POV: Clare

"Where am I?"

My head hurts and it feels surrounded by a thick liquid. "I can't breathe."

I start to panic.

I try to move.

But I can't.

A familiar voice fills my ears. It's soothing, like a mother's embrace. "Calm yourself, my child."

And with those words, the darkness slips away and I'm covered in light.

I find myself standing in a serene, ethereal landscape filled with soft glowing lights and floating cherry blossom petals. Before me stands a beautiful woman with long silver hair and nine majestic tails swaying gently behind her.

"Welcome to the spirit realm, Clare," the woman says, her voice soothing and warm.

"Who are you?" I ask, feeling a strange sense of familiarity.

"I am Kuzunoha, the Kitsune goddess. And, in a way, I am your mother."

"My mother?" I repeat, trying to process her words."Yes, your body is biologically mine.

I reused your soul and gave birth to you.

You are one of my true daughters in this world," Kuzunoha explains gently.

"Ding."

"You have gain a title due to being acknowledged by Kuzunoha.: the youngest daughter of Kuzunoha"

"Your transformation and spiritual abilities are gifts from me. But you must learn to control them."

But before I can ask what she means, a blur of white fur tackles me, and I find myself on the ground, looking up at a majestic four-tailed kitsune with bright blue eyes. "Little sis! Little sis!" the kitsune yips excitedly.

"I finally get to meet you!"

Kuzunoha chuckles softly.

"This is your older sister, Yuki. She's been eagerly waiting for this moment."

"Nice to meet you, Yuki," I say, feeling bewildered.

Yuki nuzzles me affectionately.

"You're so cute in your fox form, Clare! But you need to be careful. Depleting your spiritual energy like that is dangerous."

Kuzunoha nods. "Yuki is right."

"Your transformation happens when your spiritual energy or mana is exhausted. It's both a blessing and a vulnerability. You must learn to harness your powers quickly."

This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

"But how?" I ask, feeling overwhelmed. "I don't even know where to start."

"You must begin by understanding your abilities,"

Kuzunoha says gently.

"Your spiritual energy is unique. You can manipulate it to enhance objects, create objects, create illusions, heal, and communicate with spirits. These are all very powerful skills"

"but they also require control and practice."

Yuki grins. "And don't worry, I'll help you. You're not alone in this, little sis."

Kuzunoha places a comforting hand on my shoulder.

"Remember, Clare, you are stronger than you think. Trust in your abilities and stay true to yourself. You have the potential to achieve great things."

"And you better piss Bragi off As well"

For the first time i see an evil looking smile on Kuzunohas face.

As I open my mouth to respond, the ethereal landscape begins to fade. Kuzunoha's voice echoes in my mind. "Remember, you are never alone."

"We are always with you."

I wake up feeling warmth and softness all around me. I slowly open my eyes to find myself nestled in Rachel's arms.

Her face is buried in my fur, and she's whispering softly, "Fox, fox, fox," over and over.

For a moment, I'm too stunned to move. But then the realization hits me—I'm in my fox form.

The transformation must have happened when I depleted my spiritual energy.

Rachel's grip is gentle but firm. She's cradling me like a precious treasure.

"Mine,"

she whispers possessively."Miss Reinheart, please let go of Miss Nakamura so that I can take her to the infirmary,"

Mr. Lorian's voice cuts through the moment.

"No," Rachel replies.

her voice filled with determination. "Mine."

Mr. Lorian sighs. "Fine. You can hold Miss Nakamura until we finish testing. I'm not dealing with this right now."

Rachel looks down at me, her eyes softening as she realizes something. "Wait, Nakamura? You were my opponent?"

She pauses, her expression shifting from confusion to a strange mix of curiosity and possessiveness.

"You're the fox…"

I let out a small whimper, feeling a mix of embarrassment and helplessness.

Rachel holds me closer, stroking my fur gently.

"You're safe with me,"

she murmurs, her voice softer now.

"If any one touches you i will kill them" she says with a mad gleam in her eyes

She seems to be looking at Nero.

Just then, the loud voice of Mr Lorian draws our attention.

"Next up: Nero Darkdom vs. Illia Everfrost!"

Rachel and I turn our eyes towards the arena as the two combatants step into the ring.

Nero, a tall boy with dark, brooding features and shadowy magic swirling around him, faces off against Illia,

a graceful girl with icy blue hair and piercing eyes, her aura radiating frost.

"Begin!"

Mr. Lorian's voice rings out, and the battle erupts.

Nero moves first, shadows extending from his body, forming tendrils that lash out towards Illia. She responds with a flick of her wrist, and a barrier of ice springs up, deflecting the shadowy assault.

The clash of magic sends a shockwave through the arena, causing the spectators to gasp.

Illia counters with a barrage of ice shards, each one aimed with deadly precision. Nero dodges with the agility of an assassin, his shadows forming a protective barrier around him.

With a smirk, he launches forward, his shadows morphing into blades aimed at Illia.

Rachel's grip tightens slightly as she watches, murmuring, "Nero's shadow magic is highly annoying, but Illia's control over ice is both precise and powerful. "

Illia meets Nero's charge head-on, summoning a massive ice spear and thrusting it towards him using magic.

Nero's shadow blades clash against the spear, and the two combatants are locked in a deadly dance of ice and shadow.

"Thats rank 6 and 3 for you"

The clash of ice and shadow intensifies, with neither side giving an inch.

Just as it seems like the battle could go on forever, a powerful blast of ice erupts from the ground near Nero.

enveloping him in a freezing storm. When the ice and snow clears, Nero is encased in a thick layer of frost, immobilized.

Mr. Lorian steps forward.

"Winner: Illia Everfrost!"

The crowd erupts in applause, and Rachel relaxes her grip slightly.

"Well, that was intense," she mutters, glancing down at me.

"Never be near Nero with out me "

Rachel's gip tightens, almost suffocating me.

I yip in agreement, trying desperately to get her to let go.