“How the hell did you do that?!!” [Arka]

“Skills, young one, skills.” [Ryner]

“Don’t call me ‘kid’ when you look younger than me!” [Arka]

“Just attack already.” [Ryner]

When Ryner reached the huge residence of the Catallards, he was respectfully welcomed by an old man and guided to a guestroom. There, when Arka showed up to greet him, he talked him into sparring with him under the pretext that it would make him feel better. After all, the beastman was obviously depressed and saddened by his parents’ deaths. That was why he agreed and was releasing stress in the form of a match, though he was also being used so that Ryner would get back into shape.

When the human asked if his sister wanted to fight too, he said that she wasn’t able to and was in the middle of recovering. Miya was nowhere to be seen. Her husband, Terryn, was actually a spy that was sent to gather information on them and he nearly killed her nine days ago. She took his life herself in a deadly duel and was now depressed and shocked. Adding the fact that her parents died as well, she was down in the dumps and was sleeping like a log in her room.

“You’ve got to be using magic to do this.” [Arka]

“Stop being a sore loser and try again.” [Ryner]

Standing in the training room, Arka was facing off against Ryner with a wooden sword in his hands. He charged again, raised his sword high and brought it down with all his might. The human, instead of dodging, once more caught the blade between his hands. Low voices of astonishment could be heard by those present to watch their spar from the walls.

“There. See? Skills.” [Ryner]

“It’s the first time I’ve met anyone with such ‘skills’ though…” [Arka]

“Have you travelled the world?” [Ryner]

“No.” [Arka]

“Then no wonder. The world’s huge. I bet there’s a bunch of people that can do it too.” [Ryner]

“Maybe with body strengthening. They can react and move faster to catch the blade with their bare hands. Besides, in a real fight, doing something like that without body strengthening, if you miss, you’re as good as dead. Are you really not using any magic?” [Arka]

“Wow you don’t believe me at all.” [Ryner]

Ryner drooped his head and said dejectedly, making Arka feel bad for doubting his prowess.

“Well whatever. Who cares?” [Ryner]

He regretted it the next instant though.

“Ok, let’s try something else. Come at me.” [Ryner]

Seeing how the sleepy-looking man gestured for him to attack, he put strength into his arms, as well as a bit of grudge, and swung the sword downwards once more. This time though, Ryner didn’t catch the blade, but stepped diagonally to the right and used his right hand to push the side of the blade. As the swing was diverted to the left, he spun around, passing by Arka, and lightly hit his back with his left hand.

“Great. Still got it. You need to fine-tune these sorts of things, you know?” [Ryner]

Talking to himself in a laidback manner, Ryner examined the palm of his hands. The onlookers, riled up, were discussing in a low voice what they just saw.

“… You just crossed swords with me… With your hands…” [Arka]

Arka, who had experienced it, was still in disbelief. The Catallards were all warriors. They knew that what they saw took an absurd amount of speed, precision and timing. That evasion technique that was new to them tugged at their strings as fellow warriors. Being able to do something like that without magic was unheard of. They have heard and seen people that could crush rocks or come out unscathed after a rain of arrows, but this was different. This was a technique that relied solely on skills.

“Where did you learn to fight like that?” [Arka]

He turned around and asked the question that was burning on his lips. Ryner froze for a second and his eyes were no longer looking at his hands, but at something else far away.

“… Like I said, the world is huge. I picked up a few tricks here and there.” [Ryner]

Right after he finished speaking, he clapped his hands together and faced Arka.

“Anyway, wanna keep going?” [Ryner]

“… Yeah.” [Arka]

Not prying further, Arka got ready to resume their bout.

“You’re gonna keep using a sword?” [Ryner]

“For a bit longer. What’s wrong with that?” [Arka]

“I feel like you’re better bare-handed.” [Ryner]

“… This is my way to honor my mother. My clan’s fighting style uses no weapons, but she was a swordswoman.” [Arka]

“… That so.” [Ryner]

Their exchange stopped on a gloomy note and their spar started once again. After a while, Arka went back to using his fists that he was more used to. Unfortunately, Ryner was still dominating the fight as he kept evading him.

“Quit being so slippery!” [Arka]

Arka said, frustrated at the feeling like he was fighting air.

