I hadn't realized how quickly time had passed, and now I felt a little bad that I worried my mother so much. Sound father entered the room and started to pat me on the head happy to see that I had finally woken up. He didn't show it that much but I could tell he was worried himself.

   It didn't take me long to figure out what was probably the cause of me blacking out for so long. I had pushed myself extremely hard during the assault on the mines and I didn't really give myself enough time to rest underneath the tree. So all of the magic and energy I expended after saving Hayami was enough to put me down for the count until I was back up to my peak condition.

   After breakfast is over I continue to rest feeling as if I need to give myself a break before I end up passing out again. Eventually though Akira comes over to check on me. Apparently he and the rest of the town have already been introduced to Hayami thanks to rumor going around after walking with her through town and father giving them a summary on who she is and where she's from.

   Akira plopped down on the bed with me and then chooses to lean on me resting his head on my shoulder. He seemed happy, "How are you feeling? Your dad had came by and told the class that you had finally woken up."

   "Oh I'm okay. Just taking a few days to rest a little more so I'm not pushing myself. I hope I didn't worry everybody," I reply looking mostly okay. 

   He hugged me, "You had us very scared. The officers had told us you went missing after what happened at the mines. Then when everyone said you were back your dad told us you were unconscious. We thought something bad had happened."

   I pat him on the head and try to help him feel better. "You know me.... I just overdid it like I always do. I got carried away and was being stupid. But I'm perfectly fine and I'll be back to school in a couple days after I've made sure to let my body rest some more," I tried to assure him.

   He pouts for a bit and stands up. He says with a slight look of determination, "Next time I will go with you. I with make sure to grow strong enough to be able to help you. I promise you that the next time I'll be right there to protect you." I don't really know how to respond and instead I just give him a nod.

   The two of us spent the rest of the day just watching TV and playing video games. Hayami joined in with us for a while herself before getting tired. Eventually though he went home and I got ready for bed. It was weird though I was starting to feel different everything about me started to feel like it was changing and it wasn't just puberty starting to set in. It felt like the world was getting ready for something that I didn't know about yet.

   While I was taking my time to rest, Hayami seemed to settle into her new life rather quickly and started acting more like a maid and a housekeeper when she wasn't trying to be my personal assistant. Honestly I had forgotten that she had agreed to be my servant and I was more so treating her like a new addition to the family overall. No one seemed to be that off put by her after a little bit of time had passed even though she had four eyes, her lower body was like that of a spider, and most of her body was covered in white fluffy fur. Despite her unique appearance she was uniquely beautiful in her own way almost overwhelmingly so. I worried if that was my preteen mind starting to get affected by going through puberty for a second time talking or if I genuinely thought that she was beautiful. One thing was for sure even if her outward beauty might be up for debate; her inward beauty was not because she was one of the kindest souls I've ever met.

   She was doing everything within her power to make sure that I had whatever I needed the second that I needed it. It got to the point I had to tell her to slow down so she didn't overwork yourself and end up like how I've had. But what I loved most about having her around now was her singing. The first time I heard it was the late at night since I made sure to build her new home right next to my window just in case something had happened I would hear it and be able to rush to help her. 

   The sound of her singing permeated through the night air to reach my ears. It was very ethereal and angelic with how divine her singing sounded. It was also very soothing helping me go to sleep easier than anything else. It almost made me feel as if my soul was at ease.

   Then after my few days of rest were officially over she woke me up bright and early for school, "Time to wake young lord. You need to prepare for school. Be sure to pack for a trip as you all will be going to be southern forest of Dokoyoko today to learn about the giant mushrooms that rest in the heart of it. Your father and two other officers will be going with you to protect the class in case criminals happened to lurk in the woods."

   I feel her hand gently pat my head and I open my eyes. I slowly get up and she hands me my towels and change of clothes so that I can go ahead and take my shower. I see that she is already dressed and ready to go herself as if she is going with me.

   Shortly after getting ready I grabbed my sword and also put on some of my armor. Just enough in case there happens to be a fight but not all of it simply because I don't want to worry anybody. I head downstairs and eat breakfast with my family now with a new seat at the table for Hayami. Once we are done father, Hayami, and I all head out to the school.

   I spread my wings and look to Hayami, "Ready to fly?" She blushes a bright blue which was odd for her light purple skin but did look very cute. "Wait are you asking what I think you are," she questioned noticeably nervous. 

   I hold out my hand and promise, "Don't worry. I will make sure to keep you safe. So trust me." I can see how it takes her a moment to make up her mind. But after a moment she takes my hand and I pull her very close. I make sure to wrap my arms around her and even my tail so that I am holding her just tight enough not to hurt but definitely enough to make sure she doesn't fall or go flying out of my arms. 

   Then father spreads his wings and starts to fly and I follow right after him holding her. I hear her muttering to herself as she still seems very afraid and nervous. After about a minute or two goes by she gets curious and starts looking at the town from above noticing how pleasant the view is. I can see how impressed she looks for a moment right before we reach the school. 

   When I land I see my class and the other two officers already waiting for us outside with just our teacher not there yet. I see Gokaze and Yorichi practicing their martial arts skills in one area. In another area I see Milanka and Lunora practicing the spells I taught them. But Akira was sitting on the edge of the water fountain that's always been in front of the school that was made to honor its founding creator. He seems to be meditating there. When I approach I can sense almost a feeling of the type of magic that he is focusing on and it's different then before. It feels dark and twisted and evil. It doesn't take me long to realize that he's practicing necromancy of some kind. But despite the darker magic that he is using I don't sense any malice or ill intent from it which means that he is just practicing and seeing where it's going.

