Morning came softly, washing the outer sect in warm gold.

The eatery buzzed with its usual life, disciples moving in and out, the scent of roasted meat, herbs, and fresh bread filling the air. Conversations overlapped, laughter broke through occasionally, and somewhere in the distance, someone argued loudly about portions.

At one of the longer tables near the window...

Bahamut sat quietly, one arm resting on the table, the other holding a piece of roasted meat. His blindfold was back on, tied neatly, his posture relaxed yet grounded like always.

Opposite him sat Lily, her chin resting on her palm as she stared at him without even trying to hide it.

To his right, Exildra sat elegantly, cutting her food into neat portions, though her eyes occasionally drifted toward Bahamut and Lily with faint amusement.

And beside Lily...

Alana.

The cow beast-kin leaned forward slightly, chewing slowly, her eyes moving between the three of them with open curiosity.

"You’re staring again," Bahamut said flatly, taking a bite.

Lily didn’t even flinch.

"I’m admiring," she corrected, her voice calm, but her tail flicked behind her betraying her mood.

"Admiring what?" Bahamut asked.

"Everything."

Bahamut paused mid-chew. Exildra snorted softly, covering her mouth.

Alana blinked.

"That’s... bold," she muttered.

Lily shrugged casually, though her face was slightly red. "I’ve already accepted it. No point hiding it now."

Bahamut sighed.

"Troublesome fox..."

"And yet, you like this troublesome fox," Lily shot back instantly.

"Eat your food."

Exildra finally laughed, her shoulders shaking slightly.

"You two are ridiculous."

"And you’re enjoying it," Bahamut said.

"Very much," she replied without hesitation.

Alana leaned forward a bit more, clearly entertained.

"So... this is how you people normally talk?"

"This is toned down," Exildra said calmly.

Alana blinked again.

"I’m scared of what ’normal’ is then."

Bahamut ignored that, taking another bite.

For a moment, things settled into a comfortable rhythm.

Clinking utensils.

Soft chatter.

Morning calm.

Then, Exildra placed her fork down. A small, almost mischievous smile appeared on her lips.

"I have an idea."

That alone made Bahamut pause.

Lily narrowed her eyes.

Alana leaned in even more.

"That’s never good," Bahamut muttered.

Exildra ignored him.

"How about we spar?"

Lily’s eyes lit up instantly.

"I’m in."

Bahamut turned his head slightly.

"You didn’t even hear the details."

"I don’t need to," Lily replied with a grin. "If it involves fighting you, I’m always in."

Alana tilted her head.

"A spar... with Master?" she asked, looking at Bahamut with interest.

Exildra nodded.

"Yes. But not just a spar."

Now, Bahamut was suspicious.

"Explain."

Exildra’s smile widened just a bit.

"A small duel between the three of us... against you."

Bahamut blinked.

"That sounds unfair."

"For us," Lily corrected immediately.

"For you," Exildra added calmly.

Alana covered her mouth, trying not to laugh. Bahamut clicked his tongue.

"Go on."

Exildra leaned forward slightly.

"The rule is simple. We take turns fighting you one-on-one. Whoever lasts the longest... wins."

Lily’s tail flicked excitedly.

"I like where this is going."

Alana nodded slowly.

"Same..."

Bahamut narrowed his eyes behind the blindfold.

"And the reward?"

Exildra and Lily exchanged a glance, and they smiled dangerously.

"The winner... gets to sit on your lap anytime we meet for a week," Exildra finished.

Alana choked slightly on her food.

Bahamut froze.

"...What?"

"You heard us," Lily said, completely serious.

Alana coughed.

"That’s... wait... that’s the reward?! Sit on Master’s lap?"

"Yes," Exildra said calmly. Alana looked at Bahamut and back at them, then back at Bahamut. 𝙧𝙚𝙚𝔀𝒆𝓫𝓷𝙤𝓿𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝙤𝓶

"You’re not getting anything out of this?"

"Nope," Lily said cheerfully.

Bahamut slowly placed his food down.

"So I’m the prize?"

"Yes."

"And I don’t get a say?"

"No."

"And if I refuse?"

