Chapter 40
On a morning two days later, while Yomi was still sleeping soundly in bed, Anxius—after rushing back and forth between several planets—finally returned to the estate.
The exhaustion of those past days seemed to have left not the slightest trace of weariness on him. The man walked straight-backed to the bedroom door, raised a hand in time to stop the servant opposite him from speaking a greeting, then gently held the doorknob and stepped into the bedroom with slow, quiet strides.
The bedroom was cleaned every day. Although Yomi’s little castle was small, tiny housekeeping robots also went inside to tidy it, so even after several days of absence, the place was still as neat as ever… no, some parts were different.
On the tea table nearest the little castle was a pile of books related to skills. Yomi had bought all of them.
Anxius’s gaze swept over them one by one, and a few seconds later fell on a small golden booklet beside the books. He looked puzzled.
Beginner Skill Certificate?
Snar had no such certificate. People who awakened skills were extremely rare, and most of them were singled out for elite training. At most, skills would be noted on a person’s identification papers and recorded in the relevant archives. There was simply no need for this kind of certification.
Anxius picked up the little booklet and opened it. What met his eyes were two small ID photos.
One was of Yomi in human form. He had probably taken it with his optical brain a long time ago. The background was still the little wooden cabin, and he was wearing doll clothes, facing the camera stiffly.
Anxius had seen this photo before. It was the same one Yomi had used to fill in his information for the tunnel-crawling competition.
The other was an ID photo of the little sheep, probably taken by Bruel, because the background was the wall of Bruel’s basement. The little sheep’s four legs were stretched very straight, his fluffy head raised proudly, and his eyes looked as though they were smiling.
Name: Yomi
Gender: Male
Skill: Shape-Shifting
Level: Beginner
Issued by: Bruel Studio
Anxius: “…”
In the soft, warm bedding, the little sheep stretched lazily. The next moment, his ears twitched and immediately stood straight up… someone had come in.
Yomi thought it was Karl, who had come to pick him up for “Bruel School.” He hummed sleepily as he climbed up, shook out his wool, jumped steadily onto the floor, then nudged open the castle door and greeted the figure outside.
“Good morning, Car—”
The moment their eyes met, the little sheep’s body froze for a second. Then, all at once, he began hopping around cheerfully. He ran a circle around the man, his hooves going clip-clop clip-clop, then with one leap bounced onto the sofa.
“Your Highness Anxius, you’re back? Long time no see!”
Yes, it really had been a long time.
Anxius reached out and picked the little sheep up at once.
Yomi was lifted high. Looking down, he spotted the opened golden booklet on the tea table and hurriedly explained, “Bruel said that since I can talk now, it means I’ve already mastered beginner-level skills. Once I turn back into a human, he can give me the intermediate skill certificate…” Of course, he knew this was not an official certification, but Bruel was his teacher, and the certificate he issued still carried weight. Yomi had been greatly encouraged by it!
“What does it take to get the advanced certificate?” Anxius set him down. As soon as he finished asking, he skillfully picked up a comb and began brushing his wool and wiping his face. Though he was clearly the one serving someone else, he looked like the one enjoying it.
“On top of being able to switch freely between human and sheep form, I’d also have to successfully transform into other false forms…” As he spoke, Yomi’s voice grew quieter. The reason he had not gone for the advanced certificate was because, to him, this was like saying that yes, humans do exist who grow to two meters tall, but expecting an adult who is only about one meter seventy to keep growing to two meters would just be asking too much.
Now that Yomi had started learning about skills, he knew how hard it was to enlarge the golden circle. He would most likely never reach the advanced level.
Still, this was what Bruel had said at the time:
“You have to have dreams. Grandpa believes in you.”
That expression had completely looked like a grandfather watching a child who had only just learned how to walk declare that he would become world champion, then giving a thumbs-up and saying, You can definitely do it…
Anxius did not comment on that. He simply focused on finishing brushing the wool, then carefully wiped each of the four little hooves several times as well.
By the time Karl arrived, what he saw was the little sheep lying contentedly in the Crown Prince’s arms, peacefully enjoying having his wool brushed.
“We’re not going to Bruel’s today,” Anxius said without even lifting his head. Looking at the little sheep, he asked, “Would you like to go on a trip?”
The little sheep’s lazy eyes opened wide at once, sparkling brightly. “A trip?”
“Mm. A two-day, one-night camping trip. To the seaside outside.”
Yomi immediately perked up. “You’re taking me?”
