The clearing in the Forest of Familiars plunged into a stunned silence. Rias Gremory's team, who had just been discussing the search for magical companions, now stared wide-eyed at the unexpectedly appearing pair: a ragged, dirty, but already healthier Riser Phoenix and me, Izayoi Jin, looking unperturbed with… a coal-black rabbit sitting on my head like it was a royal throne.
— Jin?! Riser?! — Issei was the first to break the silence, his voice full of bewilderment. — What are you doing here?! How did you get here?!
Riser, seeing familiar faces, immediately scowled, but there was no fear in his eyes anymore. Rather, annoyance and embarrassment from his unpresentable appearance.
— None of your business, lower demons! — he snapped out of habit, trying to brush the dirt off his torn robe. — Just… got a little lost.
— Lost? — Rias stepped closer, her gaze carefully studying first Riser, then me, then the rabbit on my head. — In the Forest of Familiars? It's impossible to get here by accident. Jin, what happened?
I shrugged, trying to look as indifferent as possible. The rabbit on my head swayed slightly.
— A little training got out of control, — I answered evasively. — This feathered one decided to fly without watching the road. So here we are.
— Training? — Akeno smiled slyly, her gaze gliding over Riser's disheveled appearance. — Ara-ara, it seems the training was quite… intense. Riser-san, you look like you were dragged through all the bushes in this forest.
Riser flushed with anger and embarrassment.
— Shut up, thunder priestess! None of your business! And anyway, what are you doing here?!
— We came for familiars, — Kiba answered calmly, taking a step forward. — This is an official visit, coordinated with the Familiar Master.
— Ah, familiars… — Riser cast a mocking glance at me again. — Well yes, you weaklings need helpers. But some, — he nodded at me, — seem capable of attracting only… this.
All eyes turned again to the rabbit, which sat on my head, unperturbed, wiggling its long black ears with crimson tips. It seemed not to notice the general attention, intently examining the treetops.
— How… cute, — Akeno couldn't hold back first. Her usual elegant mask cracked. Genuine delight flashed in her violet eyes. She slowly approached me, her movements were smooth, but impatience was felt in them. — May I?..
Not waiting for an answer, she reached out and carefully touched one of the long, velvety rabbit ears. Her fingers gently stroked the soft fur. And at that moment her face transformed. Cold politeness disappeared, giving way to almost childish delight.
— Oh-h-h! How soft! How warm! — she purred, her voice became lower and more intimate. She closed her eyes with pleasure, continuing to stroke the ear. — Just lovely! Izayoi-kun, where did you find such a miracle? I want one too!
The rabbit, at first tense from the unexpected touch, seemed to relax a little under her gentle fingers. Its ears turned slightly pink at the tips.
I stood there, feeling like a complete idiot with a rabbit on my head and an enthusiastically purring demoness nearby.
— He came himself, — I grumbled.
But the scene became even stranger. Koneko, who had been silently watching until now, also came closer. Her usually unperturbed face expressed an extreme degree of interest. She stopped on the other side of me and slowly, very carefully, extended her small hand to the rabbit's other ear. Her fingers touched the crimson tip.
The rabbit flinched. It looked first at Akeno, who was still selflessly stroking its ear, then at Koneko, who froze, barely touching the other. It seemed such attention from two sides was too much for it.
Its ears instantly flashed bright crimson – the color of anxiety or panic? It let out a thin, panicked squeak and tried to break free, thrashing right on my head. Its small body shook, paws frantically scratching at my hair.
— Ow! Quiet you! — I tried to hold it, but it panicked even more.
— Oh, sorry, little one, did I scare you? — Koneko said worriedly, pulling her hand back.
— Ara-ara, how nervous, — Akeno noted, but also removed her hand, although with obvious regret.
The rabbit, freed from the double attention, immediately calmed down, sat up straight again and assumed a maximally unperturbed look, although its rapid breathing and trembling ears betrayed the stress experienced. Its ears slowly returned to their usual black-crimson color.
Issei and Kiba watched this scene with smiles. Rias shook her head, but also couldn't suppress a slight smirk. Even Riser for a moment forgot about his anger, looking curiously at the panicking rabbit.
— Strange familiar, — Rias stated when everything settled down. — But it seems he chose you, Jin. Congratulations.
— I didn't choose him, he attached himself, — I grumbled, trying to fix my hair under the rabbit sitting on my head.
