"Sounds good, why not?" Myra agreed, and Rose nodded.
After a moment's thought, Myra added, "We might as well buy something practical too..."
She leaned closer to Cyril and Rose and whispered her idea.
"We'll probably need disguises for when we inevitably go on another 'adventure,' right? We could buy them now."
This was the same idea Rhamn had not too long ago. Their thoughts aligned on this matter.
"It's just a sensible thing to do," Rhamn said defensively.
"You plan on taking me on these as well?" Rose said, feeling helpless.
But after a moment, her expression turned intrigued, and she nodded, "Maybe that's not bad."
She was never in favor of their secretive activities. But now she had a change of thinking.
Perhaps these activities can serve as opportunities to do some research normally impossible. Like how she and Cyril explored the zoo yesterday.
With this, they went to the first clothing store they could find.
After entering it, they immediately exited it because the store didn't allow any animals inside.
Cyril had to calm down the offended Morpho when outside.
Thankfully Tigris didn't care, almost falling asleep on his shoulder.
So the group had to walk a bit more to find the right place.
They spend this time in a relaxed manner, at times going to a random store on the way that interested them.
This was a much-needed rest after the tense incident yesterday.
In the end, Cyril managed to buy himself some new casual clothes and a coat for the coming winter.
In addition, he got himself a disguise, which was a Hollowing knight costume as well.
It looked like it was from the same line as Myra's, which seemed fitting for the group.
To follow the trend, Rose decided to buy one for herself as well, though hers looked like a mix between normal armor and a robe.
Of course they would also alter the look of these slightly just in case; who knows if they will be recognized?
...
"To be honest, a simple mask would've done the job; there was no need to go this far..." said Rose in thought.
They were currently on the manarail heading back to the academy.
It seemed like a good idea in the beginning, but now the more she thought about it, the sillier it seemed.
"These costumes have good enhancements on them, so it's not a waste," Myra defended her decision.
But still her face showed uncertainty, and Myra turned to Cyril to seek support. "What do you think?"
"No need to fear tearing your normal clothes this way," said Cyril with a nod.
He already replaced his torn uniform with the new shirt.
With his support, Myra sat with her back straight. "See? Even Cyril likes it."
Rose stared at her friend for a few seconds in silence.
"...Didn't you have some armor we could've used instead?" she said while crossing her arms.
"Those were junk, compared to that Hollowing costume, honestly. You won't get anything too good when raiding bandits," Myra calmly replied.
With this answered, Rose retreated, no longer able to think up anything else that's wrong.
It seems she was now slightly embarrassed about their decision to buy costumes.
Unfortunately, now that she had bought it, Cyril was going to make sure she wore it when the time came.
He thought it was a fun idea.
...
Even after enjoying themselves in the city, they still had some time left in the day when they returned to Ailanthus.
So the group said goodbye to each other and went their separate ways.
Cyril, in a light mood, reached his dorm, opened the door, and went in.
He calmly put down the bags with Morpho's help when something caught his attention.
"You are finally here. To think a Master will have to wait this long for her disciple," a calm and measured voice that carried a hint of blame sounded.
Cyril, in surprise, turned towards the intruder. Morpho also sprung up, ready for action.
He saw Selene sitting on his bed in a lotus pose, looking at him with serene eyes.
"Does she not know what privacy is!?" Rhamn angrily exclaimed.
It was somewhat ironic for Cyril to hear such words coming from her.
"I am different!"
"Why are you here?" asked Cyril with a voice less friendly than usual.
Selene tilted her head at his question in confusion. "Why are you asking that? I am your Master, and as such, isn't it appropriate for me to check up on my disciple?"
"But why are you in my room again? Can't you wait somewhere else? Or give me a signal through the crystal so that I can be ready," Cyril accusingly said.
This place was not only his home but also Morpho's and Tigris's. It felt wrong to have another person come and go as they please.
"Irrelevant little details... But fine, if you so wish, then I will warn you beforehand. I am a considerate Master." Selene agreed with some reluctance.
Then she got up from the bed and, with her hands behind her back, started going around Cyril, observing the state of his body.
"Hmm, you have already cleansed the skin of your left hand. Not a bad result."
"Oh? You got a new vassal?" Selene, she said with surprise as she noticed Tigris.
"How rude..."
She attempted to touch it, and the mighty tiger acquiesced without any hesitation.
