When Ryuk stepped into his dorm room, the first thing he noticed was the formerly broken window—now fully repaired.
The previous claw marks covering the flooring were gone, and the sofas had been properly arranged back in their original positions.
SLAM!
The sound of the door shutting rang out as Ryuk turned his head to the side.
Patootie stood there, faint beads of sweat dripping down her forehead.
That was when it occurred to him—while the academy might have helped fix his broken glass and torn-up floor, it was still left to Patootie to re-arrange the furniture and clean everything until it sparkled.
He hadn’t expected that.
Seeing her sweaty face made him feel a twinge of guilt.
"You’re back..." Patootie said, her ears flickering when she spotted him.
Ryuk nodded. "Sorry you had to clean up the mess I made..."
"Cleaning up is my job. There’s no need to feel sorry. I’m glad to help if anything," she replied before moving back to her work.
Ryuk nodded once more, then turned toward his room.
DRIIING! DRIIING! DRIIING!
The sudden ringing of his watch made him pause. Glancing down, he saw a notification flashing on its surface.
{Next Class Confirmed.}
{Combat Class Begins in One Hour!}
{Personal Message from the Instructor: Prepare Well for Pain!}
"...That’s a weird message," Ryuk muttered. Instead of heading into his room, he changed direction and exited his dorm. If the instructor was already sending threats, it was better to arrive early than late.
As he walked, he reached out mentally.
’Hey, where are you, Isha?’
Silence stretched for a moment before a reply came.
’Moving to the next class.You In trouble?’
Ryuk furrowed his brows.
’I should be the one asking that.’
Isha snickered.
’Well, you shouldn’t.Because you don’t seem to have quite the best reputation with the students. They either don’t care or outright dislike you. Meeting close to 250 of them taught me that much, at least.
’That’s almost half of the students talked to in less than an hour timeframe. That’s so impressive…’ Ryuk’s tone dripped with mockery.
’Also, ’Isha continued, I’ve seen some vampire and dog guy stalking me, eyeing me weirdly. You know them?
Ryuk’s expression darkened.
’I do. And they’re not friends. They’re enemies. Stay away from them.’
’They aren’t particularly close to me. Just watching. Almost like they’re trying to gauge my strength—and failing pretty badly at that.’
’I’m with the Nagas anyway. They all seem to be heading to some particular location. Something called a Battle Class or whatever. Saw the message on the watches...’
’Wait, you can read?’ Ryuk asked, frowning.
And then, something else struck him—her tone.
Isha was talking faster now, her words sharper, more direct. It wasn’t like before when she barely spoke, her voice tiny and hesitant. Now, her speech was clear, almost commanding, even though the usual femineity in them remained.
The difference was wild.
’Seraphis taught me,’ Isha replied, and an image of that Nagas girl flashed through Ryuk’s mind.
Her aura seemed refined, and she honestly felt like someone who wouldn’t be a threath.
But then, he recalled Morgaine’s words about the Nagas being a cunning race.
His trust in her and her race was thin at best.
’You seem to be getting pretty cozy with the Nagas,’ Ryuk remarked.
Isha snickered.
’I’m a royal of their race. They’re treating me quite well, hehehe...’
’Just don’t put too much trust in them, okay?’
A pause.
’What is trust?’ she suddenly asked.
Ryuk raised an eyebrow.
’You’re better off not knowing.’
He continued walking, nearing the battle area.
’I should warn you...’
’What?’
’The instructor for the Combat Class... he’s not like Instructor Catherine. In fact, he has a scar running down his left eye, and I’m guessing that came from some sadistic beast.’
’I don’t know how he’ll treat you if he sees you.’
Isha let out a snicker.
’So, you’re saying he’s racist, huh?’
’Who taught you that word?’
’Seraphis. She said those who ignore their mightiness are just being racist.’
’Pretty sure that’s not a thing.’
’I can always get back into the Pet World anytime, Ryuk. Don’t sweat it.’
Ryuk hummed in response, then fell silent.
He didn’t like Isha leaving his side at all.
The thought of her being outside the Pet World made him uneasy.
But he also knew he couldn’t just keep restricting her.
His excuse of her being weak and needing his protection was no longer valid.
His belief that she wasn’t wise enough to communicate properly with others was irrelevant now—she was learning too fast.
She was more than capable of standing on her own.
And if he kept trying to control her, it might just lead to headaches and trust issues. Isha wouldn’t see his concern—she would only see a cage.
It was time for her to see the world through her own eyes and learn her own lessons. One day, she would understand why he preferred keeping his circle small and his secrets locked tight.
But still...
’Hey, System. What’s Isha’s true level of power?’
[Right now, Host’s pet should be at the Initial Plane of Dominion. By the System’s estimate—she is more than three times stronger than the Host and any newcomer in the area.]
Ryuk exhaled.
Knowing Isha was strong enough to handle herself should have given him peace of mind.
Yet somehow...
’Why do I feel somber?’
’Is it because I think I’ve fallen too far behind her?’ He mused to himself.
It was a feeling Ryuk had gotten after his little skirmish with Isha.
Even though, he had been able to keep the situation under control in the end, his mood had somehow changed after the fight.
’I need to keep growing too. I can’t let Isha leave me too far behind.’ Ryuk stated to himself and that was when the golden panel flashed before his face:
[Main Quest Activated!]
[Accept MadWhite’s First Training And Enter Into The Portal!]
[Rewards:]
➤ All Possessed Skills Leveled Up to Level 10
➤ +7 Level-Up Cards!
➤ +15,000 Purchase Points]
"This is still active?" Ryuk asked with a raised eyebrow as he looked at the panel but his eyes dimmed.
"No. This is suicide."
------
A/N:
Last Chapter of the Month. Pheeew.
Writing had been fun.
All of my goals for this month were achieved and we even managed to bag the Win-win, winning a guaranteed feature for the book, and you all who helped by purchasing privileges will also get New Badges of honour.
I want to thank each and everyone one of you for your support. I never would have done it without you.
Hopefully, we all remain together and see Ryuk’s story to its end.
Muchos Graciiiiaaasssss
...In and out, SnowySmoos
Also, New Privileges Out up to 10 Extra chapters are now Out!