{Authorities still have yet to find the heinous bomber of Apexi INC. 5 days ago. They are now saying the blur that day was a high-ranking Dragon Tamer hired by an opposing company. We’ll keep you updat-}

“Oh dear… In our city? It must be their doing.” Anastasia narrowed her eyes while she was on the phone.

“Who did it?” Aella asked curiously, sitting on the couch with a satisfied grin on her face. “A group, you know?”

Watching Stormy attempt to interact with Cid while listening to the report of her beautiful work, Aella was rather curious when her mother mentioned a specific group.

‘Is she referring to the cult?’ Aella mused.

Considering the background Blair brought to her attention which she had since done her own research into, her parents being at odds with the cult didn’t seem all that far-fetched. Rather, if the cult existed back when they were active, it seems like it’d be impossible for such a group not to run into them, Slade being one of the most active Dragon Riders in history and all.

“Ah, nobody, honey. Surely just some nobody pulling off a heist. Although to think no suspects have been found though. Just what are those officers doing?” Anastasia responded, placing her phone down just slightly, allowing Aella to hear who her mother was talking to.

{Is that Aella? Does she not know of the group?} Blair asked genuinely, surprised that Aella was feigning about the topic at hand.

They were currently discussing a “playdate” for Aella and Seraphina, so naturally, with all the danger that was going on in recent days, Anastasia would be worried about her daughter's safety… Without knowing that her daughter was the danger.

‘Oh right… Mama is the only one who isn’t in the know. I’ve outed myself to Blair, and Papa has basically figured out that I saved Seraphina from those losers… Is there any way to get her in on my plans, if I could, I wouldn’t need a mechanic… No, I’m still surprised I haven’t been unowned yet. I’ll keep her out of it for now.’ Aella’s mind wandered aimlessly, deciding her next course of action.

“Mama is keeping secrets again! I’m gonna be the BEST Dragon Rider in the future! If no one else can catch them, I’ll be able to do it!” Aella stated, emphasizing the supposed dream of hers.

Once again, technically speaking, not incorrect. As the lord of the wind, she is naturally just as elusive. Surely, this wasn’t all one elaborate excuse to constantly be on the frontlines, destroying who knows how many Abyss Nests.

Her words riled Stormy up as the little gremlin spread his wings with an excited chirp of affirmation. He was also ready to cause a geno- to protect the masses alongside Aella as a Dragon Rider.

All this while, Cid looked at the entire situation from an outsider's perspective. He didn’t understand how Aella could possibly wanna do such a scary job like fighting on the front lines to protect others. At the same time, however, he couldn’t help but look up to Aella for it and also wonder if it was the path he should take as well.

If he was as strong as Aella, his mother wouldn’t have died. He was a Naturalis just like her, and his Dragon would hatch any day now, so why couldn’t he be as strong as his radiant and kind older sister?

…

Cid’s misconceptions about Aella aside, Anastasia could only smile wryly, “In time, Blair. In time.”

Blair sighed a little causing Aella to giggle at the thought of Anastasia’s face whenever she learned that her dearest princess was the culprit behind that explosion and that she’d already begun following in her father’s footsteps.

Stolen novel; please report.

‘Well, since I can’t really do anything else for the time being, what do I need to figure out? Funding shouldn’t be an issue. The sole ownership would most likely be under my name, so I’ll need to think of a fake name for that politician…. And a name for the corporation… A Cover Corporation… No, that’s too on the nose. The rest will be handled by Blair, and aside from that, I need to create a Peak grade Aetherstream for Seraphina and break into the Ursa Major level…’

Aella sighed inwardly at the thought of all of her options leading to waiting. With her body being so young it limited her movements. Even with her ability to transform, she had to worry about her parents, who were adamant about her not going out after the stunt in a specific unnamed building that she may or may not have had a part in. Not to mention that even if she looked like an adult, it didn’t mean much if she didn’t have an ID to match.

She could probably charm her way into places that require an ID, but that wasn’t on the table for rather obvious reasons.

‘This world’s technology is dangerous… I have the be conscious about every part of my body leaving evidence. My transformations are borderline useless… How can I turn it all in my favor?’

Shaking off her needless thoughts, Aella once again began to pay full attention to her surroundings, just barely catching the date of her meeting with Seraphina.

“So that Friday, then? That works. We haven’t gotten word about school starting back up yet, so how about a sleepover? I’d feel plenty safe if the two kids were with you.”

For a moment, Aella was sure she saw Blair’s eyes twitching when Anastasia mentioned staying over.

“Eh? Are you talking to Mrs. Blair?” Aella asked, feigning surprise, “Is Seraphina there?”

Anastasia couldn’t help but chuckle. Regardless of her worries about the current events, seeing her daughter finally have a friend warmed her heart immensely.

Little did either of them know, each had their own mischievous little plots. All before Blair even agreed to house Aella and Cid for however long their sleepover would last.

‘With the kids gone, Slade and I can investigate the activity of those fanatics. They must be eliminated ASAP.’ Anastasia thought, a serious expression being thinly veiled behind her smile.

‘10 days from now, huh? Blair will most likely give me complete freedom. I could probably eradicate all the traces of that cult. Or do I let them go? They could be useful for Seraphina’s growth. Choices, choices.’ Aella mused inwardly, a mischievous grin hidden behind that innocent facade of hers.

Despite being unaware of either of their thoughts, Blair felt a small pain begin to encompass her frontal lobe.

{That sounds fine. The investors I’m meant to meet with haven’t gotten back to me with a date, so I’m relatively free for the time. I’ll see you then. Take care, Anna.}

“Yeah, bye-bye. Alright, kids… How do you guys feel like going to meet Seraphina in a little over a week?”

Aella and Stormy naturally jumped for joy. “Yippe! I finally get to see Seraphina again!” which roughly translated to. Freedom once again! At long last, a total of 1 business week indoors no longer!

It was odd. Aella wasn’t new to waiting for such short periods, to the point of being completely paralyzed for years because of an injury. Back then, she could at least move her consciousness around, scout, and explore, even if it didn’t help her at all.

She didn’t quite understand why such a short amount of time felt like an eternity. Time, something that always seemed to move at her pace, was now trailing so far behind her.

Cid, however, didn’t share the sentiment. He could barely draw a face to the girl named Seraphina, much less feel excited about seeing her.

“Come on, Cid! Seraphina is the best! Cheer up!”

Cid, still hesitant, nodded while holding Stormy. “Okay.” He’d do it for Aella.

He had nothing to lose after all. Nothing else, anyway

Cheerfully, Aella picked up Cid and spun around while giggling.

‘I guess keeping Cid happy is another thing to add to the to-do list… If reaching level 25 got me my second tail, will 50 get my third? If I can unlock my [Blessings], then I should be able to expedite his mental healing. Once he gets a dragon, he might become a powerful weapon.’

The third tail, for Foxin, is largely considered the most important stage of growth. It is the point in their life where they get their most important ability. If Aella could unlock it quickly, her plans could be sped up greatly.

…