Where Are We?
The door opened without resistance.
Perfect.
The Imugi stepped out into the hall, eager to explore his surroundings.
Rai, the light spirit, circled the toddling hatchling once as he waddled down the corridor.
It looked worried, but it didn't try to stop him from wandering outside the room.
Without teleportation magic, there was no way to fully explore even half of this vast lair anyway.
Rai figured as long as it guided him properly, the lair—safer than anywhere else—would be fine.
Besides, the Imugi that Rai had observed got particularly grumpy when hungry, yet was smart enough to crack and eat its own egg when left alone.
It flickered its light intermittently, signaling to turn back now, but the hatchling ignored the spirit's glow and pressed on.
Even so, he had to admit that at this crawling pace, he wouldn't see much of the lair.
But who knows when I'll get another chance like this? Stay cooped up in the room like a good little baby?
That doesn't suit me at all.
Still... without teleportation magic, this is such a hassle.
Right now, without Christina's help, he was the picture of a helpless infant who couldn't even move on his own.
The Imugi curled up one corner of his mouth in a smirk.
Good thing I prepared for this.
His baby teeth flashed in a grin that made him look like a mischievous rascal.
I've been watching closely. Every time Christina casts teleportation, the flow of power...
He stopped abruptly, steadying his breath.
Teleportation, was it?
Recalling Christina's mana control, he raised his own claw.
He'd never cast it himself, but he'd seen it done countless times—and it was magic he'd experienced before.
This sensation... yeah, that's it.
Hummm...
He felt his own mana stirring within him.
The surrounding mana responded like well-trained soldiers.
Sensing the mana of the entire lair felt like wielding the authority of a transcendent being.
I can do this.
His eyes gleamed as he kept that smirk.
"Kyuhuhu."
[O_O;]
Rai flinched at the sight of his face, overcome by an inexplicable chill.
How could such subtle wickedness emanate from the pure cuteness of a hatchling?
Meanwhile, the Imugi's eyes sparkled like a strategist plotting his next move.
He could sense the surrounding area mapped out in mana, letting him choose any destination.
Fuu... He closed his eyes, exhaling slowly.
"Kyukyuuk!"
Teleportation.
Whoosh!
In that instant, they vanished.
Crash!
Agh, damn it...!
They materialized in midair, each tumbling in their own awkward way.
The Imugi landed flat on his back and rolled helplessly, failing to stick a proper landing.
Rai hovered in the air but froze in shock, too stunned to react.
The baby bird flapped its tiny wings in surprise.
"Ppebbet."
The little white chick, still too young to fly properly, soon plopped down like a fluffy cotton ball right on the sprawled Imugi's head.
Now he had a chick perched atop his noggin.
What the heck? Why is this baby bird so good at keeping its balance?
He swallowed a disbelieving chuckle and spat out the grass stuck to his mouth.
Dusting himself off as he stood, he eyed the white orb before him.
I grabbed this firefly-lookin' guy on the way out, at least.
[O_O;;;;;!!]
To Rai, this was beyond imagination.
Not only had the hatchling perfectly cast teleportation—one of the high-tier spells—but they'd ended up completely outside the lair.
"Kyuwuk."
Hey, calm down.
[O_O!!;;]
Rai darted around frantically in panic.
Unfortunately, the Imugi wasn't great at soothing others, so he scratched his cheek and watched for a moment.
Christina made it look easy. Is this really that shocking?
For a young hatchling to use untaught teleportation magic without guidance? It was more astonishing than he'd realized.
Come to think of it, if normal hatchlings could do this, they wouldn't have stuck just one firefly escort on him.
Tch. Can't undo it now anyway.
Better to focus on what to do next than dwell on the past.
With that, he scanned his surroundings to get his bearings.
"Kyuuu..."
Where are we?
He could clearly see the direction of Christina's lair.
Though mostly hidden by trees, the golden translucent dome of its roof peeked through.
Sensing it wasn't far, the Imugi decided to walk around and explore.
Rai fretted and followed, while the baby bird stayed glued to his head like a decoration, sightseeing along the way.
Step by step.
Fresh flowers and dense trees grew wildly yet harmoniously, without encroaching on each other.
It resembled his old world but brimmed with unfamiliar wonders.
It looked like a thick jungle, but with the order of a garden.
To the Imugi, who had lived in barren lands where not even a blade of grass thrived, it was all so alien.
So the world outside the lair is like this.
Everywhere he looked, life pulsed: grass, trees, small beasts, birds, butterflies.
