Guinea Pig

"You and Bor's relationship really doesn't seem that great," Deva remarked casually before walking into the room on her own.Her naturally aloof attitude perfectly matched Glen's impression of her.He told Tia to go on with her business and entered the kitchen, replying, "The old man used to bully me a lot. Didn't he mention that to you?""He did," Deva replied, sitting down at the same spot she had sat in the morning, curious. "He mentioned that you weren't like this before. He said you used to be very timid, but now…"So, it's about me, Glen realized, and responded,"I don't really know. What exactly did he tell you?"Deva propped her chin on the wooden table, her tone leisurely. "He said you're a werewolf—a very special kind. Not only are you powerful, but you can stay completely rational even after transforming, and you can still talk.""Well, sounds like he told you everything," Glen said, bringing two glasses of juice out and handing one to Deva. "It's freshly squeezed from the few fruits we have around here. Once it's gone, there won't be any more.""Thanks," Deva said as she accepted the juice and continued the conversation. "He trusts me a lot, so naturally, he tells me everything.""Wow, so you two aren't… that kind of couple?" Glen raised an eyebrow."If you keep saying things like that, I might actually get angry," Deva said, looking at Glen seriously."Okay, okay, sorry."Seeing Glen's sincere apology, Deva snorted softly and said, "I'm pretty busy most of the time. Even if I were to consider a partner…"She gave him a meaningful look. "I'd only think about someone like you—young, strong, and full of energy…""Uh… should I be excited or scared?" Glen felt a bit awkward."Heh… You should be excited. Do you know how many male magicians would jump at the chance to sleep with me? And now, this coveted opportunity might fall into your lap. Shouldn't that be something to get excited about?"Deva clearly had a lot of confidence in herself.There aren't many men who could resist her beauty. She probably expected him to either shy away or accept enthusiastically, knowing she wouldn't offer anything lasting—it would all just be for her research.Men were always so foolish. A little bit of kindness, and they'd give everything… she thought to herself, eagerly awaiting whether he'd reluctantly or boldly accept.Glen stared into her eyes for several seconds before speaking,"Why are you using your beauty to tempt me? What's your real goal here? Don't treat me like some naive young man; I can see right through your plans."This response took Deva by surprise.She froze mid-sip and then, as though nothing had happened, casually took another sip from her glass."I'm not trying to tempt you," Deva said, her eyes still trying to shine with intensity. "I'm being serious. Aren't you even a little bit moved?""Heh…" Glen chuckled lightly. "You're still testing me, huh? Nice try, but it won't work."Facing such a stunning beauty, it would be a lie to say he wasn't moved, but that was just a natural male reaction. Glen wasn't going to let his instincts control him and reduce himself to a slave to them.Deva let go of the seductive gaze, studying Glen for a long time. Finally, she said,"Your calmness really doesn't match your age. It's actually making me a little interested now."She wasn't flustered at all by being exposed.Glen leaned back in his chair, waiting for the next part of the conversation.Deva thought for a moment and then decided to be honest."I'm interested in the changes you've gone through. I want to know why you can do things that other werewolves can't. I'm sure any magician who encountered someone as unique as you would become obsessed."That's true… Glen agreed silently in his mind, but he said,"So you want to study me? If that's the case, sorry, it's not happening.""Don't be too quick to refuse," Deva urged, her tone now more eager. "I can offer you conditions you can't refuse.""I already said, no. I won't let anyone use my body as a test subject."Glen's refusal was firm and resolute.If someone studied his body, it would be like exposing all his weaknesses to them. Glen wasn't foolish enough to do that."…Alright," Deva said, seeing the determination in his eyes. She had no choice but to give up, though she added,"If you change your mind, I still have some very tempting offers on the table.""Let's hope that day never comes," Glen murmured.The room fell silent, and for the next four or five minutes, neither of them spoke.Deva took another sip of her juice and frowned slightly. "Did you put sugar in this? It tastes really good.""There's more than just sugar in it," Glen replied casually."If you sold this, it would probably do really well in the market.""Really?!"Glen's eyes lit up.Deva, surprised by his reaction, spoke frankly, "I don't see why not. I've traveled to many places, and other than a few times in the elven lands where I've had better juice, I haven't tasted anything like this anywhere else.""Interesting…" Glen's mind immediately began to race with ideas about the possibility of opening a tavern.Deva, unaware of his thoughts, finished her juice and stood up."I've failed in my purpose here, so I'll be leaving. I still have a lot to handle. If Bor comes back, tell him for me."Glen got up and walked her to the door.As she was about to board her carriage, Glen noticed the horse pulling it. Its proud, almost human-like gaze caught his attention.He couldn't help but stare at the creature. Seeing its legs, which had markings like white stockings, he remarked,"Your horse is wearing white stockings?"Deva, who had just stepped onto the carriage, turned back with a puzzled look. "What are white stockings?""It's a kind of thin, white hosiery," Glen explained."Sounds like something not very proper." Deva said, then entered the lavishly decorated carriage.Is this a woman's intuition at work? Glen wondered silently.After watching the carriage disappear into the distance, he returned to the house."Did Ravel go to work?" he asked Tia.The maid, who had been busy with housework, stood up respectfully."Yes, Young Master. He's been very proactive today."Tia knew she wasn't exactly his maid, but out of respect, she still acted as though she were. After all, this was a man even Lord Channis was afraid of.So, he's finally had his breakthrough? Glen thought, deciding to go check on him. He didn't say much and left the house immediately.…"Just wait a little longer, the food will be ready soon…"Ravel sat by the pigpen, watching the black pigs eat greedily, unsure how many times he had swallowed his saliva.He had thought several times about trying the pig food himself to see if it tasted as good as it looked.But his noble pride kept him from doing so.That would probably not hold up for much longer.Hunger was truly a terrifying thing, and Ravel was experiencing it firsthand today.This was only after two days of not eating—how unbearable must it be for the beggars who hadn't eaten for three days?He couldn't imagine.