The head deputy of Discipline Committee

I was at a critical moment as my dantian slowly took shape.

This process greatly taxed my mind, yet I didn't dare relax my control, afraid of any mistakes.

Finally, it was completed. One tiny droplet of sweat traveled down my temple as the spiritual energy entered smoothly, going in and out as I wished.

At such a moment, I should have been happy about my success, but I suddenly got an idea.

My new dantian is incredibly small. It would stay that way until the next realm.

On the other hand, the Body Reconstruction realm is mainly for straightening your physique. This realm will not help to increase the spiritual energy you possess.

So, while my dantian is still quite malleable, should I force it to grow further?

The more I kept thinking about it. The more reasonable it seems to become.

Steeling my resolve. The leisure Qi in the air suddenly stirred and happily flowed inside me to be refined.

My new dantian was being reinforced and expanded at an abnormal speed.

Feeling the growing power inside me. I was very satisfied until I unexpectedly coughed up blood.

The current process was extremely delicate. Such an abrupt interruption made me lose control, and energy wreaked havoc throughout my body.

The blood started dripping from my nose as I tried to regain control.

"Huff…huff"

I took a deep breath and another, trying to calm myself.

Losing any more blood would be disastrous.

However, I couldn't do it. The pain was unbearable as if I were being sliced by countless razor-sharp blades.

Mind me, I was not a crybaby. Yet, coming from a modern society, I never experienced such intense pain.

Time passed as I grew desperate; I was unwilling. There was no way I was dying here today.

I was at the end of my rope, but due to my strong will and persistence, I finally managed to stop the raging torrent in my body and cut off any new energy trying to enter.

Relief flooded my mind before I directly collapsed to the ground.

'I am so stupid.'

I thought, before finally losing consciousness.

>>>>>>>>>> 

With the sky darkening, the sun began its slow descent behind the horizon, its golden rays slowly fading from sight.

Such a view welcomed me as I groggily woke up.

I expected to be awakened by sharp pain, but surprisingly, there was none of it.

I even feel energized.

"…"

I stayed on the ground for a few more minutes, checking my situation.

My body was still the same. I didn't grow any muscles, despite this, my body felt much stronger.

If it were me when they had bullied me, I would probably beat them up without any issue now.

Lastly, but most importantly, my dantian; who knows if I didn't ruin it?

It was only the size of a grain seed. Yet its size was now comparable to that of a golf ball.

Running the energy through it. The process was incredibly smooth.

'What?…'

I thought, my brain confused.

It would have probably taken me a bit more time before I could stop the turmoil in my mind. If not for something suddenly touching me.

No, no touching. Did it lick me?

My head turned in the direction of the offender.

*Happy fox noises*

Standing there was a silver fox, cute and fluffy if you ask me.

The fox, seeing me staring at it, became even happier, wagging its huge tail like a dog.

"Eh?"

My brain, which started working not long ago, had even more questions.

On the other hand, the fox remained obvious to my inner turmoil.

It helped the injured human. Yet after walking up, the human seemed paralyzed, worrying the fox.

Now, seeing a female human is fine. The fox couldn't help but lick her a few more times.

"N-no, stop, not my face."

The human seems to say something. Yet, the fox didn't understand.

'Does she want to play with me?'

The young fox thought, intensifying its licking and rolling on the ground with a funny human.

-After a while-

I finally managed to handle this friendly and overly energetic fox.

Lying on my lap, it became very obedient as long as I kept scratching behind its big ears.

"What a cute fox are you?"

My voice was a tad softer; with babies and animals, I am just like that.

*Happy fox noises*

The fox expressed its contentment as the human petting technique was quite good.

Suddenly it turned its body, demanding the belly rubs.

"What a spoiled fox you are?"

I said but complied with its request.

*More happy fox noises*

At that moment, I wasn't aware of it, but my expression looked extremely dotting and tender. The gentle warmth emanating from my presence made my charm irresistible, enveloping those around me, and making them feel at ease.

It was like the sun shining brightly, driving away any darkness. Radiant, yet not scorching, gently in its nature.

Seeing Rose like that would shock Nico and Emily. Their cheerful but reserved friend was smiling so warmly.

Unfortunately, the sweetness of such an expression was only reserved for the innocent souls of animals and the chubby faces of babies.

Other than that, no one else had been able to bring such a genuine smile to her face.

"WOW…"

I suddenly murmured.

It was already dark. The only source of light was the hovering full moon and paper lanterns that floated around.

Such a peaceful atmosphere was broken when some blue eternal visage emerged from the forest.

I stood up, ready to run away from the coming spectra. Yet, when the fox rubbed my leg as if saying that everything was fine, I decided to stay.

The visage came closer, and I could finally understand its shapes.

A deer, a crane, a wolf, a bear, a weasel, and more. The multitude of animals.

All of them looked at me with what seemed like 'curiosity'?

Originally, the Spirit Shrine was created for disciples to facilitate breakthroughs, purify their Qi, and overcome bottlenecks.

I had no idea that there were spirit beasts here.

Spirit beasts are different from other beasts because they are usually friendly towards humans.

The monster tamers especially prized them, and now, in this place, there are at least dozens of them.

Leading their group was a white tiger, looking a bit intimidating.

