The dawn of my third day in the city found me transitioning from the preliminary stages of training to a more substantive, hands-on approach. I was nestled comfortably in the depths of slumber when an insistent rapping on my door jolted me awake. A shroud of darkness still hung over the city, and I found myself annoyed at the interruption. I wondered who could’ve been disturbing me at such hour. I shuffled to the door, my voice heavy with sleep as I queried, “Who goes there?”

A voice, tinged with a familiar lilt, responded, “Who else could it possibly be?” It was Akira. Her voice was unmistakable, and I promptly opened the door. She stood there, waiting and with clearly something in her mind.

“Why, just why are you here so early in the morning? Couldn’t you have waited for the sun to at least rise over the horizon?” I grumbled, rubbing the sleep from my eyes.

She shrugged nonchalantly and replied, “Well, it’s a matter of some importance. I’ve been mulling over your training, and I believe it’s time to reawaken your wings, by hook or by crook.” A wicked grin played on her lips, sending a shiver of worry down my spine.

I remembered her words from a couple of days ago: “You won’t make me leap off a cliff, will you? Perhaps behind the temple, as you suggested, right?” She had laughed then, a hint of sadistic pleasure in her voice, “Maybe not the exact same cliff behind the temple, but something comparable. Though, I suppose there’s a slim chance we might avoid such drastic measures. It would indeed be a sight to see you flailing in mid-air, though.”

“You could exhibit a tad more kindness, you know? Your jests are in bad taste. Nevertheless, count me in. Where do you plan on taking me? Surely, there aren't any good places nearby,” I retorted, hoping she wouldn’t push me to something too crazy.

She smiled mysteriously and replied, “First, we’ll tackle the theory of flight. After lunch, we’ll proceed to the practical part of the lesson. Hopefully, we’ll make some headway by then.” With that, she grabbed my arm and pulled me out of my dwelling. We set off towards another part of the city, not towards Leo's familiar library, but to another one within the academy grounds.

As we navigated the narrow streets, Akira exchanged greetings with a familiar face. A female ice dragon, her skin adorned with blue scales and horns, whom approached us and greeted Akira warmly, “Hello, Akira!”

“Greetings, Kadiah!” Akira responded, their voices echoing with the camaraderie of age-mates.

Akira made introductions, “Good morning, starshine, how fares the day for you?” She asked Kadiah.

“Same old, same old. Immersed in my studies, striving to ascend the ranks,” Kadiah replied.

“Sounds great! This here is Raphael, the latest addition to my infinite tasks. The Masters have assigned him to me,” Akira said, gesturing towards me.

I introduced myself with a polite nod, “Hello, as she mentioned, I’m Raphael. Delighted to make your acquaintance.”

Kadiah regarded me with a mix of curiosity and amusement, “Ah, it speaks and it’s courteous too. Hello, little Raphael, I’m Kadiah.” Her tone was reminiscent of how one would address a toddler or a pet, certainly not an adult.

Her tone already irked me, but I held my tongue. She was oblivious to the fact that I was a full-grown man from another realm. I endeavored to clarify, “Ahem, yes, I am capable of speech. I am, in fact, an adult human.”

Akira chimed in nonchalantly, “Yes, he's the peculiar, ape-like alien creature that recently appeared. Holds some significance, apparently. But rest assured, he's harmless.”

Kadiah nodded, adding, “Oh, you didn’t need to tell me that. It's quite evident that he's harmless. Just look at those hands. What harm could they possibly do?” She tittered at her own joke.

While the mockery was embarrassing, it was reminiscent of the typical banter between adolescents. I had weathered such exchanges in my younger years and chose to let them have their fun. Their laughter eventually reached an end, and we bid Kadiah farewell, continuing our journey towards the academy library. Curiosity piqued, I asked Akira, “Is she a classmate of yours?”

She elucidated, “She was indeed a classmate, albeit from a different year. While she's undergoing traditional training, I'm... well, you'll see for yourself soon enough.” She continued. I empathized with her situation, and I found myself offering her a reassuring smile, “I'm truly grateful for your assistance. Please know that I appreciate your help.”

Akira remained silent, but I could discern a hint of gratitude in her eyes. We continued our path towards the library.

