Dinner officially ended when my finger—well, paw—finally cramped from scrolling through StrataLink.

I dramatically pushed the plate toward Soren with one paw and waved the other at him like a benevolent ruler granting permission.

’You may eat now, peasant.’

Soren looked at the plate, then at me, then raised a brow. "...You’re full?"

I nodded very seriously, then immediately stole one last bite from his side just to make sure.

Only after that did I graciously gesture again.

Satisfied, he finished his meal, and the moment he stood up, I already knew what was coming.

Yep.

Up I went—carried like luggage again.

We exited into the garden, and the instant cool night air brushed against my fur, my mood instantly improved by at least seventy percent.

The sky was dark, but not empty. Two moons hung above—one large and pale, the other smaller with a faint bluish glow—casting silver light across the floating island. It reflected off the streams, glimmered on the leaves, and turned the entire place into something straight out of a fantasy postcard.

I froze.

Then my eyes sparkled.

I pointed dramatically at the scene in front of us, looked back at Soren like are you seeing this too?, then jumped down before he could pick me up again.

Freedom.

I strutted forward like a tiny explorer, tail raised high, head swiveling left and right. I sniffed flowers. I inspected glowing plants. I stuck my nose too close to a softly humming crystal and immediately recoiled.

Okay. That thing bites.

I walked along the stone path, stretched my neck to peer into the water, and startled myself when my reflection stared back.

"...Nyang?"

Translation: Who is this majestic creature?

I puffed my chest slightly.

Soren, meanwhile, simply sat on a nearby bench, one arm resting casually against the backrest, watching me roam around like I owned the place—which, honestly, given how this day was going, I probably did.

I zigzagged through the garden with great purpose. Climbed a decorative rock. Got stuck halfway. Pretended it was intentional. Laid flat on the grass for exactly three seconds before popping back up because ew, dirt.

Eventually, my energy bar hit zero.

I trotted back, hopped onto the bench beside him, curled my tail neatly around myself, and leaned back like an old man enjoying retirement.

Soren glanced down at me. "Did you have fun sightseeing?"

I nodded enthusiastically.

Then paused.

Then nodded again, just to be sure he understood.

I tilted my head back, gazing up at the twin moons, their light reflecting in my eyes. My tail swayed slowly, brushing against Soren’s arm without me realizing it.

After a while, Soren spoke, "Should we go see your room?" 𝚏𝕣𝕖𝚎𝚠𝚎𝚋𝚗𝐨𝐯𝕖𝕝.𝕔𝐨𝕞

My ears shot straight up like twin antennas. ’My room...’

MY. ROOM.

No sharing. No accidental tail-stepping. No mysterious dragon wings invading personal space at night. I could sprawl. I could starfish. I could rotate like a rotisserie chicken in my sleep.

"Nyaaang!"

Translation: LET’S GOOOO!

I jumped off the bench so fast my paws almost slipped, then immediately pretended that was intentional. I trotted after him with purpose, tail swishing like I was inspecting real estate I already owned.

The room Soren chose was right next to his bedroom.

...Convenient. Slightly suspicious. But acceptable.

He opened the door, and my eyes instantly widened.

Big bed. Soft lighting. Tasteful decor. Plush carpet. A window that opened to the night sky. And—oh? OH?—a balcony that connected both rooms.

’So I can escape if needed. Excellent.’

I nodded with deep satisfaction, like a tiny landlord approving construction.

Soren crouched and rubbed my head. "Sleep early. I’m next door, so call me if you need anything."

"Nyight Soren!" I chirped, waving my paw enthusiastically like a kid being dropped off at camp.

"Have a good night too, Blanca," he said, smiling.

Then he left.

The door closed.

Silence.

One beat.

Two beats.

I launched myself at the bed.

I rolled left. Rolled right. Rolled diagonally. Rolled upside down. Crinkled the freshly folded sheets with zero remorse. I rubbed my face into the pillows, kneaded the mattress like it owed me money, then flopped dramatically onto my back, belly exposed, limbs splayed.

’Peak luxury achieved.’

"Miss Blanca, are you satisfied with the room?"

I froze for exactly half a second.

Then my soul tried to exit my body.

I shot straight up, fur puffed, back arched, tail bottle-brushed, hissing like I had just been possessed.

"Nya—HSSSSS—?!"

There was.

A person.

Standing there.

Inside my room.

My heart was doing parkour in my chest.

I stared at her. She stared at me. We stared at each other in mutual assessment—me deciding whether to fight or flee, her deciding... probably nothing. She looked way too composed for this.

