The moonlight shimmered faintly through Mila's window, silver rays dancing across the mirror in her room.
She stood quietly, staring at her reflection the faint blue eyes of her disguise staring back, calm yet tired.
Her back ached again.
It wasn't the kind of ache that went away with a stretch it was the burning, cramped pull beneath her skin, where her sealed wings and tail rested.
"…This is getting ridiculous," she muttered, loosening her uniform jacket.
A soft glow rippled down her spine as the seal runes faded. Then fwshhhh two scaled wings burst out, stretching wide with a groan of relief. Her tail unfurled next, flicking lightly in the air as the room filled with faint heat.
She sighed. "Finally… I thought I was going to explode."
The peace lasted only three seconds.
The door opened.
"Mila?" said a calm voice.
Mila froze mid-stretch, her golden eyes widening as she turned wings fully unfurled behind her, tail swaying like a banner of guilt.
The Sage stood at the doorway, blinking once.
"…What," she said flatly.
"…I knocked," he replied calmly, though his tone betrayed confusion.
"No you didn't!" she snapped, hastily turning away and pulling her jacket over her shoulders. Her wings twitched awkwardly, bumping against the lamp.
The Sage raised an eyebrow. "...I see the cause of your 'magical fluctuations.'"
"It's not what it looks like!" she shouted, her voice breaking slightly.
He crossed his arms, studying her silhouette. "You have wings."
Mila froze again.
Then, in one panicked motion, she grabbed her blanket from the bed, threw it over her tail which twitched visibly under it and turned with a shaky smile.
"Do I?" she said, voice an octave higher than usual.
"…Yes," the Sage replied dryly.
"No, no, that's uh costume props! You know, for PE demonstrations?"
"…At eight in the evening?"
"Yes?"
They stared at each other. Silence filled the room.
The Sage sighed, rubbing his temples. "You're strange, Mila."
"You're just realizing that now?"
His lips almost formed a smirk. "I came because your magic reading spiked again. I thought you were under attack."
"Well, I was being attacked by my back pain!" she retorted, still clutching the blanket around her waist like it was sacred armor.
"…Your commitment to excuses is impressive."
"I learned from the best," she said sweetly, smirking.
He gave her a long, tired look, then shook his head. "Whatever you're doing, be cautious. I'd rather not have the infirmary full again because of your… exercise habits."
She rolled her eyes, folding her wings halfway. "Yes, yes, I'll try not to cause another 'incident.'"
The Sage turned toward the door, pausing for a moment. "You know, Mila… you've changed lately. There's more energy around you. Restless, unpredictable."
Her smile faded slightly. "…Maybe I'm just remembering how to breathe again."
He gave a faint hum half approval, half concern. "Hm. Then don't forget to breathe carefully."
When he left, Mila stood alone again.
She turned back to the mirror, her reflection showing her dragon features clearly now wings half-folded, tail curling around her legs, eyes flickering gold.
"…That was too close," she murmured. Then, glancing at the moon, a faint smirk tugged at her lips. "Props, huh? I'll have to remember that one."
She folded her wings fully, the runes glowing once more as they sealed away her true form.
The last flicker of light faded, and she whispered softly-
"Goodnight, old man."