Mature Content Warning: Discussions of sex, murder, and other adult things.

Author's Note: This is a short chapter that was broken off from the last chapter. I'm posting it up tonight, just because I was done with it early.

Chapter 16: Samurai Girl

Nina hugged Apollo softly stroked his fur. He had nearly died the day before and the idea of losing him felt both painful and surreal. Luckily, he was not resistant to healing magic. Some creatures in the world could not be healed with magic. He was still missing patches of fur, but at least he was alive.

The girls had spent the entire morning in training room seven working on their various skills. They were a bit sluggish earlier due to staying up most of the night. They had help a short party commemorating the fact that the harem had grown, and that they had lived to tell about it!

Scott had dragged them into the training room this morning, since they had wandered off to shop and gossip the day before. He had not stopped them. He had even said that it was a good idea when Nina had suggested it. After that battle they did need to take some time to unwind and just live. However, he had claimed that he would spend time looking for an edge while they were gone. Nina suspected he was looking at online Demi-Human porn instead.

While they had actually trained for a few hours, it eventually dissolved into the time-tested tradition known as girl talk. Most of said talk revolved around filling Cerene in about their master. Heaven forbid they talk about their hopes and dreams. No, it had to be about a man.

"No really? He always fights alongside you?" Cerene asked. The shock in her voice was quite evident.

"Well, yes. He isn't really as good as either of us overall, but compared to most of the tamers around he's the best!" exclaimed Makina. She really liked having a tamer that was willing to spar with her, even if she had to pull her punches.

"I'll have you know he beat me by himself the first day we met." said Nina.

"What?" Cerene stared at Nina with wide disbelieving eyes.

"I was halfway to regression at the time, but still, he did beat me. He hasn't won a sparring match, but like once or twice since then, but he can win if he puts his mind into it." said the blond haired slashette.

"Wow! I guess they must make them tougher where he's from." said Cerene happily.

The other girls blinked at her and Nina said, "Wait, you know he's...?"

"Not of this perverted earth? Ya, I was there the day he showed up here...” she started to say happily, but her perky tone died down halfway through her statement.

Aerune and Apollo perked up at this and seemed interested. This Scott character was not a Guardian, or even a Knight of the Selene kingdom. Still, he was still a part of things whether he should be or not.

"So?" asked Apollo curiously.

"Well, I’d been kicked out of my house. At least thought I had been, I guess. It was right after I awakened as an angel."

Nina had heard Scott mumble a little of this in his sleep at times, but she never could get him to answer questions about it.

“I was in the woods alone for a few days, a week or two, I can't remember. I was scared and well... slowly regressing I guess." she continued.

"That's when that tamer, you know the one that attacked the town here, that's when he found me." Tears starting to form as Cerene continued her story.

The other girls gathered around and hugged the sensitive seeming angel. Aerune and Apollo looked at each other. Both of the now no longer extinct species of Selenari Felidae were thinking the same thing. The douchebag must die.

"He... well, you know what tamers do when they find a Demi-Human in the wild. I tried to get away, even talk my way out of it, but he and that witch of his kept attacking me."

The girls nodded. Yeah, it was a common occurrence. The sad part was that it had to happen. With the wildborn and regressed Demi-Humans on the loose someone had to catch them and end their threat. They didn't need to be assholes about it, though.

"Anyway, I’m not really sure what happened. I think I cried out for someone to help me. Next thing I know, there's a bright flash of light and he was there.” said the girl with a hint of wonder in her voice.

"Scott...?" asked Nina Softly. She thought back to the vague memories of their first encounter and how he had given her hope again even after she had beat the shit out of him.

"Yeah.” Cerene sniffled a little and shed a few soft tears.

”He knocked the tamer out, but the witch caught him dead center in the chest with a fire enhanced manabolt...”

Makina growled and slammed her fist into her hand. That ugly bitch was so lucky she was already dead, or the pony-tailed powerhouse would have tracked her down and killed her for that.

"Somehow, I knocked the witch out with an angelic strike and then went to check on Scott. He was hurt pretty bad and well... I ended up dumping a few potions and stuff on him trying to help him." said Cerene.

"I remember hearing him and the professor talking about potions a lot. When I first got captured." added Nina, wanting to be part of the story.

