Terrified, enchanted, provoked and deceived!

What a fascinating method of spatial control, mind manipulation, and illusion creation and utilization. Such were my musings as I gained entry into the apartments of the Kitsune mansion, where a diplomatic delegation had arrived from China to the Russian Empire.

I did not need to invent a new device, for I had long since attained the power to bend the very laws of the cosmos, and thus I did not devise intricate schemes of espionage to uncover the true dreams and objectives of the envoys from the Celestial Kingdom. Therefore, I found myself in one of the chambers, where the de facto leader of the delegation, a nine-tailed fox spirit named Mei, was indulging in a pool installed in her private chambers. She could not resist the pleasure of swimming in water bathed in the most potent nightlight irradiation, for the pool's exterior was adorned with genuine lunar silver.. The artisans of earth have a plethora of recipes at their disposal, through which they imbue this noble metal with the essence of the moon, extracting it from the lunar light and then infusing it into the metal itself. I, too, sought this particular «alloy».

I discovered an intriguing recipe for a peculiar elixir, written in the language of Serpentargo, authored by the Naga. The process required the use of a cauldron crafted from lunar silver. Being a man of modest means, albeit not entirely lacking in knowledge of blacksmithing, I deemed myself the most intelligent and did not seek counsel from experts regarding the nature of the lunar silver required.

However, I interpreted this phrase literally. Thus, within mere moments of deciding to attempt the creation of this elixir, I dispatched hundreds of my duplicates to the surface of the moon with the intention of extracting the metals present there. The result was a substantial quantity of gold, silver, platinum, iron, zinc, cobalt, and other refractory metals, some of which originated not from the lunar surface but from meteoric origins.. It was only after the concoction I had prepared, which was intended to be a mental stimulant designed to accelerate and enhance the efficiency of the mind, had surpassed the results specified in the recipe by a factor of several dozen, that I began to suspect I had made a mistake.

No, I held a high regard for my abilities as a potionist. Nevertheless, I remained objective and believed that my involvement in the creation of the elixir had increased its potency by a factor of twenty-seven without altering the recipe or the method of preparation. Unfortunately, this was not the case.

It was only the following day, when I struggled to comprehend the reason for such a discrepancy and decided to seek guidance from experts, that Adair enlightened me on the true nature of the term "Moon Silver." It turned out to be a metaphorical term, intended to represent an alchemical amalgamation of silver and the essence of lunar illumination.. As I was reflecting on yet another of my missteps, a curious young fox, whose age was almost equal to my own, was lounging in the water. The water was imbued with the energy of the moon, and it had been infused with unique elixirs that I had created (not personally, of course; clones were there to prepare elite potions and elixirs for my family and loved ones). These elixirs were crafted from the rarest ingredients, designed to alleviate fatigue and other adverse effects on both the physical and spiritual bodies.

While Mei, the vixen, was relaxing and resting, I explored her quarters, or rather, her luggage. Of all the items I discovered, the only thing worth noting was how Mei's guest, Jaromir, had attempted to avoid drawing attention to herself. She sought to maintain her anonymity and deployed a signaling network to alert herself of any intrusions into her designated spaces. Her method of spatial control was not limited to this. She executed it with great elegance and ingenuity.. There were no insidious charms, and the magical vision revealed only a few artifacts already present in these quarters designed to enhance the comfort of those residing there. The very fabric of the enchanted realm itself remained unblemished and unexceptional, failing to betray the presence of a powerful sorcerer.

My perception extends beyond mere visions; I possess a far more comprehensive perspective. My sight allows me to perceive the souls of rational beings, delving deep into their essence, revealing each layer like a transparent veil. Within these energetic planes, I can discern the intricate intricacies of the human spirit.

To put it simply, I am able to perceive the physical realm of existence, as well as life, the astral, the sensual (albeit relatively feebly), the mental, the magical, and even the manifestation of the divine! Thus, this cunning one employs her own fur for monitoring her surroundings. It is scattered everywhere, yet each hair has been transported to the astral plane, while maintaining a spiritual-mental connection to her master.

