Chapter 21: Premier
Noah was dumbfounded.
What the fuck happened while I was asleep?
He turned toward Ester, who had already risen to her feet.
Without hesitation, he approached her, his sharp gaze locked onto hers.
"Ester," he began casually, but there was something pointed in his voice, "the Akashic Record just gave me a rather… interesting title."
He stopped just in front of her, tilting his head slightly.
"Something about being the 'Master of a Shadow.' Ring any bells?"
A pause.
"If yes, please—do enlighten me."
Ester shifted awkwardly, suddenly feeling a mix of shyness and embarrassment.
Now that she thought about it, perhaps she should have waited before making such a decision.
Because this wasn't just about her anymore.
She had altered him as well.
Noah no longer had a shadow.
Even in the blinding sunlight, neither of them cast a single silhouette on the ground. The sight was unsettling, almost unnatural. But that eerie absence only reinforced the reality of her new title.
Taking a deep breath, Ester spoke softly, her voice tinged with hesitation.
"Master… It seems that because of my wish to be your shadow—to offer not just my loyalty, but my entire being—the Akashic Record acknowledged it."
Noah raised an eyebrow, his expression unreadable.
Ester continued.
"The title I received… is 'The Bounded Shadow.' It means that I am now your shadow. Literally."
"My very essence has changed. I can feel it—I'm not just using shadow affinity anymore. My existence itself has become—or rather is becoming something else. A shadow."
She hesitated before finishing.
"And because of that, you were given the title 'Master of a Shadow.' Since I—your shadow—truly exist now, you became the first being to hold such a title."
She wasn't sure if she explained it clearly enough.
Noah was silent for a moment, digesting her words. Then, in a voice that was both gentle yet firm, he spoke.
"Ester."
Her breath caught in her throat.
"I never needed you to give me your entire being."
His voice was calm, but there was an underlying weight to it.
"Your absolute loyalty was already enough."
Ester swallowed, her hands slightly trembling.
"But… I understand."
He took a step closer, raising his hand to gently lift her chin, forcing her to meet his gaze.
His silver eyes burned with something intense, unwavering, but also gentle and caring.
"I guess seeing me in that bloodied and near death state must have been a shock to you. And you must have felt guilty."
"But I don't want you to feel guilt or pain if I ever fight to protect you."
"You are my subordinate. My shadow. My responsibility."
He let those words sink in before continuing.
"I will protect you as you protect me. Your life is just as important to me as my life is important to you."
"But do not think I am not happy with this. It's just I do not want you to regret this decision."
A beat of silence.
Then, smirking, he added, "That said if you happen to regret it… I wouldn't mind seeing a real-life shadow fight against fate for its freedom. Not at all, really."
Ester let out a soft chuckle, despite herself.
Then, she bowed.
Not as a servant. Not as someone forced into submission.
But as someone who had chosen this path.
"I am your shadow. And I am proud to be it. I will never regret it."
She lifted her head, and her red eyes blazed with something fierce.
"I am honored to serve the man who will shake the empire."
Noah stood silent for a moment before smirking.
"The empire?" He shook his head, amused. "Oh, Ester, as my shadow, you should be looking far beyond that."
He exhaled through his nose, his smirk widening into something dangerous.
"I won't just shake the empire. I will shake this entire world."
His words sent a shiver down her spine.
"And you, as my shadow… your name shall be known eternally alongside mine."
Their eyes met.
And then—
They smirked.
…
Later
Noah sat on a large rock, staring at the battlefield before him.
Dozens of slaughtered wolves.
Their corpses lay in heaps—fur matted with blood, limbs twisted at unnatural angles, some frozen and other burned with lightning.
The boss monster was nothing more than another trophy among them.
But Noah wasn't thinking about the battle.
No.
He was thinking about something far more exciting.
His unique skill.
He had it.
And yet, he hadn't truly tested it.
Until now.
Ester appeared behind him, still confused by his earlier command.
"Master, why did you ask me to gather all the dead beasts?"
Noah smirked.
"Ester, behold. You are about to witness something… insane."
A flicker of lightning danced at his fingertips.
"I did tell you I have a lightning affinity, right? But let me show you a unique little trick of mine."
He activated his skill.
"Fusion."
A white dome enveloped five ordinary D-rank wolves.
Instantly, Noah felt his mana drain at an alarming rate.
"The fuck?"
Within seconds, his mana pool was halved.
His breath hitched.
"Holy shit—"
He gritted his teeth as his reserves neared critical levels.
Then—just before he ran out—
The dome shattered.
And in its place—
A new beast stood.
Larger. Sleeker. Its black fur shimmered unnaturally, as if drinking in the light.
Blood-red eyes gleamed with feral intelligence.
A C-rank wolf.
The moment it became fully visible, its gaze snapped toward Noah.
Tension filled the air.
For a brief moment, Noah wondered if it would attack.
But instead—
It lowered its head.
Not quite a bow, but something eerily close.
A slow smirk crept onto Noah's lips.
"Interesting. It seems to recognize the one who create him."
Inside his mind, a thought surfaced.
"With this talent, I don't even need to bother dealing with her to get the Beast Master talent."
A flicker of something dark passed through his mind.
A certain girl in the academy.
Elijah's most dangerous admirer.
An SS-grade Beast Master talent.
Trying to manipulate her would be a waste of time. That girl only saw Elijah for no particular reason — or rather I didn't read enough to know it.
But, that girl is dangerous. With her talent she is literally a one woman armed. And she will do all to support Elijah. And,
I can't have that.
There is no way I will let that happen.
So, there is only one solution.
"Let's just kill her, shall we?"
A decision made. No need for mercy.
I have made my personal job to screw Elijah over. And I will do it to the best of my abilities.
Meanwhile, Ester was freaking out.
"M-Master, what is this?!?!"
Noah grinned.
"Can't you see, Ester? I just created a C-rank beast."
"B-but how ? How is it possible master ?"
"Just an ability of mine that help me fuse everything to create something better."
But I don't understand how 5 dead monster managed to give one alive ?
[When you fused their body you have also fused their souls. These souls fused to give a new brand soul. A new life.]
Noah's eyes shot up. 'Even soul is fused ? What a cheat skill.'
Then he stood and approached the beast.
He placed a hand on the wolf's soft fur.
The beast rubbed its head against his palm, almost affectionately.
Noah chuckled.
"As the first of my beasts, you shall be called Premier."
The wolf—Premier—let out a deep, approving growl.
Noah smirked.
Ester is still shocked. Unable to comprehend how this is possible.
"Get used to it, Ester."
"You are my shadow. You will see many things with me. Don't be surprised every time."
Ester swallowed before nodding. Her expression now serious.
Noah looked at her and smiled.
"You're cute when you act serious."
Ester's face flushed red.
Noah laughed.
—End of chapter 21—