First Gate Dive

With that, I returned to the dormitory room, cradling Psi and the incubator in my arms. The room was quiet. I sat on the bed and played with Psi for a bit. She rolled a ball around or gently pecked at my hand, full of playful energy.

I watched her for a moment before murmuring softly.

"Psi."

She lifted her head and looked at me.

"Tomorrow... do you think we'll do okay?"

I laid my honest worries bare. "What if I mess up... and you get hurt?"

Saying it out loud only made my heart feel heavier.

That was when it happened. Psi slowly waddled toward me and rubbed her head against the back of my hand. Her soft warmth spread through me. It was as if she were saying, 'Don't worry, Dad.''I've got your back.'

I let out a small chuckle and stroked her head.

"Yeah..."

I muttered quietly. "We'll be fine."

"Because it's us."

I pulled Psi into a tight hug. Beside us, ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Dmol's egg glowed softly inside the incubator. We lay down on the bed like that. Psi curled up snugly against my side. As I closed my eyes, I whispered,

"See you tomorrow... Psi."

A moment later, I glanced at the incubator and added, "You too, Dmol."

And with that, we all drifted off to sleep.

The next morning, I woke a little earlier than usual. Sunlight streamed through the window cracks, filling the room with a warm glow. Psi was still fast asleep beside me, her small body curled into a tight ball, breathing softly and steadily.

I carefully sat up so as not to wake her. That's when I heard a rustle by the window. I turned my head.

A cat sat there near the window—a small stray with gray fur.

"Huh?"

I approached the window slowly and cautiously opened it. Normally, cats bolt when humans get close... but this one didn't. Instead, it padded right toward me.

I tilted my head. "You're pretty friendly with people, huh."

I extended my hand carefully. The cat naturally pushed its head into my palm. Smiling, I stroked its head.

"Where'd you come from?"

It purred contentedly, eyes narrowing in bliss. I kept petting it for a moment.

Then I felt an odd gaze prickling the back of my neck. A chill ran down my spine.

"...?"

I turned slowly—and immediately understood why.

On the bed, Psi was awake. She glared at me with ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠a massively pouty expression. Her tail stood rigid, eyes narrowed to slits. It was as if she were saying, 'Dad...''What the heck are you doing?'

I froze solid. Psi's eyes flicked between my hand and the cat on it. She jutted out her lower beak and turned her head away, as if muttering a single word: '...Player.'

Cold sweat trickled down my back. I awkwardly pulled my hand away from the cat. But it didn't care at all—instead, it sauntered right into the room like it owned the place.

"Uh...?"

I stared blankly for a second. The cat plopped down in front of me and rubbed its head against my hand again. Its soft fur brushed my palm.

"Hey... you know you can just come in here?"

In response, it let out a short "Meow." Then it glanced at Psi and—deliberately, it seemed—nuzzled my hand with extra affection.

In that instant, the air in the room turned icy.

I turned slowly. ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠There was Psi. She stared at the scene in shocked horror.

Silence hung for a beat.

Then—"Pip!"

Psi cried out loudly.

"Piiiip!"

She leaped off the bed and charged at full speed.

"W-Wait, Psi..."

No time to stop her. Psi planted herself in front of the cat and started shoving it away with her tiny body. Thump. Thump. She pushed with her little feet, claiming her spot. As if declaring, 'This is my place.''Dad's side is mine!'

The cat blinked in momentary confusion but soon wagged its tail nonchalantly and rubbed against my hand again.

"Meow."

Pure provocation.

Psi froze.

"......"

And the next moment—

"Piiiip!!"

She exploded. Psi shoved the cat aside and bolted straight to me, burrowing into my arms. Her tiny feet clutched my clothes tightly. As if crying, 'That's not fair!''Dad's mine!'

Flustered, I raised both hands—one petting the cat, the other stroking Psi.

"No, wait... hang on..."

But Psi clearly hated the compromise. She twisted in my arms to glare at the cat and cried, "Pip!" before charging at it again.

The cat startled and hopped toward the window, vanishing through the gap in a flash.

Quiet returned to the room. I looked down at Psi slowly. She still wore that massive pout, her little body trembling in my arms. She let out a series of aggrieved peeps. "Pip... pi..."

I couldn't help but chuckle. I hugged her tight.

"Okay, okay."

I stroked her head gently. "Dad's all yours."

