Leo stared at the bed.
One bed.
Three people.
Aira had already claimed her usual spot, curled up quietly like a fox kit. Rina stretched out on the opposite side, taking up way too much space for someone that small.
Leo stood there, holding a blanket and a stick, eyes twitching.
"I'll sleep on the floor."
"No," Aira said without opening her eyes.
"Yeah," Rina yawned. "You'll just groan all night and ruin my sleep."
Leo blinked. "Excuse me for having spinal issues!"
He finally gave up and laid down beside the fire, wrapped in a half-burnt blanket, the stick as his "pillow."
The night was quiet. Sort of.
Aira slept peacefully. Rina snored like a thunder demon.
Leo stared at the roof, muttering.
"Why is it always the fire ones that snore?"
But something felt… off.
He sat up, eyes narrowing. The forest felt like it was watching him.
[SYSTEM ALERT: Unknown presence nearby. Threat Level: None. Potential Disciple Status: High.]
Leo whispered, "Let me guess. Another girl?"
[Correct. Personality Type: Silent Mage. Specialization: Illusion and Telepathy. Future Title: Archmage of Realms.]
He rubbed his face.
"System, I'm not running a daycare. Or a school. Or a magical girl guild."
[Correction: You are, actually.]
In the trees nearby, a girl crouched on a high branch, nearly invisible.
Long dark hair. Cloaked in shadow. Watching them with quiet, curious eyes.
She had been watching them for days.
How they trained. How they argued. How they followed the man with no magic.
She whispered softly to herself, "I want… to be trained too."
The next morning, as Leo was hammering together a crude bench with a rock, a voice spoke behind him.
"I want to be your disciple."
Leo jumped and nearly bashed his foot.
He turned. A pale girl with a deadpan expression stood there, holding a carved wooden staff.
"…Huh?"
[SYSTEM: Congratulations, Host. You now have Disciple #3.]