The house felt empty. It was a strange feeling. I wanted Inna gone but it feels empty now that she’s gone. Did I get attached to her?


    Anyway, this is for the better. Now this document Greg had given me had some very useful information. Nothing about spirit vessels but about an ancient building surrounded by spirits and an old abandoned ruin in the forest.


    It wasn’t an ancient building but it seemed to have been there from before the Great Eraser. They had found some documents in that building that had spirits as their subject. They might have confiscated anything useful from that already but it can’t hurt to check it out.


    There is one problem though. I’m still grounded and an army of elves will follow me if I stress the importance of going outside. Can''t a 9t have some alone time? Maybe I should ask for Jyno and friends. 8 should be more than enough right?


    I decided to be nice for once and tell the elven council that I would be stepping out. I was getting too used to how humans do things, planning your events on how and when you will sleep. 9t only need to sleep 1 or 2 nights per month. I could use some midnight adventures!


    “So, we will see how we will respond to the rabbits on Nesher. We migh…” I teleported into their meeting room. It seemed they were in an important meeting.


    Oh, am I interrupting? No? Well, I’m going to step out of the village, bye!


    “Wai…” I got to the edge of the village and had a feeling that the council wanted to say something. Not my problem!


    I left the barrier and headed toward the old ruin first.


    “Wait!” Elliana ran after me. “And where do you think you’re going?”


    Did they send only you? You’re not stopping me! I’m going to investigate those buildings!


    “Oh, you’re going to investigate them now? Can I come?” Elliana asked but it didn’t seem as she would take ‘no’ for an answer.


    Ehh, sure.


    Elliana and I ran through the forest and weaved between the trees.


    Hey, a question, is this your real aura?


    “Aura? Oh, that? Yes, why?”


    Hmm, nothing, just asking. Do you know where the documents are that were found in that old building?


    “Yes, but I almost got caught, I will try another time to get those too!”


    Wow thanks, you’re really helpful.


    We arrived at a dilapidated building. Something seemed off. No animals or even insects could be found near it. Its as if we had stepped inside a barrier. I went through filters and identified a weak barrier. Its function was to keep things out but it had weakened considerably to the point it could only keep insects out and small animals.


    “Is this it? I had expected it to be… bigger, it''s no bigger than a regular hut.”


    Hmm, something is certainly up with this building. You say it looks like a small hut right?


    Elliana nodded.


    What Elliana saw and what I see don’t match up. This building is huge. I deactivated my Elgards eyes and saw a small hut.


    Hoo boi, this is going to be a long night.


    Elliana cocked her head. “Why is that?”


    Well like this I see a hut, if I activate my Elgards eyes, I see an enormous building. Wait… Yes! This might be it!


    I ran inside.


    “Hey! Wait! Where did you go? What is it?!” I had forgotten that Elliana couldn’t see this.


    I came back.  Right this is going to suck but I will have to either leave you behind here or link you up with my eyes.


    “Oh Greg mentioned that, he says that it makes studying way easier.”


    He really is a nerd, anyways we gotta align our magic wavelengths so you can see what I see because I don’t think you can enter this without Elgards eyes.


    I placed my forehead on hers and we started to tune our mana wavelength.


    “Why would that be a thing though?”


    Well I’m guessing that a 9t, named Rignef might have lived here. It’s the only intersection of spirits and Elgards eyes I can think of. And if that is true then this is big news. I have witnessed the result of his research which was a completed spirit vessel. I might find clues here.


    “This attuning takes long.”


    We’re 2 completely different species and we’re nothing alike, it’s going to take a while.


    “What can you tell me about Greg?”


    You have your work cut out for you. He’s as dense as his shadows, you could tell him that you''re in love with him and he still won''t get it. I actually have no idea


    “Is he even interested in me, does he even see me as a woman?”


    I…I have no idea, sorry. As far as I know, he sees you as a good friend. I do have a question though. Do you want to join us when we leave the village?


    Elliana made a serious face. She didn''t answer. It seems she was thinking about it. In my opinion, this is the best answer.


