Bear School Astartes

”Meow?”

Listening to the sound of the waves, in the secret cave at the base of the Airetusa’s large reef, the Three-Floral Kitten, originally maintaining its equipment, suddenly flapped its small triangular ears on its head and let out a puzzled cry.

It put down the maintenance oil in its paw, landing on all four paws.

Jumping down from the slightly elevated platform where the bed and display cabinet were placed, it leapt onto the small dock left by Lann when he used the magic boat to come and go.

The night on the sea had no light, today there’s a layer of clouds, even the moonlight and starlight couldn’t penetrate.

The smell of the sea accompanied by the tide, came along with the sound of waves hitting the reef. The tide, however, was silently blocked outside by magic.

”Oh~” The little cat’s two tiny paws were tucked in front of its chest, sighing worriedly, ”Where does the Qilin want to run off to today, meow?”

Complaining as it did, Rong Buqiu licked its small paw and then scratched its ear with the paw.

But soon after, a sound distinctly different from ordinary waves came through.

Unlike normal surges, it was the sound of water being rapidly split apart.

Hearing this sound, Rong Buqiu immediately knew that it wasn’t just its imagination; the Qilin was indeed back.

However...

Upon hearing the sound, Rong Buqiu calmly shifted sideways several steps, and with a seemingly inadvertent flick of its leg, ’pop’, an ink bottle that was originally placed beside it fell off the shelf and shattered.

”Hehe meow~”

The Three-Floral Kitten chuckled mischievously twice.

”Now you’ll have to bathe and groom your fur if it’s dirty, meow!”

Usually, an animal’s malicious laughter might make people feel uncomfortable, but the Elu Cat was just right. This little prank wasn’t something one could find truly disagreeable.

But when the Qilin’s form, glowing slightly even in the cloudy night, appeared on the fluctuating sea surface, the mischievous smile on the Three-Floral Kitten’s face vanished.

It froze, then raised its two small paws above its head, excitedly leaping and waving.

”Hey~” A drawn-out voice paired with the motion, ”Here, here meow!”

The Qilin briskly ran over, habitually landing from where it was familiar.

Its hoofs that carried water ’plop’ landed right on the ink Rong Buqiu had knocked down and shattered, its mane, usually pale, was swaying with a bit of black.

”Haha!”

Lann flipped down, just in time to catch the leaping Rong Buqiu.

His hand rubbed the furry cat’s head, and the Three-Floral Kitten comfortably squinted its eyes.

”This is my secret cave, of course I know how to come over.”

Lann said while petting the cat.

”Hehe,” Rong Buqiu smiled a bit shyly, ”Just got too excited, forgot meow!”

The Qilin looked down at the ink stains on its hoofs, lowered its head to bring its nose close to Rong Buqiu in Lann’s arms, and exhaled a moist, warm breath.

”Snort.”

’Dirty again, Rong Buqiu, help me groom please.’

”No worries meow!” However, Rong Buqiu’s small paws seemed unconcerned, pushing the Qilin’s face away, ”It’s just a little dirty, don’t be so picky, meow!”

”Snort?”

The Qilin tilted its head in confusion, looking at the Elu Cat that would normally fuss to groom it even if it was a bit dirty.

By then, Rong Buqiu had already skillfully and excitedly climbed onto Lann’s shoulder.

”Did you just return? I had no idea, meow!”

”Qilin was supposed to tell you, but it forgot... caused such a ruckus it didn’t even wear the magic horse harness when rushing here, static left me in a mess.”

”Forgot?” Rong Buqiu looked down at Lann’s silver hair which was slightly frizzed, then looked at the indifferent Qilin.

”Can totally imagine, meow...”

From the Qilin’s back, Maria, while pressing her own hair down, stared dumbfoundedly at Rong Buqiu on Lann’s shoulder.

Adeline’s eyes sparkled with a cautious yet loving gaze.

”The cat... spoke?”

”It’s an Elu Cat, so it speaks, meow!”

Rong Buqiu proudly stood up on Lann’s shoulder, with its two small paws on hips, showing a touch of adorable arrogance.

But Elu Cats, by nature, couldn’t maintain arrogance for long; they were naturally enthusiastic and cheerful, struggling to keep up a cold demeanor.

Though a true cool and formidable type like the New Continent Expedition Team Chef would appear exceptionally charming in their eyes.

”You’re visitors from the Otherworld, meow? No need to be nervous, I’m the same as the Qilin, meow!”

Lann picked Rong Buqiu down and placed it on the ground.

”They’re my friends and people in need of help.”

The Demon Hunter briefly introduced Maria and Adeline to Rong Buqiu.

”Need help, huh...” Rong Buqiu looked thoughtfully at the two ladies from Yan’an, then started bouncing out of the cave.

”I’ll go inform Margaret, meow!”

Lann waved after its lively, bounding figure shouting.

”Thanks a lot!”

Without a rider, the Qilin jumped off the small dock onto the sea, its hooves stirring the seawater to wash over the ink on the small dock, and washed its stained hooves.

