CHAPTER 08
After the incident with Cooker, Lady Aria decided it would be better to hide the fact that I was a beastkin, at least until I became better at transforming.
Because of that, the only people in Winchester who knew I was a beastkin were the direct family members, along with Cooker, Rendel, my assigned maid Rani, and the head maid Beth.
To everyone else, I was introduced as a pet fox kept for Esteban’s emotional stability.
‘So I ended up becoming Winchester’s pet fox after all. If Ariel heard this, she’d laugh her head off.’
Still, since it was also meant to protect me from anyone trying to trigger Esteban’s rampage, I couldn’t really refuse.
‘Honestly, like Lady Aria said, being a “pet fox” is probably safer.’
Anyway, after hearing the situation from Rani, Ellen smiled kindly.
“Ah, so that’s how things turned out.”
Looking between Esteban—who was trying to shake me off—and me—who was clinging to his leg like my life depended on it—Ellen gave an awkward smile.
“Well… I don’t mind if she stays during the lesson, Young Master.”
“I thought you, of all people, would understand my condition best.”
Esteban released his grip on my scruff and straightened up.
I was still clinging tightly to his leg, watching both of them carefully.
“That’s precisely why I’m saying this.”
“So you’re saying it doesn’t matter if a fox gets caught in my rampage and dies?”
Hey. Even when talking to your teacher, you really have to say it like that…?
I almost bit his leg for that—
but Ellen replied calmly,
“Of course not. If you were to lose control, I would be the first to die.”
“……”
“But as I’ve told you before, I cannot afford to die. I have an elderly mother to support.”
Ellen said it without hesitation.
Of course, I understood what he meant—but still…
‘Did he really have to say it like that? Esteban is only thirteen.’
Wouldn’t it be better to simply say, “You won’t rampage today, so don’t worry”?
But Ellen continued,
“When I first came here after receiving the offer to teach you how to control your mana, I made it clear—I prioritize my own life above all else.”
“……”
“And based on my judgment, today is not a day you will lose control. That’s why I suggested letting her stay.”
Ah.
Only then did I understand why he spoke that way.
Esteban, who was constantly afraid of hurting others if he lost control, wouldn’t easily believe someone just saying, “You’ll be fine.”
So Ellen reassured him in his own way.
Since rampages were triggered by emotional instability, maybe this calm, rational approach was actually the most effective way to steady him.
‘No matter what the previous teachers were like… this person seems genuinely good.’
I wanted to see Esteban’s expression, but since I was stuck clinging to his leg, I couldn’t look up properly.
Instead, I glanced at Ellen.
Smiling, he said,
“It seems you’ve given permission, Young Master. Perhaps the fox should let go of your leg now.”
“Kyap.”
‘I’m not just a fox—I’m a desert fox, you know.’
As I tried to correct him, Ellen blinked and turned to Rani.
“…Did she just say something?”
Right. Of course we can’t actually communicate.
***
“Steady your breathing. Focus your mind. Just as blood flows through your body, mana flows through your mana channels.”
Listening to Ellen, I sat down and closed my eyes.
I didn’t fully understand everything—but it was still much better than struggling alone.
“The flow of mana must remain stable. When you feel anxiety or anger, it speeds up. And the more mana you have, the greater the risk of losing control.”
I tried to concentrate on the flow inside my body.
Of course, since my natural mana was so low, even sensing it wasn’t easy.
“If it’s difficult, remember—the starting point is always the heart.”
‘Okay… so I start from the heart.’
Following his advice, I focused there.
Thump. Thump.
Between the beating of my heart, I could feel a very faint current.
“If you’ve found it, concentrate on it. If the flow is faster than your heartbeat, slow it down—gently, slowly. Like stopping a galloping horse, you must reduce the speed of the mana!”
…Wait. Hold on.
How exactly do you stop a galloping horse?
“Well done. Let’s stop here for today.”
“Kyap?”
I had just started to feel like I was getting it—
and then it ended.
Opening my eyes, I looked at him.
Ellen handed Esteban a towel as he stood there drenched in sweat.
“Good work.”
“…It feels like my mana flow is faster than last time.”
“But you slowed it down faster than before.”
Just like that, Ellen skillfully eased Esteban’s concern.
Then his gaze shifted to me.
Even though it was unrealistic, I looked at him with hopeful eyes, wondering if he’d give me advice too.
But instead, he smiled at Esteban.
“By the way, your pet fox is quite intelligent. I expected her to wander off once the lesson started.”
“Kyap!”
‘I’m not a pet fox!’
“Haha, I never understood the saying that foxes can charm people, but seeing her now… she really is quite adorable. Maybe I should suggest my mother keep one too.”
“With that kind of temper, it wouldn’t be a great gift for an elderly person.”
“Kyap!”
‘The one with the bad temper is you!’
Watching the two of us glare at each other, Ellen blinked—then chuckled.
“But she really does seem clever. It’s almost like she understands everything.”
At the compliment, Esteban frowned.
Ellen, noticing his reaction, picked up his bag.
“Anyway, don’t forget to practice before the next lesson.”
“……”
“As you know, most people accelerate their mana flow to temporarily increase their abilities. That’s what people mean when they say ‘your blood is pumping.’”
“……”
“But in the case of Winchester, your mana is already abundant. So instead, you must train to slow it down.”
“……”
“To slow your mana, mental stability is the most important thing. And secondly, you must lower your stamina so that even if a rampage occurs, it won’t last long. Without stamina, the mana flow can’t keep accelerating.”
I perked up my ears, listening closely.
If increasing mana flow enhances abilities…
‘Then isn’t transformation similar? Maybe when Mother said I need to handle mana well, she meant I should speed it up?’
It felt like I had found a clue.
Then how do you speed it up?
‘If slowing it down is like stopping a running horse… then speeding it up is like whipping a standing horse? Do I… whip my mana?’
Confused, I looked back at Ellen.
Our eyes met.
I lit up and asked eagerly,
“Kyap! Kyap!”
‘How do you make mana flow faster?’
“…Hmm. Is the fox trying to tell me something?”
Ellen asked cautiously, looking at Esteban.
I nodded enthusiastically.
‘Yes! I have so much to ask!’
“She looks like that when she’s hungry.”
“Kyap?!”
‘Hey!’
I protested—
but at that exact moment, my stomach growled loudly.
I froze.
Ellen tried to hold back a laugh.
“I see… you must be very hungry.”
…Of all times, my stomach had to betray me.
