The Silvervein Clan was one of—if not the—strongest beast-taming clans in the world, and there was a reason for that.
Their Guardian Deity was none other than Lord Siamelumis.
She wasn't human. No—she was a dragon. A primordial dragon! One of the most powerful ever recorded in history, her might said to rival even the gods themselves.
Siamelumis was one of the First Six Dragons—the very first magical beasts created by the Goddess Fauveline, each blessed with her divine power to rule over the beast world. For tens of thousands of years, these six had watched over the land, guarding and guiding it.
And out of them all, Siamelumis was the only one who extended her hand to humankind, willing to form a pact.
According to legend, the very first master of the Silvervein Clan, Lady Anastasia Silvervein, was the one who awakened Siamelumis during the Great War against the forces of darkness. She received the dragon's blessing, and thus began the Silvervein legacy.
With Siamelumis' power behind them, generations of Silverveins rose unstoppable.
For countless years, the Guardian Deity had slumbered in the clan's most sacred sanctuary, stirring only on rare occasions—such as when a new clan head ascended, or when war threatened the realm.
But for her to awaken now and immediately demand to see Emilia…
Could it be because she, a Silvervein, had accidentally summoned the weakest beast of all? Or did she do something else that upset her?
Back in the game, Claire's character had never seen Siamelumis in person, only in scattered lore texts across the Kingdom. Which was why, in this life, she was thrilled to finally see her.
But excitement aside… Siamelumis was infamous for her pride. She was a strict, unyielding ruler.
Which meant… Emilia might be in trouble.
_____________
Creak—
The door opened, and Emilia stood there with her mother and father—Lady Ariana and Lord Draco.
For a moment, silence pressed down, awkward and heavy.
"Can we… come in first?" Ariana asked gently.
"O-of course…" Emilia muttered, stepping aside with stiff movements.
Ariana entered first. Her gaze immediately fell on Mimi, who was half-hiding behind Emilia's legs. The little noctifelis peeked out with wide, wary eyes, her tail flicking in unease.
"So… your name is Mimi now?" The first lady bent down with a soft smile and extended her hand.
"Meow…" Mimi answered softly.
After a pause, she hesitantly padded forward and allowed Lady Ariana to stroke her fur.
Well… obviously, Ariana was at fault too for what had happened. But since she was beautiful, Mimi decided she was forgiven.
"Wow… she's so cute…" Ariana whispered, almost in awe, her fingers gently combing through Mimi's fur.
But then… the other person stepped in.
The moment Emilia looked at him, her eyes darted away instantly.
"…Dad," she muttered.
Lord Draco's expression was heavy with guilt.
"Emilia… I'm sorry," he said, his voice low and hesitant, as though trying to piece together a broken bridge.
Emilia's lips tightened. "Well, you don't have to apologize to me!" she sighed sharply. "If anything, you should apologize to Mimi!"
"Ah… right…" Draco admitted.
Just like Ariana, he knelt down and stretched out his hand toward the little noctifelis.
Mimi trotted forward slowly, eyes narrowing into slits.
Draco probably thought she would warm up to him as easily as she had to Ariana.
But no.
Mimi was not someone who forgave so easily!
This man—this so-called beast tamer—had dared to use the Dagger of Severance on her! That was blasphemy!
If he weren't Emilia's father, Mimi would have gladly clawed his face into ribbons on the spot!
So instead—
Pap!
She smacked his hand away with her paw.
And then—
"HISSSSSS!!!"
Her fur puffed up like a spiky porcupine, tail bristling, fangs flashing as she unleashed the angriest hiss she could muster!
Yeah! She had to make sure he understood her wrath!
This motherf—this foolish human—needed to reflect on his actions properly and never again dare to treat magical beasts that way!
"See? Mimi isn't forgiving you. There's nothing I can do, Dad," Emilia said firmly, arms crossed. But the slight twitch at the corner of her lips betrayed her true feelings. Her eyes sparkled, as if she were secretly cheering, Good job, Mimi!
Draco exhaled a long, heavy sigh, his shoulders sinking.
"Alright, fine then," he muttered, clearly defeated.
"…Perhaps I wasn't sincere enough." He paused, then added, "So Mimi, how about… a present, to show my sincerity?"
Oooooh? Present???
Nice!
In an instant, Mimi dropped her dramatic hissing act. Her puffed-up tail slowly deflated, her fur smoothing back down as her ears perked forward. Her eyes turned into twin purple coins of greed.
Alright, old man. If it's a nice present, then I might reconsider it! Bribe me! Earn my forgiveness, foolish human!
Draco reached into his dimensional inventory. Space rippled and swirled in his palm like a tiny whirlpool. He reached inside and, after a heartbeat, pulled something out.
A fruit.
But not just any fruit.
It gleamed gold, no larger than a plum, its skin sparkling with faint magical glitters. Across its surface were etched strange, glowing star-patterns, as if constellations had been carved directly into its flesh.
The instant Mimi laid eyes on it, she froze.
Holy shit.
T-t-t-t-that's… the Radiant Elysian Starfruit!!!
Father of Emilia… I forgive you!
Even Emilia was stunned. Her jaw fell open.
"D-Dad?" she stammered, completely shaken.
Lady Ariana, too, looked stricken with disbelief.
"Draco… are you sure about this?" she asked, her elegant face tightening.
But Draco only shook his head, resolute.
"No. Emilia was right. I was at fault. And I need to show Mimi that I am truly willing to make amends."
He turned back to the tiny noctifelis. Then, with a small, almost hopeful smile, he asked,
"So… will you forgive me now, Mimi?"
Oh hohoho… but of course!
Mimi meowed happily, accepting the deal.
Because that was no ordinary fruit. That was the Radiant Elysian Starfruit! A freaking legendary fruit! A fruit said to be born from the tear of a fallen star!
With this, she could gain some really sweet stats!