I gulped hard the moment I truly took them in, my throat dry and my chest tight, but my eyes steady.
They were right there in front of me, the weight of their presence pressing against my senses.
Still, even with all of that, I knew one thing clearly.
I could take care of that dragon easily somehow.
The thought came naturally, without arrogance, without panic.
Especially knowing how much Lucy had already damaged her.
That knowledge settled my nerves.
The dragon was powerful, yes, terrifying in presence, yes, but she wasn't untouchable.
Not anymore.
Lucy had made sure of that, and the evidence was clear even without anyone saying a word.
But Lucy herself was a different story entirely.
For Lucy… I wasn't ready.
Not yet.
The confidence I had moments ago thinned the instant my thoughts turned toward her.
Facing her head-on wasn't something I could just decide and do.
