Chapter 333 – Tea, Cats and Pyromaniacs

Chapter 333 – Tea, Cats and Pyromaniacs

I’m late!

Throwing aside the cotton sheets and heavier blanket, Kai slipped out of the bed into a crouch, bare feet on the cold hardwood floor. His senses swept the room before his eyes fully opened.

Plain wardrobe, desk, empty shelves, the bags of luggage he had been too lazy to unpack last night—the bedroom at Raelion.

His heartbeat slowed.

Fleeting images of sleep lingered in his mind—a classroom of students whispering and laughing in schadenfreude while Mrs. Jones scolded him for being late.

Naturally, his first dream of Earth in years was about school. Despite his hazy memories, he was fairly certain his middle school teacher hadn’t worn a pink hat, or looked like Dolores Umbridge.

Middle school was when he started spending more time in a hospital bed connected to an IV than in the classroom. His parents had switched him to homeschooling shortly after.

Not my first pick for a dream.

Conjured water splashed over his face. Rubbing his eyes, Kai dispelled the droplets as they trickled down his chest before they pattered on the floor, the remnants of sleep and embarrassment fading.

I’m not late.

From the red hues of the clouds in the skylight, the sun was just rising—one hour earlier than he had intended to wake up.

Better than being late, I guess.

After accompanying Valela to her dormitory, he had chatted with Rob and Rain well into the night. Four hours of sleep was a bit less than he needed at Yellow ★, but he’d survive.

I must get my next enhancement. Just a few thousand XP.

The extra attributes would be useful, especially Mind and Constitution.

Stretching his arms and back, Kai yawned before spending ten minutes unpacking a few pairs of clothes and thirty-six books and journals. He’d gone shopping in preparation for Raelion, yet only filled half the space. Even Rob had called the room tiny.

Did I forget something? How much more stuff do I need?

Most of the study materials would be provided by the academy, so it was probably that. Checking the sheet with his provisional schedule, he had a slew of introductory courses aimed at new students in the morning, and just one class shared with Valela in the afternoon after an appointment to get the first-year attire.

He never thought he’d parade around in a school uniform—not in this life. On the upside, he wouldn’t have to worry about what to wear.

Well, mostly…

The dress code wasn’t strict about accessories and outerwear. He planned to ignore the clothing wars, just as Valela had advised. The patricians would judge him regardless.

Storing a notebook and the abbreviated Academy’s Codex, Kai tiptoed out of his bedroom, mindful that the sound wards only muffled the noise inside. With a bit of Luck, he could grab some leftover snacks before the others woke up.

Two steps later, he paused on the threshold of the living room, blinking at the scene.

I’m not the only early riser.

Alden lifted his gaze from the kitchen counter, freezing with his hands still scrubbing the silver fur. His purple eyes were a shade darker than Hobbes’, widening as a pink flush tinged his pale complexion.

“Good morning.” Kai chuckled, seeing the stark contrast between their gazes—one embarrassed, one glaring at the interruption of his belly rubs. “I thought I’d be the only one up.” He strolled into the kitchen corner, determined to avoid another awkward moment.

“Mew.” Hobbes slumped on the counter, his paws up, protesting the end of the scratches.

“Morning,” Alden said, his voice steady. He wore a glossy black robe, woven with an intricate array of runes. His relaxed posture stiffened as he released Hobbes and regarded Kai with a cool gaze. “I didn’t mean to touch your familiar without permission.”

“It’s fine,” Kai waved him off, as if he were crazy enough to interrupt Hobbes’ petting sessions. “You can continue. He seems to like it.”

“Mrow,” Hobbes adorably pawed the air, sending grumpy waves through their bond.

How is it my fault that he stopped petting you?

Kai rummaged through the cupboard for any morsel that survived last night’s snacking. Grabbing a box of stone-dry biscuits, he filled a kettle and fiddled with the stove’s enchantments to boil water for a tea.

Alden lasted only seconds before he fell for the furball’s act. “As long as it’s agreeable to you. Some students can be very… particular about their familiars.” His jaw set into a scowl, then turned impassive.

“Are there many of them?” Kai asked. He hadn’t seen any beasts, though he hadn’t been paying close attention with all the new sights and information.

“No. Perhaps three dozen students in our year,” Alden said, focusing on the needy cat. “At least, the ones on campus. Most prefer to wait until after graduation to bind a familiar, if they can make space in their skillsets.”

I’ll pay more attention.

When the Guide had offered him the skill after a year of barely surviving in the Sanctuary, he had been too starved for connection to hesitate. He hadn’t expected any benefits, much less the boost to his spatial spells and affinity. Their bond had continued to strengthen, but he hadn’t found much information on the mainland aside from taming skills.

“Why wait? Isn’t it better to bond early?”

Alden made an ambivalent gesture. “Many Houses see Raelion as a test to see how far we’ll reach. Strong familiars are rare and expensive. It’s worth delaying a few years to find a better fit. No one wants a companion that can’t keep up, or worse, one that surpasses them and escapes their control.”

That sounded like a mercenary view of familiars—not that it surprised Kai. He just couldn’t imagine thinking of Hobbes that way.

Each bit of information filled his head with more questions, though he had the distinct impression that prodding his roommate would make him curl up like a hedgehog.

Well, he’s chattier than Rob said.

“Want a cup of tea?” Kai pulled out the fanciest sky-blue teabox that Reishi had gifted him. When Alden gave him a terse shake, Kai poured the boiling water into a mug and scratched his spoiled cat to let the leaves brew. “It worked out fine for me and Hobbes.”

“It’s different.” Alden gave a curt huff. “Most people who bind a familiar aren’t doing it for the company. Mages, especially. They don’t want to settle for a weak beast willing to bond early.” His back stiffened again. “Not that there’s anything inherently wrong with that.”

Huh?

Kai stirred his tea with a strand of mana, frowning—until Hobbes’ smugness cleared up the misunderstanding.

Did you hide your grade again? What? Does he think you’re an emotional support cat?

The ephemeral distortion around Hobbes had only grown stronger with his grade. Kai’s own senses brushed past the furball, dismissing him as a low-orange beast unless he specifically focused on him.

Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

Weighing what would be funnier—and less harmful—Kai sighed. If they lived together, his roommates were bound to find out anyway. “Have you checked his grade?”

“I didn’t mean to offend you,” Alden said, biting his lip. “Of course, I’ve—” His hands, deep in the silver fluff, froze.

Yup, you’re both at mid-yellow. Surprise!

If his skin weren’t pasty white, Kai was sure his roommate would have paled. “He likes to go unnoticed, but he’s harmless.” Kai blew steam off his tea, using casualness to diffuse the situation. “Well… unless you’re a tasty fish or a crunchy treat. In that case, you’d better run.”

“Meew.” Hobbes licked his paw, his larger violet eyes filled with innocence, wondering why the pets had stopped.

You truly have no shame.

After the initial shock, instead of recoiling, Alden gave Hobbes a look of fascination. “How can it be… What kind of breed is he? I’ve never seen such a cat with this type of cloak.”

Does he think his only power is hiding?

“Your guess is as good as mine.” Kai shrugged. “I found him sneaking to steal my food when he was a kitten. And I couldn’t bear to send him away.”

The bond rang with Hobbes’ disgruntled protest, disputing who had adopted whom.

Love you too, buddy.