"It's not a monster," Sebastian sighed. "It's my friend, Ainz."
He shook his head helplessly, as if unable to believe what he was saying.
"Friend?" Tsubaki stared at Ainz for a long moment. After confirming there was no trace of malice in him, she finally lowered her guard and turned to Sebastian.
"Do you see any difference in me?" she asked.
At her words, Sebastian looked toward her. This time, Tsubaki had forsaken her usual shrine maiden robes for a simple black skirt, an unthinkable change. As a priestess, she almost never removed her sacred garments. To her, the shrine maiden's attire symbolized not only her faith but also her honor as an exorcist. She had once basked in the reverence that came with it. Seeing her in different clothes left Sebastian slightly surprised.
"You were kicked out?" he asked.
"Not at all! I quit on my own!" Tsubaki pouted, trying to sound defiant.
"Why?" Sebastian's faint concern softened her resolve.
"I won't tell you!" she huffed, crossing her arms arrogantly. Because of Sebastian, she had left, but she couldn't quite bring herself to admit it.
Sebastian narrowed his eyes slightly. Though she didn't answer, her expression told him everything.
"This outfit suits you," he said with a faint smile.
The compliment hit her harder than she expected. She froze, her face quickly flushing crimson. Words tumbled out in a flustered stammer: "Th-th-that… o-of course… I-I-I…"
She knew she was making a fool of herself, yet she couldn't control her emotions.
"In that case," Sebastian said, amused, "I won't charge you. I'm planning to establish my own group and recruit students. Tuition, however, might be rather expensive."
"Eh…?" Tsubaki's shoulders drooped in disappointment. Without her position as an exorcist, she had no income left.
"But," Sebastian continued, a sly grin curving his lips, "I've decided to waive the initiation fee for my first disciple."
"Free?!" Her eyes lit up instantly.
"Indeed. I wonder who'll be the lucky one," he teased, standing and walking toward the door. "I'll post an announcement to see who volunteers first."
As he moved to leave, her hand shot out, gripping his sleeve tightly.
"What's wrong?" Sebastian asked, smiling faintly.
"I…" Tsubaki, proud by nature, found asking for help difficult. But the idea of becoming Sebastian's student for free was too tempting to let slip away.
"I left because… someone in the Village spoke ill of you," she muttered.
"Is that so? Thank you, Tsubaki," Sebastian said, narrowing his eyes in satisfaction.
"I'm the first."
"What was that?" he asked, feigning ignorance.
"I said, I'm your first disciple!" she declared firmly, raising her chin.
"Oh? Are you serious?"
"Absolutely!"
Sebastian tilted his head with a knowing smile. "Then prove it, call me Master."
Tsubaki hesitated, biting her lip.
"It seems you were only joking," Sebastian teased, turning to leave.
"M-master…" she whispered, gripping his sleeve even tighter.
"What was that? I didn't hear you."
"Master."
"Still too quiet."
"MASTER!!!" she finally shouted, again and again: "Master! Master! Master!"
When she finally stopped, a strange sense of relief washed over her, as if she had taken the first step toward something new.
"Good," Sebastian said warmly, patting her head. Her cheeks flushed again, her heart pounding, her breath shallow. She didn't understand why she felt this way, only that something deep within her was beginning to change.
"The training ahead will be harsh," he warned.
"I can handle it!"
"Then go pack your things. We start soon."
"Yes, Master!"
"But before that," Sebastian added with a playful grin, "there's one more thing to do."
To strengthen her power, he first needed to alter her body, that was the most direct way.
Time slipped by, and before long, the evening sun cast its final glow through the window.
"Why can't we go outside?" a girl's voice complained softly. "It's so boring being cooped up all day!"
In a modest, timeworn room, a young girl leaned against the wall, gazing wistfully out the window. Her brown hair was tied back neatly, her emerald eyes shimmering like jewels. Every delicate feature of her face seemed almost unreal in its beauty. Her tone carried a soft melancholy, a longing for the world beyond these walls.
"Young miss, it's dangerous outside!" an elderly woman scolded gently as she tidied the room. "Please, stay inside."
This old caretaker had gone to great trouble to find the girl after she sneaked out again. If night weren't falling so soon, she would've dragged her back to the tribe immediately.
"But I just arrived in the human city," the girl protested. "I haven't even had a proper walk yet!"
Her name was Ayame, young mistress of the Northern Demon Wolf Tribe. Hearing that many clans were gathering in the north to compete for the Jewel of Four Souls, she had slipped away to see the excitement for herself.
She loved lively places, so she rushed straight to G.D.I. territory. Though a wolf-demon by birth, she had long heard stories of Sebastian and G.D.I., though she cared little for the dangers that might come. For her, it was all about the thrill, the monsters, the chaos, the unknown. Tales of war and destruction barely crossed her mind.
Ayame had heard Sebastian's name countless times, but she never truly grasped just how powerful he was. Yet before she could even explore the G.D.I. lands, her clan's retainers had already caught up with her.