Wait… a hidden task?
Veronica blinked in confusion. Wasn't she told it was impossible for her to form contracts...? Before she could question further, the system's voice chimed in, this time sounding oddly nervous.
"Host, I will be temporarily going offline. I need to run a full analysis on this situation."
Even the guide system did not know anything. What the heck was going on?
Just like that, the connection was cut, leaving her alone with more questions than answers.
"Tch. Great help you are," she said, sarcastically rolling her eyes.
Whatever, it didn't matter. She turned to glance at the little demon fox trailing behind her.
Gone was the mature, seductive beauty from earlier. Now, the fox looked like a pouting child swimming in oversized clothes. The dramatic drop in appearance only made the situation more annoying.
"Shoo, stop following me." Waving her hand as if trying to chase away an annoying fly away. She really did not want a demon fox as a pet. Someone please take this fox away!
Behind her, Yukime stomped her foot in frustration. "Do you think I would want to follow you? I hate this. Having ties with a human is a disgrace to the fox clan," Yukime cried in disappear. "And now I have to serve a human, a useless one at that! I would rather kill myself!"
"Go ahead," the master responded expressionlessly. Her voice was dry, like she genuinely had zero energy to argue.
She had enough going on already—being chased, nearly drained to death, and now having some moody demon fox stuck to her. It was just... Too much for her.
Yukime looked like she was about to burst into tears.
Veronica stared at her blankly. Did the system downgrade her intelligence along with her power? She sighed. In her current state, the little fox wouldn't last five minutes alone. She would be hunted, devoured, or worse.
That was how this world worked, creatures preyed on each other to grow stronger. It was brutal, cruel, and downright sickening.
And honestly it was her fault the demon fox turned out like this. However if she showed up with a little child following around her at the Ravenshire estate yeah that would surely spark panic.
Veronica came to a stop and glanced at Yukime. "Can you… get smaller?"
Yukime huffed, clearly offended, but still complied, her form shranking down into a palm-sized fox. Unable to resist, she bent down and scooped the tiny creature up into her arms. "Let's go home before I change my mind."
***
Veronica kept up her daily training routine with unwavering focus. Sweat trickled down her temple as she pulled back the bowstring, her breath steady. With a soft twang, the arrow flew and hit the bull's eye dead center.
A small grin tugged at her lips. Progress. She was definitely getting better.
"Host, you're incredible!" the system chirped in her ear with enthusiasm, clapping virtual hands.
From inside her coat pocket, a snort followed. "Tch. Don't get cocky," Yukime muttered, poking her fluffy head out. "So what if you can hit a target? You think that will l save you in a real battle? A bow and bare fists won't stand a chance against someone who can incinerate you with a flick of their hand."
Three faint but sharp black lines appeared on Veronica's forehead as she fixed a hard stare on the sarcastic Yukime. Should she just throw her out right now?
But deep down, Veronica knew what Yukime said wasn't entirely wrong. If she went against a high level magic power user, she wouldn't stand a chance. Yet, that didn't mean she had to just back down and let Yukime walk all over her. She was the master here after all.
"Don't get too comfortable," Veronica warned her. "You are only here temporarily. Once we figure out how to undo this bond thing, we go our separate ways."
Yukime crossed her tiny paws. "Tch. As if I want to stay in your stuffy human nest anyway."
"But host, you should really consider keeping this demon fox around," System 5060 chimed in her head, its voice calm as always. "Once she regains her full strength, she could become a valuable asset."
Veronica snorted. "Valuable? She tried to suck the life out of me five minutes after meeting me. Sounds like the perfect ally."
"She didn't succeed, did she?" the system replied flatly. "Earn her trust for now. It may not seem like much, but a nine-tailed demon fox while not the strongest class of demons, she still holds significant power. With the system glitch still unresolved, and potential threats ahead, we might need all the help we can get."
"Yeah, yeah," Veronica replied offhandedly.
The system had gone silent that day, saying it needed time to investigate what had triggered the contract and the hidden task. But when it finally came back online, it had nothing no reliable answers
"They said there is nothing wrong with the main system," it reported.
So then, what could have caused this sudden activation?
The guide system honestly didn't know. It had run countless analyses and checks, but every time the result was the same, the main system was functioning perfectly.
"Veronica Noire Ravenshire," a booming voice came from behind her.
Veronica froze, who was calling her with her full name? She stiffly turned to see the man who was supposed to be her father standing there, his face grim. Oh no was she in trouble?
"Father," Veronica smiled uncomfortable as she greeted him.
"You wish to attend the academy right? Then prove it. Battle me for it," he declared.
A servant stepped forward, carrying a mysterious box carefully in his hands. Veronica's eyes flicked to it, curiosity and unease mixing inside her.
"Open it," he ordered sharply, his eyes fixed on her.
Veronica hesitated for just a moment, then carefully lifted the lid. Inside lay a gleaming magical sword, its blade shimmering faintly with an otherworldly glow. This must be one of the magical weapons her father had forged. She blinked, confused. What was this old man trying to pull?
"Pick it up," he commanded again, unwavering.
Swallowing her doubts, Veronica reached out and gripped the sword's hilt. Immediately, a crushing weight settled in her hands, almost like holding a boulder. She struggled to keep her balance, how could a sword be this heavy?
Leonard lifted his own sword, the metal gleaming coldly. He leveled it at her. "Try to land a blow on me."
Wait, he knows she can't wield magical weapons, right? What exactly was he trying to prove?!
"System…" she whispered, her voice laced with confusion.
"I have no idea…"