Chapter 65: Chaotic Training I
The next morning was strangely awkward.
Not because there was an invasion.
Or a dungeon.
Or a secret organization trying to kidnap the Little Fat King.
No.
It was worse.
Kael had slept exactly... two hours.
Not because the system had glitched again.
But because every time he was about to fall asleep...
He remembered the kiss.
Then he’d open his eyes wide.
"..."
"How embarrassing..."
He covered his face with the pillow.
"Why did I have to bump noses right before...?"
On the other side of the city...
Seraphina was also awake.
Sitting on her bed.
Staring blankly at the wall.
Her huge refrigerator emitted a soft, constant hum.
From inside, a sleepy voice spoke.
"It’s too hot..."
Seraphina didn’t even react.
She remained completely still.
The refrigerator door opened just a few centimeters, and a small burst of cold air escaped into the room.
"Is something wrong?"
Asked the calm voice of the Winter Spirit.
Seraphina took several seconds to respond.
"No."
Silence.
"You lied."
"Yes."
Another silence.
"Does it have anything to do with Kael?"
Seraphina remained motionless.
Then she answered with absolute naturalness.
"Yes."
The door slowly closed again.
"Then I can’t help you.
Human relationships are too complicated.
I prefer to stay inside the refrigerator."
"...I’d like that too."
---
An hour later...
Arkanis Academy Training Field.
The enormous grounds were full of students practicing magic.
Explosions.
Swords.
Summons.
Golems.
Everything seemed completely normal.
Until Kael crossed the entrance.
He yawned so loudly that several students turned to look at him.
"You slept little."
Seraphina’s voice appeared right beside him.
Kael jumped a little.
"Ah!"
Then he coughed to hide it.
"Good morning."
"Good morning."
Silence.
They walked next to each other.
Neither said anything.
They didn’t even know where to start.
A few meters away...
Aurelion watched them from a bench.
He had a sweet bread in one hand.
And a cup of coffee in the other.
Darius walked over to him.
"What are you doing?"
"Watching."
"Who?"
Aurelion discreetly pointed at Kael and Seraphina.
Darius looked at them for a few seconds.
He frowned.
"Did something happen to them?"
Aurelion smiled.
"A lot."
"What?"
"I don’t know.
But they’re much weirder than three days ago."
Darius watched them again.
Just at that moment...
Kael and Seraphina tried to speak at the same time.
"Seraphina..."
"Kael..."
They both fell silent.
"You talk."
"No, you first."
"It doesn’t matter."
"Okay."
Silence again.
Aurelion started laughing.
"I knew it."
Darius crossed his arms.
"I don’t understand."
"Isn’t it obvious?"
Aurelion took another sip of his coffee.
"Those two did something.
And now neither knows how to act."
"..."
"Do you think they fought?"
"No.
That would be much less fun."
---
"Alright!"
Professor Rowan’s voice echoed across the field.
"Everyone form teams."
The students began organizing quickly.
The teacher walked until he stood in front of Kael.
He looked at him for a few seconds.
Then he looked down at the Fat King.
The feline slept soundly on Kael’s head.
Completely oblivious to the world.
Then he looked at Sir Dogerino.
The little Shiba Inu sat with his back completely straight.
Proudly holding his Sacred Stick.
He looked like a knight waiting for orders.
The teacher sighed.
"Today you’ll train with both summons at the same time."
Kael swallowed.
"Are you sure?"
"Yes.
You need to learn to coordinate them.
Because on a real mission, you won’t be able to use them separately."
Kael couldn’t argue with that.
"Understood."
The teacher stepped back.
"Begin."
---
Kael took a deep breath.
He turned to his two companions.
"Alright..."
He cleared his throat.
"Today we’ll learn to work as a team."
Sir Dogerino immediately stood up.
He struck the ground with his stick.
"Woof!"
Then he raised a front paw in a perfect military salute.
Kael smiled.
"Perfect."
Then he looked up.
The Fat King was still fast asleep.
He hadn’t even opened an eye.
"..."
"You too."
"Meeeow..."
That was all the response.
He didn’t even wake up.
Kael took a deep breath.
"Fine.
We’ll start with something simple."
He pointed at three huge training dummies placed at the other end of the field.
"First...
Coordinated attack."
Sir Dogerino immediately turned toward the dummies.
He wagged his tail so hard he looked like a fan.
"Woof!"
"Wait.
Not yet."
The dog stood completely still.
Waiting.
Kael smiled, satisfied.
"Good."
Then he turned to the Fat King.
"Now you."
The cat slowly opened one eye.
Looked at the dummies.
Looked at Kael.
Then he spotted a nearby rock.
He jumped onto it.
Settled in.
Circled twice.
And went back to sleep.
Kael stood completely still.
"..."
"No.
That wasn’t the instruction."
The Fat King snored softly.
"Wake up!"
Nothing.
"We need to train!"
Silence.
Kael began to feel a small twitch in his eye.
"How am I supposed to teach you anything if you’re not even awake?"
The cat perked up just one ear.
As if he had heard perfectly.
Then he lowered it again.
Sir Dogerino watched the whole scene.
Then he walked over to the cat.
Sniffed him.
Gave him a small nudge with his nose.
"Woof?"
The Fat King slowly opened one eye.
Looked at him.
Five seconds.
Sir Dogerino wagged his tail happily.
Thinking they were going to play.
"Woof!"
WHAP!
A slap.
Sir Dogerino rolled several meters away.
Nearby students let out a small gasp.
The dog rolled three times on the ground.
Until he finally stopped.
Kael ran over worried.
"Are you okay!?"
Sir Dogerino jumped up.
Wagging his tail with absolute happiness.
"Woof!"
He ran back toward the Fat King.
Kael raised both hands.
"No!
You’re not playing!"
But it was too late.
Sir Dogerino approached again.
This time much slower.
He sat in front of the Fat King.
Waited.
The cat opened one eye.
Watched him.
The dog carefully placed his Sacred Stick on the ground.
And pushed it toward him.
As if he wanted to share a toy.
The Fat King looked at the stick.
Then at the dog.
Then he slowly raised a paw.
Kael sighed.
"Another slap..."
But it didn’t happen.
The cat took the stick.
Held it for a second.
And...
Threw it with absurd force into the forest.
Sir Dogerino’s eyes went wide.
"WOOF!!"
He shot off after the stick at ridiculous speed.
Kael breathed a sigh of relief.
"Well...
At least they stopped fighting."
Five seconds later...
Sir Dogerino returned happily.
He had the stick between his teeth again.
He placed it in front of the Fat King.
Wagging his tail, waiting.
The Fat King watched him.
Took the stick.
And threw it even farther.
"WOOF!!"
The dog disappeared among the trees.
Aurelion started laughing from the bench.
"I think...
I think I understand how they became friends."
Darius raised an eyebrow.
"Friends?"
"The Fat King found someone willing to fetch things for him."
Five seconds later...
Sir Dogerino returned again.
Happier than before.
The Fat King narrowed his eyes.
For the first time since training began...
A thoughtful expression appeared on his face.
He looked at the dog.
Looked at the stick.
Then...
A very small smile.
Very dangerous.
Appeared on his face.
Kael felt a chill.
"..."
"I don’t like that look."
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