Jack leaned back in his seat, gaze distant, as though pulling memories from a time long ago. The faint hum of the DragonJet thrummed like a heartbeat beneath the quiet.“You know,” he began, voice low and deliberate, “there’s a reason I chose the dragon as the symbol for everything I build — Dragon Corp, Dragon University, even your first experiences with me as a kid.”Jackson’s fingers paused mid-sketch, curiosity flickering. “Why dragons, Dad? Why not something… normal?”Jack smiled faintly, a distant glint in his eyes. “Normal doesn’t inspire greatness. Dragons… they’re different. They’re mythic. Timeless. They represent power, wisdom, resilience. They aren’t just creatures of legend — they’re embodiments of ideals that I’ve spent my life chasing.”Matilda leaned forward, elbows on her knees. “Ideals like what?”Jack’s gaze swept across them, warm and earnest. “Balance. Strength tempered by compassion. Knowledge guided by vision. A dragon isn’t just a force of destruction — it’s a

Jack’s gaze lingered on the stars a while longer before he spoke again, his voice steady but touched with nostalgia. “You’ve learned what the dragon symbolizes… but you haven’t yet heard where it truly began — its origin, its history, and why its legacy has survived longer than any empire.”The children leaned in instinctively. Even Sarah, who had heard countless of his stories, felt a quiet anticipation in her chest.Jack continued softly, “The dragon’s story begins before kingdoms had names — before paper, before steel, before man could even write his own history. In China’s oldest myths, they say the first dragon was not born… it awakened. When the heavens and the earth first separated, a storm surged through the void — wind, fire, water, and lightning collided, forming a consciousness made of pure balance. That energy took shape — the dragon. Not a beast… but a spirit of equilibrium, meant to keep the elements from destroying one another.”Matilda’s eyes widened, the reflection of

Steam curled gently through the cabin, carrying the rich aroma of the space broth Sarah had managed to perfect even a million miles from home. The laughter was light, the mood unshakably warm — the kind of atmosphere that felt almost impossible to create in the void of orbit.Ryan slurped his soup noisily and grinned. “I don’t care what planet we’re on — this tastes better than anything from a five-star restaurant.”Sarah smirked. “That’s because there’s no waiter here to overcharge you.”Matilda giggled. “And no gravity to spill it all!”The spoon slipped from her hand, floating midair like a silver leaf. Jackson quickly caught it and returned it to her with mock formality. “Milady, your spoon.”“Thank you, good sir,” Matilda replied, lifting her chin proudly. The table erupted in laughter.Even Emily laughed — genuinely this time. There was no edge, no trace of the icy pride that once clung to her words. Just soft amusement, like someone rediscovering joy after too long in the dark.

The dragon never sleeps.But even dragons needed something human — a spark of joy, a reason to remember what they were fighting for.Ryan’s voice shattered the silence. “Yo! They’re playing again! Harmonfield’s got another match — live this time, against Richmond FC!”Matilda gasped, eyes wide. “Already? That’s the top-of-the-table clash!”Sarah grinned, tossing a glance at Jack. “You hear that, Mr. Balance Sheets? Your city’s got a rematch to settle.”Jack arched a brow, feigning disinterest — but the flicker in his eyes betrayed him. “Grand Huron Stadium, right?”Emily nodded, pulling up the holo-schedule. “Exactly. Full house. Thirty-five thousand fans chanting Harmonfield’s anthem already.”Within seconds, the DragonJet’s panoramic holo-projector shifted again — now displaying a live broadcast of Harmonfield FC vs Richmond FC. The vibrant stadium burst into view, a sea of blue and gold lights swirling like waves beneath the night sky.> “Welcome, ladies and gentlemen, to the Grand

The cabin’s cheers slowly softened into excited chatter, the holo-screen switching between slow-motion replays of the goals. Outside the window, the curve of Earth glowed faintly against the star-strewn void.Far down the narrow corridor leading deeper into the DragonJet, a soft rustle came from behind a closed door.Inside the private bedroom, Jackson stirred first.He blinked awake, confused by distant cheering echoing through the hull. His messy hair stuck in every possible direction. Beside him, Lena shifted, rubbing her eyes, her voice groggy.“…What’s happening…?” she mumbled.Another eruption of shouts came from the cabin.Jackson’s eyes widened. “Sounds like a goal…”Lena sat up, brow furrowing. “But… the match was at midnight, wasn’t it?”Jackson froze. “…Wait. Did we just sleep through half the semifinal!?”He kicked the blanket off dramatically, nearly tripping as he bolted toward the door barefoot.Lena stared in disbelief. “…Of all the things he cares about, football neve