The academy's three-month-long holiday was approaching, and students of all races were preparing to return home. Emma began packing her belongings, ready to return to the God Clan's domain—the Cloudmist Divine Realm high above the Nine Heavens.
Fox Lian leaned against her doorway, watching as she placed items into her storage bracelet. His silver tail, usually swaying cheerfully, now drooped listlessly behind him, tip brushing the floor in idle strokes.
"Do you really have to go back?" His voice was muffled, violet eyes gazing at her like a large dog about to be abandoned.
Emma paused, walked over, and gently rubbed the tips of his slightly drooping ears—warm and soft to the touch. "It's just a holiday. I'll be back in three months."
"Three months…" Fox Lian repeated softly, as though it were a long sentence. He pulled her into his arms, chin brushing her hair, tail instinctively wrapping around her waist, holding her tightly. "The Divine Realm is so far. Even message talismans have delays."
Emma laughed, feeling his cool scent and the strength of his embrace, her own heart swelling with reluctance. These past months, she had grown used to his constant presence—his warm tail, his soft ears, his occasional jealousy, and his complete dependence.
"I'll send you messages every day," she promised.
"Three times a day," Fox Lian pressed.
"Alright."
"With phantom projection, so I can see you."
"…Alright."
"And no other God Clan men, especially not them."
Emma chuckled helplessly. "We don't have such strict rules. Besides…" She paused, deliberately teasing, "Our clan's radiant wings shimmer in sunlight. They're quite beautiful."
As expected, Fox Lian's tail flared, ears shot upright, violet eyes narrowing dangerously: "Wings? More beautiful than my tail?"
Seeing jealousy flare, Emma quickly soothed him, fingers stroking his back until the fur settled. "I was teasing. The most beautiful is Lord Fox Lian's tail—soft, warm, one of a kind."
Comforted, Fox Lian purred, tail tightening around her, though he still muttered gloomily: "…Come back soon."
"Mm. I will."
On departure day, Fox Lian escorted Emma all the way to the teleportation array leading to the Divine Realm. He wore a formal silver-embroidered robe, his tall figure and breathtaking face drawing stares from passing students. Yet his eyes saw only Emma.
The array's light began to glow, ready to activate.
"Take this." Fox Lian pressed a brocade pouch into her hand. Inside were the softest tail and ear hairs he had secretly collected, mixed with calming incense, carrying his familiar scent. "When you miss me… hold this."
Emma clutched the pouch, still warm from his body, eyes misting. She rose on tiptoe, kissed his lips softly, and whispered at his ear: "When I return… I'll bring you starlight candy from the Divine Realm."
Fox Lian's violet eyes locked onto her, as if engraving her image into his soul. As the array's glow flared fully, he quickly said: "I'll miss you."
The light consumed her, and Emma's figure vanished.
Fox Lian stood motionless, staring at the empty array. His proud tail hung limp behind him, drained of all brilliance.
Meanwhile, Emma, arriving in the Cloudmist Divine Realm, barely had time to breathe in the familiar air before being surrounded by waiting elders of the God Clan.
"Emma… why do you carry such a strong aura of a fox demon?!"