Ryuen emerged from the palace behind Aika.
The forest loomed ahead, its dense canopy casting shadows along the pathway that led back to the stream and beyond.
He was certain the palace was much larger than he had thought.
It was more than just a huge mansion or villa—at least, it seemed that way in a world like his.
Yet, the garden stretched as far as the land the academy occupied, coupled with little structures meant for guests.
Something that baffled him, since the palace was already large enough.
'Wealthy folks and their huge stuff,' he told himself as he walked a step behind Aika, his posture relaxed.
He stood straight, his head high and hands in his pockets.
His eyes remained closed, using his ears and skin to feel his surroundings and pay attention to the sudden changes.
"You're silent. Why is that?" Aika asked, pausing in her steps to turn around.
Ryuen's eyes opened as she stopped as well. He looked down at her and frowned.
"I'm not here to chit-chat or entertain you."
He replied coolly, much to her displeasure, but she said nothing.
She clenched her fists and continued walking, keeping her eyes alert for any animal or beast to go after.
As they walked in silence, the faint sound of rustling leaves reached their ears.
Aika's ears twitched slightly, causing her to pause.
Ryuen also stopped, his eyes parting open, shifting to the spot where the sound had come from.
A figure emerged from behind a tree, her movements quiet yet graceful—more so, than Aika.
She looked to be about Aika's age, with black hair cascading down her shoulders in soft waves.
Her crimson eyes were calm, contrasting Aika's sharper, more intense gaze.
And he noticed her colors didn't shift like Aika's.
She was dressed in a two-piece outfit—a black skirt resting on her waist, with multiple partings and ruffles.
Gold strips adorned the hems and the edge of the partings.
A gold chain rested above her hips, swaying slightly as she moved, yet made no sound.
She also wore an off-shoulder blouse made from the same material as the skirt, stopping just above her navel, with a black net-like material acting as a veil over her exposed fair caramel skin.
Gold rings, chains, and bangles adorned her upper and lower arms, wrists, ankles, neck, hair, and even her thighs.
With all the gold, she still looked simple and elegant at the same time.
She had a perfect curve, a pear shape like her sister, but broader hips.
But she revealed more skin compared to Aika.
On her head were delicate fox ears, and a fluffy black tail swayed slowly behind her.
Ryuen let his eyes scan her several times, comparing the two girls.
"You're late," she said softly, stepping closer.
Aika frowned. "I didn't ask for your help, and you didn't have to come all the way from your side."
"Father insisted I come, at least to spend a few days with the family," she paused.
"You know I have a lot to do at the city's state house."
She added, her gaze slowly shifting to Ryuen, who stared at her blankly but with a gleam of curiosity and amusement in his eyes.
"And this is?"
"Ryuen Takeru," he introduced himself before Aika could respond.
"Erina Shirokami."
As he opened his mouth to continue, she swerved over to his side.
Her gaze scanned him from head to toe. She moved closer, sniffed a little, and frowned.
"You seem... different. Not like the entitled and boring Dutch bags Aika drags around."
"And you seem less arrogant than your sister," Ryuen countered, indirectly complimenting her.
Aika scowled. "Are you two done?"
Erina sniffed again, her brows raising as she stepped aside.
"You are human... but you have a really high amount of mana for an average human."
"Thank you?"
"If you both are done, I'll be at the oak tree," Aika replied, turning away.
Erina offered a faint smile before following Aika, quickly vanishing into the thick forest.
Ryuen was baffled by the personality differences between the two sisters.
An elf and a kitsune.
With entirely different styles.
He kept asking himself questions and making assumptions as he trailed behind Aika.
While his eyes followed Erina's blurry figure in the trees, thanks to her speed.
The duo moved deeper into the forest, and the air grew cooler the further they went, as if they weren't on the palace grounds anymore.
However, it wasn't until Ryuen spotted a large wall behind a line of oak trees ahead that his doubts were confirmed.
The garden was actually within the palace grounds.