    This is a good enough answer, just think more about that. You still have a lot of time.


    “Travelling with you guys isn''t going to be easy is it?”


    Nope, you might even die. We are at risk too.


    “I’m not afraid of dying I’m afraid of dragging you guys down. I’ve lived my whole life in this village. I don’t know better. I might be 172 years old but I am extremely ignorant…”


    Being aware of that is enough, we are ignorant too. Most humans I''ve hung around long enough suspect that I’m an alien or something. Just think it over. Greg could use a female touch.


    “He is worrying a lot about you, you know, and as I can see for a good reason.”


    It would be nice if people worry about themselves before worrying about me. It is done.


    I finished the tuning, took a step back and connected Elliana with my vision.


    “Wow! This all was hidden?”


    Yup! Elgards eyes are very rare outside the 9t race so I’m fairly certain that a 9t has lived here before.


    We went inside and looked around. This ruined part looked basic, there was some sort of spatial magic that would send us somewhere else though. Most of this was useless. Nothing was written in elvish or suggested that the one who lived here knew elvish.


    Hey, why were the documents you brought written in elvish if they were supposed to come from here? Everything here is written in an ancient language.


    “I don’t know… I’m confused as well. Something doesn’t add up here” Elliana rummaged through a cabinet.


    I have no clue what’s going on here but it would be nice if it wouldn’t come back to bite us. Did you find anything useful?


    “I can’t read any of this… wait what did you do? I can suddenly read this!”


    My overpowered eyes that aren’t so overpowered when I need them to be…


    “Do they work against gods?”


    Yes but not enough, I might also be inexperienced in using them, I''ve seen the filters of 2 other 9t and I have no clue what all those do or how to get them. Don’t tell me I get an expansion pack unlocked after I reach a certain age.


    “What?”


    Never mind, a bit hard to explain to non-gamers.


    “I am patient.”


    I’m sorry, I lied, I''m just lazy but in short it means I’m probably still too young.


    I don’t know how but Nilah had somehow contacted me from home and notified that Raishin’s 2 ‘girlfriends’ had infiltrated my home. Nilah is currently fighting them off. It is as if they''re not putting in effort or don’t care. None of our races, 3t, 6t or 9t need to sleep every night. I can do a month without, Greg way longer and Raishin a bit shorter. To think this random nightly visit would work is… ignorant.


    Nilah was giving them a good ass-whooping, I’m at a loss for words. There is no world where this would work. I sighed.


    “What’s wrong?”


    I can trust you, right?


    I looked at Elliana and reminded myself that elves in general are quite trustworthy, she also deeply cares for Greg.


    Never mind, of course, I can trust you. So these girlfriends of Raishin, I have discovered that they just do this because they want a man and don’t necessarily care for Raishin. I confronted them about it and at the moment Nilah is dealing with their failed attempt to assassinate or silence me.


    Elliana showed a face of disgust. “Why would they do that that’s despicable. If someone attempted that with Greg I would destroy her socially. You should watch out for predators too!”


    Elliana got unexpectedly fierce. Yup, this is the chick, don’t screw this up, Greg.


    Well either way I told them to break up with Raishin and tell him exactly why they have to break up. I don’t care if they throw me under the bus but they need to break up with him, there will be consequences if they don’t.


    “I agree, but do you mind letting me deal with the consequences?”


    Uh, sure. Are you going to socially destroy them?


    I saw a subtle smile that I liked. I think she will fit in perfectly.


    I have my answer, I will leave it up to you then. It is always good to see that races solve their own problems.


    “How about your race? Aren’t your numbers too low to solve your own problems?”


    Perhaps, that’s not an excuse to do nothing though.


    I investigated a desk. Everything here seemed normal. I was a bit worried though. If Rignef, a 9t had lived here then this place should have boobytraps. On the other side, only possesors of Elgards eyes would be able to fully enter this building. I don’t think I’m that different behavior-wise from other 9t so let''s see what would I do?


