Above all, she had to be recognized as a teacher! Of course, she knew how ridiculous it was for a 11-year-old girl to be a teacher…

…Also, maybe… they see me as the bad guy… I mean, those eyes…

Jill recalled the looks she got from the students, starting with Lutiya. They didn’t seem to trust the adults, including the teachers, in the slightest. She could guess the reason from yesterday’s exchange.

Before Lutiya learned Jill was a teacher, he was kind and slightly mischievous. That smile when he commented about making a carefree friend wasn’t a lie. He wasn’t a bad person… probably.

“…But I’m not good at laying the groundwork and stuff like that…”

“Kkyuu…”

Rho, who had been stuffed into her backpack along with her lunchbox and Haddy, peeked out and squeaked.

Sauté, who was walking beside Jill with its chest puffed, also chirped. It seemed to be encouraging her.

That’s right! I can’t just say I can’t do it!

She had come in order to become a great Dragon Empress!

“Hey, Teacher Jill. Something’s happening!”

Roger called out to her as she was crossing the school with the attendance book. Jill had learned everything the hard way yesterday. She turned around with a sigh.

“What’s the matter? Did one of my students do something again?”

“Eh?”

Roger came running over and stopped for a moment. He smiled fondly at Jill and stammered.

“Well, uh, I wouldn’t say they did something… But it looks like they might…”

“Please be clear. Aren’t you the assistant teacher?”

“O-okay. They gathered at the training ground early in the morning, so I figured something was up. There might still be some firecrackers left… Ah! The training ground is just around the corner!”

Roger provided more information as Jill ran off.

What the hell are they planning to do this time?!

She didn’t want to bow down the whole day again?! She had to stop them!

…But it was futile. Another loud popping sound rang out.

After going around the school building, Jill finally arrived at the training ground. It was spacious, with targets and sandbags around, probably for shooting practice. There were dragons near the students, and some were about to take off. Jill was a little surprised to see a green dragon among the spotted dragons. 

Even among the Dragon Knights of Noitral, the pride of the Rave Empire, only the best of the best could ride green dragons. She didn’t expect any of the students would be able to ride it.

Are they from the Gold Dragon Class…?

Her thoughts were interrupted by another popping sound. Fortunately, the green dragon wasn’t startled and didn’t go berserk. Nevertheless, it purred in annoyance.

Keep in mind that the riders weren’t elite Dragon Knights, but students. If an accident occurred, things might go awry. Before Jill could yell out loud, a calm voice echoed.

“Everyone, there’s no need to panic! You need to calm the dragons down first!”

A blond boy was riding the green dragon. He still had a childish look, yet his sharp profile had the reliability of an honor student. Jill stopped in her tracks and looked at him.

“It’s just noise, so don’t panic. Controlling a dragon is a child’s play for the Golden Dragon Class, right?”

“Yes, Class President!”

“…Living up to your excellent student title, I see. But what about this, Class President Noin?”

As Lutiya commanded, an even flashier sound rang out. However, as per Noin’s instruction, the students of the Gold Dragon Class evacuated into the sky. They seemed to be accustomed to this.

Since there was nothing he could do from below, Lutiya frowned.

Maybe if she could get them to withdraw before the other teachers arrived, she could save herself from having to apologize? Jill began to feel slightly hopeful.

However, Noin’s eyes, looking down at the ground, were cold.

“Is that all? Pathetic.”

“…What did you say?”

“Wait, that’s enough!”

Desperately maintaining hope, Jill hurriedly got in between the two. Lutiya clicked his tongue, whereas Noin lifted an eyebrow.

“—Are you… the rumored teacher from the Blue Dragon Class, by any chance…?”

“Yes. I’m sorry for the trouble my students have caused.”

“…I can’t believe how small you are.”

With that, Noin became quite. While others were sending complaints and scornful looks her way, Noin didn’t seem to be the type to ignore a teacher.

“I start working today. I’ll be sure to scold them, so can you please forgive them?”

“… I understand. I’ll pretend I didn’t see anything.”

“‘Pretend you didn’t see anything’?”

Lutiya came out from behind Jill, speaking in a mocking tone.

“They just can’t point their dragons at me, a member of the Rave Imperial Family.”

“Lutiya!”

Lutiya’s eyes widened at Jill’s harsh scolding, but he quickly laughed it off.

“It’s the truth. Even the Ace of the Gold Dragon Class can’t stand against the Rave Imperial Family in the end. Isn7t that right, Class President Noin? Your father works at the government office and is on good terms with the Rave military, after all.”

Noin’s expression went blank.

She didn’t know the details, but she had a bad feeling about this! But once words were spoken, they couldn’t be retracted.

“…Is that so? Then, wouldn’t you also be in trouble if a dragon were to be directed at me? Your Highness Lutiya of the Rave Imperial Family, who, according to the rumors, isn’t compatible with dragons.” Noin scoffed.

This time, Lutiya’s expression went blank. Noin went on.

“I’m not like my father! I can show you!”

“Go ahead and try, you coward!”

Lutiya roared. Noin pulled the reins. The green dragon spread its jaw wide.

Jill clicked her tongue. It was a childish quarrel, but it was another story if a dragon was involved.

Although she was the Dragon Empress, dragons disliked her because she had Kratos’ magic power. Her orders were generally ignored. She clenched her first—this is the only option left!

But then, Sauté flapped its wings and kicked something black and round.

Rho landed face-first between the students of the Gold Dragon Class and the Blue Dragon Class. The dragons’ eyes widened and they froze.

“U… Ugyu…”

Rho, whose face was hit, got up trembling. He seemed to be holding back tears. He must’ve been aware that if he screamed and cried there, it’d cause a terrible disaster. Then, as expected, even when Noin and the others gave command, the dragons didn’t move. They watched Rho—the Dragon King—with bated breath.

Jill was moved. The once spoiled Rho had grown up!

“Wow… you’re so impressive, Rho…! You can withstand the pain.”

“Hyu… Uh, ugyu…”

When Rho turned around, tears welling up in his eyes. His cute face was covered in sand. Jill ran over and picked up Rho. Then, instead of the students, she spoke to the dragons.

“What are you doing? You’re scaring him! Now off you go!”

The dragons flew off all at once. The students cried out in surprise, but for the dragons, Rho was their precious and great king. No matter how much the students and teachers commanded them, the dragons wouldn’t budge until Rho calmed down. Jill was grateful for Sauté’s quick thinking.

I’ll praise Rho for sacrificing his face later.

Noin frowned suspiciously.

“The dragons stopped moving… why?”

“—Isn’t it obvious? Because I’m a member of the Rave Imperial Family!”

The students got riled up when they heard Lutiya’s triumphant voice and started jeering.

“You’re just Brown Rats! How dare you say such a thing to Class President Noin!”

“Hey, stop it! I told you to stop!”

Jill shouted as she sensed another quarrel was about to happen. However, the angry students didn’t pay her any attention and started yelling at each other.

“Says the ones who lost to the Brown Rats! Hahaha, how shameful!”

“Hey, use magic to make the remaining firecrackers explode!”

“Enough, Brown Rats!”

A loud, adult voice interrupted.

---

E/N: I wonder if Roger is instigating them…

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***T/N: Lutiya is the cute miniature tsun Hades

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