The old man continued to visit us. He'd come back every few months. I still think he's annoying, but at least he's helpful. Once I could understand him well enough for basic communication he told me about new ways to train the wolves and I. They worked very well. With his guidance my energy pool has doubled, and all the wolves are a silvery white color.

I lot of time has passed since my fall. Before I meet the old man I was going to try and conquer the whole mountain to train my strength so that I could search for mother, but I've realized that it would take to long to do. I can't keep mother waiting. So I need a teacher. The old man is my only choice. I'd chose someone else if I could. He is annoying. I was seven years old by the second time the old man came around, and I'm now ten. The wolves and I have reached the fifth ring out of ten on the mountain. I really hate asking him, but I've decided to given and ask the old guy to formally teach me.

.....

"Really, you want me to formally become your teacher? You always rejected the idea when I brought it up."

"I know, but at this rate I'll never be strong enough to find my mother. I hate to admit it old man, but you're very strong, you can fight evenly with the monsters and 'magic beasts' in the seventh ring. Plus you have very good training techniques."

I still dislike the words he uses for second energy and spirit beasts. He refers to them as mana and magic beasts. The use of 'mana' is called magic, and since spirit beasts use magic bipedals call them magic beasts. Both spirit beasts and mythical beasts use second energy, how do they distinguish them? Besides, even the word mana sounds stupid, how did they even come up with it? No wonder mother never used spoken language.

"That's because teaching is part of my job. I run a school for training children in the use of magic and or weapons, but mainly magic. Mine is the best, and is independent from all countries. Actually, I'd love to have you as a student, but the school only starts teaching children when they are at least fifteen years old."

"Why does age matter?"

"Most children can only really start to use magic when they are eight years old. My academy is for those already capable of using magic proficiently. In big cities there is generally at least one basic magic academy, and others might be taught by a personal tutor."

"So what? I can already perform magic, and I'm very good at it. You've already told me that old man."

"Yes, you have a huge mana pool for someone your age, and your control is amazing. Plus you can do it all without chanting. I'm willing to take you with me it's just that putting you in school as a student would be the best thing to do... How about this, you come back with me to civilization and live at my house. I'll have a friend of mine teach you the basics about weapons and I'll teach you the basics of normal magic."

"Old man, that's exactly what I was asking you to do."

"That's not the only thing you're going to do. I'll also have you work as an adventurer and volunteer at the city's orphanage. When you're finally fifteen years old you'll join my academy."

"I have no idea what those things are, old man."

"Adventures take requests from the guild to do things like helping out around town, collecting materials, and hunting monster and magic beasts. An orphanage is a place that takes care of children who have no family."

"That doesn't sound too bad. I'll come with you under those conditions. I'll go tell the wolves it's time to leave the mountain."

"Taking a pack of magic beasts into a city is not a good idea. You will have to leave them here."

That's!?! I'm not okay with that. My ears stand straight up and then lay back as I shift from surprise to distress. Leaving them would mean I'm a terrible leader, but going with the old man is the fastest way to become stronger! I'd be a terrible child if I don't do everything I can to find my mother faster! Uuu, what should I do? I-I- I don't know~! *hic* The wolves *hic* are like *sniffle* family *hic* to *hic* me~. Uuu, *hic* b-but I have to find my *hic* mother. My tail curls around my leg as I cry. The old man is shocked that I started crying. He tries to comfort me, but he doesn't know what's wrong. I take my responsibilities as a leader very seriously, but mother is just as important. What *hic* should I *hic* do~!?

I still haven't calmed down by the time the wolves return. They sense my distress as soon as they see me and rush forward to try and comfort me. One of them goes inside the cave to get Light and Laughs. Two months ago Light gave birth to Laughs' puppies. There are three puppies in the litter, and they come out of the cave with their parents. Surrounded by the wolves, it takes me a few more minutes to calm down enough to explain to them what's wrong. They consider for a moment and then Light walks up and hits me on the head. She wants me to go with the old man. Laughs rests his head on my shoulder from behind and agrees with her. I look at the other wolves and they all agree with her. I'm shocked, but then she mentions my mother. They all know how important mother is to me. It's just... I don't want to leave the wolves alone, I don't want to lose my *hic* family. Light notices that I'm starting to panic again and pushes two of her puppies towards me, a girl and a boy. I look at her, asking why. She wants me to take them with me. Light says that she will keep one and raise it as the future pack leader, I'll keep the other two with me when I leave. I pick up and cuddle the puppies, and ask her if she'd really be okay with it. She licks my cheek and tells me it is. I wipe my eyes and stand up. I promise the wolves that I will visit at leads twice a year. I would try to come more, but Light said no. I turn to the old man. He's completely confused by what exactly happened, but he could tell that I had reached a decision.

"Old man, I'm taking these two pups with me."

"It's better than the whole pack... Okay you can bring them, but be careful. People get intimidated by magic beasts, even if they are tame."

"Yes~."

"We'll leave right now, so say goodbye Chaise."

I nod and turn to the wolves to say goodbye. I hug them and then leave with the old man. I didn't cry, because if I did Light would hit me again and Laughs would start cracking up.

Don't worry mother, I'm getting stronger and I will find you.

The puppies are warm and I cuddle them as I follow the old man. I wonder if warmth is a sign family.