Reborn into Beast Tamer Clan with Monsters-Only Affinity-Chapter 49: Drained

After what felt like an eternity, the storm of tears finally passed. Axelius sat in silence, his breath gradually slowing, though his eyes were still red and puffy.

He sniffled one last time, wiping the corners of his eyes with his sleeves, then muttered under his breath, voice hoarse but dry now, "You’re lucky it didn’t flood in here."

Owen gave a short laugh, bouncing slightly where he sat nearby. "So... you’re okay now?"

Axelius glared at him but didn’t push him away this time.

"How did it feel?" Owen asked, tilting with curiosity. "Light, right?"

Hiroshi rolled his eyes, aggressively rubbing at his face. "Shut up, you little fucker! No one should know I cried!"

With a smug bounce, Owen launched himself onto Hiroshi’s shoulder, settling there like an annoying badge of honor. "It’s not like they can see or hear me, you know."

Axelius gave a lopsided grin, exhausted but smug. "Yeah... pity you."

As Axelius wiped away the last remnants of his tears, he stood up with a tired stretch.

"Let’s talk again once I’m in my room," he muttered to Owen with a sigh. "Crying is so exhausting..."

"Agreed," Owen replied, bouncing lazily beside him. "You look like you aged ten years."

"Shut it."

They turned a corner, still walking slowly, when they suddenly came across a group of maids huddled together near the hallway wall. Their faces were pale, and they looked absolutely terrified.

Axelius frowned at the strange scene and approached, his voice still hoarse but firm. "What’s going on here?"

"AAAHHHHH!"

The maids all shrieked at once like startled birds, jumping back as if he were a ghost. The sudden noise made Axelius flinch, his hands flying up to cover his ears.

"Ah—what the fuck?!"

He stumbled back from the noise and slipped, landing hard on the floor with a painful grunt as his back hit the ground and his butt took the worst of it.

"Seriously?!" he groaned, glaring up at the ceiling, completely done with today.

Among the maids, Elias was in there he rushed over immediately and crouched beside him, carefully helping him sit up.

"Young master! Are you okay?" Elias asked with genuine concern, gently dusting off Axelius’s clothes even as he helped him steady.

The maids, realizing what they had just done, immediately bowed deeply, all apologizing at once in a panicked chorus.

"I-I’m so sorry, young master!"

"We didn’t mean to scream like that!" fгeewёbnoѵel.cσm

Axelius, still sore and irritated, scowled. "What the hell is wrong with all of you?!"

The maids looked too afraid to speak clearly, nervously glancing at one another. Seeing their hesitation, Elias straightened and explained.

"We’re truly sorry, young master. It seems the maids... heard something."

"Heard what?" Axelius asked with a sharp look.

At that, the maids finally found their voices, stammering over each other in frightened tones.

"W-We heard crying..."

"It was echoing down the hall..."

"S-So loud, like someone mourning or... or dying..."

"It didn’t sound human... we thought..."

Just then, Owen—still on Axelius’s shoulder—burst into uncontrollable laughter. "Pfft—HAHAHA! Oh gods, they heard you crying and thought it was a ghost or a demon!"

Axelius froze, eyes twitching, He furiously grab at Owen and threw him on the floor. "You—you fucker! This is your fault!"

The maids blinked in confusion, not seeing who he was pointing at. Then Axelius turned to them, trying to save face, his ears slightly red. "T-That wasn’t... Shut up! You’re all overreacting!"

Still confused but too afraid to question further, the maids bowed again, staying quiet.

Owen, still laughing, bounced behind Axelius like a smug little jelly. "I told you it echoed."

Axelius just groaned, dragging a hand down his face. "Just... get back to work, all of you."

"Yes, young master!"

As the maids quickly dispersed, whispering among themselves, Elias helped Axelius back to his feet properly and followed him quietly, pretending not to notice the red eyes or flustered expression.

Owen bounced smugly behind them. "Legend says the ghost of the weeping psycho still haunts these halls..."

"Say another word," Axelius muttered under his breath, "and I swear I’ll trap you in a jar."

Axelius let out a long, tired sigh as his eyes landed on yet another seemingly endless hallway ahead of him. His body felt heavier with each step, his limbs dragging as though the emotional weight of the day had turned into something physical.

He took a deep breath, steadying himself."Elias," he called out quietly.

"Yes, master?" Elias responded immediately, still close behind.

"Remember when I told you to never carry me again?" Axelius asked without looking back.

Elias began to answer, but Axelius stopped him with a hand raised weakly in the air.

"No—don’t answer. Just this once... carry me. I seriously can’t take another step. How the hell did I even walk all the way to the duke’s office?" His voice faded into a mutter, more to himself than anyone else.

Without hesitation, Elias moved forward and gently lifted Axelius into his arms, careful not to jostle him too much. The young master didn’t resist this time, resting limply against Elias’s chest as they moved down the quiet corridor.

Once they reached his room, Elias laid him down on the bed with the same gentleness, adjusting the pillows behind him. Axelius waved a hand lazily toward the door.

"Alright, get out. I wanna be alone."

Elias bowed slightly, understanding the mood, and stepped out of the room, leaving the door to click shut behind him.

As soon as silence returned, Owen bounced up onto the bed beside him, his squishy form making a faint sound as he landed. His round body leaned slightly toward Axelius with interest.

"When you woke up, I had so many questions," Owen said, voice light. "But instead, you went straight to the duke."

Axelius turned on his side, facing the wall, his voice low and hoarse."Just wanted to make sure no one saw what I did."

Owen tilted curiously. "And that is?" His tone was casual, but his eyes gleamed—he had a strong suspicion, but still wanted to confirm it.

Axelius’s lips curved into a sly grin. "I did it, Owen. I’ve entered the Three-Star Cycle."

For a moment, Owen was silent. Then, he blinked once."It’s really you..." he whispered.

Without warning, Owen extended a slimy arm and smacked Axelius lightly on the cheek.

Axelius flinched, then sat up quickly. "Ow! What the heck was that for?!"

Owen just shrugged—or rather, wobbled. "Don’t be dramatic. That was barely anything. I’m a slime, probably the weakest creature alive."

Lying back down, Axelius let out a tired laugh. "Right. Mosquito bites hurt more than your hits. Hahaha. But seriously, why hit me?"

"What else?" Owen said, voice growing a little sharper. "You acted because of anger, didn’t you?"

Axelius clicked his tongue, trying to dodge the question, but Owen wasn’t letting him off this time.

"Come on, I know you," the slime said. "You hate feeling helpless. And more than anything—you hate seeing your own blood."