"After I carried you outta there and towards Roy, The HYDRA's descendant changed. It started protectin' that head, and glarin' at us. According to Mr. Aldis, Falias and he, took that as their cue that the giant creepy crawly was important to it somehow, and that by losing it, the guarded head was probably weaker.

  That terrifying fight continued, and it kept...glarin' at us, but Mr. Aldis didn't know if there were more bugs in it or if that one bug was all. Not only that, But Mr. Aldis had been fightin' it for most of the day. He was too weak to continue fightin' it and guessin' where to cut.

  Did'ja 'know? Meow-er...Meowbo? He-"

  Mrah! Meowbo is-mmph?! *Fwah!* Hey!! Remove your dirty han-!

  "... *Ahem* ...He retired after an injury during Roy's birth. Somethin' beat 'im up real bad and killed Roy's momma. He settled here with Roy...and me."

  I. DON'T. CARE! Let me go and-

  Huh? Roy and you? You guys are...related? Then why are you in a campsite instead of-?

  "Pfft, I can tell what you're thinkin' Meowbo. Your big eyes are curious, huh?"

  ...No. Not really. Not at all. To emphasize my stance, I even turn my eyes away with lots of disdain, but he doesn't look like he believes me.

  "Well, I'm not related to 'em. Apparently, my pops was a noble. Reeeeally important, that."

  ...What? This kitten-obsessed child who always camps outside the village gate with a semi-permanent scowl is nobility?

  "Heheh~ Surprised? I was, too when I first heard about it. I mean, if I'm a noble, did that mean my poppa and momma, *Ahem* I mean, did that mean my father and mother were really rich? Did they control land of their own? Oh, I bet SWARMS of villagers paid them taxes for protection and stuff, huh? Heheh, imagining so many people payin' attention to me, that's kinda scary."

  The raven haired youth sports a flushed grin, unlike the usual scowl he's known for.

  "Momma...is said to have smelled like Cha-mo-mile and Roses. I dunno what Cha-mo-mile is, but I do know what Mr. Aldis said. My momma was very head-strong and independent. He also said that my pop-er, father, was trying to protect the townspeople he was in charge of, and did something bad outta desperation. It backfired and got them 'condemned'. Apparently, that's also the reason why Roy's momma died and he had to retire."

  ...Mr. Aldis...why tell a kid like this that his father was a major douche? Does he feel bitter at the kid for the crimes of his parents? But then...why raise him? Mrah. Medieval people, they're all weird.

  Ah, Rei set me beside my bowl of food. Finally! Real food and not just apple slices!

  I grab the wooden spoon inside and use it like a human. Huhu, was he so distracted he forgot that cats don't use spoons? Mrah, fine. This future adventurer will humor you.

  Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

  "But don't get me wrong! Mr. Aldis raised me! He's really kind and takes care of me, a-almost like Roy! I chose to leave because I didn't feel right taking advantage of him when my dad got his wife killed!"

  *Slurps* 'Almost' huh? If even a kid can acknowledge the difference in treatment, then you fail as a parent, and as an adult. No discussion. *Slurp* Yum.

  "But... I know BECAUSE he raised me that...he couldn't beat that thing. He's powerful, but not fully healed. So I...I wanted to step forward...to DO something that day, but my legs, they wouldn't listen. But Roy's did. Roy moved."

  Mrah. That's normal. I don't know how old he is, but he clearly isn't 13 yet. Probably not even 12. Maybe something between 9-11 years old...?

  "His shirt burned off and some...weird symbol was there- I saw it! He never moves that fast! And-And- he took Mr. Aldis's weapon that he wasn't strong enough to lift and shouted something; then BOOM! A cut made of magicky-stuff sliced through one of the thing's necks! The bug inside got cut too! He collapsed after, and I brought him back, then it attacked us non-stop while Mr. Aldis desperately tried to defend us, even losing an eye and breaking his arm, but Roy...that guy was awesome. Unlike me who just froze."

  Hum. So you feel an inferiority complex brewing, huh? Even forgetting that it was you who charged in there without any weapons and saved Roy and me.

  Also, isn't that normal? Freezing up when he isn't your real dad and treats you differently, Roy IS his son and probably moved on instinct. I mean, nothin' was holding him back.

