It has been a few hours since I was taken from the medical building into my own accommodation. The base was large with a big open space that the men and women who protected the commoners from spirit beasts would use to train.
My room was rather quaint, it had an unknown beast fur rug which was equal parts creepy and menacing to me. It also had various maps for different regions that lined the walls. It also had a relativity large bed in it covered with pillows and a writing table.
They had let me take Kibbles since it was silently sleeping and showed no signs of waking up. Doctor Tau had taken a look at it but he was not used to dealing with animals so could only give some basic pain medications.
I put Kibbles on my bed and let it rest as I got used to its new form.
[ Oh dear, what if this was meant as a gift to grandpa? ]
I thought about what would happen if I had to give Kibbles away and my stomach churned. I walked up to the sleeping cat and gently rubbed its fur. It's cute little jelly bean paw pads made me want to squish it.
I started rubbing my face up against it like I would have done to my old cat when I was interrupted by a cough.
Jumping back startled, I look to see general Rain, his face bright red seemingly embarrassed for interrupting me.
[ Oh god... This is embarrassing]
The captain cleared his throat and said " Sorry for interrupting, Do you have a moment to talk about what has happened? Our chef will be here soon with some dinner for you"
I looked out one of the room windows to see the sun was already setting over the horizon and my stomach began to gurgle.
The captain laughed and said, " It looks like all the men in the Akiyo family are honest to a fault!"
I looked down and back up at him before laughing and rubbing the back of my head.
We each sat across from each other and a woman with a cooks outfit came in. She was the same cook that I had seen at the festival not so long ago.
" Woah it's you! " I said in surprise as I looked at the women with the serving dishes.
The women looked at me in surprise before she served the dishes. They looked like the second tastiest thing I had seen since getting here. The first of course being the picnic I had with Cupid. There was a mix of everything from vegetables to braised meats. They were all cut into small pieces that would be easier to digest for someone who was unwell.
I started to unintentionally drool.
" Shizu here is our chef, she is the best cook we have, I thought I'd let her make you something special as an apology for doubting you." Rain said.
" Apology accepted! I am just glad that Ki and Ren are doing well. I saw Mrs Shizu fighting at a festival I went to not long ago and she was amazing!" I said nodding my head.
Shizu seemed to beam a little before saying " Ahh you saw me, how embarrassing, all the support staff who are here to train enter! Every year!"
We said a few more words to each other before I started eating with Rain, the topic was first on how I ended up at the base. I watched as Rain sat there in thought for a while and nodded. When it came to how I attacked Delta I couldn't help but look down.. It became hard to talk and I almost burst into tears.
When It got up to the part of seeing Ren collapse I was holding my chopsticks and began to cry. I thought I could hold it all together but I couldn't. Everything that had happened the last few days was too much for me.
Worries, Fear and anxiety all poured out of me.
Rain probably didn't know what to do so he just sat there and said " let it out, it must have been tough for you" and waited as if he was unfazed.
Suddenly a figure rushed from outside the door and grabbed me. They held me so tight I felt like I was going to explode.
" Young Master! I am soo glad! Soo glad! You had me soo worried!" I could hear Ren's voice in my ears. He smelled slightly of medicine and dirt but it was comforting.
" Please don't cry, Ki and I are okay! I promise!" Ren's voice became more and more flustered.
Ren must have seen Rain with his arms crossed across the table.
" Captain Rain! Etsuko Ren Platoon leader of a 100 men, White Fang! Thank you for looking after Yuki for Ki and I!" Ren said and saluted still holding me.
"I have heard of your exploits from young Yuki here, very commendable! I also heard that you single-handedly killed a rank 7 Lunar Tigress that was attacking on our border from some of my men. White Fang is a fine nickname" Said Rain as he stood and saluted before sitting back down.
At this point I couldn't help it, I latched on to Ren's non-damaged arm and hugged him as if he would disappear. I knew it was selfish but I couldn't help myself. Seeing him so sick before made me sad.
