Fortunately, the training hall was enchanted with automatic-repair magic, and as a result, the deep scratches on the floor were gradually regaining their original form.
“….Arthur. Can I have a word with you?”
“Ree… About her?”
I motioned towards Lily, and the professor hesitated for a moment but then gestured for me to bring her along.
Amidst the stupefied gazes of students watching Lily growl in frustration, I quickly followed the professor with my head bowed.
Once inside the office, with just the two of us – technically two people and one cat – the professor sighed deeply.
“Hmm…”
The professor stole another glance at Lily and let out another sigh, as if the ground beneath him was giving way.
“…When did you make the contract?”
“Two days ago.”
“Why didn’t you report it immediately?”
“I… I didn’t fully process it myself…”
“…Of course.”
The professor, his face grim, slumped into his chair and gestured for me to take the seat opposite him. Carefully, I placed Lily on the seat beside me, but…
“NYAHH!”
With an obvious refusal, she leapt over the chair and settled on my lap, curling up snugly.
Both the professor and I stared at her with a mix of disbelief and amusement as she displayed a very feline quality.
“While I may not claim to know everything, I have never heard or seen a cat with that kind of power.”
“Neither have I…”
“Do you know how strong that training hall floor is?”
“It’s enchanted directly by the Chancellor, so it must be tough—”
“It’s so strong that even if a meteor were to fall, it wouldn’t break.”
…That was more insane than I had anticipated.
Although the Chancellor who created it is certainly remarkable, how did Lily manage to split it…?
“Can you control this cat reliably?”
“Uh… Probably?”
“‘Probably’ is not enough. You must be sure. Essentially, you’re carrying a portable strategic weapon. Depending on the situation…”
At that moment, a chill ran down my spine and the hairs on the back of my legs tingled.
“You may need to be eliminated.”
The Chancellor is too powerful. Actually, all the professors currently working at the Academy are top-tier experts.
Especially Professor Lakeard, who is hailed as the genius of the next generation of Archmages.
As he emits a cold aura, I feel certain that I might die.
“HAH!”
At that moment, Lily jumped up, bristling, and faced the professor.
Remarkably, the pressure I felt moments ago seemed to ease as Lily stood her ground.
“…I see, she is loyal.”
The oppressive aura disappeared, and the calm atmosphere returned. Lily, apparently ready to keep watch, curled up again, leaving just her face peeking out.
“Do you know the limits of its abilities?”
“No… This is the first time I’ve issued such an offensive command…”
After a moment of contemplation, the professor conjured a key from the air and handed it to me. Bewildered, I alternated my gaze between the key and the professor.
“It’s the training hall key. Go in when there’s no one, day or night, and investigate that cat thoroughly. Learn its powers, capabilities, and limitations.”
If I just asked, it would likely respond…
“Yes, understood.”
“I’ll report to the Dean and the Chancellor for you.”
As the professor stood up, I picked Lily up.
As we returned to the training hall, something came to mind, and I broached the subject.
“Um… Professor…?”
“What is it?”
“Could my familiar be confiscated?”
Ignoring the stirring in my arms from Lily, I focused on the contemplative professor.
“Hmm… In normal circumstances, the contract between a familiar and their master is inseparable. However, that cat of yours possesses too much power. I cannot predict what measures might be taken.”
“Who will make the final decision?”
“The Chancellor holds the ultimate authority.”
…Perhaps it’s fortunate that it’s not the Dean?
When the distance to the training hall was almost negligible, Professor Lakeard blocked my path.
“Needless to say, if any sort of beam like the one earlier ever points towards the students, I will use my full strength to kill you. Be cautious so that no student’s blood stains my hands.”
“Yes, understood.”
“NYAAHH!”
Lily protests defiantly, as if questioning how someone like him can dare threaten us.
“…Personally, I’m curious. Is the cat female?”
“Yes.”
“Consider neutering her. There aren’t any male cats in the Academy, but you never know.”