    If it was a place anyone could join I would boobytrap it no doubt. Even when not there I would grin knowing that someone is getting screwed over by a trap. My current house isn’t trapped but Nilah is enough. A god is afraid of her so she should be fine. Now if only 9t could enter I would make it quite welcoming.


    “Hey, what is this? Is it a list of filters? What does that mean?” Elliana had picked up a document and waved it at me. I ran over and got instant confirmation. A list was left behind of which filters to use to make sure nothing important gets missed out. I love my race.


    Right. I am going to unlink you for a moment, I need to find these filters and it could give you extreme headaches and nausea.


    Elliana nodded as I kicked her out of the link and went through the filters and tried to find the correct ones.


    Elliana disappeared. She probably went back to the world where this space is just a hut. I have no idea how this works. It is not an illusion. It is a harsh reminder that I still have no clue what I’m doing as a 9t. I found the correct filters and circulated some nature energy to combat my headache and deactivated my eyes.


    Elliana reappeared and the building disappeared.


    “Oh I was afraid I had lost you.”


    This is a very interesting trick.


    I linked her back up and we were in front of the building.


    Elliana was taken by surprise as this building looked completely different. “Wow, it looks completely different!”


    Yup, I just got a harsh reminder that I’m a complete noob at being a 9t.


    “But you''re young so that’s fine right?”


    It is, my ego is a bit chipped that’s all let’s go inside.


    We got inside but it didn’t look like a ruined building anymore. It looked like a small mansion that seemed like someone had tended to it. A friendly-looking man approached us. It wasn’t real but it wasn’t an illusion either was this a clone? Or a memory?


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    He had long red hair, blue fox ears, and 9 red-orange tails.


    “Oh, how unusual a male member of my race, welcome! My name is Rignef Oures, what might your name be?” Even his voice was friendly.


    Oures… My name is Agnis Hourai.


    “I am Elliana Seorwynn.” Elliana shook his hand. I remembered my manners and shook his hand too. I wondered if I should have used Ourasyn. However, that might be impolite as Elliana won’t understand anything and miss his full introduction. Is this why Neia didn’t Ourasyn me?


    Excuse me Rignef, I have several questions. How does this work? I’m quite young and unsure about the specifics. As far as I know, you’re dead but this is neither real nor an illusion…


    “Hello, Agnis and Elliana, so I’m dead… I see. To answer your question, I’m closer to being real than being an illusion. Are you aware of what a tailed memory is?”


    I am not.


    “You are aware of the importance of our tails right?”


    Yes, I’m painfully aware.  I grabbed one of my tails.


    “So you do know what the implications of losing tails is right?”


    I…I do.


    “It is possible to lose a tail to create an effect like this. I am the tailed memory of Rignef Oures’ 6th tail.”


    Wait why would he… you do that? It hurts like hell! And it will make us weaker!


    “It does but the tail will grow back, the duration depends on the number of the tail. The 6 tail will fully regrow in 6 years. So when this is done the lower numbers are preferred but as you know the higher the number of the tail the higher its capabilities are so a balance needs to be struck here depending on what you want to achieve.”


    That… is that something I need to learn or is it instinct?


    Rignef sat down on one of his tails, I did the same. The chairs and couches were a bit far so I gestured to Elliana that she could use my tail as a couch.


    “Don’t worry this is instinct. I hope that you never have to use this but in case you have to, it won’t require someone teaching you that.”


    Can other tailed beasts do this too?


    “They can, it just manifests differently, and because they have a lower amount of tails it’s riskier for them.”


    I see… is it normal that only other 9t can see this or is this deliberate?


    “It is deliberate. My research is dear to me and I don’t want it to fall in the wrong hands. I don’t even fully trust the elves in this but I do trust my own race. We have a deeper connection to spirits than elves. I am sorry if this offends you” He looked at Elliana.


    Elliana waved her hands gesturing that it was fine. “Oh no, I have noticed after Agnis had pointed out some things we do differently or wrong. I am well aware that the relationship with spirits could be better.”


    Rignef seemed relieved. “I see, it fills my heart with joy that young elves are realizing this. I have a question for you Agnis. I don’t recognize the last name ‘Hourai’ As you know our numbers are quite low so I know most if not all surnames of our race. Are you perhaps a hybrid and inherited the last name of your non spirit fox side?”


