Demon Wolf

“Master, he completed twenty-one stages of the core disciple trial,” Eleanor said the moment she returned to the Pavilion Master’s humble office.

The elderly pavilion master remained silent for a second to digest the words. Then she kept quiet for another half a minute, struggling to process all the implications of that shocking statement.

“I— We— He—” Eleanor watched in silence as beginnings of unfiltered conflicting thoughts surged and collided in her master’s mouth.

This decay is the fate of the old. She watched in silent horror the repercussions of age until her master found her words.

“Headquarters mustn’t learn of this.” Finally, she voiced her top priority.

Well, naturally. If the monastery learned of this, they would confiscate him immediately. Our only reward would be a feast in disciple Hillman’s honor and slight improvement to the core disciple exclusive facilities, which nobody ever uses because we sell all our core disciples to other Earth Pavilions. Aloud, however, Eleanor’s words remained respectful.

“Don’t worry, Master. I already told the elders-on-duty that a fate worse than death awaits them should they mention the result to anyone. Just in case, I also made it an official order, evoking the restriction on their soul.”

Pavilion Master stayed silent for three seconds, then nodded. “Clever girl. I knew I could count on you.”

Seeing the dying woman open and close her lips without a sound, Eleanor knew the pavilion master had run out of thoughts, so she continued. “I paid a part of his reward from my personal savings. He blew twelve hundred contribution points to arm himself and purchase a shielding amulet and potions.”

Knowing her master’s next question, Eleanor listed the items Wolf purchased and her conclusions. “I failed to talk him into wearing armor. Also, based on his requests, he seems to be an Alchemist, or at least a dabbler. Makes sense, considering he has a powerful soul. I left him in the Knowledge Hall and told the elder-on-duty to find recipes for healing and general antidote pills.”

Eleanor paused again, giving her master enough time to digest her words. When the pavilion master’s brow frown lessened, Eleanor continued.

“I have a week before I have to prepare for the departure. I’ll drill him as much as I can, imparting him with Qi Gathering and Blood Saturating tiers of Supreme Order’s footwork. It is a pity we don’t have access to the Supreme Order of Wind’s movement arts; I guess he’ll have to live with the general version. I’ll try to teach him the Supreme Order of Earth’s Qi-shield, but he shouldn’t be able to display even fifty percent of its power without earth-attributed Qi. We’re in luck, he favors brute force in battle and the Supreme Order of Earth’s initial grade strikes will suit him…”

***

“Hello?” While Eleanor and the Earth Pavilion’s pavilion master discussed safety measures to protect their merchandise, Wolf encountered Jakob and two people he did not expect at the foot of the stairs ascending towards the core disciples’ living quarters.

“Hello,” Stella replied with an awkward expression, while Rondel said the words with a more genuine smile.

“U—” Following Mandy’s advice, Wolf refrained from an ‘um’ and turned it into a proper word. “What brings you here?” he asked straight. Stella had left an impression of someone fishing for benefits. Rondel, however, seemed genuinely friendly.

“Um,” Stella used the pitfall word and glanced down, confirming herself a supplicant in the conversation. Then, against everything Mandy taught Wolf, Stella raised her gaze to meet his and straightened her back, pushing her impressive bosom forward.

“I would like to apply for the position of your retainer.” She said with a serious expression of a man marching into death’s jaws. “I will clean, cook, wash, run errands, and deliver your messages. I vow not to lay a hand on you, nor do anything improper which could harm your good name.”

Wolf’s and Jakob’s faces turned odd. Wolf’s because a woman just assured him she would protect his chastity, while Jakob thought of Wolf’s outbursts and public nudity. Stella, however, misunderstood their grimaces.

“I would never make an unwanted advance. Especially if you are my employer.” She suddenly faltered and raised her hands in defense. “Not that I would do anything to men in my care. I don’t abuse those weaker than me.”

In her flustered gesticulation, Stella touched Wolf’s chest. For a moment, they stayed there as her face grew red and her mouth formed an O.