Her tail paused at those words. A moment later, she buried her face in my chest again—but the tiny grumbles continued. As if saying, 'Still... that was too much.'

Laughing, I kept petting her because she was just too adorable. And so our noisy, heartwarming morning passed.

The room filled with peaceful quiet once ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠more. By the bed, the incubator sat. Inside, Dmol's egg trembled ever so slightly.

Tap.

As if pleading, 'Room for me too?'

But neither Psi nor I noticed.

A short while later, morning class time approached. I stood before the incubator, gazing at Dmol's egg. Hesitating a bit, I tapped it lightly.

"Dmol."

I said quietly. "Today's class is gate entry day."

I paused. "It might be dangerous... so I can't take you yet."

Smiling faintly, I added, "Just wait here a little longer."

The egg glowed softly in response. I murmured, "Dad'll be back right after class."

Psi glanced at the incubator and peeped once shortly—as if saying, 'Be good while we're gone.'

I checked it one last time and left the room. Even as the door clicked shut, I felt a lingering tug at my heart. Leaving Dmol alone, I guess.

But class was starting soon. I hurried on.

Moments later, I arrived where the instructor waited. He was already there, saying nothing. He just glanced at me once and turned.

"Follow."

Short and to the point. I trailed silently behind. We passed down the hall and out of the building, where a massive structure loomed ahead.

The gate. A rift of distorted light hung in the air, warping space itself.

I held my breath. This was my first time seeing one for real.

The instructor approached and handed me some gear.

"Standard issue from the academy."

In my hands: a black vest and a metal bracelet-like device. He explained, "Vest is basic armor." Pointing to the bracelet: "This is a protection bracelet."

"Blocks attacks below a certain level automatically." He added, "I'll be supervising..." Pausing briefly. "But just in case, wear it."

I nodded. "Got it."

I slipped on the vest and fastened the bracelet. They adjusted snugly to my body.

Just then, a faint breeze wafted from the gate. I stared at the glowing rift.

Soon, I'd step into a real gate for the first time. My heart pounded faster.

The instructor entered first. Psi and I followed right behind.

The air inside was utterly different—humid and musty, stinging my nose with a rotten earth smell.

I wrinkled my face. "Ugh..."

The ground squelched underfoot; walls dripped with moisture.

The instructor spoke calmly. "This is the lowest-grade gate."

He scanned around. "Monsters here are mainly two types."

"Giant rats... or goblins, as they're called."

I nodded quietly. My pulse quickened. I drew Yudae's sword; it gleamed faintly.

Psi crouched low beside me, tail twitching slightly—ready.

From behind, the instructor said, "Handle it from here."

I glanced back. He leaned against the wall, arms crossed.

"I'll just watch."

Pausing. "Won't help unless it's truly dangerous."

I nodded. "Understood."

I looked at Psi. "Let's go."

She peeped shortly. "Pip."

We advanced slowly into the gate. Soon, movement flickered ahead—small shadows in the dark.

I held my breath and peered out carefully.

Giant rats. Five or six, arm-sized, clustered and gnawing on rotten meat.

I whispered to Psi, "Strike before they spot us."

She nodded. I gripped my sword tight.

"Psi."

I commanded, "Feather Missile."

Instantly, Psi levitated. Her tail feathers glowed red.

Whoosh!

Dozens of feathers rained down like arrows. The rats had no chance—pierced clean through.

Squeak—!

Short shrieks echoed. Seconds later, they collapsed.

The gate fell silent. I stared blankly.

"......"

Then exhaled slowly. "Psi... we did it."

I grinned at her. She descended, tail wagging.

I approached the fallen rats. Small stones littered the ground—mana stones.

I picked one up. "So this is a mana stone."

That's when—

From the shadows behind, something lunged. Squeak!! A hidden rat charged.

"Wha—"

I'd let my guard down. My body froze.

But Psi moved first.

"Pip!"

She shot forward. Crunch! Her sharp beak tore the rat apart. It hit the ground, still.

Quiet again. I stood dazed, then exhaled.

"Psi..."

She looked back at me—as if saying, 'I'm fine.'

I smiled faintly and stroked her head. "Thanks."

I murmured quietly, "Yeah... no more slacking."

I gripped Yudae's sword firmly. "Focused this time."

Psi wagged her tail and took position beside me. We pressed deeper into the gate.