    I am a hybrid yes but that’s not the reason my surname is different.


    Elliana seemed surprised because I don’t make it a point to say that I''m a hybrid.


    “A hybrid eh? I see so it is working.”


    What? Wait I will come back on that later. I’m interested. I first want to ask you something. Do you know Alep Oures?


    Rignef seemed to have a positive reaction to that name. “Oh, you know about my cousin?”


    Yes… Alep Oures is my grandfather, he named his daughter Edea Hourai, probably to throw some petty gods off and that’s how I have the surname Hourai. So ehh this hybrid thing, what’s it about?


    “I don’t know how well you’re going to take this”


    Hoo boi, it’s not some dark twist is it?


    “Let’s go sit on the couch over there. I apologise Elliana, it is quite rare for spirit foxes to use chairs or couches.” He politely showed us to a very soft red-orange couch.


    “Ohh, so soft.”


    Did you make this with your fur?


    Rignef nodded.


    “So even before I was born, the spirit fox community came to a conclusion. Their current capabilities were inadequate to fully carry out their purpose. The problem was specifically that it would take too long for us to get to the point where we would be well-equipped and strong enough to do this effectively, which is at 3 years old for us, race specific age, not how years are counted by most races.. So they had all agreed on a plan, that was also bred out of necessity.” Rignef also sat down.


    “Other tailed races had started to adopt this method too a bit later but the spirit foxes started it. Our race had decided to create powerful hybrids to enhance our capabilities and increase the likelihood we would make it to 3 years old. This was also becoming an inevitability because as you know our numbers are low and especially the males are low in number.”


    I nodded to show that I followed the conversation so far.


    “So we have attempted to create hybrids to aid us. It came to a point where some might have taken it a bit too seriously. I do believe it had merit but the Hifan family branch, one of the three big family branches next to the Oures and the Mikazuki, had hyper-focused on hybrids. They have the strongest individuals now. Well, when I was alive. I am not saying this is the case but there is a chance you’re not a product of love but a product of ‘select breeding’. This can be in various degrees either just because or because your mother wanted to make sure you would survive.”


    Oof. I can see the logic behind that though…


    Elliana looked at me with a saddened face.“Are you ok Agnis?”


    I am fine, I know enough about my mother to know that she deeply cared for me. If it is what Rignef said it was to ensure I would make it to 3 years old.


    “May I ask what hybrid you are? And do you have any siblings?”


    Phoenix and a 9t, my 2 sisters are both pure phoenixes.


    “I see, my cousin Alep did fall in love with a phoenix woman. I would say it is probably the most offensive hybrid possible. It just has one large flaw”


    Uhh and that flaw being?


    “While a lot of weaknesses of both races are getting covered by eacother''s strengths, the weakness of being poor in defence might get amplified. While phoenixes have their regeneration and speed that’s all they have. I assume regeneration doesn’t work so well in your spirit fox state.”


    Oh yeah, that is definitely the case. But I guess that’s true. I often forget that I’m a hybrid. I’m not in touch with my phoenix side at all.


    “At this point, I would recommend focusing on your spirit fox side. There are so many things we need to master to increase our chance of survival, postponing that might be a bad idea. But I would recommend to at least look into tapping into the phoenix regeneration.”


    Great, my to-do list is becoming bigger and bigger but thank you Rignef, that is very helpful.


    “I appreciate the gratitude but it’s misplaced. This is all I can do for you, I am unable to aid our race in any shape or form besides this.”


    I am going to be arrogant here but you’re wrong, you just helped 20% of the male 9t population. Helping me is important and will account for something.


    Rignef smiled but it disappeared quite fast. “20%... So it is that bad. If there is anything I can help you with, please ask.”


    So ehhm I have a problem of strange dizziness that matches the case of the guardian spirit of the elves and that spirit told me that its vessel, which is the tree, is rejecting it. So I offered to attempt and make a spirit vessel. I got inspired by Isi Medri, you have made her spirit vessel right?


