Volume 16 Chapter 13: I Want You To Teach Me

“Meow!” The little leopard pounced into Eri’s arms; he purred and nestled his cheek into hers. Eri snuggled the spirit, “Bye.”

“Meow.” The leopard tried to snuggle into her arms further; it was as if there were no bones in its body, molding into her grasp. Scarlet couldn’t look at this scene further as she picked him up by the scruff, “You cannot go with them. You’re my spirit; are you trying to betray me?” She could see it in this mischievous spirit’s eyes; he wanted to go with Eri.

The spirit grumbled as he wiggled his body, wanting to return to Eri’s side, but Scarlet snorted as she held him tighter. I need to discipline him more. This one lacked manners before, and it became more so while she focused on Keith.

“Bye-bye, Big Sister Scarlet!” Eri waved at Scarlet; it was time for Keith and Eri to return to the Solis Kingdom.

Scarlet softened as she placed Ember to the side and hugged her, “I will see you soon.” Their vacation only had a few more weeks left.

Eri hugged back before entering the carriage with the little ones. Scarlet grabbed her spirit once more when she saw him jumping in; she didn’t even need to see him: it was instinct. Her eyes turned to the next person, “Are you not going to say goodbye to me?” He was silent, allowing her to say her goodbyes to Eri.

“Like you said, why do I need to say goodbye when we’ll see one another soon?” Keith chuckled. There was no need for any melodramatics. Scarlet frowned before opening her arms; Keith tilted his head, “What are you doing?”

“Hug.”

“...”

“Given everything we have been through, how could you not give me a hug?” They basically went through a war. A hug should be simple after this!

Keith sighed as he patted her head, “See you later.”

Scarlet’s cheeks flushed as she nodded, “Mmhmm.” He entered the carriage.

Carolyn popped her head out as she waved, “Haha, see you later, Scarlet! We’re going now!”

“...” You look like a villainess. Scarlet’s hands trembled before she flashed a bitter smile, “I will see him soon. Make sure to get your parents’ acknowledgement, if you even can.” Sparks flew between the two before Scarlet grumbled, “Later.”

“Make sure to get everything in order.” Carolyn left with those last words as the carriage set off.

Scarlet understood what she meant as she carried Ember back to the garden house. However, there was no noise; the joyful laughter and cheering of these last few weeks were gone. The difference in ambience with Keith and Eri was glaring; with two people living here, it felt more hollow.

“Meow!” Ember let out a loud meow, nestling into her chest. Scarlet glanced down at her cat with a frown. Why are you being clingy now? Were you not going to jump into the carriage and escape? This feline was a lofty creature who only cared for himself! He jumped down from her arms and headed into the home as if he owned the place! Scarlet followed him where he entered the kitchen; Ember jumped onto the kitchen counter and opened a jar and pulled out a dried fish to chew on!

“...” Did you have your own secret stash?! When did you become this happy with food? Scarlet eyed the cat’s joyful expression as he munched on another dried fish. Now that I think about it, Keith has been feeding him plenty of food. Throughout the academic years, Keith fed the spirits. Moreover, Eri had been feeding him her snacks as well! This leopard was living large under the two’s pampering! No wonder he wanted to jump ship when he had the chance!

“...” Meow. The kitten glanced up, wanting more fish.

“What a greedy fat cat you’ve become.” Scarlet pinched Ember’s fat belly; it had been fed well. Ember hissed before jumping away.

“…” Scarlet wondered how he should punish this fat cat. Maybe two weeks with no food? No, how about exercise? While she thought about his punishment, Selk entered the room, “M’lady, dinner is close.”

“Mmhmm.” Scarlet nodded as she headed to the dining room. Even without Keith, they could have a meal together.

However, there was a subtle silence among all of them. Keith was a mood maker. Tharaziel realized Keith’s importance as a buffer and one of the people who spoke up in the silence. Lilith was the other, but she was too sad that Eri was gone to speak. Tharaziel was going to say something when Scarlet took charge,

“King.”

“Hmm?”

“I want to learn how to use fire magic. From you.”

“!” Elyndra, Lilith, and Tharaziel’s eyes widened. Fire magic. Who was the strongest fire magic user in the kingdom? It was none other than the king himself. He was once touted as an inferno; his flame magic was all-consuming.

“Scarlet, is the academy not enough?” The academy had enough capable professors to teach her how to wield magic.

“It is. But not for fire magic.” Scarlet learned enough from the academy; however, she was at the level where professors were not capable of teaching her further. She needed an expert: there was one in front of her, and he was the best.

“Alright, I will help you learn,” Alastair agreed. Scarlet nodded as she continued to eat her meal while the others were dumbfounded. Later that night, when Alastair and Elyndra headed to bed.

“Dear, why are you doing this?”

“This is the first time Scarlet asked for my help.” Even Alastair was taken aback, but he maintained his composure.

“She needs this more than you think.” It was for Scarlet’s growth as well: she was a loner who learned everything by herself. She didn’t need an instructor most of the time.

“Alright,” Elyndra nodded at the father-daughter bonding time; it would do them good to build up their relationship. She added, “But you cannot force it.”

“I know.”