Days turned into months.
Months folded into years.
Six of them.
Mia grew.
Not the sudden, explosive growth she once imagined—but steady, unstoppable expansion. Her body stretched long and powerful, scales thickening into armored plates. Her wings broadened into true, formidable limbs capable of casting shadows across half the courtyard.
Five meters from snout to tail tip.
No longer something that could sit on a boy's lap.
No longer something that could perch on a shoulder.
The mansion adjusted around her.
Doorways were widened.
The gardens reshaped.
And eventually, she could no longer sleep inside the estate at all.
A barn was built instead.
Not a crude shed—but a reinforced stone-and-wood structure at the edge of the property, tall enough for her to stand fully upright, wide enough for her to stretch her wings.
Her red bell collar had long since disappeared.
In its place was a thick leather collar fitted with a solid D-ring.
Practical.
Less humiliating.
More… functional.
Every night, when dusk settled over the estate, a heavy chain would be clipped to it.
A strong one.
One that matched her strength now.
By morning, it would be removed.
She was trusted to wander the estate grounds freely during daylight.
She never tried to leave.
Not anymore.
Leo grew too.
Sixteen now.
Taller. Broader shoulders. Voice deepening. The softness of childhood sharpening into something closer to adulthood.
But some things never changed.
He still came to her first every day.
Still ran a hand along her scales.
Still talked.
"I'll be a great Count one day," he would say while leaning against her massive foreleg.
"I'll make this estate stronger than ever."
He'd grin up at her. "You'll stay with me, right?"
She would lower her massive head slightly.
"Mrr… mii."
She could make more sounds now. Deeper ones. Rumbling vibrations in her chest that echoed through the barn walls.
He always interpreted them as agreement.
Sometimes—far too often for her liking—Leo would attempt something ambitious.
He would climb onto her back.
"Just a little ride," he'd insist.
Mia would freeze at first.
Then—
With a sharp flex of her shoulders and a sudden shift of weight—
He'd tumble straight into the hay.
"Oof!"
She would snort, smoke-like breath curling faintly from her nostrils.
Not fire.
Not yet.
Just heat.
Leo would lie there laughing.
"You're so mean."
She'd flick her tail smugly.
He would always get up, brush off the hay, and pat her side anyway.
"Still my dragon."
At night, when the chain was secured and the barn doors shut, Mia would lie on the thick bedding prepared for her.
The metal links would rest heavy against the collar.
She was no longer small.
No longer helpless.
She could probably tear through parts of the estate if she truly wanted to.
Yet when morning came and the chain was removed—
She stayed.
And when Leo's footsteps approached, she would lift her head before he even called her name.
Morning came with the familiar scrape of metal.
Mia opened one eye.
Bootsteps.
Not Leo's.
Heavier. Measured.
The barn doors creaked open, letting in pale sunlight. Count Vinson stepped inside, coat immaculate as ever. Beside him stood a broad-shouldered man in worn leather armor, gloves thick, posture balanced like someone used to handling dangerous animals.
Or creatures.
"Here's the dragon," Vinson said calmly. "Do you think you can train this one?"
The man's eyes moved over her slowly—evaluating muscle, wing span, jawline, stance.
"You can trust me, my lord," he replied with quiet confidence. "I'm the best you'll find."
His hand rested casually near the muzzle hanging at his belt.
"But… is she hostile?"
Vinson folded his hands behind his back. "No. She's mostly calm."
Mostly.
Mia exhaled slowly through her nostrils, a low rumble vibrating in her chest.
The man stepped forward without hesitation.
He unclipped the heavy night chain from her collar.
The weight dropped away with a metallic clank.
Then he grabbed the D-ring firmly and gave it a sharp upward tug.
"Up."
Her eyes narrowed.
She could have resisted.
Could have made him work for it.
Instead, she rose smoothly to her full height, wings shifting slightly as she stood.
The trainer nodded once. "Good."
He did not pet her. Did not coo at her. Did not call her a good girl.
