Chapter 11: Fluffy teacher

A few days had passed since Luka came back from Ryuuji. While his wounds weren’t fully healed, he could still move around the city, stretching his sore limbs that greatly needed some exercise.

The city of Eran was in turmoil. More and more citizens were protesting in the streets, asking to see the king after months of complete silence, and the rumors of an army approaching had already spread among them. Every morning, some protestors got the habit of starting a protest right in front of the tavern, thinking that the owner, Darian Galterr, knew what was going on.

Of course, that same protest also woke Luka early every single morning.

“Damn, when are they going to stop?” he moaned, his brain still half-asleep as the noise from outside grew louder.

“We demand answers!” the group chanted in unison, brandishing flags and sticks menacingly outside, the sound of their voices barely muffled by the wooden walls of the tavern.

“Get them elsewhere…” Luka grumbled again, albeit quietly as he didn’t have the guts to tell them to their faces.

He dragged himself to the window, the floor creaking beneath his weight, and peeked out through the curtains. As expected, the streets were flooded with people, their faces twisted with fear and frustration, and their eyes bloodshot as if they would pop out of their sockets.

Sighing, he almost closed the curtain before noticing something on the neighbor’s roof. It was a bird, a small bird with beautiful blue feathers glistening in the sunlight. It stood out against the drab, gray surroundings of the lower city, as if it didn’t belong to the chaos below. The small creature pointed in his direction as if looking at him.

A faint smile tugged at his lips. “Hey there, little one,” he said softly, almost singing, while opening the window a crack. The air outside was thick with tension, but the bird seemed unfazed, calmly observing him from its high perch.

“Hm?” Luka raised an eyebrow, thinking something wasn’t right. He leaned against the windowsill, as the bird hopped closer to the edge of the roof. There was something about its movements that seemed…

As if sensing his thoughts, the bid chirped once. Then, without warning, it spread its wings and took flight, circling gracefully above the crown before disappearing into the sky.

Luka watched it go, feeling calmer inside. “Strange, but welcome.” He closed the window and turned away from the scene outside. The protests would continue at least until noon, there was no point in dwelling on it.

Just then, a loud knock on the door reverberated through the room.

“Luka? You awake?” It was Darian, his voice low but urgent.

“Yeah,” Luka replied, stretching his limbs further. “Good morning. What is it?”

Darian pushed open the door, stepping inside with a forced smile. His long brown hair was wavy, meaning he didn’t have the time to comb it this morning.

“Is it about the protests?” Luka inquired, sensing his concern.

“No, it’s something else,” Darian scratched his head in discomfort, as he was asleep a few minutes ago as well. “We’ve got bad visitors.”

“The protest then.”

“No, worse. Demon hunters.”

Luka felt his muscles tense the moment Darian mentioned “demon hunters”. He cursed under his breath as he was instantly reminded of Saki.

“Demon hunters?” Luka repeated, trying to hide his tension. “Aren’t the demons bad or something?”

That question was more or less a way to get information he couldn’t get from Saki. While he knew she wasn’t a bad one, there was a possibility that it was the exception rather than the rule. Demons, by nature, shouldn’t be human after all. Luka needed to know what he was dealing with.

Darian, catching Luka's hesitation, gave a weary nod and stepped deeper into the room. “Sometimes I forget you’re not from this world,” he chuckled, though his smile was strained. “Yes, demons can be dangerous. A lot of them are. A few centuries ago, mankind had to fight a war against them. But it’s more complicated than that. Two years ago, some demons helped save Sora, worked alongside us. It doesn’t mean they’re all good, though.”

Luka nodded, as Darian confirmed his thoughts.

“Anyway, even though the people of Sora are pretty neutral regarding demons…” Darian explained, scratching his hair. “The hunters are a different breed. They’re fanatics—like a cult. And we’ve had bad experiences with cults here. Especially two years ago.

A name rang inside Luka’s head. “Zaran’s cult, right? The king of mages.”

Darian nodded gravely. “Exactly. Zaran and his followers caused chaos back then. People still haven’t recovered. The hunters aren’t as dangerous but… They’re obsessed with purging anything even remotely demonic or associated with demons. They don’t ask questions. They just kill.”

Luka couldn’t help but feel a knot in his stomach tightening. “So… What do they want?”

“They’re looking for something,” Darian said. “Or someone. They’ve been poking around town, asking questions. For some reason, they think a demon is lurking here.”

“A demon, here?” Luka echoed while sounding genuinely surprised.

Darian glanced at Luka, his brow furrowed in thought. “It might not be impossible, but if that’s the case, it’s probably a kind demon. There is no weird incident happening here besides the Empire’s activity. The hunters think they can feel something, a presence of sorts. I wouldn’t be surprised that there was one, but still…”

Luka’s heart raced. He could feel the anxiety creeping in, but he had to stay calm. Should he sell Saki out just to be safe? The thought crossed his mind for a second before he was reminded he had to pay her back for saving his life.

“I see,” Luka said, forcing a shrug. “They might hurt people here while asking questions, that’s why you’re worried?”

“Exactly.”

“Whatever, I need to get some water anyway. I’ll come down, and see what happens.”

“Really?” Darian said, surprised. “I mean, you’re from another world so they might…”

“I’m not a demon and I have nothing to do with demons,” it was a blatant lie. “Don’t worry I’ll manage,” that too.

