The dragon's gaze was a death sentence. The training forest was so vast that the commotion would never reach the ears of any guard, and Miyu knew it. She stood petrified, feeling the air grow hot around her. Before she could scream, the beast tilted its heavy head, gripped her clothes with a terrifying delicacy, and lifted her off the ground. Miyu was suspended at the height of that enormous red eye, seeing her own reflection of terror in the animal's pupil. She couldn't even open her mouth.

  —Don't worry —the woman said, stepping forward with an icy calm—. He won't hurt you unless I give the order. You just have to tell me a few things.

  Miyu, trembling from head to toe, began to raise a hand very slowly. "Hurdson" narrowed her eyes, alert.

  —Hey, don't even think about trying anything funny —she warned, her voice sharp—. I know you're scared, but don't be stupid.

  Ignoring the warning, Miyu finished raising her hand and, with an open palm, touched the scales on the dragon's forehead. She gave it a few small pats, as if she were greeting a large dog. The dragon, for its part, blinked in confusion.

  —You're... so... beautiful... —Miyu whispered, her eyes shining with genuine admiration.

  The woman went silent, totally thrown off by the surreal scene. Her facade of a cold and calculating personality cracked before the girl's absurd tenderness.

  —Don't touch Fernando! —she finally exclaimed, regaining her authority with an annoyed tone—. If this is a distraction technique, I swear I'll kill you myself!

  —Fernando? —Miyu tilted her head, still hanging from his claws—. Wow... what a strange name for a dragon. Is he from Spain? I know I should be afraid, but... he's incredible.

  Visibly irritated, the woman brought the metal flute to her lips. With an inaudible hiss, the dragon released Miyu. The girl fell abruptly, dirtying her uniform with dirt and dry leaves. Before she could get up, another blow from the flute made the beast open its jaws, letting out a trail of burning smoke.

  —Stop saying stupid things —Hurdson ordered—. Tell me right now which F.O.W. headquarters sent you to spy on me and how it is that you know who I am.

  —Huh? Excuse me, Mrs... "Hurdson," I'm confused. I only wanted to ask you some questions and...

  The woman stopped. Observing the girl's face more closely and hearing the tone of her voice, the gears in her head clicked into place. She remembered the collision in the hallway and, above all, the little girl's reaction to the forbidden language.

  —Don't act as if you know nothing —she murmured, letting the books she was carrying fall to the ground with a dull thud—. You know perfectly well that is not my name. And you shouldn't be able to read that language...

  Hurdson clenched her fist with rage, her voice becoming a whisper loaded with hatred.

  —If someone like you exists in that organization... all of Lint's effort will have been in vain.

  Miyu stood up, dusting herself off, trying to reason even though her heart was pounding in her throat.

  —Look, whatever your name is, I have no idea what you're talking about! What do you mean "someone like me"? Is Gronk’tar really that bad?

  Hearing that word, the woman lost what little patience she had left. She blew the flute hard, agitating the air around her. The dragon began to channel a fireball in its throat, aiming directly at the girl's chest.

  —Stop! —Miyu shouted, breaking into a cold sweat—. I don't know why!... I don't know what you're talking about! If it's because of the language... fine! I learned it from my father! I know it's a secret, but I don't care! I'm sorry! Just... don't do that, please!

  Hurdson wavered. Her fingers loosened a bit on the instrument, confused by Miyu's desperate sincerity. However, there was no time for truces. Without Miyu consciously planning it, her channeling ring pointed at the woman and fired. A blast of compressed air shot out of it with such violence that the flute slipped from the woman's fingers, flying through the air.

  ?It worked!? Miyu thought with a flash of hope. ?Without the flute, the dragon won't listen to her.?

  But her victory lasted only a second. The woman let out a short, sharp whistle between her teeth. Instantly, the dragon reacted with unnatural speed. Before Miyu could take a step to flee, the dragon planted itself in front of her and, with a swipe, slammed its enormous claw against her chest, pinning her against the trunk of a tree.

  Miyu felt the air escaping her with every attempt to breathe. The weight of the dragon's claw was constant, a pressure that made the old oak wood creak behind her back.

  —You have three minutes to convince me —she sentenced, approaching until her face was just inches from Miyu's—. After that, I'll do it with my own hands.

  Miyu looked up, her eyes blurred by tears of shock. She tried to stammer something, but only a muffled moan came out.

