Chapter 3.27 - Monday, July 18th, 1.51am

After returning home with Dómr's daughter, I entered the house, while patiently waiting for her to sleep as I check on Restia and that man.

The moment she did, I head out once again in the dark with what's left of the first-aid kit.

…Seems like she's going to have a good dream today.

…………………………………

It's roughly 2 am by now.

However, I don't feel the least bit sleepy.

There's no way I could after I've slept for a whole day.

While walking under the darkness, there's only a High-Power LED torchlight to light my path.

…I hope I won't lose my direction.

But the most important thing is… Ruby needs to be there. If she isn't, I need to reconsider my role as her master and the person she loves the most.

Come to think of it… looks like this is the first time we were separated for so long.

It's all Nightmare's fault— even if its half of me, I WILL NEVER FORGIVE HIM.

To me, Ruby is a precious existence.

Two years ago, when I first woke up at Mattanarafa's house— Ruby at that time, was still an egg.

…A pink ruby egg which had self-awareness and moves by itself.

Mattanarafa's parents are the best doctor I'd ever known. From humans to magical beasts, it could be said that there's no such thing in this world that they could not perform a surgery on.

However, even they couldn't understand Ruby's existence.

If I weren't there for her, she would've been dissected by them years ago.

When Ruby hatched, she was at the size of a 1-year-old child with cat ears and a pink tail— and she was extremely attached to me ever since her birth.

To Ruby, I may be like her father, even though I'm just a kid. However, she sees Restia more towards a sister, if not, a friend.

She calls me 'papa' at first, but it's weird since I'm just a kid, so I decided to let her call me 'master' afterwards— and she prefers this too.

We left Mattanarafa's place after two months and returned on this island, Ruby showed me her ability after a few months later.

Her ability to transform herself into her beast form— a pink cat, or either in her beast-kin form— a pink cat girl.

Dad told me that every magical beast could shapeshift themselves if they learnt how to transform with human-transformation magic.

However, in Ruby's case— her transformation does not require magic or even mana, but stamina instead.

You could say she was born with this special ability, and instead of slowing watching her shift her form between beast form or beast-kin form, she goes with a 'pop' sound with pink-coloured mist engulfing her.

After a year, Ruby once again showed me another ability that shocked even dad to the core.

Her ability to transform into any kind of mammal she wants— in both forms. She could easily transform into another type of beast, or transform from beast to her beast-kin form, vice versa, within 5 seconds.

However, there are several restrictions to her transformation.

She's only limited to mammal-type magical beast or beast. Hybrid magical beast such as gryphon, manticore, et cetera, which contains fusions of different types, is impossible.

She cannot transform into mammal-type monsters such as goblin, ogre, orcs, cyclops, minotaur, et cetera.

She cannot transform into mammal-type dungeon monsters such as hellhound (bearer of death), lesser behemoth, et cetera.

She cannot transform into a mammal-type magical beast from hell's realm (Cerberus) and heaven's realm (Pegasus).

She could not transform into mammal-spirit type magical beast such as Kitsune, Nekomata, Kelpie, et cetera.

She could not transform into cursed mammal beings such as satyr, centaur, et cetera.

She cannot mix or fuse her transformation into something like a half cat, half dog hybrid in both forms.

She could not change her colour— it will be pink no matter what she changed into.

In her beast-kin form, she would always remain the same size in her 4-year-old form— as for her beast form, it would appear as a 4-year-old beast depending on the size of that magical beast at that age.

It takes five-second for her to transform. It must not be interrupted during those five seconds or else she would revert back to her original cat form or cat beast-kin form.

Frequently changing would make her exhaust her stamina, but she could manage up to 237 changes per day (currently the latest), and it's increasing— without magic to replenish her mana.

When she's in her beast-kin form, she could transform part of her limbs into beast form. For example, instead of human hands, it could be tiger claws or cat claws instead, instead of human legs it could be horse hoofs.

By the way, when Ruby is in her beast-kin form— she had four ears, just like any other beast-kin.

She had two ears on top of her head, and two ears like humans do. But when she transforms into mammals with horns such as cow, goat, or antelope— she would've had horns on her head.

Obviously, her human ears had the same function as humans, while her beast-kin ears receive higher sound frequencies which humans' ears couldn't.

Magical beasts had their unique vocal, howling, roaring, chirping, singing, et cetera. However, this is only limited to the same species— but for Ruby, she could receive and speak at almost any frequencies she wants, but only limited to mammal type magical beast.

But here's a problem.

Mammal type magical beasts reproduce by giving birth.

In Ruby's case, she's hatched from an egg— yet Mattanarafa's parents confirmed that she's a mammal-type magical beast.

To them, Ruby's case is unprecedented. Her origins are indeed, a mystery.

Nevertheless, to me— all of that could go down to the drain.

Because… Ruby is just a kind innocent little girl who's a family to me, that's all.

"Hah… Hah…"

…Finally, I reached the border of the forest.

The lake is just inside.

The last time I came here together with Ruby was a year ago— it's not that long. At least, not long enough for Restia to forget about this place.

Hold on… not only Restia, but it also seems both of my personalities seem to forget about that too.

…Guess I will sort that out myself later.

Wait for me, Ruby.

I'm coming for you.

…………………………………

"Myaster……?"

As I walk in between the trees, I heard Ruby's voice from afar.

It's not exactly loud. And instead, just a murmur.

Yet, I heard it loud and clear.

A voice that was filled with utter surprise and hints of fear.

Even if I turn off my flashlight, as expected of Ruby, she heard and even remembered the sound of my footsteps.

However, it doesn't seem like she will be running straight to me just like two days ago. In fact, there's a chance she might run away.

…I better stay quiet and continue to move.

This way, she won't understand my motive— and she would take time to think and react.