Over there, Karl had already understood everything and almost wanted to run over and rub the little sheep’s head. Silly Mimi. If His Highness was not taking you, who else would he take?
Anxius nodded. Without another word, Yomi dashed back to the little castle in excitement to pack his luggage.
Karl was delighted too. He knew Anxius had been rushing around nonstop lately, and Yomi had also been exhausted from studying. How nice it would be for them to relax and unwind together on a holiday.
Just as he was thinking of making arrangements, the Crown Prince said, “Karl, stay here. If anyone from the royal family calls for me, tell them I am recovering from illness. As for anything else, there is no need to deal with it.”
Karl still had not realized how serious the matter was. He immediately answered yes, then hurried over like an old mother hen to help Yomi prepare his things. Since they were traveling, he needed a small bag to carry personal items. Karl hesitated for a while between a backpack and a crossbody bag, then finally gritted his teeth and packed both into the large bag.
The little sheep could decide later according to his mood.
But when he went out to see the Crown Prince and the little sheep off, Karl gradually realized something was wrong—
The Crown Prince had absolutely no intention of bringing any attendants with him!
Anxius led Yomi straight into the small aircraft. After the servants loaded the camping equipment and other supplies, he headed directly into the cockpit…
Karl hurried after him. “Your Highness, you’re really not bringing anyone else?”
The man gave a small nod and focused on starting up the aircraft. Without giving Karl any chance to persuade him otherwise, he piloted it straight into the blue sky.
This was not some sudden whim on Anxius’s part, though now that it had begun, he was indeed happy.
He had already found a doctor capable of performing the human-form surgery and knew all the possible consequences by heart… This current stage was the preparation period before surgery. Taking Yomi on a trip before the operation had been part of Anxius’s plan for a long time.
Yomi, meanwhile, did not think that far ahead. In his eyes, Anxius was extremely capable. He had even made it out of Leia Continent unharmed. Now they were only going on a two-day, one-night holiday to a seaside tourist spot. Whether they brought other people or not did not really seem dangerous.
This counted as Yomi’s first real trip. It was not a business trip with a little sightseeing squeezed in, and it had nothing to do with the show. So he took it rather seriously. Before transmigrating, he had also planned to go traveling for a few days once he got paid from his part-time job, and had even made a detailed itinerary.
Now that Anxius was taking him, he no longer needed to make a travel plan. But he still did not skimp on the preparations he could make. This time, he brought his study notes, a mini camera, and several hats from before. His old clothes no longer fit him in human size, but he could still wear hats! There were straw hats, baseball caps, berets, bucket hats… all of them perfect for travel photos~
The cockpit where Anxius sat was not far from Yomi. Only a glass door separated them, almost like the distance between a taxi driver and passenger. After tidying up his little bag with his hoof, Yomi crawled over to watch Anxius pilot the aircraft.
Yomi felt that their aircraft resembled a spaceship. It was oval-shaped, and the top was like a glass dome. The moment he looked up, he could see the whole sky.
The little sheep lay down, munched on the herb snacks Karl had prepared, tilted his head up to admire the scenery in the air, and tapped his hoof rhythmically on the wooden floor… he was enjoying himself beyond words. If this had been a car, he would have wanted to open the window, stand up, and spread his arms to embrace the wind.
Though sheep probably could not really do the pose of standing upright with arms spread? Never mind. The little sheep rolled onto his back, let his belly bask in the sunlight, and happily waited for the tourist destination they were about to reach.
A little after noon, they arrived at the seaside base.
This was part of a fully developed tourist area, but since it was the off-season, there were not many visitors around.
After parking the aircraft, the little sheep reminded Anxius to put on sunglasses. He did not care much about being recognized, but he still put them on. Then he carried the little sheep toward the broad seaside.
The sun was blazing. Yomi had already put on a large sun hat for himself. Tilting his head up and sniffing the salty fishy smell in the air, he could not help letting out a bleat.
The sea, here I come!
On the beach, some Snar natives had reverted to their original forms to sunbathe, so the appearance of one little sheep did not attract any special attention.
Yomi had long since been unable to hold himself back. The moment he saw the beach, he arched his body, wanting to jump down. As soon as Anxius bent over, he rolled himself onto the sand in one quick movement and ran about to his heart’s content.
A long trail of little sheep hoofprints was left behind on the beach.
Yomi excitedly charged into the shallow water, stretching out a hoof to test the water. His tiny hoof dipped into the clear seawater again and again. After poking it for a good while, he finally plopped in with a splash.
Even with wet wool, he did not look any thinner. So it was not fake fluff!
