A Tour

Cool! Now, where can I find one?

<< In the spirit realm, of course. >>

Ah, right. That was a dumb question.

『 Then how am I going to have a familiar? Go there? 』

<< I can fix it for you. >>

Nine! You are the true meaning of the words, strong and overpowering. I am glad you are here with me…

<< … >>

Anyways, back to Lou Yi and her fire familiar. She was still showing her palm and didn't look like I was out for a few minutes, talking to Nine. What she said must be true, about this time accelerated conversation stuff.

"That looks cool!"

Lou Yi closed her palm for a bit, and when it opened, an orange chameleon can be seen. It was tiny, not even the length of a full-sized hand.

"Wahh--"

"His name is Huo." [Lou Yi]

That was like magic…

<< You are ignorant. >>

『 Shut up, Nine, it was awesome to me. 』

"Huo told you I am not harmful? How did he know?"

Huo scuttled around her arm and decided to climb her shoulders and rest there. I watched it in fascination.

"That is his ability. He doesn't talk to me directly, but I understand him. If the person is bad, or if I am being targeted with malicious intent, he will turn into a fiery blue flame." [Lou Yi]

I stared at Lou Yi's familiar. Its golden-yellow eyes stared back at me.

'Cute, this girl is cute.'

I blinked in surprise. What the hell was that?

『 Nine, did that chameleon just talked? 』

<< It did. >>

『 What? But how? 』

<< You have the communication skill, remember? >>

Ah! Now that you said that, I do remember having an awesome skill. It will let me talk to animals and more. That includes spirits too?

『 Aren't I too awesome? 』

<< … >>

Hehe~ Well, if not for Nine, I would be nothing. So thank you again, Nine.

"And Huo did not warn you from me?"

Lou Yi nods her head.

"He did not flash a warning even before meeting you at that pitfall."

My eyes trained at the orange chameleon again, who was staring at me in earnest. His thoughts were echoing in my head, which is weird, I tell you.

'Cute. Cute. Cute girl.'

See? His thoughts are all like that. I mean, it is flattering to be called cute, but coming from a chameleon…

『 How do I talk to it? 』

<< Talk. >>

『 I mean, can I talk telepathically? 』

<< That, I do not know. Why don't you try? >>

There are things that she didn't know huh? That's a first...

『 Thank you, Huo. There I said it. C'mon Nine, tell it to him. Tell it Nine. 』

<< … Heh~ >>

? ??

Did she just snicker? I wasn't hearing things, was I?

『 Are you making a fool out of me? 』

<< I did not do such a thing. >>

『 You lie! You do like seeing me do dumb shit, huh? What is wrong with you? 』

<< I exempt myself from this narrative. >>

This woman! Or the system! Agh!

"Are you full?" [Lou Yi]

I did not notice that I had stopped eating, not until Lou Yi spoke. Tch. This damn Nine is distracting me. She's even acting innocent when she is far from that.

"Mmm. It was delicious, thank you."

Lou Yi leaned closer and wiped the sides of my mouth. It was surprising, but it gave a warm feeling to me.

"Let me give you a tour around then." [Lou Yi]

She stood up from her seat, so I did too. Standing beside her, I only reached just below her shoulders. Nine did say Lou Yi was 17, while I look 13 in human years.

"This is the West Plum courtyard. No one had occupied it, and now it belongs to you. It's the smallest, but it's closest to mine. I can arrange a bigger place if you want." [Lou Yi]

Smallest?

I looked around for a moment and gaped.

This is small?

Lou Yi sure says unbelievable things huh…

She and I walked out of there and entered another, which was bigger and well-kempt. There was a large koi pond at the front of the room where a bridge leads to a gazebo in the middle. It looks absolutely breathtaking.

"This is mine. You are free to enter here whenever you want, I already told the guards." [Lou Yi]

"This place is beautiful!"

She glances at me, a small smile on her lips.

"Do you like it?"

"Mmm!"

"This is the second-largest part of the residence and the only one which has a pond in it." [Lou Yi]

That means you're being cherished by your family, Lou Yi.

We passed by another courtyard, it wasn't as big as Lou Yi's, but still impressive. Honestly, though, they all look the same size in my eyes. Let's just stop comparing and move on already. Appreciate the scenery instead. Yep. Let us do that…

"This is my elder brother's. He's not around right now though…" [Lou Yi]

It went on like that until we reached the Northern part of the residence.

"This is the Jade Courtyard. It was built for my mom…"

I looked up and saw her downcast expression. She has this faraway look in her eyes as she silently gazes at the place.

Hmm…

Something must be up with her mother. Maybe she's dead? Then, what am I supposed to do? Ah, I really don't know what to say to make her feel better. I have never lost anyone close with me anyway…

<< … >>

For now, let's pretend not to notice it.

"This place is beautiful."

A smile appeared on her lips.

"It is… My dad never let anyone in here except me. All my mother's belongings are still there…"

So I am right. Her mother is not here anymore. Not sure if she's dead though, I don't want to ask because she might sport that downcast expression again. It doesn't suit her. She should just smile like always…

We left after a while, this time, we were going in a different direction. Lou Yi led me to what seems to be the main hall where visitors are entertained. We even passed by a backyard where some young men were having a scuffle. Or they might be training, who knows. It looked weird to me…

One of the men glanced at me. He was wearing dark clothes and was currently stepping on the other guy's face. The corners of his mouth lifted into a smirk as he looked at me. He winked, and I blinked in return.

What the heck was that?