Because I knew once I give a reply, she would run away without a second thought.

Where is she…?

"…!"

Found you— under the Celestial Luminous.

Go!

BAM!

With an outburst of my right foot, I—

"Guh!?"

THUD.

—tripped.

…It hurts.

"M… Myaster…!!!"

When I realize, I tripped just right within Ruby's line of sight.

Thankfully she didn't run away and instead, she's running to me.

She could see where I am because she had night vision.

“Myaster… are you okay— H-Hyaah!?”

With Ruby just right in front of me, I grab onto her as hard as I could.

"… I'm sorry, Ruby." I murmured.

"N… N-No…! Let… Let Ruby go…!"

It's as if she realized, Ruby struggled to escape from my hug.

"Never…!" I uttered.

"Ruby is a bad cat… R-Ruby… Ruby hurt Restia and master with these claws…!"

"I POINT A GUN AND EVEN SHOT YOU WITH A PIERCING BULLET…!"

"…………!"

She was reminded of that. How Nightmare shot her with a piercing bullet.

"Myaster……"

After Ruby murmured for me with a weak voice, she stops struggling, returning a hug with her body trembling.

It doesn't seem like she would run away anymore.

After our hug, I then push her back a little.

"L-Let me take a look at your wound…!"

I pull her bloody shirt down on her right without letting her resist, revealing her right shoulder.

FWIP!

"……!"

It's… all healed.

There's nothing left but a scar— of a bullet hole.

She got… thinner.

I gently place my finger near her scar and touch it gently.

Pulling her in, I hug her tightly once again as I bit my lips from the frustration.

"… I'm sorry, Ruby— I'm really sorry…" I murmured.

This scar— will forever become a reminder to me. I will NEVER, EVER, forget that Nightmare is the cause of this scar.

"Myaster…?" Ruby suddenly calls me.

"What is it…?"

Letting some distance, I notice that her ears twitched for a brief second.

"Are you… my real myaster…?" She asked.

…She could always tell who am I.

"Ruby… I'm not worthy of being your master any more."

"No…!" Ruby refused by shaking her head. "Myaster will always be Ruby's myaster…!"

Ruby pounces onto me.

The snuggles from her head on my chest… is still a proof that she loves me for who I am.

"…But I—"

"It's not myaster's fault!"

"Stop it!" I yelled at her, which she immediately flinched. "If… If my aim's not accurate during that moment— that bullet might hit your head…!"

"But myaster didn't…! Ruby know myaster would never miss that shot…!"

"How… could you have so much faith in me…?" I inadvertently muttered. "…Even if I shot you with a gun…?"

"Because myaster is Ruby's myaster. Myaster is a warm person… Ruby wants to have delicious meals and snacks with myaster!"

"………………Ruby."

…The thought of her forgiving me never crossed my mind even once.

The guilt that was kept in me for two days— was saved by her words.

I embrace her, crying with everything I have.

…………………………………

"…(Sniff)."

"There, there… Ruby is here…"

After about a minute I cried, Ruby is now giving me a head pat to calm me down.

"Myaster…"

Suddenly, Ruby grabs my cheeks with her hands to face her.

"Is papa and mama… really gone…?" She asked, with a sad gaze.

It seems like she made a reflection on herself over these two days. Looks like she's ready to hear the answer now.

"…Yes," I answered with a tender smile while patting her head.

"Does papa and mama… hate us…?"

"Then, do you think so?"

"…Ruby wants to believe in papa and mama."

"N." I murmured. "Please continue to believe in them, Ruby."

"T-Then… why did papa and mama leave us…?"

"Your papa and mama… already planned to leave us even before I was born," I said.

"…Eh?" Ruby muttered with a stunning look. "Why?!"

"I don't know," I replied. "But your papa left a test behind for me."

"Another papa's test?"

"N. This test is meant only for me, Ruby— not even you are Restia is allowed to interfere."

"R… Restia…" She murmured. "H-How is Restia…?!"

"You've made a really big mistake. You almost killed Restia."

"U-Uuuhhh… Nya…! I… I'm sorry…… I'm sorry…!!!"

Ruby bursts into tears while burying her head onto my chest.

"Restia is fine," I said. "However, I'm sure she needs this apology more than me."

"…N-Nya… Ruby will apologize as many times as she wants…"

"That's not enough." I reminded her. "You are going to accept your punishment."

"Please… Please don't cast Ruby out…!"

"…Three days, Ruby," I uttered. "You aren't allowed to leave this place for three days."

"N… Nya…?"

She would be safe here.

I realized she's been living here for two days— with enough food and water. After all, she's more or less a magical beast. I'm sure she could survive for another few days.

I also did this to ensure my personalities' and Restia's memory loss.

"However, if either I or someone else came here during these three days, you are allowed to go home."

"…Nya."

She obediently accepted.

"I'm going to leave now, Ruby."

"N-Ngh……!"

She's going to cry.

Pulling her closer to me, I stroke her head.

"Nya…"

Her tummy.

"N-Nyaa…!? It tickles…! Nyaa…!"

Her tail.

"N-Nyaa… Nyaa…!"

She licks and gently bites me on my finger.

"…Phew. Ruby meter fully charged…!" I said.

"N-Ngh……"

She seems exhausted, as well.

"…three days." I reminded her.

"Nya… Myaster…!"

Unwilling to leave me once again, she gave me a tight hug for one last time.

"Myaster meter charged…!"

…I really don't want to leave her alone— but I don't have a choice.

Picking up my stuff, I look at Ruby with a sad expression.

"…Goodbye, Ruby."

With an unwilling weak-looking wave of goodbye, Ruby watched as I disappeared into the dark.

"Please come back soon… myaster. Ruby will wait here…"