The academy’s library was a stark contrast to Leo's. It was smaller, yet equally as inviting. The air was fresh and clean, a stark contrast to the musty odor of old books. The books were recent, well-organized, and the shelves were meticulously maintained.

Akira, with a sense of purpose, marched straight to a specific shelf and pulled out a book. It was as if she knew exactly where it was. She brought it to a table and opened it. I peered at it with a mixture of boredom and curiosity, unsure of what to expect.

The book was a treatise on flight and wings. It contained illustrations and text that explained the basics I already knew, such as the principles of lift and aerodynamics. Akira, with her knack for simplifying complex concepts, summarized the main points in less than half an hour. Her teaching style was reminiscent of my own when I would help my classmates with subjects they struggled with.

During our session, we were a team. I was the eager pupil, absorbing every word she said, and she was the patient teacher, appreciating my eagerness and cooperation. It was a symbiotic relationship, a dance of knowledge exchange.

As we delved deeper into the book, a question popped into my mind. I queried Akira, “Why isn't anyone else here? It's not a usual day for lessons, is it?”

Akira explained, “The academy is on a break today, so the students aren't here. But don't worry, the bookshop is still open to the public.”

During our lunch break, we separated. Akira joined a group of friends, while I, feeling a bit overheated from the intense study, decided to return home for a brief respite.

After lunch, we met in the same square as before. We then made our way towards the city gates. Akira managed to secure permission for me to venture outside the walls, a privilege I had been denied up until then.

Outside the city, Akira explained our destination. We were to reach the "Soaring Waterfalls," a massive waterfall that marked the border between two sister kingdoms. I had already studied it in the map.

I understood her intentions, but I didn't argue. Traveling on foot would take hours, so she offered a compromise: “Listen, I'll take you there, but when we return, if you haven't learned to fly, you'll have to make the journey on your own, understood?”

I agreed without a moment's hesitation. She was offering me a chance to ride a dragon, a prospect that was both thrilling and terrifying. This was one more reason for me to master the art of flying as soon as possible.

She instructed me to jump on her back. It was an unusual task, clinging onto her spikes and scales. With a powerful flap of her wings, she took flight, soaring into the light-blue sky.

The air was cold, and everything moved at a dizzying speed. I wasn't sure if I was more afraid of plummeting to my doom or thrilled by the exhilarating experience of flying. Fortunately, I wasn't prone to vertigo.

On our journey, Akira kept me on the edge with her playful antics. She pretended to lose balance, threatening to drop me, adding a layer of suspense and anxiety to our journey. She brought an element of fun and challenge to our flight, ensuring it wasn't a monotonous experience.

Finally, we reached the waterfalls. They were a sight to behold, their cascading waters creating a rainbow in the mist. As soon as we landed on a rocky ledge near the edge of the cliff, Akira began to instruct me: “Good, now follow my lead, and everything will be fine. Let's start with you getting close to that.”

She gestured towards a thick plume of mist rising from the base of the waterfall. Heeding her instruction, I advanced cautiously towards the fog. The mist was cold and damp, veiling my vision until I could barely discern my own feet.

"Now what?" I queried.

She advised, "Shift two steps to your left, but be sure to tread lightly."

I complied, taking two small steps to the left. Immediately, a shaft of sunlight pierced through the rocks above, bathing my shoulders in a warm glow.

"Look!" She exclaimed.

Puzzled, I asked, "Look at what? Where?"

"At your shoulders," she instructed.

Glancing down, I witnessed something extraordinary. A faint shadow of wings stretched across my shoulders, yet when I reached out to touch them, my hands passed right through. They were present, but not real.

"I suspected as much," she declared, "Your wings appear large enough to bear your weight. Can you use them?"

"I... I can't touch them, see?" I demonstrated, passing my hand through the shadowy wings once more. She pondered for a moment before responding.

"I think I understand," she said, "It's akin to the second pair of wings seen in some griffins. They're present, but to utilize them, they must be summoned. And I believe I've found the perfect way to do so." A mischievous grin danced upon her lips.

I felt a surge of anxiety. "So, what should I do now?"

She didn't respond. The fog had thickened to the point where I could no longer see her. Suddenly, a colossal shadow of a dragon materialized before me. As the fog momentarily dissipated, I caught sight of fiery eyes and scales. A towering fire dragon was advancing towards me, an ominous aura surrounding it.

