When Noah returned from her break at the academy, she brought back some news.
"A family sports event?"
After dinner, the family of four discussed the topic around the table.
Noah nodded. "Yes. The academy is holding a family sports festival. They say it's a new experiment."
Leon chuckled from the side. "Huh, our family is really lucky. First, our new member interview was called an 'experiment,' and now this family sports event."
He remembered some kindergartens in the Empire that made parents do tasks with their kids, calling it "family homework." It felt like the teachers were just passing the work onto the parents.
His own master had been too lazy to deal with that, so he'd skipped Leon straight to Dragon Slayer Academy.
"But back in my day at St. Heath Academy, we had sports events too," Rossweise recalled. "But back then, it was just for students, not families."
"So, Mom, what place did you get back then?" Muen's eyes sparkled.
Rossweise rested her cheek on her hand, smiling proudly and raising one finger. "First place~"
"Mom is amazing!" Muen cheered. Then she looked at Leon. "And what about Dad?"
"Me? I didn't get a ranking," Leon said.
Muen tilted her head. "Why didn't you get a ranking?"
"Yeah, did you chicken out?" Rossweise teased from the side.
But Leon just gave a disdainful snort. "Because my final score was so far ahead of second place that the academy suspected me of cheating. They temporarily withheld my results and didn't put me on the public ranking."
"So, Dad cheated? Ohh—" Leon gently flicked Muen's forehead. "Of course not. Later, the academy secretly gave me a medal. I melted it down and made a gold bracelet for your grandmother."
Rossweise raised an eyebrow. "Aren't you usually all about glory and championships? You just melted it down?"
Leon shrugged. "It's better not to have glory you can't show openly."
Rossweise chuckled. "You're as stubborn as that mule of yours."
Then she looked at Noah. "So, are you planning to sign up?"
"Well… although this sports festival is mostly for fun, and the results don't count toward our grades…" Noah hesitated, searching for the right words.
"But there will still be rankings, right? First place, second place…" Rossweise finished her daughter's thought.
"Yes, Mom. I also want… to get first place."
Noah's drive to excel was far stronger than most young dragons. This competitive spirit was a mix from both her parents—or maybe she'd just taken all of it, leaving none for Muen? It didn't matter. Having such a strong will wasn't a bad thing.
Leon and Rossweise exchanged a glance and nodded. They both supported participating, especially since their own obsession with winning was no less than Noah's.
"So, when does it start?" Leon asked.
"Next Saturday. The academy gave us a week to prepare," Noah replied. Then she looked at Leon. "Are… you feeling okay?"
She remembered Muen's comment: "When Dad is weak, Mom is strong." She was a little worried about Leon's health. Good grades were important, but his well-being was more crucial.
Hearing her concern, Leon immediately patted his chest. "Don't worry, sweet daughter. Daddy is in great shape."
Noah asked skeptically, "Really?"
"Absolutely. If you don't believe me, ask your mom."
To make sure Leon's stamina stayed within a range she could control, Rossweise regularly "assessed" him. After each assessment, he'd be drained for a few days, his energy absorbed by her. She'd been very diligent lately, with remarkable results. And it had been three days since the last assessment, so his body had recovered well.
Rossweise smiled knowingly. "Hmm, your dad should be in great shape now."
"Oh, I see. So, you guys can join me for the event, right?"
"Of course."
"Um… Can Muen participate too?" Muen leaned close to her sister, shaking her little hand.
"Only up to three people, okay?" Noah pinched her little sister's cheek.
"Oh… okay…"
Seeing the little girl's drooping spirit, Leon's heart softened. He patted her head. "But Muen can be the cheerleader."
Muen's eyes lit up. "Yay! Muen will be the cheerleader!" Then confusion filled her big eyes. "What's a cheerleader?"
Even though she didn't know, whatever Dad said must be good. Celebrate first, figure it out later. That was the little dragon's way.
