The trainer bowed properly before leaving.
"It was an honor," he said to Vinson.
Emma adjusted her bag — now slightly heavier with six dragon scales — and gave Mia one last look.
"Do not stagnate," she warned gently.
"…I won't," Mia replied.
Then they were gone.
The courtyard felt quieter without lectures and corrections echoing off the stone walls.
Leo walked up and patted her shoulder.
"Damm, Mia… you finished school."
She looked at him.
"…Skill issue."
Leo blinked.
"What?"
Mia froze internally.
(That is not from this world.)
"…No. Nothing. I made that up."
Leo narrowed his eyes suspiciously.
"…Right."
That night, she slept deeply.
No mana turbulence.
No instability.
Just steady core pulses.
The next morning, she decided to walk the estate in human form.
A normal walk.
Peaceful.
Dignified.
She made it exactly twelve minutes.
Miss Korbi spotted her first.
"Oh my stars—!"
Within seconds, two other maids appeared like summoned spirits.
"Lady Mia!"
"You can't walk around like that!"
Before she could react—
Fabric.
Ribbons.
Hands everywhere.
She stiffened.
"…Explain."
Miss Korbi beamed.
"You are a young lady now! You must dress properly!"
Moments later, Mia stood in the hallway wearing layered noble-style dress robes in dark blues and silvers, her black hair brushed smooth and partially tied.
Someone dabbed light powder on her face.
She looked stunned.
Leo turned the corner—
And froze.
"Oh wow… you look like a noble girl."
Mia's eye twitched.
"I will burn you."
Leo grinned instantly.
"Right. After your second growth phase. Hahaha—"
She stepped toward him slowly.
The maids gasped in delight.
"Look how graceful she walks!"
Mia's internal monologue:
(I was a five-meter apex predator three weeks ago.)
By afternoon, it got worse.
Hair brushing sessions.
Jewelry "just to try."
Walking posture corrections.
Proper sitting posture lessons.
At one point, Miss Korbi clasped her hands dramatically.
"You mustn't slouch, Lady Mia!"
"…I am not lady."
"You are now!"
She retreated.
Shifted back into dragon form in her courtyard corner.
Peace.
Silence.
Freedom.
Ten minutes later—
Miss Korbi peeked around the pillar.
"…Lady Mia? Could you change back? The seamstress would like to measure—"
Mia curled into herself tightly, wings wrapping around her body.
A low growl vibrated through the stones.
"No."
The maids froze.
Leo, watching from a safe distance, whispered to a servant,
"She's in anti-dress mode."
The servant nodded solemnly.
"Understandable."
Miss Korbi sighed dramatically.
"But she looks so adorable…"
Mia growled louder.
Not threatening.
Just firm.
Vinson stepped in at last.
"That is enough," he said calmly.
The maids immediately straightened.
"She will change form when she wishes."
Miss Korbi bowed apologetically.
"Of course, Lord Vinson."
They retreated.
Mia slowly uncurled, one eye peeking out.
Vinson walked closer but kept respectful distance.
"New form attracts attention," he said simply.
"…Annoying attention."
"Yes."
A pause.
"You do not owe anyone that form."
Her growl softened into a low rumble.
"…Understood."
From the stairs, Leo called out,
"So human form is banned now?"
Her tail flicked sharply.
"…Temporary suspension."
Leo laughed.
"Fair."
That evening, she stayed in dragon form.
12 days later,
Lanterns glowed warmly across the estate courtyard.
Long tables.
Music.
Servants smiling.
Two cakes stood side by side.
One tall, layered and bold — Leo's.
One slightly smaller, decorated in dark violet frosting with delicate silver sugar patterns shaped like wings — Mia's.
Seventeen.
And seven.
A strange pairing.
Yet somehow fitting.
Mia stood beside Leo in human form.
The maids had won today.
She wore a dark, elegant dress they had tailored carefully — simple but beautifully fitted. Black fabric with subtle purple embroidery along the sleeves. Her hair was brushed neatly, left down this time.
No excessive powder.
No heavy jewelry.
Just… refined.
She looked composed.
Leo looked at her and grinned.
"Happy birthday, Mia."
She blinked once, then nodded slightly.
"…Happy birthday, Leo."
He leaned closer and whispered, "You didn't even threaten to burn me today."
"…Public setting."
He snorted.
Vinson stepped forward first.
"To both of you," he said calmly. "Growth does not only measure time. It measures choice."
He looked at Leo.
"You have grown louder."
Leo grinned proudly.
Vinson turned to Mia.
"And you have grown steadier."
She lowered her head slightly in acknowledgment.
Emma was not there physically — but earlier that day, a small package had arrived.
Inside was a letter and a silver bracelet crafted from one of Mia's own scales, polished and reshaped into a smooth, protective band.
The note read simply:
For endurance. And remembrance.
Mia wore it quietly under her sleeve.
The candles were lit.
Leo leaned forward dramatically.
"Make a wish."
Mia stared at the flames.
Seven years in this body.
One life before it.
She closed her eyes.
(Stability.)
Leo blew his candles out loudly.
She gently extinguished hers with a small controlled puff of warm breath.
Not fire.
Just warmth.
The crowd clapped.
Leo immediately sliced into his cake.
"Bigger slice for me. I'm older."
"…Incorrect logic," Mia replied calmly.
"You're seven!"
"…Dragon years."
"Convenient."
They both laughed.
Later, as the celebration softened and music faded into background chatter, Leo nudged her lightly.
"You know… when you first showed up, you were just this scary black dragon."
She raised an eyebrow.
"…Just?"
"Okay, terrifying. But now…"
He shrugged.
"You're just Mia."
She didn't answer immediately.
The night air felt cool against her skin.
Not scales.
