Shut Up, Malevolent Dragon! I Don’t Want to Have Any More Children With You

Vol 9. Chapter 73.1: Dragon Heroic Spirit (1)

After rushing out of the office, Tucker leaned against the wall and panted hard.

He lifted his uncontrollably trembling right hand and stared at the dim violet eyeball mark on his palm as it gradually faded, countless questions surging in his mind.

"This... what kind of power is this? It actually made someone at Vice Headmaster Claudia’s level lose the ability to fight in an instant..."

...

Just now, if the Magic Eye had not given him that mysterious power, he would have been crushed by the dragon pressure Claudia released. The one lying on the floor would have been him.

Tucker lowered his hand, pressed the back of his head to the wall, closed his eyes, and forced himself to calm the storm inside.

After steadying himself, he shifted his gaze to the headmaster’s office next door.

Two keys. He still needed the one from Headmaster Wilson.

Back in the prison, when he said Headmaster Wilson would be easier to deal with, it was because everyone at the academy knew Wilson was different from the previous headmaster, Olette. He was not a pure combat-type dragon.

Among dragons, not everyone spends their entire life pursuing greater strength.

A small portion focus on research, scholarship, official careers, and similar paths. Wilson was one of them.

Before joining Saint Heath Academy, Wilson had already been a very famous historian among the dragons.

So dealing with the comparatively "civil" Wilson would be much easier for Tucker.

Even so, after the unexpected problem of Claudia suddenly returning earlier, Tucker felt he still needed a simple plan.

After thinking briefly, Tucker made a decision.

He looked around to confirm no one was nearby, then left the administration building.

Tucker went straight to the auditorium where the awards ceremony was about to be held, entered through the back door, and made his way to the backstage lounge.

He quickly found Samantha, who was in charge of tonight’s ceremony, and asked in a deliberately flustered tone, "Samantha, where is Headmaster Wilson?"

Samantha looked at the man who had popped out of nowhere, sized him up, and asked instead, "What’s wrong? Why are you looking for the headmaster?"

"Oh, it’s like this. I was patrolling the administration building just now, and I happened to run into the vice headmaster when she went back to feed the slime. She said she suddenly remembered something extremely important that she needs to discuss privately with Headmaster Wilson, and she’s waiting for him in his office."

Tucker kept his face calm, but his heart was racing and his speech unconsciously sped up.

"So if there’s still some time before the ceremony starts, could you please pass the message to Headmaster Wilson?"

Samantha scrutinized Tucker suspiciously.

"You... why would an Adult Dragon Division member be patrolling the administration building?"

Tucker shrugged. "Didn’t I get punished for violating regulations on a mission? I’m banned from taking B-rank and above missions for a month. But I can’t just rot. If I don’t stay active, my body will rust."

"Is that so..."

Earlier, Claudia had indeed briefly appeared at the auditorium and told people to clear out. When Samantha asked where she was going, she did say she was heading back to feed the slime.

After that exchange, Samantha nodded.

"Alright. I’ll go tell Headmaster Wilson. And you don’t need to patrol anymore. Tonight is your division’s awards ceremony. If you have time, go watch."

"Okay, okay."

Samantha said nothing more and hurried off.

Tucker watched her back until she disappeared around the corridor corner. Only then did he withdraw his gaze, turn around, and retrace his path, sprinting back toward the administration building.

He did not have time to watch any awards ceremony.

The longer this dragged on, the more uneasy he felt, and the stronger the regret in his heart became.

Running under the moonlight, Tucker’s expression was heavy. In his mind, he saw his late father.

"Dad... is what I’m doing... really worth it..."

...

...

Backstage at the academy auditorium.

Students receiving honors and awards for the academic year had been notified in advance and were waiting backstage.

As expected, Noa had won Best Newcomer and Key Trainee.

In the lounge, Noa stood properly in front of a mirror. Helena did her makeup while Vivian helped adjust the new formal dress.

"Has anyone ever told you that you look both beautiful and fierce in a dress, Noa?" Vivian asked with a smile.

Noa swallowed, looking a little tense. "Moon said that, but..."

As she spoke, Noa tugged lightly at the hem.

"But that was years ago, back when I was still in the Youth Dragon Division. And the dress back then was a kid style. Wearing a dress now... feels kind of awkward."

Noa had never cared for dresses. She usually wore fitted short shorts or jeans, showing off long legs and a good figure.

In a dress, she always felt... drafty.

And it was inconvenient for fighting.

"If that’s the case, I’ll switch you into a skirted shorts set," Vivian said thoughtfully, then rolled over a clothing rack and began selecting.

Noa let out a breath of relief. "Skirted shorts are good. I can wear skirted shorts."

At the same time, Helena finished Noa’s makeup.

"Okay. I matched Aunt Rosvisser’s usual style. Satisfied?"

Noa looked at herself in the mirror. Bright and polished, her once-youthful face now carried a bit more maturity.

She had specifically asked Helena to do makeup similar to her mother’s style, and the result really was good.

Noa nodded. "Yeah. I’m very satisfied."

This was her first time wearing makeup, because tonight’s awards ceremony mattered to her.

Even though she had accepted awards many times before and earned many honors, this was her first formal commendation in the Adult Dragon Division since entering adolescence, so she took it especially seriously.

"It’s a shame Uncle Leon and Aunt Rosvisser didn’t come tonight. If they saw their eldest daughter this pretty, they’d take so many photos," Helena said.

Noa smiled helplessly. "Nothing I can do. My dad said a couple days ago that he and Mom went to investigate that Joyous Faith Church they’d heard about, so they couldn’t make it."

"Then we’ll take photos for you later," Vivian said.

She picked a new skirted shorts set, held it up at Noa’s waist to confirm the fit, and continued, "When you give your acceptance speech on stage, don’t forget to look at the camera."

The two things Noa was worst at in life were wearing dresses and taking photos.

She had always had a blank face. When taking photos, her expression became stiff like marble.

"I... I’ll try."

But no matter what, Noa was still very much looking forward to the ceremony.

Vivian helped Noa change into the newly chosen skirted shorts set. Noa immediately felt her "sense of security" return.

The three friends waited in the lounge for the ceremony to begin.

With only ten minutes left until eight o’clock, hurried footsteps suddenly sounded outside the lounge.

"Sorry to interrupt."

Samantha pushed the door open in a rush.

"Have any of you seen Headmaster Wilson or Vice Headmaster Claudia?"

Noa stood and walked forward.

"No. What’s wrong, Teacher Samantha?"

"Vice Headmaster Claudia said she was going back to feed the slime, then she had someone pass a message telling the headmaster to return to his office to discuss something. It’s been over half an hour now, the ceremony is about to start, and I still haven’t found either of them."

The moment she heard "Claudia," Helena hurried over as well.

"Should we send someone to the offices to check?"

"I already sent someone. They should be back any moment..."

But before Samantha could finish, someone outside shouted down the hallway:

"Bad news!! The two principals have been attacked. Everyone, on alert immediately!!"

XXXX

Author Apology and Compensation

The handling of the Claudia-related plot in the previous chapter was indeed not good, and it worsened everyone’s reading experience. I sincerely apologize.

At the same time, I want to respond clearly: there will absolutely be no tragedy. Absolutely no tragedy.

Tucker will also have a complete character arc and the ending that suits him best.

Of course, the most important thing in this volume is still for Noa to complete her second growth, in both strength and in her heart.

Finally, I hope everyone will continue to support the story. Thank you, thank you.