The alley was quiet, the distant sounds of Berbeign fading behind her. Milly or rather, the part of her that still remembered that name hugged her arms around herself, her chest tight from the argument she'd had with… herself. The alter ego lurking within was silent now, but the tension lingered like a storm ready to break.
"I… I'll call myself… Mila," she muttered softly, testing the name on her tongue. Strange. Foreign. Comforting.
She stared at her reflection in a puddle, imagining a form that could pass as human. White hair, striking blue eyes, delicate features a stark contrast to the dragon girl she had been.
"Yes… this works," Milly whispered, tilting her head. "Seventeen… female… Mila."
Adjusting her hood to hide the faint black and red scales that still peeked from under her cloak, she stepped out into the faint glow of the city's lamplight. A new life, a new identity.
By morning, Mila found herself at the bustling public training grounds of Berbeign. Children sparred with wooden swords, adults practiced elemental magic, and trainers barked instructions at apprentices.
"Alright… new start. One step at a time," she whispered, flexing her fingers. She tried to summon a small flame in her palm. It sputtered and fizzled out twice before she clenched her jaw, focusing harder.
On the third attempt, a flicker danced above her hand. Wobbly, unsure, but alive.
"Not bad… not bad at all," Milly muttered, a small smile tugging at her lips. "Mila… I mean, me… I can do this."
Nearby, a young trainer noticed her and approached. "Hey, are you new here?" he asked.
Mila straightened, tilting her head. "Yes… I'm… Mila. Just started."
The trainer's eyes sparkled with encouragement. "Well, Mila, everyone starts somewhere. Even the best had to practice for years."
Mila nodded, attempting her flame again. This time it grew steadier, dancing above her palm. Pride surged within her. "I'll… I'll get better. I have to."
A shadow flickered at the edge of the training grounds. Milly's wait no, Mila's heart skipped a beat, a whisper of instinct reminding her that she was still more than she appeared. She shook her head, scolding herself. No, Milly… focus. Mila now.
As her flames steadied and she practiced tirelessly, Milly felt both the weight and freedom of her dual life. Her real name, her past, her dragon self all parts of her were tucked quietly behind this new identity. Yet each flicker of flame reminded her: she was still Milly, still a dragon girl, still capable of more than anyone could imagine.
And for the first time in what felt like forever, Milly as Mila, felt like she was truly starting her own adventure.