  Hold on - actually...that IS weird. Why wasn't Roy 'afraid' to fight it? Rei is probably a year older if Rei left with Mr. Aldis and Roy was an infant. Though they look similar in age, so he can't be THAT much older. Yet he's scared, so...uhm...

  Mrah, who cares! More importantly! That sounds like a skill! Like in a game! Roy musta' done it unconsciously! Me too! I wanna learn that!

  But wait...?

  "Mrah, meow, mrah, mrah?(What about the other necks?)"

  "Hm? What is it?"

  Oof, you're hopeless. I thought you understood me better than those brainless villagers! Here, let me show you.

  I get up and walk proudly on my two legs towards him, then I use my claws to draw in the dirt. A magnificent and not terribly ugly Chameleon hydra thing with 4 heads. I cross two heads out and circle the other heads.

  "Mrah.(These.)"

  "..."

  What? Why are you looking at me so weird? Just answer! This silence is embarrassing!

  "... The other two heads? Ohh, you're asking who killed it... uhm, nobody. It's still alive."

  ...

  "It stopped attacking and entered the Forbidden Woods. Mr. Aldis didn't pursue. Roy's body was heating up and his face was pale, so..."

  "Woof.(If it was just the HYDRA descendant, we could've killed it in a matter of moments. But having to target those insane insects that regenerated it in a second. It also seemed to have never-ending stamina and magic. Compared to our built-up fatigue and injuries, Aldis didn't dare. Roy took priority.)"

  Oh, doggy-sensei! They have a wooden sword in their mouth. Probably for Rei's practice.

  ...Mr. Aldis is willing to travel far away with a broken arm and a missing left eye for Roy, but just lets Rei camp outside with his pet dog teaching him? Knowing that creature is close to the village? It's weird.

  ...

  ...

  ...

  Huhuhu, I know how to cheer him up!

  Nyaha!

  "Mraa!"

  Doggy sensei limps to Rei and drops the wooden sword by Rei's feet.

  NOW!

  Nyaha~

  I snatch it in my mouth and take off running like a normal cat.

  "Ei- Meowbo-wait!! Get back here!"

  I run slow enough for him to follow. It's a good thing doggy sensei let me take it without reacting. Huhu, now I can lure them to my secret spot!

  "Meowbo, what's gotten into y- woah..."

  As expected, Rei stops running, absolutely awestruck no doubt, at how awesome my place is. A nice clearing surrounded by trees and thorny bushes, but I found 1 single hidden path. There was a river cutting through beside it, I have yet to make a pathway reaching the river closeby, but that's fine. More importantly, look!

  I spit out the wooden sword and rise to my back two feet, then I grab the sword. Ugh, it's heavy. A bit too big for me, but one swing should be enough.

  Hyah!

  "Mraa!"

  *Swoosh!*

  "...?! Meowbo, you...that stance..."

  Huhu, that's right, punk. You don't have time to worry about Roy's ultra cool magic skill! If you're not careful, This ultra cool future cat-venturer will catch up to you!

  "Woof.(That's the sword swinging stance that Aldis taught them. The tree marks and those small sticks that look sharpened by cat claws...I see. How silly.)"

  For some reason, doggy sensei is more interested in the mana all around the place, then my amazing demonstration that no cat should normally perform.

  Hmph! Fine, whatever! Ignore me then! I'll surpass both of y- mraa?!

  "Oh, Meowbo! You learned how to walk and swing a sword because you wanted to encourage me, didn't you?!"

  Uh...no...? Why would I-?

  "Thank you, Meowbo! Although I'm worried 'cause the adults don't like us entering the Forbidden woods, especially after that monster went inside of it. But I guess it's fine! It's on the outskirts anyway and so close to my camp! There's practically no difference! Meowbo. Let's train together!"

  ....My name's not Meowbo. Also stop hugging me.

  But okay, human child. Huhu, I am used to this small, feline body now. I will share my secret training spot with you both in exchange for your teachings. Make me the strongest kitty alive!

  "Woof...(With this much mana, it's no wonder his monster blood awakened for a mere moment that day. I just hope...)"

  ---