Calian stood up, then turned to face the figure frozen in the air. His face was calm, his amethyst eyes looking at the Beastfolk not with fear, but with the analytical curiosity of a scientist observing a rare specimen in a glass tube.
"Good morning," Calian greeted politely, his tone flat but authoritative. "Polite guests usually knock or say 'hello', not jump from the balcony to strangle the host who just saved their life last night."
The Beastfolk wanted to growl, wanted to scream curses, but his vocal cords were frozen in time. He could only stare sharply, anger and confusion mixing in his wild yellow eyes.
Calian walked closer, observing his guest from head to toe carefully, as if inspecting his handiwork.
"Your reflexes are extraordinary." Calian praised honestly, nodding slightly. "You woke up less than six hours after losing almost all your blood. Your race's metabolism is indeed amazing. Or maybe... because I returned your body to a condition that was too prime?"
Calian snapped his fingers.
"Release."
WHOA....!!!
The laws of physics returned to work. Gravity pulled the Beastfolk's body down. He fell to the marble floor with a thud, but nimbly rolled and stood back up in a defensive combat stance. His breathing was heavy and ragged. The experience of being 'frozen' was terrifying. It felt like suspended animation for a few seconds, cut off from the world's existence.
"What did you do to me, Human?!" the Beastfolk snapped, his voice booming in the large hall. His fangs were slightly visible as he spoke, his ears flattened aggressively. "What magic was that? That wasn't normal binding magic! I felt no Mana fluctuation from you!"
Calian didn't answer with harsh words. He sat back on the sofa, crossing his legs casually. He pointed to the empty chair opposite him with his chin.
"Sit down. We need to talk. And my name is Calian, not 'Human'."
The Beastfolk didn't move. His eyes were fixed on his black dagger on the table.
"You want that?" asked Calian, glancing at the black dagger. "Go ahead, take it. I won't stop you. But I suggest you don't try to attack me again. I'm tired, my mental energy hasn't fully recovered, and if I have to freeze you again, I might leave you as a decorative statue for an hour until I finish my tea."
The threat was spoken in a terrifyingly flat tone. The Beastfolk, who had lived his whole life based on predator instincts, knew that the boy in front of him wasn't bluffing. There was a strange aura around this human. An aura that wasn't physical muscle strength, but something older, more absolute, and far more dangerous.
The Beastfolk snorted roughly. He straightened his body, lowering his combat stance bit by bit, then walked roughly to grab his dagger. Feeling the familiar, cold handle in his hand gave him a small sense of security.
He sheathed the dagger on his back with a quick movement, then sat in the chair opposite Calian. His body was tense, his eyes remaining wary, ready to explode at any moment.
"You healed me?" the Beastfolk said straight to the point, his voice heavy. "Why? Humans, especially nobles like you—usually prefer to see our race dead, skinned for coats, or made into mining slaves."
"Correct your words!" Calian cut in while pouring tea into a second empty cup he had prepared. "I didn't heal you. Healing takes natural time. I rewound your time. The wound didn't heal; the wound never happened to your current physical condition."
The golden yellow eyes narrowed sharply. "Rewound time? Are you crazy? That's a children's fairy tale."
"Maybe." Calian shrugged, pushing the tea cup toward his guest. "But you are sitting here, breathing without a hole in your stomach, because of that fairy tale. So, just accept the facts."
Calian stared straight into the Beastfolk's vertical eyes, his gaze piercing.
"Now, your turn. I've told you my name. What is your name, Mr. Wolf? Or should I call you 'Lost Dog' forever?"
The Beastfolk stared at the tea in front of him, then at Calian. There was a long pause. He weighed his options. This human was strange and dangerous. But he saved me. And most importantly, he showed no fear or cynical look that humans usually showed when seeing my race.
Finally, he opened his mouth. "Wolvin," he answered heavily. "My name is Wolvin. From the Night Wolf clan..."
"Wolvin..." Calian repeated, testing the name on his tongue, as if tasting expensive wine. "A strong name. Alright, Wolvin. To answer your question: I saved you because I need something from you."
"Of course!" Wolvin laughed cynically, a laugh that was rough and hoarse. "There is always a price. What do you want, Young Master? You want me to kill your political rivals? Be your bodyguard so you look tough in front of your noble friends at tea parties?"
"No!" Calian answered calmly. His gaze sharpened, removing the humble impression from his face. "I don't need a bodyguard to show off. I need an ally who can keep his mouth shut and isn't afraid to die."
Calian spread his arms, showing the luxurious yet silent room around them.
"Look at this place, Wolvin. This pavilion is clean, luxurious, perfect on the inside. But out there, people think this is a haunted ruin where the outcast of the Larvin family lives. I, Calian Larvin, am the 'disgrace' of this family because I am considered to have no magic at all. I am considered a 'Zero'."
Wolvin frowned, confused. "No magic? You just froze me to the bone!"
"Exactly!" said Calian, smiling crookedly. "The world thinks I am a zero. And I want the world to keep thinking that. It is my best shield. But I have a secret, the power of Time you felt earlier. And now, you are the only living being other than me who knows about this."
Wolvin fell silent. He began to understand the situation. This human wasn't an ordinary noble. He was a king hiding his royal identity behind a curtain, waiting for the right moment to reveal it.