Can you make me secrete venom through my teeth as well?
"...Yes."
Rhamn stared at him with a weird look in her eyes that seemed to ask, 'Why?'
I don't actually want to do that, I am just curious.
"I know," she said, though her face didn't change its suspicious expression.
As he was marveling at the snake's ability, Morpho flew in front of them, twitching her antennae in challenge, her meaning clear as day. She wanted to fight, here and now.
Atheris's expression twitched, a hint of ferocity showing through before disappearing. She glanced at Cyril, back at the butterfly, and made her face as cute as possible.
She slithered half behind his head, as if hiding from the butterfly's gaze.
Morpho froze, almost falling from the air. She landed on the nearby bush, shocked.
"This one is a schemer~"
Cyril gently pet the snake's head, Atheris's golden eyes narrowing in pleasure.
"You'll have time to test each other later," Cyril said to the butterfly.
Morpho slowly nodded her insect head, relenting.
Tigris sat a little distance away, cautiously observing them.
The white tiger cub's gaze was wary and a bit fearful. He wasn't fooled by the serpent's cute display now! This was clearly a cunning opponent!
Though soon, the cub shook his head and tried to regain his courage. This was their little sister! How could he, as the older one, be scared of the younger one?
He'll perform this role, and he'll do it well! After all, this snake couldn't be stronger than Morpho, the red menace.
"Let's go back, we still have some time left today."
Together with the snake, he went to his dorm, the other two soon following after.
Cyril could obviously feel the wariness of the tiger and the competitiveness of the butterfly, but he didn't find it concerning.
"That's right, whatever it is they might feel, they are family at the end of the day, and they know that."
Rhamn walked by his side, staring at the cute snake with absolute certainty. There was not a sliver of doubt in her bright red eyes.
"..."
...
Back in his room, Tigris immediately forgot all his worries in front of a hearty meal.
They all had dinner by the kitchen table, carefully cooked by Cyril.
Morpho in her tiny bites, Tigris with his zealous gulps, and Atheris, who still refused to go down from his neck.
"Just... sit near me if you want."
Cyril somewhat awkwardly pointed at the chair right next to his. He wasn't sure how a snake was supposed to sit on the chair, but he still thought it was only proper.
"It's a nice tradition."
The clingy snake immediately shook her head left and right, tears welling up in her golden eyes.
In the end he had no choice but to relent.
"Fine."
Taking the plate meant for her in front of him, Cyril ate and fed the serpent at the same time. The other two stared at this with widened eyes.
In a moment Morpho took ahold of herself, begrudgingly flew away, and landed in her terrarium. A magic circle appeared in front of her as she began her practice.
"They are jealous! That's so cute~"
"Sorry."
Rhamn materialized with an absolutely joyous smile, comforting Tigris, who was still left at the table.
...
Initially Cyril wanted to use a bit of the evening to try teaching the cowardly white tiger the Dragon Art.
However, he remembered that Selene hadn't admitted him as her student, so that plan had to be postponed.
Is it too shameless to ask for permission in the midst of the situation with Myra?
"Of course not!"
Deciding to think about this later, Cyril went back to his own studies for now, letting the tiger peacefully dream on the bed.
Cyril still hadn't touched any subject during this weekend at all, so there's some work that piled up that needs to be done.
Of course Atheris still refused to get down during this time, curiously looking at what he was doing.
They sat like this for a few hours, during which the snake didn't change its curious expression, observing whatever he was writing down with her golden eyes.
Could it be...?
Cyril took a short rest, glancing at the serpent in thought. A certain whim slowly grew inside of him.
Let's try teaching her.
"Hmm."
Rhamn's face carried a happy smile and the look of someone holding back her laughter.
Cyril briefly glanced at her suspiciously, then began retelling Atheris the fundamentals of spellmaking.
Atheris looked at him, nodding at times, her golden eyes showing a comfortable and happy mood.
Though after some time, she still showed the same expression, still nodding occasionally in a happy mood.
"..."
Rhamn let out a mischievous chuckle, which caused the corner of his eye to twitch.
"Atheris, are you listening?"
The snake eagerly nodded, happily flicking her tongue.
"...Do you understand what I am talking about?"
The snake froze, then shook her head, her mood still sky-high.
"..."
Rhamn openly laughed in the background, holding her stomach.
This snake seems to be a bit silly...
Cyril helplessly sighed, staring at the pure golden eyes of the serpent.
"Don't call her that, it's rude."
Cyril turned back towards the desk, continuing his study. He won't force it now, there will be plenty of time.
So, he quietly passed this time, occasionally staring at the park outside at night.
When the moon became visible over the castle, he stopped and stretched.
"That's it for today. Good night, everyone," Cyril announced to the rest and went towards the bathroom to get ready for bed.
Morpho reluctantly finished her training and gently fell asleep as well. She chose to sleep in her own terrarium today.
Tigris tilted his head at her choice, then snugly curled up unconcerned. It's more space for him.
Though as Cyril returned and lay on the bed, the cub's peaceful expression quickly froze.
The clingy snake, Atheris, of course refused to leave Cyril's side during sleep, coiled around him even now. And they lay such that her ridged, scaly head was right near Tigris.
She gave him a dismissive glance and closed her golden eyes, slowly drifting off into sleep.
The white tiger stayed still, observing her forked tongue that occasionally showed itself, his breathing becoming quieter. Suddenly he felt Morpho was indeed the oldest. She was wise!
This night might prove longer than the others...