A short distance from Isis’s castle in the Land of Death stood a training barrier created by Polaris. Inside were Polaris and Sirius—two of the Death King’s subordinates who were particularly renowned for their tireless dedication to their craft.
Despite their focus, both women currently wore looks of mild perplexity. Their attention was fixed on the edge of the barrier, where Vulpecula sat perched quietly.
"Vulpecula, it’s dangerous to stay there," Polaris said softly. "Are you sure you wouldn't rather go play somewhere else?"
"Kyu kyu!"
Sirius sighed. "I can’t imagine watching us is any fun. What do you think, Polaris-dono?"
"I suppose there’s no helping it. I’d feel guilty forcing her away."
Polaris let out a small sigh and gestured toward Vulpecula. A semi-transparent barrier shimmered into existence around the little fox.
"You may watch if you like, Vulpecula, but it’s for your own safety. Please do not step outside that barrier."
"Kyu!"
"Hahaha, what a spirited answer. If you were to get hurt, Isis-sama would be devastated. Please, be careful."
After emphasizing the importance of staying put, Polaris joined Sirius to begin their session. They weren't holding a mock battle today; instead, they focused on the fundamentals, refining their basic techniques.
They continued for about an hour before pausing to discuss their progress and areas for improvement. It was then that a small cry reached their ears.
"Kyu-kyu... Kyu!"
"Hahaha! It looks like Vulpecula is trying to train, too," Polaris remarked. "Look at her moving her tails like they're fists. How adorable."
"A heartwarming sight, indeed," Sirius agreed. "Her Physical Enhancement Magic is still quite immature—wait."
"Ah... I wonder exactly when our Little Princess learned Physical Enhancement Magic?"
Following their gaze, they saw Vulpecula engaged in something resembling shadow boxing with her tails. While the sight itself was endearing, she was clearly wreathed in magic power. Though her execution was unrefined, she was undeniably using Physical Enhancement Magic.
It was true that monsters with high intelligence could eventually learn to cast spells, and Physical Enhancement was one of the most basic, entry-level techniques. However, when Isis had first brought her home, Vulpecula hadn't even known how to manipulate magic power, let alone cast a spell. To see her using it in less than a month, without a single lesson, was staggering.
"Rasal mentioned that Vulpecula has been absorbing knowledge from the library," Polaris said, her voice filled with astonishment. "But still..."
"No, it’s possible she just learned it this very second."
"What?"
"She likely combined the knowledge she gained from her books with the visual example of our training," Polaris reasoned. "She must have been practicing her magic power manipulation in secret while she read."
"I see. A truly admirable drive for self-improvement," Sirius said, sounding genuinely impressed. As a warrior, she felt a surge of affinity for Vulpecula’s proactive attempt to better herself through observation.
After a moment of thought, Sirius called out to the fox. "Vulpecula."
"Kyuu?"
"If you're going to train, it would be far more effective to have an actual opponent. I shall be your partner. I won’t counter-attack, so feel free to strike me as hard as you like."
"Kyu!"
"A fine answer! Now, come!"
Vulpecula nodded eagerly and charged forward, her tiny body bolstered by her magic. Polaris watched them and sighed once more.
"Good grief. Well, Sirius is highly skilled; she won't let the little one get hurt. In that sense, I suppose I can rest easy."
Though Rasal often teased her as a "muscle-brain," Sirius was a world-class swordsman with a deep mastery of technique and tactics. Naturally, she was more than capable of adjusting her power to suit her opponent and providing proper instruction. She had mentored others in the past when it didn't interfere with her own growth, and she possessed a natural talent for teaching.
"Don't just think about isolated parts of your body," Sirius advised. "Focus on the magic power flow through your entire form. The key is how densely and quickly you can circulate that energy."
"Kyu!"
"Ho... Yes! That was much better. Just like that! Again!"
Sirius spent the next while accompanying Vulpecula in her training. She gently parried the fox's attacks to ensure there was no dangerous recoil while offering precise advice to refine her unpolished technique.
"Kyu... Kyuu..."
"Let's stop here for today. However, that was magnificent. You possess a staggering natural talent, without a doubt. Your movements were transformed in just a short span of time."
"It really was quite a sight," Polaris added, approaching them. "Her magic power manipulation improved visibly—and at a terrifying speed. Dear me, as someone lacking in talent, I find myself quite envious."
"If Polaris-dono lacks talent, then most creatures in this world are utterly hopeless," Sirius countered.
Looking down at Vulpecula, who was now lying flat on the ground from exhaustion, both Sirius and Polaris wore expressions of deep admiration.
"She’s still young, so she can’t quite harness the majority of that massive magic power hidden inside her yet," Polaris noted. "But that will come with time and growth."
"Indeed. Even so, her rate of technical acquisition is marvelous," Sirius said. "The more I advised her, the more she improved. I truly look forward to her future."
"As do I. Now then, Vulpecula... let's get you back to the castle so you can rest properly."
"Kyuu..."
Polaris scooped up the tired fox, and the group made their way back to the castle.
As the youngest member of the Death King’s subordinates, Vulpecula was doted on by all the members of the Mutsuraboshi. While she was a mischievous prankster, she directed her antics almost exclusively toward Sirius and Rasal.
Spica was often too oblivious to notice the pranks, and Polaris reacted with such gentle, heartwarming laughter that it took the fun out of it. As for Iris, pranking her resulted in smaller portions at mealtime—a risk Vulpecula wasn't willing to take. Consequently, she focused on Sirius and Rasal, whose reactions were always entertaining.
The pranks themselves were harmless to top-tier Count-class individuals, though they might have been problematic for an ordinary person. Because Vulpecula was incredibly clever, she often came up with cunning schemes that even the cautious and intellectual Rasal fell for.
However, she never pulled pranks intended to stay hidden; she preferred ones that were discovered immediately, leading to a game of being chased around by a frustrated Sirius or Rasal. It wasn't that she looked down on them; rather, it was the way a younger sister might pester her older sisters for attention.
Though she often used a teasing tone with them, if any outsider dared to insult or belittle Sirius or Rasal, Vulpecula would show her fangs in a fury. Despite her mischief, she truly loved and admired them both.