When Phyllis woke up again, Carola was no longer beside her.
It felt like a dream.
But Phyllis looked up at the mirror Magic Tool.
That new bat decoration was still there.
Phyllis knew this was not a dream.
“Good morning, little kitten.”
Carola’s voice came directly into Phyllis’s mind through the Master-Servant Contract.
“Master, g-good morning, meow…”
Phyllis responded instinctively, then realized what she had said, her cheeks warming slightly.
In silent embarrassment, Phyllis quickly put on her dress and combed her hair in front of the mirror.
“Hurry up, or you’ll be late.”
Carola couldn’t help but urge her.
“I know, meow!”
Phyllis carefully tucked the mirror into the inner pocket of her dress, making sure it wouldn’t fall out during movement, and then pushed open the wooden door.
The Catkin village was already beginning to awaken in the early morning.
In the distance, cooking smoke curled upwards, and a few young Catkin children were chasing and playing in a clearing, unconsciously practicing some hunting techniques.
“Lady Phyllis, good morning!”
Lily ran over from afar, holding two steaming grilled fish skewers.
“Lily, good morning, meow!”
Phyllis waved at Lily.
“Mom said you’re going to the Sacred Ground today, so she asked me to bring you breakfast!”
Lily waved the two grilled fish skewers in her hand.
“Thank you, Lily, meow~”
Phyllis took the grilled fish and quickly took a couple of big bites.
The warm food filled her heart with warmth.
Soon, she finished both skewers.
Phyllis crouched down and gently rubbed Lily’s head, Lily’s cat ears twitching contentedly.
The mirror in her pocket trembled slightly, and Phyllis remembered that Carola was still with her!
Probably, her petting Lily’s head had made Carola jealous!
Thinking this, Phyllis hurriedly withdrew her hand from Lily’s head.
“Lady Phyllis, you look especially happy today!”
Lily said, tilting her head.
“Did something good happen?”
“Huh? D-do I, meow?”
Phyllis instinctively touched her face, only then realizing that the corners of her mouth had been slightly upturned all along.
“You do!”
Lily nodded affirmatively.
“Probably… because I’m excited about going to the Sacred Ground for training, meow~”
Phyllis explained vaguely, standing up.
“Lily, I have to go, or Grandma Elsa will be angry.”
“Goodbye, Lady Phyllis!”
Lily waved goodbye to Phyllis.
“Don’t be naughty, meow~”
Phyllis muttered softly, pressing her hand gently against her pocket.
After saying goodbye to Lily, Phyllis hurried through the village towards Elsa’s hut.
Catkin priests were already waiting there.
Outside the hut, several Catkin dressed in priestly robes had been waiting for some time.
Grandma Elsa stood to the side, her eyes, sharp despite the years, glanced at Phyllis.
“Phyllis, did you rest well last night?”
“Grandma Elsa, I slept very well!”
Phyllis’s face flushed slightly as she remembered what Carola had done to her last night.
Fortunately, no one else had noticed.
Otherwise, she’d die of embarrassment!
“That’s good.”
Elsa nodded, then bowed to the Catkin priests.
“Honored Priests, please take the Candidate Saintess to the Sacred Ground!”
“Of course, of course! Village Chief, we are off!”
The Catkin priests also bowed to Elsa.
Then, they led Phyllis out of the village.
They followed a path behind the village, passing through an ancient forest.
The trees grew denser, and Phyllis was quite familiar with this path, having walked it several times.
But today, it felt exceptionally different.
Perhaps because Carola was right beside her?
As they delved deeper into the forest, the surrounding trees gradually thinned, replaced by an area shrouded in mist.
“The barrier around your Sacred Ground isn’t actually complicated. The Catkin who set it up really aren’t that skilled.”
Carola’s voice echoed in Phyllis’s mind.
Phyllis didn’t yet know how to use the Master-Servant Contract to communicate with Carola.
She could only respond with silence.
With Catkin priests all around, she didn’t dare expose Carola’s presence.
It wasn’t that she feared Carola would be harmed, but rather that she feared Carola might kill all these Catkin priests.
After all, they were her kin and had always treated her well.
It was best to avoid conflict.
One of the Catkin priests took out a medallion engraved with a cat paw Mark from their robe.
The medallion emitted a soft glow upon touching the mist, and the mist automatically parted to both sides, revealing a stone staircase leading into the mountain.
“Go in!”
The Catkin priests stepped back.
They would not enter; they had other duties.
Phyllis nodded and walked in.
The walls on either side of the stone staircase were carved with ancient murals depicting legends of the Catkin and the Cat God.
Phyllis walked up the familiar steps.
The deeper she went, the richer the magical aura around her became.
At the end of the staircase was a massive stone door, carved with the image of a huge cat with closed eyes.
As Phyllis approached, the stone cat’s eyes suddenly opened, golden pupils scrutinizing her.
“Identity confirmed. Candidate Saintess Phyllis, permission to enter granted.”
The stone door slowly swung inward, revealing the true appearance of the Sacred Ground.
“This Cat Guardian of yours is somewhat interesting. It resembles things from the Machine Race, but in many ways, it’s different.”
Carola’s words echoed in Phyllis’s mind.
‘Is it really okay to bring Carola here?’
Phyllis had a feeling akin to bringing a wolf back to the sheepfold.
The interior of the Sacred Ground was a vast natural cavern.
The ceiling was inlaid with glowing crystals, illuminating the entire space like a starry sky.
In the center of the cavern was an altar, surrounded by several small platforms for training.
The air was thick with dense magical power; every breath felt refreshing for both body and mind.
“Whew~”
Phyllis took a few practiced breaths.
This feeling was familiar to her.
“Phyllis, you’ve come.”
A gentle voice sounded.
Phyllis turned to see an elder Catkin woman walking towards her.
She had gray fur and amber eyes, wore a white robe, and had a serene and dignified bearing.
She was a Chartreux cat.
“Priestess Iona, good morning, meow~”
Phyllis bowed respectfully.
Iona was one of the three High Priestesses of the Sacred Ground and Phyllis’s primary instructor for her training.
Iona nodded, her gaze resting on Phyllis, then she suddenly frowned slightly.
“Phyllis, there seems to be something… different about you.”
Phyllis’s heart skipped a beat, and she instinctively glanced at the pocket holding the mirror.
“N-no way, meow? I just…”
Iona circled Phyllis, examining her carefully.
Phyllis was so nervous her tail stiffened, terrified that Iona would discover Carola’s presence.
“Your magical fluctuations… are significantly stronger than before!”
Iona finally concluded.
“It seems that even after such an ordeal, you haven’t neglected your training. Very good!”
It seemed Carola’s concealment ability was quite strong.
Phyllis breathed a sigh of relief.
“Thank you for the praise, Priestess, meow~”
“However,” Iona changed her tone, “that Mark on your neck still concerns me greatly! Although the Protection of the Cat God has shielded you, the Blood Tribe’s contract should not be underestimated! Starting today, you need additional training in the Purification Ritual to prevent the contract from having unpredictable effects.”
“Huh?”