years East, Thirty Years West

Naturally, Olette had never broadcast Leon’s true identity to anyone.

As for Principal Wilson’s invitation to Isha, that must’ve had more to do with the steadily rising prestige of the Red Dragon Clan over the past three centuries—their contributions to dragonkind hadn’t been small.

Still, they couldn’t compare to her younger sister’s Silver Dragons.

Because every time the Silver Dragon Clan tried to lay low and grow quietly, that divine little sister of hers would just come out guns blazing and effortlessly soak up all their clan’s fate and fortune.

Isha stepped into the reception hall and immediately spotted her brother-in-law looking like he’d given up on life.

Smack!

The red-haired beauty clapped her hands.

"Hey hey hey, brother-in-law, you got here pretty fast!"

Every time Isha saw Leon, there was a kind of bubbling glee that radiated from within her.

The kind of excitement a little girl gets when she finally gets her favorite doll back. Not because she loved it so much, but because she could finally mess with it all she wanted, unrestrained.

And between Isha and Leon, there was no question who the doll was.

People enjoy being around things they can control. Dragons are no different.

Leon looked back at Isha and forced a stiff smile.

"Long time no see, sis. Didn’t think you’d ⊛ Nоvеlιght ⊛ (Read the full story) be here too."

"Yup, I’m here. What’s with that tone, though? Doesn’t sound like you’re thrilled."

"No no, I’m thrilled. Super thrilled." Leon ground his teeth.

He’d thought the candidates for this Vice Principal position would be high-tier dragon professionals—maybe some scholars, researchers, educators.

Who would’ve thought it’d be two absolute monsters.

Who the hell let these two aberrations in here?!

“What a surprise, right, Principal Wilson!”

After a few polite exchanges, Isha sat on Leon’s other side.

Two great dragons. Two future monarch-level dragons.

And General Leon, seated between them like a soldier in front of the emperor, back straight, posture textbook-perfect—like a model student.

He never thought there’d come a day he’d sweat bullets just from two dragons looking at him.

Isha leaned forward slightly, gaze drifting past Leon’s chest to the other side where Claudia sat.

"Senior, you’re also competing for the Vice Principal role?"

"Indeed. My father brought me along. Doesn’t really matter how I place—what matters is seizing the opportunity to interact with other dragons, learn from each other. It’s just..."

As she spoke, Claudia gave Leon a glance and then sighed slowly.

"Leon?"

"Wait, Senior, what does it mean when you glance at me and then sigh?"

"What could I possibly learn from you, Leon? At least a third of your skills came from me to begin with."

Leon couldn’t refute that. He scratched the corner of his mouth awkwardly.

"...Well, that’s true."

The elegant woman scoffed, then turned her head to Isha.

"And you, Red Dragon Queen? I hear your clan’s doing well lately. Why are you aiming for Vice Principal?"

"Ehh..."

"Truth is, Senior, I’m here to dodge some debts." Isha said in a conspiratorial tone.

At that, Claudia raised an eyebrow, and even Leon perked up to listen.

"Debts? What kind of debts?" Claudia asked.

"Romantic debts."

"Oho, romantic debts. Interesting." Claudia smirked. "So which innocent little male dragon’s feelings did you trample this time?"

"Not one."

"Then—?"

"A whole bunch."

"Red Dragon Queen, is this conversation about to become inappropriate for minors?"

Smack!

Isha slapped Leon’s thigh, leaning forward as she continued chatting with Claudia.

"Don’t get the wrong idea, Senior. Do I look like that kind of person?"

"Sis, even if you’re not that kind of person, don’t hit me..." Leon muttered under his breath.

He hadn’t done anything and already took a hit. Apparently she thought his thigh was a shared desk.

"It’s just that my parents think it’s about time I settled down. And with a few..." Isha glanced at Leon and continued, "...complicated factors involved, they’ve started pressuring me to marry, setting me up with endless blind dates. I came here just to escape that circus."

"Respect, Big Sis!"

Leon threw up his hands in admiration.

"Don’t think I didn’t notice. I clearly saw you look at me when you said ‘complicated factors.’ And just to be clear, I’ve never told your parents you should get married. We young folks are united, remember?"

He wondered if Isha had said something to her folks on his behalf, and that’s why she gave him that look.

But the truth was:

"I never said it was something you said," Isha corrected. "It’s what you did."

"Me? What did I do?"

"You really don’t know? Dear sister married for twelve years, four kids later, and every time you and little Ros have another baby, I—your perpetually single big sis—get hit with a fresh wave of pressure. Get it now?"

"..."

So that was the “complicated factor.”

"Yeah, that’s... actually quite a burden."

Leon, seated in the middle of the conversation, couldn’t help but feel... more and more silent, as if this casual chat had just rendered him speechless.

"Ugh... Why does it feel like the exam hasn’t even started and I’m already being targeted..."

"Oi, brother-in-law."

Isha lightly tapped Leon’s knee, snapping him out of his thoughts.

"Yeah, sis?"

"Tell me, why did you apply for this Vice Principal position?"

She paused, then added:

"Honestly, I didn’t think you or Rosvisser would be interested in something like this. Neither I nor Senior Claudia are seriously gunning for the title either."

"Yeah, so Leon, what’s your real reason for coming here?" Claudia asked, curious.

Leon thought for a moment, lips pursing. Then he answered seriously:

"Actually... I am seriously trying to become Vice Principal."

At that, Isha blinked in surprise, then teased him:

"Hey, brother-in-law, when did your life goal shift from ‘becoming the strongest man alive’ to ‘becoming a Vice Principal’?"

To her doubt, Leon replied earnestly:

"Because I think this is a real challenge."

As he spoke, his gaze dropped to his palms.

"I’m really looking forward to that feeling of eliminating every opponent in the competition, one by one. That feeling of victory—nothing else compares. Rosvisser and I spent an entire month preparing for this. I will win. Absolutely!"

But before he could finish basking in his grand declaration, he noticed the two beauties beside him already stifling laughter.

"Wh-What are you two laughing at?"

Isha waved her hand. "Nothing, nothing. Just remembered something funny."

"What’s funny?"

"I’ve beaten you before."

"And you, Senior? What are you laughing at?"

"I’ve beaten you too."

"..."

Finally, Isha couldn’t hold it anymore.

Clutching her stomach, she burst into full laughter while slapping Leon’s shoulder.

"Good luck, brother-in-law! Look on the bright side—at least the Vice Principal exam won’t have trick riddles or Werewolf games this time!"

"Thirty years east of the river, thirty years west—just you wait, I will beat you both!"

"Watch me!"