The Grand Dining Hall of the Frostfall Estate was large enough to play a game of tennis in.
A chandelier made of mana crystals hung from the ceiling, casting a soft, golden light over a table that could seat thirty people. Tonight, however, it was set for two.
Seraphina sat at the head of the table. She had changed out of her battle armor into a midnight-blue silk gown that hugged her curves dangerously well. Her silver hair fell in loose waves over her shoulders. She looked less like a warrior and more like royalty—distant, elegant, and intimidating.
But her eyes kept darting to the door.
He's late, she thought, tapping her finger against her wine glass.
"Alfred," she called out without looking back. "Where is he?"
"The young master is... adjusting, My Lady," the butler replied from the shadows. "He required a suit fitting."
"A suit?" Seraphina frowned. "I told you to give him something comfortable."
"I thought it appropriate, considering the change in his... demeanor."
Before Seraphina could ask what he meant, the heavy oak doors swung open.
Seraphina stopped tapping her glass.
Kael walked in.
He was wearing a tailored black suit that Alfred had pulled from the guest wardrobe. It fit him perfectly. But it wasn't the clothes that made Seraphina's breath hitch for a split second.
It was the air around him.
The slumped shoulders of the "Cleaner" were gone. He walked with a predator's grace—fluid and silent. His skin, previously dull from poverty, now glowed with vitality. His eyes, scanning the room, held a quiet confidence that bordered on arrogance.
[Charisma Check: Passed.]
Kael pulled out the chair opposite her and sat down. He didn't look nervous about the mountain of silverware or the crystal glasses.
"Sorry I'm late," Kael said, flashing a faint smile. "I had a long bath."
Seraphina narrowed her eyes. She could sense the mana fluctuating around him. It was denser. Cleaner.
"You look different," she stated bluntly.
"I found some interesting things in your warehouse," Kael replied, unfolding his napkin. "I hope you don't mind that I borrowed a few... scraps."
"And the guards?" Seraphina took a sip of her wine, watching him over the rim of the glass. "Gareth sent three men to 'greet' you. My security report says they left on stretchers."
Kael didn't flinch. He picked up a fork and stabbed a piece of roasted meat.
"They slipped," Kael said. "It's very dangerous in there."
For a moment, the room was silent. Alfred, standing in the corner, held his breath.
Then, the corner of Seraphina's mouth twitched. A ghost of a smile.
"Good," she said softly. "I don't need a weakling as my aide. If you couldn't handle three D-Rank thugs, you wouldn't survive a day in my world."
She gestured for the servants to pour Kael a drink.
"Eat. It's Hydra meat. It increases mana recovery."
Kael didn't need to be told twice. He ate with the hunger of someone who had lived on stale bread for years, but he kept his manners in check.
As they ate, the atmosphere shifted from tense to curious.
"So," Kael said, wiping his mouth. "Are you going to tell me what's actually wrong with you? The 'Mana Overflow' story the public knows... that's a lie, isn't it?"
Seraphina froze. She put down her knife and fork slowly.
"You are sharp," she murmured.
She pulled down the collar of her dress slightly, revealing the skin just above her heart.
There was a scar there. But it wasn't a normal scar. It looked like a rune branded into her flesh.
"Five years ago, I killed the Frost Dragon King," she explained, her voice devoid of emotion. "But before he died, he cursed me. It's not just mana overflow. My body is generating Draconic Essence."
Kael's eyes widened. "Dragon blood?"
"Yes. My human body can't handle it. It's trying to turn me into a dragon, or kill me in the process. That's why the energy is so violent."
She looked at him intensely.
"But you... your System eats it. You digest the dragon's hatred like it's dessert."
"It tasted like mint," Kael quipped.
Seraphina blinked, then let out a genuine, short laugh. It was a beautiful sound, startling the maids in the room.
"You are strange, Kael. Most men tremble when they look at me. You make jokes about my curse."
"Fear is a waste of energy," Kael shrugged. "I'd rather recycle it."
Seraphina leaned forward, her expression turning serious again.
"Speaking of recycling... we have a problem."
"What problem?"
"The 'Contract' established a connection," she said, her cheeks turning a faint shade of pink. "Since we left the car... I can feel you."
Kael paused. "Feel me? Like... physically?"
"No. Emotionally. Spatially." She rubbed her temples. "It's like a compass in my head pointing directly to you. And when you get too far away... the anxiety starts."
[System Notice: Dependency Effect Active.]
[The "Broken Vessel" is developing withdrawal symptoms.]
Kael cursed internally. Great. She's literally addicted to me.
"So, what do you suggest?" Kael asked. "I'm already living in the Guest Wing."
"Not close enough," Seraphina said firmly.
She stood up. The authority in her stance returned instantly.
"Alfred, move his things."
"To where, My Lady?" the butler asked.
"To my suite," Seraphina declared. "Specifically, the antechamber connected to my bedroom."
Kael choked on his wine. "Your bedroom?!"
"Don't get any ideas, Cleaner," she shot him a cold look, though her ears were red. "It's for efficiency. If I have an attack in the middle of the night, I don't want to wait for you to run across the hallway."
She turned and walked toward the door.
"Dinner is over. Come, Kael. We have a lot of 'recycling' to do before I can sleep."
Kael sat there for a moment, processing.
He looked at Alfred. The butler just shrugged, looking defeated.
"Good luck, sir," Alfred whispered. "The Lady kicks in her sleep."
Kael stood up and followed the Empress.
He had expected riches. He had expected danger.
He hadn't expected to become the emotional support animal for a dragon-slaying goddess.
Well, Kael thought, checking his stats as he walked. At least the pay is good.
[Current Status]
[Name: Kael]
[Class: Scavenger (Unique)]
[Rank: F (Stats equivalent to C)]
[System Points: 350]
The night was just beginning.