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~Chapter 7~
First, I fed Lysian.
The Korean side of me thought, “Suspicious as he is, I can’t just starve him.”
The menu? Boiled potatoes.
“Is it okay? There’s no salt or anything. Just plain boiled potatoes.”
“It’s good, thank you.”
Once the food went in, he seemed much more lively than before.
Still, I couldn’t ignore the way he kept staring at me with that intense gaze… it was unnerving.
His taste in food seems normal too…
If he isn’t human, then what exactly is he?
I racked my brain, recalling the original work’s settings for other species.
First, spirits…
Pure spiritual beings tied to nature, each with unique attributes. Rarely do they take a fully human appearance.
And… elves.
Elves resemble humans and live in deep forests or mountain valleys. Some live among humans, and some even marry humans.
But Lysian isn’t an elf. His ears aren’t pointed like an elf’s.
Maybe a half-elf…
Or a beast capable of perfect human transformation.
And finally… dragons.
Definitely not a dragon.
What dragon would be this feeble? Lysian being a dragon was basically impossible.
Looks like the only way to know his true identity is if he regains his memory.
Lysian had already finished the plate and was staring at me again.
…There he goes, staring like that. So awkward.
I poured water into his empty cup.
“Want some more food?”
“No, this is enough.”
That smile… gorgeous enough to make me gasp. Really, criminal-level looks.
Whose kid is this…
“Hey, do you remember anything? Even bits and pieces?”
“Hmm… I don’t think so.”
He sipped his water delicately, lowering his gaze.
“Just… when I look at you…”
“……”
“I feel like… you’re my master.”
“…I’m not your master.”
“Still…”
“We’re meeting for the first time today. And slavery was abolished thirty years ago!”
“Oh… maybe I was a slave?”
“No, slavery was abolished thirty years ago.”
Technically, the Roblet Kingdom still had remnants of slavery, but other countries banned it, so in practice, it was gone. Nobles in Roblet also avoided it to not attract outside scrutiny.
Could him calling me “Master” have to do with the taming skill?
Very reasonable. The problem was, I couldn’t exactly explain the system.
Ah… this is going to drive me crazy.
I massaged my temples, stuck in thought, while Lysian stared at me with wet, pleading eyes.
As soon as our eyes met, he asked in a desperate whisper:
“Master… you won’t abandon me, right?”
“……”
How the hell am I supposed to say, “No? I’ll dump you later?”
I couldn’t just let an amnesiac wander around. Temporary protection seemed necessary.
At least until he regains his memory… or I figure out how to undo the taming skill…
Sighing, I finally relented.
“Fine… for now, I’ll be your master. Just temporary.”
“Does that mean… you’ll abandon me someday?”
“No—don’t cry!”
Lysian’s tears fell, looking heartbreakingly vulnerable.
I felt uneasy, like some kind of abandoned-animal culprit, and shook my head firmly.
“I won’t abandon you. Okay?”
“Really…?”
“Yes. Really.”
“Then swear it.”
“…?”
Swear it?
“Here.”
Lysian extended his pinky finger. I thought he wanted a childish pinky promise, but his request was unexpectedly specific.
“Wrap a strand of your hair around my pinky and promise to be my master forever.”
…Pretty ritualistic. Doing this might mess up my life.
Wait. Something’s off.
Is this guy really amnesiac?
“KYAAAA! This… this crazy pervert! How dare you make Master swear a bond like that?!”
The spirit suddenly screamed, flipping out. Droplets flew everywhere in her fury.
“Bond of companionship?”
“Yes! Extremely dangerous! Souls bound forever! Even immortals don’t do this lightly! And some random fool just walks in—”
She charged Lysian headfirst. Was he a water Pokémon or something?
“Um… Ms. Droplet? That tickles…”
“My name isn’t Droplet, it’s Ninabel, you perverted scammer!”
No matter how she headbutted, Lysian wasn’t harmed.
Naturally. Ninabel was just a little water spirit with minimal offensive power.
I grabbed Ninabel, hugging her tight. This was the only way to calm her down.
“Waaaaah, Master~! Kick him out! Right now!”
“Alright, calm down…”
I patted Ninabel while turning to Lysian.
“You said you lost your memory, right? Then how do you even know about a bond like that?”
He smiled faintly, as if the answer poured out naturally.
“It just… came to me. Maybe it was important information for me?”
“You’re suspicious. Why did you try to make me swear?”
“I just… like you so much, Master…”
“Stop calling me that! Just use my name!”
“How could I dare call my master by name casually?”
This guy… completely oblivious to reasoning, totally his own pace.
This calls for authority…
I flung the water spirit aside, squared my stance, crossed my arms, and glared down at him. My voice took on a commanding tone.
“Don’t think you can fool me. I’m not an idiot.”
His golden eyes suddenly sharpened. I instinctively recoiled, keeping my distance.
He let out a low laugh. His soft lips curved gently, eyes forming a crescent, smiling warmly.
“Correction. It’s not that I remember nothing.”
“Hey! Then…”
“I just… don’t remember who I am, where I came from, or what I used to do.”
“……”
“My mind feels blank, like a clean slate.”
“…Sounds like a lie.”
I narrowed my eyes at him. Something felt off.
The real problem: I had no excuse to get rid of him.
I used the taming skill and forced him under my control…!
But that wasn’t my intention… Ah, I can’t handle this!
Taming a suspicious, potentially dangerous stranger without consent—what kind of crazy system is this?
Ding!
Target’s affection toward you increased!
????🖤
“…Just tell me if that’s negative or not, please…”
“Anyway… you are my savior.”
Lysian slowly stood and approached me, speaking softly.
I instinctively stepped back, wide-eyed, looking up at him.
Wow… standing up…
He’s really tall.
190 cm? Maybe taller?
Taller than Raul, I think.
Tall, broad, and that gorgeous face… this guy’s overpowered!
My back hit the wall, and he subtly took my hand.
He leaned down, kissing the back of my hand lightly.
The moment felt almost sacred, as if this rundown cabin were a cathedral with stained glass.
He pulled back and smiled softly.
That face… insane.
I was momentarily entranced, until his words snapped me back.
“Repaying my savior… with my body. Is that a problem?”
What… what is this crazy guy saying?!
I tried clarifying.
“You mean… labor, right?”
“Not necessarily, if you want something else, that’s fine too.”
“Fine! Labor it is!”
He smiled gently, releasing my hand, but subtly scratched my palm with his nails.
“…!”
A strange shiver ran through me. A split second later, the water spirit slapped his cheek.
“You perverted brat! How dare you pull this trick!”
Slap! Slap! She kept attacking, but Lysian calmly caught her with one hand.
“So… this little water one is a spirit?”
“I—when was I pretending to be cute…? Ninny is naturally cute, you fool!”
“Well… I don’t know where to see the cuteness at all.”
“At least I’m cuter than you! Big male brute!”
Watching these two idiots bicker gave me a headache.
I pressed my palm to my forehead, then shouted.
“Enough, both of you! Attention!”
“…!”
They froze instantly. The noise stopped immediately.
Lysian reacted the fastest, as if it wasn’t his choice. His eyes went wide, startled.
Seeing that, one thought crossed my mind.
Could it be…?
