"Where are we going?"
"Somewhere we won't be disturbed."
"Oh..."
Myra walked after Cyril, looking around with some nervousness.
The butterfly on her shoulder hopped a little closer to her face and fluttered her wings.
"Are you encouraging me? Thank you..."
Under the cover of night, the two of them left the castle and walked all the way towards the academy's park.
There they reached a certain corner surrounded by vegetation that further shielded their figures.
Here will do.
Cyril nodded with satisfaction, turned around, and sat down cross-legged.
Myra blankly observed his actions.
"...Will you teach me how to transform into a cart with books...?"
"Sit."
"Okay."
Myra immediately sat down on her knees, quickly glanced at Cyril's posture, and swapped to sitting cross-legged as well.
Morpho flew down from her shoulder and landed at the side, twitching her antennae with some proud intent.
Cyril reached his hand forward and activated a spell.
An intricate magic circle appeared in front of him, its pattern somewhat reminiscent of a flower under a moon.
"This is a spell I acquired recently. It can help one 'rebuild' their body, enhancing it with greater strength and durability."
Myra's mouth opened in an 'O' shape as she observed the pattern in wonder.
"Does it have a name?"
Soon she whispered, her face excited, as if looking forward to some awe-inspiring name.
"..."
He was about to say no when Rhamn appeared at his side, her face lit up.
"Actually, we must give it a name! We can't always call it Selene's technique."
...What do you propose?
Myra patiently waited as Cyril stared into the circle, completely silent.
After a moment, he opened his mouth.
"It's called Dragon Art."
"Dragon Art?"
Myra stared at what looked like a moon and a flower on the magic circle and blankly nodded.
"What's with that reaction? She should be grateful someone like her is given a chance!"
Rhamn stomped on the ground, fuming.
"Dragons are intimidating and majestic beasts, are they not?"
Cyril ignored her complaints and looked at Myra.
"Try to memorize the circle and activate it. I will guide you in the process."
"Dragon Art is a difficult spell to learn, so give it your all."
"A uniquely named spell..." Myra mumbled to herself and took a deep breath, her eyes shaking for a moment.
Soon her gaze turned sharp, and she nodded, her whole demeanor turning solemn.
Seeing her take this seriously, Cyril nodded in satisfaction.
This will go well.
The butterfly on the ground also twitched her antennae in determination.
The white tiger still slept, his dream undisturbed by the noise around.
...
The park at night, with its lack of human presence, appeared somewhat eerie.
It seemed like one would encounter here things unfit for the revealing light of daytime.
"Haah~"
Myra, her face full of sweat, lay limp on the grass, breathing heavily.
A red butterfly twitched and jumped near her, as if encouraging her to last just for a little while longer.
"I-I can't, it's too much for me-"
Cyril stood near her, his arms crossed.
With a frown, he silently contemplated.
Nothing so far...
"At least you tried."
He shook his head and walked up closer.
"You are being too rough when transferring mana from the circle into your body."
"What does that even mean!?" Myra glared at the sky.
"How do I make it gentler? I don't get it!"
"Just keep trying. You'll find out eventually."
"Haha." She weakly laughed and covered her face.
"How much time did it take for you to figure this out?"
"..."
He hesitated.
"Actually, don't tell me... I don't think I can handle the truth."
Cyril sighed and looked at the moon that was no longer above them.
"Let's try again tomorrow."
"No, I am fine without it."
Myra slowly stood up and dusted herself off. She looked tired, her eyes half narrowed.
"I have no talent for it. I'll find something else."
Cyril frowned, replying immediately.
"You've only tried for a few hours. How do you know it's not for you?"
Myra avoided his blue eyes, staring into the night sky.
"I just do. These things are different for me, I can't be like you."
What's wrong with her today?
"I can't be like Rose either. Maybe combat and spells are just not for me?"
Cyril contemplated for a moment and replied.
"And who'll save the world from being destroyed by demons?"
She finally lowered her head, staring at him with her black eyes.
"..."
"...You will. As long as you put your mind to it, that future will be easily prevented. I'll just stay in the background and help with the little things. That should be enough."
She averted her eyes and slowly walked away.
Cyril stood there for a few moments more, observing her back that soon disappeared from his sight.
...Perhaps she is still affected by the special lesson earlier. Margaret's jealousy is making her emotional.
