Chapter 80

"Good morning, Soji-kun."

When I woke up, Kuna was naked next to me, her face illuminated by the morning sun coming in through the window. She was looking at me with a shy smile.

"Good morning, Kuna. Did you sleep well?"

"Yes, I slept soundly for the first time in a long time. I couldn't fall asleep well before because of the strange power raging inside my body. ... It's all thanks to you, Soji-kun. Thank you."

"That's good. But, isn't it a bit dangerous to feel so at ease sleeping naked with a guy?"

I said this teasingly.

Kuna, still blushing, opened her mouth.

"I trust you, Soji-kun. Besides, if you had any intentions, it would have happened long ago."

"That's true."

"Somehow, when you hold me, I feel at ease. I feel warm and safe. I wonder why?"

I was taken aback by Kuna's casual words.

"It's nice to hear that, but as a guy, it's a bit awkward."

Kuna smiled and sat up, covering her chest with her arms. Every movement was alluring.

"I woke up a little earlier than you and watched your sleeping face. You looked so cute."

Kuna, acting all grown-up.

Well, you have some nerve to tease me like that. Next time, I'll show you what happens when you anger a wolf.

"... And, Soji-kun."

"What is it, Kuna?"

"I want to get dressed, so please look away for a moment."

"Is that necessary? I really want to see you get dressed. We hugged each other naked. There's no need to be shy about getting dressed now."

Kuna's face turned red, and her cheeks puffed out.

"That's different! I thought you had changed a bit, but you're still Soji-kun!"

She playfully tapped my chest.

After teasing Kuna for a while, I turned my gaze away as she requested. She glanced at me warily before starting to get dressed.

"See you later, Soji-kun."

"Take care of yourself."

"You too."

With that, Kuna, having adjusted her clothes, left the room.

"Yeah, undressing is sexy, but dressing is sexy too."

Kuna doesn't know that I can still see her clearly even when I turn my head away by bending the light. I'll enjoy this for a while.

◇

After Kuna left, I hugged myself.

It was really close.

"Phew... I managed to keep my composure until Kuna left."

My body was shaking. I was breaking out in a strange sweat. The magic power I absorbed from Kuna was raging inside me.

"Maybe I should calm down a bit more. This is going to be a long-term thing."

I used the magic power I had recovered from a night's sleep to suppress the altered magic power from Kuna. Still, it's a troublesome kind of magic. This magic has taken root in my body and clung to it. It would take a considerable amount of magic power just to expel the absorbed magic power.

However, I can expel it little by little.

But, it requires a very complex magical formula, which is impossible for Kuna.

If I absorb the magic power from Kuna's body regularly and expel it later, her condition will improve, but that's just a temporary fix.

That's why I'm analyzing the altered magic power within my own body instead of expelling it.

I'm using my magic power to experiment with methods of using the altered magic power.

Once I find the right method, I'll improve and simplify it so that Kuna can control it. Otherwise, it would be meaningless.

"I'm finally starting to see it. This is a regression. The altered magic power, no, the magic inscribed on Kuna's soul to become something... No, at this point, it's magic. That's why it's refined, dense, and interconnected."

I've been analyzing this magic power while resisting it since yesterday. I've been analyzing it even in my sleep.

That's why I have a good idea of what it is.

"What is Kuna trying to become?"

I muttered.

As I thought about it, one possibility came to mind.

I had heard that the current Kuna, compared to the Kuna from the game era, was better at handling fire magic, and that there was a time when she couldn't handle fire mana properly.

I recalled that conversation.

"When I was little, I had a high fever and lost consciousness for about three days. When I woke up, I couldn't handle fire mana properly. It was really hard at the time. As a golden fire fox, I felt like I wasn't myself anymore because I was bad at fire magic. But, I gradually recovered and it took me three years to get back to normal."

"High fever?"

"Yes. But when I was depressed, my brother said something really mean. Kuna doesn't remember, but he said that the nine-tailed Kuna went on a rampage and almost killed my father. It was a big lie! I told my insensitive brother that I hated him. I was really depressed, but it served him right."

What if Kuna's brother's story was true?

"Is Kuna regressing to an ancestral form?"

Some races can take on a form that maximizes their race's power.

For example, elves have a higher form called High Elves.

Sylvil, the leader of the elves, was born as a regular elf but transformed into a High Elf.

Isn't it the same for Kuna?

There are two types of transformations.

One is like Sylvil, where once transformed, it never reverts.

The other is a temporary change, like my [Emblem Exterior], which reverts when the effect wears off.

From Kuna's past, it seems to be the latter.

Temporarily, her appearance changes, such as her tails increasing to nine, and she gains overwhelming power that surpasses Sylvil.

"Power that surpasses Rank 6 Sylvil, interesting."

I smiled.

While treating Kuna is the top priority, I also want to obtain this power. I have a feeling that it's possible.

It's my pure curiosity.

A mage who doesn't react to such magic is a failure.

I endured the pain and continued the thorough analysis.

If successful, Kuna and I will gain overwhelming power.

◇

The morning curriculum at the academy ended. Today's schedule is lectures in the morning and practical classes in the afternoon.

As soon as the break started, Kuna and Anne came to me.

"Soji, are you not feeling well? You couldn't concentrate on the class at all."

"Maybe it's because you worked hard for me yesterday?"

Both of them looked worried.

I smiled wryly.

"No, that's not it. I was analyzing Kuna's altered magic power. I was attending the class on the side."

I can perform a certain level of parallel thinking.

Usually, I focus on the class and use the buffer to plan dungeon explorations or develop magic, but since the situation is urgent, I focused on analyzing the abnormal magic power and used the buffer for the class.

"... If that's the case, it can't be helped."

"Are you not angry?"

"For Kuna's sake. I can't blame you. Rather, I want you to work hard."

Anne's encouragement gives me strength.

"Of course, I'll work hard."

"I'm sorry, Soji-kun."

"What are you apologizing for? I'm happy to work hard for Kuna. Besides, Kuna's altered magic power is a new possibility. Using this power, I feel like I can take another step forward. Honestly, I thought there was no more room for improvement in my magical skills, but this is a completely new concept. My blood as a mage is boiling."

The feeling that I can become stronger by using this altered magic power is turning into a certainty. I will save Kuna and become stronger myself.

I have a few hypotheses and preliminary ideas for its application.

It's impossible for a normal human body, but with my body, which is a top-tier homunculus, I should be able to use it with some modifications.

"What's wrong, Kuna? Why do you look so surprised?"

"No, I just thought it was very Soji-kun-like to not only think about my treatment but also to try to use it properly."

"Of course. If you aim to be the strongest, you need to have the mindset to use everything that can be used."

I greedily absorb everything.

That's the most important thing to become stronger.

I won't waste anything.

"Instead of worrying about me, you two should prepare for the practical class this afternoon."

I want you two to prioritize your studies over worrying about me. There's something to be gained here.

"Okay. But, Soji, if there's anything I can do, let me know."

"Yes, I'll do anything I can!"

It's reassuring to hear them say that.

But, I'm not impressed by the way they say they'll do anything. Their lack of caution is both heartwarming and slightly worrying.

I smiled and recalled the afternoon curriculum.

By the way, today is the monthly rank measurement.

If we are all Rank 2, our classmates will be surprised.