Chapter 33

The first week was... Chaotic. Not classes of course. But the free studies. We agreed to train all together. And... I wouldn't say it was a disaster. It was just pretty hard to coordinate everyone. I know it won't be something happening immediately, that's a given.

At least we didn't try a Dungeon from the get-go. That would have been dangerous. Well, not that much. Better be cautious though.

We still managed to get something working approximately well. I gave up giving orders though. Not that I was ordering them around, far from it, I was mostly giving directives toward working together.

Now It's Eliza's role. Yes. She's already in charge of shielding us, mostly me, but she has a better view of the battlefield and she's way smarter than me. Less reckless too.

Of course besides the training we all took time to relax. Be it going on small dates around the Academy or even hanging out with the three other girls.

Altina is still a bundle of energy, I don't even know if she is capable of being tired. But she's fun. She proposed us to fly with her. I'm not sure it's a good idea. She's often wobbly herself while airborne so it's a little scary to imagine us flying with her. She understood, but that didn't stop her from being sad for one whole day. And it's a miracle to see that. Even Virina was surprised to see her that sad.

She thought we bullied her daughter...

Luna is... Still a pervert through and through. She constantly try to grab my tail or even my ears.

I once tried to let her succeed. But as I thought, she didn't touch it. Just ducking on the side to avoid it. I'm getting increasingly curious about the reason for those reaction.

Her distance control is amazing though. It's always exactly the distance of a thumb between us. More between the others. It's weird, impressive but weird. But I don't want to press her for the reasons. She'll tell us when she's ready for it.

If we can, I'd like to help her. She's part of our team now.

About Claire. Well, she's still quite shy. She's better with us, particularly with me for some reason. Maybe because I'm also a beastkin? No idea. But with others outside of our circle? I've seen her some times in the corridors between classes. And the same guy continues to bother her whenever he can. I thought he was someone interested in her. Well, I wouldn't blame him for that. She's cute and quite gentle.

Each time he talks to her, I can see her mood dropping sharply though.

It was Friday morning when I approached them after spotting them talking outside. Claire's face wasn't showing anything. But her tail was swishing behind her with displeasure.

Is he that blind?

"Hey Claire! We were waiting for you! Ready to go?"

I offer my brightest smile to the Catgirl. I hope she gets the message that I'm here for her.

She turns toward me, her eyes brightening considerably.

"O-oh! H-hey Jane! Yes I'm coming for training!"

Her tailed settled in a lazy sway... Before puffing up again when the guy she was talking with opened his mouth again.

"Your Highness. I believe we were in the middle of a conversation, weren't we? Who is that girl?"

'Your Highness'? What? She's a princess or something?

Claire stiffen immediately as I look at her with a raised eyebrow. I give her a warm smile before turning toward the man.

"Hello senior. I'm Jane Denki, Claire's friend and team member. I'm sorry but we are a little late for our training. If you would let us go."

"Ah. The foxgirl." He throw a glance at my tail and ears. "While I'm sure your training is important, the matter between her Highness and me are of the utmost importance too."

"Look. I've seen you talk to her often. I have no actual idea what you are asking her. You could even ask her out. If she agrees who am I to say anything? But I'm pretty sure whatever you want, she doesn't."

"You don't know that, Miss Denki."

I can hear the tightening of his voice. Seems like I'm right.

"Maybe. But at least I possess the capabilities to read a beastkin's body language. You should too, didn't you have the same classes as us in first year? Something about..."

I put a finger on my lower lip in a mock thoughtful expression. Then I snapped my fingers.

"Oh right! Race characteristics. Wasn't it?"

"Yes. What is your point?"

I point at Claire's tail and ears with my hand.

"This. You can't tell me you never noticed the way her tail puffed up and swished with annoyance, right?"

His eyes followed my hands, looking at my friend's additional limbs.

"And I may not know her for long. But she never striked me at the type to refuse firmly."

I glance at Claire for a brief second, giving her a small apologetic smile.

