Claws Against the First Trial

“ROOOOAAARRRR—!”

With a deafening roar, a massive beast the size of a bull burst out from a grassy burrow surrounded by forest greenery.

It crouched low, claws digging into the ground, baring its fangs at Viola—who remained calm—and Daisy, who stood frozen in shock.

It looked ready to pounce at any moment.

The creature had two wolf-like heads and a body covered in red fur.

Its hair stood on end as it growled deeply.

One head in the center, one on the left—both snarling, rows of jagged teeth exposed.

From between those teeth, bursts of scorching flame flickered.

Four teacup-sized eyes glared intensely, yet cautiously, at the two dragon girls.

“Uu……”

Daisy stood there, completely stunned.

Her tiny body felt like it wouldn’t even be enough to fill the creature’s teeth gaps.

Fight it…?

“An upper-tier forest monster—the three-headed hound.”

“If you defeat it, I’ll allow you to see the outside world.”

Viola spoke calmly from the side, her silver-gray eyes carrying a faintly mischievous smile.

Like a parent who knew their child would fail.

Three-headed…?

Daisy blinked.

“…But it only has two heads.”

Indeed—

The beast only had two heads.

Where the third should have been… was a scar.

Viola smiled faintly.

“It once dared to lunge at me.”

“Now it only has two.”

“……”

Yeah.

That checks out.

“Because I injured it, it won’t approach me.”

“But if I move away… it’ll definitely go after soft, tender you.”

Viola stepped back.

Further.

Further.

“Rules are simple.”

“Drive it away, you pass.”

“If you cry and run back to me, you fail—and stay in the cave for a few hundred more years.”

“Don’t worry. Time is plentiful.”

“One day, you’ll become strong like me.”

“Even if that freedom is… lonely.”

Daisy clenched her fists.

Stay in the cave for hundreds more years…?

No way.

She looked at the beast.

Felt its danger.

But still—

She wanted to see the outside world.

“I’ll pass this… I won’t always be protected!”

She tightened her fur blanket, slipped her arms through it, and stepped forward.

She didn’t know how to transform.

Didn’t know how to properly use magic.

But—

She was a dragon.

That should count for something.

“ROOOOAAARRR!”

The beast roared and lunged.

Flames spilled from its jaws.

At that moment—

Daisy’s senses sharpened.

The world slowed.

She saw the attack clearly.

Her foot slammed down—

The ground cracked beneath her.

She leapt sideways.

The beast’s claws missed.

She rolled, grabbed a rock, turned—

Facing it again.

Magic… I need magic!

She didn’t know how.

But instinct kicked in.

Light gathered around the stone.

It glowed faintly.

Heat built—

The rock turned red-hot.

“Go away, stupid dog!”

She hurled it.

It shot forward like a blazing cannonball.

BOOM!

It struck the beast’s side—

…and bounced off.

No real damage.

The creature’s fur was like steel.

“ROOOOAAARR!”

It howled—more annoyed than hurt.

Then—

Flames surged toward her.

“Waaah!”

Daisy stumbled back—

Tripped.

Fell.

The beast lunged again.

Fangs wide open—

Right at her.

CRUNCH—

Miss.

At the last second, she rolled away.

“Uwaa!”

Now!

She struck.

A small fist—

But full of dragon strength—

Uppercut straight into the beast’s nose.

Impact.

Blood sprayed.

The beast shrieked.

For a moment—

Victory?

No.

It retaliated instantly.

Its head slammed into her—

Spiked fur like steel needles.

Pain exploded across her body.

She was knocked flying.

Rolled across the ground.

Before she could recover—

It lunged again.

This time—

Both heads.

No escape.

CRUNCH! CRACK!

It bit down—

But not on Daisy.

A massive, silver-scaled tail had appeared.

The beast’s fangs shattered against it.

With a flick—

It was thrown aside.

The beast hit the ground—

Scrambled up—

And ran.

It recognized that tail.

The one that took its third head.

“Like I said… you’re still too immature.”

Viola walked forward calmly.

Her tail vanished back beneath her cloak.

Daisy sat there.

Blank.

Shaken.

Then—

She ran.

Straight into Viola’s arms.

“Viola! Viola! Viola!”

“It’s alright… I’m here.”

Viola held her gently.

Resting her chin on Daisy’s soft white hair.

“The outside world is full of danger.”

“And humans… are even worse.”

“When you’re at the end of the road—no one will save you.”

“So… you ran back to me.”

“That’s a fail condition, isn’t it?”

Daisy shook her head.

Tears in her eyes.

“…I didn’t cry… not yet… I haven’t failed…”

Growth wasn’t clean.

It came with fear.

Pain.

Tears.

But also—

Resolve.

**

Daisy didn’t pass.

But she didn’t give up.

Holding Viola’s hand—

They walked back through the forest.

The cave awaited.

Daisy was still young.

Powerful—but untrained.

Like a chick still inside its shell.

But now—

A crack had formed.

A desire.

To go beyond.

Ahead lay a long, dangerous path.

But for now—

They walked together under soft sunlight.

Unaware—

That danger from the outside world was already closing in.