As a result, these hairs have become intangible, yet if anyone were to step upon or touch them, or any of the hairs that now reside in the astral projection of the physical world, not only on surfaces, but also floating in the air, their master would immediately become aware of the disturbance. Nevertheless, the Kitsune's abilities in manipulating fur remain intact. Mei employed her fur to establish contact with a human who had carelessly touched her astral form.. Nonetheless, it enhanced the efficacy of her magical influence on the subject, and not just through magic alone, for in addition to magic, kitsune excel in working with pure astral energy, psychic (psi), and, as they put it in Japan, senjutsu — a power that is a fusion of all energies emanating from the world, ranging from life force to mana and even minuscule fragments of bahionya. Only kitsune ayakashi with eight tails or more, however, can harness senjutsu.

Ultimately, Mei's scattered fur should have alerted her to my presence in her room, and in case of a violent confrontation, it could serve as a conduit and amplify her power. Upon discerning the purpose of this astral strand, I naturally seized upon such a promising material that could serve as an ingredient in potions. A few tantalizing concoctions already sprang to mind, which, with the addition of kitsune fur to the traditional recipe, could enhance their potency and imbue them with favorable properties.. In the end, as I stood alone in the chamber with the kitsune soaking in the bath, I gathered up all the hair that had been scattered in the ethereal reflection of the physical plane. There was a considerable amount of it. Collecting these unique components proved to be a laborious task.

For each individual hair, I had to create an illusion that mimicked the hair of the kitsune, such that May would perceive it as her own. However, this illusion would only function as a conduit and amplifier of her powers when she desired to use it. The process of switching between the two states required meticulous precision, as initially, it was necessary to intercept the communication channel between the mistress's hair and the wool, only to swiftly replace it with the illusion and redirect the connection to the kitsune.

Once the rooms occupied by the shedding kitsune and those adjacent to them had been cleared of the wool, I retrieved from the luggage left behind by the kitsune her cha jui, a set designed for conducting a tea ceremony.. I had brewed myself a cup of a peculiar tea I had discovered in her abode, sitting barefoot on the windowsill. I resolved to play a small prank on the kitsune, for they are not averse to teasing mortals or young three-tailed foxes. Thus, I now donned traditional Japanese attire. I wore a kimono and hakama in place of trousers, along with geta for footwear. Adopting a hooligan stance, with one leg dangling freely and the other knee bent, resting on the windowsill, I leaned on it with my hand. I sipped from a long Japanese smoking pipe, which I also used to sip tea. Oh yes, my hair had been styled and maintained in an eccentric manner by my own will. One of my favorite anime characters from my past life, hailing from Japan and belonging to the Ayakashi race, sported a similar hairstyle. Here I sat, all flippant in appearance, when an incredible «woman», nay, innocent maiden (what?! Really?) entered the room from the bathing chamber.! The vision was of a woman, her hair the hue of caramel with a hint of amber, her eyes almost the same color, but with a pronounced dominance of yellow, and she was clad only in a thin robe of red, barely covering her voluptuous form. She had an exquisite figure, the envy of all Asian women. The desire to possess such voluptuousness, even with its imperfections, was palpable. She could not have developed her breasts naturally to a size four and a half or more.

The entire scene was indeed surreal. Mei, standing at a height of one hundred and sixty-three centimeters, was not particularly tall. However, her prominent bust and highly expressive figure gave her an appearance akin to a character from a television screen, reminiscent of a typical anime protagonist with a waist measuring sixty-five centimeters.

Adding to this, beneath the illusion of her physical appearance, I perceived a glimpse of her magnificent, nine-tailed form, which seemed to be displaced in the realm of spirits. This vision left a profound impression, and if I had not been married, it would have undoubtedly captured my heart. Her presence was truly captivating, and her beauty was undeniable.

