Arthur pointed toward the wash area.

"Bath."

He made a small motion, mimicking washing.

"...Then me. Then training."

He spoke as he moved, not expecting her to fully understand, but still talking anyway.

It felt natural.

Mel followed his gestures with her eyes.

Her ears twitched.

Arthur paused.

"...You actually get that, don’t you?"

Her tail moved once.

And that was enough of an answer.

Arthur chuckled.

"Yeah... you’re not normal."

He didn’t mind.

If anything, it made things better.

He stepped forward, bending slightly as he picked her up.

"Come on, let’s get the day started."

Mel didn’t resist.

She just stayed still in his arms, watching everything.

Arthur walked toward the wash area, already thinking about the day ahead.

Training.

Testing the system.

Trying the ally link.

"...Yeah. Today’s going to be busy."

But just as he took another step..

The system appeared.

Arthur stopped immediately.

"...Of course."

His eyes sharpened.

"Now what?"

✦══════════════════════════════════════✦

❂ SOVEREIGN INTENT SYSTEM ❂

✦══════════════════════════════════════✦

⟦ Ally Intent Reflection Triggered ⟧

Registered Ally: Mel

Species: Black Wolf Cub

Bond Status: Stable (Developing Loyalty)

⟦ Intent Pattern Detected ⟧

Primary Intent: Connection

Secondary Intent: Communication

⟦ Skill Framework Identified ⟧

Compatible Awakening: Language-Link Type

Classification: Mental / Bond Communication

━━━ SKILL FORMATION AVAILABLE ━━━

To stabilize this awakening, Intent Points may be used as a catalyst.

Cost: 10 IP

Note: Skill clarity improves with bond strength and shared experience.

Proceed with Intent Catalyst?

⟦ YES / NO ⟧

✦══════════════════════════════════════✦

Arthur froze.

He read it once.

Then again.

Slower.

"...No way."

His grip on Mel tightened slightly, though not enough to hurt her.

"Communication?"

His eyes moved down to her.

She stared back.

Calm.

As if expecting something.

Arthur exhaled.

"...You wanted this?"

He almost laughed.

Not because it was funny.

But because it made too much sense.

He had just been thinking about it.

Just now.

And the system.. It picked it up.

It wasn’t from him.

Instead from her.

Arthur’s gaze shifted back to the interface as he read through.

"Primary intent... connection."

"Secondary... communication."

He then let out a quiet breath.

"...You’re smarter than you look."

Mel blinked.

Arthur shook his head, smiling slightly.

"Alright. I get it."

He didn’t hesitate.

There was no reason to.

If she wanted to communicate...

Then he wasn’t going to hold that back. He was even more excited about it than she was

"Let’s see what you’ve got."

"Yes."

He willed and the system responded instantly.

✦══════════════════════════════════════✦

❂ SOVEREIGN INTENT SYSTEM ❂

✦══════════════════════════════════════✦

⟦ Confirmation Received ⟧

User Response: YES

⟦ Intent Points Deducted ⟧

✦ -10 IP ✦

⟦ Intent Catalyst Applied ⟧

Linking Ally Consciousness...

Stabilizing Communication Pathway...

Translating Instinct into Language...

⟦ Warning ⟧

Mental feedback may occur during initial synchronization.

━━━ AWAKENING IN PROGRESS ━━━

✦══════════════════════

Arthur stayed still.

Waiting with so much focus and curiosity.

"...Let’s see."

A few seconds passed.

Nothing happened.

Then...

A sharp pressure hit his head.

Arthur flinched.

"...Tch.."

It wasn’t pain exactly.

But it was loud.

Like noise forced straight into his mind.

Unclear and rough at first.

But he slowly processed the voice he heard.

Not through his ears.

Inside.

"...No... no..."

Arthur froze.

"...What?"

The voice came again.

Louder this time.

Messy.

Like someone shouting without knowing how.

"No water! No water!"

Arthur blinked.

Then blinked again.

"...Wait."

He slowly looked down at Mel.

She was staring right at him.

And the voice..

Came again.

"No water! No water!"

Arthur stared.

Then his expression shifted.

"...You’ve got to be kidding me."

It clicked.

Immediately.

He looked toward the wash area.

Then back at her.

"...You formed a skill... just to avoid a bath?"

Mel’s tail stiffened slightly.

Arthur let out a short laugh.

"You’re serious."

The voice came again, clearer this time.

"No water!"

Arthur rubbed his face.

"...Wow."

Of all the things..

This was what she chose to be her first words.

He shook his head, still smiling.

"Not happening."

Mel froze.

Then the voice came again, softer this time.

"...No... water?"

Arthur sighed.

"Yeah, I heard you the first time."

He adjusted his hold on her.

"You still need it."

A pause.

Then...

"...No."

Arthur laughed again.

"Now you’re arguing?"

He shook his head.

"You’re already a problem."

Mel shifted slightly, clearly unhappy.

Arthur exhaled.

"...Alright."

He thought for a second.

Then spoke again.

"I’ll make it quick."

A pause.

Then he added,

"And I’ll dry you after."

Mel went quiet.

Arthur raised a brow.

"...With wind."

That did it.

Her body relaxed just a bit.

The voice came again, hesitant.

"...Warm?"

Arthur smirked.

"Yeah. Warm."

A small pause.

Then..

"...Okay..."

Arthur blinked.

Then laughed under his breath.

"...You really negotiated that."

He adjusted his grip again.

"Fine. Let’s get it over with."

This time, Mel didn’t resist.

Arthur moved quickly.

The bath itself didn’t take long.

Mel stayed still for most of it, though he could feel every bit of her discomfort through the link.

It was clear.

Sharp and unfiltered.

"...Yeah, I get it. You hate this."

She didn’t respond.

But he felt it.

Very clearly.

The moment he finished, he stepped back slightly.

"Alright. Done."

Mel shook her body immediately.

Arthur raised a hand.

"Wait."

He focused.

Then released a controlled gust of wind.

Not too strong.

Just enough.

The air wrapped around her, drying her fur within seconds.

Mel froze.

Then her tail moved slowly.

"...Warm..."

Arthur smirked.

"Told you."

He crouched slightly, setting her down.

She landed lightly, then looked up at him.

Different now.

More expressive.

More... present.

Arthur nodded to himself.

"...Yeah. This is good."

He could feel her better.

Not just what she did.

But what she felt.

The skill was... useful.

Very useful.

He straightened up.

"Alright. Your turn is done."

Mel sat there, watching him.

Then..

A small feeling came through.

Smug.

Arthur paused.

Then narrowed his eyes slightly.

"...Don’t start."

She didn’t move.

But he felt it again.

That same feeling.

Arthur scoffed.

"You just complained the whole time."

He turned toward the wash area.

"Relax."

He waved a hand.

"Now it’s my turn."

As he walked off, he could still feel her presence behind him.

Light. Steady. Connected.

Arthur let out a small breath.

"...Not bad."

A faint smile stayed on his face.

"Not bad at all."