Qiu Li’er slept soundly, utterly content.

For the first time, she felt nestled between two lovely girls—nudge left or right, and soft, warm skin met her touch. A faint sweet scent lingered in the air, vivid even in dreams.

The only downside? Nan Shi and Yuenina both cuddled her tightly in sleep. Bare skin on one side, fabric on the other. It left Qiu Li’er restless, tossing gently back and forth.

"Mmm~"

She let out a cozy fox-like yip, rubbed her eyes—and found both roommates still lazing in bed.

Sunlight streamed through the window. *Must be around nine*, she thought. With a soft twist, she began climbing up.

"Mmm…"

"Haa~"

Nan Shi and Yuenina stirred awake, blinking in surprise.

"Wait… today’s Sunday, right?"

"Never thought Little Fox would rise before me…"

Qiu Li’er sighed. "Could you move your legs just a *little* when sleeping?"

Her hands flailed—she’d finally freed them from between their chests, only to find their knees clamped firmly around her own legs. *What kind of sleeping habit is this?!*

"Mmm… sorry," Nan Shi mumbled, "but Little Fox smells so soft and nice." She blinked. "Why’re you up so early anyway?"

"Nan Shi," Qiu Li’er said firmly, "a fox girl’s limits are real. These past few days taught me: the cuter you are, the more danger you attract… unless you transcend being a fox girl."

Yuenina’s expression sharpened. "What do you mean?"

Nan Shi leaned in seriously. "What are you saying?"

*Transcend…? Could she mean—*

"I’ve decided."

Qiu Li’er sat straight, voice earnest. "Starting today, I train hard. Every day. To grow stronger."

The two paused—then exhaled in relief.

"Of course. Only our Little Fox."

"You scared me! I thought you’d bargain with some underworld demon…"

"Why borrow power?" Qiu Li’er blinked her bright eyes. "Strength earned through your own sweat is trustworthy. I just want enough to protect myself—like Xi Xi and you two."

"That mischievous loli’s strong," Nan Shi sighed, "but she still bends over for her spanking, doesn’t she?"

"Setting that aside," Yuenina cut in, "what will you train? ‘Magic Missile’? Or ‘Charged Smash Fist’?"

"I say Little Fox should try ‘Charm’," Nan Shi poked her cheek. "Or that silly ‘Pi Xie Sword Art’."

She adored fanservice-heavy battles—clothes tearing from injury, bursting in rage, unlocking new poses upon defeat.

"Neither," Qiu Li’er shook her head. "I want to try the ‘Iai Strike’."

"Iai? What’s that?"

"Supposedly a quick-draw sword art… though barely anyone learns it."

Qiu Li’er sighed.

No choice. She only knew beginner-level ‘Iai Strike’ and ‘Blade Enhancement’. With tomorrow’s Magic-Martial Tournament looming, there was no time for anything else.

"And if I lose tomorrow…" Her face turned grave. "Teacher Xi will do something *terrible* to me."

"How terrible?" Nan Shi’s eyes sparkled.

"I don’t know… but her tone when saying ‘punishment’ was *scary*."

"Fine, Iai it is," Yuenina nodded. "But one critical issue remains…"

"What?"

"Do you even *have* a sword?"

…

Naturally, Qiu Li’er had none. So off they went to the academy weapon shop, Nan Shi and Yuenina tagging along to help pick one.

"Know why I only use a staff?" Nan Shi glanced at the racks of weapons and gave her chest a playful jiggle. "Other weapons keep brushing *here*."

Qiu Li’er eyed Nan Shi’s generous bust, then glanced down at her own. *Hmph. Not that different.*

"Should I wrap it in cloth?"

"Nah. You’ll get used to it. Just a tiny itch."

*So even big chests have troubles.*

Yuenina approached calmly. "If you insist on a sword, take this shorter one. Others are too long—your frame would struggle to wield it well."

Qiu Li’er nodded. Plain? Sure. But better than a cleaver.

After payment, they entered the shop’s testing zone.

"Try this dummy, dear~" chirped the black-stockinged clerk with a wink. "Slice it, smash it—play with it however you like~"

"Thank you."

Assuming the delicate-looking girl posed little threat, they’d provided the most basic dummy.

"Hey, Little Fox," Nan Shi tilted her head. "When did you learn Iai?"

"…Body instinct."

Qiu Li’er lied lightly. Facing the dummy, she breathed deep.

System-granted techniques were etched into her mind—like muscle memory from countless repetitions. A single thought, and her body moved perfectly.

*Recall the Iai Strike.*

Eyes closed. Hands on scabbard and hilt. Right foot forward, stance low—like a blade yearning to leap free. Every motion flowed with effortless grace.

"Nini," Nan Shi whispered, nudging Yuenina. "Don’t you think Little Fox looks… cool right now?"

"Little Fox and ‘cool’ don’t mix," Yuenina shrugged. "For some, cuteness scales with coolness. Every ‘cool’ move just reads as *cuter*."

"True…"

*THUMP.*

The floor shuddered. Cracks spiderwebbed the ceiling.

"Emergency! The magic statue in the next room went berserk!" a clerk yelled, bursting in. "Evacuate now!"

*CRASH!*

The wall exploded inward. Dust swirled. A three-meter stone statue stomped through rubble, eyes blazing crimson.

"Little Fox! Danger!"

Five steps away—the red gaze locked onto her. It charged.

Nan Shi and Yuenina summoned magic, lunging forward—

*SHING!*

A silver flash sliced the air.

The blade shot forth like lightning. *Shing!* The unbreakable statue split diagonally. Crimson light died. It collapsed with a heavy thud.

Qiu Li’er sheathed the sword on instinct. Eyes wide, she jumped at the rubble.

"Um… did I… cut the wrong thing?"