“Stay here, foxy,” Luka ordered to the still-sleeping animal on his bed.

Putting on his jacket, he passed Darian and headed downstairs, his heart pounding in his chest. He could feel the tension building like a storm as he stepped down the wooden staircase.

Darian simply watched him go, a bit concerned, but he said nothing more. He had to deal with something else first.

The tavern downstairs was already stirring with activity, the early-morning protests growing louder outside. Luka could hear the angry chants echoing through the streets, mixed with the clatter of dishes and the low murmur of voices within the tavern.

As he reached the bottom of the stairs, he took a good full view of the room. A few regulars were gathered near the bar, sipping their morning drinks and casting wary glances toward the windows.

The usual card players were sitting at the round table in the middle, casually unaware of the tension in the room.

By the fireplace, however, sat two figures, one he immediately recognized—and one he’d hoped to never see again.

“What is she doing here?”

Those demon hunters sure know how to show off, huh? Suddenly, he remembered these words from the scammer in Kaathal.

Yelena Vintera, that was her name. Lord of the botanic department of the tower in Fyr, a powerful mage. She had discarded her black hat for a far simpler hairstyle, as her brown hair was tied elegantly behind her, the smoke of her kiseru swirling lazily above her.

A man from Ryuuji?

Next to her, the man in the white kimono seemed out of place. His eyes were sharp, and the long Nodachi strapped to his side gave him a dangerous aura that made Luka gulp even with his laid-back messy hair.

Yelena’s eyes locked onto his as she exhaled a plume of smoke, her lips curling into a knowing smile. She gestured for him to come closer, the invitation both polite and insidious. This was not his day, Luka thought bitterly as he forced himself to move forward. If there was one person he didn’t want to meet again, it was her. He still remembered vividly how she mocked him for being a worthless mage, even though she was right, and how she told him to quit learning. Of course, there was also the suspicion that her men had something to do with the attack they endured in the desert, just after leaving Kaathal.

Still, he had to find a way to help Saki, somehow.

Swallowing the tightness in his throat, Luka forced himself to walk forward. His mind raced with possibilities, but he kept his face as neutral as possible.

As he approached, Yelena lowered her kiseru and gave him an appraising look. “You’ve been through quite the ordeal, dear. What are those bandages?”

Luka stiffened, sensing the pain coming back to him. “I got… Some troubles back in Ryuuji,” he turned to face the man beside her who gave him an inquisitive look. “But your country is beautiful.”

The man beside Yelena chuckled softly, but his eyes didn’t lose their sharpness. He shook his head as if amused by Luka’s attempt at small talk. Yelena joined in, her laugh light but condescending.

“This man here,” Yelena said, gesturing to her companion, “is Hazuki Ryuuji. He’s the head of the demon hunters.”

Luka’s stomach dropped. He could feel the blood drain from his face as the words sunk in. This person, right in front of him was the chief of this ‘cult’ of demon hunters. The very person he needed to avoid at all costs. This was bad, very bad.

Wait…

Something was off. His mind raced. Hazuki Ryuuji, he heard that name before.

Is he…?

Hazuki gave Luka a slight nod, his expression unreadable. “So, you went to Ryuuji?” he said, his voice calm.

That question brought him back from his thoughts. Now he was certain, this man was who he thought he was.

“I kinda encountered a guy named Kenshin,” Luka said, knowing that this name would at least stir up some emotions inside him.

Hazuki raised an eyebrow, but ignored Luka’s comment. Instead, his jaw tightened and his face turned into a frown.

Yelena leaned back in her chair, taking another drag from her kiseru while changing the topic. “We heard there was a demon here. Any idea, dear?”

The smoke was irritating Luka as he tried his hardest not to breathe any of its excruciating scent.

“A demon? No idea. I was too occupied trying not to die these past weeks.”

Yelena’s velvet lips curled into a smile as her gaze scrutinized Luka’s expression. “Are you sure? Someone as weak as you could probably be under a demon’s influence right now. You should be careful,” she said with a playful tone.

Hazuki, still silent, kept his eyes on Luka, hoping to notice something—an unnatural reaction. However, Luka stayed calm and collected, though underneath he was boiling, his pulse quickening with each second. His skin was tingling. Ignoring the sound of the protests, the presence of other people in the tavern, his eyes dove into Yelena’s as if he was gradually getting swallowed by their oppressive stare. For a moment, he swore he had seen the shadow of something climbing up his chair to choke him to death.

“I have no clue, sorry,” he said loud and clear, unflinching.

Just as he spoke those words, the door of the tavern creaked open behind him.

A figure stepped into the dim light of the tavern, and blue eyes sliced through the shadows like a blade, scanning the room with sharp precision. The regulars at the bar froze, and even the card players paused mid-game, their attention drawn to the imposing newcomer.

The steady click of his boots echoed with authority, and Luka didn’t need to look to know who it was. The figure’s presence was unmistakably Archibald Sora. Surrounding him, multiple guards flanked his sides, heavily armed and shoving away the few protestors who dared get too close, their attempts to speak silenced by the unyielding wall of soldiers.

“Demon hunters, you shall follow me,” an authoritative voice, loud and clear echoed in the room.

His blue uniform and the emblem on it were proof of his royal blood, and upon seeing it, Yelena sighed. “My, my. They sent the big shots after us, huh?” she said, clicking her tongue in annoyance.