"Miss Blanca, are you satisfied with the room?" she asked gently again, as if she hadn’t just shaved five years off my lifespan.

’Why haven’t I noticed a person standing there...?’

Did she teleport? Is this manor haunted? Is she a ghost maid? Is this a stealth assassination attempt disguised as customer service?

As if reading my thoughts, the woman immediately bowed. "Please don’t be afraid, Miss Blanca. I am Agatha, your personal maid from now on."

I tilted my head suspiciously.

’WHEN DID YOU ENTER.’

’WHY DID I NOT HEAR YOU.’

’AM I LOSING MY SURVIVAL INSTINCTS OR IS THIS A HORROR MOVIE.’

She smiled apologetically. "My apologies again, Miss Blanca. Since I am a dove beast type, we are trained to move quietly and remain unnoticed unless needed."

...Remain unnoticed?!

My soul did leave my body then. It just came back out of spite.

I slowly sat down, ears flicking as I examined her properly this time.

’Dove beast, huh.’

I relaxed slightly and finally took a good look at her. She was small—maybe around 4’8"—with soft gray hair speckled with tiny white diamond-like spots. Her eyes were a warm orange, gentle and observant.

’A diamond dove,’ my brain replied helpfully.

Of course. Stealth premium edition.

I exhaled and relaxed completely, then flopped back onto the bed like nothing had happened, spreading out dramatically.

"Nyang," I declared.

Translation: You almost killed me, but fine, you’re cute.

Agatha let out a tiny, relieved smile. "I’ll take that as a yes."

She stepped closer and began adjusting the sheets I had absolutely destroyed within thirty seconds of arrival.

"So... do you require anything before resting, Miss Blanca? Water? A snack? A blanket adjustment? Ambient lighting preferences?"

I nodded, then paused.

Then pointed at her.

Then at the door.

Then mimed knocking.

Agatha blinked once.

Then nodded solemnly. "I will knock next time."

I gave her a thumbs-up with my paw.

She bowed once more and quietly—terrifyingly quietly—slipped out of the room.

I closed my eyes, fully prepared to drift into peaceful, well-earned sleep.

...Five seconds later, I was staring at the ceiling.

Why was sleep suddenly a premium feature? Should I call Agatha to accompany me?

But what if I call her and she’s already standing right next to my bed, breathing quietly like a well-trained horror movie extra?

I shuddered violently at the mental image.

’Nope. Absolutely not. I choose life.’

My thoughts drifted again.

But then another thought crept in.

Wait.

Everyone here... how do they even get up to this floating island?

I hadn’t seen an elevator. No staircase. No dramatic spiral stairs for rich people aesthetics. Which meant—

’Only flying beastmen can come up here?’

This place was literally a floating island.

Then what about Mikael? What’s his beast form? A dove? A hawk? A polite butler falcon?

’Please don’t tell me he’s also a stealth bird.’

My brain, refusing to sleep, pivoted aggressively to finances.

I flipped open my OmniSync and searched ’Academy Tuition Fees’.

————————————

Top result: Imperial Artificers Academy

→ 98,576 IC

→ Energy stones are provided for every student

→ Food, housing, and student services not included.

————————————

I squinted.

Excuse me?You charge THAT MUCH and don’t even feed me?

————————————

Second result: Imperial Academy of Excellence

→ 55,346 IC (Imperial Crown)

→ Includes housing, food, and student services.

————————————

Oh wow. Look at that. Reasonable, balanced, and a steal.

But nooooo, I had to go to the one that eats energy stones for breakfast.

I scrolled further, reading explanations.

Because the Imperial Artificers Academy required massive amounts of energy stones for training and experiments, tuition was separated from living expenses.

Sure. Makes sense but painful for everyone’s pocket.

Then I remembered the number Soren transferred so casually earlier.

I checked again.

150,000 IC.

I froze.

That wasn’t tuition.

That was "don’t ask questions" money.

I converted it roughly in my head, trying to compare it to US dollars.

...Yeah.

I stopped.

Soren had transferred it like he was paying for coffee.

My soul left my body briefly and returned with trauma.

"That’s... reasonable," I muttered to myself, nodding slowly.

Which, to be fair, wasn’t a lie.

In my past life, every single tutor I had earned around 50,000 monthly. Private lessons. Personalized curriculum. One-on-one teaching from top-tier professionals.

So technically, going to a physical school was cheaper

...Wait.

I checked my account.

Zero.

0.00 IC.

I gasped so hard my tail stiffened.

Zero balance.

ZERO.

In my entire past life, I had never—never—experienced this level of financial disrespect. My cards were always full. Overflowing. Abundant.

This was an insult.