"Ehm, sorry, who are you?" I called out. It didn't respond. Instead, it doused me with water from the waterfall, soaking my clothes with the scalding liquid. A shiver coursed through me as fear gripped my heart.

I cast a frantic glance around me. I was perched on the edge of a rock, with nothing but air behind me. I was trapped, with no escape route in sight.

"Sorry, I can leave if you want. I didn't mean to upset you," I tried to negotiate with the beast. My words echoed emptily around me. I was talking to nothing.

"Akira, a little help?" I shouted, but there was no response. The situation was surreal. I was alone, with no knowledge of Akira's whereabouts or her fate. For all I knew, she could have been captured by this very dragon.

The dragon continued to advance, looming over me. When I attempted to plead, "Please, I'm sorry, I...", it engulfed itself in flames, reminiscent of the dragon I had witnessed emerging from the temple and the room with the Guardians.

I could feel the heat radiating from the fire, even from several meters away. The ground beneath me started to warm. Then, the dragon did exactly what one would expect from a creature of its kind: it spit his fire at me.

With no other option, I leaped off the side of the cliff in sheer terror. Suddenly, the wings materialized, and a bright light dispersed the remaining fog.

However, I couldn't flap my wings yet. They felt rigid and heavy on my back. So, I tried to recall what Akira had taught me earlier and positioned them to glide away from the fire.

But the wings didn't last. They flickered, appearing and disappearing sporadically. Panic surged through me as I tried to get closer to the ground, but I was still too high when they vanished completely.

I was freefalling, and continued to do so until I was mere seconds from colliding with the ground. I missed the pool of water at the base of the waterfall by a long shot.

Just in the nick of time, the wings reappeared. Acting on instinct, I flapped them as hard as I could. I managed to slow my descent enough to prevent a catastrophic crash, but the impact when I landed on the grass still left me in pain.

Despite the rough landing, the wings didn't disappear again. They remained on my back, as if they belonged there.

Adrenaline coursed through my veins, showing no signs of dissipating anytime soon. I scanned my surroundings anxiously for the fire dragon that had attacked me, fearful that it could reemerge at any moment to finish me off.

Finally, a familiar voice echoed through the air: "Raphael!" It was Akira.

"Over here," I responded. She wasn't far away. Her voice was filled with cheer and excitement.

I remained still, hoping to avoid attracting attention from any potential predators. Then, I heard her conversing normally with someone else.

She reappeared beside me, accompanied by the same fire dragon that had attempted to kill me earlier.

"No! Stay away with your godforsaken fire!" I bellowed.

Akira started laughing. Confused, I retorted, "What's so funny? That dragon nearly roasted me alive a moment ago."

Still chuckling, Akira said, "Ah, it all played out just as planned. Fyrenthos, you did great."

The fire dragon inclined its head in acknowledgment, "You're welcome, Akira."

A wave of realization washed over me. "So, you orchestrated all this?" I asked, incredulously.

She nodded, "Indeed, and it all worked out perfectly, didn't it?" She gestured at my wings.

I glanced at them, noting that they were still present, even after calming down. They felt rather bulky and awkward on my back.

"Thank heavens it worked, but it was a terrible experience," I admitted.

She shrugged, "I never promised it would be pleasant. What matters is that it worked."

We fell into silence as I grappled to accept the reality of the situation. Fyrenthos attempted to break the ice, "Well done, little champion. If I were at your place, I would've reacted the same way. I hope this incident doesn't taint your perception of fire dragons."

I replied hastily, "No, no, it's okay. You were simply following instructions. I guess you're not to blame. Thank you, I suppose."

We didn't dwell on the topic much longer. Akira had other plans in mind.

"Now that you've summoned your wings, perhaps we should work on controlling them," she suggested, downplaying the flickering issue.

"That sounds reasonable, but did you notice how they were randomly appearing and disappearing earlier?" I asked, recalling the terrifying experience.

She responded, "It's a common phenomenon. Do you recall Chapter 9 from the book on wings?"

I strained to remember the content of that chapter. It discussed griffins and their ability to summon wings. I hadn't paid much attention to it, but I managed to recall a fragment: "Young griffins summoning their wings for the first time may experience unexpected behavior, like the appearing and disappearing of their wings without control."

