Bear School Astartes

The portal opened and closed.

As the principal of Airetusa, Margaret possesses the authority to cast all spells within the academy.

This power comes from her control over the incantations of the great magic array within Airetusa Academy.

At the top level of Airetusa, Gastang Palace. It is the seat of the warlocks’ authority — the Talent and Skill Association, a place for holding meetings.

Formerly, during meetings, the warlocks would clash due to conflicting viewpoints, leading to fights, ultimately deciding to ensure those wielding strong magic powers would use their intellect rather than magic or violence in meetings.

They decided: during meetings, Gastang Palace would initiate an anti-magic array.

Because if sorcerer meetings relied on who possessed stronger magic, the situation would devolve into a magic war rather than an administrative meeting responsible for governance and development.

Combat and violence are last resorts but cannot become regular tactics.

Otherwise, the growth and expansion of the organization would be mere talk.

The landing point of the portal was the secret cave Margaret built for Lann beneath the great reef of Airetusa.

Due to magic, even though the cave adopted a semi-open design, facing the sea directly without hindrance, it lacked dampness and cold.

Souvenirs Lann once brought back from other worlds were specifically placed in a display cabinet by Margaret.

Fragments of dragon bones from Westeros, Spellbooks of secret techniques from Reed Country, Hunter’s Bell from Yan’an, lifelike puppet lady...

Along with the elf beacon he carried and the Anka Cross from Yishu Technology, these items signified Lann’s journey.

”Is this Lann’s home?”

Puffball jumped out from the portal, supporting its helmet, and looked around.

But before it took two steps, Margaret embraced it back into her arms.

”This doesn’t count as a home; more like a secret stronghold within the home.”

A plump flesh ball weighed down on either side of the cat’s head, larger and heavier than the cat’s helmeted head.

Cats and snakes are sensitive to chaos magic power; other animals would feel discomfort around chaos magic power, whereas cats and snakes can accurately locate the magic power’s emission source.

Thus, demon hunters and wizards are often disliked by these small creatures.

Puffball seemed indifferent to chaos magic power, which seemed to stir Margaret’s former fondness for cats she couldn’t attain.

The Three-Floral Kitten’s eyes darted around, clearly curious about the surroundings, similar to a regular kitten’s reaction when arriving at a new home.

But for the unicorn, this place felt a bit too cramped.

”Neeeeigh!”

An electric blue current appeared on the unicorn’s mane, causing its mane to alternate between bristling and smoothing.

Clearly, this creature disliked small spaces.

It wasn’t until Margaret passed by with Puffball in tow that the Female Warlock’s [Mental Communication] operated silently.

’Airetusa Academy encompasses dozens of nautical miles; I’ve heard you can run on the sea and enjoy eating seaweed. As long as you remain inconspicuous in this sea area, you’re free to play.’

The unicorn tilted its head, slightly struggling to comprehend the message, then had no further complaints.

It flipped and jumped out towards the sea-facing side of the cave, diving into the waters in a flash.

Probably off to find seaweed.

”Phew~”

Lann moved his shoulders slightly, then began removing his armor.

Though accustomed to the armor’s weight and texture, he preferred lighter attire when relaxing.

”Can you make something for me?”

While removing his armor, Lann spoke to Margaret.

At this moment, the Female Warlock was crossing her long, plump legs atop a velvet chair, seemingly appreciating art, with her hand supporting her chin, gazing at Lann’s back.

”Hmm, go on,” she responded absentmindedly.

”The unicorn is a great horse, but it’s too special... its conspicuous appearance, its tendency to electrically charge when excited, you get it?”

”I understand, I understand...”

Margaret lazily licked her red lips with her tongue while responding.

”You want a special saddle to increase your adaptability to the unicorn’s power, while subtly masking its noble and elegant appearance.”

”That’s not difficult; magical equipment can achieve this with some minor tweaks. But...”

”What’s the reward, dear?”

Margaret’s voice grew low and melodious.

As she placed Puffball down, her hand stroked Lann’s back before he could turn after removing his armor.

With a soft ”whoosh,” the surrounding air rapidly filled their former location.

A short-distance teleport without the need to open a portal.

Margaret’s familiarity with the academy is such that she can use such advanced skills with her eyes closed.

Having yet to comprehend what occurred, Puffball gazed around the now solitary secret cave with large watery eyes.

The kitten circled and tentatively waved its paw at the puppet lady in the display cabinet, meowing.

Seeing no response after a while, Puffball removed its helmet, scratching its head with its paw.

”It’s really a puppet, so realistic meow!”

The kitten sat down by the puppet cabinet, sighing.

”Magic is truly magical; you can reach another place in a blink... I hope Lann doesn’t forget me at dinner meow, we agreed on a feast.”

But ultimately, the Elu cat remains optimistic by nature.

Puffball quickly perked up, pulling its small bundle forward to begin organizing its belongings.

This is Lann’s secret stronghold, which means, as a partner, it should be okay to leave my things here, right?

Thinking this, the kitten started working, saying ”heave-ho heave-ho.”

Unbeknownst to it, the puppet lady’s eyes blinked faintly in the display window behind it.

-----------------

Soon, it was time for dinner.

Lann rose from the principal room’s large bed, shaking his head in resignation at the clothes torn to pieces scattered on the floor, heading straight for the wardrobe.

”Can’t you be less impulsive?”

”I wanted you to know...” Margaret, with strands of wet golden hair sticking to her shoulders, lay side-supporting her head on the bed, eagerly watching Lann change clothes.

”Woman’s lust would have her devour her lover alive.”

”Thank you for enlightening me to this obvious fact.”

Lann spread his hands, retorting.

”But your situation isn’t quite what I imagined...”

Margaret continued without minding Lann’s retort.

”What?”

”You’re not violent in sex nor do you seem to need to vent anything.”

Margaret smiled, looking at Lann.

”I thought you would exert yourself like you were going to tear me apart... seems you rested well during your last trip.”

Lann paused slightly while dressing, carrying a tone of sentiment.

”So you were worried about my combat trauma... thank you, Rita.”

”Mental relaxation does more than physical release, I encountered beautiful sights there, alongside good friends.”

”Ah, dear.”

Margaret luxuriously sprawled out on the bed, a thin layer covering sculpted curves of her hips and back.

”What you said makes me a bit envious.”

”There’s nothing to envy; now that we have the beacon, maybe we can find time for a vacation there together?”