He simply pulled the collar forward and began walking.
"Move."
She followed.
Not because of the pull.
Because she chose to.
They exited the barn and crossed the estate grounds toward a wide training yard—an open space reinforced with stone boundaries and cleared of fragile decorations.
Leo was nowhere in sight.
This felt different.
Not fetch.
Not sit.
Not paw.
The trainer stopped in the center of the yard and turned to face her, still holding the D-ring firmly.
He studied her again, this time closer.
"Five meters," he muttered. "Strong shoulders. Good wing joints. Healthy."
His eyes met hers.
"Let's see what you really are, dragon."
Mia's tail swayed once behind her.
The air felt… tense.
Different from play.
Different from commands.
For the first time in years—
Something in her chest stirred that wasn't irritation.
The first day of training stripped away any illusion that this would be gentle.
"Sit."
She sat.
"Stay."
She stayed.
"Paw."
She lifted one massive claw, talons curling carefully so they wouldn't shred the man's arm.
"Roll."
She stared at him.
He tugged the D-ring slightly.
"Roll."
With visible irritation, she shifted her weight and rolled onto her side, the ground trembling faintly beneath her.
"Up."
She rose again.
"Run."
She ran.
Across the wide yard, claws tearing shallow grooves into packed earth, wings half-spread for balance.
"Down!"
She dropped low instantly.
The trainer nodded once. Efficient. No praise. Just assessment.
After the basics came something new.
A saddle.
Thick leather, reinforced straps, metal fittings. It was lifted onto her back carefully and secured around her chest and under her wings.
She stiffened at the unfamiliar weight.
"Easy," the trainer muttered. "You're strong enough."
Then came pulling weight.
Heavy logs. Stone blocks mounted on small sleds. She leaned forward, muscles straining, claws digging deep as she dragged them across the yard.
Her body was powerful.
That much was undeniable.
They practiced mock combat too.
The trainer would swing padded poles, forcing her to dodge. He'd shout commands mid-motion.
"Left!"
She pivoted.
"Back!"
She hopped away.
"Strike!"
She snapped forward—not to bite flesh, but to clamp onto a padded target.
Sometimes he'd lunge at her side, testing reflexes.
She was fast.
Faster than she realized.
Flying was… less glorious.
"Wings wide!" the trainer barked.
She flapped.
Air rushed beneath her, lifting her briefly.
Then—
CRASH.
Into a hay stack.
Another attempt—
Lift. Wobble. Tilt.
Straight into a low tree branch.
Leaves exploded everywhere.
The trainer sighed, brushing debris from his shoulder.
"We'll work on balance."
Mia groaned internally.
(This is embarrassing.)
There was something else she noticed.
After dragging weight.
After running.
After repeated drills.
She wasn't sweating.
Not a single drop.
Instead, her body heated internally. The only release was through her mouth—she would open her jaws and exhale long streams of hot air, heat rippling visibly in front of her snout.
The trainer stepped back once, surprised. "Careful."
She blinked.
(Dragons don't sweat?)
Her tongue flicked briefly.
(Are dragons just… lizards? Big flying lizards?)
The thought unsettled her more than the saddle.
By evening, her muscles felt heavy. Not exhausted—but worked.
The trainer wasn't done.
"Sit."
She sat.
"Stay."
She stayed.
"Stand."
She stood again.
The repetition drilled deep into her instincts.
Then—
Footsteps.
Familiar ones.
Lighter. Quicker.
She froze mid-command.
Leo's voice drifted across the yard.
"Hey! I'm back!"
The trainer's voice cut in sharply. "Sit."
She didn't.
Instead, her head snapped toward the estate entrance.
Leo stepped into view.
Without thinking—
She bolted.
The trainer swore as the D-ring slipped from his grasp.
"Mia!"
But she was already crossing the yard in long, bounding strides.
"Mrrr—miii!"
She lowered her massive head and nudged into Leo's side, careful not to knock him over, rumbling happily in her chest.
Her tail swept behind her in wide arcs.
