Serene’s POV

It was coming from the woods near the Training Ground. A wild animal had probably scampered too near. Zeph jolted to his feet and unsheathed his sword. I didn’t have my bow so I got ready with my shield to defend Zeph and myself.

Then I saw golden-orange pair of eyes staring at me from behind a tree on the border of the woods. The same eyes I had protected today, they held no hostility.

"Zeph, it’s that Sumire, look." I pointed to where it was hiding behind the tree, staring in my direction. Zeph peered in his direction and lowered his sword a bit but remained sharp. The creature seeing us relaxed and began to prance in our direction on all fours.

It moved magnificently, it’s fur glistened under the sunlight. I watched it with keen interest as it drew near and stopped at a distance of a few feet from me. Its posture was relaxed and it didn’t appear to be posing any threat to us. Maybe it just wanted to see me one last time before disappearing into the wild. I wanted to pet it so I took a step toward it involuntarily.

"Careful Serene, it’s still a wild creature," Zeph warned me, keeping his voice low.

"It’s ok, Zeph. I don’t think it will hurt me." I raised my hand in front of me and moved onward, keeping eye contact with the creature. It was almost the size of a werewolf but its body was leaner like a jaguar.

It didn’t budge as I slowly took a few more steps toward it. It lowered its head and whimpered, Was it still in pain?

I touched its head and it purred to my touch, moving closer to me, wanting more of my pats. I lowered myself to the ground and began to stroke its head and neck.

"Hey! Gorgeous, this is what you wanted?" I smiled at it and it purred some more. Zeph stepped forward as well and tried to stroke it but it growled at him. Telling him to keep away. I burst out laughing while Zeph raised his hands and stepped back.

The creature moved closer to me and rubbed its face with my cheek as if saying thank you for saving its life. That made me giggle.

"I am really not liking its affection towards you." Zeph stood beside me with his arms crossed, a scowl playing on his perfect face.

"Don’t be jealous now, look how adorable it is." I was holding its face in my hands as it purred some more with its eyes closed.

"Yahh, yahh, I am very much looking." Zeph didn’t seem very thrilled at the prospect so I grabbed his hand and pulled him closer to the creature.

"Pet him, now." Zeph extended his hand once again, unwillingly. But the creature didn’t growl at him anymore and let him stroke his thick fur.

"It’s so soft," Zeph murmured in a surprised tone and I nodded my head.

It didn’t want to leave my side and for the rest of the day wherever I went, it followed me. Heads turned from all directions. Everyone was curious about why it was following me around.

Lavaria and Mariela Sensei tried to take it back to the woods but it would just whimper and howl in pain. I pleaded with them to let it stay. My heart pricked hearing it whimper.

They finally discussed it with Artins Sensei and he permitted me to keep it within The Institute premises. Mr. Ameer was asked to keep an eye on the creature and provide it with food.

Sumire’s were not violent creatures, they only attacked when provoked. They also had a high score on IM (Intelligence Meter) so they were smart and understood who was a friend and who was a foe.

By the next day, it became friends with everyone and would let them pet it. It stayed outside my room at night and when I came outside the next day, it was still resting outside the door.

"Hey! Buddy, did you have a good sleep?" I patted him on the head and it licked my hand to show its affection. Its big eyes held intelligence as if it understood everything.

"What should I name you? You need to have a beautiful name like you." It just stared at me with its eyes wide.

"Seems like you made a new friend." I looked up to see Arlo walking towards me. He was to accompany me to classes today as per Artins Sensei’s orders.

"Yes, it hasn’t left my side since yesterday. I am trying to think of a name for it." I replied getting up and facing him.

"How about Suri?" Arlo said while eyeing the creature. Its ears stood up and its tail began to wag behind it.

"I think it likes the name. Don’t you Suri?" I asked the magnificent creature and it rubbed itself against my legs. Arlo smiled at its action and patted Suri on the head.

"Arlo, I need to check up on Kilamin before going to classes," I informed him as we began to walk and he nodded.

Reaching the Infirmary I instructed Suri to stay outside and went in. Kilamin seemed much better than before and Mariela Sensei had permitted him to leave the Infirmary.

"Serene, continue with your studies but we will halt training for a few days," Kilamin informed me.

"Sure, I have to get to the classes now. But can we at least spar later, if you are feeling up to it?" I inquired.

"Why not? I will wait for you on the Training grounds. Go enjoy your classes." I left with Arlo, and Mr. Ameer took Suri away while I had classes. It whimpered slowly as it went with him.

The day went by in a blur and morphed into the evening. Kilamin was waiting for me with two swords and to my surprise, Suri was there as well. It was circling Kilamin and was wagging its tail, vehemently.

Zeph and I were utterly surprised to see that and wondered what was going on.