A Bit of Homework Will Keep Them in Line

"Pop!"

"Pop!"

Two crisp knocks on their heads.

Lucas gave each girl one, saying irritably: "You two are really turning this into a multiple choice question."

He grabbed their little hands, one on each side, then brought them together in the middle.

"Remember, good friends should be connected by heart, not playing mind games, understand?"

Sophia glanced blankly at Luna.

Luna coolly glanced back at Sophia.

Both little ones nodded simultaneously.

Then their gazes separated again.

Whether they meant it was unclear, but at least they showed surface agreement.

[As expected of you! Using your Dragon Emperor's presence to forcefully subdue both Holy Maiden Sophia and Sorceress Luna.]

[However, while Holy Maiden Sophia has already formed a Seed of Destiny with you, Sorceress Luna hasn't had a suitable opportunity yet. This rare chance might let you persuade... no, recruit her to your side.]

System, your true colors are showing.

Lucas's thoughts stirred as he kept the girls' hands joined, coughed, and said:

"Now then, step one of becoming good friends is complete. Step two is taking the friendship oath. Come on, repeat after me."

"I, Sophia/Luna, am willing to forever follow Lucas, be good friends with each other, share in fortune, have no second thoughts, not fight, and not be jealous."

Saying this, he glanced sideways at the little ones.

Sophia wore her silly expression.

Luna's big eyes sparkled with an indescribable light.

Both seemed to sense Lucas was trying to trick them, but had no proof.

Still, they began reciting.

However.

In perfect sync, both stumbled after "follow Lucas," unable to continue with the rest.

Sophia froze completely, shaking her little head repeatedly, "Lucas, Lucas, Sophia is too silly, can't remember the rest!"

Luna coolly puckered her rosy lips, "Lucas, forgot."

[Amazing! With just a few words you've persuaded... no, successfully recruited her. You and Sorceress Luna have formed a Seed of Destiny, the treasure skill has taken effect.]

[Detected Sorceress Luna's mastery of this realm's martial art - your Taekwondo has risen to black belt level]

Suddenly, as if divine wisdom had been poured into his mind.

Lucas's brain filled with Taekwondo knowledge, perfectly integrated as if he'd practiced for years.

This girl hadn't lied, she really was a black belt.

[Detected Sorceress Luna's piano mastery - due to the treasure skill effect, your piano skill has risen to professional level 10, comparable to a master.]

His mind flooded with piano knowledge.

Lucas's fingers twitched involuntarily.

The muscle memory that professional pianists develop over decades was instantly carved into his body.

Impressive.

Lucas looked at the two little ones before him, his mood greatly improved. No longer concerned with minor details, he held their hands and gently guided them:

"Alright, alright, it's fine if you can't remember. Just remember we're all good friends, that's enough."

Sophia and Luna nodded together.

Whether they remembered wasn't clear, but at least there was peace for now.

A potential romance crisis had been quietly defused.

Sarah, who had secretly watched the whole process through the door crack, silently gave a thumbs up.

"That's my son."

...

The three little ones entered the house.

Sophia sat properly, sweetly calling "Aunt Sarah," her big eyes curiously taking in everything.

Luna, not to be outdone, also sweetly called "Aunt Sarah" repeatedly.

And Sarah absolutely adored both little girls.

Pinching this one's cheeks, rubbing that one's head, hugging them both, completely smitten.

Lucas had intended to catch up on sleep.

But with these two around.

That clearly wasn't happening.

Though these girls seemed to be getting along now.

Once Sarah left for mahjong.

If he went to sleep.

Lucas felt these two might start fighting at the slightest disagreement.

As he predicted.

Not half an hour later, Sarah left with her little purse.

Leaving two pairs of big eyes staring at each other in the living room.

To keep them in check, Lucas calmly started previewing "Junior High Chemistry."

Seeing this, Sophia immediately held up starry eyes, "Lucas, Lucas, you're so amazing!"

While Luna stretched her fair little arms and legs, "Lucas, look."

Sophia saw this and wouldn't stand for it, instantly scooting silly-like next to Lucas, her blushing little face pressed close, huffing competitively: "Sophia wants to study with Lucas too."

Luna naturally couldn't take this, hugging Lucas's arm on the other side, her pink lips parting as she breathed warmly in his ear:

"Lucas, hug."

Such blatant provocation and declaration of war.

Sophia immediately became more defiant, stretching out her little head to scold loudly, "Lucas said good friends can only hug once, you can't keep hugging Lucas's arm!"

Previously, Sophia wouldn't have had the courage to speak up so boldly.

But Lucas had trained... no, taught her too well.

Now she was quite fierce, especially seeing someone touching her greatest treasure - her courage surged right up.

Luna tilted her head, expression cool and collected, stating matter-of-factly: "I'm the little sister, I don't know better, so I can hug longer."

How strange that they were so polite in the video call.

Yet meeting in person brought immediate tension, killing intent filling the living room.

Lucas remained calm at first.

But gradually, the two became like Green Snake disturbing Fahai's meditation.

Now this one wiggling, now that one touching.

Now Sophia saying: "Sophia and Lucas are closer, Sophia has known Lucas for four years!"

Now Luna retorting: "Lucas and I are childhood friends, you're the outsider."

Sophia wouldn't accept this, insisting she was the most obedient and silly, even Lucas's dog liked her best.

To prove this point.

She specifically went to play with the puppy.

But unfortunately proved incompetent, soon being chased by the puppy, patting her bottom as she ran around, her little face panicked as she yelled "Oh no, Sophia's going to be eaten by the doggy!" "Brother Dog, Brother Dog, Sophia was wrong, won't dare again!"

Then ran behind Lucas.

The puppy, intimidated by the Dragon Emperor's presence, naturally didn't dare chase further, lying down whimpering.

Sophia immediately became spirited again, hiding behind Lucas, hands on hips, commanding:

"Little dog, little dog, what did I do wrong? I did nothing wrong! Come bite me if you dare!"

Luna was much braver, bending down to pick up the puppy, petting its head while sitting properly, looking at Sophia with a victor's expression.

Sophia froze completely.

Defeat × 1.

Of course, to prove who was the most popular woman in the Walker household, the little ones' competition was far from over.

Finally, Lucas couldn't take it anymore.

Silently ran downstairs, then returned, throwing two sets of test papers in front of them.

"Do these! Nobody talks until they're finished!"

Both little ones froze.

Pure boredom cured by a bit of homework.

...