A Hero Arrives, a Warlord Proposes, and the Bunny Gets a Job Offer
In a perfect world, Rei would've woken up to silence, brewed tea in peace, and spent the morning rearranging his chamomile.
Instead, he woke to shouting, hoofbeats, and the unmistakable sound of someone declaring a duel outside his window.
"I CHALLENGE YOU, MYSTERIOUS MASTER OF FLUFF CO.!"
Rei rolled over, groaning. "It's too early for another noble meltdown."
From the corner, Fluff stretched and yawned. A breeze shivered through the room, and a distant cat fainted on a rooftop.
Ellyn burst through the door. "You might want to come outside," she said. "Someone rode a phoenix into the alley."
---
A crowd had gathered outside Fluff Co.
At the center stood a boy—maybe seventeen—with sun-kissed blond hair, a white-and-gold cape, and the kind of blinding smile only someone raised on prophecies could pull off.
Beside him stood a phoenix, majestic and burning like a restrained solar flare.
"That's Auron Lightbrand," Kreg whispered. "The Hero candidate from Silvermist."
Rei massaged his temples. "Why is he here?"
Ellyn held up a parchment. "He sent a letter declaring you his spiritual guide."
"I threw that in the fire."
"I saved a copy."
Auron knelt before Rei, fist over his heart.
"Master Rei!" he boomed. "I have traveled across five cities, braved cursed lands, and tamed the Skyflame Phoenix—all under your teachings!"
Rei blinked. "I've literally never spoken to you."
"You taught me the power of restraint. The wisdom of simplicity. The secret strength in snacks!"
"I told you to bring extra food on expeditions."
"It saved my life!"
"I was being sarcastic."
Auron turned to the crowd. "Behold! The man who guides heroes while pretending to be ordinary!"
Rei buried his face in his hands. "I'm going to strangle destiny."
---
Inside the Shop
Auron sat at the tea table with reverent posture.
"I've come to train under you, Master," he said.
"I'm not a master," Rei replied.
"You're wise, humble, and your bunny radiates divine fear."
Rei looked at Fluff, who was lying upside down with a teacup on his belly.
"Sure," Rei muttered. "Divine."
"I want to learn the way of passive intimidation and spiritual calm."
"That's just anxiety."
"Then make me anxious!"
Ellyn snorted into her cup.
"You can help stock herbs," Rei muttered, "and carry heavy boxes. If you call me 'Master' in public again, I'm feeding you to the squirrel."
Auron beamed. "Understood!"
---
Later that same day, another carriage arrived—black, armored, and covered in tribal symbols. From it stepped a tall woman with copper-colored skin, a massive curved blade, and a lion beast trailing behind her.
"I am Warlord Sarka of the Eastern Wildlands," she declared. "I've come to propose marriage."
"To me?" Rei asked.
"You tamed monsters with a stare. Your bunny glows when angry. In my tribe, that makes you husband material."
"I—what?"
"You would lead half the Wildlands as my consort."
"I want to lead a nap."
Fluff hopped up and glared. Sarka's lion whimpered and fled.
"The bunny chooses," she said solemnly.
"No, the bunny doesn't—oh, forget it."
---
Inside the storage shed, Rei gathered his "team."
Ellyn, sketching "I Love Fluff" stickers.
Kreg, holding snacks.
Auron, cross-legged and taking notes.
Fluff, playing with a tax stamp.
Rei wrote three names on the chalkboard:
1. Auron the Hero
2. Sarka the Warlord
3. Ferrick the Royal Pest
"We've attracted a hero, a warlord, and a government-backed investor. All in the same week."
"I can duel the warlord!" Auron offered.
"No."
"She has a war rhino," Ellyn said.
"I have anxiety," Rei replied.
---
Guildmaster's Orders
Meanwhile, in the Guild High Tower, top officials gathered around a glowing table map.
"Fluff Co. has defeated beasts, quelled a voidspawn, and claimed a Hero. Without casting a single spell," a scribe reported.
"What do we do?" another asked.
The Guildmaster gave his verdict:
"Apply… for partnership."
---
Next morning, Rei discovered a new shop sign:
> FLUFF CO. – Official Divine Beast Consultancy (Recognized by the Tamer's Guild)
"Now Accepting Requests, Offerings, and Very Polite Worship."
"Did you hang that?" he asked Ellyn.
"They sent a guy who cried when I refused."
Fluff wore a tiny cleric robe.
"I want to be a farmer," Rei muttered.
---
By noon:
Someone offered 1,000 gold for a beast blessing.
A Merchant King sent a barrel of honey.
The Church of Sacred Tamers wanted Rei as a prophet.
Fluff glowed. A flower bloomed where he sat.
"I swear," Rei hissed, "if you sneeze holy energy again, I'm locking you in a tea box."
---
"I'm not worthy," Auron sighed that night.
"You fought off a wyvern with a broom," Rei replied.
"It had allergies."
"You tamed a phoenix."
"It imprinted on my sandwich."
"You're perfect."
"…Thanks, Master."
"Go sweep the roof."
---
A messenger arrived in robes stitched with stars.
"We offer the divine one rest and luxury in the Celestial Order," he said, bowing to Fluff.
Fluff accepted a silk pillow and carried it off.
Rei stared. "He's considering it?!"
"I think he wants benefits," Ellyn whispered.
---
Later that night, a cloaked woman came with a gift basket.
"You told my brother to stop punching his spirit beast," she said.
"I told him to try not being stupid."
"It worked."
She smiled. "You helped. Whether you wanted to or not."
Rei was silent long after she left.
"Maybe this life isn't entirely cursed," he said.
Fluff sneezed.
The teacup cracked.
"Mostly cursed, then."
---
Next morning, Rei posted a sign:
> FLUFF CO. IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR:
– Accidental hero training
– Divine awakenings
– Warlord marriage proposals
– Lightning trauma
– Surprise phoenixes
– Or baby chimeras in the mailbox
"Reasonable," Ellyn said.
Auron popped in, holding a spirit fern. "Can we open a training annex?"
"No."
"Too late! I drew a logo!"
Fluff was back to stamping tax forms.
Rei picked up a broom.
"Fine. But after tea."