Once Selene had enough, she took her hand back and nodded her head in satisfaction.
After this, Selene switched her attention to Morpho, and her expression froze immediately.
The butterfly flapped her wings awkwardly a few times; she wasn't feeling comfortable under her piercing gaze.
Ah, I forgot....
"Morpho also learned your technique. It shouldn't be a problem, right?" Cyril said, acting like everything is normal.
It must be obvious to Selene that the butterfly was also practicing that spell.
Though her reaction was slightly bigger than Cyril anticipated.
After a few seconds of silence, Selene finally regained her composure, speaking in a calm voice, "Of course it's not a problem."
Selene narrowed her eyes and shot a curious look at Cyril. "Did she grow in size a little since I was last here? Butterflies shouldn't be able to do that."
Morpho was indeed changing in size rapidly. At first, including her wings, she was the size of a fist; now she had grown to the length of a forearm.
She was already barely able to stand on Cyril's shoulder; if she grew any further, she would have to stand on his head.
"Morpho is special," Cyril said as a matter of fact.
"I see," briefly replied Selene and continued speaking.
"Your improvements are quite good. I think we can try a certain training method. We'll do it in the park tomorrow."
"We have a test tomorrow."
It should be fine to do that afterwards.
Cyril agreed with a nod, and Selene smiled at the sight.
"I will need to prepare a few things, so I'll be taking my leave; no need to see me off," Selene said and swiftly moved toward the exit door.
In no time, she was gone from the dorm.
"Finally she left!" Rhamn exclaimed.
Morpho flew in front of Cyril with a question on her mind.
"...She is asking if she will be part of the training" Rhamn translated.
"Yes, we'll be training partners" replied Cyril with a subtle smile.
Morpho made a few circles around the room and then began striking the mannequin in excitement.
Cyril looked at the lazy kitten on his shoulder. "Do you want to try it too?" He casually asked.
Tigris only shook his tail a few times and continued hanging on his shoulder in peace.
Cyril didn't know what to do with him.
"Maybe his talents lay elsewhere. He doesn't need to learn it," protested Rhamn.
That's true...
For the remainder of the day, Cyril was earnestly practicing the Dragon Art.
He managed to improve the skin of his right arm as well, before it was time to sleep.
On the way to the bathroom, Cyril interrupted Morpho's training as well, sending her to rest.
Otherwise she would be here until she couldn't move anymore.
After washing Tigris and himself, Cyril lay on his bed.
Surrounded by beasts, insects, and who knows what, he wished everyone a good night and fell asleep.
...
The next day the lessons began in a slightly unorthodox fashion.
Cyril first visited the administrative office to get a replacement for his uniform, where he was given a tiny ring.
The staff mysteriously told him it was for Morpho to use in the coming test.
"Is the tiger cub capable of fighting with you?" They asked afterwards.
Upon receiving a negative answer from Cyril, the staff breathed a sigh of relief. "Good, no need to prepare anything else..."
Apparently the Academy considered him to be a 'beast tamer' after his duel with Bran, and Morpho was allowed to help him in the test.
The butterfly with curiosity looked at the ring that was now on her limb. Thankfully the size was just right.
The sight of a butterfly wearing jewelry was somewhat unusual, but it looked fitting somehow.
"She wears it well," Rhamn nodded with pride.
The staff then gave him directions to a certain room in the castle and urged him to go there immediately.
Somewhat intrigued, Cyril thanked the staff and left.
...
Cyril arrived at the correct place with no issue. It was a hallway with a pathway leading underground at the end of it.
Their spell-making professor was standing near the stairs, fiddling with a pile of bracelets in front of him.
Upon noticing the arrival of a student, Richard stopped what he was doing and looked at Cyril with surprise.
"You are already here? That's good, come closer..." He said while motioning with his hand.
What is this about?
Richard picked up a bracelet from the pile and gave it to Cyril once he walked closer.
"Wear it and go downstairs. Rendel will explain everything." Richard quickly said and returned to the pile.
Rendel was the name of their combat instructor.
With rising anticipation, Cyril obliged and went downstairs wearing a bracelet.
At the end of the stone stairs, Cyril was surprised to find himself in a completely different environment.
It was like entering another dimension, from a dark, gloomy stone pathway illuminated by magic lamps to a sunny, lush forest under a clear sky.