What was pet?
In Light Union, the definition of pet was very clear and simple. It meant domesticated animals that a family raised and took care of with love and care.
In Dark Union, and by extension Doom Spreader School, a pet wasn't an animal. More specifically, it wasn't limited to an animal. Even a student can be a pet.
And that also meant anything else. Teachers, normal people, enemies, anything.
But a pet is easily distinguished from others. They are identified by the collar around their neck, called Collar of Submission. They are also attached to their master. Refusing their master's order would be punished by pain and worse, mind break.
Yes. Mind Break.
Pets didn't have rights. They were toys. Their bodies and their brains were their Master's. They were lower than even slaves.
Doing crazy things and shameless things were normal. If their Master told them to strip naked and walk in the public, then they would do it right away. Their expression would be based on their feelings, though. That was why strong people in Dark Union enjoyed having pets more than slaves, as they still had emotion to toy with.
"I'll kill you!" Luna growled as she sat on the floor, watching Ars eating the food prepared by Maria.
There was only one class today, and students were allowed to return to their dorm afterward.
Ars naturally returned right away, but not before the Succubus nurse in the Revival Chamber healed Luna and forced her to wear the Collar of Submission. She put up a resistance and wanted to flee, but the nurse was too strong.
Seeing her attitude, the nurse told him Luna would be her pet for a month as punishment. And because of the bond, Luna couldn't leave Ars' side without an order. And after she finished his order, she would automatically return to his side right away, like an obedient pet she was.
"Young Master, should I teach your new pet how to behave?" Maria suggested.
Ars shook his head. Luna was glaring daggers at him right now. She would surely bite Maria's hand.
"No. It's fine."
"As you wish, Young Master." The maid nodded, "However, if your pet shows such an unsightly attitude, I will discipline her right away. Even if she's temporary, she's still the Eldritch Family's pet. Bringing a shame to our name means death."
Maria smiled, her intent to kill leaked out. Her words felt like a death sentence. Luna couldn't help but swallow her saliva. That managed to silent the witch girl for a while.
Watching what happened, Ars sighed.
'I give up. I couldn't retort or be surprised any longer. Yes, accepting everything would be easier than objecting everything.'
The denial phase was long since over for him.
Ars understood he was now living in Dark Union, where normal Light Union society's rule was thrown outside the window. Doom Spreader School might have uniforms, teachers, and classmates, but underneath was darkness and chaos.
Pets... Ah. He simply needed to accept it and move on. Luna would be his for a month.
"Just rest easy for a month and you will have your freedom again." He consoled Luna.
His words really did calm her. It only fueled her anger.
"Don't underestimate me! Even if you order me to do something embarrassing, I will do it proudly. And after a month, I will kill you!"
Luna was enraged, for some reason. She went berserk and shouted hateful words at Ars.
'Amazing. How did she act like this?' He thought.
Luna indeed looked pretty cute when she was angry. Or was that another side-effect?
"Just eat." He ordered.
"You piece of shit! I will slice your thro-"
"Here is your food." Maria cut her off and put a bowl in front of her, on the ground. "Your Master has ordered you to eat. And so eat."
The collar pulsated.
"Ahhh...!"
Luna groaned. She lowered her head. Her violet hair draped across her face and covered her eyes.
Shivering, she opened her mouth and began to eat. Without hands.
Ars sighed once again.
'Why is she eating like a dog?'
Ars had expected her to eat normally, but all she did was to sink her head into the bowl and started lapping the soup with her tongue, just like how the stray dog ate.
She still had a human mentality inside. All he asked her to do was eat the meal, but did he need to tell her to eat with her hand?
"Just use your hands. And the utensil too. Use table manners."
He blurted out his thoughts.
The collar pulsated once again and Luna raised her head from the bowl.
Lavender hair.
"I will kill you! How dare you humiliate me-!"
"Please shut up while eating."
