In the Young Dragons’ Division at St. Heith Academy, as classes drew to a close, Helena was packing her bag when she turned to Noa, her desk mate.
“Noa-chan, summer break is almost here! Want to spend it at my place?”
Buried in her studies, Noa didn’t even lift her head. “Spend the break at your place?”
Helena nodded eagerly. “Yeah! It’s super cool during the summer where I live.”
Of course, living under the ocean had its perks.
Having just solved the last question on her worksheet, Noa put down her pencil and pulled out a meticulously organized plan from her desk.
“Let me check my summer schedule...”
Helena leaned in, curious to see Noa’s summer plans.
“Learn three new offensive lightning spells... Hmm, with Dad’s stash, three is a bit modest. Better make it five.”
“Teach Moon how to use Thunderstrike. She needs to start learning practical magic next term, so we might as well get a head start this summer. Thunderstrike’s a perfect choice.”
“Pick out ten supplementary books for Aurora for next term. That’ll keep her from following me around all summer.”
“Go on border patrol with Mom five times.”
“Complete the mission Sherry assigned me—to steal the bell from her hand. Took me the entire winter break last time, so here’s hoping I succeed this summer.”
“Then there’s—”
Before Noa could list everything, Helena quickly interrupted her, “Alright, alright, I get it. Your summer is fully booked. So... guess that means you can’t come to my place?”
Noa folded up her plan, looking at her friend. Helena’s eyes shone with a hint of hope.
Noa’s mind stirred, her cunning inherited from the Silver Dragon Queen starting to smolder. “Do you really want me to come?”
“Of course! I’d introduce you to everyone at home. They’d love you, especially my aunt; she adores little kids!”
Holding back a smirk, Noa pretended to be conflicted. “Ah, but I really don’t have the time...”
“Aw, come on!” Helena tugged at her wrist. “Can’t you just delay your plans a few days? Just come for a week?”
“That’s too long,” Noa teased.
“Uh... five days?”
“Still too long.”
“Four... four days?” Helena’s confidence dwindled with each offer.
Just as Helena was ready to give up, Noa placed her hand on Helena’s desk, gently tracing her fingers. “Ten days.”
Helena’s eyes lit up. “Really?!”
“Really,” Noa affirmed.
“Yay! Noa-chan, you’re the best!” Helena leaned over and rubbed her cheek against Noa’s.
Noa usually disliked physical contact, except with family. But Helena, this sweet sea dragon five years her senior, was an exception. Noa would rearrange her plans for her.
Just as the two friends were lost in their closeness, a chill prickled Noa’s spine.
Oh no. Could it be... was Moon here to “catch them in the act” again?
Though Moon’s official reason for joining the academy was “to follow in her sister’s footsteps,” Noa knew there was more to it. Her sister’s blatant adoration was impossible to hide.
“Noa, Helena, no whispering during study period.”
Oh, it was just their homeroom teacher.
Saint Heith Academy’s greatest threat during study periods was always “the pair of eyes at the window,” deep, dark, and all-seeing.
“No passing notes in the back row!”
No mischief escaped their teacher’s gaze, especially when she stood behind the door, doubling her powers of observation. Even Noa, as sharp as she was, had been caught multiple times.
Their teacher walked to the front and tapped the blackboard. “Summer is around the corner, and you’ve all worked hard this term. But before break officially begins, we have an outdoor field test, which will count toward your final evaluations.”
The young dragons stirred with excitement.
“A field test? I’ve heard those are really fun.”
“But it’s outdoors... Isn’t it dangerous?”
“Nah, the academy picks safe locations. The worst part is usually just the tough terrain.”
“Quiet down!” Their teacher knocked on the board again.
“This year’s field test for the Young Dragons Division will take place in Redwood Forest beneath Sky City, lasting one week.”
Hearing the location, the young dragons relaxed. Sky City was a neutral territory for dragons, and no one dared stir trouble in its jurisdiction. As for Redwood Forest, it was not a dangerous wasteland.
“Awesome, we get to visit Sky City! I’ve heard adults often go there for dates,” Helena said excitedly.
Coming from a secluded sea dragon family, she’d never visited Sky City herself. She turned to Noa. “Noa, you’ve been there before, right?”
Noa’s face shifted slightly, but she nodded. “Yeah... a few times.”
“Are there really that many people there on dates?” Helena asked, curious.
“Uh... yeah, there are,” Noa replied, a slight frown crossing her face.
Helena noticed her friend’s change in mood. “What’s wrong, Noa? I remember you telling me how much you were looking forward to this term’s field test. Why do you seem a bit down?”
Noa looked down at her desk. “I was looking forward to it. But... this test location seems... too easy.”
“Easy?” Helena echoed, confused.
“Yes. It feels more like a spring outing than a real test.” Noa chuckled and added, “I understand though. The school is prioritizing safety for young dragons.”
Helena patted Noa on the head. “You haven’t changed a bit, have you? Always craving tougher challenges.”
Noa scratched her head with a humble smile. “It’s the quickest way to grow. My dad says that.”
“Leon-uncle always surprises me,” Helena remarked.
“He’s just like that—always full of surprises.”
Their teacher knocked on the board once more to regain order.
After everyone settled down, she continued, “The Young Dragons Division will be conducting this test simultaneously with the Youth Dragons Division, whose test will be held in the northernmost lands.”
“However, two Youth Dragons can’t participate due to clan obligations, so there are two open slots for the northernmost lands test.”
“Headmaster Olet has approved applications from our division to fill these slots.”
“Keep in mind, the environment in the northernmost lands is extremely harsh, suitable only for Youth Dragons. Young Dragons have attempted it in previous years, but none succeeded.”
“Even the top students were hindered by their youth and inexperience. For those concerned about your final evaluations, I advise you not to apply for these spots, or you risk delaying your graduation.”
After explaining, the teacher left the room, leaving the class in quiet murmurs.
Noa’s eyes sparkled as she watched the teacher leave.
“Hey, Noa, you’re not thinking of applying for the northernmost lands, are you?” Helena whispered, tugging at her sleeve.
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But she had a feeling she already knew the answer.
“The environment there is terrible! And didn’t you hear? Young Dragons have tried and failed before. You should really think this through,” Helena urged.
“You’re right... I’ve thought it through,” Noa replied.
“That was fast!” Helena was stunned. “So... you won’t apply?”
Noa slowly turned to look at her friend, her expression calm yet resolute.
Helena sighed, covering her face. “I knew it...”
As the bell rang, Noa grabbed her bag and dashed out of the classroom.
Helena stood by the doorway, calling after her, “Where are you going?!”
“To apply for the northernmost lands spot before someone else snatches it!”
“Who else would want that spot, you idiot!” Helena muttered, watching Noa’s small form disappear down the hall.
A moment later, Helena whispered to herself, “I would.”