Rebirth: Beasts Bound

He stared in shock but recovered quickly and smiled, accepting my clause. The cat beastman was still in shock, but he dared not say a word.

I also needed to make money, as I recently saw Elowen sending a letter to the Duke. Only God knows what she must have written down, and the Duke’s favor was entirely on her. My money could be cut off suddenly. So I’ll have to think of ways I could invest money or something modern to invent that would make me money. I smiled.

"When do we start the lab experiments?" I asked gently, moving forward, drawn in by a painting... was it moving?...

The moment I was inches away from it, I couldn’t help but be mesmerized. It really was beautiful. It was a lady falling into the sea, her hands trying to grasp at nothing... her lips moved like she screamed, even her falling felt real as the painting moved. I reached my index finger, but then—

GROP!

The professor held my wrist, and I turned to stare at him. He flashed a worried smile. "It’s best to admire and not touch," he said, and I nodded. But then I felt the cat beastman go still and snapped my head to the door. My beastmen stood there glaring, not at me but at the Architect’s hand holding mine. He let go instantly, cold sweat dripping to the ground. I only laughed it off.

"We start tomorrow," he said, and I nodded, rushing out, because I suddenly felt their anger and suspicion levels were high. Especially when...

[WARNING: Your beast-men are about to explode in anger and jealousy.

Target: cool them down in 15 minutes]

I sighed and shut the door as I walked out. "I thought you guys waited outside!" I said, trying to sidetrack them, but their gazes felt cold... Even Azrael, who seemed unaffected, made me shiver.

"Why was he holding your hand? Do you want a new beastman?" Veyra asked, and my lips twitched.

"Eww, he’s basically forty or fifty," I said and felt the air soften, but...

"He’s thirty-three," the cat beastman said, and the air suddenly went cold and deadly. Even the cat beastman had to shut his lips and look away.

"Thirty-three?" I thought in shock. He didn’t look that old. He was a beastman this old and wasn’t claimed yet. Wow. Was he too prideful? That can’t be it... then what? Even the original novel didn’t say his age.

"Thinking of making him yours?" I heard Ryker’s cold voice, and I snapped back to reality.

"No, not that," I said, but—

[Warning host, professor in danger]

It blinked, and I froze... whattttttt

"I’m really not interested in him," I said, but their gazes were fixed on me. I had no option but to snatch them by the hand and walk off. On my way out, Elowen was walking in with Darian. I stared in shock and confusion... she paused on the way.

"Sister, what are you doing here?" she asked, concerned, but truly she just wanted to hear my purpose for being here... as for her, I’m sure she wanted to be his apprentice too.

"I was being shown around the laboratory, since I’m the Architect’s apprentice," I said simply, bragging and Darian sneered.

"Someone like you? When have you ever been serious about anything in your life? That position should go to someone suitable," Darian said, and I already knew who he was hinting at.

"Don’t say that, my sister also deserves that role," Elowen said, but her tone was filled with jealousy and anger. I rolled my eyes.

"What are you here to do?" I asked and watched as her eyes brightened.

"Headmistress Lysanadra sent me here to actually be his apprentice too," she said, and my lips parted.

"Oh, so you are my assistant?" I asked with a shining evil smug and watched as her smile faltered.

"That’s not it..." she defended, but I just stared at her like she was a fool.

"I’ll make sure to guide you well," I said, and she clenched her fist.

"Raven, you don’t know anything about engineering, nor using science and magic. I’m in a whole different league compared to you. Just give that spot to me. I’ll teach you well," she said, giving some heavenly speech that went into my right ear and flew out my left.

"Even Liora is better suited as an assistant," I said, and her eyes widened, clear anger in them. I actually compared her to someone weaker. But really, to me, Liora would do a better job than Elowen. Elowen was only empowered because this world favored her...

"If you were that good, the Architect would have taken you in as an apprentice, not as my assistant, so don’t blame me. Blame your lack of skill," I spat and walked off, leaving her to stew in my words.

"That Darian... why does he always have to butt into me and Elowen’s business? Even you guys don’t do that," I snapped, walking ahead, but froze as I heard no footsteps following me from behind.

"What’s wrong?" I asked, staring at them, and Azrael opened his mouth—

"Oh, do you regret chasing us again? You seem affected by Darian?" he asked, and...

"Of course, I’m disgusted with scumbags like him. A green tea asshole. He’s annoying. Why butt into women’s affairs? I have never seen such a stupid idiot like him," I snapped, and they all stared at me in confusion and shock.

"What’s an asshole?" Ryker asked.

"And green tea bastard?" Veyra asked. I froze. Shit, modern words again. I laughed softly. "It’s a term for a pretentious, evil person," I said, and their eyes softened with realization.

I continued to curse under my breath. I really need to slap some sense into Darian. But then... my beastmen moved closer to me, and I lifted my gaze to stare at them.

"What happened?" I asked, and they smiled, all except Azrael.

"Raven, we..." Veyra trailed off, taking hold of my hands. "The reason we don’t need to intervene in fights like those is because we know you would easily beat them off. It’s sweeter to watch and see how they mess everything up themselves."

Ryker placed a hand on my shoulder. "I always enjoy the show," he said and laughed. Then he and Veyra looked at each other and laughed out loud. It was the first time I was seeing them so thrilled.

So that was the reason why when I talk, they rarely say a word and just look with amusement. I couldn’t help but blush, clearly feeling happy about their words, and licked my lips.

"I’ll give you more than a show next time," I said, and they beamed softly.