"I've given permission, but please be cautious not to cause any trouble."
"Yip yip!"
Though the words were directed at Haru, it was Pia who responded. Sihyun, looking as though he was intrigued by the small creature, glanced at Haru after answering the teacher. The one embracing Pia without a word was Sihyun. Judging from his expression, he seemed surprisingly pleased.
"...It might sound a bit strange to say this after accepting it, but is it really okay to allow this?"
Even at a school that teaches how to deal with Irregulars, raising an Irregular like Pia wasn't a common thing. When asked about potential risks, the teacher smiled faintly, considering the potential dangers. Though Haru was a bit older, being more mature, he found himself faltering at being referred to as an adult. Despite appearing to be seventeen, the fact that inside he was actually twenty-three dissolved briefly in Sihyun's mouth.
"So, your name is Pia?"
"Yes."
"What Sihyun was curious about was something I was planning to inform you about anyway. If Pia was just an animal, I wouldn't have allowed it. However, the creature Haru is holding onto is a kind of Fantasia species known for its high level of wariness."
"A Fantasia?"
"Yes. Even without looking, it was evident that Pia was an Irregular. Irregulars are already hard to gather information about due to their high levels of wariness. It felt as if they were following Haru and Sihyun for some reason. I'm not sure if you're aware, but the idea of a Fantasia following a person is unheard of."
"...This is all new to me."
As Sihyun blinked at the unfamiliar tale, the principal reached out to Pia. Yip yip! The creature cried out like a barking dog. Upon hearing about its high wariness, it felt as if Pia was guarding against the touch of a stranger.
"It seems you haven't learned about Fantasias yet."
"No."
"Well, considering the limited information available and the fact that Irregulars don't pose a threat to humans, it's understandable why the school wouldn't delve into Fantasias. Perhaps even to the average person, Fantasias sound unfamiliar."
"So, what are they, then?"
As Sihyun, feeling impatient with the prolonged introduction, asked straightforwardly, the teacher withdrew their hand after lightly touching Pia's horn and gazed at Sihyun. Their black pupils blinked slowly.
"Regarding Fantasias, even we don't know much."
"...What?"
At that moment, Sihyun thought they might have misheard. But it was only after the principal's next words that Sihyun realized it wasn't the case.
"Perhaps Fantasias were given that name for no reason. They don't easily reveal their appearance, and even if you meet them, they swiftly hide. We've classified them as Irregulars, but there's no record of them causing harm to humans. We don't know what abilities they possess or what their characteristics are. Information about Fantasias, as you'd find on the internet, is all we know. That's why I'd like to propose something to Haru and Sihyun."
"...Do you want us to provide information we learn while raising Pia to the school?"
"I wouldn't deny that."
The principal chuckled at the deductive statement.
"Well, I suppose even if the school were a bit crazy, it couldn't go around telling students, 'Raise Irregulars!' There must have been a reason to be ranked number one, though. Perhaps because Pia mentioned being friendly only to those in Room 207. Unless forcibly captured, they stay away from others. It seems there are specific individuals suitable for raising Pia."
Despite being ranked number one, Sihyun touched his forehead, contemplating. It felt frustratingly useless to have used the wish ticket on Haru's wish.
"...I understand your point. It's certain that Pia isn't threatening."
"They're more likely to run away than pose a threat to humans."
Though it didn't seem that way.
Remembering the emphatic cries from Pia since their first encounter, Sihyun looked at the creature nestled in Haru's embrace. Even though it seemed good-natured, it felt like the creature was guarding against the touch of a stranger.
"Then can we consider accepting your proposal?"
"...Yes."
With a break in contemplation, Sihyun nodded in response to the heard suggestion. Initially, there wasn't much of a choice. Letting out a sigh, Sihyun turned away. Yip yip! Pia cried, and Haru petted them. The corner of Haru's mouth was slightly upturned.
Well, if you're okay with it, then it's fine.
Resigned, Sihyun put down the teacup he had been holding.
"So, should we go now?"
"Yes, you've worked late. Take a good rest since it's a holiday starting tomorrow."
Smiling kindly, the teacher opened the door and bid Sihyun and Haru farewell. Sihyun stepped out, giving a slight bow outside the open door, then hurriedly left the principal's office.
As June approached, a slightly humid breeze blew. Feeling a bit stuffy, while heading back to the dormitory, Haru uttered in a soft voice.
"Sihyun... thank you."
Blushing, Haru smiled while holding Pia close to his chest. Despite being a headache, having an adorable creature next to another naturally cute one amplified its effect.
Even if cats act like this, they're usually called 'dog-like' and what would you call Fantasias if they behave like that? Dogasias? Fanadogs?
"Well, if you like it. And well, it's not like it's particularly dangerous."
Since it had come to this, there seemed to be no harm in trying to raise it. After concluding his thoughts, as Sihyun reached out to Pia, the creature playfully tapped his cheek. The soft fur felt ticklish. Thinking it was being playful, Sihyun chuckled and embraced Pia.
"Yip yip!"
"I was someone who didn't plan to raise you."
"Yip yip?"
"...You're so cautious."
Casually showing affection to the one who was threatening to abandon them, Sihyun touched Pia's head lightly. Refusing and agreeing to 'Will you leave?' and 'Will you go?' questions, Sihyun laughed and stepped away. It seemed like Pia's presence had brought about more laughter, not just from Haru.
Despite all the incidents, it's cute, after all.
Muttering to himself as an excuse, Sihyun left the front door and headed to the dormitory.
Approaching Room 207, the automatic door opened as if it recognized him. Standing in front of the door, Haeun opened it upon hearing his footsteps.
"Here?"
