Fox Lian's "cohabitation request" was smoothly approved, tacitly permitted by both the Fox Clan elders and the God Clan instructors.
Thus, the most enviable (or most teeth-grinding) cohabitation life in the academy officially began.
Fox Lian immediately displayed a strong sense of territoriality. First, he complained that Emma's pillow wasn't soft enough, and the next day he brought in his own silver-white body pillow—identical to his tail—boldly occupying half the bed. Then, under the excuse of "easy access," he mixed his rune books with Emma's alchemy texts, filling the bookshelf with the cool fragrance unique to the fox clan.
Most ridiculous of all, he even brought an entire tea set, claiming, "The God Clan's aura is abundant—perfect for tea." So every morning, Emma woke to the faint scent of tea… and a tail unconsciously wrapped around her waist.
"Fox Lian…" Emma tried for the umpteenth time to untangle the tail around her waist. "I can't get up like this."
Fox Lian kept his eyes closed, pretending to sleep, but his tail tightened further, even sneaking into her nightclothes, a satisfied purr rumbling in his throat.
Emma: "…" She finally understood the saying: "Easy to invite a god, hard to send him away."
Cohabitation also brought unexpected "troubles."
For example, Fox Lian's tail was far too lively. When Emma refined pills, it swept curiously nearby, nearly knocking over bottles. When she drew talismans, it suddenly coiled around her wrist, skewing her spirit lines. Even during her bath, the tail tried to sneak past the barrier, only to be blocked by her blushing spiritual force.
"Fox Lian! Control your tail!" Emma protested furiously.
The accused fox lord lounged lazily by the window with a book, lifting his head innocently: "It doesn't seem to listen to me." As he spoke, the "disobedient" tail twined a strand of her hair, playing with it.
Emma nearly bit him in frustration.
But cohabitation wasn't all "trouble."
Fox Lian was attentive. When Emma studied alchemy late into the night, he quietly brewed calming tea and set it by her hand. When stress furrowed her brow, his tail brushed gently across it, soothing her. Even during her monthly discomfort, the warm tail acted like the most considerate hot-water bottle, curling around her chilled abdomen, radiating steady warmth.
And, undeniably, waking to his breathtaking sleeping face, reaching out to touch those soft ears—was deeply healing.
One day, Emma finally succeeded in refining a batch of high-grade calming pills. She happily picked up a crystal-clear pill to share her joy.
"Fox Lian, look…" She turned, only to find him asleep on the couch.
The sunset streamed through the window, gilding his delicate profile in soft gold. Silver hair spilled across the pillow, fox ears drooping in complete relaxation, rising and falling with his breath. Even the usually restless tail was curled quietly around his waist, tip twitching faintly.
At rest, Fox Lian shed his usual laziness and mischief, appearing gentle and harmless.
Emma's heart melted. She tiptoed closer, sat carefully at the couch's edge, and couldn't resist brushing his soft ear tip.
In sleep, his ear twitched, a faint hum escaping his throat, but he didn't wake.
Her fingers traced down the ear's curve, caressed his smooth cheek, finally resting on his lightly pursed, pale-pink lips.
Truly… she had lost to him.
She bent down, pressing a tender kiss to his brow. "Good night, my fox."
In his dreams, Fox Lian's lips curved unconsciously into a sweet smile.
And the tail around his waist loosened, skillfully curling around Emma's wrist instead.