"Her combat level right now? Yes, of course you will."
"Haha, thanks." Katie smiled, cheeks flushed.
'Like hell I'll have my daughter fall behind her peers,' I thought, petting Katie's head gently.
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Chapter 141
[Kitsu POV]
"Hey hey, Kitsu, I think that's enough. I am fully healed," Kayda complained, squirming beneath me. Her lap was warm, her thighs sturdy as always, but she shifted uncomfortably as if she wanted to shake me off.
"No, not yet," I said stubbornly, still holding my cut hand firmly over the gunshot wound on her leg. My blood seeped into the skin, knitting it together. I knew it was already healing, but something inside me resisted letting go.
"Ugh, it was healed, but you rip it open every time, and it hurts, you know," Kayda whined, her voice a pitch higher than usual. Her body tensed beneath my touch, though she didn't actually shove me away.
"What are you talking about? I am not reopening your wound," I said, frowning. To prove it, I pressed down harder, then took my nail and cut a tiny slit just above the scar tissue on her thigh.
"...Kitsu," Kayda said slowly, her tone carrying both warning and resignation. My ears jolted upright at the sound of it, my instincts screaming danger.
"I will stop now," I said quickly, surrendering before she exploded. I gave her thigh one last squeeze, both affectionate and apologetic, before pushing myself off her lap and standing.
"Thank you," Kayda said, standing up as well and brushing herself off. She looked relieved but also oddly smug, like she had just won a battle of patience.
"Uh, I was the one who did it, so I need to take responsibility," I said with a cheeky wink, trying to turn the moment playful.
"Sigh, you take responsibility?" Kayda repeated incredulously, her golden eyes narrowing as she stared at me in surprise.
"What? Don't be so mean now," I whined, pouting. My tail swished behind me in exaggerated sadness, trying to guilt her.
"I'm only stating the truth," Kayda said, shrugging in that way that always made her look far too composed.
"The truth, my ass. I always take responsibility for my wrongdoings," I shot back with a grin, puffing my chest like I'd just declared a noble creed.
"What, like blowing it up or destroying all the evidence that you were involved?" Kayda asked flatly, baffled at my proud response.
"...Kayda, that is taking responsibility, you know," I said with genuine confusion, tilting my head.
"No, it's not. That's just dumping your problems onto another," Kayda groaned, face-palming herself.
"...That's true, isn't it?" I admitted after a long pause, frowning thoughtfully.
"Of course it's true. I don't say any lies," Kayda said with a cheeky grin spreading across her face, clearly satisfied she had out-argued me.
"... " I stared at her, my eyes narrowing suspiciously, my silence heavy and pointed.
"... Don't look at me like that. I always tell the truth," Kayda said quickly, her voice shifting into defensive whining.
"... "
"Fine! I might have lied a few times to you, but I never lied to anyone else!"
"... "
"Fine, I lie a lot more than I like to admit, okay?" Kayda burst out, frustrated, her cheeks slightly red.
"I am disappointed," I said softly, narrowing my eyes at her like I was a teacher scolding a wayward student.
"...Sorry," Kayda muttered, looking away.
"To think you thought something like that even mattered to people," I said, shaking my head as if her pride in lying-or honesty-was absurd.
"...I hate you," Kayda mumbled, still refusing to meet my gaze.
"Heh, but you said you loved me," I teased, letting a wide grin spread across my face.
"Ugh." Kayda ignored me entirely and turned on her heel, walking away toward the two Anabalds waiting inside the barrier.
"Hey, don't ignore me," I whined, darting forward and jumping on her back. Luckily, her wings weren't out anymore, so I managed to cling onto her without them smacking me off.
"Kitsu, you're going to make me fall if you do that," Kayda whined, wobbling slightly as she regained her balance.
"Don't make it sound like something like that would hurt you," I said cheekily, giving her a little shake with my weight.
"Kitsu." Her tone was warning, sharp, and just a little too serious.
"Sorry, that sounded better in my head," I admitted, embarrassed, my ears flattening a bit.
"How?" she demanded, exasperated.
"I don't know."
"Sigh, whatever. At least I know you didn't mean you don't care."
"Peck, of course I care a lot about my girlfriend," I said, peppering small kisses on her neck, enjoying the way she shivered despite her annoyed expression.
"Tsk, you're so annoying."
"Oh, sorry," I said again, my tone dropping, my arms loosening around her waist as if to let go.