Anxius stood on the shore watching him, still holding the little duck-shaped swim ring he had just bought from a nearby stall.
The little sheep was still hopping about in the shallows and stepping on crabs when, from the corner of his eye, he suddenly noticed something yellow beside him… He turned his head and saw a huge yellow duck swim ring!
Anxius placed him into the ring, then went into the water himself and swam toward the deeper area.
The little sheep lay with all four hooves draped over the swim ring, floating there at a loss. Before long, he suddenly saw a massive dark shadow swimming toward him from the distance… Yomi nearly let out a frightened sheep cry. That shadow even had a horn poking out of the water. At first glance, it looked like a shark, but fortunately he quickly recognized it as the horn of Anxius’s original form.
The little sheep patted his chest with his hoof. That was really terrifying.
Anxius had removed his human skin suit underwater and come over to play with the little sheep.
Yomi paddled with his hoof to steer the swim ring around. But each time he got a little farther away from the monster, the monster would swim over and nudge him back again. At last, Yomi simply jumped out of the swim ring and started swimming himself. Still, he did not dare go into deep water. Every time he felt the water reaching his forehead, he would immediately swim back.
The monster noticed his fear, swam over, placed him on his neck, and said, “Don’t be afraid,” before starting toward deeper waters.
The wet little sheep riding on the monster’s back quickly became quite a striking sight on the sea.
Several monsters lounging in the sun noticed the strange phenomenon and all sat up.
“My god, what is that? Flying across the water?”
“Probably just someone who swims well, right? But that original form is way too small.”
“Hahaha, what a little swimming prodigy!”
“No, look carefully. His hooves are all sticking out. He’s obviously sitting on a boat, right?”
“What boat sinks into the water like that? It’s some especially large original form carrying him underneath!”
“Are you sure it’s not a little sheep driving a yacht?”
“…”
Yomi was nervous to death. He was afraid he might fall off, so several times he could not help reaching forward with his front two hooves to touch Anxius’s horns. Each time he did, it really did feel a bit like piloting a yacht… That outrageously disrespectful thought was quickly blown away by the sea breeze. After one strong wave, Anxius carried him back to shore.
That had really been a thrilling high-speed ride at sea… The little sheep shook off the water and remained dazed for quite a while.
Anxius shook the water from himself too, lowered his head to nuzzle the little sheep’s head, then picked him up and went to a shop to buy coconut juice and ice cream.
The seaside sun was strong. After sitting on the lounge chair for only a short while, most of their fur had dried. Yomi and Anxius each occupied one of two adjacent deck chairs. Yomi took a sip of the coconut juice Anxius was feeding him, then lowered his head to lick the ice cream in front of him.
The little sheep lay sprawled there, his two pairs of hooves splayed outward in an eight shape. The sunlight shone over him, so comfortable it made him want to fall asleep.
Before going to sleep, Yomi got up, picked up his sun hat in his mouth, and asked Anxius to help him put it on.
The little sheep lay down again. Once he felt the hat covering his forehead, he shut his eyes in peace.
Time to enjoy a nice sunbath!
…Wait, why did his hooves feel itchy? The little sheep arched his body and turned back in confusion to look at them… The monster was applying sunscreen to him. Yes, to his hooves!
“This…”
“The only parts exposed are your hooves,” Anxius explained solemnly. “Otherwise they’ll get tanned.”
There was still room for them to get tanned? Yomi glanced at his black hooves and lay back down in a daze.
The Crown Prince’s taste was a little strange.
After getting sunscreen rubbed onto his little feetsies, Yomi took a nap under the sun and woke up warm all over.
Before dark, they left that stretch of sea, returned to the aircraft, and flew to the nearest small island.
Green hills rolled across the island, and several tents had already been set up—tourists camping there.
Anxius chose a place beside a tree to pitch their tent. The tent was large and felt almost like a home inside. It had a compact sofa, a stove, cooking utensils… Anxius took out the ingredients and began making dinner. The little sheep kept circling around as if he wanted to help, but after glancing at his hooves, he resigned himself to his fate and lay on the carpet gnawing on the apple Anxius had peeled for him.
So sweet. As sweet as life was now.
Anxius’s own dinner was simple. He only fried a steak. But for Yomi, he somehow managed to prepare four dishes and one soup. Naturally, the dishes were different kinds of grass and grains, while the soup was milk suitable for sheep.
Yomi finished all of it!
His belly was full and round, and he did not want to move. But he also wanted to see the island at night… Just as he was squatting in the doorway, staring at the moon and sighing, Anxius suddenly took out a swing and went outside to tie it high between two trees.