Once inside the room, the kitsune approached her luggage, only to abruptly halt, accompanied by a radiant golden aura that permeated the space. She became aware of someone's presence in her apartment, a realization that had eluded her until that moment. This revelation filled her with a profound sense of fear, understandable given the circumstances.. She is one of the most powerful beings in Asia, and approaching her so closely without revealing myself made her tails coil and her entire body tense. Even after revealing her true nature, she could not sense my presence.

Despite her immense strength, she is far from me in terms of power and the mastery of illusions I use to hide myself. She has only recently acquired her ninth tail and ascended to the celestial realm, having existed for no more than a century. The fact that she was a goddess for as long as me does not make her my equal.

She did not gain an advantage over the existing egregore of the One, nor did she possess the staff of an archmage, which she filled with the souls of divine beings. Instead, she devoured their bodies and became stronger through personal effort, overcoming fear and engaging in mortal combat, thus developing her physical strength.. As far as I could discern from what I perceived in her essence and aura, there was no hint of bloodlust in her, and the power she now wielded was the result of her own efforts and years of abstinence from the artificial enhancements I had known. After marveling at the sight of this belligerent she-devil with her tail bristling and developing behind those magnificent thighs, I dispelled the illusion and presented myself to her.

"Calm down, my dear. No harm will come to you, so dress yourself and ignore me. I shall not disturb you in your endeavors. I will take my tea."

With a mischievous and cunning smile, the likes of which my face could muster, I saluted her with a cup of tea. "By the way, I must thank you for the tea. Its taste is enchanting!"

"You?! You?! But... but...?!"

I ceased to enjoy what was happening, for Kitsune began to emit an aura of despondency akin to that associated with the death sentence, one who had become aware of the impending doom but desperately desired to prolong their existence and delay the inevitable. Then she did something extraordinary: she knelt before me and pressed her forehead to the floor, imploring me for mercy.

"Mr. Nurarihyun," she pleaded, "do not take my life! Our clan has not conspired against you! We were misled. My mother received a communication purportedly from you through your emissary, Karasu-tengu Katsero, indicating a place to rendezvous with my mother, but I did not allow her to finish, cutting her off. Evidently, my portrayal and actions were so convincing that I was mistaken for Nurarihyon, whom I had based my appearance on a younger version from the anime of the same title I had watched in my previous world. My jest, intended to be understood only by myself, has become a reality.". In all the depictions of this yokai by the Japanese, he was depicted with a hypertrophied head and an elongated occipital region. The animator who created the image of the young Nurarihyon had envisioned him with long, jet-black hair that flowed parallel to the ground, much like a fantasy creature.

You are mistaken. I am not Nurarihyon. However, I remain intrigued by the tale of betrayal and intrigue that led to his demise. I would appreciate hearing the story, but only after you have donned something other than the robe you currently wear, presented yourself in a more presentable manner, and joined me for tea.

With great effort, she uncurled herself, still constrained in her movements by fear. Sitting in front of me in the seiza posture, she scrutinized my appearance, seemingly disbelieving my claim that I am not Nurarihyon. She nodded in agreement and changed her robe into a traditional Chinese women's qipao, performing the transformation while seated on the floor.. A mist swirled about her, enveloping her figure up to her neck, and when it parted, revealing itself, instead of the dressing gown, she wore a qipao. Yet my eyes were not deceived by her illusions. She still wore only the thinnest silk robe, and the qipao was merely the product of her conjuring talent.

After she had been «dressed», we moved to a low table, which I had conjured with my illusory powers, and took our seats. Without abusing my knees and sitting upon cushions, May proceeded with her narrative, for she believed me to be Nurarihyon come to claim her soul.

From her tale, I learned the following: seven centuries ago, her mother, head of the Kitsune clan, had been a vassal to Nurarihyon. A conspiracy took place against the tacit leader of the supernatural world of Yokai in Japan.. The conspirators, aided by a traitor within Nurarihyon's inner circle, Yokai Karasu-Tengu Katsero — his "faithful" assistant who accompanied him almost everywhere — succeeded in misleading Nurarihyon's strongest allies, his main support in his Hyakki Yakou, and luring him into a trap.