“That’s just my style. Don’t mind it.” [Ryner]

“If magic was allowe-.” [Arka]

“We said no magic at the beginning, so don’t use magic. Stop relying on magic. You’re supposed to be more of a musclehead for crying out loud.” [Ryner]

“What’d you just call me?” [Arka]

“Nothing.” [Ryner]

Their fight ended with Ryner wiping the sweat off his forehead as if he just went through a fulfilling exercise. Next to him, Arka was sitting on the ground, completely out of breath. As if on cue, his two wives, Ysmay and Peronell, appeared at the door of the training room. Following them were the two women’s sons who looked identical to their mothers, but had furry ears and tail like their father. When they appeared, Arka quickly got back on his feet and tried to act tough.

“What’s with you all of a sudden?” [Ryner]

Ryner asked him in a low voice.

“Shut up. My wives and sons are here.” [Arka]

He whispered back and raised his hand to greet them.

“So you have two wives. Your kids don’t look like you.” [Ryner]

The human remarked as he looked at the two seven year olds.

“Yeah. They take after their mothers.” [Arka]

“Except for the lack of scales and lizard tails.” [Ryner]

“Maya didn’t tell you? Any child born from our bloodline will have our physical trait and mana pool. That’s why many want to marry a Catallard to have a strong kid. It’s why we don’t leave the city to avoid spreading our blood and risk letting our enemies make use of it.” [Arka]

“Then exiling Maya was a pretty dumb move, don’t you think?” [Ryner]

“She was a failure. We thought that there was something wrong with her blood, so her children who’ll inherit it won’t be strong either.” [Arka]

Right after Arka answered Ryner’s query, his sons ran up to him and greeted him at the same time.

“Hi dad.” [Arka’s son]

“Hi dad.” [Arka’s other son]

He ruffled up their hair lightly and chuckled.

“Haha, hey there. I’m done so let’s go.” [Arka]

They nodded before they turned towards Ryner, knocked their fists together in front of their chest and bowed to him. The two young Catallards then went back to their mothers that were waiting a bit behind.

“… We thought she was a failure. But, we were wrong.” [Arka]

Arka muttered and started walking towards the door.

“I need to take care of some things, so we’ll stop here.” [Arka]

He said without looking back to which Ryner shrugged his shoulders.

“Sure. Thanks for the exercise.” [Ryner]

“It was just an exercise to you…? You damn bastard.” [Arka]

Once more, the dark blue-haired beastman chuckled. He then turned around, knocked his fists together like his children did and bowed.

“You sure are polite now.” [Ryner]

“Of course. You’re the human that my dad accepted.” [Arka]

Leaving those words behind, he joined up with his wives and sons.

Not long after Arka left with his family, Ryner was being guided around the house by an old man.

“Please follow me. The young lady is waiting for you.” [Old man]

Maya had tasked him with bringing Ryner over to a guestroom that she was currently using.

“Sure. By the way, is it true? You guys accepted Maya again?” [Ryner]

The sleepy-looking man asked his guide about what he heard from Arka as he walked behind him.

“Yes. The young lady showed us her strength and valor. With our leaders having passed on and our numbers reduced, we asked her if she wanted to come back, and she said yes.” [Old man]

“Really? No one objected or anything?” [Ryner]

“No and it is also thanks to you.” [Old man]

“Me? What’d I do?” [Ryner]

Ryner asked while tilting his head.

“Please do not forget that you defeated the head of our clan in a duel and it was seen by members of the main family. I myself was present and am in charge of the branch family. We have spread word of it and the late head acknowledged you. You hold sway over the Catallards now. As your disciple, Maya has become even more valuable.” [Old man]

The old man explained to him in his calm voice, mentioning their secondary objective in making Maya one of them again.

“… You guys want to use her to make me your ally?” “[Ryner]

“Our city has suffered a horrible wound that will take time to recover. We would certainly like your help, but rest assured. We won’t force you for there is no need. After all, you are her master. If she needs help, you will give her guidance, like you did when she fought her brother.” [Old man]

He frankly admitted that they wanted Ryner to lend them a hand if they ever needed him.

“You guys are sly foxes. Or is it sly cats?” [Ryner]

“Hoho, this old man won’t deny that.” [Old man]

After exchanging a few harmless pleasantries, they stayed silent until they reached their destination.