"Sorry Claire, I don't mean you are too timid or quiet or anything. It's not a critic."

"I-it's fine."

"Anyway. Leave her alone if she already said not, multiple times."

"I'm afraid that still doesn't concern you."

"That's true. But do I care? No. One last time, leave her alone. I wouldn't mind punching you in the face."

I don't wait for his answer that will certainly be offended based on the expression he has. I take Claire's hand in my own before turning around, dragging her away. I make my tail swish once just to make him a little madder than he is.

Wow her hand is very soft, almost boneless!

For a little while Claire didn't say anything, just letting me pull her by the hand toward our usual training place. Then a little sound coming from her makes me look in her direction.

"T-thanks, Jane. I... Didn't know how to get away."

"Don't worry about it. Like I said, I've seen him talk to you multiple times. And everytime you looked like you wanted to stab him with an arrow. I recommend the knee, he won't pursue then"

A small laugh escapes her and my tail swish smugly.

"R-right. That could be a solution. Hum..." She hesitates. "You aren't going to ask?"

I perfectly know what she means by that.

"Hm? You mean the whole 'Highness' thing? Do you want to talk about it?"

I stopped to lock my eyes with hers. She hesitates again, her indecision written all over her face. She finally shake her head.

"No... Not yet at least."

I nod with a gentle smile before walking ahead again.

"Then it's fine. I honestly don't care from where you come from. I mean your status. You are just 'Claire' that's all. And it's enough. If one day you want to talk about it, you can."

She made a surprised sound. I can't see her since I'm ahead and pulling her hand, but I'm pretty sure she nodded. Then I felt something soft brush against my tail. When I turn my head slightly to see what just touched me, I see Claire blushing and glaring at her own tail.

Ah, she's getting betrayed by her tail too?

I'm not sure what just happened, her face tells me I shouldn't ask though. So I just let it go.

After arriving at the training field the girls looked at us, me in front with Claire blushing and following me with our hands clasped together. Anna and Eliza raised an eyebrow at our hands, a little smile on their lips.

Tilting my head, I follow their gaze before letting Claire's hand go.

"Oh! Sorry, I forgot. I hope I didn't bother you!"

"N-no, that's alright! Let's get to.. To training!"

She quickly joined the others, her tail lashing slightly behind her. I shrugged, confused.

Later this night Anna and Eliza grilled me about what happened and why we came together with our hands held together.

I simply explained Claire's situation at that time, without mentioning the 'Highness' part. It wasn't relevant anyway.

They seemed almost disappointed and I'm confused about that. But they didn't explain their reaction. So I put it in the back of my mind, I'll ask later on.

Almost a month passed like that, classes and training coming and going with the time.

It's at this moment Virina asked all of us to come to her office.

Will we finally get the informations about that Dungeon I can 'end' without problem? We should be able to handle it, I hope.

We all scattered around Virina's office. Anna, Eliza and me on a sofa with me sprawled across their laps, belly down. Altina took the second sofa and spread her wings to take up the whole length of the furniture. Claire took place above a bookcase that wasn't here the last time we came. I suspect that Virina put it up so our resident cat could climb on it. After all when we introduced the whole team to our dear Headmistress the first time, Claire seemed a little sad to not be able to have a high-ground.

Lastly Luna sat on the one-seater sofa remaining. Well, 'sat' is a big word. She has her legs dangling over one side and her head on the other side, looking totally relaxed.

Virina looked at us all and sighed heavily.

"You know. I did say to be comfortable with me. But... Aren't you a little too comfortable girls?"

I lifted my head slightly to look at her with a little smile.

"Isn't it fine? You can also relax you know?"

My tail is swaying slowly, tickling Anna's face, while my ears are scratched by Eliza.

"Aahh... Yeah well. Let me keep a little dignity will you?"

"Give up mom, you don't have anymore dignity with us!" Altina chime from her seat, her voice cheerful.

Virina look at her daughter with a deadpan expression.

