16 (XVI) The Spirit Tamer

"Earl Dromund?" Leon called out as he closed the door behind him, finding himself in a beautiful garden filled with countless flowers and neatly trimmed lawns and bushes.

He looked around, confused, as the garden was empty. He walked forward, searching for a presence, but found no one. A large gazebo and massive greenhouse were in the distance, rising above the garden.

"Master, what are we doing here?" Bella asked as she trotted beside his feet as they strolled through the garden.

"I'm just looking to have a conversation with the Earl." He replied, looking around and muttered, "He looks to have the signs of someone who has developed his magical talents to the maximum. I don't know how anyone could have defeated him in his prime..."

He continued to walk alongside Bella as he spoke aloud, "I can't help but look forward to-"

"What are you looking forward to..?" An unfamiliar voice called out from behind, startling Leon as he stopped and spun around, drawing his sword and lunging forward.

"Tch!" He clicked his tongue as he stopped, the tip of his blade inches away from a young woman's neck. He stared dumbfounded at her panicked face before dropping his guard and sheathing his sword.

She sighed in relief briefly before shouting, "Wh-Why did you attack me all of a sudden?!"

"I'm sorry." Leon said, bowing slightly at the beautiful blonde standing before him. Her long hair was pulled back into a high ponytail yet still cascaded down to her waist.

"What kind of man are you to attack a lady like that?!" She growled, her anger dispelling her beautiful features as she stomped the ground in her heels, ruffling her luxurious dress.

"You should be thankful I didn't stab the lady." He smirked, turning around as he walked away with Bella on his heels.

"Ugh..." She growled, chasing after him, "Why are you walking away from me?"

"So..." Leon sighed, turning to face her as he startled her and she took a step away from him, "Who the hell are you and how did you appear behind me without me noticing?"

"Me?" she exclaimed happily, smiling as her tone immediately changed, "So you want to know who I am? Hmm... Should I tell you? I mean, I kind of don't want to anymore since you get scared so easily."

'She's so damn annoying...' He thought, staring at her blankly, 'From how she completely went undetected and her speech mannerisms... They're all getting on my nerves.'

"I'm not in the mood to play your game," Leon said, his eyes emitting a faint light as he activated [Inspect] and read her information.

[Name: Ashe Sirique]

[Age: 14]

[Class: Spirit Tamer]

[Potential: SS]

[Trait: Blessed by the Elements]

"I-I'm Ashe! Ashe Sirique!" She exclaimed.

"You're from the Viscount Sirique's House?" He asked, narrowing his gaze at her.

"Yes! I'm the second daughter of the Sirique House, and I'm an elementalist!" She shouted.

Spirit Tamers were one of the rarest classes in The World Online. Out of the ten billion players, less than ten were ever recorded. They were the exact opposite of Beast Masters.

Spirit Tamers signed contracts with the very spirits that embodied the elements themselves. He only knew of one NPC who was one, and they were an Elf, so who was this girl?

'At least now I know how she snuck up on me...' He thought, 'She must have already signed a contract with a wind spirit.'

"Hey!" Ashe shouted, pointing her finger at Leon, "You asked me for my name, so why don't you tell me yours?"

"Me? Ah..." He replied, rubbing his cheek with his finger. He stared at her shocked as he thought, 'She's a fiesty one, that's for sure...'

"Yes, you!" she ordered, stomping as anger flashed across her face, "Who else is here besides you and me?"

"Well, there's Bella..." He smirked, pointing down at the Shadow Carbuncle beside his feet, "But to answer your question, my name is Leon Astrahart, Count Regant of Othniel, third son of King George."

He stepped forward, bowing as he reached out and gently grabbed Ashe's hand. He kissed it softly before rising and staring into her eyes, "It's a pleasure to meet you, Ashe Sirique."

"What?!" She exclaimed, stepping backward as she bowed fully, "I-I-I'm sorry!"

"Don't worry about it." Leon chuckled, spinning on his heel as he departed, knowing her father was his father's loyal subject.

Noticing his departure, she quickly ran after him, with Bella meowing loudly, "Master, she's still following us..."

"I know, Bella..." He sighed, swinging around and glaring at her, "Why the hell are you following me?! Your father serving my father has nothing to do with you and me!"

But... Still... Sir..." Ashe said, her head dropping as she blushed.

"And stop with that stupid "Sir" nonsense!" He said, turning around and intending to walk away, "I am heading back to the party. Stop following me!"

Before he could depart, she grabbed his wrist, stopping him as he turned back to her, holding her shoulders, "Why are you pestering me so much?!"

"Be-Because no one my age has ever treated me like you and I want to be friends with you, sir!" She shouted, tears forming in the corners of her eyes as she revealed her true feelings to him.

"What?!" Leon exclaimed, dumbstruck by her honesty, "Friends?"

'I absolutely did not see that coming, ' He thought as her face flushed from embarrassment, and she covered it with her hands.

"Everyone always wants something from me or to use my status!" She exclaimed, talking from behind her hands as she stared at the ground, "I can't stand it! Please... Leon, sir!"

"Look for someone else." Leon replied, turning around as he walked away, "I have enough friends. I need useful vassals, which you are not."

"Le-Leon!! Wait!!" Ashe exclaimed, falling to her knees and crying out, "You are so mean!"

Leon walked out of the garden ignoring her as he shook his head, 'As much as I would like to add her to my group, her father would never go for it and the Nobles in the capital would think I was preparing for a coup.'

He walked toward the door when a voice shouted from behind, startling him again, "Leon Astrahart!"

He turned around and saw Callum standing smugly with two other boys of a similar age behind him. He stepped forward, asking, "What the hell do you want?"