The most surprising thing then happened. He picked me up stilling holding on to his arm and placed me on his lap like a child. I was embarrassed but it was very comforting so I sat there.
Ren and Rain continued on filling in the parts of the report that I couldn't fill in. Like how Ren had killed Kelt, then managed to catch me and knock me out, then carry Ki, myself and the pack animal towards the base using his darkness abilities.
The whole thing sounded like something out of an adventure movie. I had always known Ren was amazing but I had also always seen him as someone who becomes shy at the top of a hat. I gained a new level of respect for him.
Finally, Rain, Ren and I finished dinner and Rain excused himself.
I sat on the bed where Kibbles was sleeping, having finally calmed down. Ren was still bandaged but seemed to be smiling. He noticed Kibbles right away.
" Hey do you like that little thing?" Ren said as he pointed to the spirit beast.
"Mmm" was all I can say as I looked at Kibbles lovingly.
" I thought he looked like a great pet for you, his home was damaged while we were attacked so I hope you can look after him from now on! " Ren said as he walked over and petted the beasts fur.
" You mean I can keep it?" I said beaming as I looked at Ren.
" Of course. What are you going to name him?" Ren said smiling.
[ I don't have to give him away!! ]
I pretended to think for a bit before I nodded.
" Kibbles! I will call him Kibbles." I said watching Kibbles sleep.
Rens faced changed slightly before forming a grin and finally falling into full bellied laughter. My face changed from white to red.
" Why are you laughing, Kibbles is a fine name!" I said as my cheeks puffed.
" hah..ha sorry Yuki! Kibbles is a very fine name.. For a Kithun who will grow to be a rank 6 beast when it is older. Lo and behold Kibbles the destroyer!" Ren said as he couldn't stop laughing. In fact, he laughed so hard he started to cough.
He looked at my growing rage and stopped abruptly.
" Sorry Yuki, you can name this Kithun whatever you like." He said as he calmed down.
I mulled over his words for a moment.
" Rank 6?" I said shocked as I stared at the small animal with its cute little panda eyes.
" Well yeah, normally the female Kithun will leave the inner ring to raise their young, we got really lucky it's mother wasn't around. Kithun are fire elementals. So it will match well with your new wood magic" Ren said out loud.
"Ren... What actually is wood magic?" I said as I looked up in interest.
" Hmm.. The best way to explain it would be that it is an offshoot of earth magic. Basically, you can help plants grow and control them to some degree... But that is still a long way away for you. " Ren said with a straight face.
[ Help plants grow, how useless! Should I give the male lead a rose and say please don't kill me?! ]
Ren seemed to sense my disappointment. He thought for a moment and said " Sure it is support magic but where do you think medicine and food come from?"
He paused before finishing with " Wood magic is really needed in the kingdom. Growing rare herbs can net you a lot of money for your family too! Plus you have.. Kibbles now so it's not like you are lacking when it comes to damage! I wouldn't underestimate a good wood mage!"
[ Money?! You mean I can grow herbs and sell them? Then I wouldn't have to worry about the ML making my family broke! I will have to make a nest egg!]
My mood seemed to brighten a little.
" I think when I get some more training I will have to make a garden!" I said seriously.
I thought about everything Ren had done for me over this past adventure and started to feel a lot closer to him. I decided to tell him as best I could that I was grateful. For saving my life and training me like he was.
" Umm Ren," I said blushing as I mustered some courage.
" Yes what is it, Young Master?" Questioned Ren.
" I just wanted to say thank you for looking after me… I am really grateful. I would have been dead without you." I said as I stood up and gave the best and most polite bow I could.
" Ahhh umm.. I .. Um.. Please stop.. I umm" Ren spluttered.
He face went bright red and he held his face in his hands.
I stood up from my bow and Ren couldn't even look at me.
[ I think I broke him. ]