“No matter. We shall do as they say,” Hazuki stated, already leaving the table.

“Right, right,” Yelena sighed again before standing up herself. “See you around, dear.”

Without another word, the two demon hunters moved to follow Archibald and his guards. However, Archibald took a glance at Luka, his expression seemingly annoyed and tired. The man he knew was authoritative and a lot of times intimidating and annoying, had bags under his eyes.

“Cozy here?” the man spoke with an angry undertone, clearly disliking to see him here.

“I’m safe here.”

“Right.” Archibald’s reply was short, almost dismissive as if he didn’t have the energy for a confrontation. With a sharp flick of his cape, he turned on his heel, the familiar click of his boots ringing out as he strode toward the door. Without looking back, he exited the tavern, leaving Luka in the uneasy quiet that followed.

“Seriously, what the hell is wrong with him?” Luka muttered under his breath. As far as he knew, Archibald was an enigma. He both seemed suspicious and too righteous at the same time.

“You think so too, huh?” came a low whisper right beside him.

Luka practically jumped out of his chair, his heart racing. “Oh! For fuck’s sake Viktor, you scared me!”

Viktor, standing casually next to him, smirked. “Sorry, just got here. Guess you’re on edge?”

“No shit I’m on edge! Did you see those two people? They were here for Saki!”

Viktor scratched his neck apologetically. “Yeah, sorry, I couldn’t be here sooner,” he then sighed and looked at the door. “I was trailing Archibald yesterday evening and I’m a bit tired.”

Luka frowned, leaning in. “You were trailing him? Why? Do you think he’s involved with Edgar’s murder or something?”

“Hey!” Viktor hissed, quickly putting a finger to his lips. “Don’t talk about that here!” His eyes darted around the room, making sure no one was eavesdropping.

“Yeah, sorry,” Luka leaned back, looking around too.

“I think Archibald is suspicious. You saw how tired he was? I heard from the guards he was moving a lot inside the castle.”

Luka nodded, but something gnawed at him, a piece that didn’t quite fit. “It does seem off, but... I don’t know, something about him isn’t adding up.”

Viktor raised an eyebrow. “You think he’s hiding something?”

Luka frowned, rubbing the back of his neck. “He still seemed suspicious of me, though. He’s always watching me.”

“Maybe because he’s afraid you’re getting too close to finding out the truth,” Viktor suggested, his tone more serious now.

“What truth?” Luka chuckled bitterly. “I’m nowhere near as invested as everyone on this case. To be perfectly honest, I don’t care that much about Sora.”

Viktor’s expression shifted, looking at him like he was a piece of garbage. “Whoa, way to go egoisto friendo…”

“Hey!” Luka shot back, feeling all of his pent-up anger rise. “To begin with, it’s you guys’ fault that I’m here. I don’t care if Morgann is angry at me for fucking up the mission, because I shouldn’t have been dragged in this mess to begin with.”

Viktor raised his hands in a defensive gesture. “Alright, alright. No need to get angry at me. Just saying, man.”

Luka sighed, leaning back again, his anger disappearing slowly. “I’m just tired of this world and getting caught up in things I’ve never signed up for. That’s all.”

“You want to go back home, huh?” Viktor smiled softly. “Is it that good back there?”

Luka hesitated for a moment, his eyes drifting to the worn wooden floor beneath his feet. “It’s not perfect but…” he admitted. “But it’s not filled with bullshit like demon hunters, guys that want to kidnap me every minute, or, I don’t know, getting donuted by a random guy on the street?”

Viktor blinked at him, momentarily dumbfounded. “Donuted?”

Luka threw his hands up. “What else am I supposed to call it? The guy literally punched a hole through my chest. That’s like being turned into a human donut!”

Viktor snorted, trying to stifle a laugh. “Okay, fair point. At least you’re taking it pretty well for a guy that almost died.”

“Yeah, well, I don’t know,” Luka grumbled, crossing his arms. “Seriously though, what kind of magic was that? People just casually walk around here with powers that make them living weapons.”

Viktor’s smirk faded, replaced by a more serious expression. He shook his head slowly. “Nah, that one was special. Not everyone has a reinforcement spell this tuned to kill. I know some guys that could do it, but no way they’re the ones that did it.”

“Special how? Because last time I checked, magic like that isn’t something you just pick up from the book.”

Viktor sighed, sitting up straighter as if preparing for a lecture. “Well, it’s not. Reinforcement magic is tricky. It boosts a person’s body, but to punch a hole through someone? That takes insane precision and control. Most mages who use reinforcement can’t fine-tune it like that, they usually just use it on their whole body.”

“Wait, using it on a single muscle is hard?”

“Exactly,” Viktor nodded. “Most mages who use reinforcement magic enhance their entire body at once, like putting on a suit of armor. But to focus it on a single muscle group, and then fine-tune it to that extent? That’s rare. Insanely rare. The control needed for that kind of magic is beyond most people. It’s like sewing something with gloves on while being under an intense heat.”

“That’s… An odd comparison but okay,” Luka muttered, rubbing his forehead as a headache began creeping in. If it was that hard to control reinforcement magic as Viktor described, then how the hell had he managed to pull it off back in Ryuuji?

He remembered the moment vividly—the panic, the desperation. The way his body answered to his every command, allowed him to do something he had never trained for. He didn’t even know it was possible for him. And yet, in that moment, something had clicked.

