Vol 7. Chapter 37: Trigger Keyword

The group soon arrived at Training Arena No. 1 in the academy.

Leon remembered that back when Noa was still in the hatchling division, she used to come here for extra training all the time. But ever since she advanced to the adolescent dragon division, her schedule had been packed with standard lessons, and she rarely came here alone to train anymore.

Hands in his pockets, Leon glanced around the arena. It looked exactly the same as before—no changes at all. And that, precisely, was what he was worried about.

“Are we seriously going to use this arena for the duels?” — Leon spoke with concern. “Dragon King–level combat could reduce this place to rubble in just a few moves.”

Isha had the same concern.

“Headmaster Wilson probably has some kind of contingency plan.”

As they chatted, Headmaster Wilson arrived shortly after them.

The arena was massive. The six candidates stood in the center while Wilson began the draw for matchups.

His assistant brought over a black box for the drawing. Wilson reached in and pulled out a slip of paper with a name written on it.

“Red Dragon Queen—Isha.”

Next, he drew again.

“Black Dragon King—Kale.”

Without hesitation, Isha stepped forward and faced Kale. She was about to have a one-on-one duel with him.

But before the match even started, she looked over at Leon and teased,

“Good thing I didn’t draw you, brother-in-law. Otherwise, I’d have to end this whole candidacy process right now.”

Leon laughed and responded immediately, “If I got matched with you, I’d just surrender on the spot, sis.”

Isha shot him a glare.

“As if I’d believe that crap.”

Then came the second round of the draw.

“Sea Dragon Princess—Claudia.”

“Starlight King—Sita.”

After the two names were drawn, Leon and Isha clearly heard Claudia next to them exhale in relief. They both turned to look at her at the same time.

Claudia was caught off guard for a moment. She rubbed her wrist and looked back at Isha.

“What, you didn’t want to get matched with Leon? I did.”

Nobody wanted to draw the final boss for the fight round. Claudia had narrowly escaped that fate.

But with her match drawn, that meant the final match was set...

Leon vs. Beren.

General Leon cracked his knuckles, the sound crisp and sharp.

“Haven’t had a proper dragon-on-dragon fight in ages. Wonder if I’m still in practice.”

Isha crossed her arms. “What, you’re not thinking of going all out, are you, brother-in-law?”

Leon waved her off. “Not at all. My wife told me if I’m really gonna fight, I have to keep it elegant. Everyone here is a figure of status—if I go too hard, it’ll reflect poorly.”

“She probably didn’t expect your opponent would be Beren.”

Isha remarked dryly.

“True. If she knew it was Beren, she’d probably tell me to hit him a few extra times.”

Just jokes, of course. No matter how clingy or annoying Beren had once been as a suitor, Leon couldn’t really go hard on ~Nоvеl𝕚ght~ him. He’d learned the nuances of social grace well over the years.

“But still, Headmaster Wilson—are we really going to fight in this arena?” — Leon asked. “There’s bound to be serious collateral damage.”

Wilson smiled.

“No need to worry, Prince. For this trial, the Academy Council specifically borrowed a space crystal from the Twilight Tower. The same one used during your duel with Thunder Dragon King Odin, years ago.”

But Leon also clearly remembered that when he unleashed Shattered Thunder God, the blast shattered that dimension entirely.

Who knew if the Tower Lord ever bothered to patch up that space crystal afterward?

Upon hearing the mention of the Tower Lord’s help, Claudia had a sudden realization.

When she’d negotiated with the Tower Lord for the Emerald Dragon’s Tears, he’d asked some suspiciously pointed questions—so that’s where the wind was blowing from.

Must’ve been during the delivery of the space crystal that they exchanged some information.

Which raised a new question—

“If he knew the negotiations were just part of the exam, why the hell did he take all those herbs and magic tomes from me...? That old bastard scammed me!”

She made a mental note to settle that debt once the selection was over.

Wilson activated the crystal.

In an instant, the space around them warped and shifted.

“The same space used back when Leon fought Odin.”

Towering pillars and wide platforms surrounded them. It seemed they had been separated into individual combat zones.

The three pairs of candidates immediately spread out into position.

When it came to fighting, aside from Leon, those other two Dragon Kings didn’t fear facing Isha or Claudia.

Red dragons were known for their raw physical power, but fighting wasn’t just about brute strength. And Kale, that Black Dragon King, served in the upper echelon of the dragon navy. He usually kept a low profile, not wanting to be bound to any one clan, but his strength was real.

Just because they hadn’t seen him in action didn’t mean he was weak.

What they didn’t know was that one of the women now wielded primordial power in secret, and the other... was Leon’s teacher—every bit of skill in Leon’s 360-degree combat arsenal had been taught to him by her.

As for Beren...

“Beren, maybe you should just forfeit. It’s for your own good.” One of the dragon attendants said. “That Leon Casmod has made plenty of waves among our kind over the past ten years—even Odin lost to him.”

“Yeah, Beren. And from what I hear, the guy doesn’t know how to hold back. If he injures you for real, that’s going to be trouble.”

Another Dragon King chimed in.

Beren, of course, understood what kind of monster he was up against.

But in front of the woman he liked, no man would back down—especially not a proud, competitive male dragon.

If he just threw in the towel without doing anything, Isha would surely look down on him.

But if he fought bravely—even if it was clear he was losing—maybe, just maybe, that determination would impress her.

↑

That was exactly what was going through Beren’s mind right now. The self-proclaimed “idea guy” had a plan.

That line earlier—“Don’t give up until the very end”—that was a calculated move. Meant for Isha to hear.

As someone who had chased after her for years, Beren thought he understood her preferences.

She admired not brute strength alone, but a will that never yields—that unbreakable spirit.

What Beren didn’t understand... was that a true warrior would never act so deliberately performative.

“It’s fine. I’ve heard of the Silver Dragon Prince’s strength. I consider it an honor to face him.”

Beren said, putting on a dignified air.

“I won’t retreat, even knowing I’m up against someone I can’t possibly defeat. But I still want to try. After all, how would I know what’s possible if I don’t try? So, Silver Dragon Prince—please, give it your all!!”

After that grand speech, Beren snuck a glance at Isha.

She was just standing there, calmly twirling her crimson hair.

...It was as if she hadn’t heard a word he said.

“She didn’t hear me at all...?” Beren muttered, unwilling to accept it.

But while Isha hadn’t heard him, someone else had—loud and clear.

“Give it my all, huh... Starlight Dragon King.”

Smack—

Leon brought his fists together, crackling with anticipation.

“Well, if you put it that way, I guess I can’t keep holding back.”

With that, he let out a low shout, and lightning exploded from his body—

“Sumeru Shadow: Final Stage – Shattered Thunder God!”

(Wilson: See? See?! I told you! You triggered his keyword! Ah, youth... so reckless!)