I Became a Kindergarten Teacher for Monster Babies!-Chapter 520 Parents meeting (14)

Drake stared at him with his mouth slightly open. "You’re second?" he repeated, then slapped the table. "Wow. I lost to you too. This is unacceptable."

"That makes two of us," Boo muttered dramatically, floating upside down beside his chair. "My reign was stolen."

Luna crossed her arms but gave a firm nod. "You deserve it. You’re not annoying. Just serious."

Kelpie beamed. "Second place is amazing, Lucien!"

The parents’ reactions followed in a quieter wave.

Lady Isadora smiled warmly at Lucien, her gaze kind. Count Vladimir inclined his head in acknowledgment, his expression measured but approving. General Yuki observed silently, his eyes thoughtful. Alpha Ryker’s brows lifted slightly, impressed despite himself.

Alina watched it all, her chest warm.

Lucien had worked hard. He rarely spoke unless necessary and rarely showed excitement unless it felt safe, but his focus, his discipline, and his effort had never wavered. Seeing that effort recognized felt right.

She lifted her hand gently to regain attention.

"Lucien has shown consistent focus and responsibility throughout the term," she said, her tone professional but fond. "He completes his work carefully, helps others when asked, and takes learning seriously. I’m very proud of him."

Lucien’s fingers curled slightly in his lap. He nodded once more, slower this time, absorbing the words.

Beside him, Sable leaned in again, whispering with complete sincerity, "I’m proud of you."

And Lucien finally smiled.

It felt good.

Alina walked toward Lucien with the small gift box in her hands, the ribbon tied neatly around it in soft blue. She bent slightly so she was at his eye level and held it out to him with both hands. "This is for your effort," she said gently.

Lucien stared at the box for a moment as if it might disappear if he blinked. Then he accepted it carefully, almost reverently, as if it were something fragile. His usual composed expression softened into open happiness, and for once he did not try to hide it.

"Thank you, Teacher," he said quietly, but there was a glow in his eyes that said far more than his voice did.

Alina smiled and reached out to rub his head lightly, her fingers brushing through his dark hair. "You earned it," she said.

Sable leaned forward, trying to peek into the box immediately. "What is inside? Is it magic? Is it secret? Is it food?" he whispered urgently.

Lucien gently shifted the box away from his curious brother. "It’s mine," he said with rare firmness.

The room chuckled softly.

Alina returned to the front of the room, placing her hands lightly on the desk again. She looked at all the children, their faces shining with curiosity, competitiveness, and pure childish excitement.

Before she could even speak—

"I know who is first!" Drake burst out, half standing in his chair, his tail swishing behind him in anticipation.

"Me too!" Luna said quickly, her chin lifting proudly, though her ears twitched with nervous energy.

"I know too!" Boo declared loudly, floating two inches higher than usual as if confidence alone could raise him. "It is obviously someone extremely talented. Extremely charming. Extremely—"

"Sit down," Felix muttered without looking at him.

Drake leaned forward dramatically. "It’s either me or Vlad Jr. Obviously."

"Obviously not you," Luna snapped back. "You left questions empty."

"That was strategy!" Drake defended instantly. "I was conserving mental energy."

"Conserving brain cells, maybe," Felix added calmly.

Boo crossed his arms. "It is clearly me. My creativity is unmatched."

"You spelled ’banana’ wrong three times," Kelpie reminded him cheerfully.

"It was artistic spelling," Boo replied with dignity.

Meanwhile, Vlad Jr. sat straight in his chair, his hands folded neatly, a composed smile on his face.

Several parents exchanged amused looks. The room had gone from formal to chaotic in seconds.

Alina tried to keep a straight face. She truly did.

"Alright," she said, raising her hand slightly. "Calm down. Let me speak."

Slowly, the noise settled.

Drake sat but continued vibrating with energy.

Luna folded her arms tightly.

Boo floated but attempted to look dignified.

Alina looked around at each of them, letting the suspense build just enough to make their eyes grow wider.

"The first position in Class D," she began, her voice warm but clear, "goes to someone who was consistent in every subject. Science. Math. Language. Art."

She paused deliberately.

Drake gasped.

Luna’s hands gripped her skirt.

Boo held his breath dramatically.

"And first place is..."

She turned her gaze toward him.

"Vlad Jr."

For a second, there was silence.

Then—

"I knew it!" Drake shouted.

"I also knew," Luna said quickly, though her shoulders relaxed in relief.

Boo blinked twice, then nodded slowly. "Yes. Acceptable outcome."

Vlad Jr. rose gracefully from his chair, adjusting his cuffs slightly before stepping forward. His expression remained calm, but the faint brightness in his eyes betrayed his happiness.

Count Vladimir inclined his head approvingly. Lady Isadora’s soft smile widened just a little.

Aine leaned slightly toward her husband, her golden tails swaying lazily behind her as her eyes followed Vlad Jr. with obvious admiration. "His manners are so perfect," she whispered, her voice soft but dramatic in the way only she could manage. "Even better than ours." She placed a delicate hand over her chest as if deeply moved. "Look at him. He bows properly. He speaks clearly. He doesn’t even fidget."

General Yuki glanced at the young vampire boy, then at their own son, who was currently trying very hard not to look smug about third place. "Felix also has good manners," he said calmly.

"Yes, yes, of course," Aine waved lightly. "But this one has aristocratic elegance. It is different. I approve."

Across the room, Vlad Jr. stood composed in front of his desk while several parents offered congratulations. He inclined his head politely each time someone spoke to him, thanking them in a calm, measured tone that did not rise too high or too low. Even when Drake shouted from his chair, he did not break posture.

"Vlad Jr.! I knew it!" Drake yelled excitedly, practically bouncing in place. "You write everything, so you’re first! See? I told everyone consistency matters!"

Vlad Jr. gave him a small, controlled smile. "Thank you, Drake."

Drake immediately leaned toward his mother, grabbing Pyrra’s sleeve and whispering loudly enough for half the table to hear. "Mom, my best friend is first," he said proudly. "Tell him congratulations! Although he pretends to be elegant, if someone praises him, he will secretly stay happy for a long time."

Pyrra covered her mouth to hide her laughter. "I heard that," she said softly.

Count Vladimir’s eyebrow lifted almost imperceptibly.

Lady Isadora’s eyes sparkled with amusement.

Vlad Jr.’s posture stiffened for just a second, the faintest pink tint touching the tips of his ears.

"Drake!"