  —I... I don't understand... —she finally managed to say—. Is it something so bad?

  The woman didn't respond. She stood motionless, observing the girl's gaze as if searching for a trace of deceit in her pupils.

  —I'm M... Miyu... —the girl murmured, feeling a heavy exhaustion she had never experienced before—. I'm twelve years old... I live with my brother in the residence... I study at Veridion and I want to be... I don't even know what I want to be.

  —One minute down —Hurdson cut in. Her tone was a cold warning.

  —I learned Gronk’tar because of my brother! —Miyu blurted out in a fit of desperation—. But my dad told us to hide it. To Seiyi and me. He swore it would serve us in the future if we wanted to be great mages. But if it's so bad... then I don't understand why someone like you would want to kill me. Is knowing a language a reason to kill? I... I don't understand anything... and I'm very sleepy.

  Hurdson looked down for a second, and something in her expression softened almost imperceptibly before hardening again. She raised her right hand; in her palm, a bright red glow began to form, a light so intense it seemed the air itself was going to melt.

  Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions.

  —Two minutes.

  Miyu closed her eyes, surrendered. The state of shock was sinking her into a kind of trance.

  —I notice it... I notice that the orcs on the bus, the elves, and the magical beings speak that language. They all wear that same ribbon on their arm. Why does no one else know? I only want... to be comfortable again. To go back to how everything was before... maybe, to be able to be happy again.

  Hearing those words, the woman gritted her teeth. A spark of doubt crossed her face. Suddenly, she turned her hand toward a distant tree and released the accumulated energy. The explosion didn't produce fire, but a wave of volcanic pressure that pulverized the wood in an instant. The impact was so strong that the entire forest seemed to tremble.

  Hurdson was agitated. Without looking Miyu in the face, she gave a short whistle. Fernando released the girl and moved away through the bushes with a heavy step, disappearing into the grass, awaiting the next call.

  —All right... you win —she said in a low voice—. I hope it really was just curiosity. But I can't just let you go like that.

  Miyu collapsed on the ground, trying to get her trembling legs to support her. Before she could react, Hurdson grabbed her by the arm and pressed a cold object against her back, right between the shoulder blades.

  —Hey... what are you doing? —Miyu asked, alarmed.

  —If you try to talk about this with anyone, I'll hear it —Hurdson sentenced while configuring the device—. This is a tracker and a microphone. You can take it off in a few weeks; for now, keep it hidden under your clothes.

  Miyu nodded, too terrified to refuse.

  —I might come looking for you again —the woman continued—. Not to harm you, but I need you to talk to certain people about this. Do you understand?

  —Yes... I guess. Thank you —Miyu responded, breathing with relief for the first time. Curiosity, however, peeked out again—. The red marks on your face... are they because you're a mage of the Legion?

  Hurdson let out a sarcastic laugh, brief and dry.

  —These marks are from birth, little one. And no, it doesn't mean that. I'm surprised you still doubt if I'm from the Legion.

  —Miss Hurdson... you won't do anything to me if I stay quiet?

  —Exactly. If you keep your mouth shut, this will be just a misunderstanding. And my last name is Leet; I prefer you call me that.

  Miyu watched her as she finished adjusting the device. When Leet turned to leave, the girl regained a bit of her pride.

  —You guys are evil! —she shouted, though her voice still trembled—. Although you don't seem that bad... the others are! You won't get away with it! The F.O.W. protects us!

  Leet stopped in her tracks. She turned around and began to laugh softly, a laugh that sounded like sadness and mockery at the same time.

  —Child... that's adorable. Seriously. I don't know how I could have thought you were a professional spy.

  —The good guys always win! —Miyu insisted, clenching her fists—. Keep that in mind! I'll stay quiet, but one day you'll fall!

  The woman's smile vanished, leaving a mask of absolute seriousness. She approached Miyu again and put a hand on her shoulder; this time her touch was not violent, but of a calm that was more terrifying than her shouts.

  —Listen well. You might be too young to understand it, but remember: every side has its version. No one here is the good guy, little one. No one is even close to being one.

  —Of course not! You guys want to destroy the F.O.W.! —Miyu countered—. They take care of us. What else do I need to know?

  Leet snorted, containing a bitter laugh.

  —If you only knew who wrote the history you've been told all this time...

  Miyu went silent, confused. Her bravery wavered for a second, and she regained some of her childish naturalness. As the woman moved away into the thicket to pick up the books that had been scattered on the ground, Miyu couldn't help but drop one last question from a distance.