He drew in a slow breath, then exhaled just as slowly.
The lair and this land are connected like one vast natural whole.
The lair was the heart, a massive nexus of mana.
The surrounding earth drew from it, nurturing life.
Got the gist of it.
As he stretched his stiff body with a big yawn, Rai stared at him helplessly.
"Ppeaa-!"
The chick on his head spread its wings and let out a spirited cry.
Savoring the crisp outdoor air, it turned to Rai and chirped happily.
"Ppeat. Ppeb."
[^_^!]
Hearing that innocent peep snapped Rai out of it.
These were beings Christina cared for.
Beings she'd personally entrusted to Rai's protection.
Rai wanted to keep them safe.
Even if the Imugi's essence gave the light spirit a vague sense of unease, they were precious to Christina.
Steadying itself, Rai emitted a warm glow and circled the chick gently.
Then it floated before the Imugi and chick, sprinkling soft light ahead.
[^_^~]
Rai took the lead, guiding them back toward the lair.
This will-o'-the-wisp wants us to go that way, huh?
The Imugi glanced at Rai and followed the spirit's lead.
Though visibly anxious, Rai guided them along the safest path.
The white chick, watching him closely, shook out a stray black feather and chirped questioningly at the Imugi.
"Ppebbet. Ppe?"
Reading the bird's intent—Is it okay to follow?—he nodded.
"Kyuu. Kya."
"Ppek."
The chick replied curtly and settled down.
He followed Rai's guidance obediently, thinking to himself.
If I'd planned to sneak out for good, I would've ditched the firefly during teleport.
If trouble arose from this outing, every future move would be restricted.
So even outside, he needed to show he could follow Rai's lead and return properly.
Demonstrating he had the skill for teleportation but the self-control not to wander off alone—like a smart, reliable hatchling—would be ideal.
Christina's sharp. If she sees the kid she took in has above-average talent, she'll nurture it that way.
Luckily, she seemed genuinely invested in his growth, so playing to that should work.
Bonus: relieve some cabin fever and scout the lair's surroundings.
Perfect homecoming would seal it.
Worried I might come off too clever and raise suspicions.
Things were going smoothly.
But not everything goes as planned.
For instance, death could strike on the way back.
"Kyu?"
Hold up. What's this?
Amid the forest, a plant caught his eye—intensely bitter yet uniquely aromatic.
Wild ginseng, also called Korean ginseng.
A heavenly seed, no less!
Eyes wide, the Imugi approached cautiously to inspect it.
...Incredible. Grown in a sacred mountain, full of spiritual energy. The aura's different.
He could only murmur in awe.
Eating this could restore my energy, right?
His eyes sparkled at the idea.
He swallowed and reached for the herb—
[(ﾟДﾟ;≡;ﾟдﾟ)]
Rai blocked his hand in horror, projecting its face in light.
This firefly...?
The Imugi's face crumpled in annoyance.
Sensing his mood, the chick flapped up in alarm.
[(ﾟДﾟ;≡;ﾟдﾟ)!]
Rai swirled wildly to stop him, flashing brightly and tracing X's in front of his eyes.
The Imugi swatted with both claws, but it was too nimble to catch.
This damn will-o'-the-wisp—why so fast?
Ignoring it, he lunged for the herb again; Rai zipped back and forth, flashing warnings in his face.
Ugh, annoying.
Thwack. He swatted Rai away, but the light orb dove back with a ( ˃̣̣̥᷄⌓˂̣̣̥᷅ ) expression.
At the same moment, the chick seized the chance, leaping from his head and body-slamming Rai.
"Ppayaa!"
Nice! Good job!
The Imugi yanked the herb free before Rai could interfere again.
He shook off the dirt in one huff and shoved it into his mouth.
Crunch!
It tasted like dirt, but once eaten, the pesky firefly would give up.
He chewed furiously.
Gulp.
Ugh. Tastes awful.
Confident Rai couldn't stop him now, he turned smugly—
Kreeee, KREEEEE!
"...Kuu?"
A piercing shriek exploded from the half-eaten root, threatening to burst his eardrums.
His stomach churned; his head spun.
Dizzy with vertigo, he dropped the herb.
"Khek. Kek. Keheuk!"
"Ppip pip pip! Ppayak! Ppayaaak?"
The startled chick rushed over in panic; Rai fluttered about in confusion.
KYEEEE! KYAAAAAAAA!
The fallen root writhed and screamed ever more madly; he staggered, unable to stand.
Damn. Not the heavenly seed I thought?
The world spun wildly.