— It often happens in this forest, — Kiba nodded. — A familiar finds someone whose aura or strength suits him.
— Speaking of familiars, — Rias changed the subject, turning to her team. — We had almost finished our search when we met you. Asia, Akeno, show your new companions.
Asia timidly stepped forward. Next to her, a small dragon shimmering with all colors of the rainbow the size of a cat appeared out of thin air. It trustingly nuzzled its muzzle into her hand.
— This is Rassei, — Asia introduced with a gentle smile. — He is a Spirit Dragon. Very kind.
— Cutie! — Issei exclaimed.
Then Akeno snapped her fingers, and a small, black-haired imp with mischievous eyes and tiny horns appeared next to her. He immediately began to make faces and giggle.
— And this is my helper, — Akeno said with a smile. — Imp. Will help me with small errands and… pranks.
— And you? — I looked at Issei, Kiba and Koneko. — Found anyone?
Issei sighed.
— I was looking for a dragon, but they are all big and angry, and the small ones… somehow not serious. Haven't found mine yet.
Kiba shook his head.
— No one has caught my eye yet either. My sword aura apparently scares away most creatures.
— Me too, — Koneko grumbled. — Everyone is kinda… noisy.
— It's okay, — Rias said encouragingly. — There will still be time. The main thing is that Asia and Akeno found their companions. And now… it's time for us to get out of here. I know the way to the exit, not far from here there is a stable portal that the Master of Familiars uses for groups.
She looked at Riser and me.
— Are you coming with us? Or are you going to continue wandering through the forest?
Riser snorted.
— Of course, we're coming with you! I'm not going to cuckoo here because of this idiot! — he nodded at me.
— Whatever you say, — I shrugged.
We followed Rias. She confidently led us along a barely noticeable path winding between giant trees. The forest around lived its own life: invisible birds sang, leaves rustled, magical lights flickered. Rassei flew next to Asia, Akeno's imp hid behind her back, and the rabbit still sat on my head, looking around curiously.
We walked in silence, but the tension between me and Riser was felt. He tried to stay away from me, but from time to time cast angry glances at me. I ignored him.
When we were already approaching the place where, according to Rias, the portal should be, Riser couldn't stand it and hissed at my back:
— Do you think this is the end, upstart? Do you think I'll forget that humiliation?
I stopped and turned around, looking at him indifferently.
— And what do you suggest? Fight again? You saw how that ends.
— I… I will become stronger! — he clenched his fists. — I will find a way to defeat you! Phoenixes do not give up!
— Well, well, — I smirked. — Good luck. You can consider this your new goal in life. Maybe at least this will save you from whining.
He wanted to object, but faltered. There was no malice in my voice, only a statement of fact and… a hint of something like a challenge?
— I… I'm not whining! — he muttered not so confidently. — Just… you piss me off!
— Mutually, — I nodded. — But fighting with you is boring for me so far. So go your own way, Phoenix. And try not to faint from fear anymore.
I turned away and walked on. Riser remained standing, looking at my back. There was no more panic terror in his eyes. There was anger, there was humiliation, but there was also… stubbornness? The realization that he needs to become stronger?
Rias, Issei and the others, walking a little ahead, heard our short exchange of remarks. They looked at each other, clearly surprised. That fierce hatred that was between us before was no longer felt. There was some strange, caustic skirmish, more like communication between two rivals than mortal enemies.
— What… what was that? — Issei whispered to Rias. — Did they make up?
— I don't think so, — Rias answered just as quietly, her gaze was thoughtful. — But something definitely changed between them there, in the forest. I wonder what Jin did to him…
She cast a short, curious glance at me, but did not ask.
Soon we came out to a small cave, in the depths of which a stable magic portal flickered. Rias explained how to use it.
— Well, Phoenix, — I said, turning to Riser at the entrance to the portal. — Your stop. I hope you find your way home.
— I'll figure it out! — he snapped. — Even without your advice! And remember, Jin, we will meet again!
— I'll be waiting impatiently, — I smiled sarcastically.
Riser cast a last angry look at me and stepped into the portal. His figure disappeared in a flash of light.
I turned to Rias and her team. The rabbit on my head twitched its ears again.
— Well, is it our turn now? — I asked.
Rias nodded, her gaze was still full of questions, but she smiled.
— Yes. Time to go home.