“Here we are.” [Old man]

The old man said as he stopped in front of a door. He knocked on it, waited for permission from Maya and opened it. Then, he moved to the side to let Ryner in and closed it behind him. It was a simple room that had a table and chairs, a couple of glasses of water as well as a bottle of alcohol and a water pitcher. Sitting at the table was Maya who was sipping on her alcoholic beverage.

“Master~.” [Maya]

When she saw him, she raised her cup as a greeting and gestured for him to sit down and join her.

“I’m sorry I couldn’t greet you. I was busy taking care of some things~.” [Maya]

“No problem. You seem to be doing fine. I heard that you’re officially a Catallard again.” [Ryner]

Ryner said as he pulled a chair and sat in front of her. His slave then poured in some water in his glass.

“Everyone listens to me now. It feels quite weird, but not bad~.” [Maya]

She smiled playfully and emptied her glass before refilling it again.

“Yeah. I guess they do, considering how different my reception was after they knew I was freaking strong.” [Ryner]

Ryner took his cup, swirled the contents inside and put it back down without drinking it.

“So? The old man said there was something you wanted to talk about in private.” [Ryner]

“… Master, will you be leaving the city soon?” [Maya]

“Yeah, right after I finish an errand.” [Ryner]

“I’m sorry, but I’ll be staying here for a while.” [Maya]

“You want to stay?” [Ryner]

The young woman went quiet for a moment and gazed at her reflection in her glass.

“… My parents are dead… And per tradition, after mourning, we will select a new head of the clan.” [Maya]

She closed her eyes, seemingly praying for her parents’ soul. Then, she looked up and stared at her master. Her playful smile was gone.

“I plan on passing the ceremony and becoming the next head of the Catallard clan.” [Maya]

She firmly declared her intent on being the new leader of the now most powerful martial clan in Ofauvra.

“… Yeah, ok.” [Ryner]

Utterly lacking in tension, Ryner just nodded. Maya smiled softly at his usual easygoing attitude.

“How long does your ceremony last before the new head is chosen?” [Ryner]

“It’ll take a few weeks. I’m still looking at the details and preparing myself, though it doesn’t look like it~.” [Maya]

She added in a playful tone and raised her glass that was half-filled with liquor.

“I can’t stay that long. I need to search for some stuff.” [Ryner]

“It’s okay, Master. You have things to do, so it can’t be helped… But, I’m sorry.” [Maya]

Her mood completely changed and she apologized to him guiltily.

“I said I would follow you anywhere as your slave, but I’ll be staying here instead.” [Maya]

“That’s fine. Remember what I promised you when we first met?” [Ryner]

“… I do.” [Maya]

“Then there’s no problem. You can take care of yourself now. Go do what you want to do.” [Ryner]

Ryner trained her to show her family how strong she was and they now acknowledged her. From the start, he had no intention of keeping her as his slave. He gave her a hand so that she could one day leave him and walk back into her house with her head held high. He had kept his promise with her. To him, there was nothing wrong with her decision.

“Oh yeah, you won’t be needing that anymore. And it looks bad if the future head of the clan walks around with a slave collar around her neck.” [Ryner]

He stretched his hand across the table and reached for the bulky collar around her neck.

“Oh my~, I’ll always be your slave, master.” [Maya]

Maya said while backing a bit away and put her hands on her black collar that was made of carbon fiber. Her smile was forced. No matter what, she wanted to keep it. After all, her wanting to be the next head wasn’t out of ambition, but for him.

“(As the clan head, I can put all our fighters at his disposal. Our influence will also increase now that the Terdims are practically destroyed. We can protect Master under our name.)” [Maya]

She was Evelyn’s accomplice. As such, she was helping out with her plan.

“Build a net to catch him when he falls, and to hold him when he’s pulled away.” [Evelyn]

That was what the vampire told her.

