The following morning, Rynhara was barely awake when Kaelira burst into her room, as energetic as ever.
"Morning, Princess!" Kaelira said, throwing open the curtains with enough force to make them flutter dramatically.
"Ah the light it burns!Why do you insist on tormenting me?" Rynhara groaned, shielding her face from the light with a pillow as her eyes stung while adjustingto the light.
"Because it's fun. But today, I have a good reason." Kaelira grinned. "Your mother has decided it's time for you to start combat training."
That caught Rynhara's attention. She sat up, her mismatched eyes narrowing suspiciously. "Combat training? Didn't we just finish princess training?"
"Different skill sets, darling," Kaelira said, mimicking Tiamora's regal tone. "You're not just a princess—you're a dragon. And dragons fight. Also what do you mean finished? You'll be attending princess training as well."
"Noooo! The horror!"
"Ha ha, ti's time for torture princess."
After breakfast, Rynhara found herself led to the castle's grand arena, a massive circular coliseum made of black stone. The seats were empty, save for a few castle staff and Tiamora, who sat elegantly on a throne-like chair at the top of the stands.
In the center of the arena stood a tall, stern-looking man in armor. His silver hair and scarred face gave him an intimidating presence.
"This is Sir Eryndor," Tiamora said, her voice echoing through the arena. "He's the castle's combat master and one of the finest warriors in the realm. He will oversee your training."
"Fantastic," Rynhara muttered. "I'm going to die."
"Not likely," Eryndor said, his voice deep and commanding. "But if you do die your mother her highness can always bring you back with her skill . For now you will learn, Princess. Now then, step forward and let us procedd to training."
Rynhara walked into the arena, feeling the weight of every eye on her. Eryndor tossed her a wooden sword, which she caught awkwardly.
"We'll start simple," he said. "Show me your stance."
Rynhara attempted to mimic the stances she'd seen knights use, but her tail kept throwing her off balance.
Eryndor sighed. "No, no. You're fighting like a human. Use your dragon instincts. Your wings, your tail—they're part of you. Use them."
Rynhara frowned. "Easier said than done."
"Then we'll practice until it's second nature," Eryndor said.
Kaelira, watching from the sidelines, smirked. "This is going to be good."
After an hour of basic drills, Eryndor decided it was time for Rynhara to spar. He gestured for one of the junior knights to step into the arena.
"This is Sir Valric," Eryndor said. "He'll be your opponent."
Valric, a young dragonmknight with a cocky grin and scaly face, bowed mockingly. "Don't worry, Princess. I'll go easy on you."
Rynhara's tail flicked in irritation. "Don't bother. I'll still win."
"Oh, bold words," Valric said, raising his training sword.
The match began, and Valric immediately went on the offensive. Rynhara dodged awkwardly, her wings flapping instinctively to keep her balanced. She countered with a wild swing that Valric easily blocked.
"Is that all you've got?" he taunted. He succeeded as Rynhara started going on the offensive as well but as a beginner she just kept getting hit and got angrier.
Rynhara growled, her dragon instincts flaring as her anger reached it boilingpoint. Without thinking or a world, she dashed towards Valric at super sonic speed and lashed out with her tail, sweeping Valric's legs out from under him. He hit the ground with a thud, his sword flying from his hand.
Kaelira burst out laughing. "Nice one!"
Eryndor raised an eyebrow, clearly impressed. "Not bad. But control your strikes power. That could have broken his legs were he not a dragonkin."
"Noted," Rynhara said, trying to hide her villainous smirk.
Up in the stands, the castle staff watched with mixed reactions.
"She's a diamond in the rough, just oozing with potential," one guard said, nodding approvingly.
"She's got spirit and the power to match," a maid added. "Though I wouldn't want to be on the receiving end of that tail."
"She's improving," another staff member said. "Who would've thought she'd handle combat better than etiquette?"
"You mean besides everyone?"
As Rynhara finished her sparring session, the familiar voice of the world chimed in her mind:
"Congratulations! Through persistent effort in physical training, you have acquired the skill: Combat Instinct (E)."
She froze, her ears twitching.
"Another skill?" Kaelira asked, noticing her expression.
"Yeah," Rynhara muttered. "Apparently I've got Combat Instinct now."
Eryndor nodded. "Good. You'll need it. Combat isn't about memorizing moves; it's about reacting in the moment."
"Great," Rynhara said, picking up her sword again. "Let's see what else I can learn before my arms fall off."
By the end of the day, Rynhara was sore, bruised, battered and exhausted—but also exhilarated. For the first time, she felt like she was tapping into the power of her dragon heritage, learning to fight not just as a human but as the princess she was becoming.
As she trudged back to her chambers, Kaelira fell into step beside her.
"Not bad for your first day," Kaelira said, smirking. "Though I have to say, watching you trip over your tail was the highlight."
"Laugh it up," Rynhara said. "Next time, I'm sparring with you."
Kaelira's grin faltered. "You wouldn't dare."
"Oh, I absolutely would."
They both laughed, their banter carrying through the castle halls as Rynhara prepared for whatever challenges lay ahead.