Reborn into Beast Tamer Clan with Monsters-Only Affinity
Chapter 88: Elder Cassiel

Chapter 88: Chapter 88: Elder Cassiel

"Well, well, if it isn’t the proud parents themselves," Cassiel said loudly. "Grand Duke—ah, it still feels strange calling you that now, doesn’t it?"

The Grand Duke turned slightly and gave a polite nod. "Elder Cassiel. It’s good to see you."

Cassiel laughed and stepped closer. "Congratulations, truly. Being promoted from Duke to Grand Duke is no small matter. The Dravenhart name continues to rise, and I’m sure this place will remember your family for a long time."

Duchess Eloween stood slowly and offered a small bow. "Elder Cassiel, welcome. We appreciate your words. It’s always good to see you."

Cassiel chuckled, bowing back playfully. "And Duchess Eloween, still as elegant as always. You haven’t changed at all, I swear."

She smiled kindly. "You flatter too much, Elder."

"No, no," Cassiel said, waving his hand with a laugh. "I only speak the truth. Besides, today is something to be proud of. Your daughter—Ellory, wasn’t it? She came back from her trial first. Impressive."

The Grand Duke nodded, his voice low but filled with pride. "Ellory has trained hard. She takes after her mother."

Cassiel raised an eyebrow. "Truly? So she’s got the grace of the duchess and the blood of the Dravenhart line. That’s dangerous."

They all shared a light chuckle, but then Cassiel tilted his head, curious. "I wasn’t able to attend when she went to the Kingdom of Solara for her awakening ceremony. I’ve been hearing things, but never clear answers. What did she awaken, if I may ask?"

Duchess Eloween answered with a proud tone, "Ellory awakened Beast Taming. She received a Spirit Egg during the ceremony."

Cassiel blinked and whistled, clearly surprised. "A Spirit Egg? That’s rare—very rare."

The Grand Duke added, "And not just any egg. The elders of Solara said the egg was unusually quiet. It chose her instantly."

Cassiel leaned forward with interest, rubbing his chin. "That makes sense now. I’ve heard whispers that every Dravenhart child, after their awakening, receives some kind of egg. So the tradition continues, hmm?"

Eloween smiled faintly. "Yes. Ellory’s egg was special, and it hatched a few days after she returned."

"She’s also a mage," the Grand Duke added. "She inherited her magic talent from Eloween."

Cassiel blinked again and gave a playful whistle. "Beast Tamer and Mage? That’s a powerful mix. If she grows well, she might become one of the most important names of this generation."

Duchess Eloween looked down for a moment, her voice soft but firm. "We only hope she uses her gifts well."

Cassiel smiled again and said, "With the way things are going, she might be the light of the family—and a challenge to some of the others."

Then, with a mischievous spark in his eyes, Cassiel added in a low whisper, "Especially that one you all seem so annoyed with... what was his name again? Ah, yes. Axelius."

The Grand Duke didn’t reply, but his lips pressed together for a moment, while Eloween glanced away quietly.

Cassiel chuckled under his breath, clearly enjoying stirring the air a little. "Well, it’s going to be a very interesting year for your family."

The Grand Duke let out a long sigh, His hand moved to his forehead, gently massaging his temple like he was holding back a headache that had lasted far too long.

Elder Cassiel, still smiling, gave a short laugh and reached over to pat the Grand Duke’s shoulder in a friendly way. "Come now, don’t be like that. Is he really still not showing any promise to your liking?"

The Grand Duke shook his head lightly. "It’s not about promise anymore. Ever since he lost his memories... Axelius has changed. He used to be quiet, obedient, respectful. But now? He’s clever—too clever sometimes—and he does things his own way, as if I’m no one to him. He disobeys me, he talks back, and somehow, he always finds a way to turn the situation around."

Cassiel raised an eyebrow and laughed again, clearly amused by the idea. "So he’s got a spine now, and a sharp tongue. Sounds like he’s finally interesting."

Eloween, let out a small sigh and added with a slightly disapproving tone, "Interesting? He even picks fights with his brothers. The other day, he made Cedric fall into the pond and tricked Cyruz into eating something too spicy to breathe."

Cassiel chuckled more at that, clearly entertained by the stories, and suddenly said with a playful tone, "Then how about this? Let me take him for three years. I’ll train him personally. Might be fun."

The Grand Duke looked at him sharply but smirked just a little. "Not a chance."

"Oh-ho! I almost got you," Cassiel grinned, putting a hand to his chest in mock hurt. "I thought I saw your resolve crack for a second."

"You saw wrong," the Grand Duke replied with a rare trace of humor, shaking his head.

As time passed, the soft breeze continued to sway the trees, and the quiet murmurs across the trial grounds slowly turned into louder voices. Finally, after three long hours, the horn was blown again, a deep and echoing sound that filled the entire forest like a signal of something important about to begin.

It was the sign that the second trial was drawing near.

All around the area, heads turned, and attention sharpened as the returning participants of the last group appeared from the trees, looking sweaty and tire. They were given water and food as they were told to rest for one full hour before the second stage would start.

And Ellory and Axelius were fast asleep. Ellory had moved her chair so close earlier that now her head was gently resting on Axelius’s shoulder, and his head had tilted slightly to rest against hers too. The soft sound of birds above mixed with another sound—Axelius snoring faintly, mouth slightly open, clearly in a very deep sleep.

A few nobles nearby noticed the two sleeping like that and whispered among themselves, but no one dared to approach.

"They’re asleep?" one of the older maids whispered in surprise.

"That one—Axelius—he’s snoring like a bear."