Dragon Chronicles

“Aurelia Francis, please come forward,” the man at the podium declared, causing everyone in the audience to look in her direction.

Despite all the intense gazes on her person, she didn’t bat an eye as she stood up and walked towards the stage. There wasn’t a single sound other than her footsteps echoing in the eerily quiet auditorium.

Aurelia slowly ascended the steps and stopped in front of the man standing in front of the podium with her head held up high.

“Aurelia Francis, congratulations. You are the valedictorian. You must be quite proud of your achievements,” the man said with a bright smile.

Of course she was. She had worked hard to get where she was today, but she didn’t dare to flaunt it. Only the arrogant would brag and shove it in everyone’s faces about being first place.

“Won’t you please give your closing speech and farewell to your final day in the academy?” the man said as he took a couple steps back so she could take his place.

She calmly scanned the crowd, looking at the faces of the entire school staring back at her.

“I only have a few things to say before we part from the academy, as I don’t wish to take too much of your time. Everyone here has worked hard to graduate with bright plans for the future. I wish everyone the best and hope we can meet again in the future. May the dragon be with you,” Aurelia said without a hint of emotion on her face.

This didn’t dissuade anyone in the slightest as a round of applause echoed through the auditorium. Soon people slowly walked to the exits, filling the room with chatter and noise.

Aurelia descended the steps as a familiar face walked up to her and said, “Rigid as ever. You really sounded like a robot there. Would it kill you to show a hint of emotion?”

“Phyllis, I simply saw no need. It was obvious that everyone wanted to get the whole thing over with. Why should I hold them back with some kind of long-winding speech?” Aurelia said.

“Still, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime speech. Shouldn’t you at least make it memorable so people would be talking about it for years to come,” Phyllis said, walking side by side with Aurelia.

“Who exactly would want to remember the graduation ceremony?” Aurelia asked dryly.

Phyllis waved her hands around and made several hand gestures as she said, “Lots of people.”

“Then can you name a single memorable graduation speech from previous years?” Aurelia asked as she quirked a brow.

When Phyllis remained silent, Aurelia gave her a knowing look.

With a huff, Phyllis said, “Alright, maybe I can’t think of any now. That doesn’t mean no one remembers them or cares about them. The academy records them and leaves them open for the public to see you know.”

Yes, she did know, but it didn’t mean much to her.

How many people would really go through the effort of looking up graduation speeches during their free time?

The only ones who would bother were those looking for ideas on what speech to give or if someone was doing a project about the speeches. Otherwise, the recordings would just be gathering dust in some corner.

Once they stepped out into the open, they were greeted by the sight of people and dragons gathering around.

“Wow. There are so many dragons,” Phyllis said with stars in her eyes.

“What are you so surprised about? You see dragons all the time,” Aurelia pointed out.

“This isn’t the same thing. We don’t see dozens of dragons gathered all in one place without a fight breaking out,” Phyllis countered, which Aurelia had to concede.

Dragons could get very territorial and fight each other to the death at the drop of the hat. The fact that so many could share the same space without any trouble was a miracle, though it was more likely because the dragons had an understanding.

They weren’t allowed to fight within academy grounds. If they did, they would be barred from the place as well as some other punishments.

“Do you think we will be able to have our own dragons some day?” Phyllis said, watching as a dragon launched itself into the air.

“Of course. That’s why we came to the academy,” Aurelia reminded her.

“Yeah, we came here to learn about dragons and possibly partnering with one, but there’s no guarantee. Someone like me probably would never get the chance,” Phyllis said, a self-deprecating smile on her face.

Aurelia studied her friend’s expression for a couple of moments before she let out a huff.

“You shouldn’t talk down on yourself. You might not have been the valedictorian, but the school has said you have high compatibility with any dragon. That’s not something to scoff at,” Aurelia said, recalling how Phyllis’s name had appeared near the top of the list in terms of compatibility.

It didn’t matter if you had the brain and body for working with dragons if you couldn’t get along with them. Compatibility trumped all others.

A complicated look flashed across Phyllis’s face before she said, “Oh, I haven’t given you your gift for being the valedictorian. I can’t believe I forgot. Let me give it to you.”

“There’s no need,” Aurelia tried to protest, but Phyllis refused to hear it.

Her friend dragged Aurelia to meet Phyllis’s family, who had been waiting for them. The moment Phyllis’s family saw them, they gave the two a hug.

“Congratulations, you two, especially you, Aurelia. You were valedictorian. You must be so proud,” Phyllis’s dad said with a grin.

“Thank you. I appreciate it,” Aurelia said politely.

“Oh, none of that. We’re practically family. We should go out to celebrate,” Phyllis’s mom said, urging Aurelia to come with them.

“Sorry, but I already made plans. I have somewhere I need to go,” Aurelia said, pulling away from the group.

The group gave her a puzzled look before a thought dawned on them. They immediately gave her pitying looks, which made Aurelia’s heart clenched.

“If you’re sure. We’re always free if you need us,” Phyllis’s dad said.

“Thank you. I have to go,” Aurelia said before hurriedly walking away.