Despite the rough awakening by Captain Yami and the intense sparring that followed, Kael had managed to survive his first official week as a member of the Black Bulls. Between unexpected monster invasions, exploding furniture, and a very suspicious pie incident caused by Gordon, he had grown quickly accustomed to the squad's chaotic rhythm.
But there was one thing that continued to surprise him.
Charmy Pappitson.
The tiny, food-loving powerhouse who could go from adorable fluffball to terrifying glutton mage in half a second. She had taken a particular interest in Kael from the very first night.
Today, however, would be different.
Today, she hugged him.
---
Breakfast Blitz
The morning started like most: with Charmy hoarding pancakes.
"Mine!" she shrieked, clutching the entire plate of steaming syrup-soaked deliciousness as Magna tried to sneak a bite.
Kael sat at the far end of the table, sipping from a cup of herbal tea Secre had made him. He'd just finished early dawn meditation with Lyra, his spirit of light, and was feeling calmer than usual.
Charmy noticed.
She walked over, cheeks puffed with food, dragging a tray nearly as big as she was.
"You look hungry," she said through a mouthful of omelet.
Kael blinked. "I'm not, but… thank you."
She sat beside him anyway. "You eat too little. That's no good. You need energy."
He chuckled. "You remind me of someone I used to know… always stuffing others until they gave up fighting."
She looked up at him with round eyes. "Did it work?"
Kael smiled. "Yeah. Every time."
She offered him a half-eaten croissant. He took it, warmth blooming in his chest for reasons he couldn't quite explain.
---
Fields of Fury
Later that afternoon, Yami sent the squad on a routine patrol near a small farming village that had reported mana disturbance in the nearby forest.
What started as a quiet investigation quickly turned dangerous.
A horde of mana-mutated boars—glowing with sickly purple energy—burst from the forest. Villagers screamed. The squad sprang into action.
Kael was quick on his feet, using elemental shaping and short bursts of anti-magic to subdue most of the beasts without killing them. He moved with precision, cutting through corrupted vines and shielding villagers.
But one beast—larger than the rest—snuck behind them toward the wheat fields, where Charmy had wandered off chasing the scent of potatoes.
"Charmy! Behind you!" Kael shouted.
She turned just in time to see the monstrous boar charging.
In a flash, Kael vanished from where he stood.
He reappeared between her and the beast, arm raised.
CRACK!
The boar's tusks clashed against a rapidly summoned elemental barrier of crystalized earth and flame.
He held his ground, muscles burning, eyes locked.
With a mighty yell, he twisted and sent the beast flying back with a blast of compressed wind.
Charmy stared at him in wide-eyed silence.
---
The Hug
Once the threat had passed and the villagers offered their tearful thanks, the Bulls began their trek back to the base. But Charmy didn't walk with them.
She stayed beside Kael the whole way, silent, thoughtful.
As they approached the gate, she tugged on his sleeve.
"Kael?"
He turned. "Yeah?"
And before he could react, she stepped forward and hugged him tightly around the waist.
Kael froze.
Her small body was warm. Her arms were strong—surprisingly so. Her head rested against his chest, soft hair tickling his chin.
"Thank you," she mumbled. "You didn't have to… but you still did."
Kael's breath caught.
He lowered his hand and gently hugged her back.
"Of course I did," he whispered. "You're part of my family now."
She squeezed tighter. "You smell like cinnamon bread."
He laughed.
That was the first time anyone in this world—aside from maybe Secre—had embraced him like that. With trust, not just gratitude. Not just respect.
Real affection.
> [System Alert: Bond Deepened – Charmy Pappitson: Affection Level 3/5]
[Trait Gained: Glutton's Shield – When protecting Charmy or fighting alongside her, Kael gains +10% magic defense and stamina regen is doubled]
---
Bulls' Teasing
When they finally got inside, Vanessa raised a knowing brow. "Aww, was that a hug I saw?"
Magna snickered. "Dude, that's faster than Luck's first mission crush!"
Charmy puffed up like a pufferfish. "Say anything, and I'll summon a food golem to sit on your face!"
Kael just walked past them all, smirking.
"I don't know what you're all talking about," he said coolly. "I was just rescuing a valuable meal source."
Charmy tackled him again from behind. "I'm not a food source!!"
Kael let her cling to him while the rest of the squad erupted in laughter.
---
Reflections Under the Moon
That night, Kael sat on the rooftop with Secre again. She said nothing, just watched him out of the corner of her eye as he stared at the stars.
"She hugged me," he said after a long silence.
Secre smirked. "So I heard."
"I didn't think something so simple could… feel like that."
Secre's smile faded to something softer. "It's not simple when you never had it before."
He nodded, the stars mirrored in his crimson eyes.
> [System Message: Checkpoint Synced – "First Hug" – Emotional Bond Tier Achieved]
[Unlockable Perk Tree Expanded: 'Emotional Resonance' Available]
A new path opened in his system—one that didn't rely on power alone.