Black Cat Gemma

"To become a knight, awakening Life Force is the key. Yet awakening Life Force requires the support of a powerful physique. Breathing Techniques are used to strengthen the body, drawing in low and exhaling high to absorb the energy scattered through the air..."

In the study, a huge jet-black cat sprawled lazily atop a bookshelf, its head hanging casually, eyes half-lidded as it watched Little Arro reading aloud at the desk.

What it did not know was that while the little fellow before it appeared diligent, his thoughts were a complete mess.

Since Mother could find me a 'Cat Demon' to be my teacher, could my family actually be a family of 'demons'?

Little Arro had not forgotten what happened when he was six months old. Even then, he had suspected there was something off about his father. Otherwise, why could he turn invisible? And why had Ms. Fana scolded him after he was discovered?

What kind of demon could he be?

Little Arro tugged at a strand of his golden hair as he quietly pondered.

What has golden fur?

A dog? A cat? Or some other strange creature?

Since the first demon in its true form I encountered was a cat, my family must have a pretty good relationship with the 'Cat Demons.' Maybe my family is made up of 'Cat Demons,' too.

I don't feel any different from ordinary people, though.

Besides, I still remember before I was born, and I didn't notice anything unusual about myself then either.

Because of the system, Arro had always believed he was in a world of martial arts. To some extent, the system's existence had already become his Cognitive Barrier.

"All right, Little Arro. You learned to recognize every word in this book so quickly. You can barely be considered a genius."

"Unfortunately, you only know this one book."

"And another thing..."

The black cat glanced at the open book and pointed at several concealed corners, each covered in a patch of tiny square smudges.

"I greatly dislike your attitude toward books. You have not even the most basic respect for knowledge."

Little Arro remained perfectly composed, paying no attention to the latter remarks. He rose and bowed respectfully. "It is all thanks to Teacher Gemma's excellent instruction."

Reading?

When couldn't I learn that?

The important thing is to learn what is written here as quickly as possible!

Books?

Aren't they just tools for learning knowledge?

Besides, don't you make notes in books yourselves?

You can't say I disrespect books just because I write small and deliberately smudge it out afterward, can you?

Thus, Little Arro had never felt that his little tricks were much of a problem.

Black Cat Gemma stretched out her two front paws and arched in a cat's characteristic stretch. Rising lazily, she said, "All right, I'm going to bask in the sun. I haven't had any sun for over a month just because I was teaching you to read!"

"Teacher Gemma, please wait."

Black Cat Gemma swayed her tail and turned around, her Dark Green Vertical Pupils looking coldly at Little Arro. "What else is it?"

Whenever Teacher Gemma flicked her tail, it meant she was somewhat irritated. She was not in a good mood right now.

Little Arro kept it brief and hurriedly explained, "After I learned these words, I went to Mr. Cabir and more or less mastered it. But Kabir is no longer willing to teach me anything else. I hope you can guide me in training, Teacher."

Only after recognizing the words did Little Arro realize that the content recorded here was far simpler than he had imagined.

This book described a special breathing rhythm. The only requirement was that one maintain a particular state of mind while breathing, somewhat like self-hypnosis.

After seeking Kabir's guidance, Little Arro learned it quickly. He simply had not yet adapted to it and needed long-term practice.

Even his cheat, the Martial Arts System, displayed new information.

Guard Breathing Technique: Beginner (increases Stamina Recovery Speed slightly)

"Me? Teach you how to train?" Black Cat Gemma's tail froze. She subconsciously licked her paw. "That sounds much more interesting than teaching you to read."

Seeing the enormous black cat look as though she had found prey, Little Arro felt a chill in his heart and could not help doubting whether he had made the wrong choice.

But he could hardly take back what he had said. Besides, his father was still at home. It was not as if she could kill him, right?

Little Arro took a deep breath, gathered his courage, and added, "If... you could teach me some special Training Methods, that would be even better!"

For example, your method of cultivation.

Little Arro quietly added that in his heart.

"Special Training Methods? A human cub is actually asking a cat for guidance?"

"Huh?"

So my family isn't a family of demons after all?

