My Disciples Grind, I Get 100x Their Progress

The fox, in line with its small size, was still a child. That was the reason the little fox did not have enough instinct to survive, unable to tell which opponents were strong and which were weaker.

Making use of that, Julian came to understand a little that the fox had regarded him as prey.

The way the fox kept trying to attack him, even after being given food, was enough to make Julian begin to understand what the little creature was thinking.

That was why Julian did not rush. He could not communicate with the little fox and just say ”I want to take care of you” like that.

He intended to tame it by feeding it regularly. And, in line with Julian’s earlier thinking, the fox regarded him as prey and tried to hunt him, so that was why Julian was not worried that the fox would leave or disappear.

’My Mana needs refilling soon too. There is still enough for a few skills, but it would clearly be difficult for me if those Dragons chased me all the way here.’

Julian paid a little attention to the state of his own Mana.

Although the amount he had given the fox was not very large, it was still Mana he should have been able to use for something else.

Moreover, he still did not know when the Dragons would appear again.

So, Julian decided to find a place to rest for a while. He also still needed to understand his latest condition, which had been delayed earlier.

Before continuing the journey, Julian picked Felicya up again, the girl he had put down earlier. The girl said nothing, only leaned back lazily as if that was how it was meant to be.

That was how Julian reached the cave, where a Rank-E monster was. Julian had intended to seize the cave to stay in for a while, but he had not expected the fox to charge out right away to protect him.

’More precisely, it was trying to protect its food, though.’

An awkward smile formed in his mind. But, once again, the little fox itself did not understand its own strength or its opponent’s strength.

The moment Julian saw the monster intend to attack the fox, Julian did not waste even a little time and raised his hand, killing the monster in an instant with Frostgrave.

Julian was not very happy about having to use his Mana again, but he clearly could not let the little fox die right in front of him.

In the next second, right after the monster was killed, Julian frowned slightly, finding the fox staring at him with wide eyes.

’Oh... Could I have scared it?’

Judging by how its body was trembling, it seemed so. Julian felt somewhat relieved that, at least, the fox turned out to be able to recognize danger after Julian showed what he could do.

If not, how could this soft ball of fur survive in a wild place like this?

As it was, it would surely be killed quickly!

Thinking about that made Julian wonder how this fox was still alive until now.

There must be a reason behind it.

With a small sigh, Julian found that the little fox did not look like it wanted to run away. More precisely, its small body was already too frightened to be able to run.

Even its nine tails, which had kept moving before, now looked wilted, while its two ears drooped slightly.

”...”

What should be done about this?

Julian then blinked, and once again he put Felicya down without any warning, which made Felicya look at him lazily yet somehow demandingly.

That gaze lasted only briefly, but Julian noticed it before he turned his attention back to the little fox.

Afterward, he approached the fox.

”Sorry, are you scared?”

A light and careful touch was necessary to show that you were not dangerous. So, Julian worked at that, lifting the fox into his arms, then stroking its thick, soft fur.

He did it slowly, making sure the movements of his hand were not too sudden.

The fox still looked frightened, not looking any better at all. Fortunately, Julian still had several other ways to try.

”...In return, and as thanks for trying to protect me, how about some food? You’re not full yet, are you?”

It felt strange, thinking about how he was trying to talk to the fox, at the very moment he himself understood that the fox did not understand a word of what he said.

However, though awkward, Julian endured all that and extended his hand, now full of Mana, once more.

The fox looked up, staring at him with the same fear. But, a flash of surprise appeared on its face, as if it were trying to understand what Julian was doing.

Its eyes shifted from Julian’s face to his arm, then back again.

Even though the Mana that had so captured its attention before was now right in front of it, the little fox did not come closer right away.

Then, nearly a minute passed like that. When the fox finally moved, it seemed to have found something in its small mind, and began absorbing Julian’s Mana once more.

Its movements still looked hesitant at first. But, after a few moments, its small body slowly began to look calmer.

’This is good progress!’

Julian smiled with satisfaction in his mind. Then, slowly, he stood up from his position, still holding the fox.

His gaze then turned to Felicya, who was sitting on the ground. Surprisingly, her eyes were not closed as usual; instead they were open, staring at the ground below her.

The girl sat quietly, but showed no sign that she intended to go back to sleep.

Then, as if she noticed Julian’s gaze, she turned slightly, looking at Julian with her golden and white eyes, then looked at the fox in Julian’s grasp.

There was no expression on her face, but she quickly looked away.

”...”

Surprised by that unexpected action, Julian approached with some worry and crouched across from her.

”...Felicya? Is something wrong with you? Does something hurt because of that Dragon?”

Remembering that Felicya was a reincarnator made Julian realize how foolish the question he had thrown out was. Why on earth was he talking to Felicya as if she were still a little child who could not take care of herself?

But, since Julian did not know anything about Felicya, he could only say whatever might seem reasonable.

Who knew, while Julian was asleep, Felicya might have received a serious wound somewhere.

Something that would trouble even this girl, even with her true age.

However, Felicya only glanced at the fox Julian was holding and turned her face away again.

This time, Julian noticed that her gaze did not even linger long on its face.

”What could be wrong?”

Her voice was lazy and flat.

But, it was enough to leave Julian stunned.

’...Normally, she would just say ”no,” but she is taking the time to say more words?’

It was obviously not normal.

It felt so uncomfortable that Julian truly wanted to ask directly what the reason was. But, remembering Felicya, this girl surely would not give any answer.

So... What was wrong here?

Julian frowned slightly, then he remembered Felicya’s gaze that kept fixing on the fox.

At first it was fine, but afterward, it felt to Julian as if he had flipped a light switch in his brain.

’Oh... Could she be angry because I am carrying this fox?’

Could Julian call that jealousy?

Or was it simply anger because a fox had taken her place?

While thinking that, Julian looked at Felicya, who kept staring listlessly at the ground. Strangely, Julian could not help letting out a hollow laugh in his mind.

’...So her attitude matches her own body after all.’

Julian had never expected this. That Felicya, who was perhaps actually hundreds or even thousands of years old, was currently acting childish over something that need not have made her like that.

For some reason that actually made her look adorable.

”What?”

Realizing that Julian had been looking at her for quite a while, Felicya turned and looked back, asking again.

Her emotions and expression were still as usual, but for an unknown reason, Julian felt as if he could see more.

That listless face might be pouting and unhappy right now. Wasn’t that also the real reason Felicya responded to Julian’s lingering gaze?

When he remembered that Felicya cared about nothing except sleeping, even if Julian were to stare at her for hours.

”It’s nothing.”

Since she had tried to hide all those feelings, Julian decided to respect Felicya’s effort and say nothing about it.

As for the matter of being carried, Julian looked at the little fox, which now seemed full and content.

Then, Julian lifted it onto his shoulder.

”Stay calm there, okay?”

The little fox moved its body slightly when its position changed. However, it did not leap away right away, only looking at Julian for a moment before going still.

Julian then shifted his gaze to Felicya.

Because first of all, he still needed to do something about the little girl who was older than Julian.

Meanwhile, on top of Julian’s shoulder, the adventure and second Chapter of the little fox’s life had stepped further ahead!

She had to avoid the possibility of becoming emergency food or being enslaved, and find a way to escape!