In a single day and hour, the leaders of the vassal clans loyal to Nurarihyon perished, including Mei's mother, the two-tailed one. Simultaneously, a coup d'état occurred. In alliance with the unexpectedly supportive Omyoji clan, some of the most powerful Oni attacked Nurarihyon's hidden residence while he was at home. The details of the assault on Japan's most potent yokai remain unknown, but Nurarihyon has not been seen since.

From that day onwards, a full-scale, systematic eradication of yokai began in Japan, sparing no consideration for their intelligence or potential for negotiation.. Mei, a centenarian ayakashi, lost her mother over a century ago. After two centuries and a few years, with four tails trailing behind her, Mei and the remnants of her clan, along with the surviving Nekomat Fae, journeyed to the land of China. There, she first assisted one of the indigenous magical clans in preventing its destruction, and then guided it towards prosperity.

The reason for Mei's arrival as the head of a diplomatic delegation from the newly established Chinese government in the Russian Empire lies in their deep concern regarding the systematic preparations of the two neighboring empires for potential hostilities. Despite our efforts to conceal the infrastructure preparations of these nations for a full-scale war, it is impossible to hide a forest in a basket. Additionally, there has been a recent turmoil in the Muggle sector of the country until they assumed complete control, as well as within certain magical clans that have been completely eradicated.. Thirty years ago, two of the most feeble magical clans in China, along with one of the most extensive sects, initiated a perilous movement, and the atmosphere became so fraught that it posed a grave threat to the very existence of China. These entities aspired to dominate the world and embarked on a ritual aimed at harnessing the power of a rift, ultimately leading to a plan that would unleash a torrent of negative energy. Their objective was to tap into an immense reservoir of power.

The specifics of their ritual remain shrouded in mystery, yet it is difficult to fathom the means by which they intended to control and manage such a colossal flow of energy should they have succeeded in bringing the breach in the negative energy plane any closer to our physical reality.. And this is what might have transpired, for in order to seize control over this immense portal to another plane, whose energy is lethal to all living beings or is a most potent spiritual mutagen, it was necessary first to dismantle the seal placed upon it by the ancient deities, which prevents the rift from expanding and prevents it from fully affecting the physical realm, dispersing the parasitic radiation that, no, not even the mere presence of which is enough to render the surrounding area on our planet a veritable paradise for the race. My mind boggles at the thought! What on earth is going on? While I was preoccupied with my game with Gellert and his Third Reich-like construct, an event akin to Armageddon almost occurred on the other side of the continent! Had those fools who dared to feed upon the source of negativity succeeded in completing their ritual and breached the barriers erected in time immemorial, the world would have been utterly destroyed.! Even were I a hundred times more powerful than I am, I could not contain the torrent of energy pouring into our world through the fissure into the nether plane and prevent the breach from widening. Their goal was not merely to shield the Earth from this tidal wave of energy; they aspired to become masters of the fissure and wield the power of this interdimensional rupture.

It was essential to craft the necessary enchantments and inscribe them onto a physical medium in order to anchor them at the «source of power». This, I envision, is the only feasible means of gaining control over the fissure leading to the realm of negativity, akin to subduing a wild source of magical energy, by erecting an «ancestral stone» or altar that would serve as both a conduit for transformation and a tool for control.. The disparity in complexity between the altar and the stone at the source, which even the most advanced clans possess, and what would need to be constructed and installed in the rift, is akin to the difference between a windmill and a nuclear power plant. Moreover, apart from the immense difference in the intricacy of the work required to harness the energy source and craft the «ancestral stone», we also require entirely distinct materials of a different caliber to bring this concept to life.

— I see. Thus, the turmoil that has plagued your nation for the past two decades is linked to these occurrences? Hmm… I see. I had many questions in mind, but I kept them for later, unwilling to reveal the extent of my ignorance regarding affairs in Asia. However, it was not this that troubled me, but rather the fact that based on what I was able to extract from Mei's memory, the daemon I sought was likely also responsible for this near-catastrophe.

— Sir, might I pose a question?

