"So you're finally back?" The old man I hated most in this new life stood there, his presence eliciting nothing from me—no revenge, no anger, not even a miraculous love. It was nothing.
"What, you became deaf or something?" he asked, smirking. Even now, I felt only a tinge of annoyance. I had changed.
"Yeah, I'm back," I replied, meeting his pale gold eyes.
"Nice," he said, approaching me and patting my shoulder. "I heard you became the youngest AA Rank. That's something to take pride in, son." His voice was genuine.
"Son? Why now? Why are you calling me that now?" I questioned, feeling a dull irritation.
Otis, still wearing his smirk, answered, "Because you aren't dead meat anymore." He lifted his hand and started to walk off. "
I would have given you a little gift, but it looks like I won't need to because of the little thing."
"What little thing?" I asked, confused.He turned and pointed at my shirt.
"That thing in your shirt. You should start giving it some education; it was sneaking with its head out."I looked down to see Ebon curiously peeking out.
"So you meant my bond. Haha," I laughed off.
"Now, old man, will you leave me alone? I want to rest." I replied as I cracked my neck.
"Yeah, yeah, go and also try to get that stench off you. I don't want my house filled with your filth." I ignored him and started walking to my room.
"DADA, what's that?" A voice echoed in my mind. My wyvern, Ebon, had somehow learned a bit of vocabulary.
Was it because I left him with Arthur's dragon for half a day? I didn't know, and I didn't want to know. He just told me that big sis instructed him to say it when he sees new things. Like I'd believe that. Heck, I'm exhausted.
I opened the door to my room. "Thud," the sound reverberated as dust flew up from the door. Now I was angry at the old man. He could have at least cleaned my room.
I looked around and spotted a new maid with purple hair watering the plants. Do indoor plants even need water?"Hey, Purple Head."
She looked up, confused, and glanced around before her eyes landed on me. She approached clumsily, her walk filled with fear."Yes, sir, what can I do?" she asked, staring at the ground.
"Yeah, so clean my room, will you?" I told her.She nodded, her head bobbing violently up and down. What's up with people nowadays? I watched as she walked away, probably going to get her cleaning supplies.
I walked off to the garden, which looked pleasant now. Some time ago, I had thought of burning it down. Why? No idea. I sat down on a bench and let Ebon run. The little creature tried to fly but couldn't.
After trying for a while, it suddenly changed its wingspan by a couple of inches."Yo, what the hell?" I muttered. "You got shapeshifting abilities? I wouldn't have always kept you in my shirt."
I punched my forehead with my palm as I grabbed the curious creature before it could take off. I held it, looking at it with interrogation dripping from my eyes.
It looked at me with fear, its gaze darting left and right."You have shapeshifting abilities?" I asked with intent.
Ebon replied in my head. "What is that?"
"Come on, you know basic vocabulary but don't know what's shapeshifting?"
"What's 'vocalbur'?" Ebon looked at me with ever-growing curiosity.What a headache.
"So can you change size?" I said, grabbing his wings.
"YES."
"Can you become a cat?"
"No."
"Okay. Can you shorten your wings?"
"YES," he said in my mind, changing his wings from long to short, with only a tiny web-like connection between his arms and body. He looked completely like a lizard now.
"Stay like this."
"YES."
Finally, I wouldn't have to hide him every time. Thank God. I placed him down, leaving him to run aimlessly. I sat relaxed as I let my mind run wild.
It's been two years, and I still couldn't grasp this beast will of mine. I can use it, but it feels incomplete. When I use it, I can only summon black fire with little decaying properties, and within five minutes, my mana cores are completely depleted. Small runes appear near my eyes, and that's it not on the whole body like Arthur and also mine isn't a Dragon Will.
"Hmph. Sir," I mused, "no, it can't be that much of a limit, right, Ebon?"
"Sirrr!!" A voice interrupted my thoughts."Oye, who the hell is this?" I asked, turning to see the purple-haired maid trembling with fear, bowing down and grabbing her head.
"I'm sorryyy. Please leaveee mee. Itss my first dayyy."
"Get up. Did you clean the room?"
"Yes, yes."
"Okay, you can go!" I said, dismissing her as I walked back to my room.
"Hey, also get me something to eat," I said, turning back to the trembling maid. "Preferably meat."
She nodded quickly, still trembling, and hurried away. I resumed my walk to my room, eager to finally get some rest.
As I entered my room, I noticed it was indeed cleaner than before. The dust was gone, and the floor was spotless. I tossed myself onto the bed, the exhaustion from the recent events finally catching up with me. Ebon, now in his lizard form, crawled up onto the bed and nestled beside me.
I closed my eyes for a moment, letting the comfort of the bed envelop me. The maid returned soon after, carrying a tray with a hearty meal of grilled meat and vegetables. She set it down on the small table beside the bed and quickly left the room, still visibly nervous.
I reached for the plate and started eating. The meat was well-cooked and flavorful, a welcome change from the rations I'd been surviving on during the mission. Ebon looked at the plate with curiosity, and I tore off a small piece of meat, offering it to him.
He eagerly snatched it up, chewing with delight.
After finishing the meal, I lay back down and stared at the ceiling, my thoughts drifting. "Ebon, I think I'll follow my father's advice," I said, looking down at the little wyvern. He looked up at me curiously. "I think I should educate you this month," I added with a mischievous smile.
"Thak." A knock came at my door. Who the hell is it now? I opened it to see a guard with a serious face, trembling with fear before me. What the hell is happening with people? He spoke, swallowing hard, "Young Master, the Lord has called you."
"Young Master, huh? What the hell happened here?" I muttered. "Okay, I'll go meet him after my sleep."
"But the Lord has called you right now," the guard insisted.I bit my tongue, annoyed. "Fine, I'll go meet him." The guard ran away.
"Seriously, what the hell?" I muttered again, glancing back at Ebon, who was curled up, sleeping.I knocked on my father's door, preparing myself for the usual unpleasantness, hoping it doesn't occur.
I opened it slightly, just to see the familiar scene."Brat, your timing is the worst," my father screamed. Without disturbing their session, I closed the door again and stood beside the pillar.
Half an hour later, the door opened, and the same woman with messy red hair emerged, giving me that same predatory gaze, only stronger this time."How are you, darling?" she purred.
"I'm fine, thank you," I replied hastily, entering the room.
"Brat, you come at the worst times. I called you three hours ago."
"I came as soon as I got the message, about half an hour ago," I defended myself.
"Hmmmm." Otis scratched his chin. "Oh yeah, the thing I called you for," he said, giving the table a little punch.
"You should control your bloodlust," he said, pointing at me."Bloodlust?" I was confused. "I didn't release any bloodlust."He scratched his chin again. "So it seems like you're unconsciously releasing your aura. Considering that you lived in the Beast Glades for years, I think it is acceptable. Hmmm." He muttered to himself.
"You're dismissed then," he said, giving a shooing gesture.
"That's it?" As I stood up, he added, "You should meet your stepmother."
"Who, her?" I questioned, nodding in her direction. "I might as well keep my distance."
He smiled. "What, she's giving you signals? I wouldn't mind my own child."
"Cursed is anyone who sleeps with his father's wife, for he dishonors his father's bed," I quoted stoically.
He laughed as I started walking out of the room, placing my hands in my pockets.
"And also, brat, I wanted to ask before, but do you know what happened to your previous maid?" Otis asked, his tone casual as if he already knew the answer.
"I killed her," I replied, not bothering to hide the disinterest in my voice.
"I figured so," he said, nodding as I walked out of the room, not caring to hear anything further.
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