I repeated this, and she nodded, "Exactly, and now your wings appear more stable. They seem permanent."

I didn't particularly like the sound of that: "Wait, I don't love the idea of moving around with two giant wings."

She countered, "You'll adapt over time. It's better to have permanent wings than to risk them disappearing randomly during flight."

I sighed, "Alright, I'll try to come to terms with it. Thanks."

"Good. Now, let's return to the top of the waterfall, using our wings," she suggested.

And so, we did. The flight felt more natural than ever. It was as if I had always possessed wings. With each flap, they carried me precisely where I wished to go. In no time, I had joined them at the top.

She teased, "For a moment there, I thought you were going to climb back up on foot. Well done, you've made progress. Now, let's see how well you can dive."

She turned to Fyrenthos and asked, "Would you mind?"

He agreed, "Certainly, follow my lead."

And so, he leaped off the cliff, showcasing his fire dragon skills. He enveloped himself in fire and plummeted towards the water, only to glide over it and return to the top with us. The water near his path began to boil, leaving a trail of steam in his wake.

Upon his return, Akira thanked him and then turned to me, "Now, try to replicate his actions. If you're unsure, extend your wings sooner rather than later."

Emboldened, I jumped off the cliff, keeping my wings folded as long as I could. The wind whipped against my face, making it difficult to keep my eyes open, but I knew I had to be keep looking in front of me to avoid crashing.

I felt a surge of speed during the dive, faster even than Fyrenthos. Sensing the water dangerously close, I spread my wings and attempted to mimic his actions.

To my amazement, I succeeded. The sensation of the cold water brushing against my chest without actually touching, was exhilarating.

Using the momentum from the dive, I began to glide and slowly gain altitude. I took advantage of a gust of wind near the waterfall to propel myself to the peak of the cliff without flapping my wings even once.

Mission accomplished.

We continued to practice throughout the day, even engaging in a friendly speed race. Indeed, during a dive, I was faster than both Akira and Fyrenthos. However, I couldn't match their speed while gliding or actually using the wings.

Daylight began to fade, we decided to return to the kingdom. If Akira and I failed to return before sunset, a search party would most likely be sent out.

Fyrenthos escorted us back, a decision I was grateful for. Upon reaching the kingdom gates, we were greeted by an awaiting Erebus. His stern, displeased expression made it clear he was not thrilled with us. As we neared him, Fyrenthos maintaining a safe distance, he demanded, "What did I tell you about leaving to you and Raphael?"

Akira responded nonchalantly, "You instructed us not to leave alone. And we didn't. We were together."

Erebus retorted, "I meant another reliable dragon should accompany you. Someone responsible who could keep an eye on you two."

Having overheard the conversation, Fyrenthos stepped forward and said, "I was with them. I'm a friend of Akira's, and I offered to assist with Raphael's training."

Upon recognizing Fyrenthos, Erebus apologized, "Oh, I didn't see you there. You couldn't have chosen a better companion." He gave a respectful nod to Fyrenthos.

With that, Erebus allowed us to proceed, not even questioning the wings on my back. Either he didn't notice them or simply chose to ignore them.

His comment about Fyrenthos being a good choice piqued my curiosity, so I asked, "Why did he say 'you couldn't choose a better one'? What did he mean by that?"

Fyrenthos replied with a hint of pride, "I'm an aspiring future soldier of the Sunflare squadron. I'll continue to work hard to achieve that goal. With me, you'll always be safe."

"Wow, that's ambitious. Well, I think you'll do great. You seemed invincible earlier when you threatened attacking me," I said.

"Thanks. And I apologize again for that. Akira tends to come up with some rather... creative ideas," he replied.

"No worries, you performed well. We accomplished our goal," I reassured him.

Akira interjected, "Enough chitchat. I have some tasks to complete before it gets too late. Goodbye, Fyrenthos. Thanks again. Have a good evening!"

With that, he bid us farewell and departed, presumably flying back to another sister kingdom.

Then Akira was about to leave me, but not before informing me that she had no plans for me the following day, except to meet with Cyrus. He wanted to have a chat.

I pondered over what he might want to discuss and what other adventures awaited me in this strange, new world.