— After ensuring her safety, the vixen, mustering all her courage, addressed me with a query that plagued her.

Allowing her to pose her question, I simultaneously engaged in contemplation of the demonic entity, while issuing instructions to my reserve clones in my realm to immediately descend upon Asia, conducting a thorough search both vertically and horizontally, seeking any clues or evidence that could illuminate the identity of this particular demon and potentially lead us to its location.

I had not pursued this course of action before, as my initial attempts had been unsuccessful. My illusory projections were promptly detected, and their concealment proved ineffective against detection. Naturally, this triggered considerable commotion within the arcane enclaves my scouts sought to infiltrate, leading me to conclude that such an approach was not yet viable.

At that moment, my attention was focused on the emerging realities in the domains of my vassal, Jaromir. We did not require any disturbances along the borders of his empires.. But having achieved the ability to evade detection with ease and maintain my presence undetected before the very nose of the Nine-Tailed Beast, I have already attained the requisite level of mastery over my own powers to render myself invisible to even the most sophisticated and sensitive sensors for which the realms of Celestia are renowned.

"Who are you, sir?" The question was posed with such timidity and despair, as if the speaker were not facing a predator, but a mouse paralyzed in the presence of a serpent. Yet I could empathize with the poor creature, for when she had seen me in her chamber and chosen to demonstrate her displeasure by releasing her power and aura, I had briefly revealed a fragment of my own to her. Not even truly mine, for I am a snake, and it is our nature to conceal, deceive, and cast off our skins. I allowed her to sense and perceive that portion of my essence that belongs to The One.

When she attempted to discern my true nature and power through her aura, it was like a tiny boat being tossed into a tempestuous sea of force, depths and edges beyond her comprehension. Her thoughts at that moment centered solely on one goal: survival! Thus, her prostrating herself before me, gaze fixed on the ground, panic and dread in my presence, are easily understood.

"You may address me as Svyatozar," I said. "I am the deity who protects the reigning dynasties of the Russian and Japanese empires. That is all you need to know."

A minute after I had finished my intense brainstorming, dispatched all my orders, and reflected on the information I had received from my clone who now stands in for me at Hogwarts, I realized that I had once again unwittingly given rise to a train of thought. Was I really called Svyatozar, or could it have been Nurarihyon? My mind often wanders, especially when I am deeply immersed in problem-solving.

I was in a foul mood, so I refused to refill my teacup. Instead, I used Thor's divine weave on Helga's ancestral cup, which I mastered decades ago. The spell defied the laws of the universe, allowing me to transform any liquid.. And thanks to him, the cup in my hand now contained genuine high-grade sake, which I had managed to acquire from Yaromir's collection after his ascension to the imperial throne of Nihon. This was no ordinary sake, but rather, it had been blessed by the goddess Inari herself. There was no need for me to keep a single drop of this desired beverage in an enchanted chamber in order to increase its quantity. Simply tasting it once was sufficient, and now I could summon a full cup of Inari-infused sake at will, with every sip imbued with the essence of her divine power.

It was no challenge for me to replicate and simulate the spectrum of energy emanations associated with another deity's presence. The only consideration was the cost in terms of expenditure, in my case from the reserves of the All. Thus, the sly fox did not believe me when I claimed not to be Nurarihyon, renowned for his ability to manifest sake at his whim.

After a brief hiatus, she resumed her inquiry in the same posture, "What is in store for me now?"

"How should I be aware? If you meddle in my domain, you shall be spared from any harm. Generally, I recommend that you maintain contact with my liege's realms and refrain from causing him any trouble on the borders of your realm. Otherwise, I shall be displeased, is that understood?"

"Perfectly, Exalted One."

Why had her mood changed so abruptly, and she was no longer attempting to conceal her true feelings and thoughts from me? Ah, this was not good! I mused. I observed her, her brown tails with their white tips flickering behind her, and the playfulness and excitement blossoming in her sensuous spirit. Well, I would think about it later. I had wives, and they often fretted about the purity of their husbands' carcasses, so understanding the message conveyed by the feelings and desires that sat before me, this vixen, did not present a challenge.