Just a step before me, it stopped, towering over me. Then, it slowly started materializing; the other animals followed suit.

I wasn't surprised by this action. I remembered that spirit beasts had two forms: one eternal and the other physical.

It looked at me with its cold blue eyes, as if wanting to intimidate me. My knees became shaky, and just as I couldn't hold anymore…

*growling*

The pressure disappeared, and I finally let out the breath that I was holding.

*Tiger growls*

*Fox noises*

'It seems that they are communicating?'

I thought, as the white tiger didn't pay me any attention and was currently looking at the silver fox.

Their communication didn't last long, and soon enough, the tiger looked at me and 'snorted?' Before walking away pridefully with the other animals.

'Eh, did I do something wrong?'

I pondered.

*Sad fox noises*

"Are you okay?"

I asked, crouching down to the fox.

*More sad fox noises*

"You have to go, don't you?"

I asked, getting a gist of it. If I could, I would play with it more, but it can't be helped.

Comforting the fox took quite a while before I finally let it go. It glanced at me one last time like an abandoned puppy before taking on the eternal form and dashing into the forest.

"Sigh…"

I looked at the shining moon. It's definitely past three hours.

Am I getting into trouble again?

>>>>>>>>>> 

I was preparing to get scolded, yet when I opened the heavy gate, there was no one there.

Not only did the guardian of the shrine not keep an eye on the time when I should have left. She wasn't even protecting the gates now.

'That's really unfortunate but well, I better hurry to the dorm~'

I thought.

It was really dark now. If not for the lamp posts built near the paved road. I would probably get lost.

Still navigating in such darkness on my way back was quite troublesome; especially because I didn't exactly remember how I got here.

Don't blame me, the environment at night is just too different.

It was so quiet that the only noise was the sound of my careful footsteps.

I don't believe in ghosts or other phantoms, but didn't I meet some specters not long ago?

In the end, they were just spirit beasts, but still, this lonely road looked too spooky; I already got goosebumps.

I was extremely alert as I trod the pavement until…

Something suddenly caught my shoulder.

I freaked out so much that I almost jumped out of my shoes.

What the hell? Can there really be ghosts there? Maybe that's the reason a curfew exists.

Yet, as I turned around, I was met with something much worse than a ghost.

"Well, what a surprise to find you here."

She was smiling, but not really.

Head Deputy of the Discipline Committee, why just why?

I guess I had used all my luck earlier.

Last time, I couldn't see her properly, but now, because of the surrounding lights; I can.

Wait, did her hairstyle change?

Last time, she wore her hair tied up with a ribbon, looking like a perfect immortal.

Yet now she had a wolf cut. Despite her long hair, it looked quite good on her, giving her this additional wildness.

Wasn't she said to be a beast? Getting her human form not long ago? I can see that now.

The other thing that caught my attention was the lack of a badge every enforcer should have carried.

'Is she off duty? If so, then there is no need for punishment. Is it?'

I thought, reasonable. Yet, my hopes were crashed soon after.

"Give me your token. I am going to deduce your points."

She said, not giving me any chance.

'NO! Deducing my points would affect my grades. I am unwilling.'

I thought.

"Are you giving it or not?"

She asked shortly after, seeing my reluctance; not at all amused.

"Aren't you off duty?"

I finally said firmly, despite her somehow intimidating appearance.

"Yes, and what?"

She answered back, confused at what I was getting at.

"Well, as per sect rules, you can't exhibit your influence as a member of the Discipline Committee when not on duty."

I spouted a bunch of bullshit, having no idea if that's true.

"Ha! Are you going to argue with me about what I can and what not?"

Her always-not-amused expression turned more savage with a smirk placed on her lips.

Such a devilish smile would have probably made most people flustered.

Nevertheless, I remained standing straight, not showing any signs of intimidation.

"I believe the head deputy of Discipline Committee wouldn't do something like abusing her authority on the new disciples."

I said righteously, making it almost into the story of me getting bullied by her.

"You have a sharp tongue, don't you?"

She said lightly, seemingly not taking me seriously at all.

In our conversation, she somehow came closer to me. She was tall, no she was towering over me.

The girl who saved me from the bullies before was tall, but only for a female. This woman, on the other hand, is probably taller than my original height in my past life.

She stared at me with her scrutinizing eyes.

Now looking at it, her eyes really don't appear human. Such animal and predatory gaze make me feel a bit uneasy.

Other than that, she looks completely human, without a cute cat tail or ears, unfortunately.

"Huh…you should go. I do not want to see you sneaking out at night again."

She finally let go, her expression returning to its natural state as if it had been there the entire time.

I unconsciously let out a triumphant smile; who doesn't like to win an argument?

Then I looked at the road, which split into two paths.

'Which was the one leading to the dorm?'

I thought, with my poor memory and no marks in sight; I was confused.

"You are so helpless…"

A tired voice suddenly said.

Before, I could have reacted.

A slender hand clamped onto mine, pulling me along as I followed blindly behind her, my vision obscured by the woman's imposing tall figure.

'Hmph, helping me now? Well, I guess you still have some subconscious.'

I thought as the mean girl led me home.

Completely disregarding the fact that, to begin with, it was my fault for going out at night.