A Vulpo Girl's Life as a Rhodes Island Operator

Fengling was not entirely unaware in her sleep.

But the Feline girl's movements were so light and posed no threat at all. Fengling merely dreamed that something had lifted her tail for a moment before continuing her bizarre, fantastical dream journey.

The Ecological Botanical Garden fell silent once more.

Only the occasional chirping of the birds being kept there could be heard.

The simulated ventilation system sent gentle breezes drifting through from time to time, accompanied by a soft rustling sound.

As for that tiny "uninvited guest," there were clearly people who would keep an eye on her movements.

After some time, someone came looking for her.

"Rosmontis~ Rosmontis~ Are you here?"

Perhaps knowing that it was nap time and that someone might be resting in the Botanical Garden, the person searching for the Operator codenamed "Rosmontis" kept her voice relatively low.

Though one could still tell that she normally had quite the booming voice...

The new visitor was someone Fengling knew.

Rhodes Island Elite Operator—Blaze.

She was also the combat instructor Dobermann had assigned to Fengling over the past few days.

Their fighting styles did overlap in certain aspects, so this arrangement was hardly surprising.

Blaze simply had not expected to find Fengling here...

She had come looking for Rosmontis.

That small white-haired Feline.

Though Fengling's sleeping face was peaceful, the silver-white tuft of hair behind her tail was exceptionally conspicuous to Blaze.

After all, most of Fengling's chestnut fur belonged to the darker spectrum—especially compared to white.

"Nya?"

Blaze blinked in surprise.

In her understanding, Rosmontis rarely felt a natural closeness toward strangers.

But once she did, it generally meant that the other person was not only a good person, but also someone she was likely compatible with based on their "aura."

At least, that was how it appeared on the surface.

It was not an exaggeration. Children were remarkably perceptive about such things.

Still, since Rosmontis was having a rare good dream, Blaze did not want to disturb her.

Blaze's cat ears twitched.

Her cat tail swayed lightly as well.

Clearly, her feline curiosity had been piqued.

Fengling's big tail was absolutely irresistible!

Blaze took off her shoes and slipped beneath Fengling's tail.

Do not let Blaze's carefree manner and broad, open fighting style fool you.

As a Feline, she could absolutely move lightly whenever she wanted.

A perfect infiltration!

There were now two cats, one large and one small, resting beneath Fengling's tail.

However, this peace did not last long.

Partly because Fengling's nap had already reached the point where she would naturally wake up.

But there was another important reason.

"Ho... hot!!!"

Blaze was quite the fiery Operator!

That was not merely reflected in her personality, but also in the temperature around her.

She was born with a scorching heat about her.

In June, even with the light adjusted, the temperature was still on the high side.

Who could endure having a heater stuffed beneath their tail?!

That was how Fengling woke up.

Elite Operators, So Called

Drenched in fragrant sweat from her nap, Fengling immediately sensed something wrong upon waking and checked beneath her tail.

Well then, two kitties!

The white-haired Feline girl looked incredibly small and could be completely buried beneath Fengling's tail.

But the other, larger Feline was purely joining in on the fun!

The kind who had forcibly squeezed herself in!

Blaze had clearly not fallen asleep. She had genuinely just squeezed in for fun, and when she saw Fengling wake up, she bared her teeth in a somewhat embarrassed smile.

Though it was only the tiniest bit of embarrassment.

The white-haired Feline girl, meanwhile, was clearly still sleeping soundly. Fengling did not disturb her, instead sitting up while keeping her tail draped over the girl.

"Blaze, were you looking for me?"

Fengling asked Blaze softly.

From the day they met during the employment test until now, after several days together due to her specialized combat training, Fengling had become quite familiar with Blaze.

Blaze had even dragged her out for a drink.

Of course... the result was that Blaze received a thorough scolding from Doctor Kal'tsit for encouraging a minor to drink, along with a warning not to do it again.

After all, in Fengling's eyes, having grown up in Lungmen, there had never really been such a rule.