“I didn’t—” She jerked her palms back as if scalded. “This isn’t—”

Wolf found Stella’s panic hilarious, but in the corner of his eye he caught Rondel’s and Jakob’s shocked gazes.

Jakob is just shocked, but Rondel seems worried about Stella. Are they an item?

“She didn’t—” Rondel also started, but Wolf dismissed him with a wave of his hand.

“I know you didn’t do it on purpose.” Wolf enunciated the words slowly, still amused with Stella’s bulging eyes and the way she opened and closed her mouth, producing nothing but light pops. “Now, why do I need attendants, and why would you prefer to be servants when you’re already inner disciples?”

“I…” Stella glanced left and right, her lips still twitching with discomfort. “Can we talk about it in the core disciple part of the pavilion?”

Wolf shrugged and motioned them to follow with his chin.

“What about you, Jakob?” Wolf asked the shocked boy as they ascended the stairs.

“I— I just came to congratulate you.” The youth paused for a second and glanced towards Stella. “Senior apprentice brother Rondel explained the situation with retainers, and I would also like to apply for the position.”

“What retainers?” Wolf asked, realizing this was an official position and that Stella wasn’t just trying to become his maid.

“Core disciples can have up to five retainers who forfeit all other missions, but get a continuous mission to attend to the core disciple’s needs. It pays really well, and senior apprentice brother Rondel said various elders will try to bribe you into taking their disciples and such. Especially Blood Saturating realm disciples like Senior Apprentice Brother and Senior Apprentice Sister. They will get six months’ pay even though we are in a secluded world.”

“I see…” Wolf stopped and looked at Stella. “How did you know I’m a core disciple?”

The young woman flashed a smile. “When I saw Elder Dread there, I thought it was for you. Both your test results were anomalous, so I had Rondel stand watch over the outer disciple exit, while I waited at the exit for inner disciples. That’s where I found your little friend and every once in a while I asked the ascending junior apprentice sisters whether you had completed the trial.”

Wolf nodded, and Stella refrained from further explanation and went straight to the point. “Once we were certain you were a core disciple, we came here to wait for you. As you can see, I’m smart, hardworking—”

“And desperate.” Wolf interrupted her without an ounce of social grace. Mandy once mentioned how Wolf’s sledgehammer approach to people was a great way to test them and check their honest reactions.

“I’m desperate.” Stella repeated, her cheerful presence deflating. “And you are insightful.”

Wolf shook his head, smiling fondly. “I just had a great instructor. Now, why do you need this position?”

“Because I’m intelligent; because I have excellent talent, and because I won’t kiss old bitches’ asses just because they call the shots around here.” Stella glowered with more indignation and sincerity than she had originally planned.

After the temperamental outburst, Stella realized what she said and paled.

I see, you can’t restrain your tongue. That’s not bad. Ten know I had friends like that back home. Wolf shuddered. And they make for ten times better company than the constantly smiling backstabbing bastards.

“You’re hired.”

“I— what?” Wolf’s statement did not shock just Stella. Rondel and Jakob stared wide-eyed, but Wolf continued speaking.

“All three of you are hired. As for others, if you trusted anyone, you would’ve called them over by now.” Wolf gestured towards the setting sun, signifying how all three of his retainers had had enough time to call their friends and confidants.

“I cook whenever I feel like it, and you’re all welcome to share all my meals, both the ones I prepare and the ones you prepare. I dislike cleaning and laundry, it’s a waste of time. Especially bloody tubs, I hate them; I’m more likely to purchase a new one than to scrub the old one. My—” Wolf paused, almost saying, ‘my servants back home.’

“… schedule is not something you should build your lives around. How you divide the work is up to you, whether we share meals is up to you. I don’t mind you hiring helpers or doing whatever, as long as you don’t bother me.”

Wolf turned abruptly, rooting his three followers, staring in their eyes.

“I expect you to keep my secrets and not to harm me. If you fail me in this most basic regard, I will kill you without a moment’s hesitation.”