  —Still… you guys have killed a lot of people. That doesn't justify anything… —she mentioned, her voice much more muted, hugging herself tightly.

  —Do you really want to keep talking to an enemy? I'm surprised you haven't run away —Leet responded without looking at her. She approached the enormous dragon waiting hidden among the bushes and began to put the books in a bag that, strangely, was decorated in the shape of a bear—a childish detail that clashed completely with the danger emanating from her.

  —I'm scared… in fact, I couldn't ask you anything before because I was terrified to get close, that's why I decided to follow you…

  —Ha, did you suspect me enough to risk your neck? What makes you curious enough to do it?

  —Before I go… I’d like to know something. Why did you get so angry with me for knowing Gronk’tar? —Miyu replied, looking down in shame and the terror she still felt—. You were carrying books that said phrases in that same language, so I thought maybe you knew it too. That you could be someone… like me.

  Miyu closed her eyes for a moment, expecting an attack, but upon opening them, she was met with an unexpected sight. The girl had knelt in front of her. She opened a small jar and took a pinch of an ointment that gave off an aroma of ancient herbs and ozone.

  —It's not common at all to see a human who knows this language, let alone a "normal" civilian —Leet murmured. With a delicacy that contradicted her previous words, she applied the ointment to Miyu's back, right where the impact against the tree had left a violent bruise—. Until I contact you again, don't talk to anyone about this. If you know this language, you are a target.

  Miyu stood motionless, feeling the coldness of the ointment penetrate her skin, calming the pain immediately. —I know… my dad told me often. Still, I don't understand the reason for all this. People like you… you tried to… Do you do this to everyone? Why do you hurt people?

  —You're lucky it was me —Leet responded, withdrawing her hand from the girl's back and wiping it on her pants—. If it hadn't been me, you'd be dead, or surely kidnapped. To be honest, I was thinking of killing you a minute ago, it's just that… I'm still somewhat sensitive with those your age.

  —I know… in the end, you're not that bad. But I can't say the same for the others. —Miyu touched her shoulder, surprised—. Hey… my back doesn't hurt anymore. The blow disappeared.

  —I guess I have a good hand —Leet replied coldly—. Child, the truth is I hate most of my companions, but I also hate lies. If stealing these books gives me a chance to know who I am, I'll do it without hesitation. It's my decision. If you interfere again, I'll have no choice but to fulfill my duty and kill you.

  —Knowing who you are… —Miyu whispered, narrowing her eyes as she noticed that trace of humanity—. Hey… my brother and I are leaving here tomorrow. Don't worry about me, we'll leave and no one will know. If that avoids more deaths, I don't care if those silly books disappear.

  —Well, that defines everything. Wise decision, child. Still, I'll have to look for you in the future. Does your brother know the same as you?

  Miyu tried to look for an excuse, but her eyes betrayed her instantly. Leet, noticing the panic in her gaze, softened her expression.

  —I won't do anything to him. But if he also knows, it's likely another of my companions will go for him. They are… a bit rougher. I'll try to tell them not to do anything —Leet mentioned with her usual stoic face—. When the time comes for you to come with us, you'll be able to know the full story. For now, go on your way.

  —Thank you… Your face doesn't match your personality —Miyu said, sounding a bit more confident as she perceived that, in her own way, the woman was protecting her.

  —Don't be overconfident. Children tempt my heart; it's my only limit —Leet responded with a small sarcastic smile that vanished as soon as it arrived.

  Miyu began to walk away, leaving the woman and her beast behind in the forest. Just before getting lost among the trees, a shout from Leet made her stop.

  —By the way! If you're going to try to be stealthy, try not to channel magic with that ring. Its essence is like a scream in a library for people like us. Something tells me you have natural talent… Don't do anything stupid!

  —Thank you! I guess… —Miyu exclaimed, letting out an involuntary smile—. If I see you later, I hope you're this nice!

  Without receiving a response, Miyu walked away for good. Where before she felt a sharp pain from the impact against the tree, now not even a trace of a scratch remained. The ointment was an almost miraculous medicine, leaving a metallic and fresh sensation on her back that gave her chills.

  ?Legion of Mages… in the end, bad people aren't always bad, right?? Miyu thought as she regained the path toward the school. ?Ha… I think I have too much faith in people.?