Aerune merrowed up at her curiously. "What's a potion?" She was rather new to this whole Demi-Human thing after all.

"Just something to heal wounds." said the girl in response.

"It's only supposed to work on Demi-Humans and people with a lot of Demi-Human DNA, though."

The cat was satisfied with this for the moment. Though, it was obvious that she still had questions.

"Anyway, after the potions and all took affect finally... they sure took a while... Anyway, he came around... and his eyes were hurting him badly. He'd been flash blinded or something. He said."

A low growl escaped Makina hearing this. Everyone turning to glance at the Balvulf caused the powerful teenaged Demi-Human to flush prettily then shake her head. She so did not wanna talk about it.

"Anyway, he asked me if I could check on the douchebag. Or was it idiot? I can't remember. Either way since he was alive, he said we couldn't leave him out there. I really wish that we had, though.” said the girl. The last part was muttered in a tone that caused a gasp from Nina. Was an angel really wishing that they had left someone for dead? He really must have been an asshole.

"Hey, I had to deal with a lot of stuff from that creep." said the girl sadly. No one disbelieved her after having witnessed some of his antics.

"Well, after we finally got back to town they arrested Scott for 'interfering with the lawful capture of a Demi-Human, and tried to pin attempted manslaughter on him." said the girl in an angry tone.

"No way!" exclaimed Apollo.

"What kind of nutty legal system arrests people for saving someone!?"

Nina rubbed his fur and sighed, "The kind where Demi-Humans are property. It sucks, especially if you don't have a master who treats you right."

"Yeah, we aren't people. We're possessions, pets at best." muttered Makina.

Cerene nodded sadly. She knew that fact all too well. The best that she could have hoped for if she had ran away, was a swift death. If she had been caught she would have been given back to Henry. She could have killed him, but that would have probably gotten the other girls in the harem killed, too. The witch could burn for all she cared, but there had been a few others here and there who were nice enough.

"How can they do that?! It's inhuman!" exclaimed the Aerune from her position at Cerene’s feet.

"Well, you remember about that war all those years ago? Well, there's still millions of wildborn Demi-Humans that are worse than any animal. That's why, I guess." said Nina.

"I guess... I can understand that, but it's not like you girls are running around attacking random people on the street!" exclaimed the little cat irately.

"Actually, that's how Scott and I met. I attacked him on the road. Like I said, I was partially regressed at the time." countered Nina.

That drew some of the wind out of the prissy little cat's sails. She may have been rightly angry at such inhumane treatment, but if someone like Nina was going to run around attacking people there might be a point to those nutty laws after all.

"Let's talk about something else... k?" asked Cerene softly. She did not like thinking about regression and stuff.

"Right. Hey, did you see those shoes at the shop here? I went out with Scott this morning before he sent us off to train." said Nina excitedly.

"No, we did not get to see any shoes Miss Alpha." groused Makina.

Nina grinned at her happily. "Boy did you miss out, little sister."

"Hey, he made it up to me in advance!" exclaimed the ponytailed girl.

Nina stared at her with a curious expression for a moment then her eyes widened in understanding. “The frosting, I knew it was all lies!”

The bridge of Makina’s nose began to turn a delightful shade of red before she lifted her hands to her face. She unleashed an adorably sweet smile and twisted her head back and forth. “We had pie.”

“Really, what kind?” asked Cerene. She still didn’t get the reference.

“Cherry.”

“Oh? That sounds tasty.” Cerene liked pie.

Nina gasped at Makina then frowned. “Did you save a piece for me?”

“Nope, master ate every bit of it, big sister. Though, we did make a cream pie afterward.”

“No way!” said Nina.

Nina stared at Makina and Makina stared right back. They continued to stare at each other for a second then dissolved in a fit of giggles. Their little show had left the other three staring in confusion. Must be an inside joke.

-----

Scott had gone back to training room three to work on his magical powers once again. He had managed to reach a point where he could cast the spell once at full power, and then a second time at roughly one-fourth the normal power, before he had to rest. The recoil remained a literal pain in his has as well.

He was about to leave and head over to room seven when the door opened again. Three people entered and the sole occupant in the room knew two of them. One of them was unknown to him, but was certainly familiar. He was looking at the red-haired Amazon from the day before.

"Scott.” said Analise.

"Yes...?"

The Amazon and Aaron watched the bi-play as the two began talking.