Luka frowned, feeling a mix of confusion and pride. He managed to do the same thing as the guy that almost killed him. Perhaps he wasn’t as hopeless as he thought with magic?

“Anyway, want a drink?” Viktor cut Luka’s thoughts off as he patted him on the back. “I need something, my throat is like a desert.”

“Don’t you have lessons to attend to?”

“My brother is too occupied recently and the other professors aren’t worth it. So I’m waiting for his return to get more of his lessons.”

“Sounds like you’ve got it easy,” Luka said, though there was a hint of envy in his voice. Viktor always seemed so carefree, as if nothing weighed him down. Luka, on the other hand, felt like he was crumbling through the sheer weight of his anxiety waiting for him at every corner. He had never felt this challenged personally, ever, even in the most mundane conversations.

“By the way, where is Saki?” Luka’s question hung in the air, his voice sounding more anxious than he intended. He couldn’t help it—the succubus had been on his mind ever since Darian mentioned the demon hunters.

Viktor raised an eyebrow at the sudden change in topic. “Saki? Why do you ask?”

Luka shrugged, trying to act casual. “Just haven’t seen her yet. Usually, she is around here at this hour.”

Viktor’s face decomposed as he looked at Luka with jealousy. “You two aren’t talking to each other behind my back, right?”

“What?” Luka blinked, “no, of course not,” he said quickly, waving his hand dismissively. “It’s not like that.

“Uh-huh,” Viktor said, narrowing his eyes at Luka. However, he quickly changed face and flashed a slight grin, “She couldn’t be interested in you anyway.”

“Ahah, yeah,” Luka laughed awkwardly.

And I really don’t want to, he shuddered. No way he was going to get involved with a succubus of all demons. Out of all the things he had been dragged into since coming to this world, getting involved with a demon known for seducing people was high on his list of things to avoid.

This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it.

“Anyway, I’m going to get some drinks.” Viktor stood up from his chair. “Want some?”

“Nah, I’m good. I think I’m just going to head back to bed. My wounds are acting up again.”

Viktor gave him a sympathetic nod. “Fair enough. You’ve earned some rest after all the crap you’ve been through.” He patted Luka on the shoulder before heading toward the bar.

Luka watched him go, feeling the dull ache of his body intensify. It wasn’t just the physical pain, but the mental exhaustion too.

He looked around the bar, taking photos with his mind of all the people gathered there. He looked at their faces, their eyes, seeing if they even for a split second looked at him suspiciously.

I should probably go out and get some fresh air too. That thought had been hanging over his hand since he arrived. He was worried about Kanami—even though he tried to shake these feelings—he was too afraid to even step out of there. Chills ran through his back just thinking about it. What if he was attacked again? What if, this time, no one would save him?

His head started spinning into nausea as his ears started to ring from the low blood pressure. He didn’t care anymore. Until that goddess contacts him, he won’t go out of here. No matter if there’s a war brewing, no matter if Kanami is imprisoned.

They’re all fine on their own anyway. Who needs someone like me?

He nodded to his own comment and stood up from his chair, leaving the tavern to meet his sweet bed.

Where only peace existed.

That was until he passed the door to his room. Foxy was already glowing, Its eyes emitted a soft light that pulsated in a steady rhythm, like a beacon. Luka froze at the sight, unease bubbling inside him. No, not now. I’m not ready to—

The fox familiar looked back at him with unblinking, glowing eyes, its gaze almost expectant, like it was waiting for him to follow. Then, he jumped from the bed and headed outside of the room.

“Wait, no, not now—”

But the fox only glanced back at him, and then, without hesitation, went straight to the stairs.

Without thinking, Luka hurried after it. “Wait!” he called, but the familiar was already making its way down the stairs, gracefully jumping from one step to another.

Why now? Of all times? His mind screamed at him to stop, his wounds hurting even more with each step, but his legs kept moving almost on their own.

Once downstairs, he realized no one reacted to the glowing fox darting swiftly next to them.

Luka's heart pounded harder. Was he the only one who could see it?

Before he could dwell on that thought, the familiar slipped through the open door and out onto the street.

“Shit!” Luka cursed under his breath, his body already moving to follow the glowing creature. But as his hand touched the door, a wave of anxiety crashed over him, stopping him in his tracks. His breath hitched, and his chest tightened painfully as if an invisible wall had sprung up between him and the outside world.

“Gnh… Fuck all of this!” he screamed at the top of his lungs, feeling a sudden outburst of rage exploding within him. His mind spun with conflicting emotions, like a whirlwind he couldn’t control.

Yet, the desire for knowledge was stronger. The tavern’s patrons shot him confused glances as he flung the door open, and moved forward. He was met by a sea of people and chaos. Guards were sprawled everywhere, trying to contain the ongoing protest. People were clustered around a crumbling building directly across from the tavern, where workers moved frantically, trying to secure loose bricks on the facade before the crowd’s anger boiled over.

Luka stood there, frozen for a moment as he took it all in. His chest tightened again, anxiety creeping up, but Foxy was still glowing in the distance, darting between the numerous standing legs of the people like a wisp.

There was no time to hesitate.

He shoved his way through the guards, gaining some orders to stop coming at him from behind that he ignored. His body was like moving on autopilot as he wove between the angry protestors pushing him from all sides. Foxy had already gotten through and was now out of the danger zone as he rushed down the main road

Soon, Luka drew close to the building under repair, the workers not even realizing he was there. A loose brick fell from the wall, crashing onto the street mere feet away from Luka, shattering on impact.

