Toto, Phoenix?
Morning, Captain.
I'm gonna nap a bit. Wake me when training's over.
Stop right there. You're not skipping training that easily.
Hmm... So even a natural stance doesn't work on you...
Maybe I should've learned more from my senior sister.
Anyway, I'm hungry and tired... Let's rest a bit first.
Didn't you promise to try harder last time...?
Did I? Hmm... maybe I did?
But Captain, nothing in this world stays the same.
There's a saying back at the Wind Moon Sect.
"Even the wind and moon change, so why wouldn't we?"
In other words!
I'm not the same old me anymore, Captain. I've changed.
Coo!
Huh? You're saying that phrase only applies to positive changes?
It's fine. This is what's called "adaptability."
One of the senior brothers at the Wind Moon Sect used to say it too.
He said that it's more important to have adaptability than to follow things robotically.
Coooo!
Come to think of it, I've always wondered... can you understand Toto?
Huh...? Well, of course I can...
Oh... I just realized, I never told you, Captain.
I can understand everything Toto says.
What was the reason again...? Sect Master told me once...
Oh, right! He said I have a natural affinity for Mystics.
I mean, aside from that, I'm weak and have no martial talent...
I only entered the Wind Moon Sect because daddy said it'd make me healthier.
...Coo.
So how did you and Toto meet?
Hmm, that's...
That's...?
...All this talking made my blood sugar drop.
Captain, what's today's dessert?
Mmm! So good.
As expected, the strawberry tart from Cafe Strega is the best!
Want some, Toto?
Coo!
Moments like this make coming to training worthwhile.
I'm always sleeping at home, so there's no time for dessert.
The portion's a little small though. Next time, two servings, please, Captain.
In the near future, Serpang will undergo twice the make-up training.
I decided that just now.
So, will you tell me now?
Oh, right, right. Where was I?
There are many unknown places on the Eastern Continent.
Rare, undocumented creatures sometimes live there.
Sometimes, those creatures come with stories or legends.
Like a god dragon that grants wishes...
Or a giant turtle holding up the world...
Toto is one of those Mystics.
We met by chance, and we just kind of... clicked.
Enough that we can communicate.
What kind of Mystics is Toto?
Toto?
Cooo! Cooo!
At my question, Toto spread his wings and raised his chin in a proud pose.
Pfft! There's no way...!
Coo! Coo!
What is he even saying?
Toto claims... to be a phoenix.
It's a legendary bird whose wings can turn day into night and can fly thousands of miles in one flap.
...
Haha, you don't believe it either, do you, Captain?
Hmm... I'm thinking Toto's more like a mutant owl?
Coooo!
Wait... You're not a monster, are you?
You're not going to eat me when you grow, right...?
Coooo!
Serpang kept making wild guesses about what Toto was, and Toto's face turned redder and redder.
Mm... I think he's pretty mad.
So when exactly is she going to tell the story of how they first met?
So... how did you two meet?
Huh? I didn't tell you?
But Captain.
Serpang pointed to the sky. The sun was setting.
Training's over. I'll tell you the rest another time.
Thanks for the dessert, Captain. I'll be looking forward to the next one!
I saw her off as she skipped away waving her hand, then made my way home.
That night, I updated Serpang's schedule with triple the make-up training.