Kai blinked in confusion, just before he could open his mouth to speak—
{That's the specialty of Dual-Heart Kitsune,} Zer said.
"What do you mean?" Kai blurted out.
{What I'm saying is that Luna can have a contract with two tamers without breaking the previous one. It—}
"Mr. Zer!" Before Zer could finish what he was saying, Lira interrupted.
{Huh?}
Lira tilted her head towards him and said, "Why did Luna's eyes change?"
{Ah, so she awakened her affinity,} Zer said, looking at Luna.
{Don't worry, it's normal. Some characteristics change when an individual awakens their essence or affinity.}
"But why does that happen?"
Zer sighed and shook his head. {It's complicated. You guys are just kids. I'll tell you when you grow up.}
Before Lira could protest, Zer opened his maw again.
{As for Luna, it happens because she awakened her affinity to ice.}
People or beasts—everyone was born with an affinity to an element related to their essence.
Mostly, they were born with a single affinity, which is their main elemental affinity. However, there are a few who have more than one. Still, all of them have a single main elemental affinity.
For example, if a person is born with the fire element, then it's their main element. Even if they awaken the water element later, it won't be as powerful as it would be for someone whose main element is water.
"Wow, Luna, you are amazing," Lira said, her eyes gleaming with excitement.
{Normally, it would have taken her a few days, but because of the contract, she awakened it quickly,} Zer said.
Lira nodded, taking in Zer's words.
Luna came near Lira, bit her cloak, and tried to drag her outside.
"Do you want to play outside?" Lira asked, bending down.
"Kwaa!" Luna let out a cheerful cry in response.
"Okay, let's go then."
Lira grabbed Luna and dashed toward the exit without waiting for Kai.
Kai didn't mind and turned toward Zer.
"Hey, you just said something about Luna, that she ca—"
{Just go away. She doesn't like you yet,} Zer interrupted, shooing him away before putting his head down and closing his eyes to rest.
"You..." Kai started but stopped mid-sentence, knowing that what Zer said was true. There wasn't much he could do about it for now.
"Hmph!" He scoffed and made his way outside the cave.
As he walked out, he saw Lira running around the trees, with Luna chasing after her and letting out cute, "Kwaa" cries.
"Kai, why don't you play with us too?" Lira asked with a smile.
"Nah, I'll pass." Kai shook his head and sat down, leaning against a tree.
"Haa... haaa..."
After playing for some time, both Lira and Luna sat down, gasping for breath.
"Do you guys want to explore the forest?" Kai suggested, walking closer to them.
Lira tilted her head and said, "Isn't that dangerous?"
"Don't worry. I used to come here many times. This area doesn't have any beasts."
"Really?"
"Yeah. Who in their right mind would wander near that monster's cave?" Kai said, pointing at the cave where Zer was resting.
"Yeah, makes sense," Lira said as she stood up. "Luna, let's take a stroll around the forest."
Luna raised her head and smiled. "Kwaa!"
They began walking through the forest, passing many shrubs and trees, with Kai marking and noting them along the way.
"What are you doing?" Lira asked, tilting her head.
"Marking them so we don't get lost," he replied.
"Oh!"
As they were strolling, Kai kept stealing glances at the duo, clearly feeling a little jealous of Lira.
Garr!
Their stomachs growled with hunger.
"Let's find something to eat first," Kai said. He dashed around and found some strange-looking red berries.
"These look good," Kai said, licking his lips as he plucked the berries.
"Wait! Don't eat them," Lira blurted out before Kai could take a bite.
"Huh?" Kai tilted his head, blinking in confusion. "Why?"
"They're poisonous."
"But how do you know?"
"I-I just... read about them," Lira replied, darting her eyes sideways.
"Read?"
"You can eat these instead. They're safe," Lira said, plucking some blue-colored berries from a bush near the red ones.
"Okay," Kai replied with a shrug, not pressing further.
After eating and filling their stomachs, they began strolling again. Soon, the sun began to set on the horizon.
"I think we need to go home," Lira said.
"Yeah, let's go back," Kai agreed, leading the way to the cave, with Luna walking beside Lira.
As they entered the cave, Luna yawned, collapsed onto the ground, and fell asleep.
"Luna!" they both exclaimed in unison as Lira picked her up.
{She's just exhausted and wants to sleep,} Zer reassured them.
"Oh, okay then. Bye, Zer, we're going back," Kai said, waving at Zer.
{Wait,} Zer said, raising his head and making them stop in their tracks.
{Leave her here.}
"But why?" Kai said, his eyes widening. "She's Lira's beast, so she should leave with her."
{Do you think you're ready to raise her?} Zer's voice dropped with coldness. {And besides, like I said, she's very rare. Do you really think you kids can protect her from others?}
Kai clenched his fists but didn't protest.
{Don't worry. She'll be safer here than with both of you. And you two can come here whenever you want.}
"I think what Mr. Zer is saying is true. We'll come back tomorrow," Lira said, her face dull as she placed the sleeping Luna near Zer.
"Okay, bye, Mr. Zer," she said and exited the cave, Kai trailing behind her.
Zer gave them one last glance before putting his head down to sleep.
As Kai and Lira were walking back peacefully, Lira suddenly clenched her fists and turned toward Kai.
Thwack!
"Argh!" Kai grunted as Lira punched him in the face.
"What was that for?" Kai shouted, grabbing his cheek.
"For almost scaring me to death before!" Lira shouted back, crossing her arms over her chest.
"I was just joking! Don't tell me you really believed that," Kai said defending himself. "I'm your friend—how could you think I'd do something like that to you?"
"I thought you trusted me. Tsk," Kai scoffed, turning his head away.
Lira's hands trembled as she grabbed sides of her cloak and said, "That's exactly the reason... why I felt... betrayed again," her voice cracking, eyes becoming teary.