As Rachel stares at Nero with murderous intent, she keeps tightening her grip on me. My vision starts to blur, and panic sets in.

"Can't breathe..."

I twist and shake in Rachel's arms, trying desperately to free myself from her iron grip. My lungs burn as I struggle, the world beginning to spin.

"Wheeze..."

Startled by the noise, Rachel looks down. Her eyes widen in realization. "Eep, I'm sorry, my little fox."

The pressure on my neck vanishes, and I gasp for breath, gulping in the sweet, life-giving air. I glare at her as the relief floods through me. I can't help but feel a surge of frustration from my predicament. "This is very annoying. I can't speak or change back into a human, and to make matters worse, I have to deal with this damn tsundere strangling me," I think bitterly.

As Rachel continues to pet me, her obsession is clear in the way her fingers weave through my fur. I can feel her heartbeat, steady and comforting, lulling me to sleep. But I know I need to escape from this damned psycho.

The next match starts. While Rachel is distracted by a particularly fierce duel between two students, Zach Brown, a long sword user, and Yeniffer Quinn, a short sword user, Rachel's grip loosens slightly, and I manage to wriggle free from her grasp. Summoning all my fox agility, I bolt for the nearest hiding spot.

Or at least, that's what I tried to do. In reality, I fell face-first (or is it snout-first?) into the ground. I let out a sharp "yip" and awkwardly run away, my paws scrabbling against the dirt as I try to find my balance.

"CLARE, COME BACK HERE!" Rachel's voice echoes behind me, but I don't dare look back.

I sprint through the academy grounds, the world a chaotic blur of colors and sounds. Trees and buildings whip past me as I weave between them, my small size helping me slip through narrow gaps. The sharp scents of earth and greenery fill my nose, almost overwhelming me.

My heart pounds in my chest, each beat echoing in my ears as I dodge students and faculty, some of whom barely notice the small fox darting by. I take a sharp turn, nearly losing my footing, and continue running, driven by sheer panic.

Suddenly, I spot a trio of first-year students blocking my path.

"Why is there a fox on campus?"

"I don't know, but let's catch it!"

"Yeah, it could be a mana beast! I heard that if you catch one and prove yourself to be stronger, you can make a contract with them!"

One word floods my thoughts: "Shit."

I veer off to the right, narrowly avoiding the trio as they make a grab for me. My coordination is still clumsy, my movements awkward and unsteady, but adrenaline pushes me forward. I dart through a small gap between two buildings, my fur brushing against the rough walls.

The sounds of pursuit fade behind me as I enter a more secluded part of the campus. My paws pound against the soft earth as I make a beeline for the forest bordering the academy grounds. The shadows of the trees stretch out before me, offering a promise of safety.

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As I reach the treeline, I glance back to ensure no one is following me. The coast seems clear, but I don't slow down. I plunge into the forest, the dense undergrowth scratching at my fur and the dim light casting eerie shadows around me. My senses are on high alert, every rustle and snap of a twig making me jump.

Finally, I find a quiet spot behind a large oak tree. I collapse onto the ground, my body trembling with exhaustion. The rustling leaves and distant chatter of nature provide a strange comfort as I catch my breath and adjust to my current body.

The rest of the day is a blur. I manage to learn how to move in my fox form to some extent. But don't misunderstand; I still suck at moving around at speed. I'm just slightly better than a newborn. After about four hours of doing that and missing most of the exams, I decide that I want to sleep. Yes, I'm lazy. I know.

As I wobbled along to my room, I had to avoid the dangerous predator known as Rachel and get to my room safely. But as I reached the door, I realized that I had no way to open it. So I ended up crying in front of my door. Yes, crying. Not with tears, mind you; I'm not that emotional. Geez. I was using my lovely new fox voice. It is really loud and really annoying.

Finally, after about four minutes, I managed to annoy some poor staff member so much that they went to see what was going on. To my surprise, all they did was grab me by the neck and put my paw on the card reader, and the door opened. I was then thrown into the dormitory and went to sleep.

The next morning, the results of the academy exams are posted.

Clare Nakamura: Rank 3000

As I feared, I'm ranked at the bottom. Whispers and stares from other students follow me everywhere, and some random students try to catch me every now and then. Back in my room, I curl up on the bed, my small fox form barely making a dent in the covers.

"I have to figure this out. I can't stay like this forever."

That night, as I drift into a restless sleep, I find myself back in the serene, ethereal landscape of the spirit realm. The floating cherry blossom petals and soft glowing lights create a calming atmosphere, and I feel a sense of peace wash over me.

"Clare," a familiar voice calls. I turn to see Yuki, my new older sister, approaching with a warm smile.

"Yuki," I reply, my voice echoing strangely in the dream world. "Wait, why can I talk? Aren't I a fox?"

"Aww, you're still so CUTE in your fox form." She picks me up and rubs her face into my fur.

"Yuuuukkiii," I whine. "I'm stuck as a damn fox. This is no time for cuddles. Please help me."

Yuki sits beside me, her four tails swaying gently. "Don't worry, little sis. I am actually here to help you. Let's start with the basics of spiritual energy manipulation."

She places me gently on the ground and begins to explain. "Spiritual energy, or 'reiryoku,' flows through every living being. Unlike mana, which is an external force used for magic, reiryoku is an internal power that comes from the soul. It is deeply connected to your life force and spiritual presence. To manipulate it, you need to first become aware of it. Close your eyes and focus on your inner self—your tail in particular."

I close my eyes and concentrate, trying to sense the reiryoku within me. At first, it's difficult. The energy feels like a faint, flickering light, elusive and slippery. But Yuki's soothing voice guides me through the process.

"Imagine a warm, glowing orb inside your tail. This orb is your reiryoku. Feel its warmth, its presence. Let it fill you."

I take deep breaths, trying to relax and connect with this internal glow. Slowly, I begin to feel a faint warmth within me, a tiny flicker of energy that responds to my focus.

"Good," Yuki praises. "Now, gently guide that energy. Imagine it moving through your body. Don't force it; just let it flow naturally."

I picture the energy flowing through my body. It's a strange sensation, like a gentle current moving under my skin. The more I focus, the stronger the sensation becomes.

"You're doing great," Yuki encourages me. "Now, try to shape that energy. Form a small ball of light with it."

I visualize the energy gathering in front of me, forming a tiny ball of light. At first, it's just a faint glow, but as I concentrate, it grows brighter and more defined.

"Excellent," Yuki says, her voice filled with pride. "With practice, you'll be able to control this energy more easily. You'll learn to use it for illusions, healing, and even more powerful abilities."

I open my eyes, seeing Yuki's grinning face. I ask her, "What?"

She grins back, her tails swaying with excitement. "I'm going to be an instructor at your school, starting today."

Before I can respond, the serene landscape begins to fade away, and I find myself waking up in my room.