Chapter 6.5: Split Paths

The woman rocked from side to side as she stared into my eyes with a blank expression. Her mouth was barely open and her body was limp, almost collapsing with a single puff.

"Good thing that worked… Do the three of you mind me doing this to her?"

I raised my brow as I gazed at Olly, that one girl, and Shan, who looked at me with furrowed brows.

Olly and Debbie just nodded in silence, but Shan stepped up, her hands clenched in a fist.

"No… We can't add too much! I don't want to lose time with you, Geon!"

Eh?!

How strong was my eye?! What are my limitations?!

I let out a small sigh before slapping my hand against my face. It was a facepalm, as more modern kids would say.

"Shan, don't worry, you're the one I like the most."

I flashed the fox girl a soft smile as the latter clasped her hands together while a blush spread across her face. She was adorable. Being with Xion would surely be a shame. It's like I'm doing him a favor by keeping her to myself.

After hearing my response, Shan closed her eyes and nodded as the two girls beside her simply stood there, slack jawed. Sorry ladies, she really is my prized trophy.

"That… That was very unfair of you, master"

The soft brown-haired lady named Debbie? Well, I will call her Debbie. She wore a pout on her face as she stared at me.

"I-Is that so… Olly should be second lady… right? Right?!"

Olly had beads of cold sweat running down her face, with widened eyes and an open mouth that trembled as she spoke

I just gave them both a smile before returning to the person I was trying to control.

She was… a pretty pleasant addition? I smirked at the thought of my kingdom expanding and at the power she may have possessed. Ah! Such bliss!

Currently, her eyes rolled to the back of her head, mouth slightly open with her body fully limp. Even her legs were barely hanging against gravity. Perhaps this was enough. My hands traced over her forehead and with a light tap, her eyes rolled back to the front as she stared at me with her black pupils.

"You… My Master…"

The lady gently stepped away before bowing in reverie in front of me. Yet another lady added to my collection.

"Rise, state your name and power…"

The lady stood up, her hands hanging to the side like an obedient puppet. Her lips parted open as she stated her reply.

"Lila Strauss… Three-year service for the Jade Dragon Society. My power is that of a Namazu."

"Namazu? What the hell is that?"

Her lips quivered slightly when I gave her that response. If she wasn't deep under my control, then perhaps she must have done something regarding that statement.

Lila let out a long sigh as her eyes shimmered with a gentle blue color when she did. After a few moments, the room trembled, and the furniture shuddered along with the floor.

"This… I am a catfish that can generate earthquakes with partial control over water and earth. Does Master require the showcasing of this servant's powers?"

I grit my teeth as I shook my head, backing off as her eyes lost their glow.

"T-That… was an inept explanation."

"Yes, nothing less for the person I serve."

Huh… yet another person who might be on my actual beloved list. Strong, cool and calculative, Lila would be a perfect counterweight to Shan. My lips curved into yet another smile as I placed my hand on her head.

"Perfect… then you can share the status of my second beloved."

She trembled when she heard that, and with a shaky voice, she exclaimed.

"Yes! If that is what you desire of me, my master!"

Much like Lila's booming voice, I felt a slight vibration in my pocket and so I pulled out a taboo…

A phone, but not just any phone…

On its screen was a shaking green button that displayed the contact simply named "Wyzen".

Everything around me turned mute. I couldn't hear the cries of the women that stood close to me, or the sound of my voice. All I heard was the monotone sound of the ring.

After all these years, the old man finally called.

Perhaps it would be a good idea to pack up my bags later this evening.

"Girls… I might need to do something."

The four of them looked my way with raised eyebrows and widened eyes, almost as if they were worried for me…

No… that was not worry. It was just my power acting up. I have to keep myself under control, like Wyzen had said.

Maybe someday I might leave him, but for now I had a mission…

Right now, these girls only followed me thanks to my eye, and while they were my prized trophies, I have to understand that they don't really care for me. Once they wake up from my trance, my control, the magic would be over.

