Vol 7. Chapter 69: Outdoor Practical Exam

"What's this about Ancestor Noa manifesting—it was just two kids playing house."

"Seriously, I got excited for nothing, and I even missed out on getting Berang’s autograph."

"Still, that kid really did look the part, almost like she was actually possessed by the Original Dragon King!"

...

The crowd dispersed. Noa dropped her Original Mode. Meanwhile, Aurora was still giddy over the fact she’d witnessed such a spectacle on the very first day of school.

She had no idea Noa had silently come up right behind her. In an instant, the pink-haired girl felt a chill down her back, and her tail shot upright.

"B-B-B-Big sis... we can talk about this... it’s the first day, can we skip the spanking...?"

Noa’s eyes narrowed in a mocking squint, her lips curling into a smile as she slowly raised her hand.

"My dear little sister, you must never forget—my palm is more accurate than any entrance exam."

"Ameeo!!"

Muse would never know just how much her third sister, and her third sister’s little butt, had suffered to get Berang’s autograph for her. With this talisman, they traveled to the silver-haired god and offered a petition to the young God of Time—(not really).

The opening ceremony wrapped up amid the lively atmosphere. After it ended, Leon went to visit Isha of the Red Dragon Clan. After that, as promised, the Wind Dragon Valenda began teaching Leon the techniques and essentials of wind magic.

In the blink of an eye, several months passed, and Muse’s outdoor practical exam for the term was about to begin.

Inside the Vice Principal’s office at Saint Heath Academy, the assistant Samantha brought in two cups of hot tea.

"Please enjoy."

After setting them down, Samantha quietly closed the door behind her.

In the office, Leon and Claudia sat facing each other. The blue-haired beauty took a delicate sip from her cup, the rising steam slightly dampening her long lashes. Setting the cup down, she asked softly:

"How has the special training with the Wind Dragon King gone these past few months?"

"Very well," Leon replied. "As expected of a Dragon King whose title bears the character for wind—her mastery of wind magic has reached the pinnacle."

Claudia smiled, leaning back in her chair and crossing her long legs.

"At first, you thought she looked too much like a child to be reliable. So, how about now? Convinced?"

Leon scratched at his forehead with a small laugh.

"Convinced, convinced."

"So now, wind is covered. You’re only missing water magic, correct?"

Leon nodded.

"Mm. In the end, I’ll have to trouble you for a little guidance, Senior."

"No problem. I’ve been in the position of Saint Heath Academy for almost half a year now, so I’m not as busy as before. If nothing unexpected comes up, after Muse finishes this outdoor exam, I’ll have time to teach you water magic."

"Alright, then I’ll be counting on you, Senior."

After a pause, Leon shifted the topic to the exam Claudia had just mentioned.

"By the way, Senior, the outdoor practical exam for the Hatchling Division is pretty important, isn’t it? It affects their final advancement assessment."

"Mm. That’s right. But you don’t need to worry too much about Muse—Noa, Moon, and Aurora all passed their exams without trouble. Muse will too."

At that, Leon let out a small sigh. He turned his head to look out the window. Two white doves flew over and landed on the sill. Leon spoke slowly,

"I’m afraid this child is fundamentally a little different from her sisters."

"In what way?"

"Confidence."

Leon drew his gaze back from the window to Claudia.

"Even though we’ve known for a while now that she possesses a special elemental attribute, all this time we haven’t been able to help her make any progress in that area. Her only means of fighting right now is the gold-and-red gauntlet Rebecca gave her. Most of the students in her year have already developed fighting styles and techniques unique to them. Last week, Muse came home and told me that watching her classmates’ dazzling, flashy magic made her envious. She wants her magic to look cool and striking too—not just like some blunt-force ‘mountain-breaking punch’ or something that just vibrates a bit faster. At the time, I honestly didn’t know how to respond. Senior, developing a completely new kind of power in its initial stage is just... too hard."

Claudia could only share in his helplessness.

After a moment’s silence, Claudia spoke quietly:

"I’m sorry, Leon. Back then I promised I’d help Muse develop techniques suited to her new attribute, but after all this time—and all my attempts—I’ve failed. A brand-new attribute is even harder to master than you think. If we want to truly turn that new power into something she can fight with... it looks like it’ll have to come from Muse herself."

"This outdoor exam might be an opportunity, don’t you think?"

Leon took a deep breath, letting it out slowly. He looked at the birds on the sill—the larger dove seemed to be teaching the smaller one how to fly. The young one could already manage it, but before each attempt it hesitated in fear.

Just like now, its tiny body huddled on the edge, pressing lightly against its mother as if afraid to leap.

That little dove didn’t have the confidence to truly take wing. Just like Muse—after everything she’d been through, her confidence and spirit had been worn away bit by bit.

Claudia said this exam might be a chance. Afraid it might fly away, is that it...?

Leon wasn’t sure. He only hoped his daughter could find her true self again.

"I don’t know, Senior. But you’re right. At this point... the only one who can really help Muse is herself."

"I believe in Muse, Leon," Claudia said. "She has the same way of thinking as Noa—calm, mature, far-sighted. Even her music teacher Francesca and Berang have complete faith in it. So until Muse finds her confidence again, we have to believe in her too, don’t we?"

The Melkvey daughters each had their strengths and shortcomings, and in the past they’d overcome those flaws through family and their own efforts.

Noa, for example—she had always demanded the utmost of herself from a young age, pushing herself to grow up and be relied upon. But over the years, through time with family, friends, and teachers, she had gradually softened, become more open and cheerful.

She no longer imposed such harsh standards on herself; she simply did her best within her abilities, and that was enough.

Moon, for her part, had been extremely dependent on Noa, but as she grew, she slowly became independent. She no longer feared the days without her sister by her side—she knew that if she took care of herself, she’d always reach the day when they could be together again.

As for Aurora—after the change in the God of Time’s position, she came to understand a lot more. Some things were destined to be tedious and joyless, but if they benefited the ones she cherished, she would do them without hesitation.

And now, it was Muse’s turn. The youngest member of the Melkvey family...How would she find her confidence again, and face her true self?

Leon, Rosvisser, and all those who cared for Muse had already done everything they could. From here on, it was up to her.

Leon fell silent, looking outside. The little bird tried to take off three times... And at last, it succeeded, bravely flying into the ❖ Nоvеl𝚒ght ❖ (Exclusive on Nоvеl𝚒ght) sky that symbolized freedom.

"Muse, your mom and dad believe in you. You’ve got to... give it your all."

...

"The Saint Heath Academy Hatchling Division’s outdoor practical exam is about to begin! The exam site is the Redwood Forest right behind me.

Alright, little ones, are you ready for your first real combat?"

Muse stood among the crowd, quietly listening as her classmates cheered and called out to each other. She closed her eyes, took in a deep breath, then slowly let it out.

No matter what, she’d have to face this sooner or later.

"Muse, are you ready?" Hefei asked softly beside her.

Muse opened her eyes and nodded. "I’m ready."

"Then let’s go together."

They clasped each other’s hands and stepped into the forest ahead.