A massive flatbed cart slowly rolled forward, transporting a large number of iron cages deep into the dense forest.
Passing through layers of mist, following the firelight, they entered the most mysterious part of the forest.
The leading shadow guard pushed aside some branches. A streak of moonlight slipped through the gaps in the leaves, falling onto their faces.
"We're here."
The demi-human shadow guard said calmly. She pushed aside a layer of leaves, and a towering green building appeared before the eyes of the beast-eared demi-humans.
The enormous green building seemed to merge with the surrounding environment. Dim moonlight covered the rooftop, making it especially quiet.
It felt like stepping into a field of flowers, gently swaying with the soft breeze.
This place was the demi-human central shelter of the Clavenna family.
After Liya rescued these demi-humans, she would never abandon them irresponsibly.
All demi-humans who were saved would be brought here to undergo training.
As well as learning reading, writing, and culture, enhancing their understanding of the world.
To ensure that every rescued demi-human would have their own independent thinking, so that even if they later left the Clavenna family, they would still be able to survive on their own.
A demi-human with white beast ears, wearing an instructor's cap, slowly walked out from the training facility.
She looked at the catgirls and doggirls who were curiously observing their surroundings and nodded toward the shadow guards.
They were the instructors responsible for training and enlightening these demi-humans.
Instructors like her were usually those who had retired from shadow guard duties and returned here to become teachers, continuing to provide new demi-human guards for the Clavenna family.
In the group, there were many types of demi-humans, but the largest proportion was still catfolk and dogfolk.
And most of them were female.
To humans, female demi-humans were easier to capture.
Female catfolk were smaller than most human women, and female dogfolk had gentle temperaments and didn't like to fight.
They were the primary targets of slave traders.
The instructors called over the newly arrived demi-human companions, taking out one wooden tag after another.
The newcomers were somewhat uneasy, their ears trembling from panic, fear showing in their eyes.
Demi-humans naturally had less rationality than humans. Their thoughts, shaped by living in the wild, were closer to animals.
But here, they would overcome their primal impulses and completely transform.
The iron cages were opened, and the beast-eared girls who had been imprisoned stepped out one after another, forming a long line.
The demi-human instructors held wooden tags with numbers engraved on them. For each girl who walked out, an instructor hung a tag around her neck.
After finishing these steps, the instructors led the new companions into the camp.
They were given ample food and water, and assigned their new living quarters.
The next day, they would begin a life unlike anything they had known before.
Through training, they would welcome a new beginning.
Leon stood outside the shelter, watching group after group of rescued demi-humans.
By now, she had already removed her hood, exposing her pointed, slender ears beneath the moonlight.
As Liya's most trusted subordinate, she was responsible for this entire demi-human training camp.
Every time a slave-transporting ship was intercepted, she personally brought the newcomers here.
Though among all these demi-humans she alone was an elf, Leon's personality and strength had earned her immense respect.
"Lady Leon."
A shadow guard removed her black mask and cloak, revealing a fluffy white tail and drooping ears as she lightly walked toward Leon.
"I'm sorry to disturb you at this hour, but… I think you should come take a look."
Leon snapped out of her thoughts. Seeing the nervous expression on the girl's face, she felt a bit puzzled.
———
A group of instructors gathered before a cage draped with a black cloth, seeming very curious about whatever was inside.
This cage was enormous, far larger than any of the previous ones.
The black cloth was lifted by the group, revealing the true appearance of the cage.
The cage was unbelievably luxurious. It even had golden patterns carved into the bars. Inside, various flowers and plants had been placed as decoration.
Though the word "luxurious" didn't exactly match the word "cage". Inside the cage, there was even a bed.
This confused them somewhat.
On the bed lay a person whose appearance they couldn't see clearly, sleeping soundly.
Even though the outside had been noisy for quite a while, the "demi-human" inside the cage still remained fast asleep.
At that moment, Leon approached.
The demi-human instructors all respectfully stepped back, making space for her.
Her emerald eyes carefully observed the person inside.
Seeing the pair of pointed, elongated ears that looked similar to her own, Leon froze slightly.
"This… might need to be reported to Miss Liya…"
A demi-human beside her offered the suggestion.
Because... the figure inside the cage was neither human nor demi-human.
But an elf.
———
It was too late at night, and the sky was too dark.
So Viktor didn't return to the capital. Instead, he chose to stay with Liya at the Clavenna family's old estate for a day.
At this moment, Viktor was in his bedroom.
He sat on a chair by the window, resting his head on one hand, looking somewhat troubled.
In front of him was a neatly groomed, clean catgirl.
A faint fragrance seemed to drift from her body. Her two cat ears drooped slightly, and her upright tail was tucked behind her.
Viktor, "…"
This catgirl still seemed a little unused to everything. She didn't dare raise her head to look at Viktor, her eyes filled with timidity.
But from time to time, she sneaked glances at him, her fear mixed with a strange hint of expectation.
Viktor had a good memory; he recognized her instantly as the catgirl he had patted on the head earlier.