His breath caught in his throat.

But the fox didn’t stop.

However, Luka wasn’t so nimble and small as the creature. A cluster of guards, shield raised, blocked the path like an impenetrable barricade.

“Stay back!” one of them shouted, his voice rough with authority.

It was clear they were already struggling to manage the restless, angry protesters. Tension filled the air as more and more people gathered, their frustration rising to a boiling point. The guards had closed off the main road toward the castle, and now no one was getting through.

Luka’s pulse spiked, but he clenched his fists. “Sorry, I have to get through,” he said, his voice drowned out by the noise around them.

The guards didn’t even acknowledge him this time, their attention split between holding the line and managing the increasing aggression from the crowd.

“We demand answers! We demand answers!” The protesters’ chants became louder, swelling in intensity until the street practically vibrated with the sound. Some of them, emboldened by the growing silence of Darian, the owner, began pushing toward the tavern’s entrance.

Luka’s heart pounded harder. He couldn’t see the fox anymore and the guards were now ready to push the crowd back, and him alongside them.

“Please, I need to go!” Luka snapped, his voice more forceful now, but the guards remained steadfast, their shields approaching slowly.

The pressure from the crown behind him grew, bodies pressing in from all sides. Luka glanced back at the tavern, his breath catching when he saw the door swing open. Darian stepped outside, fully armored and gripping his large shields, his expression hard.

“Everyone calm down!” Darian’s voice boomed, cutting through the chaos. His shield glinted in the light as he slammed it against the ground with a resounding thud, creating an echo that temporarily quieted the crowd. His commanding presence was enough to give the protesters pause, their attention now drawn to the tavern owner.

After all, no matter how numerous they were, no one wanted to mess with the shield of Sora.

Luka seized the moment, his eyes flicking between the guards and the temporarily stunned crowd. It was his chance—if only for a moment.

He took a sharp breath, his body instinctively tensing as he prepared a spell. Noticing the small gap between the guards and the protesters, he chanted under his breath.

“Svelto.”

The mana coursing his body accumulated in his legs. Unlike in Ryuuji, this time it hurt, a lot. However he didn’t care, it was a problem for later. Once enough mana had gathered in his legs, he sprung forward at incredible speed. The guards barely registered his movement, caught off guard by the sudden burst of speed. He shot through the small opening, dodging their outstretched arms and weaving past the shocked crowd.

“H-Hey! Stop!” one of the guards shouted, but Luka was already too far ahead, a blur in their peripheral vision.

His heart pounded in his ears, but he couldn’t stop. His body ached from the strain, the spell taking its toll on them. The pain in his legs throbbed, and his wound from Kenshin flared up, but Luka gritted his teeth, forcing himself to focus.

The chaos behind him faded as he sprinted down the street. “Where is he?” The fox was gone and he looked around everywhere, just to see if he could catch a glimpse of it.

He was there, sitting next to a pedestrian, unaware of its presence. Upon noticing Luka, he started dashing again, this time toward the east gate of the city.

"Is he... going outside?" Luka muttered in disbelief. If the fox was going outside of the city, was it really safe to follow its trail?

The city streets blurred around him as he sprinted, weaving between startled people and carts, all oblivious to the glowing creature leading him onward.

“Cabbages! One bronze coin for the cabbage!” a merchant shouted, thrusting a basket of the green vegetables into Luka’s path. He barely managed to dodge it, nearly tripping over a stray cart. His breath came in ragged gasps as he kept his eyes fixed ahead, the glowing fox darting through the busy streets without a care.

The east gate loomed ahead, a towering structure guarded by two sentries. His heart skipped a beat. Would they let him through? Or would they stop him, just like the guards at the protest?

The fox didn't hesitate. It slipped effortlessly between the guards, unnoticed, while Luka slowed his pace, panic rising. He wasn’t as invisible as his familiar.

"Just passing through," he muttered, keeping his head low as he neared the guards.

Seemingly preoccupied with their own duties, they barely glanced at him. As he slipped past them, he sighed in relief, though he wished the fox would slow down a bit.

“There you are,” he said before catching his breath. The fox was waiting patiently as if it was waiting for him. “Could we go slower?”

The fox tilted its head, almost as if considering his request, but then it merely flicked its tail and turned back toward the path, dashing forward again without hesitation.

“Of course not…” Luka muttered, groaning in frustration as he forced himself to keep up.

After a while, the fox bifurcated towards the hills surrounding the city, out of the paved road. Luka hesitated for a moment, arching an eyebrow at the sudden change in direction. The paved road was behind him now, and he found himself standing before an overgrown, forgotten trail winding up the steep hillside.

The trail seemed ancient, unused. Wild grass and vines had reclaimed the cracked and weathered cobblestone. Still, it was better than moving through the natural terrain.

It took him over an hour to get to the top. By the time Luka reached the peak, his legs felt like lead but his breathing was steady. Even if he was in bad shape when he arrived in this world, the amount of exercise he did in the desert and in the castle helped him a little.

As he looked up to see what distance was left, he realized that he had already gone higher than the highest tower of the castle. The view took his breath away. The morning sun bathing the city in its light, the greenery and hills surrounding it like a fortress, the castle walls tall and shiny, it was truly a sight to behold.