“!!!!!”
For the first time, I realized a cat’s face could distort so tragically.
When we returned to the training hall, the students’ attention once again focused on us.
It must be due to the overwhelming display of power Lily showed just moments ago.
“Haha… This rumor will spread before tomorrow.”
Frankly, it’s strange that anyone wouldn’t hear such a massive sound.
Regardless of students or professors, everyone passing by whispered and looked at me and Lily.
Even inside the classroom, this attention continued, and in the confined space, I began to clearly hear their murmurs.
“Is he responsible for that sound?”
“More specifically, it’s apparently his cat—a familiar?”
“The cat is cute!”
“If provoked, it instantly launches a death beam to obliterate its target!”
…It seems some strange rumors are spreading.
For the first time, it felt like I was receiving real attention, albeit mixed with a sense of unease…
‘This is quite a burdensome situation, isn’t it?’
Everywhere I looked, I felt cautious about my every move as countless eyes watched.
The pressure of feeling like everyone is staring only weighed me down.
The moment the professor entered, the muttering subsided, but the gazes persisted. The professor scanned the classroom, locking eyes with me. Specifically, his focus was on Lily, curled up on the desk yawning.
It seems he was informed by Professor Lakeard because he didn’t mention the cat sitting on the desk.
“Let’s begin the lecture.”
—
Ignoring peoples’ glances, I couldn’t take my eyes off Lily.
I was even prepared to scoop her up and rush out if she so much as made a sound during the lecture.
Contrary to my anxiety, Lily displayed a disciplined demeanor, grooming herself or pressing her neck affectionately.
DING DONG.
“Alright, have a good lunch…”
With the ending of class, I shoved my textbook into my bag, cradled Lily, and dashed out of the classroom.
Passing through corridors, the park, and more corridors, I finally reached the dormitory.
“Huff… Huff…”
Only after securely locking the dormitory door could I breathe a sigh of relief.
“NYAA~”
Upon releasing the restless Lily from my arms, she leaped down and immediately transformed back into her human form.
“Hmm… I see, I do seem perfectly suited to this human form!”
Lily stretched out expansively, rotating her joints and loosening up.
“How was that Arthur? I think I handled things well?”
“…Handled well?”
“What? Weren’t people’s looks pretty entertaining?”
“Lily…”
I covered my face with my hands and slowly sank to a seated position.
“That was excessive.”
“Ah, I thought that level was necessary so others wouldn’t overlook you.”
“Yes, but Professor Lakeard was right. Displaying too much strength also causes problems.”
“Hmm… It wasn’t like this back home. This place is different.”
No one will disrespect you after seeing something extraordinary like that.
Whoever looks down on you after seeing that probably has a head filled with air.
However, the Dean and the Chancellor are the issues.
Especially the Dean, whose relations with me were already strained due to the recent incident…
‘My only recourse is appealing directly to the Chancellor…’
Please, let there be no order to separate me from Lily.
“Don’t worry too much. If someone tries to separate us…”
“If?”
“Just obliterate everything and leave for some quiet uninhabited planet. We could live happily there, just the two of us.”
…Uninhabited ‘planet’? Not an island, but a whole planet?
Because she’s an outsider, her scale of thinking is immense.
“Lily…”
“If any human dares to suggest something like sterilization! That person will definitely…”
…Maybe there’s another reason?
“Lily…”
“Or…”
“Lily!”
Interrupting her listing of catastrophic scenarios for the Academy’s destruction, Lily turned to look at me.
“Come here.”
I stood up, opening my arms wide to face her.
Then Lily, her eyes lighting up, leapt into my embrace.
Gently stroking her back, I spoke.
“I don’t want to separate from Lily either, under any circumstances.”
Even squatting slightly to match Lily’s height, I softly whispered to this adorable extraterrestrial.
“Still, let’s ensure we don’t harm others. It’s not fair if innocent people get hurt.”
“…Alright, I’ll be more careful.”
