The scene in the park continued with growing excitement as Akane conjured more magical displays for the children and parents gathered around her. She created a small swarm of fireflies that buzzed about, their bioluminescent tails illuminating the grassy field in a soft, ethereal glow. The fireflies danced and weaved around the kids' heads, leaving behind a trail of wonder in their wake.

“Miss Fox, what else can you do?” one of the kids called out, their eyes wide with curiosity.

Akane's eyes sparkled with mischief as she raised her arms again. This time, she summoned a group of illusionary fish that leaped from the ground, splashing into the air as if they were swimming through the very atmosphere.

The fish twisted and twirled in mid-air, their vibrant reds, oranges, and whites creating a mesmerizing dance above the children's heads. Giggles and gasps of amazement echoed through the park.

The parents, watching from a distance, now came closer, sitting down on the grass to join the spectacle.

Mocha glanced at the growing audience and felt a surge of joy. It's truly amazing what magic can do, she thought, watching the children's eyes light up with delight.

Akane's voice snapped her out of her thoughts. “Miss Akane, can you make a drakyn?” one of the children asked, their eyes wide with anticipation.

Mocha watched as Akane focused her mana, conjuring an illusion of a giant reptile with wings that seemed to spiral around an enormous, invisible tree. The sight was mesmerizing, the drakyn’s scales shimmering with green and gold, its movements fluid and graceful.

Mocha heard a rumble that seemed to echo through the air and realized it was the creature’s roar. She watched as the children cheered and clapped, their faces full of wonder.

She's so awesome, Mocha thought, a surge of admiration and gratitude filling her heart. She felt so lucky to have Akane as her friend.

As the magical display continued, Mocha could sense that Akane was growing tired. She watched as the illusions began to fade, the magical creatures turning into small glimmers of light before disappearing altogether. The crowd erupted into applause, and Mocha couldn't help but join in.

“You're amazing, Miss Fox!” a young girl called out, her eyes shining with admiration.

Mocha couldn't have agreed more. She watched as Akane bowed, her face flushed with happiness. Mocha caught her eye and gave her an approving nod.

“You welcome,” Akane said, her voice filled with genuine happiness. Akane surveyed the audience, her eyes twinkling with mischief. “Any else have magic?” she inquired, a challenging glint in her eyes.

One of the older ones hesitantly raised his hand. The other children turned their heads to stare at him, their eyes wide with a mix of excitement and envy. The boy's father reached out as if to stop him from coming forward but, after a moment of hesitation, simply shook his head and retracted his arm.

Akane beckoned the boy closer, giving him a reassuring smile. As he stood next to her, the boy looked up at Akane with awe and nervousness.

“Is okay,” Akane encouraged gently, patting his head. “Show us you magic!”

With a nod of determination, the boy pointed to a tiny yellow flower growing in the grass. Sitting cross-legged in front of it, he gently cupped his hands around the delicate bloom and closed his eyes. Mocha felt the boy's mana begin to flow and soon, a soft green glow emanated from his hands.

The crowd watched in amazement as the boy moved his hands away from the flower. It began to grow rapidly, its stalk stretching upward until it stood chest-high to the seated boy. The yellow flower head expanded until it was as large as Mocha's elven hand.

The boy's father looked on with a mixture of pride and anxiety. But his apprehension vanished as Akane waved her hand, conjuring a beautiful butterfly. This butterfly looked real, except for the sparkling trail of a rainbow that streamed from its wings. It fluttered about, drawing gasps of delight from the onlookers, before finally alighting atop the massive yellow flower.

“Pretty,” Akane murmured, her voice imbued with genuine admiration.

“Yes,” Mocha agreed quietly.

The crowd, including the previously concerned father, was now wholly entranced, their faces filled with awe.

People forget their worries when they are in the presence of beauty, Mocha thought, taking in the scene. It’s why everyone is happy when I’m in my true form.

Suddenly, a little girl, who Mocha guessed couldn't be more than seven based on her interactions with Iris, approached where she sat. “Do you have magic too?” the girl asked, her wide eyes fixed on Mocha.

Mocha smiled warmly at the child. “Yes. You want… to see?”

The little girl's head bobbed up and down so quickly, Mocha feared she might hurt herself.

Catching Akane's eye, Mocha gave her a conspiratorial smile. Akane responded with a knowing nod.

Mocha stood and moved away from the crowd, signaling for the little girl to follow. Once she had enough space to transform, she winked at Akane.

A whirl of mana enveloped Mocha as Akane let the magic holding her elven form dissolve. Muffled gasps of amazement emanated from the spectators, their voices slightly distorted by the curtain of magic.

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The spell lifted, and Mocha emerged in her true form, a magnificent, beautiful, magical, and amazing horse. She let out a powerful neigh and emerged from the dissipating mana, sensing the awe in the air. I know, I know. I look gooooood, she thought, tossing her lustrous blond mane in the breeze.

She galloped away, her hooves pounding against the ground, the onlookers' exclamations accompanying her flight. After gaining some distance, Mocha activated her [Can't Even Spell Inersha] skill, allowing her to reverse direction instantly and return to the crowd at full speed. She slowed and reared up, neighing proudly, ‘Behold me, minions!’

Akane's laughter rang out like a bell.

Mocha raised her head imperiously and trotted over to the wide-eyed girl, gently bowing so she could climb on. The little girl's hands clutched at Mocha's mane as she hesitantly mounted the most magnificent horse.

