The Training Room was one big, open space. Shields and long poles hung from the walls. Buckets held water and sand. And at one end of the room was a round target. Straw stuffing poked out from the sides.

Griffith pointed at the target. Sparks flew from his finger and a red bull's-eye showed up on the target.

"It's time for target practice!" the wizard said.

"Me first!" Rori called out. "Vulcan, come!"

The red dragon stomped forward.

"Vulcan, fire!" Rori yelled.

The dragon's orange eyes glowed. Then two streams of fire shot from his nose. The streams twisted together. The fire hit the fil bull's-eye.

"Perfect!" Rori cheered

Then the straw burst into flames! Drake jumped back.

“Good aim," said Griffith. "Bo, can you help put the fire out?"

"Yes," said Bo. He looked at his dragon.

"Shu," he said simply. He didn't yell like Rori.

Shu swiftly crossed the room. Did her feet even touch the ground? Wondered Drake.

"Water, please, Shu," Bo said.

A stream of water sprayed out of the blue dragon's mouth.

The fire sizzled. Water droplets danced in the air, lit up by the torches.

“Kepri! Rainbow time!" Ana cried.

Kepri glided across the room. Drake thought her white scales looked like jewels.

A soft beam of light came out of Kepri's mouth. It grew wider and wider. When it hit the water droplets, it made a rainbow!

"Wow," Drake said.

"Isn't she amazing?" asked Bo.

Ana smiled.

Rori put her hands on her hips.

"Now let's see what Worm can do," she said.

Drake felt nervous. He looked at Worm.

"Um, Worm, are you ready?" Drake asked.

Worm stared back at him.”

I guess that means yes, thought Drake. "Okay, Worm. Fire!"

Drake jumped back in case fire came out of Worm's mouth. But Worm just lay there.

"Not all dragons can shoot fire," said Bo.

Drake nodded. "Right. Okay, Worm. Water!"

But Worm didn't shoot water.

"Ha!" Rori laughed. "I knew it. Worm can't do anything."

Drake's cheeks grew hot with anger. "He's just warming up," he said. "Come on, Worm. Shoot light out of your mouth!"

Still nothing.

"You call that a dragon?" Rori said.

"Please, Worm?" Drake whispered to his dragon. "Do something!"

Worm just blinked.

“Do not worry, Drake. Getting to know your dragon takes time," Griffith said. "Target practice is over for today. Let's go eat."

Bo grabbed Drake's elbow.

"I hope you're hungry, Drake! The Dragon Masters get as much food as we want," said Bo.

Drake was hungry so this news made him feel a little better. But he had failed the training. How can I be a Dragon Master if my dragon won't do anything I ask it to do? he thought. I'm only an onion farmer. I don't belong here.