"Well, there is a situation...” began Analise, but the Amazon rolled her eyes and barged in front of her.

Scott slipped into a loose fighting stance expecting trouble, but was shocked when the sword wielding Demi-Human knelt down in front of him then looked at the floor Despite his shock he did note that her sword was made of wood instead of steel now.

"What?" asked Scott.

"Please take this humble Samurai as your vassal!" exclaimed the girl in a highly distraught tone.

"Um...” said Scott. He had no idea what the hell was going on.

”Little help here..?" he asked Analise.

"She attacked a human being. Normally, she'd be executed for that. However, it was proven that she was under magical duress and the attack was at the behest of her tamer. They granted her one chance for leniency.”

"Ok?" he asked. What did this have to do with him?

"Please let this humble samurai girl be your apprentice, master!" exclaimed the Amazon, before she leaned forward and touched her forehead to the floor. Her entire body was as low as she could possibly be without actually lying down on the floor.

Scott still had no idea what to say. Why was she acting like she was some sort of Samurai? She was clearly an Amazon.

"If you don't take her on as a part of your harem, she'll be euthanized." said Analise.

It took Scott a second to realize what she meant. "What?!"

Analise took a step back. She could sense the immense pressure the man was emitting. She could swear she almost saw a battle aura flare into life for a moment.

Aaron for his part took it all in and nodded. It was an interesting dilemma the 'boy' was currently forced to deal with, his decision would be important.

Scott seethed internally at this. Just one more reason to hate this fucking perverted mud ball. They were going to kill someone even though she had no control of her actions at the time. Worse, the one she had attacked was him, and he didn’t care. Why the hell didn’t they try execute that stupid bitch Sprinkles when they got into a fight? This was bullshit!

His anger faded into sadness that wrenched at his heart a moment later. He would have to say no. He had his limit allotted to him by the league. If he took her on he would have to give away one of the others.

"I can't." said the man much to the surprise of the ones present.

"No, please. I'm sorry that I attacked you!" wailed the girl, while thinking he had found her unworthy.

"Scott, you'd really let them do that to her?" asked Analise in shock. Had she misjudged him the entire time that she had known him?

He looked at her, his face tight with anger. "I'm only allowed three members on my team...”

The woman's eyes widen in growing horror. He had caught his limit.

"I'd be more than happy to take her on, but I’m not allowed to...I mean...” began Scott as he had a moral dilemma on his hands.

Scott spoke up with conviction. "Fuck it. Screw the guild; I’ll just go take my tamer's exam."

Once again he was gazed at in shock. This time it was by Aaron.

"You'd really give up a chance at guild sanctioned knighthood for a Demi-Human that tried to kill you?"

Scott glanced at him and nodded, "She is innocent of the crime they claim. More than that, there are Demi-Humans that attack humans all the damned time and they don’t get executed. I don't care what a bunch of idiots with shiny badges say. I will not allow someone to die needlessly when I can do something about it."

Aaron nodded, "You willing put the lives of others above your own, this we know. You have a good sense of tactics and have won seemingly impossible battles against dire threats to life and country, this we know."

Scott stared at him for a moment, while the others tilt their heads towards the elder gentleman.

"You treat all those around you with respect, regardless of their place, purpose, gender, genetic disposition and station in life. This, we know." said the man, as though explaining some great truth.

The man took a deep breath and then smiled. "You choose life, integrity, honor, and the service to the needs of others over your own aggrandizement. This we know now."

Analise gaped wide eyed at the man. Was this really happening?

"Kneel, young man." said Aaron with finality, as he drew his sword.

Scott normally would have balked at this, but something about this situation made him follow the command. He knelt down before the older man and prayed to a god that he was not sure existed, that the man did not whip out his dick.

"I find you worthy, in the eyes of the infinite, the nation, and in my own." he said in a ritual manner, before gazing around at the others.

"Does anyone find fault with this?"

No one spoke up.

"Very well. With the power vested in me, by the infinite, and by the government." he said, before placing the blade of the sword on one shoulder of the kneeling man, and then the other.

"I hereby dub you Sir Scott; let no man speak against it."

"Rise, Sir Knight, and claim your duty."

Scott stood up and said. "Um, so I'm like a knight now or something."

Aaron smirked then nodded, "Good enough young Knight."