Alright, that's settled. Now, May, tell me about the situation in China, and all the strange and suspicious things you've encountered in your life.

As a result, I spent two hours in the vixen's chambers, and during this time, I carefully and imperceptibly extracted from her memory all sorts of interesting information. With the aid of casual conversation, when the vixen became convinced that I was not a threat to her, she began to flirt with me.

I managed to navigate through her memories without difficulty or resistance, and now I have access to information about all known entrances to the spatial lacuna in China, as well as the portal connecting Earth with the magical realm, where numerous clans, sects, and communities of gifted and intelligent individuals reside.

Additionally, I discovered the location of the last stronghold of the kitsune shifters — those faeries who are not ayakashi. I had already encountered one of their members in Venice.. Following the collaboration of the magical clans in China, they united to eradicate the troublemakers who had attempted to exploit the rift in the negative energy plan. This alliance of clans was initially challenging, as they engaged in a protracted war that lasted for two decades.

During this period, numerous couples found their matrimonial bliss among members of other families, forming strong bonds through these alliances. This experience led them to consider the possibility of transforming their temporary alliance, initially conceived solely for the purpose of defeating the perceived "smartest" individuals, into a permanent government for united China.. Once they had arrived at this decision and fine-tuned the operation of their clan council, they formulated the regulations governing its functioning, delineating the rights and responsibilities of each member. They established a standard bureaucratic administrative apparatus and related structures.

As life in the nation began to improve, the attention of the newly appointed authorities shifted to those members of the magical fauna that inhabited China and were not known for their exceptional contributions. One such nuisance was the kitsune-fairy.

In a two-decade-long clash between clans, they remained neutral, but they successfully undermined and undermined both sides of the conflict, similar to jackals scavenging for "crumbs," seizing upon the aftermath of major engagements and pursuing solitary individuals who had eluded death in the initial confrontation with the opposing faction.. At present, there are no representatives of this species of ogres remaining in China proper, but there exists a portal to a magical realm where these beings have fled and taken refuge.

Hmm... you know, I could assist you with those Kitsune ogres. I have an entire army of martial archmages standing by. These individuals require practice and experience in actual battles, rather than what they currently receive on the training field. Furthermore, I harbor a strong disdain for this clan, so it is high time they be eradicated.

If your government does not obstruct my efforts and permits my fighters access to the portal that leads to the Kitsune realm, my men will eliminate them once and for all, putting an end to this issue once and for all. What say you? How could a Japanese manga artist know how the Ayakashi Kitsune behave? After everything Mei has depicted in her mind, I have had the pleasure of witnessing more than once on a computer screen, watching yet another anime.

Mei, with her right hand positioned parallel to the ground and supporting her ample bosom from below, causing them to protrude even more from beneath her qipao, leant on her palm with the elbow of her left arm and chewed on the nail/fingernail on her thumb.. And her countenance at that moment was one of intense concentration and focus! No less than a titan of thought, she began to contemplate questions concerning the mysteries of the universe. And then, suddenly, dimples appeared on her cheeks out of nowhere, accompanied by a flush, I cannot determine whether from the exertion of her thoughts or from the embarrassment and shyness in my presence, which made the scene truly captivating. It was unclear not only to me, but also to herself, why she blushed! She is magnificent, damn it!

I cannot grant this permission unilaterally. It is imperative that we convene the clan council, but my faction and I will vote in your favor.

Finally, she ceased her futile attempts to ingratiate herself with me, attempting to captivate me with her appearance and entice me into sin. Nonetheless, she provided me with an answer to my query.

You must endeavor to persuade them of the wisdom of this course of action. You do not wish to incur my displeasure.

In the midst of this discourse, my illusion continued, as I, in the form of my physical body, transported myself to my own realm. Having become the proprietor of the serpentine tree, my comprehension of space has attained an infinite level, and with each passing day, as the tree grows stronger, my appreciation of its significance deepens and broadens.

