The journey to Notting City took half a day. Luna walked beside Tang San, her hand in his. Old Jack led the way, occasionally glancing back at the unusual pair.
"Little San," Old Jack said carefully, "about the girl..."
"Luna is my companion," Tang San said firmly. "Where I go, she goes."
"But won't the academy ask questions? A young girl with fox ears and tails..."
Luna touched her head self-consciously. Her white fox ears and nine flowing tails were quite distinctive. "People will think I'm just someone with an unusual spirit manifestation, right?"
Tang San nodded. "Exactly. Some people's spirits affect their appearance even when not activated. No one will question it."
Old Jack sighed but didn't argue further. The girl seemed harmless enough, and Tang San was clearly attached to her.
When they reached Notting Academy's impressive gates, a gatekeeper immediately stopped them.
"Country bumpkins," he sneered, looking at their simple clothes and Luna's unusual appearance. "What kind of freak show is this?"
Old Jack presented the Spirit Hall certificate, but the gatekeeper only grew more mocking.
"Blue Silver Grass with innate full spirit power? Ridiculous! And you brought some beast-eared girl with you?"
Luna felt anger rising in her chest. How dare this man mock Tang San?
Before things could escalate, a hoarse voice intervened. "Alright, stay your hands."
A middle-aged man approached—average height, ordinary features, but eyes sharp with intelligence.
"Grandmaster," the gatekeeper stammered, his demeanor changing instantly.
The Grandmaster examined the certificate, then studied Tang San carefully. His gaze fell briefly on Luna, taking in her fox ears and tails with mild curiosity but nothing more.
"Interesting physical traits," he commented neutrally. "A spirit that manifests even when not activated?"
"Something like that," Luna said quietly, relieved he didn't seem to see through her true nature.
"The certificate is valid," Grandmaster said to the gatekeeper coldly. "And who the boy brings with him is not your concern." He turned to Old Jack. "Old gentleman, I'll handle the registration from here."
Old Jack, relieved and grateful, said his goodbyes and departed.
The Grandmaster led them through the academy. "You called me Teacher earlier," he said to Tang San. "But I'm not an academy teacher."
"Then what are you?"
"Someone who studies spirits. A researcher. But..." Grandmaster paused, turning to face Tang San. "I would be willing to teach you, if you're willing to learn."
He explained his reasoning—how he knew Tang San must have twin spirits based on the impossibility of Blue Silver Grass having innate full spirit power.
Tang San, after careful consideration, knelt and kowtowed three times. "Teacher. Please accept me as your student."
Grandmaster was moved. "A teacher for a day is a father for life. Good. Very good."
He glanced at Luna. "And this girl? Is she also a student?"
"Luna is my companion," Tang San said. "She'll be staying with me."
Grandmaster nodded. "The academy doesn't forbid family or companions from residing with students, though it's unusual for working students. As long as she doesn't cause trouble, there should be no issue."
Luna bowed respectfully. "Thank you, sir. I won't cause any problems."
Grandmaster studied her for a moment with academic interest. "Those ears and tails—quite remarkable. I've studied many spirit manifestations, but rarely have I seen one that affects appearance so thoroughly even in passive state. What is your spirit, if I may ask?"
Luna had prepared for this question. "Fox spirit, sir. It's... strongly manifested."
"Fascinating," Grandmaster murmured. "Well, come along. Let's get you both registered."
As they walked away, Luna let out a quiet breath of relief. He didn't know. Her disguise was holding.
They were directed to Dormitory Room Seven—the working students' quarters.
The room was large but sparse, with fifty beds of which only eleven had bedding. Seven or eight boys were making noise inside.
The largest boy, Wang Sheng, swaggered over. "New working students? I'm the boss here."
Tang San introduced himself politely. When Wang Sheng tried to assert dominance, Tang San calmly demonstrated superior skill, using Tang Sect techniques to put the larger boy on the ground without seriously hurting him.
"You're the boss now," Wang Sheng admitted, impressed rather than angry.
Then a clear voice came from the doorway. "Is this room seven?"
Everyone turned to see a pretty girl with long black hair in a scorpion braid.
Luna's entire body tensed. She knew that face, that voice. Xiao Wu.
"Hello everyone, I'm called Xiao Wu, Wu of dancing," the girl said with a bright smile.
Another hundred-thousand-year spirit beast, Luna realized immediately. The Soft Bones Rabbit. And she's here to use Tang San.
Luna stepped closer to Tang San protectively. Xiao Wu's eyes flickered to her, and for just a moment, recognition passed between them—two spirit beasts in human form, recognizing each other.
Then Xiao Wu smiled brightly and turned her attention to Tang San. "So you're the new boss? Want to test my skills?"
Before Tang San could respond, Luna spoke up. "He's tired from the journey. Maybe tomorrow."
Xiao Wu's smile didn't waver, but her eyes hardened slightly. "And who are you?"
"I'm Luna. Tang San's companion."
The word "companion" hung in the air with unmistakable weight.
Xiao Wu's expression flickered with something—annoyance? Calculation?—before her bright smile returned. "Well then, nice to meet you both!"
That evening, as they arranged sleeping spaces, Xiao Wu made her move.
"Tang San, I don't have bedding. Could we share yours?"
Before Tang San could respond, Luna spoke firmly. "Tang San and I are sharing. You can use the spare bedding the other students offered."
Xiao Wu's smile faltered. "But—"
"Luna's been with me since before I came here," Tang San said, though he looked a bit uncomfortable with the situation. "We're used to sleeping near each other."
It wasn't quite sharing a bed—Luna had her own bedroll next to Tang San's bed—but it was close enough to make the point clear.
Xiao Wu accepted borrowed bedding with forced grace, her eyes occasionally flickering to Luna with barely concealed irritation.
That night, when the dormitory was quiet, Luna whispered to Tang San.
"Be careful around Xiao Wu."
"Why?" Tang San whispered back.
"She's like me. A spirit beast in human form. But... her intentions aren't pure. She wants to use you for protection while she grows stronger. Her mother was killed by humans. She's here for revenge eventually."
Tang San was quiet for a long moment. "How do you know this?"
"I can sense her true nature. We spirit beasts can recognize each other." Luna's voice was earnest. "Please, Tang San. I would never lie to you. Be careful around her."
Tang San reached over and took her hand. "I believe you. Thank you for warning me."
Luna felt tears prick her eyes. "You trust me?"
"Of course I trust you. You've never asked me for anything, never demanded anything. You just... stayed. That's worth more than anything else."
They fell asleep like that, hands linked, Luna's heart full of relief and love.