Cyril calmly took a sip of his coffee.
A red butterfly landed on his shoulder, vigilantly scanning the three students that arrived.
Even Tigris turned around and lowered his body, warily glaring at them.
One of the students looked at the kitten with her eyes lit up.
"Are you out shopping?"
Cedric asked after Cyril remained silent.
"What else does it look like? Is he dumb?"
"I am buying a few things for Tigris."
Cyril petted the fearsome tiger on the table, who narrowed his eyes in satisfaction.
Cedric stared at the creature with a smile, and before he could answer, another voice cut in.
"Incredible! Isn't it a tiger? Such an unusual color, too!"
A girl with brown hair and eyes walked closer, peering at the tiger with utter fascination.
Again, such a reaction gave a peculiar feeling to Cyril.
He nodded, his mouth subtly arcing.
"He is, indeed, a tiger."
Anna looked at the white furball unflinchingly, her hand twitching for a moment.
Before long her hand moved straight towards the soft white fur.
Tigris tensed up, however, strangely enough, he didn't move out of the way.
He calmly accepted his fate, relaxing to the fullest.
More than that, Anna picked him up and held him in her arms without issue.
"That's good, haha."
Cedric quietly mumbled, his smile getting wider.
He waved to Ophelia standing behind Cyril as well, but she didn't react to him in any way.
Cyril looked at his fellow students, particularly at the one he hadn't seen before.
He had brown hair and black eyes. His arms were crossed as he stood a short distance away with a slight frown.
The moment Cyril glanced at him, the male student smiled politely.
"Oh, let me introduce you two!" Cedric took a step back and motioned towards the student with his arms.
"This is Albert, from Anna's class. They had an assignment together and needed to buy a few things. I just tagged along for company."
Albert bowed slightly, trying to keep his back straight.
"Good day."
He's mimicking noble etiquette...?
"Very badly."
Cedric then turned towards Albert and motioned with his hands to Cyril.
"You no doubt know him, but let me do the honors anyways. This is Cyril, from my class. He's a good guy who won't hesitate to lend a hand to those in trouble!"
I wonder…
"It's a pleasure to meet you!"
"I am sure it is."
Albert's smile twitched a little, but he quickly recovered.
Cyril looked at him for a second before drinking the rest of his coffee.
"Cyril, do you want to join us? We just need to buy the gland of a crystal lizard. Maybe you'll find something interesting with us as well?
Cedric proposed with a sheepish smile.
"I'll decline." Cyril stood up from the table and approached Anna.
He grabbed Tigris, trying to take him.
However, just as he pulled him, Tigris held on to Anna's clothes with his claws, refusing to move away.
"...!"
"Tigris! How could you!?"
The butterfly on his shoulder twitched her antennae in disapproval.
"Meow."
Cyril absentmindedly let go, and the white cat snuggled up in Anna's arms, only flicking his tail at him.
"Oh, he took a liking to me, I think."
Anna petted the tiger with small, careful movements, as a warm, satisfied smile appeared on her face.
The feline in her hands was completely at her mercy, capable only of delighted purring.
She is even more skillful than Ophelia...!
Cyril could only stare with awe at her ability.
At this moment the maid behind him took step forward, leaning close to his ear.
"May I?"
Her voice was a little livelier than usual.
"You can try."
With his approval she walked up to Anna, her black eyes locked onto the rebellious tiger.
She stretched out her slender white hand, attempting to pet Tigris.
But he moved his head out of the way and hid in Anna's chest.
"..."
Ophelia's hand froze in the air.
After a second she slowly turned to look at Anna.
Genuine hostility shone in her black eyes.
Anna took half a step back, shivers running down her back for reasons she couldn't understand.
"...!"
"Ophelia, can you take the bags back to Ailanthus?"
The maid quickly turned around, the battle intent around her disappearing.
"As you wish, Master."
First she picked up Melaina as if hiding her, then grabbed all the bags and walked away.
Her disappearing back somehow reminded Cyril of a soldier retreating.
"There is always a bigger fish... No! Tigris is just being childish because we took him shopping! He'll come around soon!"
Rhamn crossed her arms, glaring at Anna.
Anna, having unknowingly bested an archdemon, simply continued petting Tigris.
"Haha, so does that mean you'll go with us?"
Cyril looked at Cedric, sighed, and nodded.
"Not for long."
Cedric pumped his fist in the air, while Anna's smile widened.
"Tsk."
Albert quietly tsked a certain distance away from him.
"This guy..."
Of course Cyril heard it loud and clear.
...
The four of them began exploring the mall anew.
Led by Cedric, they walked towards a specific shop on the second floor.
"A friend has told me about this store. Apparently it has the best selection for the best prices."
They've entered through the double doors as the bell above them rang, signaling a new customer.
It was a somewhat small store, dimly lit. There was no one behind the counter.
The shelves of the store were filled to the brim with all sorts of seemingly random items.
Cedric approached the counter and leaned on it, waiting with a smile.
Anna, still holding Tigris in her arms, walked near Cyril, observing the curiosities of the store.
Cyril quickly scanned the store as well, trying to find a specific item.
No Ambrosia. Looks like I'm not that lucky.
The butterfly on his shoulder looked around as well, twitching her antennae with curiosity.
The only human not interested in this place was Albert.
The whole way here his gaze was glued towards Anna, so much so that even Cyril noticed it.
Even now he kept staring, and when Cyril looked at him, Albert immediately smiled and moved away, pretending to browse.
Cyril turned to Anna near him, who kept acting clueless, and whispered her a question.
"What's wrong with Albert?"
Anna's hand petting the tiger slowed down as her head lowered with a bit of panic.
"...I-I wouldn't know. We are just assigned to the same project, that's all."
Cyril only nodded and asked no more.
"Why is she acting all shy? Clearly the guy intends to woo her, even we can notice that, yet she can't?"
At this moment, Anna peeked at him, took a light breath, and whispered.
"Where did you get a magic creature? Is it hard to acquire one as a- a pet?"
"I can't say. Also, Tigris is not a pet."
At first disappointed, Anna quickly became excited as he said this.
"Really, you think so too!? Animals are not pets for our amusement! They are full-fledged family members who deserve just as much respect as any of us!"
She looked him straight in the eyes.
"A cat can be just as important as son or daughter! Some people said I am weird for thinking this, but I am glad you are like this as well."
"..."
"You are weird, and don't lump us together with you. Tigris and Morpho are not some dirty animals!"
Rhamn narrowed her red eyes.
"People say a lot of things."
Ignoring the voice in his head, Cyril mumbled and turned away.
Albert stood in the corner of the shop, fists clenched tightly.
In his mind the image of Anna and Cyril whispering with each other remained fresh.
Just then the door behind the counter opened with a bang, making him flinch.
Through it in a lethargic manner walked out a middle-aged man with black hair and blue eyes.
"Welcome to my shop. Got anything you want?"
Upon seeing him, Cedric smiled wider and raised his hand.
"We want to buy the gland of a crystal lizard."
"Is that all? ...Fine, there it is." He pointed at a particular shelf.
Then, without moving further, he simply sat behind the counter.
"...I'll go take it then."
Cedric hastily ran for it and picked up a bottle, a slimy small ball floating within it.
Cyril observed the shopkeeper's face for a few seconds more.
Have I seen him before...?
"What is it?"
The man looked at him, his blue eyes lacking any energy whatsoever.
Somehow, the sight of him gave Cyril a peculiar feeling, like finding a noisy bug right as you lie on your bed.