Skin.
"…That is acceptable," she said quietly.
He smiled.
"Good."
In the distance, Vinson watched them both.
After the last lanterns dimmed and most guests retired, Leo stretched dramatically.
"Birthday flight?" he asked hopefully.
Mia, still in her dress, tilted her head.
"…Agreed."
They slipped upstairs toward Leo's room.
The moment the door shut, Leo leaned against the wall, arms crossed.
"You should wear it more often though. It fits you."
Mia glanced down at the dark fabric.
"…I am not sure it will not rip when I change."
Leo grinned.
"Still. If it didn't? Imagine a giant dragon wearing that dress. You'd look majestic."
She stared at him.
"…Out. Privacy. I need to change."
He blinked.
"Mm. This is literally my—"
A pillow hit him square in the face.
"Out."
"Okay! Okay! I'm going!"
He stepped outside, muttering about unfair treatment in his own room.
Inside, Mia carefully untied the dress and folded it with surprising neatness.
As she removed it—
Her original black mana-woven clothing shimmered back into place over her body automatically.
She blinked.
"…Oh."
She flexed her fingers, inspecting the sleeves.
"…So I am not naked when I transform back."
A pause.
"…Cool."
That was reassuring.
She opened the door.
Leo nearly fell forward from eavesdropping.
"Done?"
"…Yes."
They walked out toward the open courtyard.
The estate was quiet now, only a few guards at their posts.
Mia stepped forward, inhaled—
And black-purple smoke wrapped around her once more.
In seconds, the massive black dragon stood where the girl had been.
Leo climbed up easily onto her back, settling between her shoulder blades.
"Happy birthday to us," he said softly.
She crouched—
Then leapt.
Wings snapped open.
The night air caught beneath them as they soared above the estate walls.
The city below glowed in scattered lanternlight.
Cool wind rushed past.
Clouds drifted lazily across the moon.
They climbed higher.
Leo laughed into the wind.
"This never gets old!"
"…Gravity disagrees," she replied dryly.
They flew in a wide arc over the city rooftops.
From above, everything looked smaller.
Quieter.
Manageable.
After a while, Leo's voice softened.
"Mia… do you love staying with us?"
The question lingered in the night air.
For a moment, only the sound of wings cutting through wind answered.
"…At first… I hated it," she admitted.
"I did not trust anyone."
She remembered chains.
Fear.
Instinct.
"…But after you all showed me kindness… and gave me family…"
Her wings beat slower, steady.
"…I love it."
Leo smiled into the night sky.
"Good."
He leaned forward slightly.
"I remember when you used to hiss at everyone and try to bite the chain."
A faint rumble vibrated beneath him.
"That was self-defense."
He chuckled.
"You looked so adorable though."
Her wings dipped suddenly.
He yelped.
"HEY—"
She stabilized immediately.
"…Adorable?"
"Terrifyingly adorable!"
"…I can drop you."
"You love me too much."
A pause.
"…That is correct."
They flew higher, above the clouds now.
Moonlight reflected faintly off her scales.
For a long moment, neither spoke.
Just wind.
Just stars.
Just two birthdays shared in the sky.
Then Leo said quietly,
"You know… you're not just some dragon we found anymore."
"…Clarify."
"You're my sister."
She did not respond immediately.
Her wings beat steadily.
Once.
Twice.
Then..
she said it.
Softly.
Carefully.
"…Sister sounds… great. Thanks, Leo."
For once, he didn't joke immediately.
He just grinned into the wind.
"No problem. You can count on your big brother!"
He puffed up dramatically despite clinging to a flying dragon several hundred meters in the air.
"We'll be the most respected Count and his sister dragon! How's that sound?"
A beat.
Wind rushing past.
"…Lame."
Leo gasped like he'd been stabbed.
"It is not! That's legendary!"
"…Self-proclaimed titles lack dignity."
He groaned loudly.
"Why are you like this? Come on."
She tilted one wing slightly, adjusting their glide.
"…Because I balance you."
He blinked.
"…What?"
"You are loud. Impulsive. Dramatic."
"Hey—"
"I am steady. Calculated. Superior."
"SUPERIOR—?!"
"…Thus, equilibrium."
Leo stared at the back of her head.
Then burst out laughing.
"You're saying I need you."
"…Correct."
He leaned forward, resting his chin lightly against her neck scales.
"Yeah. I guess I do."
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
The moonlight painted her wings silver.
City lights flickered below like scattered stars.
Then Leo smirked.
"But you know what? When I become Count one day, I'm totally putting 'Dragon's Big Brother' in my official title."
Her wing dipped slightly again.
"HEY— STOP DOING THAT!"
"…Testing your trust."
"I TRUST YOU! STOP TESTING IT!"
A low rumbling laugh vibrated through her chest.
Not a growl.
A laugh.
"…Very well, Big Brother."
He grinned.
"Better."
They began descending slowly toward the estate.
As the wind quieted and the ground drew closer, Leo spoke again — quieter this time.
"You know… even if you outlive me someday…"
Her wings faltered for half a second.
"…Continue."
"…You won't be alone. You'll have your own story. Your own legacy. Not just ours."
She didn't answer immediately.
Seven years as a dragon.
One previous life as Riko.
Now… a sister.
"…I will remember," she said finally.
He smiled.
"Good."
They landed gently in the courtyard.
He slid off her back, stretching.
"Best birthday ever."
She folded her wings.
"…Acceptable."
He laughed.
"Admit it. You had fun."
A small pause.
"…Yes."
Leo grinned triumphantly.
"Ha! Victory!"
She lowered her head slightly toward him.
"…Do not become insufferable."
"No promises."
And as they walked back inside—
Big brother and dragon sister—
The estate felt a little warmer than before.