"I'm not mad at you," Kayda said quickly, grabbing my hand before I slipped away. She turned her head, cheeks faintly pink. "Just... think about where you do some things, okay?"
"Hmm?" I tilted my head, confused, until I followed her gaze. Katie and An were staring at us with awkward, tight smiles.
"Please do learn how to hold back," An said, her voice sharp with annoyance.
"R-right," I stuttered, my face flushing hot. My ears flattened completely, and I suddenly wished the ground would swallow me.
"Well anyways," An continued coolly, shifting her attention to Kayda, "seeing as your girlfriend is a sage, teach her how to make a mana field."
"A what?" Katie and I said at the same time, equally confused.
"Mana carpet," Ann clarified.
"Oh, right, that," Kayda muttered, catching on quickly.
"Still lost here," I admitted, raising my hand sheepishly.
"Kayda, haven't you explained that to her?" An asked, frowning.
"Well, no. She doesn't have the mana control needed to make it," Kayda said defensively, looking between An and me like she expected backup.
"I see," An replied evenly. "But her mana control in the spar was good enough to start learning. If you don't think so, at least tell her how it works and how to make it."
"She isn't ready," Kayda said shortly.
"Just tell her the basics," An countered with a raised brow.
"...I am not allowed to teach too much though," Kayda mumbled, her voice deliberately loud enough for me to catch.
"Kayda, at this point, it sounds like you don't want to teach me anything," I said, chuckling softly, though my chest tightened.
"Of course I don't want to," Kayda snapped.
"Why though?" I asked, genuinely surprised. My teasing guess was apparently true.
"Hmph!" she huffed, looking away from me.
'Wait... does she think I'll neglect her again if I get caught up training?' I thought, my chest aching as I studied her tense shoulders. Her glare wasn't anger-it was fear.
"Okay, okay," I said quickly, smiling to soften the mood. "How about you make a schedule for me? You decide when I'm allowed to train and when I'm not."
"What?" All three of them said in unison, their faces equally stunned.
"You don't want to teach me because you think I'll neglect you again, right? Then make a schedule for me. That way, I won't." I explained plainly, tilting my head.
They all stared at me like I'd grown a second head.
Why are they so confused? Didn't I just explain it clearly?' I thought, baffled by their silence.
"...There is no way," Katie mumbled, blinking rapidly.
"What's wrong?" I asked, my ears twitching nervously.
"Kitsuna, uh... just a question," An said carefully, almost hesitantly. "Are you not the dominant type of person?"
"Huh?" I blinked, completely caught off guard.
"Wait, An, don't say that," Kayda barked, but the damage was already done.
"You! This-ugh!!" I sputtered, realizing exactly what An meant. My face burned hotter than any flame, and my tongue tangled.
"She broke," Katie whispered, eyes wide as she watched me freeze.
"Sigh, wait for it," Kayda said, rubbing her face with both hands just as my body dissolved into swirling red mist.
[Kayda POV]
"Sigh, I guess I'll need to go find her," I muttered, disappointed but not surprised.
"Wait, what just happened?" "An?" she asked, tilting her head at me, confused.
"As you can see, Kitsu doesn't actually mind taking second priority in some instances," I explained, sighing again. "Relationships being one of them."
"But, but I never got that feeling from her," Katie said, her brows furrowing. "She always seemed like she had to be the most important person."
"Sigh. You still have a lot to learn," I said gently. "She loves attention, yes, but she never wanted to be the most important person. That would only be a hassle in many ways."
"In what way would that give hassles?" Katie asked, tilting her head.
"More responsibilities, for one," I said simply.
"Uh... that does make sense. So she's actually lazy?" As suggested, I found myself nodding despite the crude phrasing.
"No, far from it. Just... self-centered in some ways, but not nearly as much as you think," I clarified, shaking my head.
"I'm so lost right now," Katie admitted, rubbing her forehead.
"Huh, you didn't understand my explanation? Hmm, how to make it easier..."
"No, no, just leave it. I don't want to know anymore," Katie said quickly, lifting her hands in surrender.
"If you say so," I replied with a shrug.
"So why don't you want to teach her about mana fields?" An impressed.
"Hmm. Why do you think?" I asked, disappointed already at where this was going.
"She hit the nail on the head?" An asked uncertainly.
"...Sigh. Yes. She'll run off training for days without rest," I admitted, frustrated as memories surfaced-her disappearing into the wilderness for stretches of time, returning ragged but grinning.
