Hate me, Miss Witch!

This white cat... is it the Pet Beast Silvia mentioned would stay to watch over my home?

Shiayar looked at the white cat on the sofa yawning lazily, feeling somewhat perplexed for a moment.

In his memory, Pet Beasts above the Emperor Rank—such as Crowned Griffons, Black Scales Drakes, Guderian's Rose Emperor, and even those like the Melting Mountain Dragon and the Mithril Turtle—were typically large and imposing.

After all, for the vast majority of Pet Beasts, the larger their body, the more Magic Power they could store. Concurrently, their vitality, strength, and other attributes would also be higher—a rule generally accepted across the Western Continent.

Yet, having all Pet Beasts follow a cute aesthetic, as Shiayar did, was extremely rare.

However, upon further reflection, although Silvia was nominally a Legendary Beastmaster who had broken past the Throne realm boundary, he had never actually seen her Pet Beasts.

Previously, when Silvia made her move at the banquet in the Hall of Oaths, she hadn't summoned a single Pet Beast. Instead, with a single magic word, she had annihilated the Mythical Rank Rose Emperor—a true humanoid catastrophe, a walking disaster.

In that case, it wasn't impossible that all of her Pet Beasts were either ornamental or supportive in nature… But since Silvia left it to watch the house, its combat abilities likely aren't too shabby.

Shiayar squatted down slightly and stroked the white cat's head. The white cat didn't resist, instead squinting its gray-silver eyes in pleasure.

Is it because of the Soul Pact? Being influenced by Silvia, its Beastmaster, has it grown fond of me as well?

Thinking this, Shiayar picked up the white cat with its smooth, silver fur from the sofa and held it in his arms.

He felt the white cat's body stiffen for a moment when he picked it up, but it soon relaxed again, actively snuggling into his arms with an expression that begged for pets and cuddles.

"WHIMPER WHIMPER WHIMPER~"

Nearby, the little white ferret let out a plaintive cry.

That spot in Shiayar's arms used to be exclusively its own!

But ever since Crimson joined the team, its exclusive pillow spot had been mostly taken over by the little silver spirit. Shiayar seemed to prefer holding a red astral spirit body dumpling as a pillow, rather than a fluffy little white ferret.

And now, another rival for the spot had appeared.

As the main Pet Beast, it used to be the sole recipient of Shiayar's affection, but now its status in the household was steadily declining.

Can a childhood friend truly not compete with a heaven-sent rival after all?!

"WHIMPER~"

A note of confusion flickered through the little white ferret's call.

It had no recollection of this white cat at all.

But trusting its animal instincts, the little white ferret sensed a distinct familiarity from this white cat.

However, that sensation vanished almost as quickly as it came when the white cat slightly opened its eyes and glanced at the little white ferret with its gray-silver pupils. This left the little white ferret shaking its head in confusion.

Could it have been a delusion?

Shiayar, for his part, didn't pay too much attention to the interaction between the two.

"Silver, stop being jealous," he said.

"This one here is a big shot. In the future, you'll all be depending on it for protection."

"Since you're Silvia's Pet Beast… are you Emperor Rank or Mythical Rank?"

"Never mind. Regardless, from now on, the safety of the estate is in your hands…"

Shiayar picked up the white cat and nuzzled its cheek.

"I'm not too worried about my own safety, but I am somewhat concerned about Enola.

That silly girl is too stubborn and often doesn't know how to compromise. In times of danger, she won't hide immediately. I'm really afraid something might happen to her when I'm not around."

Shiayar walked upstairs to the bedroom, the cat still in his arms, its soft, fluffy silver fur caressing his cheek.

"Actually... I'm pretty excited to be reunited with your owner.

It really feels like a wife I raised in a game has stepped into reality to find me.

And unlike Ennie's... flat chest, Silvia has my ideal perfect body... All the curves are in the right places, enabling many 'play styles' Ennie simply can't manage...

And most importantly, she's white-haired... Back in my hometown, everyone's a fan of white hair, especially when it comes to an older, witchy sister type. She's the perfect match for all my XP!

To tell you the truth, I really want to fall asleep nestled against Silvia's chest every night and be woken up by her OOO in the morning. Just thinking about it feels so good; it's the life of my dreams..."

CREAK.

The bedroom door opened. Shiayar stepped inside and turned on the magictech lamp, lighting up the room.

"But I have my pride, you know.

In my memories, she was just that little girl who followed me around, waving her notebook and scribbling 'Brother Shiayar.' Now, in the blink of an eye, she's become such a strong and domineering figure—the Gray-Silver Witch...

Though I do like a strong, assertive older sister type like Silvia... it threatens my status as the submissive one in the household.

As a man who aspires to be a Harem King, I must be the one on top, never on the bottom... If there could only be one position, it would have to be the cowgirl.

Hmm... and conquering a high and mighty Throne Level Beastmaster in bed, now that would give a real sense of achievement.

Though the goal seems a bit out of reach, considering the vast gap between Master and Throne... But ever since I was born, there hasn't been anything I've set my mind to that I haven't achieved. I've even defiled the Ancient God of Twilight. So, this 'cowgirl position'—I'll achieve that too, and it won't take long."

As he spoke, Shiayar felt the white cat in his arms soften even more.

It was like water, with a burning warmth, making him recall the old saying that cats are liquid.

Only then did Shiayar realize he had said too much.

So much had happened that day, and it weighed heavily on his mind.

If there was anything on his mind on a regular day, Shiayar would confide in Enola... but today's atmosphere was somewhat off, and those little thoughts in his heart weren't for Ennie to know.

So, it wasn't until after dinner, in the presence of a seemingly harmless white cat, that Shiayar inadvertently felt the desire to confide.

He stroked the silver fur of the white cat in his arms and spoke earnestly,

"I got carried away and said too much. You mustn't tell Silvia, okay? Otherwise, it'll be social suicide for me on the spot.

You wouldn't want your future male master to suffer social death, right? Otherwise, our life together will be long, and I'll complain about you to Silvia every day and make you fall out of favor, alright?"

"Did you understand? If you did, meow once."

After a long while, Shiayar finally heard an incredibly soft meow from the cat in his embrace.

MEOW—

Shiayar finally nodded in satisfaction. He rubbed the white cat's head and set it down on his bed.

Then he saw the white cat go limp on the bed.

Moments later, it quietly burrowed under Shiayar's blanket.

As if sensing Shiayar's gaze, the white cat popped its little head out from under the blanket and blinked its large, gray-silver eyes at him, looking innocent.

What bad thoughts could a little kitty possibly have?

...