Leo laughed, wrapping his arms around her neck as far as he could.
"Whoa! Okay, okay! I missed you too!"
She rubbed against him again, making softer, higher dragon noises she only seemed to use around him.
The trainer approached slowly, unimpressed.
"She ignored a command," he stated flatly.
Leo grinned, patting her scales. "She just likes me more."
Mia exhaled warmly, almost smug.
The trainer narrowed his eyes at her.
"Attachment," he muttered. "That can be a weakness."
Mia didn't care.
The trainer stopped a few paces away, arms crossed.
"Mia. Come."
His voice was firm. Commanding.
Mia didn't even look at him.
She pressed closer to Leo instead, lowering her head and rumbling softly in her chest.
"Mrrr…"
The trainer's jaw tightened.
"Mia. Come."
This time sharper.
Her head slowly turned.
Not submissive.
Not obedient.
Her blue eyes narrowed.
"Hissssssssss."
The sound rolled out deeper than it used to—less kitten, more warning.
The trainer blinked.
"What the—"
Leo laughed, still scratching along her jawline. "Hehe. I think she wants to stay near me for now."
The trainer looked between them, unimpressed.
"She responded perfectly all day."
Leo grinned. "Yeah, but I'm better than commands."
Mia snorted softly, hot air brushing against Leo's shoulder.
The trainer stepped closer, cautious now.
"Attachment interferes with discipline," he said, eyes fixed on her. "Dragons need clear hierarchy."
Mia's tail thudded once against the ground.
Leo tilted his head. "Hierarchy?"
"Yes," the trainer replied calmly. "She must recognize who gives orders."
Leo's smile didn't fade—but something thoughtful flickered in his eyes.
Mia shifted her weight, wings adjusting slightly as she positioned herself half in front of Leo without fully realizing it.
Protective.
The trainer noticed.
"So," he murmured. "That's how it is."
He extended a gloved hand slightly.
"Mia. Heel."
She stared at him.
Then slowly turned her head back to Leo and made a small, satisfied—
"Mii."
Leo burst out laughing.
"See? She listens. Just… selectively."
The trainer exhaled through his nose.
"This will take work."
Mia flicked her tail again, smug as ever, and leaned into Leo's side like a massive, scaly cat that had very clearly chosen her favorite human.
The trainer dusted hay from his gloves, eyes still on Mia as she leaned comfortably against Leo's side.
"This is going to be a long training," he muttered.
Vinson stepped forward, hands clasped behind his back as usual. "What seems to be the problem?"
The trainer gave a short laugh. "Nothing serious, my lord."
His gaze flicked toward Leo.
"Dragons tend to bond strongly to a single human. Once that attachment forms, commands from others become… secondary."
Leo straightened slightly. "See? She just likes me."
Mia rumbled in agreement, tail swaying lazily behind her.
The trainer nodded. "I can't blame her. It's not defiance. It's preference."
He studied her posture—how she angled herself subtly toward Leo, how her wings relaxed only when the boy touched her.
"She's smart," he added. "Very smart."
Vinson hummed thoughtfully. "I see."
A quiet breeze moved through the yard. Mia exhaled warm air again, watching the trainer carefully.
Then the man's tone shifted, becoming more serious.
"And I don't recommend chaining her at night anymore."
Leo blinked. "Why?"
Vinson's eyes sharpened slightly. "Explain."
The trainer folded his arms.
"She's not a hatchling anymore. She's grown. Strong. Confident." His gaze rested on the leather collar around her neck. "If she truly wanted to break a chain at this size, she could injure herself trying."
Mia's ears—if they could be called that—tilted subtly.
The trainer continued, voice calm.
"More importantly… chaining a bonded dragon sends the wrong message."
Vinson remained silent.
"She already chose to stay," the trainer said evenly. "You unclipped her earlier. She didn't run."
Leo smiled faintly at that.
The trainer looked back at Mia.
"If you keep restraining her unnecessarily, you risk damaging trust."
