Steam filled the small space as Arthur leaned back into the bath.

The heat settled into his muscles slowly, loosening the tension from yesterday. For a moment, he didn’t move. He just stayed there, letting the warmth sink in while his mind drifted.

"...Not bad."

His voice was low, almost lazy.

But he wasn’t just relaxing.

His thoughts had already gone back to the skill.

Bondtongue.

He lifted his hand slightly, staring at it as if the answer was written there.

"It’s more than just talking."

That part was obvious now.

He had felt it already. Not just words, but emotions, even small reactions that Mel didn’t need to express physically.

It was direct.

Clean and honest.

Arthur closed his eyes.

"In a fight..."

He pictured it.

Mel moving ahead.

Sensing something before he did.

Danger.

Ambush.

A shift in killing intent.

"...She won’t need to shout."

He wouldn’t need to look.

It would just... come through.

Arthur smirked faintly.

"That’s broken."

Not in a bad way.

Just efficient.

And efficiency mattered.

He leaned his head back further, letting the water cover more of him.

"And it gets better as she grows."

That was the real part.

This wasn’t the peak.

It was the start.

The clearer her mind became, the better the link.

Which meant..

"Stronger bond, better communication."

"Better communication, better teamwork."

It fed into itself.

Arthur let out a small breath.

"...Yeah. I like that."

Then his thoughts shifted again.

If this was possible...

Then what else?

"...New skills."

The system had already shown him that intent could shape ability.

Now it wasn’t just him.

It applied to allies too.

Arthur opened his eyes slightly.

"So if she wants something bad enough..."

The system would recognize it.

Stabilize it and turn it into something real.

He let out a quiet laugh.

"That’s actually crazy."

A beast forming skills based on what it wills.

And him helping it grow faster.

"...We’re going to be a problem."

He didn’t say it with arrogance.

Just certainty.

Then..

He felt a small nudge as he blinked.

"...Huh?"

He turned his head slightly.

Mel was there, sitting just outside the bath area, watching him.

Her eyes didn’t leave him.

And through the link..

A feeling came through.

Confusion. And a bit of impatience.

"...Why... long?"

Arthur stared at her.

Then shook his head with a smile.

"I was thinking."

A pause.

Then he added,

"Relax."

She didn’t look convinced.

Arthur chuckled.

"Alright, alright. I’m coming out."

He stood up, not wasting more time.

Even if he liked the heat, he wasn’t about to sit there all day.

He cleaned up quickly, still thorough, then stepped out and dried himself.

No shortcuts.

That was just how he was.

Once he was done, he moved straight to his gear.

Armor first.

He checked each piece as he put it on, making sure everything sat right.

Then his dagger.

He wiped it down carefully, checking the edge, the balance.

Mel watched the whole thing.

Quiet.

Observing.

Arthur noticed.

"...You’re paying so much attention?"

She didn’t respond with words this time.

But he felt it.

Interest.

Focus.

Arthur nodded slightly.

"Good."

He finished up and stood properly.

"Let’s go."

Mel didn’t wait.

She hopped up lightly onto his shoulder like she had already decided that was her spot.

Arthur adjusted slightly, but didn’t push her off.

"...Comfortable?"

A small feeling came through.

"Yes."

Arthur smirked.

"Thought so."

He stepped out of the dorm.

The air outside was fresh, a bit cooler than inside.

They moved through the area without stopping.

At first, it was quiet.

Then came the looks.

Arthur noticed them immediately.

Whispers. And side glances.

People slowing down just to get a better look.

"...Here we go."

He didn’t stop.

Didn’t react much either.

But he wasn’t blind to it.

A monster cub. On his shoulder. In plain sight.

Of course they were going to talk.

"...Strange, huh?"

Mel shifted slightly.

Through the link, he felt something small.

Uneasy.

Arthur sighed.

"Don’t mind them."

He kept walking.

"They’ll get used to it."

Or they wouldn’t.

Either way, it didn’t matter.

Some of the looks were curious.

Others were wary.

That part made sense.

A beast was still a beast.

Arthur didn’t bother explaining anything.

He didn’t owe anyone that.

They reached the training building not long after.

Arthur stepped inside and nodded at the receptionist.

"Morning."

He looked up, already recognizing him.

He didn’t ask for anything.

But his eyes shifted to Mel.

And stayed there.

"...That’s new."

Arthur shrugged.

"Yeah."

He didn’t say anything else, but his expression said enough.

Confused.

A bit concerned.

Arthur ignored it and kept moving.

"Let’s go."

Mel stayed still on his shoulder.

Calm.

But aware.

They reached the private training hall and stepped in.

Just like he expected..

Everyone was already there.

Arthur raised a hand slightly.

"Morning."

"Morning."

"About time."

The replies came naturally.

But their attention didn’t stay on him for long.

It shifted.

Straight to Mel.

"...How’s the cub?"

Arthur smirked a little.

"Fine. The name is Mel."

Mel stayed still, watching them carefully.

Not hostile.

But not open either.

"...You named her already," Nox said excitedly.

Arthur nodded.

"Didn’t feel right leaving it blank."

"Mel, huh..."

There was a pause.

Then..

Nox stepped forward.

Her eyes were already shining.

"She’s so cute this morning. Had a bath?."

Arthur raised a brow.

"...She’s always this cute."

But Nox ignored him as she stretched her hands towards her.

"Can I?"

Arthur looked at Mel.

"...Up to you."

Mel didn’t move at first.

She watched Nox closely.

Then...

A feeling came through.

Recognition.

Faint, but there.

Arthur blinked.

"...You remember her?"

Nox paused.

"Huh?"

Arthur shook his head.

"Nothing."

Mel moved.

Slowly at first.

Then she let Nox take her.

Nox’s face lit up immediately.

"I knew it!"

She held Mel close, gently running her hand through her fur.

Mel didn’t resist.

She even leaned slightly into it.

But through the link...

Arthur felt it.

"...You like that."