CHAPTER 27
Just as Asins reached out to grab Jaina’s wrist, Theoris snatched Jaina’s hand and pulled her toward him. Theoris glared at Asins like a child unwilling to let go of their toy.
“Hmph.”
Asins let out a hollow laugh.
“Theo, it’s okay. Let go of my hand,” Jaina said.
At her words, Theoris slowly released her. Jaina extended her hand toward Asins again.
Asins grabbed Jaina’s wrist. Theoris’s eyebrow twitched.
“Men who are that possessive aren’t attractive, Theo.”
“Mind your own business.”
“Tsk, such foul manners. You used to be at least somewhat cute when you were little.”
“That was never the case.”
‘Please, if you’re going to fight, do it somewhere I’m not.’
Jaina wanted to get out of there immediately.
Worried this would go on forever, she lowered her free hand under the table and held Theoris’s hand. Only then did he finally shut his mouth.
A deep violet aura rose from Asins’ hand. As his magic touched her, a black band appeared on Jaina’s wrist.
‘Huh? This is…’
It was the same band that had briefly appeared when she first met Cotton Candy.
‘Back then, some kind of string came out of it and wrapped around Cotton Candy’s neck…’
Asins observed the band carefully, then muttered quietly, “Just as I thought.”
“What is it?” Theoris asked immediately.
Even Perus, who had been smiling idly until now, leaned in with visible interest.
“This girl is a monster tamer.”
“What?”
“Huh?”
“Pardon?”
All three spoke at once.
‘Monster—what now? Monster tamer? Is that even a real thing?’
Jaina had heard of spirit summoners and mages, but never a monster tamer.
“What’s a monster tamer supposed to be?”
“A monster tamer tames monsters. What else would it be?”
“No, I mean…”
‘Wait. Didn’t he say he’s over 300 years old?’
Jaina recalled all the romance fantasy novels and dating sims she’d played.
A classic trope: the character looks like a child but is actually hundreds of years old. Usually, these types fall for you easily if you humor them just right.
Treating someone who looks like they haven’t even finished grade school like an elder wasn’t exactly easy.
‘This is no child. He’s Grandpa. Grandpa. Grandpa.’
“Lord Asins, I’m still inexperienced, so I don’t fully understand. I would be honored if someone as wise and seasoned as yourself could teach me what a monster tamer is.”
Jaina looked up at Asins, eyes sparkling. He straightened from his slouch with a satisfied expression.
“Very well, just this once, I’ll explain.”
“Thank you, Lord Asins!”
Success.
‘With all my dating sim experience, a clearly defined character like this is a piece of cake!’
Feigning attentiveness, Jaina listened.
A monster tamer.
Like a spirit summoner, but with monsters—they contract with and tame them. Asins explained that the black band on Jaina’s wrist held the power to control monsters.
‘Why monsters, though? Why not spirits? Or healing magic? Or being the greatest mage in this world? Why monsters?!’
Jaina forced a calm smile.
“You’ve probably seen the black band appear when you encountered a monster.”
“Yes, that’s right.”
“And didn’t black energy emerge from it too?”
‘Now that I think about it…’
When she first met Cotton Candy, a black string had extended from the band on her wrist and wrapped around its neck. The creature, initially wary, quickly warmed to her.
As Jaina described the event, Asins nodded.
“Yes. That’s called taming. Simply put, the string that wrapped around the monster’s neck acted like a leash for control.”
‘So Poppy, the one that tried to eat me, didn’t calm down because of a training method I saw on Dogs Aren’t Bad?’
“Lord Asins, with all due respect, I’ve never heard of a power like ‘monster tamer’ before.”
Perus asked, and Asins answered as though it were obvious.
“Of course not. This is the first time a human has manifested this ability.”
According to Asins, most humans would go mad from the overwhelming power of such a gift.
Monsters were inherently far stronger than humans. To control them, one needed corresponding strength.
