Cat, or more precisely, Catharella.

She is the youngest sister of the Homines Fungorum, a magical race more commonly known as the Mushroom Fairies.

Gifted with vast reserves of natural mana and an exceptional talent for magic, these remarkable beings live throughout the continent of Izeri. Although they possess no single kingdom of their own, the ancient Tundon Forest is widely regarded as their homeland, for it is there that their Queen is most often found.

Cat, often called the Shepherdess, preferred the title Guardian. She had one simple yet important responsibility — caring for insects. From tiny aphids to mighty beetles and proud armies of ants, all fell under her watchful eye. Her sisters considered the task dull and unimportant, but Catharella never shared that opinion.

She understood better than anyone how vital her tiny companions were to the fragile balance of nature. She also knew just how powerful they could be. Though kind-hearted and gentle by nature, she refused to remain in the shadows of her sisters. More than once she answered their mockery in her own way. After all, it is difficult to ignore someone when opening a door reveals a sea of marching ants accompanied by the deafening hum of thousands of hornets.

Her eldest sister, the Queen, understood this better than anyone. That was precisely why command over such a force was entrusted to the gentlest of them all. Or at least, she hoped so.

When her duties were finished, Catharella loved spending time in her small garden. There she had what she proudly called her miniature throne and, more importantly, a place of peace and quiet. She treasured the garden for another reason as well — it was home to a family of ladybugs. Not a particularly small one, numbering roughly two thousand members.

One of them, Ti, was her closest friend.

Like all Mushroom Fairies, Cat could travel across Izeri in the blink of an eye, visiting distant lands and witnessing countless wonders. Upon returning, she would sit among her insect companions and share stories of the world beyond the garden.

And Ti, along with the other insects, always listened carefully.

They always listened. 🍄🐞✨