Mocha released another proud neigh, feeling the admiration in the eyes of the crowd. She slowly circled the gathering, her [Stop Falling Off] skill—which she had made because Iris was a damned klutz—ensuring the child remained securely on her back. She transitioned to a canter, her ears twitching backward as the girl began to giggle uncontrollably. Other children ran alongside, their laughter filling the air. The parents, too, were pointing and chatting, their faces alight with pure amazement.

It's perfect, Mocha thought, looking toward Akane with an encouraging neigh, ‘Come on! Your turn!’

Akane called out to the children, her voice carrying a note of excitement. A cloud of mana enveloped her, and, within moments, it cleared to reveal a massive fox with a lolling tongue. The fox flopped onto the grass, rolling playfully before bouncing up with a big, goofy smile.

She knows she looks intimidating. Best to act playful, Mocha mused, nickering at the little girl on her back as if sharing a secret. ‘Let's go play with her!’

The girl's giggles persisted. “She's so pretty! Let's go over there!”

Mocha snorted in agreement and slowed to a walk as she approached her foxy friend. The atmosphere was charged with joy, the magic of the moment weaving a spell of its own.

Akane sat watching Mocha approach with her three fluffy tails sweeping across the grass in slow, playful arcs.

The magical dire fox looked up at Mocha and let out a series of yips and barks, her fox-like eyes full of excitement. ‘They’re so happy!’

‘You were right, Akane, this is so much fun! Look at their faces!’ she neighed in response. In this form, they could communicate just as they did in their other forms. But, unlike when they were humanoid, they could speak in full sentences without difficulty.

Akane rolled onto her back, her paws reaching up to the sky as if she was trying to catch the clouds. She barked joyously, then rolled back onto her feet and leaped around Mocha playfully. The children in the crowd cheered, clapping their hands and running around them, joining in the playful spectacle.

The little girl on Mocha's back giggled even harder, her voice high and clear, blending with the laughter of the other children. “Do it again, do it again!” she said.

Akane looked up at Mocha, her fox eyes twinkling, and let out a series of playful yips, ‘Let's put on a show they'll never forget!’

Mocha neighed in agreement, and they both started to move around the field, their majestic forms casting long shadows across the grass. Akane darted in and out of the trees, her massive, but nimble fox form was agile and swift, while Mocha galloped after her, the wind lifting her mane and tail like banners. They played tag, and their movements synchronized in a dance of joy and freedom.

As they played, the children joined in, chasing after them, pretending to be horses and foxes. The parents, too, watched with smiles on their faces, some even joining in the game. It was a scene of pure, unadulterated happiness, a moment of magic in a world that had seen so much change.

Akane bounded up to Mocha, her fox tongue lolling out as she barked, ‘I never thought the elves could be so nice like this. It’s so much fun. We have to get Iris to join us.’

The little girl on her back yawned, signaling it was time to be done. She walked near the girl’s parents and lowered herself to the ground. The young girl's mother, a radiant high elf with long, flowing hair, hurried over to retrieve her daughter. Her eyes sparkled with joy as she lifted the child from Mocha's back and set her down gently on the grass. The young girl dashed over to an elderly couple that Mocha assumed were her grandparents, her voice high with excitement as she eagerly recounted the experience of her ride.

The mother approached Mocha, her eyes still shining with delight. She leaned in close, a smile stretching across her face as she whispered, “Thank you, miss. Your magic is absolutely enchanting, and you are the most gorgeous sight I’ve laid eyes upon. How I wish I could possess the power to transform into such a majestic creature like you can. This day has become a day my daughter will never forget, and for that, I am deeply grateful.”

Mocha nodded toward Akane, who responded by releasing a cascade of magical energy. As the swirling cloud of mana enveloped them, Mocha found herself transitioning once more. Emerging from the mist, she stood before the slightly shorter woman in her sun elf form.

“Thank you,” Mocha managed to say through the difficulty of her shifted speech. “You child bring happiness.”

The woman stepped forward and gently grasped Mocha's arm, her face etched with concern. “Does the magic make it harder for you to speak? Are you sure you're alright?”

Mocha felt a welling of emotion, her eyes moistening. “I fine. Promise.” Her gaze swept across the delighted children, their excited chatter filling the air. Some of the younger ones were attempting to jump and grasp at one of Akane's swaying tails. Mocha's face broke into a wide smile. “So happy. It is... good, I think. To feel like equal.”

The woman's brows furrowed slightly in confusion, but she soon nodded with a soft, understanding smile. “I'm sure the other parents feel just as grateful as I do. You both are surely blessed by Eona herself.”

A sudden spark of inspiration flashed in Mocha's mind, an idea taking shape. “Eona... Yes, we must go.”

“Do you live in the city?” the woman asked.

Mocha nodded. I do, we just don’t have a home quite yet.

The woman's grip on Mocha's arm tightened momentarily in a reassuring squeeze before releasing. “Alright, then. I wish you the best, and I hope to see you again. My daughter won’t let me live it down if she cannot!”

Mocha made her way over to Akane, who was still surrounded by a throng of captivated children. Signaling that it was time to depart, the two magical creatures bid farewell to the children and the parents, who were a mix of elation and regret at their leaving.

Several parents voiced hopes that they might return someday, even extending invitations for a warm welcome at any time. Akane responded by promising that next time, she would bring her sister, a strong adventurer.

The statement puzzled the parents, but no one inquired further.

With a final glance at the children, who continued to buzz with excitement, Mocha and Akane walked away from the park.

“Where should we go next?” Akane inquired.

Mocha's smile broadened, and she confidently answered, “To the temple.”