"Ok, that's really cool I guess... thanks? What about the girl here?"

The older man quirked an eyebrow. "Tell me Sir Scott, you are currently on a mission here in this town are you not?"

Scott nodded. "Yes, I'm supposed to investigate the creatures in the woods...”

"Tell me, how many Demi-Humans did you have allotted as the maximum you were allowed for this mission?"

"Well, three? I guess. No one mentioned...” began Scott.

Analise smiled happily at what she was hearing. That old coot of a knight had just solved things nicely.

"Would you say, that it would have been a great asset to the accomplishment of this mission, had you... four Demi-Humans with you instead of the typical three?" he asked with a smug look on his face.

"Certainly, woulda helped out yesterday...?" Scott answered with a hint of a question in his voice.

Aaron seemed to ponder for a moment, though it was obvious he was merely heightening the supposed drama. "Then, as the Head knight, and guild leader of the Oldtowne adventurer's guild I hereby grant my subordinate special dispensation to utilize as many assets as he needs in his current endeavor."

"Huh?" asked Scott. What was the old fart on about?

"Yes, quite... Basically, I just granted you the authority to have more than three Demi-Humans in your harem, and to use as many of those as you feel you need in a manner befitting the requirements of this mission." informed the man.

Scott nodded and then said, “So that means what?"

Aaron seriously considered doing something as undignified as face vaulting, but decided against it. "You can have as many Demi-Humans as you want. You have the right to apply for a knight's weapon license. You've been granted the right to keep up to six Demi-Humans in your personal group at any given time, without further dispensation. The six personnel limit does not include locations outside of a town, and you can have as many as you like on-hand if you are not within a designated city’s limits."

"Oh, right... thanks?" Scott said, while trying to take all that in. He was not a fool or an idiot, but that did not mean he could figure out babble talk.

The old man smiled at the younger man's antics.

"So wait, basically without any kind of written exam or 'trial' you just gave me all the normal rights and limitations of a tamer?" asked Scott seriously.

"In a way yes, but in some ways no. For one, a knight is a different organizational grouping than the tamers. In a way it's like the answer to the rangers, hunters and various similar organizations in other countries. You have greater overall responsibility now, but you have the perks that come with it too." explained the man.

The red-headed Amazon spoke up then, "Soo, does this mean that I get to be your apprentice?"

Scott glanced at her and said, "Yeah, I guess. You do realize that you aren't actually of the Samurai breed, right?"

The red head frowned cutely at him and then said, "Genetics does not a Samurai make!"

"Right...”

“This impure vessel shall prove her worth to her noble master! Let her blood spill and heart cease to beat if she displeases him in any way!” cried the girl before putting her head back down again.

Scott sighed loudly. Cute girl, but he could already tell that she would be an adorable pain in the ass. What happened to all her trash talk, anyway?

“Fine, fine. Get up. Let’s go meet your new sisters.”

The girl immediately launched herself back onto her feet and moved to stand just behind her master, the proper place for a student. Scott rolled his eyes then unleashed a soft smile. She was at least nutty enough to fit in with the other girls.

“Ah, before we go there is one important thing that you have to do.” Scott told the girl.

“Yes, master. This humble servant is ready to serve you in any way!”

He opened his arms and said. “You’ve had a hard few days. Come get a hug.”

Her eyes widened in surprise. She could not have heard such a thing.

“M-master! I could not possibly...”

He let his arms drop then turned away from her so that he could not see the smirk forming. “This is why you fail.”

She gasped loudly. Had she already displeased him? Would she be sentenced to death for lack of a hug?

“Would-be samurai, always remember... When a chance to strike comes, do not hesitate. If offered a reward accept it with grace and gratitude.”

Such wisdom! Her eyes began to sparkle. “Yes, of course master!”

Scott fought down a chuckle then flashed a wink toward Aaron. The old knight tried his best not to laugh. That had been well done, as well.

“Excuse us, Sir Aaron, Lady Analise.”

“I’m not a lady...” She caught herself mid-statement. She was not granted a knighthood in this world. Still, she knew he had gotten what he wanted.

“You’re right, those hips don’t lie.” said Scott.

Analise turned bright red then made a squawking noise while Scott and his new student made a strategic retreat. Yes, always strike when the chance presents itself.