章 75: Dragons and Swords

{Armia} 

Armia stood before her father's study, her heart pounding in her chest.

[Come on... Don't turn around now.] 

She took a deep breath, steeling herself, then knocked firmly on the ornate wooden door.

"Enter," came her father's gruff voice from within.

Armia stepped inside, her golden scales glinting in the warm lamplight.

Her father sat behind his massive desk, his own scales a deeper, burnished gold. He looked up, surprise flickering across his face at the sight of his daughter.

"Armia? What brings you here at this hour?"

She straightened her spine, meeting his gaze unflinchingly.

"Father, I've come to a decision. I..." She swallowed. "I want to resume my weapons training."

Her father's eyebrows shot up, his tail twitching with interest.

"Oh? And what brought about this change of heart? I thought you were determined to prove yourself through magic alone."