Chapter 8

‘So I’ve finally become the Winchester pet fox. Ariel is going to have a field day mocking me if she ever hears about this.’

Of course, since the suggestion was made because of the danger—specifically that people might try to kidnap me for my ability to suppress Esteban’s rampages—it was hard to refuse.

‘Honestly, like Aria said, being a pet fox is less dangerous.’

Regardless, after hearing the gist of the situation from Lani, Ellen let out a good-natured laugh.

“Aha, so that’s how things turned out.”

Ellen watched with an awkward smile as Esteban tried to peel me off his leg, telling me to get lost, while I gripped his calf with my front paws as if my life depended on it.

“Um, well… I don’t mind if she stays for the lesson, Young Master.”

“I believe you, of all people, know exactly what kind of state I’m in, Sir Ellen.”

At Ellen’s words, Esteban straightened his posture, letting go of the scruff of my neck. I listened intently to their conversation, still refusing to let go of his leg.

“It’s because I know so well that I’m saying this.”

“Do you think it’s fine for a single fox to be swept away and die in a rampage?”

‘Hey, you… is that any way to talk to your teacher?’

I was seriously considering biting his calf to punish that foul mouth of his when Ellen spoke in a relaxed tone.

“How could I think that? If you were to rampage, Young Master, I would be the first one to be swept away and die.”

“…….”

“But as you know, I cannot afford to die. I have an elderly mother to support.”

Ellen matter-of-factly stated that he couldn’t die because of his mother. While I understood the sentiment of having a family to care for…

‘Does he really have to say it like that? Esteban is only thirteen.’

I thought it would be much better to just say, “Don’t worry, you won’t rampage,” but Ellen continued.

“When I first entered this mansion after being asked to teach you how to control your mana flow, I told you that I prioritize my own life above all else.”

“…….”

“And from my perspective today, it doesn’t feel like you are going to rampage. That’s why I suggested she join the lesson.”

‘Ah, I see.’

Only after hearing the rest of Ellen’s explanation did I realize why he had gone into such detail. For Esteban, who was consumed by the fear that he might hurt someone during a rampage, simply hearing “it won’t happen today” would be hard to believe.

By explaining it this way, Ellen was reassuring him that he was safe. Since rampages are often triggered by emotions, I realized these kind words were likely the most effective way to stabilize Esteban’s unstable psyche.

‘I don’t know what his previous tutors were like, but this man is definitely a good person.’

I suddenly wanted to see Esteban’s face, but being stuck to his leg made it impossible. Instead, I looked at Ellen, who gave a gentle smile.

“The Young Master seems to have given his permission, so perhaps the Lady Fox could let go of his leg now?”

“Pyapyat.”

‘Actually, I’m a fennec fox, not just any fox.’

I corrected him, and Ellen blinked for a moment before turning to Lani.

“Did she just say something?”

‘Right, communication is still a struggle.’

***

“Steady your breathing. Focus your mind. Just as blood flows through your body, mana flows through the mana circuits.”

I sat down and closed my eyes, following Ellen’s instructions. Even if I couldn’t fully grasp everything, it was much better than struggling alone.

“The flow of mana through the circuits must be steady. If you are anxious or angry, the flow accelerates. At that point, the more mana you have in your body, the higher the risk of a rampage.”

I focused my mind, trying to sense the mana in my body. Since my natural mana pool was so small, even catching the flow was a challenge.

“Remember, the starting point for catching the flow is the heart.”

‘Okay, start from the heart.’

Following his guidance, I slowly traced the sensations from my heart. Between the thump-thump of my beating heart, I felt a very faint, thin stream.

“Once you have the flow, focus on it. If the mana is moving faster than your heartbeat, slow it down—very, very slowly. It’s like bringing a galloping horse to a halt. You must slow the speed of the mana!”

‘…Wait? How exactly am I supposed to stop a galloping horse?’

“Well done. Let’s stop here for today.”

“Ppik?”

I felt like I was just about to grasp something when the connection snapped. I opened my eyes and looked at him. Ellen was handing a towel to a sweat-drenched Esteban.

“Good work.”

“…The mana flow felt faster than last time.”

“But you slowed it down much quicker than last time.”

Ellen, who skillfully neutralized Esteban’s anxiety, turned his gaze toward me. I looked at him with sparkling eyes, hoping for some advice. Noticing my gaze, Ellen laughed and spoke to Esteban.

“By the way, she seems quite intelligent for a pet fox. I honestly thought she’d disappear as soon as the lesson started.”

“Ppik!”

‘I told you, I’m not a pet!’

“Haha, I never understood the phrase ‘being bewitched by a fox,’ but she really is quite cute the more I look at her. I should tell my mother to get one as well.”

“Her personality is so foul that I don’t think she’d be a good gift for an elderly person.”

“Pyapyat!”

‘The one with the foul personality isn’t me, it’s you!’

Ellen watched us bicker and blinked before speaking with a smile.

“She really does seem clever. It’s as if she understands everything we say.”

Esteban scowled at the praise. Ellen, seeing the expression clearly on Esteban’s face, began packing his bag.

“Anyway, don’t forget to keep practicing until the next lesson, Young Master.”

“…….”

“Others accelerate their mana flow to compensate for a lack of it, allowing them to perform at a higher level. That’s what ‘getting the blood pumping’ usually means.”

“…….”

“But in the case of a Winchester, your natural mana pool is so vast that we must train to force the flow to slow down.”

“…….”

“Always remember that mental stability is the most important factor in slowing the flow. After that, it’s about maintaining your physical stamina so that even if a rampage occurs, it can’t last long. Without stamina, you can’t keep accelerating the mana flow indefinitely.”

I perked up my large ears, hanging on every word. If accelerating the mana flow allowed one to perform at a higher level, like he said…

‘Isn’t humanization similar? When my mother said I needed to be skilled with mana, did she mean I had to circulate it faster?’

I felt a shiver run through my fur, as if I had finally found a clue. But how do I accelerate the flow?

‘If slowing it down is like stopping a galloping horse, is speeding it up like whipping a stationary one? Do I have to whip my mana?’

Feeling lost again, I turned to Ellen and chirped with twinkling eyes.

“Ppi-ppi-ppyat!”

‘How do I make the mana flow faster!’

“Um, does the Lady Fox have something she wants to say to me?”

I nodded vigorously at Ellen, who asked Esteban tentatively.

‘Totally! I have so much I want to say!’

“She usually looks like that when she’s hungry.”

“Pyat!”

‘Hey!’

I shouted back to deny it, but at that exact moment, my traitorous stomach let out a thunderous growl. I flinched and looked at the two of them. Ellen bit back a laugh.

“Ah… I see. You were very hungry.”

‘…Curse you, tactless stomach.’