"Yes."
"Newbie brought another one."
"Not new, it's a Fantasia."
"Oh."
"Yikes."
Continued disregard for Haru's concerns made Haewoon’s lips purse in annoyance. He looked like he couldn’t decide if he was seventeen or seven. With a pitiful expression on his face, Haewoon made Pia escape from his possession. Well, to be precise, someone took her away.
"Phew!"
"You look healthy."
Hamin chuckled as he observed Haewoon's fretful attempts to catch Pia. It was a warm smile that conveyed affection rather than arrogance. Sihyun, inadvertently thinking he treated his people well, felt a bit embarrassed by the thought.
"Since there's little info on Fantasia, they asked me to share what I learn while raising Pia."
"That's the condition for raising her?"
"Yeah."
"Well, given the scant information on Fantasia... What should she eat?"
At Haewoon's abrupt mention from atop Hamin's bed, Sihyun looked at Pia with a puzzled expression. Realizing they didn't even know what Pia ate, although it's basic for living beings, Sihyun felt clueless.
"...Should we try giving her some vegetables?"
"Should we grab some from the cafeteria? It's almost dinner time."
"Wow, you're actually thinking of something useful."
"What do you mean by that?"
"I'm impressed."
Sihyun's dry comment scanned the room. He was checking if there were any openings for Pia to escape. Once assured there were none, he began to move.
"Let's go."
At Sihyun's word, the rest of the group got up. They left the room, with Haru glancing regretfully at Pia, and met Seowoo and Geonu in front of the dining hall.
With a tilt of his head, Geonu looked at Sihyun. His blue eyes seemed to be searching for something. Sihyun, looking at Geonu, tilted his head inquisitively.
"Why?"
"The creature you're raising."
"We can't bring it to the dining hall."
"Oh..."
Geonu's response was blatantly disappointed. Seowoo, placing a hand on his dejected shoulder, tried to console him.
"Why be so disappointed? We have a way to show it to you. Can we go see Pia after dinner?"
"...Sure. And she's not a creature."
"Then an Irregular?"
"Yeah."
"That might cause some headaches."
Remembering a conversation from their training session, Sihyun replied. He looked at the smiling boy with interest and then headed to the cafeteria with him.
Finishing their meal quickly, they headed straight to the kitchen. Requesting permission, they managed to get some prepped vegetables from the chefs. Sihyun, holding the jar, left the dining hall for the dorm. The other five boys followed behind him.
Entering his room, Sihyun sat on his bed and called for Pia.
"Pia."
As he called softly, the creature from Hamin's bed flew towards Sihyun and landed on his knees. Feeling relieved it hadn't crash-landed, Sihyun gently petted her. Meanwhile, Geonu, who had sat next to Sihyun, observed Pia intently.
"...Small."
"She is."
"I guess she's Pia."
"Yeah."
Seowoo, perhaps aiming for some sort of gathering in front of his bed, sat beside Geonu. With the others sitting in a row, Sihyun blinked awkwardly while facing them. It felt odd to have them all on the floor while he sat alone on the bed.
"Why are you all sitting there?"
"Should we climb onto the bed?"
Would that be okay?
Sihyun asked hesitantly. Seowoo casually responded. His calm voice sparked imagination. Sihyun frowned, imagining all five of them crowding onto his bed.
"Just stay there."
"See?"
Seowoo chuckled instantly. Ignoring the laughter, Sihyun took out the jar of vegetables and offered them to Pia. He tried carrots first, but she refused and changed them to cucumbers. Even those, Pia refused to eat.
"...She's not eating."
Sihyun muttered, perplexed. Haewoon mentioned searching the internet. While Sihyun switched the cucumbers for onions, he continued trying to feed Pia.
"Pfft!"
"...This level of fussiness is new."
She seemed particularly averse. Thinking onions weren't the answer either, Sihyun sighed and offered the last remaining vegetable, a bell pepper. It seemed unlikely she'd eat that too.
"Crikey!"
Pia bit Sihyun's hand.
In the moment of surprise when he tried to pull his hand away, a feeling similar to mana draining engulfed Sihyun. It was then that Haewoon spoke up.
"Oh, I heard Fantasias raise their offspring by feeding them their blood?"
"What?"
"...."
Haewoon's words startled Hamin and silenced Sihyun. He didn't feel like bleeding... As he tried to discreetly withdraw his hand, Pia started crying loudly. Comforting her while stroking her small wings, Sihyun barely managed to free his hand and checked it. There was no sign of bleeding.
"Are you okay?"
Haru's concerned voice approached. Sihyun, looking at Pia with a subtle gaze, asked,
"Was there any pain?"
"Just... felt a bit like mana was drained."
"Pfft!"
It was frightening to speak. Glancing at the container of vegetables rolling on the bed amidst another draining sensation, Sihyun felt he'd wasted his effort.
Thank you for reading this far! You can access more chapters from HERE by joining my Patreon community. You'll gain exclusive early access to the COMPLETE NOVEL.
As a member of my Patreon community, here is what you'll get:
For $5
- Early access to 100s of chapters before they go public.
- You also get access to all the novels I'm translating, you can find them here HERE.
- Your name will be featured on the "Wall of Gratitude".
- The power to vote on which novel I translate next.
- You Get Ad-free Chapters.
For $10
- You get to suggest a Novel for me to translate.
- You get access to Digital art.
- Your name featured on the "Wall of Gratitude" (in gold).
For $20
- You get to recommend a Novel and I will immediately start translating it.
- Your name featured on the "Wall of Gratitude" (in blue).
Plus, you can Cancel your membership at any time.
Don't let this amazing opportunity slip through your fingers!
