All this time Selene didn't interrupt Cyril to ask anything, nor did she question him about his prolonged silence.
She simply stood to the side with her eyes closed, focused on something.
Rhamn continued, "Morpho also says you don't fit to be a rival because you are not giving it your all against her."
This caused Cyril to freeze with a guilty conscience. It was true.
In today's competition, if Cyril were really serious about it, he wouldn't take such long breaks.
He wasn't sure if it was a good thing or not, but Cyril just couldn't bring himself to seriously compete with Morpho.
"I get it. It might not be what she wants, but it can't be helped." Rhamn nodded in agreement.
So an earnest rival is just what Morpho needs at this moment. But there is another issue regarding this.
You can't make another creature at the moment, right?
"Yes. I feel there is a limit to how many 'connections' I can make." She replied in a cryptic manner and continued.
"But! If you take the pill Alvin should be preparing and use that herb you got from the test, we might be able to enhance your body enough for that to change."
Ah.
Cyril subconsciously wanted to place his hands over his pocket but stopped himself before Tigris could fall.
The herb was left in his training uniform back home; he even completely forgot about it.
That could work.
So the possibility of expanding their menagerie was there.
I should try asking for a bigger room then...
While his dorm was rather spacious, it would still not be enough if he wanted to accommodate all. After all, everyone needs some personal space.
And in Ailanthus, Cyril saw many beast tamers with all kinds of creatures obediently following them. They should need plenty of space as well.
It's reasonable to assume, then, that the Academy provides more room for those who really need it.
I'll try asking Margaret later.
Just then, Morpho flew up and fluttered her wings in frustration.
Cyril had been standing there silently for a bit of time already, making them all wait.
"Sorry." He quickly apologized and focused back on the present.
"I agree; when we get the chance, you'll get what you want." Cyril nodded with a slight smile.
Morpho did a little celebration in the air and landed on Cyril's shoulder, content.
With this done, Cyril turned to face Selene nearby, who still stood without any complaints.
"Sorry for making you wait." He guiltily bowed his head a little. Making her wait could become a habit if this continues.
Selene opened her eyes and shook her head. "It's okay. I understand you were somehow communicating with your vassals, it's necessary"
Cyril didn't remain on the topic and asked something else. "What about Tigris? Did he do well?"
At the moment he felt like parents must have felt when they came to ask about their children in school.
He could feel the tiger twitch when he asked that question.
Tigris's mood was low and wary. Cyril prepared for the worst.
"He still needs more time practicing. I suggest properly guiding him in magic for now. Once he gets a good grasp of some beginner-level spells, we can try again," Selene calmly replied.
Her voice was calm as usual, but somehow some frustration was visible in the air around her.
Tigris continued pretending to be asleep, but shame and sadness could obviously be felt from him.
Cyril petted him as a consolation. The tiger's low mood affected him as well.
"Cheer up. It's not the end of the world," he whispered.
Tigris didn't reply, only snuggling up a bit closer, burying his head. Cyril could only continue petting him.
Next they all started walking to get out of the park.
On the way, Cyril talked to Selene about the technique, asking for advice and guidance. Both he and Morpho listened attentively.
The thug in a grey uniform finally breathed a sigh of relief.
He didn't feel at ease near these two people. There was clearly something wrong with them.
"Now what to do about the lost goods..." He helplessly stared at the sky, waiting until his body recovered enough to move.
He didn't lose hope; he survived before, and he will survive now. As long as his life was here, it was good enough.
...
The sun was no longer visible, and the city entered nighttime.
Selene talked at length about effective training methods, what to watch out for, and other things.
Their next training was yet to be scheduled. Selene said her time was going to get a bit busy lately, and she would let him know when she's free.
Cyril tried subtly probing what she was so busy with. He still hadn't forgotten that she was connected to a criminal organization herself, but he got no useful response.
Selene only said it wasn't anything too bad—not the most reassuring statement.
After a getting out of the park it was time to for Selene to leave them.
Cyril and Morpho each said goodbye to her in their own way; even Tigris waved his tail.
His mood was a bit better now after the promise of tasty food at home.
From now on, Cyril will also focus on his education a bit more. He and Rhamn will at least teach him once a day.
He can't stay ignorant forever; it won't be good for him.
...
After a short wait inside a deserted monorail, Cyril was back in Ailanthus.
The closed gates before him opened on their own once he came close enough.
In a peaceful mood, Cyril walked towards his own dorm when something caught his attention.
A faint noise could be heard from the park, which wasn't far from his dormitory.
Even with Cyril's sharp senses, he barely picked it up—the sound of wind cutting through the air.
Someone must be practicing spells at this late hour. Not that unusual for Ailanthus, but still unhealthy.
Cyril wanted to ignore it and go home already, but Morpho, who was flying high in the air, relayed something interesting to him.
"That's Edmund practicing in there. But Morpho says his magic looks weird..."
His curiosity piqued, Cyril took a slight detour and headed for the park to see how his friend was doing.
His magic is unusual how?
"Well... apparently he doesn't use a magic circle, she says"
Cyril was even more interested now. Every spell required a magic circle; that was what Cyril believed before meeting Selene.
Her technique allowed one to use mana itself to attack, which widened Cyril's perception of what was possible, so he wasn't too skeptical of Morpho's claim.
"I am doubting if Heavenly Dragon's Judgement could be classified as a spell..."
Who knew what was possible in this world? Cyril wanted to see as much as he could.
He carefully entered the park while being careful of making any noise.
Cyril remembered that Edmund's senses were pretty sharp, so he needed to be cautious.
If he just entered openly, Edmund would probably pretend nothing is wrong, so he needed to catch him in the act.
Not a very friend-like action, but Edmund did many similar ones in the past.
Having justified his curiosity, Cyril followed after Morpho to where she saw Edmund.
Eventually he arrived at a secluded corner in the park surrounded on all sides by dense vegetation; this was quite a good hiding place.
The sky, however, was left wide open, letting Morpho observe without issue.
For some time now, Cyril had been hearing constant sounds of wind hitting something, and now, as he almost arrived, a voice was finally heard.
"Damn it! I need to do better than this!" An angry whisper filled with frustrations.
It looks like Edmund isn't having a good time right now. He sat on the grass, completely exhausted.
His hands were currently holding a strange green wisp of energy. It wiggled as if alive.
"At least this is easier than magic, right?" Edmund quietly said to the wisp.
But the green energy ball suddenly went away, startling Edmund.
After a delay, his shock turned to vigilance and a bit of fear as he got up and looked around.
"Who's there!" he vigilantly said.
Cyril went out in the open, having been discovered somehow.
"Cyril? It's you..." Edmund visibly relaxed, no longer as tense.
"How is it going?" He said, as if they simply met in the cafeteria.
Cyril stared at him without saying anything, his gaze piercing.
Edmund's smile had a slight crack to it now.