“Thank you. Though perhaps this isn’t an adequate trade-off…”
Sliding back slightly to face Lily properly,
“I’ll always be with you during lunchtimes.”
Upon hearing my words, Lily’s face brightened.
“Really? Will you really be with me?”
“Of course. I enjoy the time spent with Lily the most.”
It’s true.
“Gyaah! Arthur is the best!”
I heartily hugged Lily, who threw her arms around me.
Even when Lily is seductive and mature, and at times playful and sly like a cat,
She turns adorable and pure like a puppy when she clings like this.
Upon reflection, Lily seems unfamiliar with gauging personal boundaries.
Sometimes she feels like a mature mother, other times a playful elder sister, and yet again, now like a cute little sister.
Lily struggles with familial relationships just as much as I do.
The fluctuating sense of distance can occasionally feel overwhelming, but I love every aspect of Lily’s multifaceted nature.
“Gotcha!”
Caught off guard, Lily kissed me.
“Phewt, that’s to warn you not to let your guard down~”
Immediately switching back to her playful sister mode, Lily grinned mischievously.
Ah, really… isn’t she just adorable?
Despite trying to contain my laughter, I leaned in to kiss her.
Longer and deeper than before.
—
After resolving lunch with a dish Lily prepared (“What’s the dish today?” / “Old One’s raw fish platter!”), I returned to class.
Of course, Lily was snuggled comfortably in my arms.
Carrying her constantly while dealing with people’s stares was challenging, so I suggested we try walking.
“Not quite comfortable walking yet.”
…Didn’t she walk well in my dreams…?
‘Still, it’s cozy like a hot pack… good enough.’
Although it slightly felt like I’m treating her like a hot pack, I’m glad for it.
Lily followed me around to my classes, and unsurprisingly, so did people’s stares.
After a few hours, I grew somewhat desensitized to these stares, reflecting on humanity’s remarkable adaptability.
Today’s final class shared some students with Leeti.
“Hi, Arthur~”
Leeti plopped down beside me with a thud.
“HAH!”
At the sound of her greeting, Lily, who had been napping, immediately raised her head, revealing her fangs.
However, Leeti paid no heed to Lily’s threat and began fiddling in her pocket.
“Hey there kitty~ Want a treat?”
It was a cat snack she bought at the market.
“PUH!”
At her dumbfounded expression upon being offered food, I couldn’t suppress a laugh.
Lily’s red gaze flickered at me in irritation before she curled up again.
“Hmm? No interest? I had a hard time getting this… Kitty really won’t eat?”
Lily didn’t budge.
“Hmm… So she’s picky? What’s her name?”
Hesitating for a moment, I replied,
“Reel.”
At my answer, Lily twitched slightly.
“Ah, what a pretty name! Female?”
“Yes. She’s probably just full— I fed her a lot at lunch.”
“You should feed her in moderation. Cats gain weight quickly.”
– Twitch.
Come on, Lily, don’t react.
“Ah, by the way, I have something for you too, Arthur!”
“Hmm? What is it?”
In all the excitement of prior events, I had momentarily forgotten who Leeti was—an unpredictable character famous for her unconventional behavior.
Reaching into her pocket, Leeti pulled out…
“Ta-daa! ‘Summer Vacation with Tendrils’ Volume 1! It seemed like something you’d be interested in!”
Staring at the dizzy-inducing cover depicting a girl embraced by purple tendrils, I instinctively grabbed the book and shoved it back into her pocket.
“Are you insane? You can’t bring that here!”
“It’s fine. No one’s looking in this corner anyway.”
True to Leeti’s words, we were in a corner, and the last class anticipation had students finally divert their attention from me.
However, my fear wasn’t the students.
Glancing sideways, I noticed Lily watching me intently.
At the worst possible moment, our eyes met.
Lily’s red eyes flicked between me and the book halfway hidden in Leeti’s pocket.
Ah, screwed…