    Rignef stopped moving. “Isi… she is fine? That’s good to hear.” He wiped off a tear.


    “I will hand over the findings of my research to you then. I apologize, I will not go into details about my relationship with Isi but just hearing that name is enough for me to entrust my research to you. I assume she has told you a bit about it right?”


    Yeah. She gave me an anatomical map and some letters. It seemed you were stuck on something.


    “Yes… we were unable to connect the magical circuits we made with the body so that the spirit could use regular magic. We had to leave that part out. We thought we were adept at using magic but we grossly underestimated how complicated it could get so Isi’s spirit vessel is incomplete as it only has the body and the spirit. This resulted in many other complications that I won’t go into detail now.”


    Magical circuits, I haven''t seen those on the anatomical map, what was the specific challenge that made it so difficult?


    “We found out the theoretical method of creating them. But in practice, this proved to be near impossible. It also had to integrate with the body which we had no idea of achieving.” Rignef pulled a book out of his dimensional pocket and handed it over. I accepted it, flipped through the pages, and archived the information.


    So what alchemical processes did you use to create the vessel?


    “Alchemical?” Rignef looked at me in confusion and made a pensive pose. “Hmm, that might have been a brilliant idea.”


    Wait so I was wrong?


    “Hmm, yes and no. We didn’t use any alchemy but alchemy might have the means to effectively incorporate all the ingredients better. We used a complicated process of magical fusing and foxfire smelting. I wouldn’t recommend that method.” Rignef’s expression suggested that the process to put vessels together was a pain in the ass.


    Aha, I recognize the words but I have no idea what they mean together like that. And this book you’ve written… am I right to conclude that you needed a deeper understanding of mana runes and magic circles?


    “Yes, we didn’t realize that we were opening a can of worms by delving into that. And besides that, even if we succeeded it would most likely get destroyed in the foxfire smelting process. But that is why I like your idea of alchemy. It will get decomposed but eventually reconstructed when the process is complete, eliminating most if not all of the difficulties we’ve encountered.” Rignef shook my hand.


    “I know I might already be dead but thank you for improving my life’s work. I’m truly glad that I’ve met you. I can not act upon this but knowing that all my work hasn’t been in vain means that my life mattered. Unfortunately, the field of mana runes and magic circles is a whole different world.”


    Uhhm about that. I can do it. I am well-versed in mana runes and magic circles.


    “That! How old are you? Your life must have been rough to already be at this point. I don’t want to praise your hardships but I’m proud to have a relative this competent. Well done.” I got a strange feeling. For the first time in so many years, someone praised me as a parent would. It filled me with accomplishments and pride, however...


    This is not my research it was the research of a witch. I have only studied her research. Who knows how much blood sweat and tears went into it? I just studied it and briefly expanded on it. Just as what I would do with your research. Nothing is my own.


    “That is commendable do note however that most fields borrow from each other. Bringing 2 normally unrelated research subjects together and creating something new and great is also something to note. It might even be harder than the original 2 since you need to understand both separately and then find out how they will clash or connect.”


    Thank you. I will try to do my best to do both research justice.


    “About your problem about the spirit leaving the body. I have made a certain recipe to keep the connection between the body and spirit strong because even for Isi, the body can reject her. I didn’t finish it, however. It is only a temporary measure, but it’s a component of the most important component; Ichor Pneuma.” Rignef pulled another book out of his dimensional pocket and handed it over to me.


    “Please archive them, I can’t give them to you since they are not real, the real books have perished with my real body unless you find a method of accessing my pocket dimension.” I nodded and also committed this book to my archive. I was happy to hear that I’m not the only one who does this. I don’t care about being unique. I just want more people like me.


    “Also this book is instructions on how to make the body but you should disregard many aspects because it’s tailored to foxfire smelting and magical fusing. You will have to find out what to alter for the alchemical process I’m afraid. It does have the basic ingredients which shouldn’t vary all too much.”


    Thank you Rignef. I was quite stuck. Nobody possessed the knowledge I needed. Meeting you is a blessing in more than one way.


