Chapter 5

While Li Wei was shocked by her sudden autism, Bai Yan spoke again,

Although I really want to terminate the contract with you and set you free, … but the symbiotic contract is too complicated, and I've never heard of any way to dissolve a symbiotic contract except through death.

Just as if she were truly treating Cat as a silent confidant, she crouched there, maintaining an inviting hugging posture, and began to mutter,

I'll help you ask the teacher, it's fine.

I haven't given you a name yet, so our contract shouldn't be valid.

No, it's not a familiar contract, so is naming really necessary…

Her muttering was filled with unease.

Li Wei knew that now wasn't the time for him to speak.

What he needed to play was a reliable little cat that could give people warmth.

So, he didn't continue standing in the cat bag.

He voluntarily jumped into Witch Miss's embrace, stepping on her soft, slightly elastic, fleshy thighs, and stretched out his two cat paws for a hug.

It's a cat.

The most healing animal.

Look at his dark, glossy fur, those golden‑shining eyes, his soft little belly, and those super‑super‑super‑super‑super cute paw pads!

Meow~~

Whine.

Bai Yan pressed her lips, carefully picking up this fragile little cat that looked like it could die from a squeeze.

She took a deep breath to relieve the soreness in her eyes and nose.

She lowered her head, pressing her forehead against the kitten, and gently rubbed it a few times.

Thank you.

I don't mean to reject you.

I just… feel like I can't protect you…

A magic user's contract familiar is meant to assist in battle.

As a meat shield, support, or to draw others' attention…

You're so small… so helpless… you must be feeling very scared…

Bai Yan and the cat were close together, and Li Wei could clearly smell the faint floral scent from her hair, the minty freshener in her mouth, and the pervasive anxiety on her.

Thump, thump, thump.

Even he, pressed against her chest, could hear Witch Miss's uneven heartbeat from tension crystal clear.

No problem.

There's a cat here.

He had wanted to pat Witch Miss's head like an elder, but his claws were too short, so Li Wei only managed to touch the extravagant shutter‑pleat lace on the front of her uniform.

……

The kitten's soft touch steadied Bai Yan's flustered heart considerably.

"Are you encouraging me?"

"Oh right, after all you're a magic cat—can you understand what I'm saying?"

"But with my level of magic… I can probably only summon low‑level monsters…"

"Forget it, why am I worrying about this nonsense here."

As she slowly muttered to herself, Bai Yan also stood up.

She held the little black cat in one hand and patted her skirt with the other.

"I really don't want to go to school; I really hate that place."

Then let's not go.

Anyway, with me here, I'll definitely help you get stronger!

Li Wei felt like an old father raising a daughter, worried and heart‑ached for his daughter who was experiencing a delayed adolescent depression.

But what surprised Li Wei was that when Bai Yan stood at the Teaching Building's entrance, the Bai Yan who had always been withdrawn and timid in his impression suddenly spoke to him with great determination,

"But Cat… I have to go."

"I must become strong."

"So, if the familiar appraisal result comes out today and you pass, can you accompany me?"

Li Wei lifted his head, his bright yellow eyes fixed unwaveringly on this Witch Miss whose face showed unprecedented courage.

Her black eyes were filled with fear and worry, but these negative emotions could not conceal her determination.

With a daughter making such a request, how could a father possibly refuse!

"Meow!"

Without any hesitation, Cat not only gave a response, but even lifted her paw to show that her word was set.

"Hmm!"

Seeing Li Wei's response, Bai Yan finally showed a smile.

It was like a white little flower blooming in the morning with the first ray of sunlight.

Although plain and fragile, it was beautiful enough to make one unable to look away.

Immediately after, she continued smiling and said firmly:

"Cat, rest assured, I'll take good care of you!"

"As a qualified mother!"

Li Wei：？？？

￥￥￥￥￥￥

The parents' argument ended when the preparatory bell rang.

Holding Cat, Bai Yan sprinted up the stairs and reached the classroom just as the class bell rang, sitting down right after the teacher.

After the Magic Revival, the class was not as fantastical as Li Wei had imagined.

The classroom's space was much larger than it appeared from outside,

The stepped seating, high to low and low to high, surrounded the teacher's podium in a semicircle.

The seats were very spacious with large gaps; the space per person could easily accommodate a 3×3 formation of pigs placed side by side.

But even such a spacious classroom now felt crowded because students were bringing exotic rare beasts.

Witch Miss's seat was at the back of the class, near the door.

Fortunately, the spacious seats meant Witch Miss didn't have to worry about the door hitting her or needing to constantly move her chair.

Bai Yan carefully placed Cat on the desk and whispered a reminder,

"Class is starting, don't move around or run around; they're all dangerous."

Meow~

To reassure his timid Witch Miss, Li Wei simply lay down and tucked his hands in.

"So obedient~"

Seeing Li Wei's action, Bai Yan felt much more at ease; she placed both hands on his head and chin and gently began to scratch.

Her movements were restrained, as if testing the boundary of danger, like gradually turning up the heat when boiling a frog in warm water as she scratched Cat.

At first Li Wei didn't notice anything, but after just a few seconds he realized the seriousness of the situation.

"……"

"Hey hey, that's a bit too much!"

"Scratching so hard..."

"But it'll make the cat so comfortable it'll collapse!"

Seeing the teacher push the door and walk into the classroom, Li Wei didn't speak, just raised his hand to Bai Yan making the 'Dame Gesture'.

But the Witch Miss, who was so overjoyed and excited from petting the cat that her mind was filled with little flowers, interpreted it as a high five.

(✧∇✧)╯╰(=-=)̣

Looking at the paw that had been clapped, Li Wei felt a bit tired.

Without the Witch Miss's disturbance, Li Wei began to curiously survey his surroundings.

After all, this was his first experience returning to campus after being away for years!

Just...

"Hahaha, did you see that Book Nerd?"

"I saw, I saw."

"She actually brought a cat to make up the numbers."

"It's hilarious; with her measly magic, can she even cast a familiar summoning spell?"

"If I were her, I'd have dropped out already."

"She's clearly not cut out for this, yet she insists on staying."

"She's actually noble, a High-tier Golden Talent~"

"Hahahaha!"

"I'm really curious what the teacher who favors her can do later!"

"Let's see what happens in class later."

"……"