---
As the cool, comforting silence of the luxurious home settled around them, Mordryn sat in thought, his mind wandering between past battles and the present moment. It had been a chaotic few weeks—dragons, portals, villages—and now, with the immediate dangers seemingly behind them, he found himself reflecting on the strange, little girl sitting across from him.
Valora had proven to be much more than a dangerous dragon—she had shown fear, curiosity, and even kindness. But there was one thing that still nagged at him, something he hadn't quite had the chance to ask.
He looked over at Valora, who was sitting on the couch, her feet swinging back and forth as she admired the ornate decorations of the house, clearly fascinated by the modern world. There was an innocence to her, despite her fearsome origins.
Mordryn:
serious, but curious
"Valora, how old are you?"
Valora blinked at the question, as if it hadn't occurred to her before. She tilted her head, thinking for a moment before answering.
Valora:
innocently
"I'm... eight years old, I think."
Mordryn raised an eyebrow, clearly surprised by her response. He had expected her to be much older, given her status as a dragon and the power she wielded. But then again, dragons aged differently, especially when they could take on human forms. Still, the fact that she was essentially a child in both body and mind was something he hadn't considered before.
Mordryn:
sighing, but with a faint smile
"Eight years old... Well, I suppose that makes sense, given your human form. You're still just a kid."
Valora nodded enthusiastically, clearly not bothered by her age or the implications it carried. She was too caught up in her new surroundings to dwell on such things.
Mordryn leaned back in his chair, contemplating what this meant. Valora, despite her power, was still young and inexperienced. She had no family left, and she had been living in isolation within the Gate for who knows how long. The world outside was vast and unfamiliar to her, and she needed guidance, stability—something more than just running from place to place, fighting monsters.
That's when the thought struck him. School. If Valora was going to live in the modern world, she would need to learn its ways, understand how things worked. She was still a child, after all, and in this world, children went to school.
He turned his gaze to Kang Wo Hu, who was lounging nearby, sipping on a cup of tea she had prepared after they returned from the Gate. She had been quiet for a while, observing their interaction with a thoughtful look on her face.
Mordryn:
thoughtfully
"Kang Wo Hu... Valora says she's eight years old. Don't you think... maybe we should enroll her in a school?"
Kang Wo Hu blinked, clearly surprised by the suggestion. She lowered her teacup and looked between Mordryn and Valora, who was still swinging her legs and humming a soft tune to herself, completely unaware of the conversation.
Kang Wo Hu:
with a chuckle
"School? You mean... like a normal human school?"
Mordryn:
nodding
"Why not? She's still a child, even if she's a dragon. She could learn about the world, make friends... and maybe have a chance at a normal life, at least somewhat."
Kang Wo Hu considered his words, glancing at Valora again. The little dragon girl certainly had a lot to learn about the world outside the Gate. And while the idea of enrolling a dragon in a human school sounded ridiculous at first, it wasn't entirely impossible. After all, Valora was in her human form most of the time. No one would suspect she was anything more than a normal girl.
Kang Wo Hu:
smiling softly
"I think that might be a good idea. She deserves a chance to be a normal kid, even if just for a little while."
Mordryn nodded in agreement, though there was a part of him that was still unsure. Valora's power was immense, and if anyone ever found out who—or rather, what—she truly was, it could cause problems. But for now, it seemed like the best way to give her some semblance of a childhood.
Mordryn:
to Kang Wo Hu
"We'll have to make sure she can blend in... and maybe keep her powers hidden, at least until she's old enough to understand how to control them fully."
Kang Wo Hu gave him a teasing grin.
Kang Wo Hu:
"Who knew you had such a soft side, Mordryn? First smiling, now worrying about a little dragon girl's education."
Mordryn shot her a deadpan look, but there was a flicker of amusement in his eyes.
Mordryn:
dryly
"I'm not soft. I'm just... practical."
Valora, sensing that they were talking about her, finally looked up, her bright eyes curious.
Valora:
innocently
"What are you two talking about?"
Kang Wo Hu exchanged a glance with Mordryn before turning to Valora with a warm smile.
Kang Wo Hu:
"Well, Valora... Mordryn and I were thinking that maybe, since you're eight years old, it might be a good idea for you to go to school. You know, to learn more about this world and make some friends."
Valora's eyes widened in surprise, and for a moment, she looked uncertain. The concept of school was completely foreign to her. She had never needed to attend any sort of human institution before—her life had been one of survival and isolation. But the idea of learning about the world outside, of making friends, seemed exciting, even if a little intimidating.
Valora:
with a small smile
"School? I've never been to one before... but it sounds fun!"
Mordryn watched her, feeling a sense of relief. Valora was eager to adapt, to learn. Maybe this was the best path for her after all. He turned back to Kang Wo Hu, giving her a small nod.
Mordryn:
serious
"Then it's settled. We'll find a school for her."
Kang Wo Hu smiled, clearly pleased with the decision.
Kang Wo Hu:
"Leave it to me. I'll make sure she's enrolled somewhere good."
Valora beamed at the thought, her excitement contagious. For the first time in a long while, Mordryn felt a sense of hope. Perhaps, in this strange, modern world, there was a place for Valora—a place where she could grow, learn, and be more than just a dragon feared by all.
As the conversation shifted to lighter topics, Mordryn allowed himself a brief moment of contentment. There was still much to do, and many questions left unanswered. But for now, they had taken the first step toward a new future.
---
End of Chapter 30