Chapter 88: Naming the puppies
A few days had passed already.
Most of Jaden’s time was spent on feeding the pups, and he turned out to be right. The pups who had their growth stifled till now began to grow with a speed even he found outrageous.
They were already twice the size of his palms, and they had also grown small fangs; their fur had receded a little, and their small paws, which weren’t visible before, could be seen now. Similar to their nose and mouth.
Jaden sat in his bed as he looked at the two puppies with a heavy frown. He muttered.
"Aren’t you both growing up too fast?"
The puppies lifted their small heads and looked at him before turning to each other. The white-furred one lifted his front paw and pointed at the dark-furred one as he spoke.
"Bree. Bre. Breee!"
He didn’t know what it was trying to say, but looking at the furious reaction of the dark one, he understood it wasn’t something good.
"Bruu... bruuu!"
Once again, he didn’t know what they were talking about. He heaved a sigh, and both of the devouring pups fell silent. He fell back in his bed, and the puppies looked at him, then at each other, before walking over to him with their little paws.
He looked into the eyes of the puppies as they snuggled up to him. He suddenly sat up, picked both of them, and placed them on his lap. He rubbed his chin thoughtfully and muttered.
"I should give names to both of you."
The puppies’ eyes suddenly gleamed like little galaxies as they looked at him with anticipating eyes.
"What should I name you two..."
A few moments later, he nodded and spoke as he picked up the dark one. "Blacky." he placed Blacky down and picked up the white one. "Whitey." He also placed Whitey down, and a bright smile spread across his face. "Blacky and Whitey."
The devouring pups looked at each other and conveyed with their eyes that said:
Are you fine with it?
Better than nothing, I guess?
Yeah...
They turned to look at Jaden, who wore a wide, satisfied grin. Seeing that grin, they said nothing and just snuggled closer to him.
Jaden’s grin widened even further as he picked them up and placed them on his chest and abdomen. He lay down while caressing them.
"Blacky... and Whitey, my cuties," he mumbled happily.
These two were not simple pets anymore; they had become what he had always wanted... they had become his family. Each time he caressed them, he felt more complete—more connected to the world... He no longer felt alone. He felt like he had finally found someone of his own in this world.
As he was drowning in his moment of completeness and peace, someone knocked at his door.
He raised an eyebrow before questioning.
"Who is it?"
Jamie, who stood on the other side of the door, answered, "It’s me."
Jaden, for some reason, felt like teasing him, so he questioned.
"Who’s me?"
"Fuc— Huff... Calm. Calm."
Jaden was sure he’d have gotten a flood of curses if they weren’t in the mansion
"I am coming in," Jamie said as he pushed open the door and stepped inside. Just as he stepped inside, his eyes fell on Jaden, who was playing with the two devouring pups.
’They... are different from before?’ he thought as he looked at the two devouring pups.
"What’s up?" Jaden questioned as he caressed Blacky and Whitey.
"It’s about the academy," Jamie answered as he walked over to the chairs and table placed a few steps away and sat in one of the chairs.
Jaden raised an eyebrow at his words and questioned immediately.
"Hmm? Don’t we still have two days for that?"
Jamie nodded at him and answered slowly.
"Arcane Knight Academy is within the capital, Fatherion. To reach Fatherion from here while managing our daily needs, it will take us at least two days, so Big Sis has decided to depart the next morning."
Jaden listened to his words and thought.
’Considering that every nation was divided into seven sectors... it would indeed take that much time.’
Each great nation has seven sectors based on its geological position: Eastern sector, Western sector, Northern sector, Southern sector, Central sector, Southeastern sector and Northwestern sector. Similarly, some sectors also had slums on the outskirts. Jaden had also stopped the nightmare at the Eastern outskirts of Ambitus. (EOA)
Each sector had its own forces of Arcane Knights to contain the gates, but the same wasn’t true for the outskirts... so they would have to be careful of the attacks of nightmares and star beasts while travelling to the academy.
A few moments later, Jaden questioned.
"What about the others?"
Jamie, who was staring at the devouring pups with narrowed eyes, straightened himself and looked at Jaden as he replied.
"I’ve already talked with Arden and Navin; both of them will arrive at nearly the same time as us."
Listening to his response made him frown as he questioned. "What about Selina and Shelly?"
Jamie didn’t reply and stood to leave—but before he could reach the door, the shadows suddenly stretched further. Shadowy chains came out of them and bound his legs.
Jamie heaved a sigh and looked at Jaden with sharp eyes as he spoke coldly.
"Recall your magic, Jaden."
"I want you to answer me, Jamie," Jaden said with the same intensity.
"I didn’t ask them. I can’t forgive Selina for what happened to Art and Ren, and Shelly gives me the creeps. That’s all of it." Jamie answered as he clenched his fists and mumbled in his head.
’Only if I wasn’t this pathetically weak...’
Jaden looked into his eyes for a moment before dispelling the [Umbral Chains ★★] and speaking softly.
"I am sorry for acting like that."
Jamie didn’t say anything and left in silence.
"Hah... Things will only grow more chaotic..." Jaden muttered as he fell back in his bed.