"How fascinating!"

Black Cat Gemma stepped gracefully around Little Arro in a circle. Her deep Vertical Pupils looked him up and down, her whiskers twitching slightly as a faintly amused expression appeared on her face. "Fine, I agree!"

Noticing the black cat's claws repeatedly flexing and retracting, Little Arro forced a stiff smile as unease rose within him.

Can I still back out?

"Let's go. Your mother has agreed as well."

The black cat turned away, her soft tail brushing across Little Arro's face.

Mother agreed too?

When did you tell Mother?

Right, when Mother said she was finding me a teacher, she had only pressed her fingers to her brow.

After the black cat arrived, she directly asked Mother whether she was supposed to teach me. Mother never verbally made the request then, either.

What kind of method is that?

I want it too!

Little Arro's heart burned with excitement. He put down the book and hurriedly got to his feet.

But when he saw the black cat heading toward the Castle gates, unease filled him again. He hurriedly spoke up to ask, "Teacher Gemma, where are we going? Do we have to go outside to train?"

The black cat swayed as she walked forward, like an elegant lady. Without looking back, she asked, "Have you ever seen a cat train in such a cramped place?"

Hah! I've never seen a cat train at all, neither in my past life nor in This Life!

Little Arro suppressed his unease and followed the black cat outside. As they passed the Open Space that had been turned into a Training Ground, he spotted Knight Cabir, who was now regularly stationed there. An idea suddenly came to him, and he called out loudly, "Good day, Knight Cabir!"

Hearing the familiar voice, Knight Cabir stopped training, turned, and walked over.

"Good day, Young Master Arro."

Knight Cabir looked around, crouched down, and asked with a smile, "Young Master Arro, you just learned the Knight's Breathing Technique. Why aren't you practicing in the Castle? Why did you come out alone?"

Putting on an innocent act, Little Arro bounced happily as he said, "Knight Cabir, you told me that the Knight's Breathing Technique was meant to be used alongside training. But I can't do any of your Training Methods, so I invited another teacher to teach me."

Over the past few days, Little Arro had observed that Cabir's so-called training resembled the Muscle Building Exercise he had seen in Arro's previous life. Such a Training Method truly was unsuitable for a child who had just turned one.

"Another teacher?" Cabir froze slightly, then immediately demanded in anger, "Ignoring the fragility of a young child's body just to gain benefits and advance himself—what a despicable scoundrel! Who is he? Where is he now?"

Little Arro rejoiced inwardly. He had not expected Cabir to react so strongly. Putting on a frightened expression, he turned his head toward the black cat beside him.

Following Little Arro's gaze, Cabir finally noticed the large cat not far away.

"Lady Nicole's Magic Pet?!"

Magic Pet?

This was another term Little Arro had never learned.

But he could understand the earlier words.

Lady Nicole's... 'Magic Pet'?

Cabir had referred to the black cat using Mother's name, indicating that she belonged to Mother. And Mother had entrusted her with teaching him to read, which meant Mother trusted her greatly.

From those words alone, it was clear that the black cat probably would not harm him.

The black cat licked her paw and spoke in a cold female voice. "My name is Gemma."

Cabir was not surprised that the black cat could speak. He immediately stood and bowed respectfully. "Good day, Lord Gemma. If it is you, then there certainly will be no problem."

Seeing even Cabir say that, Little Arro became even more interested in the black cat's special Training Method.

The black cat lowered her paw. Her Vertical Pupils cast a faintly amused glance at Little Arro before she raised her head and spoke. "Cabir, is it?"

Cabir lowered his head in reply. "Yes, Lord Gemma."

"Come with us. Otherwise, our little coward will be afraid."

Little Arro...

So even after studying with this black cat for over a month, I still dislike and reject her that much.

Cold, lazy, arrogant, sharp, and sharp-tongued. She perfectly embodies everything about a huge black cat.

Cabir gave Little Arro a strange look. He did not know why Lord Gemma had given such an assessment.

Still, he was indeed interested in the large black cat's special Training Method. So he respectfully said, "Then I shall trouble you, my lord."