He sighed as he unclenched his fists.
Morpho landed back on his shoulder, twitching her antennae in quiet disappointment.
"We'll try again next time."
He gently brushed her wings and went away as well.
"What about Selene? She told you not to spread the technique to anyone else... I mean, I support you, of course."
Whatever happens, happens.
Cyril walked back to his dorm.
Just before entering its doors, he glanced back at the park. There was no one there.
He shook his head and went back to his room.
...
Opening the door, the first thing he noticed was a quiet buzz coming from his desk.
"...?"
Cyril put the half-sleeping Tigris on the bed and walked towards the desk.
He opened the drawer and pulled out a pocket watch, a little crystal on top of it constantly buzzing.
Huh.
As soon as he injected mana into it a somewhat stiff voice rang out.
"You-have-one-message."
"Hello?" Cyril replied, but no answer came back.
I never used a tool like this. Only saw a few times.
He began looking over the watch, tinkering with the buttons and feeling it with mana.
Eventually a familiar voice sounded in his ears.
"My disciple, everything is ready for your training. Come to the Acacia Park in the evening, where the statue of the Earth Goddess stands."
"End-of-message"
After the stiff voice returned, the watch became silent, no longer buzzing.
It's a bit awkward to use...
Morpho on his shoulder excitedly twitched her antennae, having heard the message as well.
"Interesting timing. Will you admit to teaching Myra?"
I will not hide. Let's see what she has to say.
"That's right! We can do what we want."
Ignoring her proud voice, he sat behind the desk, pulling out a math textbook.
I still need to study... Can you help?
"Of course!"
With a snap of her finger, any tiredness immediately vanished from Cyril, and he began going through with the study.
Morpho, instantly becoming bored, flew to the bed and lay down near Tigris.
Time passed, and at some point Cyril noticed the night outside retreating as the sun slowly rose.
He stared at the window for a moment and soon his eyes subtly widened.
Oh.
Myra did not get any sleep this night...
He froze over the realization and calmly continued.
That's unfortunate.
...I'll help her in class.
Once he was done, Cyril readied his things for the lessons to come and went towards the bathroom.
Tigris was peacefully lying on the bed, snoring without any concerns.
Morpho lay nearby, her wings gently folded.
He observed them as he passed, a subtle smile involuntarily spreading on his face.
Quickly going through his morning routine, Cyril readied his things and stood in front of the mirror.
He dressed in the grey uniform ahead of time, holding the training one from before.
As he held onto it, he felt something in its pocket.
"...?"
Rummaging through it, Cyril pulled out a carefully preserved herb.
I forgot to ask Myra about this thing...
He turned towards Rhamn nearby. She looked at the mirror, nodding up and down with shining eyes.
Didn't you say you have perfect memory? Why did you forget?
She froze and gave him a shrug.
"But I didn't. It just didn't seem important."
Cyril observed the herb in his hands and put it in his pocket.
Maybe it is important. We'll see.
"Meow."
At this moment Tigris lazily rolled over and slowly opened his cat eyes.
A quiet rumble came from his soft stomach.
"...!"
Cyril walked towards the kitchen, starting to prepare the much-needed breakfast.
Morpho shakily got on her legs, her wings twitching from lack of sleep.
Though she soon shook it off, flew up, and landed on Cyril's shoulder.
She twitched her antennae in joy, then went back in the air, making circles around the dorm as a morning exercise.
It could be something for enhancing the body. Things like this is just what we need.
"We need Ambrosia. Myra is the one who needs this."
...Exactly.
He looked at the dried up herb, staring at its bell-shaped flower in thought.
We are not giving up so soon.
The smell of sizzling meat woke Tigris up completely.
He jumped down from the bed and quickly ran up to Cyril, pawing at his legs.
Though his tiger head soon tilted in confusion as no hand reached to pick him up.
Then, his cat nose picked up the distinct smell of burnt meat.
"Meow!"
Tigris desperately hit the leg in front of him.
"Cyril!"
"...!"
Cyril took his gaze away from the herb, to the meat whose color approached black.
"Sorry, I got distracted."
"Meow!"
Something glistened at the corner of Tigris's eyes as he tried to pick at what was happening on the oven.
At this moment Morpho landed on his back, twitching her antennae in quiet support.
"Meow..."