After hearing Leon's thoughts, Constantine's perception of him seemed to shift slightly.
For someone he considered primarily a warrior, Leon demonstrated an unexpected depth when it came to parenting.
His ability to analyze children's emotions and behavior with such care wasn't something one typically encountered among dragons.
After a moment of contemplation, Constantine said,
"I understand. I'll talk to Heifi about this."
Leon smiled, deciding to let the matter rest.
He wasn't one to preach, and his earlier remarks had been more of a casual exchange.
However, just as the topic seemed to settle, Constantine added with a smirk,
"Even if you're better with children, your youngest daughter can't compete with Heifi in the literary field."
Both Leon and Rossweise exchanged confused glances.
"What do you mean by that?" Leon asked.
"Heifi and Muse have been writing letters to each other for quite some time. You're aware of that, right?"
Leon nodded. "I am."
"And?"
"Have you read any of their letters?"
"I haven't read them myself, but there was one time Muse encountered a few unfamiliar characters and asked me to help her out."
Hearing this, Constantine's smug expression grew even more pronounced.
"Well, that just proves that Heifi has already surpassed Muse in this area. Heifi's confidence in her writing shows she's excelling. If she knew, I'm sure she'd be quite pleased."
"Hold on a second," Leon interrupted.
"You're calling children's letter exchanges a 'literary field'?"
"If that counts as literature, then the romance novels Rossweise reads should be considered dragon classics!"
"And why not? Regardless, Heifi is ahead of Muse at the starting line."
Hearing this, Leon's competitive streak flared up instantly.
"Oh please, Spitfire. Muse is a few months younger than Heifi. Of course, she knows fewer words. If you're so eager to compete, why not wait until they're both at the academy?"
"The academy?" Constantine mused. "That's actually... not a bad idea."
"Didn't Noah start attending when she was a little over a year old?"
"She did. But how do you know so much about my eldest daughter's academic record?"
"She left quite an impression on me back during the events in the far north."
"The far north?"
Leon thought back and recalled the incident.
"That's when Constantine, fresh from escaping the empire, was believed to be heading to the far north to seek the Primordial Force. So we brought Leviathan and rushed there."
"But as it happened, Noah's outdoor assessment for her academy was also taking place in the far north."
The three groups had crossed paths purely by chance.
"And before Rossweise and I arrived, Noah relied on her quick thinking, courage, and resourcefulness to stall Constantine long enough for us to get there."
"According to Noah's account, she did manage to cause Constantine some trouble."
"To his credit," Leon added, "Constantine showed restraint and had no intention of harming the children."
That incident had softened Leon's impression of the Crimson Flame Dragon King.
Now, hearing Constantine praise his daughter, Leon couldn't help but feel a swell of pride as a father.
"My eldest daughter is a one-in-a-million genius. Starting school at that age was perfectly natural for her."
Watching Leon bask in his fatherly pride, Constantine let out a dry chuckle and said,
"I had considered enrolling Heifi at the same age as Noah. But on second thought, if I did that, she wouldn't have the chance to properly outshine your youngest daughter."
Leon blinked. "So?"
"So, I'll have Heifi stay at home for now, learning basic magic and knowledge under my guidance. When Muse is old enough to start at Saint Heath Academy, they'll both enroll at the same time."
Constantine's calm yet confident tone practically screamed, you'll have no choice but to admit defeat, Leon.
"Defeat?"
At the sound of the word, Rossweise, who'd been quietly observing, immediately sensed trouble.
She knew her husband well. Leon could brush off coercion and ignore flattery, but the moment someone challenged him—especially with the word "defeat"—he was all in.
"Defeat? I've never been defeated, Spitfire," Leon declared, his competitive streak fully ignited.
"If that's how you want to play, fine. When Muse is ready, they'll both attend Saint Heath Academy. Just make sure Heifi is prepared."
"For what?" Constantine asked.
"To face the possibility that she might lose to Muse in every subject," Leon replied with a smirk.
"Hmph. My daughter, the daughter of the Crimson Flame Dragon King, will not lose. But you might want to help Muse prepare her second-place acceptance speech."
The two fathers bickered back and forth, much to Rossweise's amusement.
It turned out there was something even more satisfying than arguing with her stubborn husband—watching him argue with someone else.
"Mommy, Mommy! Heifi and I are hungry. Can we go eat something?"
Before Rossweise could grab some popcorn for the show, Muse tugged at her skirt, pleading sweetly.
Rossweise crouched down to pinch her daughter's cheek affectionately.
"Alright, little ones. What do you feel like eating?"
Muse and Heifi exchanged glances before shouting in unison,
"Barbecue!"
Rossweise chuckled and stood.
"Alright, let's go get some barbecue."
"Yay!"
"Thank you, Auntie!"
Such polite little dragon girls—it was hard to believe Heifi had been raised by Constantine.
Meanwhile, the two childish fathers continued their debate.
"Heifi's doodles clearly show artistic depth and skill."
"Oh please. A child's doodles? If that's your standard, should I start calling your growls music?"
"You're impossible!"
"And you're ridiculous!"
Before their argument could escalate further, Rossweise interjected.
"I'm taking the girls for barbecue. Are you two going to keep arguing or come with us?"
The two fathers exchanged glances, their eyes silently communicating as if they shared the same thought.
Then, without a word, they trailed after Rossweise and the girls.
Watching them follow obediently, Rossweise sighed.
Good news: Her childish husband had finally found someone he could get along with.
Bad news: That someone was just as childish as he was.