Mia shifted, glancing briefly at the barn in the distance.
Vinson finally spoke. "You believe she won't leave?"
The trainer met his gaze. "No, my lord. I believe she doesn't want to."
Silence settled over the yard.
Mia leaned her head lightly against Leo's shoulder.
"Mrr…"
Leo wrapped an arm around her neck again. "She's not going anywhere."
Vinson studied the dragon for a long moment.
The evening sun cast long shadows across the estate.
"I will consider it," he said at last.
The trainer gave a small nod.
Mia didn't fully understand the politics of the moment—
But she understood one thing clearly.
The chain might not return tonight.
That night, no chain came.
No heavy clink of metal.
No restraint around the D-ring.
The barn doors were left open.
Mia stepped outside slowly, testing the freedom like she expected someone to change their mind.
No one did.
The estate lay quiet under moonlight. Lanterns glowed along stone paths. Crickets sang beyond the walls.
She wandered.
Across the courtyard.
Past the fountain.
Through the trimmed hedges.
And finally—
She settled on the grass near the kitchen wall, where warm air drifted gently from the vents. The scent of baked bread and roasted meat lingered faintly even at night.
She lowered her massive body with a soft thud, curling her tail around herself.
Warm stone beneath her chest.
Yes.
This was good.
Leo stepped outside moments later, pulling a light cloak around his shoulders.
"I think she loves warmth," he said, smiling.
Vinson followed at a slower pace. "Most reptiles do."
Mia cracked one eye open.
(Reptile again…)
A kitchen maid suddenly pushed open the back door carrying scraps.
She froze.
"My lord—she's near the pantry."
Too late.
Mia's long neck had already extended.
Crunch.
Carrots vanished.
Another snap—cold leftover cuts of meat disappeared into her jaws.
"Mia," Vinson's voice carried firm authority. "Out. Stop eating those carrots and meats. Bad dragon."
She lifted her head slowly, chewing.
"Rwarr… mrr… rwarr… mi…"
The sound was low, almost playful.
Leo burst out laughing. "She's hungry!"
"She was fed," Vinson replied evenly.
Mia leaned closer to the doorway again.
Another carrot disappeared.
Crunch.
"Mia."
Her name, sharper now.
She paused.
Turned her head.
Chewed dramatically.
"Rrrrmm."
Leo walked over and placed both hands against her snout, gently pushing it away from the kitchen entrance.
"Come on. You can't steal."
She exhaled warm air directly into his face.
He sputtered, laughing. "Hey!"
Vinson sighed, but there was faint amusement in his tone. "I suppose the estate must now account for dragon appetites."
A maid peeked out cautiously. "Should we… cook more, my lord?"
Mia blinked innocently.
"Mrr."
Leo grinned. "See? She's saying thank you."
She flicked her tail lazily across the grass and settled back down near the warm kitchen wall, satisfied.
No chain.
No barn door closed.
Just open sky above her.
Vinson studied her for a long moment.
"Prepare a heated stone bed near this side of the estate," he instructed a servant quietly. "If she prefers warmth, we'll provide it properly."
Leo smiled proudly. "Told you she wasn't going anywhere."
Mia lowered her head onto the grass, eyes half-lidded.
The warmth from the kitchen seeped into her scales.
She gave one final soft rumble.
"Mrrr…"
Leo crouched beside her massive head, grinning like he used to when she was small enough to sit in his lap.
"Don't you think she's cute? Look at her!"
He waved a thick slice of beef in front of her nose.
"You want this? You want this beef, Mia? Go get it!"
He tossed it a few meters away across the grass.
The meat landed with a soft thud.
Mia didn't move.
Not a twitch.
She remained sprawled on the warm ground near the kitchen wall, chin resting on crossed forelegs, tail lazily flicking once.
Leo blinked.
"…Come on."
Silence.
The beef sat there.
He looked back at her. "Why?"
Mia slowly lifted one eyelid and glanced at the meat.
Then at him.
Then back at the meat.
She opened her mouth slightly—
Not to run.