He wondered how much work had been put into growing and building it all.
The trail they followed soon led them to a clearing where the path parted.
One lead to the oak trees, another acting as a direct route to the palace, and the one they came from.
However, on the path leading to the trees, there were claw marks and fur.
"We're close," Aika muttered, raising her gaze to where Erina was—crouched on a branch within the trees.
GRRRRRR
A loud growl echoed through the forest, followed by the sound of snapping branches.
The noise grew louder, sending Ryuen's senses on high alert.
It reminded him of the beasts he'd come face to face with at the start.
Just remembering it made goosebumps rise on his skin. But not enough to make him scared.
Slowly, a massive beast emerged from the forest.
Its body was covered in metallic black fur that shimmered under the afternoon light.
Yellow eyes glowed with intensity, and sharp fangs protruded from the side of its maw.
Its long, whip-like tail swayed slowly behind it, and along its back were spines shooting upward like jagged blades.
Ryuen frowned, his mind already working to create a name for the beast.
As a human, he was…
"Rat… lizard… Stegosaurus…" Ryuen mumbled, gaining Aika's attention. "… Razard."
"Razard!" she yelled in disbelief, and Ryuen simply shrugged.
"Razard, or do your people have names for them?"
Aika thought deeply, searching her brain for one, but she couldn't find any.
"No..."
"… Humans would do wonders in your world," he suggested, slowly moving to a tree as the beast—Razard—closed in.
"Why not let my students roam around, a field trip or something, to name your weird-looking monster?"
Aika stared at him in confusion. When she opened her mouth to speak, Erina landed beside her.
Erina reached into Aika's dress pocket, drew out her sword, and smiled.
"You actually kept it."
"It's perfect, so why wouldn't I?" Aika replied, matching her tone.
It was a blade forged from gray, nearly black metal, with carvings resembling flames and shimmering blue between the etchings.
A gift from their father, and it had originally been Erina's.
Erina stepped forward, her calm demeanor unwavering, not a flicker of fear in her eyes.
"I'll take care of this one."
Aika nodded but kept her dagger ready.
Ryuen, as always, stood under the shade of a tree, his hands in his pockets.
The beast lunged at Erina once she was close enough, but she sidestepped effortlessly.
She had control over her surroundings and her body, like they were one.
The sword glowed faintly, and with a swift motion, she cut deep into the side of the beast, causing it to stumble.
But it quickly recovered.
Aika charged in next, her blade slicing across its leg.
The creature roared, swinging its tail wildly as pain surged through its body.
Aika managed to avoid the swinging tail.
"You're not going to help?" she snapped at Ryuen, who replied with a shrug.
"Observing."
Unknown to both of them, and ignoring Erina's calls, the beast sensed Ryuen as an easy target.
It turned its attention to him and lunged forward. As expected, Ryuen stepped aside casually.
The beast growled in frustration and went for a second option: its tail lashed out, reaching for Ryuen.
But he leaped back. Unfortunately, the beast curled its tail and wrapped it around him.
The spikes dug into his clothes, stopping inches from his skin.
Aika's eyes widened. "Ryuen!"
Erina stood straight, a knowing smirk curving on her lips.
Her red eyes glowed faintly with hidden amusement.
Ryuen remained composed, gazing deep into the creature, fearless.
"If you're going to finish it, now's the time, because if I do, your dresses might get soaked."
Erina chuckled softly. "Alright."
She moved quietly, dashing from her spot with undefined speed.
SWOOSH
In the blink of an eye, she appeared on Ryuen's other side, passing by them.
Ryuen frowned, wondering what all the drama was for.
Soon, he was freed, and the beast had stopped moving.
Then he noticed the line along its chest and around its neck, causing him to furrow his brows.
The beast suddenly split into three, each part falling in different directions without spilling blood.
Ryuen was amused, but he dared not show it. He simply dusted himself off and put his hands back in their place.
"Took you long enough."
Erina's smile widened. "I am going to enjoy living under the same roof with a mortal."