At the Royal Knights Training Camp, the atmosphere was charged.
The rumor of a Rank-E Tamer defeating a Rank-S Brawler had spread like wildfire. Some called it a hoax. Others dismissed it as a misunderstanding.
But Ion Kalculos—the top trainee—knew better.
He stopped mid-swing during his sword practice, catching his breath. One of the instructors nearby whispered the tale.
"Did you hear?"
"What is it?" another replied.
"A boy named Ares Meledric… from Uruste Village… defeated a GuildMaster."
Ion's grip on his sword tightened. His sharp eyes narrowed.
"Ares… That weakling? Impossible."
He resumed his swings, but this time, every strike was sharper, angrier—imagining Ares' face on the training dummy.
"Arclight Thrust!" he roared, his blade piercing deep into the target. "Let me see how good you really are, Ares."
---
Meanwhile, I had just returned home after the unexpected battle with Baran Algorit. My body was sore. My mind exhausted. I slept like a rock.
Later that night…
"Um, Master? Can I sleep with you?"
Aisha's soft voice woke me. She stood by the bed, her long black hair flowing, her wolf tail twitching nervously.
"Why? Can't sleep?" I asked.
She nodded.
"Uh… sure. Come here."
The moment she slipped under the blanket, my face went red. Her hair smelled faintly of wildflowers, and her tail brushed against my leg. How was I supposed to sleep like this?
"My body feels strange," Aisha murmured, curling against me. "Like I'm not the same wolf anymore…"
I swallowed hard, trying not to panic. "Maybe it's your new form… part of being tamed, maybe."
"Maybe," she whispered. "But why does it feel so… nice when you're close?"
Before I could answer, the door creaked open.
"Ara~? Is this Aisha?"
Aunt Testia peeked in, grinning mischievously. Her emerald eyes sparkled with curiosity.
"She evolved beautifully~"
"I-I don't know how it happened," I stammered. "She just transformed after the battle. Mother already knows…"
That evening, we returned to Uruste Village. My mother was outside, as always. Aisha spotted her, but didn't know who she was.
"Who is that woman, Master?" Aisha asked.
"That's my mother, Amanda Meledric."
"Mother?! But… how is she so young?"
"She's a Fae, Aisha."
As we approached, my mother ran over and hugged both of us tightly. She had clearly been worried since last night.
"Thank you, Aisha," my mother said warmly.
"How did you know?" I asked.
"I've always known you were special, Ares," my mother replied. "I can see it in your bond. You two must be tired—go inside and rest."
Back in the present, Testia gave me a sly look.
"Is that so? I envy you, Ares."
"What for?" I asked cautiously.
"Don't worry, Ares~" Testia winked. "I'm not mad. In fact… maybe you should consider building a harem?"
"Wha—!?"
Even Aisha stirred, half-asleep, confused and flustered. Testia laughed and walked away, leaving chaos in her wake.
I buried my face in the pillow.
Aisha curled up next to me, clutching my arm. I could hear her gentle breathing until sleep claimed us both.
---
The next morning, I returned to the Mavela Guild.
Baran, the GuildMaster, was waiting. His usual tough demeanor was calm—almost friendly.
"Come in. Let's talk."
He led us into his private room. Aula joined soon after.
Baran scratched his beard, his brows furrowed.
"You said… you gained the Berserker Class? And you're still Rank-E? With one point in every stat?" Baran asked.
"Yes, GuildMaster," I nodded.
"I heard from Aula that your partner here has Forbidden Magics. Is that correct?"
"True, GuildMaster."
"Then how could you defeat me so easily?" Baran pressed.
I blinked. "I… don't know. Maybe my Berserker Rage ability?"
Aula leaned forward. "Then, you can also use Aisha's Berserker ability?"
"Yes. My mother told me about something called Magic Sharing."
Aula frowned. "Magic Sharing allows someone with a strong bond to borrow another's magic. But not classes or abilities."
"Really?" I frowned back.
"And that," Aula said gravely, "was the root of the Legendary Tamer who vanished centuries ago. His name was Hetric. He tamed dragons, angels… even demons."
Baran crossed his arms. "They say his power grew too fast. He couldn't control it. In the end, he destroyed his own kingdom."
I glanced at Aisha. Her crimson eyes were clouded with confusion. She clearly knew nothing about the Legendary Tamer—and neither did I.
"But how did Aisha transform into a girl?" Aula asked suddenly.
"I don't know that either," I admitted.
"To be honest, Ares…" Aula's tone shifted. "Are you planning to build a harem, by any chance?"
"H-HAREM!?" Aisha and I shouted in unison.
Aisha leapt to her feet, furious. "Master is mine! I won't share him with anyone!"
Tears welled in her eyes.
"I'm not going to," I said softly.
But then, Aisha hugged my arm tightly, pressing me against her chest, trembling. Her voice was shaky but determined.
"No, Master. I will share you… but only with the ones I choose. If I'm by your side, I won't lose to anyone. Not even another girl."
"Wait—what!?" My brain almost short-circuited. "I-I'm not even trying to—!"
She hugged me tighter. "It's okay, Master. I'll support you, no matter what."
I was too stunned to respond.
Baran finally broke the silence. "But remember this: Forbidden Magic always demands a price. Hellfire burns anything it touches—it can melt stone, vaporize flesh. Blood Magic? If you run out of your own blood, it will take it from those around you."
A chill went down my spine.
Then Baran pointed at the Axe of Suzaku strapped to Aisha's back.
"That artifact… where did you get it?"
"My mother gave it to me," I replied.
Baran and Aula exchanged uneasy glances.
"There are three more artifacts connected to the Axe of Suzaku," Baran explained. "Some are sacred relics. Others… treasures held by kings."
Aula suddenly gasped at the hourglass. "Crap!! GuildMaster—we're late for the meeting!"
"For goodness' sake, Aula! Keep track of your time," Baran groaned.
"Sorry, GuildMaster!"
I just scratched the back of my head and laughed awkwardly. The meeting ended soon after.
---
"Master?" Aisha tugged at my sleeve as we stepped outside.
"What's wrong, Aisha?"
"Sorry about earlier… are you mad at me?"
"No. But are you sure about all this? About… the harem thing?"
She looked at me earnestly.
"At first, I'm jealous but then I thought harems were just slavery or stupid romance dramas. But now… I understand." She spun playfully in the street, then faced me again. "You need more power, right? Then I'll help you. Just promise… I'll always be your number one."
"You don't have to force yourself—" I started.
"D.A.R.L.I.N.G?" she teased with a smirk.
"D-Don't say that! It's embarrassing…"
She giggled.
Then suddenly—BOOM.
A beam of light shot into the sky beyond the city walls.
We both froze.
"A dungeon…?" I whispered.
Aisha's ears twitched. She sensed it too.
Something powerful had awakened.
Something… worthy of becoming my second tame.
From the guild balcony, Baran and Aula watched the sky with grave expressions.
"A dungeon just manifested," Aula said. "Let's hope it's stable."
The city erupted in chaos—bells rang, guards scrambled, citizens shouted.
The peace of Mavela had been shattered.
And this time, we were going to be part of it.