Like fireworks, anti-air magic circles flew up.  Jill clenched her fists, thinking, Just like that.

From beside her, Roger, unaware of the plan, was stunned. “Anti-air magic!? Students are using it!? …No, there’s no way they can control that! They’re just wasting mana—”

“It’s fine if they can’t control it! Even if green dragons are strong, the ones riding them don’t have the ability to dodge— Go!!”

At Jill’s cry, her students who had been kicked around by Sauté countless times rushed out from the positions. The students in the sky, unable to deal with the anti-air magic, flailed helplessly as they were picked off one by one, their dragons being used as footholds to reach them.  Sauté spread his wings and let out a triumphant roar.

“Th- that magic wasn’t for the dragons, but for knocking off the students riding them… The anti-air magic was for stalling…?”

“People sitting atop dragons are nothing more than targets. Don’t falter— knock them all down!”

“W-wait, Jill-sensei, calm down! You magic beasts too—”

“Ukyuu! Ukyuuuu—!”

Roger was flustered, but they were too caught up in the commotion and excitement to pay him any attention. Nearly half of the Gold Dragon Class had been knocked from their dragons.  So far, everything was going according to plan.

However, there was one dragon not faltering in the face of the anti-air magic, Noin’s.

Jill clicked her tongue. As expected, Noin was skilled. He wasn’t just riding atop his dragon, he was properly controlling the reins. And that wasn’t all, he seemed to be giving instructions of some kind.

Hang in there, hand in there…!

If only she were also fighting, then she could blow everything away. The urge to step in was strong, but that wouldn’t solve anything. If she couldn’t trust others, then she wouldn’t be able to entrust them with responsibilities. If she couldn’t nurture them, then she wouldn’t be able to protect or sustain the Empire.

Jill was learning that at this moment, both as a teacher and as the Dragon Empress.

******

“The aim on the anti-air magic is off, stay calm! We have the advantage in numbers. Get as close to the ground with your dragons as you can and dismount!”

Then we’ll be able to fight properly.

Noin bit his lip as he circled around in the sky.

Dragons didn’t guarantee victory. That was obvious. Yet, by failing to realize such a simple fact and neglecting to prepare any ground units, they had turned the majority of their forces into nothing more than easy targets. Whether it was unfair that only their side could use dragons, or whether using flutes to mount dragons was cowardly, none of that mattered. All anyone cared about was whether they could use dragons or not.

The anti-air magic was being launched from where the flag of the Blue Dragon Class was planted. Students skilled in magic were working together to maintain it. Naturally, there was a guard unit stationed around them to protect both the flag and the magic casters.

However, since a portion of those forces had been deployed to intercept the dragon riders, their numbers weren’t large.

Lutiya, who had noticed Noin observing their formation from above, turned to look at him. Their gazes met.

The split-second decisions of the commanders would determine the outcome of this battle.

“Don’t be deceived by the anti-air magic! Ground units, hurry and reorganize!”

“Frontline, fall back! Switch from anti-air magic to a barrier— they’re coming!”

A barrier created by students could never surmount the flames of a green dragon.

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