Shut Up, Malevolent Dragon! I Don't Want to Have Any More Children With You-Chapter 77Vol 4. : 9527, Step Forward!
Noa and Helena stood outside the training hall, nervously waiting for their turns. Moments ago, their instructor had announced the exam rules:
The promotion exam would be conducted as a closed combat simulation against the black-armored figures inside the hall. Magic usage was unrestricted. Principal Olette and Vice Principal Wilson would oversee each match from the stands, combining their evaluations with scores from the black-armored figures and the respective class instructors to determine the final grades.
To ensure fairness, each black-armored figure would participate in at least one to three matches. The young dragons drew lots to determine their opponents.
Helena glanced at the number on her slip—1309.
It indicated she would be facing the black-armored figure labeled 1309.
“A number starting with 1... I’ll probably be up pretty early,” Helena murmured, her brows furrowing as her nervousness showed.
She was far more anxious than during the events in the Demonic Moon Forest. Back then, she had been paired with Noa. Having a close friend by her side had provided a sense of security that words couldn’t describe.
However, this promotion exam followed the traditional format—one-on-one duels. The isolation made Helena’s nerves get the better of her.
Just as her unease reached a peak, a small, warm hand gently rested on her cold, trembling one.
Startled, Helena turned her head to see Noa smiling at her.
Noa’s usual frosty expression softened into a determined, encouraging smile.
“Just do what you always do. Don’t worry, you’ll pass the exam for sure,” Noa reassured her.
Helena looked down, the tension in her chest easing slightly. She flipped her hand over, interlacing her fingers with Noa’s to feel her warmth.
“This makes me feel a lot better,” Helena admitted softly.
“But back in the forest, I was nothing but a burden to you...”
“There’s no such thing as being a burden. Say that again, and I’ll get mad,” Noa replied firmly.
Noa didn’t view that day in the forest as Helena dragging her down. In those life-or-death moments, her inability to protect her friend only highlighted ❀ Nоvеlігht ❀ (Don’t copy, read here) her own shortcomings.
For days after, Noa had been reflecting on that experience. She often asked herself:
*If I were stronger, could I have escaped with Helena before Dad arrived?*
*If I were stronger, could I have protected more of our companions before reinforcements came?*
Noa held herself to impossibly high standards, often to the point of self-criticism. But when it came to Helena, her best friend, there was no way she could see this silly sea dragon girl as a hindrance.
“Alright... I understand,” Helena said, smiling faintly. She clutched her number slip tightly.
“1309... I’ll pass this exam no matter what.”
Seeing Helena regain her composure, Noa finally felt relieved enough to smile back.
“Oh, by the way, Noa, what number did you draw?”
“I haven’t looked yet.”
“Well, hurry up and check!”
Helena leaned in curiously as Noa slowly unfolded her slip of paper.
“9...5...2...7,” Noa read aloud.
“9527? That’s your opponent?” Helena asked.
“Yep. Looks like I’m going later,” Noa replied, staring at the simple four-digit number.
For some reason, an unexplainable excitement bubbled up inside her.
*Am I getting nervous?*
*Or... is it something else?*
Noa couldn’t put her finger on the feeling, but if she had to describe it more bluntly, it would be:
“I can’t wait to kick 9527’s butt as hard as I can.”
---
A few minutes later, the instructor’s voice rang out.
“Students assigned to match 1309—Helena, Christina, please enter the hall and prepare. Your match will begin shortly.”
Helena’s breath hitched slightly, but she quickly steadied herself. She jumped off her seat and glanced back at Noa.
“If I pass the exam, we’re going on a date, Noa.”
“What a dramatic declaration, Helena. Are you risking your life just to go on a date with me? I’m almost moved to tears.”
“Why do I feel like you’re holding back laughter?”
Helena chuckled, waving as she headed inside.
“Alright, I’m going now.”
“Good luck!” Noa called out.
Helena nodded and followed the other students into the hall.
---
Noa remained outside, waiting for her turn. Bored, she opened her number slip again, muttering the digits under her breath.
“9527... 9527.”
“Hmph, just wait. I’m going to pummel your butt into oblivion.”
After hyping herself up with that fiery declaration, Noa focused on steadying her nerves and avoiding any negative thoughts.
Roughly half an hour later, Helena and her group emerged from the hall. The three young dragons bore traces of battle, their appearances slightly disheveled.
It seemed the instructors playing the black-armored figures had taken the exam seriously, showing no favoritism or leniency.
Helena smoothed her messy hair and looked up, spotting Noa jogging toward her.
“How did it go, Helena? Are you hurt?” Noa’s first concern was her friend’s wellbeing.
“No injuries, I’m fine,” Helena reassured her with a smile.
“Grades don’t matter as long as we’re safe.”
Helena shook her head, laughing softly. “I’m alright. Let’s sit for a bit.”
“Sure.”
The two returned to their previous spot, where Noa had prepared some water and snacks. Helena replenished her energy while describing the hall’s layout and the fight. freewebnσvel.cѳm
Meanwhile, the instructor continued calling out numbers for the next matches.
“Students assigned to match 1428—Siri, Angel, please enter the hall and prepare.”
...
“Students assigned to match 2317—Hugh, Bach, Sandy, please enter the hall and prepare.”
...
“Students assigned to match 3328—Nancy, Aria, please enter the hall and prepare.”
...
By noon, nearly all the students had completed their exams. However, Noa and 9527’s names still hadn’t been called.
Even knowing she was scheduled toward the end, Noa couldn’t help feeling restless. The battle-hungry side of her was itching for action.
Several classmates who had already finished approached her, sharing their experiences and offering tips.
“From what we’ve seen, the instructors are serious, but they’ll go easy on you if needed. Just do your best, and you’ll pass,” Christina advised.
Noa nodded. “Got it.”
As they chatted, the training hall doors opened, and the previous group of students exited.
Noa noticed that their opponent numbers had started with 8. That meant...
“Students assigned to match 9527—Noa, Melkvey, please enter the hall and prepare for the final match of the exam.”
---
Author’s Note:
9527 is a nod to Stephen Chow’s film *Flirting Scholar,* where the protagonist goes undercover with the same number. I couldn’t resist slipping in this playful reference!