Not to fetch.
Just to exhale a slow stream of warm air in his direction.
"Mrrrr."
Translation:
I am five meters long. I do not fetch anymore.
Leo put his hands on his hips. "You used to love this game!"
Her tail thumped once against the grass.
That was before she weighed as much as a cart horse.
Vinson, watching from a short distance, raised a brow. "Perhaps she has outgrown it."
Leo frowned thoughtfully. "Outgrown fetch?"
Mia shifted, lifting her head just enough to stare at him with a long-suffering expression.
Leo crossed his arms. "Fine. Don't get it."
A beat passed.
Then her long neck extended casually.
Without standing.
Without effort.
She stretched just far enough—
And snapped the beef into her mouth anyway.
Crunch.
She lowered her head back down, chewing slowly.
Leo stared.
"…You're lazy."
"Mrr."
Vinson allowed himself a faint smile. "Not lazy. Efficient."
Mia closed her eyes again, satisfied.
Morning drills became routine.
Wing stretches at dawn.
Lift, glide, turn.
Land without crushing the courtyard fountain again.
Mia improved fast — almost suspiciously fast.
The trainer would often stroke his beard, impressed.
"She understands before I finish explaining."
Mia, adjusting her wings mid-flight with precise control:
(What did you expect from a 22-year-old man stuck in a dragon body?)
Within two months, she could:
• Take off cleanly without flattening half the grass.
• Bank smoothly in the air.
• Land without crashing into haystacks.
• Pull weighted sledges across the yard.
• Spar gently without actually injuring anyone.
The first time Leo tried riding her, she had bucked him straight into a pile of straw.
The second time, Vinson had nearly lost his dignity.
But carrots…
And smoked salmon…
Negotiations changed everything.
Now, if properly compensated, she tolerated short rides.
That evening, the sky was tinted orange. Mia crouched low while Leo ran beside her, laughing as she flicked her tail just out of reach.
"Hey! That's cheating!"
She huffed warm air in his face.
"Mrrr."
From the terrace, the trainer approached Vinson.
"My lord," he began, hands clasped behind his back. "Training has gone exceptionally well. She's a remarkable learner."
Vinson nodded. "I have noticed."
"And if you allow… I would like to invite a friend of mine. A mage."
Vinson's expression shifted slightly. "A mage?"
"Yes. Dragons are magical beasts, after all. We simply don't know how much mana she holds. With proper guidance…" He smiled faintly. "You may secure the greatest protector this count family has ever known. For generations."
Mia's ear twitched.
Magic?
She stopped mid-play, nearly causing Leo to trip.
He steadied himself against her foreleg. "What is it?"
She turned her head toward the adults, listening carefully.
Mana.
Magical beast.
Protector for generations.
Vinson folded his arms, gaze resting on Mia.
"She is not a weapon."
The trainer inclined his head respectfully. "Of course not, my lord. But power untrained can become dangerous. Power guided… becomes loyalty strengthened."
Mia stared at Vinson.
(Okay… that's fair. I did accidentally burn the herb garden last month.)
Leo looked between them. "Magic training sounds cool."
Vinson glanced at him. "This is not a toy."
Leo quieted.
The trainer continued gently, "If she chooses to bond to this family… then teaching her control would ensure she never harms what she protects."
Mia slowly approached them, lowering her massive head between Vinson and the trainer.
She stared at Vinson.
Long.
Steady.
Then lightly nudged his shoulder.
Not submissive.
Not wild.
Just present.
Vinson exhaled through his nose.
"…If we proceed, it will be with her well-being first."
The trainer smiled. "Naturally."
Leo grinned and wrapped his arms around her neck scales. "Hear that? You're going to learn magic."
Mia gave a low rumble.
Excitement?
Nervousness?
Hard to tell.
Inside her mind:
(If I can use magic… maybe I won't always be just their dragon.)
Her tail swayed slowly against the grass as the sun dipped lower.
The next stage was coming.
And this time...
It was about power...