Exildra tilted her head slightly.

"You won’t."

Bahamut was quiet for a second. Then he sighed.

"You’re right."

Lily grinned victoriously.

"Good choice."

Alana laughed this time.

"This is insane... I love it."

Bahamut stood up, stretching slightly.

"Finish your food. If we’re doing this, we do it properly."

Lily jumped to her feet immediately.

"I’m already done."

"You weren’t even eating," Bahamut said.

"Details."

Exildra stood more gracefully.

"Let’s go then."

Alana quickly finished the rest of her meal in a few bites and stood up as well.

"I’m not missing this."

...

The public training arena of the outer sect was already active.

Disciples sparred across different sections, some practicing techniques, others watching and learning. The sound of impacts, footsteps, and occasional shouts filled the space.

But when Bahamut walked in, things shifted. People noticed. Then they noticed who he was with: Exildra, Lily, and Alana.

Whispers spread.

"Is that...?"

"No way..."

"Again?!"

"They’re together?!"

"This guy..."

Bahamut ignored all of it. He stepped into an open section of the arena and stopped, rolling his shoulders slightly. The girls stood a few meters away. Lily cracked her knuckles, Exildra stretched lightly, and Alana looked between them, excitement clear in her eyes.

"So... who goes first?" she asked.

"I will," Lily said immediately.

"Of course you will," Exildra replied.

Lily shot her a look.

"You scared?"

Exildra smiled.

"Hardly."

Alana raised her hand slightly.

"Wait... are we actually going all out?"

Bahamut answered that.

"Yes."

All three girls turned to him. His posture had changed slightly. It was subtle, but noticeable.

"Don’t hold back," he added.

"Wasn’t planning to." Lily grinned.

Exildra’s eyes sharpened slightly.

"Good."

Alana exhaled slowly.

"Alright then."

Lily stepped forward, her aura rising faintly. Her tail swayed behind her as her eyes locked onto Bahamut.

"Try not to go too hard on me," she said, though her tone carried challenge.

Bahamut tilted his head slightly.

"No promises."

The air between them tightened into excitement, tension, and anticipation. Behind them, more disciples began to gather, sensing something interesting was about to happen.

And just like that, a simple breakfast turned into something far more entertaining.

...

The air in the training arena shifted. What began as playful tension hardened into something sharper... heavier. Lily stepped forward first. Her stance lowered, her body leaning slightly like a predator about to pounce. Her eyes glowed faintly, her tail swaying in slow, controlled arcs behind her.

Bahamut didn’t move. He just stood there, relaxed... waiting.

"Don’t blink," Lily said softly.

BOOM!

The ground beneath her feet cracked as she launched forward, her speed explosive, her claws tearing through the air as she aimed straight for his chest. Bahamut tilted his head slightly.

SWISH!

Her strike passed just inches from him. It was a clean strike. She twisted mid-air, her leg snapping toward his side.

THUD!

Bahamut caught it. Lily’s eyes widened slightly.

"Too slow," he said calmly.

"Not yet!"

She twisted her body unnaturally, her free leg snapping upward toward his jaw while her claws came down again.

BAM! BAM! BAM!

A rapid exchange erupted. Claw met fist, leg met forearm. Their movements blurred, fast and sharp, each strike carrying real force behind it. The ground beneath them cracked further with every step, dust rising around them.

Lily grinned mid-exchange.

"This is what I wanted!"

Bahamut’s expression didn’t change. He stepped closer, and her next strike faltered for just a fraction of a second. That was enough.

THUD!

His palm struck her shoulder enough to break her balance completely. Her body spun, and before she could recover, a second hit landed on her midsection, sending her skidding across the ground. She rolled twice before catching herself, breathing heavier now, excitement still burning in her eyes.

"Okay," she muttered. "You’re still ridiculous."

"Next?" Bahamut said, already looking away from her.

"Hey!" Lily snapped, but she didn’t move forward again, because she knew she had already been overwhelmed.

Exildra stepped forward, graceful and calm, but her eyes were sharp.

"You don’t hold back, do you?" she asked.

"You asked for it."

Exildra smiled faintly.

"Good."