Athena's General Reincarnated in Another World

180 – The Fox Maid and the General

Chapter 180 - The Fox Maid and the General

Kinue:

It was morning, and I had woken up early to prepare breakfast for Chloe and Nathan. It had been a few days since we spent that weekend at our family mansion in the city. I always got up early to fulfill my duties—a habit I had acquired working as a maid at the castle. I was thrilled that they came to the academy; sometimes, I’d run into Natty and Catty, but they were a bit... different.

Whenever I encountered them, our conversations revolved around torture instruments and methods of inflicting pain. I guess it runs in the family, since Miss Martha is the same. A shiver ran down my spine as I remembered when she tried to give me a lesson about torture.

I spend two years away from Nathan and Chloe, training with Professor Adrihna to become a great light mage and with Headmistress Victoria, who helped me control my beast form. I am a rare demi-human who can transform, but I need rigorous training to maintain my sanity. It is too dangerous to use this power without total control, as I could harm someone.

Demi-humans who possess a beast form have this ability dormant until they turn 15 or 16. Usually, the transformation happens involuntarily the first few times, which is risky because the demi-human could hurt someone. That’s why I had to stay away from Nathan and Chloe and couldn’t visit them during the academy breaks. I might have transformed accidentally in the underground transport to the duchy.

In the demi-human kingdom, people are used to it, but in the human kingdom, there’s a lot of fear and unpreparedness to handle such situations. That was one of the reasons I had to remain at the academy. Only Professor Adrihna went to the Evenhart territory, and Headmistress Victoria, my master, guided me through this process, which would normally be led by a demi-human's parents.

, I thought, watching the gray kitten staring at me while I prepared breakfast.

"Good thing you’re just a little bird, right?" I said to Cylla, who continued to watch me. I leaned closer to the panther cub and asked, "Are you really Cylla?" She nodded.

"That's good," I said, relieved. "I know you’re less dangerous than a panther." But she shook her head in disagreement.

"No? What do you mean?" I asked, confused. "Are you more dangerous than a Moon Panther?" Cylla nodded again.

"Alright, silly. I believe you, hehe."

"Meow," she said, pointing with her head.

"You're the same Cylla I know. Always asking for meat."

I grabbed the meat from the pan and tossed it to her. Leaving Cylla to eat, I left the apartment to fetch some eggs from the dormitory kitchen. The academy stocked the pantry, and we could take whatever we needed.

"What are you doing here?" a voice asked, startling me.

“H-hello," I turned to greet.

It was a uniformed student, and I felt confused about how to address her. Everyone living here was a high noble, and there were even two princesses in the dormitory.

"La-Lady...?" I asked, unsure.

The student laughed.

"Don't worry, you can call me by my name. I'm Melina. I hope no boy broke the rules by bringing a girl to spend the night in his apartment."

I blushed.

"N-no, it’s not like that. I received special permission and moved into this dormitory."

"Oh! I get it! You’re like Thyra, then. I also live with my cousin Alice, so I understand you."

But then I thought a bit more.

Nathan Evenhart:

We were in class when a strand of my hair fell in front of my eyes. I brushed it aside, feeling relieved to see that my hair was once again completely black. I thought back to what Professor Adrihna explained about my condition, though I still felt frustrated with the limitations of my Aspect of the Soul. It doesn’t allow me to see my own mana or uncover the true nature of a certain annoying woman.

“What is it? Lost something here?” asked Goddess Athena, sitting beside me with a teasing smile.

Athena placed a hand on my shoulder, her voice laced with malicious amusement. “Tough luck, Icarus,” she laughed.

I ignored the Goddess, trying to focus on my thoughts.

I grabbed a strand of my hair, continuing my analysis.

I sighed, remembering how Kinue and Chloe seemed quite intrigued watching my mother dye my hair.