Weakest Beast Tamer Gets All SSS Dragons

Chapter 132 - Taming the 2nd Tutee

Luna slammed her bedroom door harder than necessary, startling Mayo and Matilda who were preparing her bed for the night. Her shadow wolf slid like liquid ink into her shadow to rest.

”Is everything alright, my lady?” Matilda asked, noting the subtle blush coloring Lunaʼs cheeks.

”Of course it is,” Luna strode to her vanity, deliberately avoiding to see her face in the mirror. ”Iʼm just thinking about tomorrowʼs strategy. We need to make sure we crush Klein once and for all.”

Mayo exchanged a knowing look with Matilda while folding the sheets, their practiced movements betraying years of service even at their young age.

”Oh, is that all it is?” Mayo smiled mischievously. ”Nothing to do with a certain boy with an adorable face who…”

”Mayo!” Luna spun around, her blush deepening. ”Iʼve told you itʼs not... itʼs not like that. If I find baby faces cute, itʼs... itʼs purely an aesthetic appreciation.”

”Of course, my lady,” Mayoʼs smile widened. ”Totally aesthetic. Like when you stare during training or when…”

”One more word,” Luna narrowed her eyes, shadows stirring around her feet, ”and Iʼll send you to serve Liora and Larissa. Iʼll keep María, who at least knows when to keep quiet.”

”Oh, but my lady,” Mayo laughed softly while fluffing the pillows, ”we all know Larissa would never allow it. Sheʼs quite... attached to her current friendly relationship with her. So Iʼm afraid youʼre stuck with me.”

”Mayo,” Matilda intervened with a gentle but firm tone, ”I think thatʼs enough for today. Our lady needs rest for tomorrow.”

Luna sighed as she sat at her vanity, allowing Mayo to begin brushing her hair. The repetitive motion seemed to calm her nerves.

”Tomorrow we can move more actively in the mist and attack for real,” Matilda commented while closing the curtains. ”We wonʼt let that arrogant brat even get close.”

”Donʼt overdo it too much,” Luna frowned. ”The noble maiden facade could…”

”Oh, that facade?” Mayo giggled. ”My lady, with all due respect, that strategy failed long ago. There are too many eyes in the academy, too many informants, and they already know youʼre here.”

”Itʼs true,” Matilda nodded. ”In the end it did no good that your uncle denied you the will oʼ wisp egg or the mineral fairy one. Even with the black egg as the most discreet option, the risk ended up being for nothing…”

”It doesnʼt matter,” Luna studied her reflection, her shadow wolf barely visible as a dark silhouette behind her. ”This companion turned out better than I could have hoped for. A direct line from my fatherʼs familyʼs best knights brought it to gold rank so I can…”

Her fingers unconsciously traced her wolf ear that her beast manifested, a soft smile playing across her lips.

”And tomorrow,” she continued, her voice taking on an icy edge, ”weʼre going to show Klein and his father they can forget about that ridiculous arrangement. No matter what my uncle wagered, I wonʼt be a prize to elevate their horrible familyʼs status.”

”Especially since your heart already has another own…” Mayo began.

”Mayo!” Luna and Matilda exclaimed in unison.

The maid raised her hands in surrender, though her playful smile remained intact. ”Iʼm just saying that a certain boy with glowing mushrooms…”

”Itʼs a misunderstanding,” Luna stood abruptly, her blush returning. ”And if you continue with that, Iʼll really consider asking María to take your place.”

”As you say, my lady,” Mayo executed an exaggerated bow. ”Though we all know María is terrible at hair-brushing and that youʼd never…”

A knock at the door interrupted her teasing. All three tensed instantly, their playful atmosphere evaporating into sudden alertness. They hadnʼt felt the presence till now.

”Who is it?” Matilda asked, her voice transforming into the servile tone appropriate for a common nobleʼs maid.

”Message for Lady Luna,” a voice responded.

Luna exchanged glances with her maids. The shadow wolf silently slid toward the door, ready for any eventuality.

♢♢♢♢

Morning began as always with Ren and Taro absorbing their daily crystals. The glow of Taroʼs shell was increasingly intense, a sign that the cultivation was progressing well along its intended path.

”Are you sure about this? They say thatʼs the weaker version.” Min played nervously with his snake as they walked toward the shop. ”I donʼt want to waste resources if…”

”Trust me,” Ren smiled while his mushrooms pulsed softly. ”Your snake is freshwater. Traditional methods waste resources using marine components that actually change its nature to one with less potential.”

”And the night lily extract will really work?”

”Better than marine coral and moon algae,” Ren stopped in front of the counter where Jessy waited, her cat ears perking up at their approach. ”And itʼs much cheaper.”

”Ren!” Jessyʼs cat ears twitched with enthusiasm. ”More materials for your nests?”

”Not today,” Ren shook his head. ”My friend needs night lily extract. One hundred units.”

Jessy consulted her manual while her tail moved thoughtfully. ”Let me see... yes, we have it in stock. One thousand points for the hundred units.”

Min nearly choked. ”Only a thousand? But marine coral costs…”

”Five times more,” Ren completed. ”Thatʼs why few use the lily extract. Many assume more expensive ingredients are better.”

While Jessy prepared the order, Min took out his crystals. He had quite a few after months of mining, though most were small.

”You should deposit some, your trunk is full too,” Ren suggested. ”The bank can…”

”Donʼt even mention it,” Min shuddered. ”I donʼt want to see Theodoreʼs look when he compares my tiny deposits to your... plate investments.”

”The plates are from the prince,” Ren and Taro responded in unison, causing Min to roll his eyes.

Back in the room, they found Liu sitting on his bed, his night bat fluttering above his head, casting dancing shadows on the walls.

”Finally decided to risk it all?” he asked, seeing the materials.

”Yes,” Min spread his crystals on the table. ”Though I still need the elemental control rune.”

”Those are expensive,” Liu whistled. ”Like fifteen thousand points.”

”I have time,” Min shrugged. ”A hundred days to get it. For now...”

Ren was already examining the crystals one by one, his mushrooms pulsing as he analyzed each piece with precision.

”Not this one,” he discarded one. ”Too small. This one yes, the mana quantity is perfect.”

”How can you...?” Liu began to ask, but stopped himself. After so many times heʼd learned not to question Renʼs knowledge about beasts.

After half an hour of meticulous selection, Ren had separated the hundred best crystals, each one gleaming with promise.

”Ready?” he asked Min, who held the first crystal nervously in his trembling hands.