Actually, it felt this was enough; after all, it wasn’t an Ancient Dragon obsessed with cleanliness, just that Rong Buqiu used to always groom it, making it indifferent to such trivial stains.

As for Maria and Adeline, they were adapting to everything.

Maria took a deep breath, her crimson eyes gazing at the vast sea outside the cave plunged into darkness.

”Building a residence here, aren’t you afraid the furniture will mold?”

”Moreover... this fresh, clean ocean... how strange, standing this close to the sea, I didn’t feel any unfathomable fear.”

”Not all worlds’ depths are inhabited by a bunch of bizarre high-dimensional creatures,” Lann walked over to them, joining them in gazing at the dark ocean.

Though dark, it’s natural.

”Your world is the minority.”

It seemed Lann’s movement provided some psychological support. Maria, who had been holding her back straight and shoulders tense, relaxed slightly.

”So, relax a bit.” Lann aptly extended his arm with a smile invitingly.

”Come on, although this cave is enveloped by magic, preventing moisture from coming in, the Qilin has splashed quite a bit of water up here; we can sit in the resting area above.”

”Magic?” Maria muttered softly, moving along to keep up with Lann.

But Adeline curiously watched the Qilin washing its hooves on its own, and the little dock that invisibly and intangibly prevented moisture.

”I...” She hesitantly looked up at Lann, who was already leading Maria up the steps, ”Can I stay here and watch for a bit?”

”Suit yourself, Adeline. But be careful,” Lann shrugged, ”Magic blocks moisture but can’t keep you from slipping into the water.”

”Hey, I’m not a child,” Adeline pouted helplessly.

In fact, Lann was quite happy seeing Adeline make independent decisions away from Maria.

After all, Adeline, unfamiliar with the surroundings, treated the Female Hunter as her anchor since crossing worlds.

Now that she can separate voluntarily, it at least indicates she’s less anxious than at the start.

The resting area with beds and display cabinets is three meters up from the little dock’s stairs.

Here, the magical enhancements further include a warming function.

Allowing people to live without pressure even on cold reefs or in open sea view rooms.

”Sit anywhere.”

Lann spoke in the host’s role as he removed his hooded cloak and began dismantling his armor.

The host’s casual actions help guests relax as well.

For Lann, understanding and managing emotions makes taking care of Adeline and Maria’s feelings a task accomplished effortlessly.

And that’s indeed the case.

Maria pulled out the matching chair at the small table before the display cabinet, crossing her long boots-clad legs.

Her tricorn hat adorned with swan feathers was placed on the tabletop, letting her neat ponytail of white hair fall loose.

Cool and serene.

”Are these your travel findings?”

The display cabinet with sliding glass doors was designed by Lann for easy recollection and appreciation.

Similar to the display cabinets of avid collectors.

So it’s natural to glimpse the overall picture.

The Three-Floral Kitten’s backpack lay beside the cabinet, filled with its various small tools, weapons, and armor.

Inside the cabinet, books with ancient binding, giant sturdy scales from creatures, strange resinous items with sparks...

Various peculiar items, big and small, filled the parallel cabinets considerably.

Maria admired Lann’s keepsakes from his journey.

The art of assessing a host’s decorations and artworks was even considered a noble pursuit.

A suitably educated noble should showcase their unique art tastes during this process and initiate conversation with the host, avoiding awkwardness or silence.

Maria disliked the ways of Cainhurst’s kin but was genuinely appreciating the diversity of Lann’s adventures.

Yet suddenly, the Blood Nobility’s gaze froze.

Because, in one of the big compartments of the display cabinet, the curled-up replica doll... looked just like her.

”That’s a keepsake Gremman crafted herself, modeled after you,” Lann, in a silk undershirt and breeches, said predictably from his seat on the bed, having removed his armor.

”The way she moves in the Dream Realm, you’ve seen, and this is her real form.”

Maria gazed at the replica with a complex expression.

Fortunately, back in Yan’an, Lann had already mentioned what was likely with Gremman.

She didn’t misunderstand her mentor, continuing to respect the First Hunter.

”If you wish to keep a memento,” Lann gestured, ”you may take it; it’s appropriate.”

”...Thank you.”

Maria responded sincerely in a quiet voice after a brief silence.

She deftly emptied her leather suitcase, carefully extracting the doll from the cabinet to place it in the case, still in curled form.

Completing this, she seemed to release some inner burden, letting out a long sigh before returning to her seat.

But just as she sat down again, intending a more formal thanks to Lann...

A pale, delicate arm extended from the shadow of the cave’s stairway exit, wrapping around Lann’s neck from behind.

The bed was truly close to the stairway.

And next, as if the vivid red nails on that hand were enchanting.

A mature, seductive voice echoed.

”Ha, have you prepared the doll already? And changed clothes?”

”Great, I knew you liked having her watch us.”

”...”

The smile on Lann’s face suddenly faltered a bit.

Maria was even more frozen, unresponsive, dumbfounded.

”...Hmm?!”