Once it is around time for breakfast, I wake Lin up and we head downstairs. After we eat, Lin sits the kids down and starts teaching them about magic. She will teach them until lunch and then after lunch they will do some training.

While they are doing that, I leave the castle and go to talk to Stillwater. When I find him, Silverstream is with him and it is amusing to see them together. It has been so long that I had forgotten that they are a couple now.

Stillwater says "What can we do for you, Ash?"

"We should be reaching the peninsula within the next week. There are things that I need to prepare before we arrive. One of them is the fact that on the peninsula I will need to go back to using my beastman form. I want to let the elves get used to me in that form before we arrive. Rather than just showing up and surprising them, I want you to inform everyone first."

Stillwater says "That will be easy enough. As long as they know it is you, I doubt anyone will freak out."

Silverstream says "It will help that most of the elves from the village and the first groups you saved have all seen you in that form."

"Honestly, I have gotten so used to using other forms I can't even remember who has seen me as a beastman and who hasn't. It has been a while since I gained my current form and I have gotten used to it. It will probably feel weird being a beastman again."

Silverstream says "In that case, why not practice now?"

"What? Why?"

Silverstream says "Because I remember how soft and fuzzy you are as a beastman!"

Stillwater doesn't say anything to stop her, so I reluctantly shapeshift into my beastman form. As soon as I do, Silverstream throws herself on me and starts rubbing her face against my fur. Stillwater just laughs at her antics, apparently he has complete faith in her.

Stillwater says "I had forgotten how intimidating you look in this form. Warning people first is definitely a good idea."

Silverstream says "This is so much better than your human form! You should stay like this all the time."

"Well, in order to get the elves used to it I am going to have to. I will also be spending more time outside the castle. After all, it is pointless if the elves don't see me. I feel bad that I haven't had the time to interact with the elves lately. I just had a lot of things to take care of."

Stillwater says "It's alright, we understand. I imagine we won't see you much after we get back to the peninsula."

Stolen novel; please report.

"I hate to say it, but yeah that's probably true. There are so many things that I will be dealing with, I don't even want to think about it. However, you won't be alone, Core will be with you. She will be able to take care of you when I am not around."

Silverstream says "Personally, I'm not worried about that, I am just excited to see the city of our ancestors."

Stillwater says "Yes, I am also looking forward to that. It will be nice to finally have a home and for our people to be safe."

Silverstream says "I don't know, I kind of feel like this ship has become our home. I will miss it once we leave. Although, it will be nice to have more room for our people."

Stillwater says "Yes, more room will be nice. Privacy will be even nicer."

Silverstream says "Haha! I still say your aunt is worse than my sister!"

"Oh, sounds like there is a story here. What happened?"

Stillwater blushes and says "Nothing! At least nothing we are going to speak of."

Silverstream only giggles, it looks like she doesn't want to tell me what happened either. That means it is probably something embarrassing, like someone walking in on them while having sex. If that is the case, I don't really need to hear about it, if I did I'm sure Silverleaf would tell me.

We chat for a little while longer, mainly so they can tell me about how the elves have been doing. I return to human form, much to Silverstream's disappointment, and return to the castle. When I get back, everyone is sitting down having dinner, so I join them.

While we are eating, I tell everyone about the plan to use my beastman form more. After warning them, I go ahead and shift back to my beastman form, but no one seems bothered. The kids don't really care, I am their dad no matter what form I am in, and Lin also seems fine.

After dinner, Lin and I head upstairs to read, but Lin curls herself up in my lap. When I ask what she is doing all I get is a happy mutter about soft and furry. Not that I mind Lin using me as a recliner, in fact I rather enjoy it.

Later, when we head to bed I am expecting her to ask me to shapeshift to human form. However, she doesn't say a word about it and we proceed to have our fun with me in beastman form. Since I was outside for a while I am not tired and once Lin falls asleep I just start working on my core.

Core Upgrade Progress: 87%

I work on my core until it is about an hour before it is time for breakfast so I can wake Lin up. This way, we can have our morning fun and still join the kids for breakfast. Normally I would let Lin sleep in, but since she is teaching the kids she needs to keep to a schedule.

We eat with the kids and then Lin starts their lesson on magic, but I have nothing to do. So, I leave the castle in my beastman form and take a walk around the ship. Some of the elves act surprised, but most of them seem to have expected to see me.

I am glad that no one reacts with fear when they see me, that was my biggest worry. I spend about an hour wandering around and chatting with some of the elves. Most of them just nod at me, but a few are brave enough to stop and chat for a few minutes.

When I return to the castle, the kids and Lin are just finishing their lunch. After lunch, the kids head to the training room and Lin heads to her library. With nothing else to do, I go back to working on my core and I manage to rank up just before dinner.

Core Upgrade Progress: 100%

Core Upgrade Completed! Core Rank Upgraded to 13!

Rank Up Benefits: HP +500, MP +500, DP +250. Strength +100, Endurance +100!

When the kids come out of the training room I head upstairs to fetch Lin for dinner. While we are eating, the kids talk about today's training and ask for our advice. Chloell hasn't left yet, because she has some questions about her own combat style.