Sera\. phina, a drago*]n‑blood hal_*f‑br%eed?#, is )bo_@rn ?[@;una-ble to shift into dragon form. Her\ fiancé /Damon publ!%icly breaks of$ f their+ e[nga
#^gement, [an/d @^the pure\%(‑b=lood _,.pri.n c %$es s Vexia cr/us_he(s# her s
cales`^ to humilia:-,t e her). On the eve of he.(
$r c!:oming‑of‑age ceremony, )s^!he ++ac[#ts o$n i/mpulse and spends the  ni(_^ght with
$+ a:/ %str#=]ange- r. Upon waking, she +^disco %_v\]:ers h^)e is none other than Sil#=`a,$s[#, the y= ;oungest Dr`agon Kin=](g of the ^ *dragon clan.
Tha`%#t night re‑ignites her ^$lo@ng‑d^ormant- dragon blood, leav ing an i+nvisible burning b@#rand etched into her/ pal@% m. At :]the comi#
ng‑of‑age _ce;r@%
e@`m  ony , )/where everyo+^$ne waits to witness `.he#r disgrace, s;*he _steps #+ont@ o the h+,.igh platform. The drago!n flam:es b=)ow a-=)nd pay homage to her. The High Priest,/ stun;-]ned, pro=clai.ms: “$^$This ,=half+‑dragon po! s_ [sesses one‑=hundred‑percent dr-a::go[:n‑flame compat:!i$[=bilit+y.”
The Dr/;agon King, ^,$w
h. o +^had=[\ .watc==hed everything wi#t%h cold de+tac ]hment, h;
@ad already transfu=sed hi-%s o
]wn drag$.on blood :(i.+nto her vei\_*ns the ]/@night before.