92 Ready: 1

Watching Big Sis Jiao's bondmaid pack her clothing, Lucy fidgeted with her new piercings, frowning. "When is Selena coming back?" Lucy asks. Whitney pauses and puts down the silk leggings. She crouches in front of Lucy. "Selena is training in the twilight. She can't come out right now" Whitney says. "While Selena is training, Sir Jenz will take care of you"

Lucy stiffens, her brows furrowing. "I'm leaving without Selena?"

What the fuck? No. That doesn't make sense. She gets anxious leaving me in the Maze to train, let alone letting me change households without her.

Whitney nods. "Don't worry, Miss Lucy. Sir Jenz will take you straight to your Honored Mother, and stay with you until Selena comes back" How long is Selena going to be gone? Lucy struggles to recall the snippets she'd overheard about the twilight. THE FUCK?!?

A chill spread down her back. Am I going to be alone? Why? why? NONONO. I can't be alone!

Lucy's hands fist in her skirts, panting as she stares at the stone tile. One. Two. Lucy shudders. Three Four. Breathe! Damn it! She'll be back. Don't freak. Breath. One. two. Three.

What if she never comes back? What if someone poisons me again? What if Selena gets hurt? Don't think I don't know. The twilight is a fucking cavern battlefield. She's fighting for her life. What if Selena dies. NONONONO. Lucy bites her lips, she'll come back. She will. She will.

How long will Selena take? What is she doing? Is she in pain? What if she dies? Who's going to brush my hair, and bathe me? Edith, Misty, or Breeze? That's not right. Misty and Breeze have to take care of Emma and Brynn.

I'll be alone. Lucy shuts her eyes. No. She will be fine. This is a necessary process so she can upgrade her realm. She'll come back, stronger than ever.

Lucy jerks, her eyes flying open as calloused hands lift her. She locks eyes with Sir Jenz. He props her on his arm. "Breath, child." he orders. Lucy's lips part, her whole body shuddering as she gasps.

Firm strokes on her back and his gentle gaze drag Lucy out of her spiraling thoughts. "My familiar feels neglected. Can you pet him for me?" Sir Jenz asks. Lucy blinks. "Your familiar?

Jenz nods, and whistles. On his shoulder, with a burst of light, a tan fox appears. Lucy blinks. "His ears are so big," Lucy mutters. "Die is a fennec fox." Sir Jenz explains.

"Why is his name Die?" Lucy asks. Sir Jenz rubs her head, disturbing her braid, causing her year bells to chime. "You will know when you are older"

Lucy's lips twitch. You know what, I don't want to know now. Sir Jenz places the soft fox in her arms. He's so warm, Lucy ruffles Die's fur, feeling him go limp. "Where did you get Die?"

Didn't Grandmama say that mages summon familiars? Is there a specific spell for that? Lucy didn't realize she was thoroughly distracted. "Die choose me on the battlefield" Sir Jenz answers.

Lucy blinks. "Don't you summon familiars?"

"Yes. After becoming a mage, I cast a summoning spell. However, familiars choose their partners. The spell is more of a lure to Kien. Depending on the caster, there could be hundreds of Kien or none who answer the summoning." Sir Jenz answers.

Lucy couldn't imagine the crowded scene of hundreds of intelligent magic beasts appearing at once. "If so many appear, how do they fit in the room? Lucy asks.

Sir Jenz laughs. "Do you think the Kien is transported to you when you cast the spell?" Lucy nods.

Sir Jenz shakes his head. "Kien follow the spell back to you. Kien who doesn't like the magic scent don't bother coming. Besides, it's not uncommon for Kien to leave after meeting the mage."

Sounds complicated. Lucy looks down at Die. Since Kien are that picky, it explains why having a familiar is a status symbol.