Lila wasn't pushing, she wasn't demanding trust. Maybe that was okay. Maybe he could cope with her presence if she didn't expect anything from him. They weren't friends.
She rummaged in her satchel, pulling out a small leather book, its edges worn.
She stared at him, her eyes wavering.
"Look, I… I know you don't trust me. I get it. I messed up—bad. But if you're serious about Cresthaven, you need more than a tough fox."
She hadn't seen Mara fight or do anything like that, and for she knew, Kael was magicless. But something told her that there was more to it, she looked him over, he was in the forest, alone with this cute little fox, it was dangerous and they could both end up dead. He looked tired and a bit beat-up, he looked like someone who had been in a fight all this while.
He wouldn't try to get into Cresthaven Academy if he didn't have something up his sleeves, and it definitely had something to do with this fox.
She held up the book.
"This was the last gift from my pa. It's notes on beast-taming. Not just bonding, but understanding them. In here are tricks most people don't learn."
Kael's eyes narrowed. "Why tell me about it? If I am to get into Cresthaven, then aren't we...Rivals?"
Lila sighed, setting the book between them, not forcing it into his hands.
"Because I owe you. Thom was my friend, and I didn't stop him... I should have."
Kael frowned. "And you think a mere book on beast taming riddles would undo the damage—"
"No."
She cut in, her voice laced with pain. "It won't, nothing I ever do can remove the weighjt of my actions... I'm really sorry..."
Her voice cracked, and she looked away, blinking fast. "Let me help... that's all I want to do."
He stared at the book, then at her. Her eyes were steady now, no tears, just resolve.
Mara sniffed at the air, then she strolled to Lila, nosing her knee. Mara jumped slightly at Lila, snuggling at her feet.
Kael's brows rose, Mara was warming up to her?
"Fine," he said at last, picking up the book. Its leather was warm, worn smooth by years.
"What in it?"
Lila's face lit up, looking a bit relieved.
"Lots. Like how to read your beast's mood—little signs, like ear flicks or tail curls. Or how to sync mana with them, make your bond tighter..."
She paused at that, from what she knew, he didn't have any mana. So most of the knowledge in this book would be useless to him... that's if she was right.
She pointed at Mara. "Try this: close your eyes, feel her presence around you... Her heartbeat...her instincts. It's like… borrowing her senses."
Kael hesitated, then he closed his eyes, focusing on Mara. He had always felt their connection through soul bond, now, he just had to look for the bond that threaded them together.
It didn't take him long to find it.
He felt it. A thread, warm and alive, tying him to her. Her pulse was quick, alert, but calm.
Then something else flickered, something sharper. A flash of scent (pine, earth), a twitch of sound (leaves rustling).
Kael gasped, his eyes immediately flying open.
"I… smelled the forest... Like she does."
Lila grinned. "See? That's the start. Keep practicing, and you'll move like one unit, not two."
Kael returned the smile, they both went quiet now. She had been right, something is a bit wrong. Mara's not just a pet, he has to be bound to her in some way.
She smiled now, it was a real smile. She was happy for him. At least now, he had a chance at life, a chance at protecting himself from the cruelty of fate.
She leaned forward, excited now. "Another trick: beasts love signals. Pa taught me to whistle for Tallow—different notes for attack, guard, or follow. Try one with Mara. Something simple."
Kael frowned, unsure, he didn't want to leak Mara's secret. But Mara's gold eyes locked on him, waiting.
He pursed his lips, let out a short, sharp whistle—two notes, high then low. Mara's ears perked, and she hopped to her feet, circling him once before sitting.
Kael laughed, stunned. "She got it. First try."
"Told you," Lila said, smirking. "She's smart. You're lucky."
She showed him a different other things that they tried together.
She paused, then added, softer, "You're good at this, Kael. Better than I was at start."
He shrugged, uncomfortable with her praise. Maybe she was still feeling sorry or something.
"Thanks," he mumbled, flipping open the book. Sketches of beasts filled the pages—wingspans, claw lengths, notes on tempers and diets.
"Your pa knew a lot."
"Yeah," Lila said, voice distant. "He'd like you... I think.
Kael stared up at her, his brows knitted in a serious expression. Their eyes locked for a moment, then she laughed out loud. It was a quiet laugh, but it had a soothing effect on Kael, it felt alive.
It felt real.
"Stubborn, like him." She smiled again, and this time, Kael didn't look away.
He returned the smile.
They spent the afternoon like that—Lila sharing tricks, Kael testing them. She showed him how to direct a little of Mara's attacks, determining just how much effect her attacks had.
Lila was a bit confused though, Mara was too small. The size of the fox couldn't do anything to hurt anyone. It was useless in a real fight.
However, she still taught him dedicatedly, and he learnt.
Mara and Tallow played, the elk's bulk no match for Mara's speed, their mock-chases kicking up dirt.
For the first time in a very long time, Kael felt… not happy, but alive.
Yes. Alive.
Like he could breathe without breaking. Like he could speak without someone punching him, without another throwing stones.
As the sun wound down, Lila stood, brushing grass from her knees.
"I should head back. Aunt'll worry."
She looked at him, hesitant. "You're welcome at ours, you know. If you need… anything."
Kael nodded, slower this time.
"Maybe."
He still didn't trust her, but maybe this was a crack in the wall. "Thanks, Lila."
It was the first time he called her name, it sounded...there was no venom in it. It was subtle and calming, as if she didn't have to worry about anything ever again.
She smiled.
"See you around... Kael."
She whistled for Tallow, and they vanished into the trees, leaving Kael and Mara alone in the clearing.
He sat back, Mara's warmth against him, and opened the System again. Bond Sync: 30%.
It was progress.