He took a step forward again, seeing that Foxy was waiting for him. But as he approached the peak, step after step, something felt off. There was something in the sky, beyond the hill. Something unseen from the top of the castle yet something way bigger.

“What the…” With his mouth agape, he felt his legs drop at the sight. Rising from the horizon were ancient branches stretching high into the sky, far above the clouds. Faded golden leaves as tall as houses, dried up and falling progressively onto the ground. A colossal tree, on a scale that was incomprehensible, yet dying.

Yet, what was more impressive was what separated it in two. As if coming from the heavens, a sword was planted straight in the middle of the trunk and into the ground, cleaving it in half.

And around the tree, from this hill to the horizon, a single crater, as if dug by an explosion on a magnitude too comparable to a nuclear bomb.

Despite all of this, the tree was still standing. Its shining magnificence faded only slightly as if inconvenienced by what happened there.

Luka swallowed hard, his throat dry. What was this place? What happened here? The beauty of the place was only overshadowed by the amount of questions it raised.

Why no one talked to me about this? That’s when he remembered the words of the goddess.

“We shall meet in Sora, at the foot of the Tree of Creation.”

“THAT’S the Tree of Creation? It’s massive! And half-destroyed! How has no one in the city ever mentioned this? It’s right outside the walls!” Luka exclaimed himself, his voice shaky from excitement and fatigue.

“Pretty, isn’t it?”

Luka spun around, startled by the sudden voice. Sitting a few feet away on the grass, on a neatly prepared blanket with a teapot and cups, was a woman. As she poured a cup of tea, Luka couldn’t help but stare at her. In one word, she was beautiful, a beauty amongst beauties. From her soft skin to her neatly tied black hair, from her elegantly curved back to the purple shine of her eyes, everything seemed perfectly arranged, like sculpted in marble. Her clothes only added to her assets, showing that she knew exactly how to put herself at the front.

“Is anyone there?”

The purple kimono she was wearing, as if it was new and made specially for today, managed to hold back the quite impressive bust she had. If it wasn’t for the black fluffy fox tail on her back and the ears, Luka would probably be looking at it more. But he was too tired and too surprised to even talk.

“Could you please stop staring at me?” the woman asked, giving Luka a warning smile.

“Sorry, are you a… yōko? Kitsune? Húlíjīng ?”

The woman let out a soft chuckle as she poured two cups of tea with grace. “A húlíjīng?” She tilted her head. “Quite the name you’ve got there. I haven’t heard that one in ages. I prefer kitsune though, I’m more used to this name now.”

Luka blinked, still trying to process what was happening. “Kitsune… You’re the goddess?”

The woman smiled, her tail swishing lazily behind her as she gestured to the empty spot in front of her on the blanket. “Would you join me for some tea? I know that it is still early in the morning, but I couldn’t get some earlier.”

Luka hesitated. Despite everything, even his tries to be cautious, there was something calming about her presence, something comfortable and soothing.

Perhaps it was the way it looked, like a simple pic-nic near a sublime landscape. Or perhaps it was the fact that a cup of tea was too good to be true after such a walk. Either way, he sat as she asked, his legs begging him to rest.

She handed him over a cup of tea and took a fan from the side. It was a beautifully crafted object, its guard made of gold and its leaf black with flowery patterns drawn on it.

Luka took the cup, feeling the smooth porcelain against his skin as he stared at the tea, still somewhat skeptical. The scent was herbal, its bitterness almost palpable from where he stood, and yet, it felt enticing.

Meanwhile, the woman unfolded her fan with a graceful flick and waved it as if to cool herself, but Luka had the distinct feeling she didn’t need cooling at all—it was simply part of her elegant demeanor.

The serene atmosphere and the total silence of the place only interrupted by the echoes of the wind pushed him to take a sip. He felt his muscles relax and his anxiety disappear, like magic.

“Feeling better now?” the woman asked with a slight tilt of her head, her fan continuing its slow, rhythmic movements.

Luka exhaled, surprised but welcome that all of his nervousness was washed away. It was as if he had entered a deeper state as if he was in control of himself for once.

He set the cup down slowly and smiled at the woman. “What’s in that tea?”

She gave him a soft, amused smile, her eyes glinting with a secret she didn’t want to share. “Nothing special, just tea leaves from my mountain.”

“Alright, keep your secrets, goddess-sama.”

“You’re using honorifics now?” the kitsune chuckled as she brought her cup to her lips.

Luka smirked, leaning back slightly to feel the wind on his face. “I just felt like it. Was it polite enough?”

She took a slow sip, her eyes briefly fluttering shut as she savored the tea. “I don’t know. You seem quite relaxed and casual for someone claiming to be polite.”

“True. You were far more intimidating when I couldn’t see you.”

She opened her eyes, only slightly, her smile fading. As if seeing right through him, she stayed quiet for a moment before opening her eyes further. The young man in front of her didn’t try to hide his feelings or even try to act fearful of her. “You’re unusually trusting with me as well. A bit too laid back to my taste.”

“I feel laid back? I mean, you saved my life. Shouldn’t I?” Luka asked, recoiling slightly.

She arched an eyebrow, her fan resuming its slow rhythm. “I suppose. But trust so freely given can easily be betrayed.”

“I see,” he said, looking down. There was another short silence between them as they searched for words to say. The woman carefully took some sips from her cup, as if to pace it.