Beside him, a mocking voice sounded in his ear.
"Well, well, your sister treats you nicely. She knows you like the young ones."
[T/N: What.]
Vega perched on the armrest of the chair, snickering, its tone dripping with mischief.
Viktor coldly replied, "Are you joking with me?"
In the eyes of people in this world, demi-humans were simply unrefined animals.
No matter how human-like the catgirl looked, it didn't change the stereotype humans held about them.
Having thoughts about such a creature would be like suddenly developing interest in your own house pet.
Some people might like this type, but in noble society, if anyone was found doing such a thing, it would ruin their reputation instantly.
Liya understood this perfectly, so the reason she sent this child to him was simple.
"She wants to see whether demi-humans can learn magic? Your sister really does treat you like a convenient tool."
"Or maybe she thinks her elder brother is capable of anything."
Viktor answered calmly, his tone confident. But Vega gave him a look of disgust.
It only snorted, "What made your skin this thick?"
Viktor didn't respond. He simply fixed his gaze on the catgirl in front of him.
Her hair was long and cleaned thoroughly.
Her white hair draped all the way down to the floor, with tufts of white fur inside her beast ears.
Whenever her eyes met Viktor's, she subconsciously looked away.
"What's your name?" Viktor's voice sounded lightly, but the catgirl seemed like she didn't understand it at all.
Her mind kept working, trying to comprehend his language.
But she had never received any education, so she didn't understand what a "name" was.
Only an unclear sound slowly emerged from her throat, "Wuh… wuh…"
"You can barely understand human speech, huh."
Viktor beckoned her to come closer.
The catgirl understood his gesture and obediently walked toward him.
She wasn't wearing shoes. White socks covered her small feet, making her steps silent.
Like a real cat, she walked across the wooden floor without making a single sound.
Her body was extremely small. Even standing beside Viktor, she could only meet the eye level of the seated man.
Viktor reached out his hand, as if expecting something. The cat-eared girl obediently crouched down.
Tilting her head up, she leaned against Viktor's leg like a cat, quietly waiting for her master's touch.
Viktor, satisfied, placed his hand atop her head.
Slowly stroking back and forth.
He also rubbed her soft ears.
The fluffy sensation traveled through his fingertips.
It made Viktor let out a silent sigh in his heart.
'Most people in this world actually looked down on demi-humans, what a pity.'
'They didn't understand the charm of beast ears at all.'
The cute catgirl also enjoyed the petting.
The moment Viktor touched her, a health bar and level appeared above her head.
[Lv5]
A very normal level, but it also told Viktor that demi-humans indeed had higher physical stats than humans.
Without a formal class, ordinary people could only reach level ten.
Once reaching level ten, they had to choose a class to continue leveling.
Classes were divided into four main categories.
Agility–type Rogue, strength–type Warrior, Tank–type Knight, and magic–type Mage.
Other classes were basically branches of these four.
For example, the Ranger common among elves, or the agility-based Assassin, were branches of the Rogue class.
Or the Arcanist, which was a subtype of Mage.
If this were a player, once they hit level ten, they could just select a class and continue leveling.
But NPCs couldn't.
For example, this catgirl in front of him. To become a Mage, she needed sufficient intelligence.
And for demi-humans who acted purely on instinct and barely had wisdom, becoming a Mage was... Difficult.
Of course, there was another path.
"Vega."
Viktor's quiet voice rose. The crow rolled its eye and flew to stand on the catgirl's head.
"In the end, you still rely on me."
As it spoke, a pitch-black feather fell from its body.
The feather drifted to the floor, spreading out like ink, forming a pitch-black magic array.
No extra runes or symbols, just pure black, radiating an ominous glow.
At the far edges of the large array, two circles appeared, connected by a long line of ink.
The catgirl and Vega each stood in one of the circles. At the same time, a strange glint flashed through Vega's eye.
Suddenly, the catgirl's body trembled. Her upright tail instantly drooped, and she collapsed dazedly to her knees.
A vast ocean of knowledge flooded into her mind in an instant.
The overwhelming pressure made the catgirl's eyes roll slightly white, her brain feeling like it would burst, the pain unbearable.
The black array slowly lit up, and shadowy ink tendrils danced through the room like tentacles.
The faint candlelight shone upon them, and the moonlight poured in, making everything appear eerie and unfathomable.
Vega's single eye shone with blue light, as though a thin thread connected it to the catgirl's forehead.
Soon, the candlelight stopped flickering. The magic circle fell silent again and slowly faded away.
The catgirl still knelt on the floor, not lifting her head.
But in her eyes flickered a faint black faith.
Viktor looked at the white-furred catgirl and slowly said, "I like the vanilla scent on your body."
"From today on, your name will be…"
"Vanilla."
She did not raise her head. She simply continued to prostrate herself on the ground, her forehead touching the floor, her posture deeply respectful.
A soft yet steady voice rose beneath Viktor.
"I obey your command."
"My master."