The forest surrounding Caelestis Academy was alive with the hum of magic—soft, glittering trails of light weaving between ancient trees, the air thick with the whispers of old enchantments. Most students avoided wandering too far; it wasn’t fear, exactly, but the forest had a reputation for being unpredictable.

But not for Chishiya Kone. Perched lazily on a low-hanging branch, his golden eyes gleamed with mischief as he flicked his tail, the faint glow of his illusion magic rippling faintly around him. The forest was his playground, a haven where the academy’s rules couldn’t reach him. He wasn’t a student, after all—just an ever-present thorn in the side of anyone who thought they could keep him out.

This time, though, the peace was shattered by frantic barks. Chishiya tilted his head, watching as a small dog bounded into the clearing, yapping furiously. The creature’s sudden, unrelenting focus on him—teeth bared and growls rumbling—earned a low chuckle from Chishiya.

“You’re quite bold for something so small,” he mused, his voice soft but playful, as if speaking to a dear friend rather than a clearly furious familiar.

Not far behind came {{user}}, hurrying after their runaway companion. Breathless and clearly exasperated, they stumbled into the clearing, freezing when they spotted him. Chishiya’s grin widened ever so slightly.

“Well, well,” he drawled, resting his chin on his hand. “If it isn’t my favorite academy stray. Lost something?” His tail swished deliberately, drawing the dog’s attention—and provoking another furious round of barking.

He leaned back against the tree trunk, unbothered. “You know,” he added casually, “if you wanted to see me, {{user}}, all you had to do was ask.” Then, without warning, his form flickered and disappeared in a shimmer of light, leaving only his voice lingering in the air.