Luka was impressed and still intimidated despite the facade he was putting on. She was powerful, after all. He had no reason to fear her because of the way she acted until now, but he was still wary.

“By the way, what happened to the way you spoke?” Luka asked innocently.

So innocently it almost made her choke on her tea.

“You know,” Luka continued, trying to suppress a grin at her reaction. “You used to speak all cryptic and formal—like some actual goddess. Now, you’re… well, more normal.”

The kitsune’s smile wavered, her gaze trying to escape his. “Perhaps it wasn’t me? Have you thought of that?”

“Oh really?” Luka smirked.

She let out a small huff, her shoulders relaxing as if she'd decided to drop the pretense. “It was just too tiring. And besides, it’s not comfortable to teach people in such a tone.”

“Wait, teach?”

She gave him a look that made him feel like a slow student. “That was always the plan,” she said, her tone holding a touch of exasperation. “Though I guess I wasn’t so clear on that.”

“You didn’t talk about this, at all,” Luka retorted. “I thought you were going to send me home?”.

She chuckled softly, “I promised you knowledge. Nothing more.”

Luka stared at her, feeling his body tensing again. “I… Didn’t want that. Unless you know a way to get me home?”

The woman’s expression darkened, her lips tightening in frustration. “Sorry, I am as clueless as you are.”

“Wha—”

However, before Luka began to panic, the woman quickly raised her hand. “But don’t you worry. I will find a way.”

“Really? But how?”

“Thanks to you,” she smirked confidently, revealing sharp fangs beneath her lips. “Alone, I probably can’t find a way to your world. But with you around as an anchor, I might be able to find the passage you used to come here. By reverse-engineering the spell that mage of the fairies used to bring you here.”

“You can do that?” Luka asked, feeling hope again.

She gave a confident smile. “Of course, who do you think I am?”

“A traitorous empress of China?”

Upon hearing these words, the kitsune’s ears perked up and her eyes widened. A chill crawled down her spine. For a moment, she felt like she wasn’t in control of the situation.

“How do you know?” her eyes narrowed. The speed of her fanning increased and her tail swished even more. An intense aura spewed out from her, menacing to explode at any moment.

Luka’s pulse quickened, but he continued nonetheless. “So, I was right,” he said slowly, proud of piecing it together. “You’re Su Daji. I knew something was off when you answered to the name of Húlíjīng. Though…” he trailed off lost in thought.

Her lips curled into a smile, revealing her fangs as she studied him. “It doesn’t make sense that I’m here?” she asks, her grin widening even more.

“Right. You’re the infamous fox spirit of the Investiture of the Gods, a Chinese novel. But at the end of it, you’re supposed to have been defeated by Jiang Taigong and then condemned by Nuwa.”

Daji’s eyes gleamed with excitement and nostalgia. “It’s true. I was utterly defeated and then stripped of my divinity by Nuwa,” she then looked at him quizzically. “You know so much and yet you’re not scared. Why is that?”

Luka hesitated, caught off guard by her sudden question. “Oh…” he trailed off, searching for an answer.

Her fan continued moving, albeit a bit slower. “Most people knowing the story would fear me, or even despise me, knowing I was real. I brought down empires, committed atrocities, and yet…” She tilted her head, intrigued. “You act as though it doesn’t matter.”

“I mean…” Luka scratched his head. “I’ve met a guy that can spawn lightning out of his spear, a guy pierced my chest with his fist, a fox that glows, and a lizard as big as a rock…” he rested his head on his hand while continuing, “a real living princess and his acolytes, fairies and magic, a girl that looks like a ninja but claim isn’t and is cursed or something…”

Daji’s fan paused mid-swing.“I… I think I’m starting to get it…”

“There is also this huge desert circling around Sora for some reason, dragon gods that exist in this world like it’s no big deal, a tree as huge as a skyscraper—no even bigger! And an EVEN BIGGER sword is—”

“Alright, I get it!” Daji cut him off, laughing in spite of herself. “You’ve seen a lot of things that are different from your world. That still doesn’t explain why I don’t faze you.”

“Once again,” he sighed, rubbing his forehead as if he’d said it already. “You saved my life and promised to help me. Without asking for anything in return.”

“That’s fair,” she admitted, feeling a little bad for being so cautious. “Still, you’re way too indulgent.”

“Are you going to betray me and throw me onto a heated bronze cylinder covered in oil?” he said casually.

“N-No… I’m not doing that anymore,” Daji sputtered, her eyes wide as if the very idea offended her.

“Then we’re good,” he extended his hand, hoping to get a handshake.

“P-Perhaps that tea relaxed you a little too much,” she mumbled, looking at him in disbelief. “You’re giving me chills.”

Daji looked at him for a long moment, then slowly extended her own hand. But the instant her fingers touched his, she recoiled slightly, her tail puffing out in shock.

“Is something wrong?”

While not showing it, her heartbeat skyrocketed. Anyone would’ve thought of it as something ridiculous, for a femme fatale like her to be surprised at the touch of a man, but it had nothing to do with this.

Daji’s expression remained carefully composed, but internally, her heartbeat skyrocketed. For anyone else, it might’ve seemed absurd—this powerful, ancient femme fatale, surprised by a simple touch. But it wasn’t embarrassment or excitement coursing through her.

It was something far more disconcerting.