The vixen remained oblivious to these developments, and upon completion of my unmasked threat by the illusory doppelgänger, it vanished into a dense mist, seemingly dispersed by a gust of wind. Unable to resist, I chose to depart gracefully. To this end, I unhesitatingly engaged in playful banter with the sensuous spirit of the vixen, despite her status as a youthful deity, for she lacked the strength to resist me. Consequently, it was effortless to evoke fear and awe within her, which were evidently present.

Before my illusion dissipated into a swirling mist, carried away by an indifferent gust of wind — not imaginary, but genuine sakura petals fluttered in the air, and the scent of peaches permeated the atmosphere.. But I did not stop there. To complete the picture, I conjured an illusion of the moon's reflection in Mei's sake bowl, placed in front of her. It was only after I had accomplished this that I deemed the joke complete, and it was well done!

The same day, the same time. Hogwarts, Scotland.

"Hello again, young ladies," I said to the two Slytherin first-years waiting outside my office. "Do you have a question for me?"

There was an illusory duplicate of Svyatozar in Hogwarts at that moment, under the direct control of my secondary stream of consciousness, but I was the one speaking.

"Good afternoon, Professor Drake," Bellatrix and Sylvia responded in unison. If they so desired, they could mimic the Weasley twins unborn, splitting the conversation into roles and completing each other's sentences.

I said, "Professor, please accept our invitation to dine at our home this Saturday. My parents would be thrilled to meet you."

With these words, Bellatrix presented me with an envelope, which appeared to contain an invitation to a small soirée, but Sylvia joined the conversation almost immediately.

My parents, Lord and Lady Greengrass, will also attend. They would greatly appreciate the opportunity to meet you as well, sir.

What should we inform your parents to anticipate? Bella re-entered the conversation. While the girls, with barely concealed excitement, voiced the invitation and attempted to entice with the prospect of meeting and befriending influential aristocrats in Albion, I delved into my memories, seeking to understand the rationale behind the parents of these two students I had identified during my lessons.

When I discerned that Bella harbored a profound fear of the prospect of being engaged to a person she despised, and her efforts to avoid such an outcome were directed towards me, I couldn't help but smile. Upon realizing her desire to evade marriage to Lestrange, I responded.

"Do not concern yourself, young lady," I said, continuing to stroke her hair. "I will not allow my students to be offended by me, not by any imposition of suitors, not even by the matriarch of their family. Therefore, put this matter out of your mind. You should not concern yourself with it any longer. It is best that you focus on studying magic and the texts I have assigned you to read."

With this, I made a request of the girls. After my impromptu gesture of affection towards Bella's head, both of them had been rendered somewhat dazed. I could not help myself, and the playful mood that had taken hold of me was now fully engaged with the sly woman, with whom they had been engaging in lighthearted flirtation while sipping divine tea and sake.

After a brief moment of respite, allowing them time to recover from my jest, which is only acceptable among the closest family members and even then only in private settings, I paused to allow them to refocus their attention on me before continuing my discourse.

"All that I have divulged to you now must be kept between us, and not a soul must be privy to my confidences, not even your parents. I beg of you to honour my pledge to shield you from unwelcome matchmaking until the Saturday evening meal, after which you may apprise your parents of our discourse. However, in my opinion, such an act would not be necessary. Do we have an agreement?" he inquired with a genial smile.

Yes, Professor Drake, indeed. After obtaining their consent, I departed with a broad smile, heading towards the Great Hall for supper, leaving behind two noble young ladies in a state of profound ambivalence. Their emotions were a mixture of indignation at my actions, accompanied by a hidden sense of joy associated with them. There was annoyance at having been so swiftly dismissed, which was evident in Bella's demeanor. Sylvia, on the other hand, displayed envy, yet also joy for her sister. These were the emotions of these two young ladies! How gross! I still consider myself a child in comparison to them. Men's emotions and desires pale in comparison to the intricacies of women's inner world, like a stick next to a jet aircraft in terms of complexity. But I am a god, and let us not allow our appetites to be tainted by the insoluble mysteries of the female psyche.