It was simply the sort of thing one might naturally encounter upon reaching a certain age.

Not everyone liked it, of course, but in Great Yan—and indeed in many other countries and regions—alcohol undeniably had a tremendous influence.

Kal'tsit knew that as well.

And Blaze would never choose to drink at a time when there was even the slightest chance of it interfering with work.

So in essence, it was only a verbal warning. The point was that she could not lead children astray!

As for how that drinking session had ended...

Blaze had thrown an arm around Fengling's shoulders and loudly called her "sister."

Still, Blaze had not actually come for Fengling.

She pointed at the white-haired Feline sleeping soundly.

"I came for her."

"She's so little... She looks about Amiya's age. Is she an Operator too?"

Blaze smiled, her face even carrying the pride of someone praising her own daughter.

"Not only is she one, she'll likely be promoted to Elite Operator soon."

Elite Operator...

Fengling understood very clearly just how weighty the term "Elite Operator" was at Rhodes Island.

There were those like Blaze, who displayed super-first-rate strength with first-rate skill.

Then there were those who were themselves extraordinarily powerful and possessed all manner of unusual abilities.

For such a young girl to be considered an Elite Operator, Fengling could only roughly guess that it was the latter.

"Regarding her... you cannot ask too much for now. At present, all I can tell you is that her codename is 'Rosmontis.'" Blaze's face carried a trace of apology. "Sorry. When your clearance rises in the future, you'll learn more. I believe you'll be able to do it sooner or later."

"You think that highly of me?" Fengling chuckled, though she did indeed carry an air of confidence.

Over the past few days, her improvement had been obvious.

Fengling had already possessed abundant potential. Once she began developing it, this sort of growth was inevitable.

But by now, Fengling had also vaguely guessed where such potential came from.

So she did not feel the slightest arrogance.

Making the most of everything she possessed now and preparing herself to face every difficulty she might encounter.

That was what mattered most.

Still, there was much she needed to learn for now.

Combat techniques.

The common knowledge she lacked, the general knowledge a Rhodes Island Operator ought to possess.

Certain specialized emergency battlefield wound-treatment techniques that only Fengling could perform.

Even non-combat knowledge such as disguise, intelligence gathering, and negotiation.

"You'll learn them well."

However, Blaze seemed to say that a little too loudly.

Rosmontis's long eyelashes trembled.

It seemed she was about to wake up.

When she opened her eyes, they seemed to hold a small measure of confusion.

"Good morning, little kitty."

A remarkably bright smile appeared on Blaze's face as she greeted Rosmontis.

"Blaze." Rosmontis sat up, hugging Fengling's tail with a touch of reluctance. "And the big sister whose tail is very comfortable."

The big sister whose tail was very comfortable...

Fengling had always been very confident in her tail, and treasured it dearly.

Whenever conditions allowed, she groomed it beautifully every single day.

But Fengling herself had always known that she was an absolutely top-tier fox-eared beauty!

What was this sense of defeat at being beaten by her own tail?!

"Big sister, what is your name?"

Rosmontis asked in her soft, sweet voice.

Though Fengling instinctively found Rosmontis's way of asking somewhat strange, she still replied with a smile, "I'm Fengling, a new Rhodes Island Operator! Blaze is currently my combat instructor!"

"Okay. I'll remember."

There was a trace of determination in Rosmontis's childish tone.

As though this was... a very difficult thing for her?

Fengling caught that feeling.

But since Rosmontis was awake, Blaze intended to continue with what she had yet to do.

"Rosmontis, Doctor Kal'tsit is looking for you. Today is the day she gives you your examination." Blaze stroked Rosmontis's head and said gently, "Amiya is there too."

"I understand. Wait for me a moment..."

Rosmontis took out her personal terminal and seemed to be recording something.

While waiting, Blaze looked at Fengling with an almost incredulous expression.

"She's a good kid, isn't she?"

Fengling nodded.