Up to now, the only way to control a monster was through tools like the restraining collars Theoris had placed on Cotton Candy and Poppy.
These collars were crafted from special minerals and infused with mana for days. Most monsters calmed down when fitted with one—but not all. Jaina’s Poppy, the Cyus Wolf, was in that latter category.
Yet Poppy had never once attacked Jaina. Instead, it followed her like a loyal puppy, even showing affection.
‘Isn’t this… bad?’
People with special abilities tend to attract unwanted attention.
“Will you report this to His Majesty?”
Theoris asked the question Jaina had been holding back.
“I have no such intention. Why would I do something to benefit that man?”
“Perus, what about you?”
“If that’s what you wish, I’ll keep the secret.”
“Good. Thank you.”
And so, the matter of informing the Emperor was settled.
“My part here is done. You three can talk things over among yourselves.”
“Take care, Lord Asins.”
“Yes, yes.”
As Asins left, Theoris stood up as well.
“Let’s go.”
“Wait a moment, Brother. I have something to say to Jaina.”
“…”
Theoris narrowed his eyes and glared at Perus, then reached for Jaina’s hand to stand with her. She started to follow but stopped when she saw Perus’s expression.
Though smiling, something ominous lingered beneath his curious gaze. Leaving now would only invite future trouble.
Jaina let go of Theoris’s hand.
“Jaina…?”
“Theo, wait outside. I’ll join you after a quick talk.”
Theoris opened his mouth as if to argue, but quickly shut it. He seemed to realize that if he left, Perus would try something shady.
After a brief hesitation, he leaned in to whisper:
“Only five minutes. If anything happens, call out.”
“I’ll be fine. Don’t worry. Wait for me outside.”
Theoris exited.
Perus watched her with a cheerful smile, chin resting on his hand.
“You said you had something to say.”
“Yes, I do.”
“Well? Say it.”
“Before that, would you call me by a nickname?”
What? First monsters, now this nonsense?
Jaina squinted suspiciously. Perus’s smile dimmed, and his blue eyes grew damp. For the first time, he looked genuinely pained.
“I really care about Brother Theoris. I don’t know how he feels, but… I want to have a closer, more affectionate relationship with him.”
He looked like someone who had been hurt by a loved one.
“I guess I’m a little jealous that he’s opened up more to you in such a short time than he ever did with me.”
He glanced up at Jaina, his blue eyes shining like the summer sea.
“If I became close with you, maybe I could get closer to him too. So please, Jaina… Let me be your friend.”
His eyes were childlike and sincere. Anyone else might’ve been fooled.
Jaina smiled gently.
“Perus.”
“Yes, Jaina.”
His eyes sparkled at the sound of his name, hopeful.
“Sorry, but I’m not falling for that act.”
“…Huh? I-I don’t understand—”
“If you want something, just say so. Don’t pretend with some half-baked sob story.”
Perus, startled, looked away, then let out a quiet laugh. The tears vanished instantly, and his eyes curved mischievously.
“Ahaha. You’re not easy, are you?”
Still chuckling, he looked back at her. His smile remained, but now there was a sharpness behind it.
‘There’s the real him.’
Jaina had suspected this from the start, even more so when Asins had explained about monster tamers. Perus’s interest in her wasn’t personal—it was the curiosity of a child fascinated by a new toy.
At first, she considered playing along with his performance about family love. But she changed her mind when he brought up Theoris.
‘If he really wanted to bond with Theoris, he wouldn’t antagonize him like that.’
“Shall we get to the point, then? Jenne.”
“Who’s Jenne? I’m Jaina.”
“Well, if you won’t give me a nickname, I’ll just make one for you.”
“I never gave you permission.”
“Come on, after all we’ve shared—even asking for underwear—what’s a nickname between us?”
“Are you really going to keep milking that forever?!”
“Haha, don’t worry. I won’t mention it in front of my brother.”
‘If I hit him hard enough on the head, will he forget?’
Jaina seriously considered it.