Yomi: …You really do know what you’re doing!
And so, the hopelessly lazy little sheep lay on the swing while the monster gently rocked him, letting him overlook the distant view.
Yomi felt rather embarrassed, but skills were said to consume a lot of energy. It was only natural that after awakening his skill, he did not have enough stamina, right? It had to be the skill making him physically weaker, not that he was deliberately being lazy… Very soon, the little sheep accepted the Crown Prince’s pampering with a perfectly clear conscience, sprawling on the swing netting in all directions, licking the wool on his chest, so comfortable he almost wanted to compose a poem.
Softly I leave, just as softly I came;
I wave a hoof, not taking away a single blade of grass…
Baa~
Without having to move a single step, he could still enjoy the island night view. Yomi contentedly rolled over and slowly drooped his eyelids in the night breeze wrapped in the sound of waves.
Some time later, hearing soft snoring sounds, Anxius leaned in to look, then picked up the sleeping little sheep and carried him back into the tent.
Outside, the stars were scattered across the sky. As he stepped into the tent, the little sheep in his arms faintly began taking on a human shape. Anxius froze. Just as he was about to touch him, the human outline changed back into a little sheep once more.
The monster gazed at the little sheep in his arms for a long time. Then he resumed walking, bent down, placed the sheep back into his nest, tucked in the blanket carefully, and turned to tidy up the things inside the tent. After finishing the last bit of cleanup, the monster returned to the little sheep and lay down beside him, wrapping the sheep and the blanket tightly in his arms.
Yomi slept until he woke naturally. After breakfast with Anxius, they went to the island’s wide-open grasslands, where many domesticated animals were kept. Among them, alpacas were the most numerous, and many tourists were interacting with them.
The little sheep was staring at the alpacas when Anxius suddenly asked, “Do you want to pilot the aircraft?”
Pilot what?
The little sheep’s ears twitched so hard they were almost airplane ears. He nearly thought he had heard wrong.
Seeing the eager anticipation in his eyes, Anxius picked him up and carried him toward the aircraft. “I’ll teach you.”
You really can? The little sheep was stunned.
Once they reached the cockpit, Anxius first demonstrated how to start the aircraft. After taking it up into the air, he calmly introduced the function of each control area and showed him one by one how they worked.
It did not seem that difficult… but Yomi did not dare!
Noticing the little sheep’s helplessness, Anxius placed him in the pilot’s seat, his huge wings surrounding him on all sides. “Don’t be afraid. Even if you make a mistake, it’s fine. I’m here.”
…That was true. Anxius could fly. Even if the aircraft suddenly dropped, this guy could probably haul it back up physically in midair…
With Anxius’s reassurance, Yomi felt much less pressure.
The more skills the better… Learning to pilot an aircraft was something he had never even dared dream of before!
The little sheep shakily placed his hoof on the controls and, following Anxius’s instructions, nervously began operating it.
“Very good,” Anxius’s voice surrounded him. “Look straight ahead.”
Before long, the little sheep’s movements grew more practiced. In his head, he kept telling himself that what he was driving now was not any sort of aircraft, but a three-wheeler. Or a tractor. Anyway, something very stable.
On the broad lawn, a family of three on holiday sat beneath a tree chatting happily. Just then, the husband looked up by chance and saw an aircraft moving quickly across the high sky. That was nothing unusual. People often came around here to practice piloting private aircraft. He himself had originally planned to bring his child to practice today, but someone had booked the field in advance.
A few seconds later, the man’s smile froze.
What had he just seen…?
The one piloting the aircraft seemed to be a little sheep?!
Impossible. Human form was the most convenient body for operating an aircraft. Ordinary people would never use their original form to pilot one!
For one moment, he almost thought he was hallucinating. He rubbed his eyes hard, then lowered his hand again. Over there, the aircraft spun several gorgeous turns in the air like a fighter jet, then shot forward in a burst before quickly stabilizing.
Steady as anything!
At the same time, his son’s voice confirmed that what he was seeing was no illusion.
“Wow, a tiny little sheep is flying a plane!”
“…”
Inside the aircraft, Yomi—who had very nearly turned the aircraft into a fighter jet—had sore hooves by the time Anxius took over the controls again. He backed up a few steps and lay panting on the floor.
Anxius piloted the aircraft with one hand while fanning him gently with his wings. “Do you want to try again?”
No need. I’ve learned enough, I’ve learned enough! The little sheep raised a hoof to wipe his sweat.
