After the warm-up, Leon sat on a bench to catch his breath.
Rossweise walked over, her hands tucked into the pockets of her sportswear jacket. Her ponytail swayed, making her look lively and playful.
"Not bad. Full of energy? All your joints and muscles awake?" Rossweise stood beside him.
"More than awake. It feels like I've been hit by a dragon's charge." For Leon, the motivation for a seven-day vacation was just as powerful.
"Good. Then let's officially start our synchronized training." Leon shrugged, as if to say, "Bring it on."
Rossweise pulled a rope from her pocket. Leon's heart jumped, and he instinctively shifted away on the bench. "What's this? Had enough of the teacher role-play? Now you want to tie me up?"
Rossweise clicked her tongue and slapped his shoulder with the rope. "Ever heard of a three-legged race?"
Leon nodded. "We did this at the Dragon Slayer Academy. The instructors said it builds teamwork."
"We still don't know the exact events for the Sports Day, but basic exercises like this are necessary. Don't you think?"
"Okay, no objections." After a pause, he added, "Just don't mess up my rhythm."
"Haha, thanks for the morning joke."
After a few more words, they tied their inner ankles together. Once bound, Leon stood up straight, and Rossweise pressed close to his side.
Suddenly so close, their height difference became obvious. Rossweise was tall for a girl, but she still had to look up slightly to meet Leon's eyes. It felt awkward. When had the Silver Dragon Queen ever looked up to anyone? No, she wouldn't. Look straight ahead, look straight ahead!
But Leon noticed it too.
"Hey, Your Majesty, you've got some leaves in your hair. I can see them perfectly. Want me to get them for you?" Leon never missed a chance to tease her.
Rossweise closed her eyes and gritted her teeth. "No, thanks."
"Are you sure? Okay then." But Leon wasn't done. He went for a second tease. "Hey, I noticed you have two cowlicks. You know what they say? One cowlick is fine, but two means you're trouble. No wonder you—Ouch!"
Before he could finish, Rossweise lifted their tied-together leg. Leon lost his balance and stumbled backward.
Rossweise squatted down, resting her chin on her hand and shaking her head. "Tsk tsk tsk, Leon. So tall, but you can't even stand firm? What a waste of height."
Leon got up, dusting off his pants. "I won't stoop to your level. Let's settle this with the race." He strode toward the field. But Rossweise didn't move.
As Leon stepped forward—"Oops!"
This time, he stumbled forward. He got up, rubbing his reddened nose. "Are you even paying attention, Rossweise? Why didn't you move?"
Rossweise crossed her arms, pretending to be surprised. "Oh, we're starting now? My bad, I was lost in thought."
Leon clicked his tongue, deciding not to argue further.
.
.
.
The couple reached the central lawn. Since it was their first try, they started on the soft grass. But before running, they faced another problem: their arms were uncomfortably pressed together.
"Don't push me."
"You're pushing me."
The Silver Dragon Queen wasn't used to letting anyone, especially a man, get this close. Only Leon received this "treatment." Anyone else would have been turned to ash.
"I have an idea," Leon said suddenly.
"What? Wait a minute—"
Before she could finish, Leon draped his inner arm over her back. But Rossweise was petite, and Leon's arm was long, so his hand ended up resting on her waist—her ticklish spot.
The Queen blushed, feeling both embarrassed and annoyed. She wanted to argue, but it seemed like the only way to run properly. So, she didn't hold back either. She lifted her arm and wrapped it around Leon's waist. It felt broad and sturdy.
"I'll count. On 'one,' step with the free leg. On 'two,' step with the tied leg. Okay?" Leon said.
"Got it."
"Alright. Ready… Two!"
"What? Two—Oops!"
Rossweise wasn't ready and nearly did a split. Her good flexibility saved her from pulling a muscle.
She turned her head, shocked. "Why did you say 'two' first?!"
"Why not?" Leon asked, the picture of innocence.
"You…!"
Rossweise adjusted her posture and realized Leon was getting back at her for his earlier falls. She didn't want to waste time arguing. They had to train.
"Let's start with 'one,' seriously this time. No tricks," Rossweise said.
Leon nodded. They adjusted their starting position, each holding the other's waist.
"Ready— One, two, one, two, one…"
At first, they were perfectly in sync. But as they sped up, a slight mismatch appeared. Leon was a bit slower; Rossweise was a bit faster.
They glanced at each other. Without a word, the rhythm of their feet slowly corrected itself. Seeing this, they shared a small smile before quickly looking away again.
They ran two laps on the grass without falling. Their synchronization was impressive. They cooperated silently, adjusting without needing to talk. Honestly, few real couples could coordinate this well.
After practicing on the grass, they moved to the hard track. Again, they made very few mistakes.
.
.
.
After a while, the couple sat on the grass to rest and untied the rope.
"Easy," Leon chuckled.
"Hmph, don't get cocky. Next, you're doing recovery exercises." Rossweise nodded toward the field. "Push-ups. Five hundred."
"H-How many?!"
"Five hundred," Rossweise repeated. "What's wrong? For the great Dragon Slayer, five hundred push-ups should be as easy as drinking water."
Since she put it that way, it would be rude to refuse. "Easy! Watch me breeze through it!" He rolled up his sleeves, ready to start. But after a few, Rossweise stopped him.
"Wait. Just push-ups are too boring. Let me add some difficulty."
"What now?"
"Get ready."
Leon got into position. Rossweise stood up and walked over slowly. Then—she sat on his lower back.
Leon's arms trembled. It wasn't that she was too heavy, but his lower back was sensitive from recent... activities. The soft pressure against his back was distracting.
Rossweise sat sideways, her tail resting on his shoulder. She gently poked his cheek with the tip. "Okay, begin."
"You really know how to enjoy yourself," Leon said through gritted teeth.
But the promise of a vacation fueled him. Endure!
"One…"
"Two…"
"Not bad."
"Three…"
A dragon's bone density was much higher than a human's, making them much heavier. Why did this world have to have that setting?! Did anyone ever think a human would need to do push-ups with a dragon on his back?!
But Rossweise was just teasing. After a few reps, she got off.
The push-ups continued.
"Three hundred twenty-eight…three hundred twenty-nine…"
Halfway through, Leon's arms shook. He was pushing too hard in his current state. With over a hundred left, he didn't think he could make it—
"Can't go on? Let me help you."
"How?"
Rossweise chuckled. She lay down on the grass, lifted one of his arms, and slid underneath him. Now they were face-to-face.
Rossweise lay comfortably beneath him, smirking. As he moved up and down, Leon occasionally lost control on the descent. A few times, his nose lightly brushed against hers. Her enticing fragrance filled his senses.
Her ponytail was splayed to the side, her bangs scattered across her forehead. She looked fresh and vibrant, like a lively young girl.
"If you can't hold on, you'll end up kissing me. So think about it. Is it worth enduring the training, or would you rather have an intimate moment with your least favorite dragon?"
Alright.
Leon realized: this wasn't about push-ups anymore. This was about the dignity of a Dragon Slayer!
Damn dragoness! Just wait until my vacation starts. I'll make you pay!
"You should… should start a class," Leon grunted, struggling with the push-ups.
"What kind of class?"
"How to… train… prisoners of war."
Rossweise smirked. "I'll consider it." She squinted, smiling. "Aren't I already teaching one? You're my only student, Leon~ my~ dear~ student~"