Reborn into Beast Tamer Clan with Monsters-Only Affinity
Chapter 97: A skulkhound

Chapter 97: Chapter 97: A skulkhound

Behind them, Axelius finally turned around, one eyebrow raised, and Owen mumbled from his shoulder, "Well... that was unexpected."

Elena pulled away gently and wiped her eyes. She turned back to Axelius and walked toward him. "Hey... sorry. You don’t have to duel anymore."

Axelius stretched lazily. "What? Why not? It’s a exercise though, look at your father his getting old."

Elena rolled her eyes, but this time, she smiled. Albrecht watched them quietly, then said, "You can stay for dinner, boy. No dueling."

Axelius shrugged. "Sure. But I want dessert first."

Albrecht was still chuckling softly when he looked back at Axelius with a slightly narrowed gaze, now curious. "Young Lord, does the Grand Duke know you’re here?"

Axelius tilted his head like it was nothing. "Hmm? No."

Elena’s body tensed up instantly. "Uhm... F-Father, actually..." she said, suddenly flustered, waving her hands nervously.

Albrecht’s brow raised.

Elena quickly explained, her words rushing. "He... he wasn’t allowed to leave the estate. He kind of—uh—slipped into my carriage without permission..."

Albrecht’s eyes slowly widened, his smile fading into a flat stare as he looked back at the boy standing so casually. "You smuggled yourself in?"

Axelius just gave a half-smile and scratched his head. "Well, Obviously."

Albrecht let out a long breath and pinched the bridge of his nose. "So, you’re telling me the Grand Duke has no idea his son is here, in my house... and if anything happens to you, I’ll be blamed?"

Axelius raised a hand with a blank face. "Don’t worry. If something happens to me, I’ll make sure they know it was my idea."

Elena groaned and grabbed her head. "That doesn’t make it better!"

Albrecht gave another sigh, though this time a small grin returned. "Well... at least I can’t say life’s boring with you two around."

He shook his head and turned back toward his seat. "Fine. But you’ll be sent back safely after dinner—and I don’t want a letter of complaint from your family."

Axelius gave a thumbs-up. "Deal."

Elena sighed deeply, muttering to herself, "Why am I cleaning up your messes, I shouldn’t have listened to you..."

Axelius smirked. "Because you’re in love with me."

Elena shoved him. "In your dreams!"

Not long after eating, Albrecht received a reply from the Grand Duke’s estate. The letter was short but clear [Let the Axelius stay the night. We will get him tomorrow.]

Still, with permission granted, he placed the letter aside and returned to the dining room where Elena and Axelius were finishing their food.

After the meal, Albrecht gently tapped his daughter’s shoulder and nodded toward the boy across the table. "Elena, show our guest to the room he’ll be using."

Elena stood up reluctantly and muttered, "Yes, Father," before gesturing at Axelius to follow.

Axelius didn’t seem to mind. Hands in his pockets, he walked behind her through the wide halls of the mansion, glancing at the family portraits, the shining chandeliers, and the quiet warmth that filled the home. Eventually, they reached a guest room at the end of the hallway. Elena opened the door, stepped aside, and watched as Axelius walked in casually.

He looked around with a quick scan, nodded to himself, and said with a smirk, "Not bad... but my room is bigger."

Elena rolled her eyes and crossed her arms. "Don’t be choosy. You’re lucky you even have a bed to sleep on tonight."

Axelius turned and sat on the edge of the bed, tilting his head. "You can go out now. Or... do you want to stay?"

Elena’s face turned pink immediately. Her mouth opened in shock as she pointed at him, eyes wide. "Y-You pervert!!" she shrieked, then stomped her foot, spun around, and slammed the door shut behind her with a loud bang.

Axelius blinked, then broke into laughter. "What is she even thinking about?" he said to himself, genuinely amused.

He leaned back slightly and looked down at his shadow. "Get out," he muttered.

The air near his feet twisted unnaturally as the shadows beneath him began to rise and shift. A moment later, the shadow monster slithered out of the darkness like a liquid forming a shape. Without growling or barking, it rubbed its shadowed head gently against Axelius’ legs like a loyal pet.

From the bed, Owen bounced up in his small slime form. "Didn’t even notice he followed you," he said, looking at the creature curiously. "Seems like he’s taken a liking to you."

Axelius didn’t reply at first. He simply stared at the creature in silence, his eyes narrowing slightly—not with fear, but with curiosity.

"What was it called again?" he finally asked.

Owen hopped once and summoned a small glowing page, flipping through the book until he found the right one.

"Here—Skulkhound. Shadow-based monster, very rare. Not much data, though," Owen explained. "They’re known to live off eating shadows."

Axelius raised a brow. "And yet this one acts like a puppy."

Owen nodded slowly. "It’s literally a puppy" stretching like a lazy cat despite being a slime, and pointed his little stubby arm at the skulkhound. "Go tame it, idiot," he said bluntly. "It already decided to follow you, so do the thing."

Axelius raised an eyebrow but didn’t argue. "Well, yeah... makes sense." He looked down at the skulkhound, who was now staring up at him with glowing hollow eyes, its bony tail wagging with excitement. "Hmm... what should I name you?"

The creature gave a soft, low whine, almost like it was trying to bark but had no voice. Its tail swished back and forth on the wooden floor with growing speed, clearly excited.

Axelius gave a small smirk. "Oh, I know. I’ll name you... Nyx."

As he spoke the name, he reached down and placed his palm gently against the creature’s shadowy forehead. A soft pulse of life essence spread from his hand, and a glowing magic circle appeared under the skulkhound’s paws—intricate and quiet, wrapping it in threads of faint light.

The creature stilled for a moment as the contract settled, then happily nudged its nose into Axelius’ palm.

Suddenly, in the corner of his vision, a faint screen blinked into view:

[Tamed List]

Owen — A Faint Slime

Nyx — A Skulkhound

"Hah, now I really have two strays," Axelius muttered with a small smile as he looked at the list.

"Excuse you," Owen huffed. "I’m a highly intelligent spirit whatever-based slime. Not a stray."