*Chapter 3: The Road to Dragon Magic School*
The carriage ride was smooth and comfortable, but Aria couldn't shake off the feeling of excitement and nervousness. She had never been this far from Brindlemark before, and the thought of attending Dragon Magic School was both thrilling and intimidating.
Professor Orion sat across from her, watching her with a keen eye. "So, Aria, tell me about yourself," they said, their voice warm and encouraging.
Aria hesitated, unsure of where to begin. She had never really talked about her past before, not even with Grim. But there was something about Professor Orion that put her at ease.
"I grew up on the streets of Brindlemark," Aria said, her voice barely above a whisper. "I don't know who my parents are or where I came from. But I've always had this...this feeling inside me. Like there's something special about me, something I'm meant to do."
Professor Orion nodded, their eyes sparkling with interest. "I think you're right, Aria," they said. "You do have a special gift. And Dragon Magic School is the perfect place for you to develop it."
As they talked, the carriage ride became more enjoyable. Aria felt like she was learning more about herself and her place in the world.
But as the sun began to set, casting a golden glow over the landscape, Aria noticed that the carriage was taking a detour. They were leaving the main road and heading into a dense forest.
"Where are we going?" Aria asked, feeling a sense of unease.
Professor Orion's expression turned serious. "We're taking a shortcut," they said. "But we need to be careful. There are rumors of dark creatures lurking in these woods."
Aria's heart skipped a beat. She had heard stories of dark creatures, but she had never seen one before.
As the carriage rode deeper into the forest, Aria felt like she was being watched. She looked around, but saw nothing but trees and shadows.
Suddenly, the carriage stopped. Professor Orion stood up, their eyes scanning the surroundings.
"What's wrong?" Aria asked, feeling a sense of fear.
"I think we're being ambushed," Professor Orion said, their voice low and serious.