Chapter 68

"Why would that be scary, Janice! Even mages talk to animals."

"But I'm not a mage. Don't you find me disgusting?"

"The world's such a huge place, with so many people in it — why would it be disgusting for one or two people besides mages to talk to animals? It's not even that strange."

Janice's arms, wrapped around me, tightened just a little.

"My lady, sometimes you really do seem like an adult."

Not "seem like" — I actually am one.

"I'm still young, you know. Janice, what exactly can you do with rats? And — I'm just saying this out of caution — could you be careful not to let anyone else find out?"

I didn't doubt Janice's ability for a second, but plenty of other people would likely misunderstand it badly.

"Not that! I'm not saying that to belittle your ability or anything like that, truly."

"I…