"She's a primordial. She doesn't actually need rest," An said matter-of-factly.
"I don't care if she's primordial or not. She needs rest. Everyone needs rest," I said firmly, my tone final.
"And some dragon needs attention," An teased, smirking.
"... " I glared at her.
"Pfft." She failed to contain her laugh.
"An, last warning," I said, my voice low, my eyes sharp.
"Okay~," she said sing-song, still smiling.
"Uh," Katie mumbled, not daring to intervene.
"Anyways, what are you guys planning now?" I asked, shifting the subject.
"Not so sure. Might go to the Kuni's domain and then back to the Draigs before heading to the capital for the tournament."
"Oh, you're going to the Kuni?" Ann said, sounding far more cheerful than she should have.
"Yeah. Just to let Kitsu meet them as part of the Draig family and all," I said, already dreading the dwarves' political games.
"Ah, politics," An sighed.
"In a way, yes."
"Sounds troublesome," An said, making me nod.
"The same thing Kitsu would've said if she were here," I muttered.
"Well, can I ask a favor then?" An said sheepishly.
"What is it?" I asked warily, narrowing my eyes.
"Hey, don't look at me like that," An said quickly, caught off guard.
"... "
"It's the devil cult. All-"
"They came from their territory, right?" I cut in.
"Y-yes. How did you-"
"Do you think I've been doing nothing these past few weeks?" I asked, sounding offended.
'Actually, that damn bandit gave me all the information,' I thought, irritated.
"No, I just didn't think you knew," An said, rubbing her head awkwardly.
"Well, now you know. Though I also have intel that they came from the demon kingdom, not just the Kunis," I said, shaking my head.
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Chapter 142: Needy
"So, you said we need to go to Kuni's domain?" I asked, my tone dejected as I dragged my feet a little. Just the thought of another noble meeting with some crusty old house head drained me more than sparring for hours ever could. My tail flicked back and forth lazily behind me, betraying how little I wanted to go. I shot Kayda a look, hoping she'd see reason and tell me it wasn't necessary.
"Yes," Kayda replied without hesitation. Her steps were steady as she led us down into the city's main district, the streets buzzing with afternoon life. Merchants shouted from their stalls, children darted around, and the smell of grilled meat lingered in the air. "You'll need to meet the house head of the Kunis. It's not optional."
I groaned, dragging my words out like a spoiled child. "And the devil cult?" I asked, raising a brow at her, trying to poke a hole in this plan.
"Ah, so you already knew?" Kayda said, blinking at me in mild surprise. She tilted her head, her crimson hair swaying as if she hadn't expected me to bring it up so casually.
I smirked. "You realize that they report to me first, then you?" I said, reminding her of the little arrangement I had with certain unsavory types.
Kayda's expression darkened, her lips pulling into a small pout. "What? Why would they?" she whined, her voice pitching higher in irritation.
"Huh? Because they're my subordinates?" I said, tilting my head at her like it was the most obvious thing in the world.
Her wings twitched with restrained annoyance. "No, they are not yours."
"They are," I argued, brows furrowing.
"No, they are our subordinates," she corrected sharply, placing extra weight on the word our.
"...So now it's not just yours or mine but ours. Sigh, whatever," I muttered, giving up with a deep sigh and letting my shoulders slump. There was no winning that particular argument.
Kayda gave a small, victorious smile before shifting the subject. "So, how do you want to spend the last few months?" she asked as she veered toward a brightly decorated stall to our left, her eyes scanning the wares.
"I want to have at least three months at home to learn about smithing," I explained, falling in step behind her as she fingered through a rack of cheap jewelry.
"Three months?" she repeated, whipping her head around to stare at me. "That's like your entire trip."
"Yeah," I said firmly, standing my ground. "I don't want to do this half-heartedly, Kayda. I want to make good weapons with my ice-not just average ones that can be easily destroyed." I picked up a trinket from the stall and frowned at it before setting it back down. My standards were already rising, it seemed.
"Easily destroyed!?" Kayda shot back, looking at me like I'd just insulted her personally. "What do you mean easily destroyed? Your weapons are already good enough for people in the 300 levels to struggle to break them."
"That might be true," I admitted with a shrug, "but what about higher levels? I want to make weapons that even you would struggle to destroy, Kayda." A wide smile spread across my face just imagining it-the satisfaction of handing her a blade she couldn't casually snap.