   I will walk up to him and place my hand on his. He immediately opens his eyes and looks at me with a smile. I take my hand and help him off of the water fountain, "So what type of magic were you practicing?" 

   "Just some necromancy my grandpa had taught me. I was mostly trying to focus and see how compatible I am with it. Years ago when we went to your mom's shop she said necromancy and elemancy were my affinities. From my meditation I might be better at necromancy than elemancy but not by much," he explained.

   I warn him, "Just be care. Necromancy has a long history of being used for great evil. I don't want you to lose yourself to the darkness." 

   He reassures me, "Don't worry. I have my grandpa teaching me and he has always used his necromancy to help others. I want to do the same."

   I give him a nod showing my trust in him. He's my friend though so a part of me still worries. However that quickly leaves my mind when the other start to come over. Gokaze is the first to speak, "So finally got out of bed lazybones?" Yorichi laughs a little at his joke and I fist bump them both. I remark, "Yeah. Needed the extra sleep. I see you are working hard with Yorichi. You both are starting to show some real improvement with your martial arts. Especially you, Yorichi. Your speed and precision has really skyrocketed lately. If you to keep this up I think you'll start even being able to give my dad some trouble in a sparring match."

   "Hey! No fair! What about us? The boys aren't the only ones who've been practicing you know," complains Lunora. Milanka smiles when she sees me and apologizes for her sister, "Sorry about Lulu. She is just really excited to show you the new spell she learned." Lunora blushes for a moment and starts chasing her sister in a circle feeling angry and embarrassed. 

   I laugh at them both and ask, "I would love to see it. What is the spell?" Lunora stops when she hears that and raises her hands to the sky. She starts slowly moving her hands around and sparks of electricity start traveling between her fingers until she forms a small snake made of lightning between her hands that she then directs to circle around her entire body. The spell is obvious. It was Minor Electro Manipulation, which means this is the fourth spell that I've taught her that she's learned. Which puts her at least one up on her twin. 

   I pat her on the head and ruffle her hair a bit remarking as I smile, "Very good. You girls are picking up on the spells I've shown you almost as fast as Akira does. You're both definitely learning quicker than Yorichi and Gokaze. I'm proud of your progress." She blushes again and so does her sister.

   Hayami stands silently nearby until I wave her over. Then I introduce her to my friends, "I want you to meet my friends. You already know Akira. But let me introduce you to the rest. This is Yorichi, he's very laid-back and calm. But trust me in a fist fight he becomes a whole different person. Here is Gokaze, he likes to tell jokes and make other people smile and happy. Even though he might be soft on the inside he's one of the sturdiest and toughest people I know. Then there is Lunora, she can sometimes be feisty but at the end of the day she gets a super sweet. Just don't make her angry unless you want to get hit upside the head with a club. And last we have her twin sister Milanka, she's a very gentle soul until you make her angry. That is when you might want to start dodging as she will throw everything she can at you and make sure that it hurts."

   They all wave nervously at first; most likely because they're still trying to figure out just what she is. Hayami smiles and waves back at them. She then notices my teacher arrive and signals for us towhead over to him. 

   It was funny seeing him dressed in the most absurd and ridiculous looking survival gear with a large backpack filled with all kinds of stuff. Both us and the officers laughed at him a little just because of how goofy he looked. But when he signaled for us all to start following him we did so without hesitation excited to see what we would find in the forest. 

   As we started to walk I felt a hand grab onto mine. When I looked I noticed it was Hayami so I let her. I could almost feel the eyes of at least three others staring at me with silent anger for letting her hold my hand. I already had an idea of who they were too.

   Heading into Dokoyoko Forest gave off a much different feeling than the northern forest does. It felt almost calmer then the northern forest did. It was mostly full of sakura and wisteria trees with a few oak trees here and there. The name of it translates to "ever-blooming" which was a nod to the fact that the trees here are always in constant bloom despite the season or the weather most likely due to some magical properties of the surrounding landscape.

   There were many beautiful flowers all blooming along the ground. The trail that we took to the mushroom heart of the forest was one that was partially used often enough but not so consistently. I knew it would take maybe 10 hours to reach the center of the forest since we were all traveling by foot. I as well as the police officers kept an eye out for signs of criminal activity as we walked just in case there were people hiding out nearby. 

   Then halfway through our walk father asked me, "Tatsuhiro..... How have you been feeling since you woken up? I've wanted to ask you for a while but I never really had the time." 

   I look at him blankly for a moment and realize that he yes just concerned if I'm still exhausted. I reply playfully, "I feel great. How about you? You lost an arm and then somehow got it back." 

   He laughed and said, "I'm fine. Not the first time I've lost a limb and not the first time your mother gave me a new one using her Regeneration spell. Glad to see you were worried about your old man." Then as we were both laughing at each other we hear something moving in the bushes. 

   We see a small ice covered rabbit run out and towards the mushrooms at the center of the forest. Then we see more odd magic creatures appear and do the same. That's when we hear singing deeper in towards the giant mushrooms. Almost like it is calling the creatures to the heart of the forest for some odd reason.