A strange knot tightened in her throat and twisted in her stomach, as if her very being had momentarily buckled under something she couldn’t understand. What was this sensation? She had touched humans before, manipulated them, toyed with them. Yet this was different. Unsettling, even.

Despite the odd feeling swirling inside her, she pushed through it, managing to shake Luka’s hand with a firm grip. Her face remained unreadable, but her mind was racing.

What was that? she thought, trying to grasp the unfamiliar sensation. The air between them felt heavier, though nothing had visibly changed. Luka was still the same, confident in his strange, carefree way, while she, Daji—legendary fox spirit—was now unnervingly aware of something that eluded her comprehension.

Keeping her expression neutral, she released his hand, a flicker of confusion crossing her eyes before she quickly masked it. “Nothing. You’re going to be an interesting disciple…” she said, her voice steadier.

Luka smiled, a bit excited. “Disciple? That much?”

“Yes. Now, let’s get started, shall we?”

----------------------------------------

In front of the grand tree of creation, Luka stared at it, his shirt lifted for some reason Daji didn’t want to explain. He could feel her small hand, touching his back, as she hummed a foreign song he couldn’t quite recognize. Having set the tea aside and cleared the area, he was ready to learn anything she could teach him but…

“Is this really necessary?” he asked, sighing.

“Yes. I bet that incompetent at the academy did a poor job at opening your mana. You can’t have this little, it’s impossible,” she mumbled as she probed the flow of mana inside him.

Luka decided to not push his luck since she was getting a bit angsty. When he showed her his spell, she asked if he was joking. Unfortunately, he wasn’t. And now she was searching for all the reasons why he had access to this little mana.

After a while, the goddess sighed in exasperation, retreating her fingers. “So it is true… You really are weak beyond comprehension. I don’t even know why I was getting this worked up earlier, she added silently in her mind.

“I knew I was hopeless,” Luka chuckled.

“But there is still something I want to ask. Did Uther talk about your trait?”

“Trait?” Luka frowned. “No, he never talked about that.”

“That idiot,” Daji sighed in frustration, “Of course he wouldn’t… You can put your shirt back on now.”

Doing as told, he turned back to face her. “So, what is it then?” he said, curious.

Daji started fanning herself, visibly frustrated but content at the same time. “You truly are perfect to be my disciple. I made the right choice.”

“Huh? But you told me—”

“You are weak beyond comprehension, yes. But your strength doesn’t rely upon numbers… But rather how much you create from it.”

“You mean… mana?”

“Yes. Your trait, or mana attunement, is Control. That’s probably why Uther didn’t tell you. Hmpf, that ignorant fool,” she spat, fanning herself faster.

“Control… Like controlling my mana? That’s why I’m able to use the reinforcement spell so easily on one of my limbs?”

“Exactly. It’s the affinity with mana, the power to control it and understand it better than most,” she explained, waving her fingers in a circling motion. “Mana is like a flow, it moves through you multiple times every minute. Most mages don’t know what Control does as it’s mostly used to control oneself. For example, self-suggestion.” She continued, slumping her shoulder. “But most mages use other spells that are way more effective. That’s why nobody knows what to make of such a trait, and it’s not recommended to those possessing it to learn magic.”

“However,” Daji giggled, “All these foolish humans know nothing about what this trait is capable of. Though…” she looked at Luka, feeling like she hyped it up a bit too much. “It’s not going to change anything for you.”

“So I’m still weak?” Luka deadpanned.

“Yes. But you have a variant of my trait, so be honored. Mine is earth control.” Daji puffed her chest, making Luka even more dumbfounded by the situation.

“Can I change it?”

“Unfortunately no,” she shook her head. “A mana attunement is either given at birth or gained through traumatic events that shaped your life. So I would not recommend it.”

“But worry not!” the kitsune flashed a mischievous smile, “I have this!”

From inside her kimono, she pulled out what looked like a piece of paper with Chinese characters on it. “This is a talisman. My favorite way of using magic. Though it’s not as effective as creating tornados with my fan.”

“You can what with your fan—”

Daji continued, ignoring his sudden outburst. “It can be used for many purposes. Creating fire, wind, water or even elevating the earth—although I can do that alone. You can also create barriers, decoys of yourself, open gates, or even make objects levitate,” she smirked. “They can be a lifesaver for someone with your level of mana.”

Luka’s eyes widened, a chill running down his spine as he realized these things were far more potent than he thought. “I could actually use these?”

“Yes,” her fan snapped shut as she tossed him the talisman. “I will teach you how to craft them and how to use them. Though it will be very complicated, I will try my best to teach you.”

“There’s no way you’re Daji,” Luka chuckled, examining the talisman in his hand. It was a very sharp and thick paper but flexible at the same time.

“Let’s just say I had a change of heart,” she grinned. “I discarded my love for evil and turned myself in when I was brought back to life.” Then, with another talisman she pulled out from her kimono, she made a book appear and dropped it near Luka, making a heavy sound on the ground., and with a smirk way too evil, looked at him. “Now, let’s begin our lessons.”

A cold sweat appeared on Luka’s forward.

This book is bigger than the one Uther gave me… Are you sure you discarded your evil ways, teacher?

Fanning herself with a smug expression, she took a downcast look at her pitiful disciple. “Now, let’s begin your training, disciple~”

“SOMEONE SAVE ME, PLEASE I HATE SCHOOL!!!”

But no one heard his scream echoing in the empty valley.