    “Likewise, now Elliana, you have been very quiet. Is there anything I can help you with?” He shifted his gaze toward Elliana and I noticed that Elliana was slightly intimidated by his glowing eyes.


    “Well, you have studied spirits correct?”


    “That is correct.”


    “I am curious. There is a fairy tale under the elves that a lunar spirit once brought all the spirits to this side but she got met with a lot of resistance and hardships, as did all the spirits so she decided that it was best to bring all the spirits back to the spirit world. What do you know about this fairy tale?”


    “Hmm, very interesting, we have a similar fairy tale but it was specifically a lunar fox, just like my cousin, which makes me wonder…” Rignef looked at the ends of my hair.


    “A cosmetic illusion I see, quite sloppy, so you’re one too.”


    Oh shit yeah, I forgot about that! What do you know about lunar and solar foxes?


    “Not much, unfortunately, I only know that it was challenging to unlock the full potential. The lunar foxes were hunted down aggressively though. Solar foxes had similar strength but as long as one would avoid fighting them when the sun was at its zenith they weren''t overly problematic while Pagos was a problem no matter what time of day it was. About your fairy tale Elliana, I think it was a real event a long time ago. Unfortunately, we don’t have the numbers to also help the spirit world.” Rignef sighed.


    Elliana looked at me. “So you’re a lunar fox? Maybe I should keep this a secret…”


    Uhh, why is that?


    “The elves believe that one day this might happen again and they could reclaim nature together with the spirits.”


    Right, no offense to the elves but that’s at the bottom of my list. I might even die before I ever get to that point.


    Rignef’s eye color changed to light green. “Any spirit fox could theoretically do that so don’t take this burden up because you’re a lunar fox. You already seem to have enough on your plate. Now there is one more thing I need to tell you. There is a structure nearby. It holds a lot of materials that I have used in the creation of the spirit vessel. It is a very dangerous place even for us but the rewards are worth the risk. I would recommend preparing well and venturing inside when you get to the point of needing them. Every ingredient and its location is written down in the books you have stored.”


    Ooh! A dungeon! What is it like?


    “It had many floors, it was quite a strange jungle. I couldn’t get very far but luckily it had multiple exits.”


    A dungeon that lets you leave quite easily? Interesting.


    “My purpose has been fulfilled. This place won’t instantly disappear so take a look in my lab behind this portal. Please… take everything.”


    Wait that stuff is real?


    Rignef had a sad smile on his face. “I am the only thing here that’s not ‘real’ anything that is still present after this space disappears will disappear along with it so take everything you want and need.”


    Can… can I take this couch?


    “Quite sentimental aren''t you? Yes you can take the couch.”


    I will succeed and continue your research. I promise.


    Rignef started to slowly fade as his eyes started to become clear and transparent. It looked strange but it gave me a heavy feeling. My instinct told me that this is what happens when a 9t dies.


    Elliana! We’re clearing this place out! Grab everything you can and toss it in my dimensional pocket!


    I opened the dimensional pocket and sucked up anything that could be taken. I then hopped into his lab and took anything I could. I spotted an image of a younger Rignef, Isi and a human I didn’t recognise. They looked like close friends. It was the only picture in the lab. I wonder what happened to Isi. Tomato goddess had even nuked the underground city. I will give this picture to her if I ever meet her.


    We returned to the bare living room we had cleared out. Rignef was gone. He also had fallen at the hands of the tomato goddess. I first thought that what I had against her was just personal but she had been bullying my race and those related for millennia. I should have asked Rignef about foxfires. I sighed.


    “Are you alright? It felt heavy even for me, I can’t imagine what you’re going through.” Elliana seemed genuinely concerned. I tried to smile but I don’t know how well I pulled it off.


    It’s fine, just make sure you successfully seduce Greg. It would be a huge loss if he messes this up.


    “I will work on it!” We left Rignef’s residence and headed back to the village. I had gotten valuable information but I also felt as if I had lost something. I couldn’t tell what that was but it had a heavy feeling.