After arriving at the Black Serpent's place for training and having a short conversation, they rested for the night. The next morning, they went hunting for food.
"Alright, let's finish it off."
They waited for the three storms to move far enough away from their position so they could attack more accurately.
"The three storms are moving away from it now. Let's seize the moment and take it down!" —Naturlog
"Mm." —Black Serpent
Naturlog created a huge square cannon and fired a continuous barrage of metal blocks at the giant eagle. Meanwhile, the Black Serpent camouflaged itself, slithering between the trees to launch a surprise attack if the eagle fell or got distracted.
Bang bang bang (gunshot sounds)
"You dare challenge me?! I'll tear you apart!" —the eagle
It charged at supersonic speed. Just as it was about to reach Naturlog, the Black Serpent struck from behind—biting into its neck and injecting deadly venom, nearly killing it on the spot. Naturlog followed up with a relentless series of punches using two massive square metal gauntlets, breaking every bone in its body until it died.
"You… didn't know… I was here…" —the eagle
"Impossible…" —the eagle
"Agh—" —the eagle
"You…" —the eagle
It vomited black blood, its skin turning purple. Before it could do anything else—
Thud thud thud…Crack crack…
"Finally dead. Let's take it and eat." —Naturlog
They dragged the body away, plucked the feathers, roasted it over a fire, and ate. For the first time, the Black Serpent transformed into human form to eat and prepare for Naturlog's training. Although Naturlog was a bit surprised and lost focus during combat because of the Black Serpent's human appearance, he gradually got used to it.
Crackle crackle (fire sounds)
"This eagle will be our food for all three meals today. It'll also help us recover." —Black Serpent
Then the Black Serpent shifted into human form: long black hair, golden eyes, wearing a sleek black one-piece dress, an oversized black coat with golden stripes, snake-themed accessories, stockings, high heels, and a large snake tail swaying behind her—very imposing and curvaceous.
"I've transformed into human form now~ What do you think? Am I pretty?" —Black Serpent
"You…"
"Hehe, I forgot to mention—I can turn into human form (both genders)." —Black Serpent, flicking out her snake tongue
'Her human form is really beautiful… but still not as good as mine. Wait—why am I even thinking that?'
'Whatever, forget it.'
"Alright, let's eat."
"Hey." —Naturlog
"What?" —Black Serpent
"Besides that cat, do you have any other acquaintances?"
"Yeah, I have a master who's also my friend. But she's going through a crisis right now."
"So why is she like that?"
"I think… loneliness."
"Hmm… After training with you, I want to go find her."
"Hehe, you're smarter than I thought~" —Black Serpent
"You think I'm that stupid?"
"Alright, after we finish eating, I'll teach you how to fight. Then I'll guide you further."
Now it was time for Naturlog's training with the Black Serpent. The Black Serpent explained that she could only teach him basic combat techniques—for advanced martial arts or weapons, she would take him to meet her master.
"You shouldn't punch around randomly like that."
"Hyah!"
"So… how do I do it properly?"
"Simple. Close the distance first, or make your enemy lose patience. Get them angry, make them reckless, create an opening, then strike."
"Oh, I see."
"That's right, little lady~"
"You…"
"Hyah!"
Thud thud thud
"Ouch… that hurts!" —Naturlog
"That's how it's done."
"Now next: you can glide to increase speed when closing in. To counter it, use your reflexes to dodge, block, or counterattack if you're confident."
Whoosh (gliding sound)
"Like this—hey!"
Swish (dodging sound)
"You're actually pretty good. With your potential and speed, if you go find her to train your body and power, you'll be set."
—In the afternoon—
They finished the basic training steps.
"I've taught you the basics. Now go." —Black Serpent
"Thanks, I…"
"Oh right, I almost forgot—here's a map. It'll help you find her."
"I'm off then."
"Remember to come back safely and thank me, little lady~~"
"I know, no need to say it."
"Hehe."
After the training, Naturlog returned to the giant tree, went inside the trunk, and saw Amiya doing geometry problems even though she was still very young. Kal'z had already taught her literature, all kinds of languages, programming, history of this verse (though Kal'z "conveniently skipped" about 50%), law, and most importantly—the thing Kal'z emphasized the most: medicine. Everything else (like technology, civics, ideology) would be Naturlog's responsibility.
"Finally back to this place."
Whoosh (teleport sound)
"So this is inside the trunk… so flat."
"Hey, what are you two doing?"
"Oh, it's you, Naturlog! You've been gone for almost two days. Where did you go?" —kal'z
"Yeah!" —Amiya
"I went to train so I can get stronger."
"Oh, I see."
"By the way, what are you and Amiya doing?"
"I'm just teaching the little girl more knowledge—math, literature, languages, law… everything except tech, civics, and ideology. Those are your job."
(This cat deliberately didn't teach Amiya morality or civics because it knew that even if Amiya could become someone who doesn't care about others, with her personality across nearly every universe—especially this one after Theresa's death and Babel's fall, raised well by Theresa, the Doctor, and Kal'tsit—plus the environment around her, she could still become (or already is) a good person.)
"Alright then, I'll head out first. Take good care of the little girl, okay?"
"I'm doing fine, no need to remind me."
"Oh wait—why don't you stay tonight? It'll be easier to leave in the morning. I just finished baking three apple pies. Let's eat together."
"Okay." —Naturlog
Later they had a fun evening, chatting and enjoying each other's company.
"Hey, can you tell me… how can I make myself grow taller?"
"I won't go into details, but right now your body is very… special and different. As for how exactly, I'm not telling~"
"-_-"
"Wow, so delicious! Uncle Cat, where did you learn to bake like this? It's amazing!" —Amiya
"-w-, it's a secret~"
"Big sis, do you want me to style your hair? This current style doesn't look that good…"
"I…"
"I agree! Let the little girl style your hair. I'll join too~" —kal'z
"You…"
Because of Amiya's adorable pleading face and voice, plus kal'z egging her on, Naturlog finally gave in.
"Fine…"
After a while of the two constantly changing hairstyles, both Amiya and kal'z agreed on this final one (similar to the character Libur from Park Jong-seok's manhwa Player).
"So…"
"What about clothes? These feel a bit tight."
"Clothes? This style is perfect already."
"-_-"
"It's late. Let's go to sleep."
After that, they went to bed. Naturlog had another strange, different dream.
"Good night, everyone!" —all three