I shook my head as I whisked away my own thoughts. I then turned my gaze to Lila who looked at me with a blank expression.

"Lila, is it fine if I asked you to go with me to receive this call?"

The plain girl nodded, but she looked at the other women once she finished.

"Sure, my master, I may join you, but what about them? I am certain that they aren't allowed to lounge here and I wouldn't be there to defend them if they get caught."

That's right… how were they supposed to-

However, as soon as my worries reared their ugly heads, my beloved kitsune raised her hand with a smile.

"U-Um! Why not get lunch first, and then maybe we can go to my room? Visiting one another's dorms isn't a new thing either. We will be staying there to know one another even more while we wait for you, dear!"

Shan gave me a wink while Olly and Debbie just chuckled at her optimism. I can't help but smile upon hearing that they wanted to befriend each other… but I have to detach myself, at least for now.

A smile formed on my face as I paced forward. Holding Lila's hand in mine, the lady returned my sentiments by squeezing my hand back firmly. It was a delightful feeling.

"So that is our plan. I will look forward to seeing you guys later!"

"Yeah!"

The girls let out a loud, unified cheer, raising their arms in the air as we slowly parted ways. Before we exited, I turned my head to the girls, only to see Shan stealing a glance. She flashed me a warm smile as me and Lila headed our way.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I stuck my keys into the knob, and with a simple click, the room opened. Behind me were two of my new friends, Debbie and Olly!

"Is this you room Shan? Can't wait to see what is inside!"

Debbie let out a giddy laughter as I twisted the knob and with a simple click, my humble paradise was revealed to them… Well, the Eden of Pyre and I at least… I couldn't forget about him just because I have Geon by my side now, although I feel hurt when the two of them act hostile with each other…

With no forewarning or tact, the two charged into my room, jumping into my bed as they rolled around the sheets. Olly then shot me a look with a glint in her eye.

"Shan room… Really nice… Can stay here?"

I chuckled and backed off, closing the door behind us. Cold sweat lined my forehead, and my hands felt as cold as ice. What should I do?! I-It's the first time people were in my room! Can Olly stay here?! How about Pyre? Hawawawawa! I can't think straight!

"If you can ask Xion, then maybe we can be roommates!"

I wagged my finger in the air to seem less timid… although Olly seemed downcast when I said that. She looked at me with a frown before returning to her usual bed rolling antics. Debbie, much like her friend, bounced off the bed with a grin and with a loud cheer; she gave our small group a proposal.

"Hey, now that we're here, why not formally introduce ourselves and tell each other what we love about master!"

E-Eh… Why the rush?! My heart isn't ready yet! Can we wait for a moment? I tried voicing my thoughts out, but my lips quivered and in the end nothing came out. Debbie pulled on Olly, knocking her off the bed and onto the floor, and so I took my place after dusting off the spot I wanted to seat on. I planted myself on the floor, sitting in a cross-legged manner as my friends took their place. Debbie let out a lively yell, her fist raised in the air as she started our mini ceremony.

"Alright, then let's begin! The name is Debbie Chu!"

She shot a wink towards me before puckering her lips. H-Her charm was really on point, so I am kind of afraid that Geon might! Ah… no! I must be confident! Yes!

Debbie carried on with a smile. She sat back down with a risque pose that might have hopefully snagged her a few glances from Geon.

"As you may have noticed, my power isn't really that prevalent. After all, I am not a land creature like the rest of you. I am a Dobhar Chu, or what Irish people may call a 'Water Hound'."

After that, a warm white glow surrounded her body, and once the light slowly faded, Debbie had new appendages on her. A tail similar to an otter's, rows of sharp teeth she showcased with her smile, and even two small ears that replaced her normal human ears. She would have been adorable if you distract yourself from seeing the huge buck teeth that lined her jaw.

"Aren't I adorable?"

S-Sure… what she said.

After another blinding flash of light, Debbie looked at Olly, who seemed to fidget a bit as she scooted closer to the center.