Before she could speak any longer, the collar pulsated twice and silenced her. Involuntarily, Luna moved her right hand to the spoon and began eating again, while glaring at him all the time.
Another headache, indeed.
"Wonderful, Young Master. You have the talent to train a pet." Maria smiled and nodded.
Luna glared at her.
Ars slowly shook his head and stood up. He was too tired of this.
"I will go to my room to rest. As for Luna, feel free to return to your dorm room."
"Excuse me, Young Master." Maria called out to him. "I am afraid that a pet have no dorm room. Her previous room must be sealed since she is now a pet. The school only allowed a pet to stay in their master's home. If the Young Master doesn't care, I can throw her away outside."
Maria proposed a harsh decision.
And because she was smiling, Ars could determine she was speaking the truth.
Throw her out or let her stay...
"Just... give her a blanket and let her sleep on the couch or a bed in an empty room. I am not so cruel as to throw someone out into the cold."
That was the answer he decided.
'Besides, aren't we supposed to be similar classmates in school? Just let her stay and be good to her.' He added in his mind.
"I understand, Young Master. As you wish."
Maria led Luna to a room.
As for Ars, he went to the shower.
'More weird shit will continue to happen in the future. I will prepare myself and change how I think. Today is just the beginning.'
He relaxed under the hot stream of water and the muscles in his body loosened up. He also didn't forget to clean his horns.
Ars' power was growing.
Back then, he could only summon a corrosive smoke and purple flame. Now he could condense them and use them as weapons. Not just one but two different kinds of weapons.
Not only that, his physical strength had also increased. He was able to defend against magic barehanded, showing his incredible body durability.
'True Eldritch...' He recalled Maria's words. 'Hmm... If only I had something to test my power. Perhaps fighting in the training ground again.'
Ars was full of the power inside his body. Power that begged to be used. He couldn't wait for another class tomorrow.
***
While he was taking a shower, Maria was educating Luna.
"You must be thankful that Young Master is merciful. You heard that too, did you not? Pets have no dorm room for you to stay. And the rules prevent him from releasing you from the bond. He took care of you even while you glared at him with hatred."
"Be thankful...? What bullshit is that?"
Luna spat out.
She was glaring hatefully at the maid before her.
"I came from the prideful Witch Family! The idea of me becoming someone's pet is simply... Repulsive!"
Her power exploded and threatened to explode.
Yet, when Maria glanced at her without changing her expression. A little witch wasn't a threat for her.
So she replied back sternly.
"Yet, you are a pet now. Any more excuses?"
Luna's face turned red, to hide her embarrassment, she lowered her head.
"Bastard..."
"Language. You're a pet now. A slave. Calling Young Master with profanity is a punishable offense."
Luna glared.
Maria sighed and tapped on his power. Her shadow rose and acted on its own. They moved like tentacles, raising the witch girl and made her unable to fight back.
They entered her mouth and stopped it, and also her nostrils.
Luna choked and struggled in agony, but her body didn't move a muscle. No, she couldn't.
The maid's eyes were emitting a frightening red glow.
"Listen carefully, little pet."
A strange power entered her mind.
"Master has mercy on you, thus I am sparing your life. However, your punishment cannot go untouched. I will teach you what happens if you say such impudence again. Nod if you understand. Breathe if you are choking and asphyxiated."
Luna struggled to raise her head and nodded.
The tentacles exited her mouth and Maria nodded.
"Oh, and we have informed your 'prideful' family. They told me to do anything we want to you. Not only that, they even offered to turn you into our Young Master 'permanent' pet. Isn't that good news?"
Hearing that, the Witch girl was in despair. She was helpless. Powerless. She looked at the maid with a terrifying expression.
"Keep your fangs hidden, or I will do it again."
Her words were final.
"I hope you become a good pet in the next few weeks. Do not put Young Master's patience to the test."
Maria turned her back and walked to the bedroom door.
Just before she closed the door, the maid looked at Luna and smiled.