Leon patiently explained. "A cheerleader is someone who cheers and supports. With Muen's encouragement, Mom, Dad, and Noah will definitely achieve great results."
"Wow! That's great! Muen will cheer enthusiastically for Dad, Mom, and Sister!"
"Yes, if we all work together as a family, winning the sports event won't be a problem."
"But the academy still hasn't told us what the specific events are," Noah said. "Mom, do you know?"
Rossweise nodded. "When I participated, it was dragon endurance events like racing, high jump, and long jump. But since they specifically called it a 'family' event this time, the games might have changed."
"That makes sense," Noah mused.
Rossweise thought for a moment. "Since we have a week to prepare, we should not only practice basic events but also focus on building teamwork. What do you think?"
Team-building exercises.
This reminded Leon of the teamwork tests he and Rossweise had pulled off before Noah's entrance exams. Despite being a human and a dragon, this couple had surprisingly high synchronization. Their completely unprepared interview had gotten the highest score, proving their teamwork. So, for this family sports event, Leon and Rossweise were quite confident.
"I think it's a good idea," Leon said.
"I'm okay with it, Mom."
"Good, then let's start tomorrow. Rest well tonight."
"Okay~"
Noah and Muen hopped off their chairs, hand in hand, and left the dining room.
Rossweise stretched lazily, resting her chin on her hand, looking at Leon with a teasing smile.
"Considering the date, shouldn't you be coming to my room tonight?"
Leon rolled his eyes. "Can't you think of anything but getting back at me? You said we're starting training tomorrow. Don't you want me to be rested?"
"Ha, you sure have a way with words. Finally caught a chance to rest, huh?"
Leon shrugged. "Mother Dragon, don't you want our daughter to do well?"
Rossweise chuckled. "Don't try to sweet-talk me. Since you won't be coming to my room these next few days, you'd better train hard, understand?"
"I don't need you to tell me. I will."
"Don't take it lightly. Our dragon sports events are not as simple as you think," Rossweise reminded him.
Leon smiled confidently. "And being a Dragon Slayer isn't as simple as you think."
"Okay, see you tomorrow."
"Bye."
The couple bid each other farewell and returned to their rooms.
.
.
.
The next morning, before the two little ones were even awake, Leon and Rossweise were already at the practice track, warming up.
Rossweise was still in her sleek workout outfit, her long legs on full display. She had the kind of figure that looked good in everything.
"The kids aren't up yet. Shall we run a couple of laps to warm up?" Rossweise suggested.
"Sure, sounds good."
The couple started jogging on the track, one behind the other. At first, Leon could keep up, but as the laps added up, his stamina began to fail.
Even though he had recovered, after a few laps, he was panting heavily. He leaned on his knees, gasping for air, then finally lay back on the grass.
Leon closed his eyes, the sun warming his face. But the next moment, someone stood over him, blocking the light.
He opened his eyes. A brilliant cascade of silver hair swayed gently above him.
"What, can't handle it anymore?" Rossweise teased. "I didn't keep you up all night doing homework, did I?"
"Don't talk nonsense. I'm just taking a break."
"Tsk, I can see you're lacking motivation." Rossweise squatted down, arms wrapped around her legs, her tail curling around the tip of her shoe. "How about I give you some?"
"Motivation? No need. Helping Noah get good grades is motivation enough for me."
Rossweise narrowed her eyes and smiled. "The more, the better. And I'm sure you won't refuse my proposal."
Leon was intrigued. "Tell me about it."
Rossweise gestured for him to come closer.
Leon leaned in suspiciously.
Rossweise cupped her hands around his ear and whispered, "If you get first place, I'll give you a week off."
Leon was ecstatic. "Really?"
Rossweise nodded. "Yes."
With that, Leon sprang up from the ground, shrugged off his jacket, and resumed his jogging.
With the dual "motivation" from his daughter and his wife, someone's desire for the championship had never been stronger!
"The champion of the school sports meet must be from our family!"