"I suppose it's your fault. What did you say to them all?"

"Me? Nothing! I'm innocent!"

Altina protest is self-righteous. We all share a glance, smiles on our faces. Virina notices us, of course, and point at her daughter.

"You definitely said something!"

"Hehe. I told them how clumsy you are at home and that you need to use magic for a lot of things or you'll drop them!"

"Altina!"

"Nooo Jane protect meee!"

Totally unrepentant, Altina dart from her sofa to hide behind ours while Virina looks fondly exasperated. I look at the tip of our healer's wings twitching behind the sofa.

"No way, you brought this upon yourself ! It's your mom, not mine."

"Ahww, no mercy for her own teammate..."

"Alright, stop being silly girls." Eliza cuts in with a fond sigh. "Virina, you asked us to come because you have info on the Dungeon, right?"

Altina settled on the sofa again as Virina sat properly once again too.

"Yes. It wasn't easy but I managed to 'book' the Dungeon for some time. Usually it's a free-for-all. Anyone can enter to get ressources. It may not be a popular one, but it's still cleared once in a while. And there's often teams around. To allow you, Jane, to 'End' it I had to play a few favours so there's nobody near it for a while. I don't know if there will be a reaction when the Dungeon disappear. And I guess you don't either."

"No I don't. If the first we did was constructed by whoever is behind those tablet... Then they may have tuned down the reactions after it disappeared."

"Right, I guessed as much. I'll try to handle to repercussions with one Dungeon disappearing from the world. I do hope you'll succeed. But please. Be careful. You have my daughter in your team don't forget about that."

"Altina is already a precious member! And not because she's our healer." Anna smiles at Virina as I nod from her lap.

"We do intend to all return. Stronger too."

They all nod around the room.

Claire lift a hand and Virina looks amused.

"Claire, you don't need to raise your hand to talk."

She lowers it with a sheepish smile.

"R-Right. So... Where is it? The... The Dungeon I mean."

Virina's smile stiffened a little as she looked at Claire.

"It's close enough if the Academy needs to send someone to help. It's in Baklai, near the frontier. Roughly a hundred kilometers from here."

Claire froze almost imperceptibly at that name, barely managing a 'Oh' in response.

I guess... That's where she comes from. Seems like she isn't too keen in going there again.

[??? POV]

"How are the preparations?" A hoarse voice rang in the office of a large manor.

The room was lavishly decorated, with various hunting trophy of monsters on one wall. The rest are filled with bookshelves, bookcases choke full of various books. In the center of it all is a massive desk with paperwork strewn all over.

Behind that desk is a mountain of a man clothed with a suit that seems to struggle containing his muscles, ready to burst and become rags.

"Yes Sir. We have their destinations. We're ready to send a team whenever it's needed."

Another man dressed as a butler is in front of the desk, bowing to the first man. He looks like he doesn't dare facing him.

"Perfect. Send them to surround the Dungeon. Wait until they get out before striking. They will surely be tired and injured. I do not want the same mistake as the train, understood?"

"Understood, Sir. Who do we send exactly?"

"Three full team. Mid-level of combat. Tell them to be especially careful of Jane, the foxgirl. She is very dangerous. And doesn't seem to mind killing if it's to protect the other two girl. Dismissed."

The butler answered with a nod before straightening and leaving the room with another bow, closing the door behind him.

The muscular man looked at the papers on his desk, frowning slightly as he read the report with a mutter.

"Appears to be highly talented. Doesn't seem to care about anything except getting stronger and her friends. Very close to Headmistress Virina."

That last point is worrying. That woman is 'only' a healer. But very dangerous. I heard she has a daughter but infos on her are sparce. We don't even know who it is.

A heavy sigh escape his lips, his eyes look up above the door to his office. Here, a serpent biting his own tail can be seen.

"O Ouroboros. Your wish will come true once we get rid of that spawn. Please be patient for it."

The visible eye on that serpent gleamed red for a heartbeat before stilling once more...