PLML 34

Posted by Zahid, Released on August 2, 2025

CHAPTER 34

“Asins, I truly appreciate you using magic to change my appearance, but… why this look?”

“Why? You don’t like it?”

“Well, it’s just…”

Jaina trailed off and raised her hand in front of her face.

Her palm, now more than half the size it used to be, felt alien as she opened and closed it repeatedly. Looking up at the now much-taller Asins was also incredibly awkward.

She had tried not to complain, worried he might change his mind, but this was just too much.

“Why did you make me look like a child?!”

Her spring-petal-pink hair had turned into a crisp sky-blue, and her pink diamond-like eyes had been washed over with a cool aquamarine hue.

Other than the color of her hair and eyes, Jaina’s adorably youthful features remained the same—only now, it was no longer the charm of a young woman, but the innocent cuteness of a child.

She now looked like a kid about the same age as Asins’s original appearance.

Asins crouched down to meet eyes with the now tiny Jaina, who barely came up to his waist.

“Definitely better looking down than up.”

“I’m pretty sure you could still look down on me without making me this small.”

Asins simply smiled in response.

‘This guy definitely did this just to mess with me, didn’t he?’

“There was no other choice.”

Buildings related to the military were protected by security magic to prevent intruders. Unless one was as powerful as Asins, it was near impossible to maintain transformation magic inside.

Thanks to his overwhelming mana, Asins could cast appearance-changing magic—but only within limits. Changing just hair and eye color was the best most mages could manage. That’s why he altered both their ages, too.

‘It’s true. Just changing color isn’t enough—it’d be too obvious…’

And so, Jaina entered the monster training facility looking like a child.

After struggling to keep up, Jaina finally caught up with Asins, who crouched down with a grin.

“Being carried is more comfortable, isn’t it, Nia?”

Jaina clenched her teeth inwardly. As much as she hated to admit it, running on such short legs to match Asins’s stride was exhausting. Being carried really was easier.

“Come on up.”

Jaina begrudgingly perched on Asins’s arm. He looked at her like a proud grandfather and stroked her hair. Jaina immediately swatted his hand away.

“This really isn’t necessary, you know?”

“You’re the one who said we should act perfectly, Nia.”

Jaina had indeed insisted on perfect acting. With nothing to say in return, she kept quiet. Thankfully, Asins didn’t tease her any further.

After passing through a long hallway, they came to another guarded door. Security glyphs were etched all over the reinforced metal.

“Please show your access permit.”

Asins handed it over.

Unlike the guards outside, this one examined it thoroughly.

“I’m sorry, but may I see your ID as well?”

‘Did they figure out it’s a fake?’

Jaina tensed, but Asins calmly presented an ID. The guard looked between the ID and Asins’s face suspiciously.

“May I have your name?”

Asins didn’t bat an eye.

“Synas Agrina.”

“You’re a knight of the Louvern Temple?”

“Yes, I am.”

‘Wait, Louvern Temple?!’

Jaina was stunned.

According to the scriptures, monsters were evil beings fallen from grace, unworthy of divine blessings. Breeding them went directly against divine will. Even for a knight, visiting a monster facility while affiliated with the temple would naturally raise eyebrows.

‘Even if he’s clueless, this is too much.’

“Sir Synas, I’m sorry, but…”

“What’s your name, if I may ask?”

Asins cut the guard off. The man stammered, caught off guard.

“Murgus Latia.”

“Sir Murgus Latia, if you know your actions are offensive, isn’t it common courtesy to refrain from them?”

Asins narrowed his eyes at the guard. His lips still wore a pleasant smile, but his gaze was icy.

“I-I didn’t mean—”

“I’ve already shown you the access permit. I assume you know what it means to keep asking for additional verification. I wouldn’t want to display violence in front of my dear little sister, so I’d appreciate your cooperation.”

His tone was calm and polite, but the meaning underneath was anything but.

The guard quickly bowed his head.

“There’ve been many impersonators lately. I apologize for the inconvenience. Please forgive me.”

“I understand.”

“Please, go on through.”

‘Why is he opening the door for us like that?’

Jaina was baffled by the guard’s sudden deference.

Once the door had closed behind them, Jaina whispered in Asins’s ear.

“What was that about?”

Instead of answering, Asins asked,

“Do you know about the Louvern Temple?”

“Yes. Only those recognized by the imperial priests are allowed in, right?”

“Correct. That applies to knights too. Only those with exceptional skill and divine strength are appointed as temple knights.”

Ah.

Now it made sense.

The Imperial Knights were strict about hierarchy. A knight qualified to serve in the Louvern Temple would certainly outrank a low-level guard like that.

“Still… doesn’t it seem odd? A temple knight visiting a place like this…”

“You don’t know, do you, Nia? Not everyone in the temple follows every word of the scriptures.”

His knowing smile said it all—even servants of the gods weren’t always pure.

‘Did Asins really plan this far ahead…?’

Maybe it was because her eyes were literally lower now, but Asins suddenly seemed much more reliable.

Monster Training Facility.

Jaina had assumed conditions would be rough, considering the monsters were raised for battle.

‘But I didn’t expect it to be this bad…’

Inside the metal cages lining both sides of the hall, the monsters were in horrific condition.

Bite marks and claw scratches marred the cages. The chained beasts lay listlessly, covered in clumps of dried blood and filth. Their matted fur hadn’t seen grooming in ages.

‘Can’t they be raised in better conditions?’

Thinking of Poppy and Cotton Candy, Jaina’s heart sank.

“Don’t blame yourself,”

Asins said, raising a hand to cover her eyes.

“No amount of restraints can perfectly control a monster. The higher their original rank, the less they submit. These are mid- to high-tier monsters—this is the only way.”

‘I get it… but still…’

Her mind understood, but her heart couldn’t accept it—especially since she had loving pets like Poppy and Cotton Candy.

“By the way, As— I mean, brother. Why did you bring me here?”

“I told you. I want to test your abilities.”

“No, you didn’t.”

‘Unbelievable.’

Her thoughts and words were mismatched from sheer disbelief. Not once had Asins mentioned anything about testing her abilities.

Without answering her questions, Asins continued deeper into the facility.

They stopped in front of a door that radiated danger at first glance.

Asins placed a hand on the door, and glowing blue glyphs appeared. It was a magical seal—a type of password spell to prevent unauthorized access. Asins undid it effortlessly.

Creeeeak—

A high-pitched screech echoed as the door opened. Beyond it, there was nothing but pitch-black darkness.

Something felt wrong.

Every instinct in Jaina’s body screamed at her not to go in.

She wasn’t the only one who felt it.

Levan, who had silently followed them the entire time, grabbed Asins’s shoulder just as he was about to step inside.

“Let go.”

Asins’s displeasure was clear as he tried to shake off Levan’s hand—but failed.

Levan’s knight-trained grip held firm.

“What do you think you’re doing?”

“Where are you taking Lady Jaina?”

“Why should I tell you?”