After what felt like forever, I slowly regained consciousness. The last thing I remembered was being engulfed in flames, my body burning unbearably hot. But now? I felt better—lighter, even. Like I’d been completely reborn. My sense of smell, hearing, awareness… everything had sharpened dramatically.

"…My room… what happened to it?!"

The first thing I saw was my charred bedroom. Everything around me had turned to charcoal—the bed, desk, floor, ceiling, chandelier—all gone! Thankfully, it seemed the heat destroyed everything instantly without catching fire. Otherwise, it wouldn’t have stopped at just the bedroom.

"All this belongs to the landlord! How much will I have to pay?! Ugh, bad luck, bad luck, bad luck!"

So focused was I on the ruined room that I didn’t notice anything odd about myself. Everything around felt… bigger. Sitting on the floor, I had to look *up* at the windowsill. Had I shrunk?

"What’s going on? How did I—"

Confused, I tried to scratch my head. But the moment I lifted my hand, I froze.

Claw… a *claw*…! A snow-white fox paw stared back at me.

"W-what?! My… hand… turned into a claw?!"

I gaped at it, wide-eyed. Then it hit me. I looked down.

A petite frame covered in lustrous snow-white fur. Arms and legs now paws. Behind me, a beautiful tail swayed gently. Unlike before, a fiery red pattern curled along its length—a lovely mark, though I had no idea what it meant.

"Holy crap! I turned into a fox?!?!?!?!"

I’d braced for half-human, half-demon. But *this*? Not even human anymore—just a demon! Oh my god!

What do I do? Call the police?

No! A talking fox? They’d lock me in a lab—or worse, some hot-headed officer might shoot me on sight. Spirits aren’t supposed to exist after the nation’s founding, right?!

"Wahhh… Why a fox…? Even a dog or cat would’ve been better… A pet owner might’ve taken me in, fed me well. But a snow fox? People hunt these for fur—it’s valuable! What now…? Wait for the Fox Demon to wake? Or find Class Rep Hanhan?"

She’d been asleep nearly a day. With this shock, she’d stir soon. I finally saw her scheme: use me to claim a new body. Half-human this morning—full fox now. Exactly what she wanted.

She’d wake, erase me, take this body, restart her cultivation. Perfect.

I played the tool perfectly. She didn’t lift a finger.

Whatever. It’s done. I won’t last long anyway.

"Might as well enjoy these last moments while she sleeps."

No going to Class Rep Hanhan. After what I did… I can’t face her. Still, I’ve got time. Might as well feel what being an animal’s like—how many people get this chance?

"My looks… kinda cute, huh?"

Perched on the bathroom counter, I saw myself in the mirror: an exceptionally beautiful snow fox. Fur, build, elegance—top-tier. Ordinary cats and dogs couldn’t hold a candle to me.

"But… wait. Do male foxes even have… anything down there?"

I peered at my soft, pale belly. Never seen a fox, but I knew cats and dogs—check for balls, right? Angle must be off. Couldn’t see my rear. Wriggled on the floor. Felt nothing. Maybe too small. Or animals just don’t feel it there.

"Whatever. Even if I’m female—this body isn’t mine. She’ll take it."

Tail swaying unconsciously, I turned the faucet with a tiny paw. Leaned close. My muzzle had lengthened; no human mouth left. Couldn’t drink straight. Had to lap like a cat—tongue flicking water drop by drop. Such a hassle.

Just as I lapped elegantly, a familiar voice echoed in my mind:

"Who said I’d steal your body? Must you think so poorly of this royal one?"

The Fox Demon was awake!

"Cough—!" I jolted. Fur along my tail shot straight up.

"Fox Demon! Explain! Why half-human, half-demon before—and now a full fox?!"