"Well, now that I'm done, how about we move over to-"

"Debbie… Olly is shy… I really don't want people seeing Olly's power…"

Seeing her act that way… it reminded me of myself a lot and I am sure that I do not want Olly ending up like me… My hands found their way to her shoulders as I gazed into her eyes.

"It's fine… You can trust us."

Her eyes shifted around as sweat dripped down from her forehead.

"U-Uh! No! Olly cannot show it!"

Olly bit her lip, backing off with her arms raised in the air. She let ou a small shriek when I pursued her though, hoping that she might break out of her shell.

If we were to go on a mission, it is best to know what your allies can pull off. For Geon's success!

"Come on, Olly, can you show us what you can do? It may help Geon on his mission, plus we can be a huge help to him if we can actually learn how to work together!"

Hearing my musings, Debbie chided in a line of her own.

"Yeah, Shan is absolutely right, Olly! We can perform better for his sake if our new friend sees what you can do.

Pursing her lips into a grim line as cold sweat rolled down her cheek, Olly let out a sigh before nodding in response to our words.

"Fine… If Olly does it for Geon's sake, then this is okay."

I slinked away from the lady as her body slowly morphed into something. Her bones cracked and crackled, her frame collapsed, and fur enveloped her frail frame. In mere moments, the Olly we knew had turned into a gigantic black dog with silky fur.

"Aswang… Olly is Aswang."

A couple of words escaped the dog's lips before it gave out a howl.

Aswang? I might have to look into it later, but seeing her powers, she must have some other forms of shape-shifting! Can she turn into me?! If so, can she copy my powers?! I was giddy that I can finally lift the burden off my chest. Maybe Wyzen could stop pursuing me, and then I can live a quiet life with my beloved…

After a few moments of contorting and contracting, her body soon returned to normal. However, Olly was gasping for air when she returned.

I hurriedly rushed to her aide, but before I could draw near she raised her arm, signaling me to stop.

"Olly fine… Olly just needs food!"

She then eyed a bag of potato chips that rested on the corner of my room, causing her stomach to grumble. My lips curved into a smile after

realizing how pure she was.

"Sure, you can have it Olly."

Upon saying the magic word, Ollie lunged at the bag on all fours, tearing down the wrapping with her teeth. The bag burst, allowing the chips to fall to the floor.

I just cleaned that…

Oh well, maybe I can pass this off to Pyre. I'm sure he will help me clean that up. I have visitors after all.

However, my calm was soon interrupted by a tap on my back, coupled with Debbie staring at me from just a few inches off my face. She had a playful grin, whereas Olly just guzzled down the chips into her throat, not minding the situation.

"It's your turn now, Shan. Let's see what my Master's beloved strength is?"

I let out a sigh, even though my body shuddered as I stood up. I directed the "air" to flow around me with my ears perking up as the magic slowly activated. In mere moments I formed a wind wall around me, a simple spell Xion taught me.

Debbie just looked at me, cocking her head to the side. I-I guess she couldn't see the barrier?

"Debbie, can you punch me?"

Her eyes widened, and she immediately staggered back, like I was asking her to commit a crime. Did Geon tell her something?

"N-No way I can punch my Master's wife!"

"Enough of that, just try it, okay?"

"D-Don't blame me for this!"

Letting out a sigh, Debbie swung her fist at me. Only for it to be repealed like a balloon one moment after. The recoil from her punch sent her flying into the bed. Olly and I heard a dull thud, followed by a soft groan from Debbie.

"O-Ow… I guess that's how big the gap between us is… Hahaha…"

She left out a weak, exasperated chuckle as she gasped for air. Debbie then allowed her body to fall onto the bed, collapsing into a heap.

"But I will get to you level… I promise you."

My heart was set aflutter when I heard those words. I can finally live the life I wanted if someone could match my strength… My lips soon curled into a smile when I realized that Geon may be able to free me from my obligations after all, from hiding from Wyzen…

After he sets me free, I will give him my all… but until then I want to settle in, learning more about him as each day passes.

Little did I know that the following days would shatter the peaceful life I wished to have