“After I become the new head, I’ll find you and journey with you again, Master.” [Maya]

“Seriously? You’re just going to leave after taking charge? Can you even do that?” [Ryner]

“Yes. Under some special conditions, I can leave it to someone else to take care of things while I’m gone~. Of course, I’ll retain my position and can still give everyone orders~.” [Maya]

“If you don’t plan on staying and still want to follow me around, what’s the point of doing that? Is it to prove you’re the best?” [Ryner]

“No, Master. It’s…” [Maya]

“(It’s because the head of the Catallard clan can protect you much better than a slave that was disowned.)” [Maya]

“It’s a secret~.” [Maya]

Maya kept her true motives to herself and playfully said while putting a finger to her lips. Her master might not need any protection. He might not need anyone supporting him. But, as a woman, she wanted to become someone he needed. More importantly, she knew that he had a lot of scars, a lot of traumas that wouldn’t disappear so easily. Whatever his problems were, they weren’t something she could handle. However, she could at least make sure that he wouldn’t need to fight every time trouble came knocking.

“Well, even if you want to keep your collar, it still looks bad, so…” [Ryner]

Ryner pulled out from his pocket dimension a black collar. However, unlike the bulky one that Maya was wearing and looked like a ring of metal at a glance, the one he held was thin and made of leather. It was a simple accessory that had a small blue gem that was the shape of a circle.

“Let’s trade.” [Ryner]

Maya stared at the presented item for a while. After she quietly nodded, he got up, went around the table and stood behind her.

“Besides, you said you’re gonna join up later. I don’t know how you planned on finding me, but you’ll need this. The gem allows for communication no matter the distance between those who hold similar gems. Just think that you want to talk to me and it’ll do what you want.” [Ryner]

Her master explained as he took off her slave collar and put it back in his pocket dimension.

“Just tell me when you’re done and we’ll meet up. Until then, contact me whenever you feel like it and do not lose the collar.” [Ryner]

He put the new collar around her neck as he sternly warned her about not misplacing it. Then, he stood next to her while holding a mirror in front of her face.

“I can contact you no matter the distance…? Even though communication stones have a range limit… Something this amazing… Is it really alright for me to have it?” [Maya]

Maya asked in disbelief as she gently put her hand on her throat right where the gem was and examined her reflection. Different from the slave collar, this one didn’t look out of place and suited her.

“Yeah, it’s rare and I don’t have a lot… And it’s actually reserved for… Nevermind. The point is, I don’t really give this stuff out or even show it to others, but…” [Ryner]

The man that existed for many, many years put his hand on her head as she looked up at him.

“If I stick my nose in someone’s business, then I’ll stick to it to the end. You are, technically, my student. As your teacher, I need to take care of you until you outlived me. It’s my code.” [Ryner]

He said and gently patted her head.

“… Oh my, Master, I don’t think anyone can outlive you~.” [Maya]

After a short while, Maya spoke up in a playful voice and gazed at him warmly. Then, she suddenly felt like making her request right now. So, she asked him.

“Please look after Evelyn. She is… She is in pain.” [Maya]

“In pain? She’s not wounded though.” [Ryner]

Her master tilted his head, wondering what she was talking about.

“Fufu, not that sort of pain, Master. It is a pain that is hard to see.” [Maya]

“Riiight… So she’s in pain… And what makes you say that?” [Ryner]

Ryner retracted his hand and stared at her doubtfully. He asked the beastman that was chuckling softly.

“It’s how it feels like after seeing and talking with her until now. My father was said to have the best instincts that saved his life countless times during battles. Maybe I inherited it from him~?” [Maya]

“It’s not related to battles though.” [Ryner]

“Then call it a woman’s intuition~.” [Maya]

She put her hands around his waist and hugged him from her seat, burying her face in his torso.

“Hey, stop that. It feels too warm, it’s uncomfortable, I’m shy and everything else that could be a reason.” [Ryner]

He half-heartedly told her as he put his hands on her shoulders to separate her from him.

“… I’m sorry, Master.” [Maya]

Her voice was muffled, but he could hear her apology, although he wasn’t sure what she was apologizing for. Because her tone sounded a bit sorrowful, he stopped trying to push her away.

“Evelyn can be strange, but she really… She really… Treasures you. So, please, treasure her too… And… I also…” [Maya]

She asked in an almost pleading voice and lifted her face. Her cheeks were red and her eyes held a weird sense of determination in them, one that Ryner didn’t see often. He couldn’t understand its underlying meaning and only stared back at her.

“I will return to you soon, Master. You can punish me however you want then. Even if I become the clan head and am a Catallard once again, I am still Maya, your sword, your shield… And your slave.” [Maya]