After working for most of the day, the thick stack of parchment on the desk was finally mostly processed.
“Bai Li, it’s time to wake up.”
Baining gently patted Bai Li, who was sound asleep in her arms.
This little fellow simply couldn’t last long when faced with text he wasn’t interested in before getting drowsy.
Baining knew this well, so she had simply shifted into a more comfortable position.
She changed from holding him with his back to her to cradling him face-to-face, continuing her work in silence.
“Morning…”
Bai Li murmured dizzily, his eyes still closed.
“It’s already the afternoon. Wake up quickly. In a little while, Mother will teach you something fun~”
Baining reached out to rub his cheeks.
They were soft and smooth, and squeezing them felt incredibly comfortable.
“Something fun? What is it?!”
Bai Li’s eyes snapped open instantly.
He was awake now, but he grumbled inwardly.
‘I hope it’s not something weird.’
“I’m going to teach you how to use those wings on your back. To put it simply, we’re learning Flight.”
“Oh, okay~”
Hearing that he would get to experience the sensation of flying, Bai Li immediately became interested, his eyes sparkling.
Baining took Bai Li’s hand and led him out of the study.
For some reason, after their chat in the room, Bai Li didn’t feel as much resistance toward her arrangements and instructions.
‘Sigh, I was coaxed by a few sweet words from my own daughter and gave in so easily. I’m too soft-hearted…’
‘No, no, I have to bolster my willpower!’
‘I absolutely cannot lose the desire to change back, you idiot!’
Bai Li’s eyes flickered twice, and he suddenly yanked his left hand out of Baining’s grip.
“Bai Li?”
Seeing his movement, Baining arched an eyebrow and asked.
“Hmph… I don’t need Empress Mother to hold my hand. I can walk by myself!”
Bai Li stiffened his neck and spoke stubbornly, though his feet still obediently followed Baining.
“Fine, fine, have it your way.”
Looking at the suddenly temperamental Bai Li, Baining suppressed a smile.
‘This little guy has the will to resist but lacks the courage. He calls me Empress Mother with every breath, and even while trying to act tough, his voice is so soft. He’s just too cute.’
‘Anyway, I’ll let him be for now. Pops will completely adapt sooner or later~’
Afterward, the two of them, each with their own thoughts, walked onto the rooftop one after the other.
“This… was it always this high…?”
Bai Li stared at the ground below, his legs feeling a bit weak.
The buildings of the Imperial Palace didn’t look that tall from below, but once he stood at the highest point, he realized that a height of four or five stories was actually quite terrifying.
“Bai Li, you have to overcome the fear in your heart first. Now, try to feel the muscles of the wings on your back.”
Bai Li obediently closed his eyes, concentrating on controlling those muscles.
The small wings on his back fluttered twice, stirring up a slight breeze.
“Well done. Next, spread your wings completely. Take it slow, don’t be impatient.”
Bai Li put all his effort into trying to spread his wings, but for some reason, the pair of small wings remained motionless.
“You’re using too much force. Relax and feel it slowly. Don’t expect to reach the heavens in a single bound. Try again~”
Bai Li relaxed a bit and tried patiently for a while.
Finally, the wings behind him showed signs of spreading.
“Not bad. You really are talented. Back when I was a child, I struggled for a long time just to learn this step.”
While softly encouraging him, Baining reached out to help adjust the subtle posture of his wings.
Her fingertips gently supported the tips of the wings, assisting him in spreading them bit by bit.
“Good. Now, gather your strength and truly spread your wings. You can do it!”
“En…”
Bai Li bit his lower lip, focusing all his attention on his wings, and suddenly exerted force.
*Whoosh—*
A pair of snowy-white, leathery bat wings finally unfurled completely.
The wing membranes, thin as a cicada’s wing, flapped gently, creating a faint sound of rushing wind.
His small body was enveloped by these wings that looked exceptionally wide, giving him a somewhat respectable aura.
“Wow~ Bai Li, you’re amazing! You succeeded! The rest will be easy~”
Baining clapped her hands with a smile, her tone full of joy.
“Ugh… Baining, can you stop using that tone like you’re teaching a child… It’s… it’s really awkward.”
Bai Li’s face was flushed.
Though his words were dismissive, his heart felt sweet.
Those few words of encouragement had actually made him feel warm inside, adding quite a bit of motivation.
“Oh, teaching requires this kind of lively and encouraging atmosphere~ You’ll get used to it slowly.”
Baining giggled and quietly moved behind Bai Li.
“Wh-what are you doing?”
Bai Li’s heart skipped a beat as a bad premonition inexplicably rose within him.
He asked stutteringly.
“Nothing, really. I’m just letting you officially fly~”
As soon as the words left her mouth, Baining raised her hand and gave him a gentle push.
*Plop.*
Bai Li instantly lost his balance and fell straight down from the rooftop!
“Ahhhhhhh—!”
“Baining, you’re murdering your father—!”
‘Pops is really something… This is clearly a path every member of the Demon Race must take to learn Flight, yet he said something so unpleasant, like I’m murdering my own father…’
Hearing the earth-shattering scream from below, Baining couldn’t help but complain silently to herself.
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