An Extra’s POV

"W-what do you mean all wrong?"

For a moment, Ater remained quiet after Rey's question. Instead, he took time to observe the boy's appearance once more, his gaze scrutinizing even the littlest detail. It even almost felt like he was undressing him with his eyes.

"Your appearance… it feels odd—almost like you are cosplaying as a Dragon—if you know what I mean…"

"Wait…" Rey knew this wasn't an important thing to bring up at the moment, but he just had to satisfy his curiosity. "How do you know about cosplaying?"

"Belle told me about it."

"O-ohh…" It all made perfect sense once he knew who the knowledge came from.

'I guess the two of them really talk a lot, huh?'

"In any case, it doesn't feel very authentic. I believe it also does very little to hide your human-like features, and doesn't blend the two together. For example, you need slightly bigger eyes and more defined jaws. Your ears should also…"

By the time Ater was done with explanations, Rey realized just how off he was when it came to disguising as a Dragon. It wasn't that he wasn't that he didn't know what a Dragon looked like, but it was simply that he didn't know how to incorporate it into his own custom appearance.

The only thing he really got right was the number of horns. Even the age of his disguise was slightly off, but that was only because Rey had only encountered adult Dragons. In conclusion, he needed to rework his design from scratch—and that was exactly what he did.

Under Ater's supervision, he was finally able to get the design right. ************

"Thanks. I finally figured it out." Rey sighed, collapsing on his bed for a moment, mostly due to mental exhaustion.

He wasn't tired in the true sense of the word, but he definitely felt like he was.

"This is nothing, Master. You can always rely on me."

Ater bowed his head after saying this, and the sincere manner by which he said this caused Rey to feel a slight pang of guilt within him. It genuinely seemed like Ater was doing his best for the sake of his Master, yet Rey was viewing everything through the lens of suspicion.

At that point, Rey had two options—remain the way he was, or address the ever-growing gap of trust between the two of them.

He chose the former.

"Hm. Thank you."

violence as

I look forward to

he expressed it with his words, but he was really surprised and impressed by how

but he had slowly gained more tact and understanding as time went on. In fact, he rarely ever brought up suggestions

due to the conditions that

accordance with them.' He smiled, clearly

more difficult

a reward for my most recent accomplishment of protecting the Capital

he

"Ah, yes…"

and after becoming occupied with their other plans, it skipped his mind. Considering the gravity of what Ater did, Rey reckoned he needed something very

able to get this strong as well. The plan he concocted with Emil

assistance, even though he no

just ask him what he wants.' And so

being asked to mention what

if I was

chose as his reward the last time—being petted

weirder now! Please don't choose that!' He cried inside, looking at Ater with pleading eyes while the unaware Familiar seemingly wrestled with his thoughts about what he considered a fitting

would have chosen to receive some praise from you, but… I believe there is one thing I desire

smiled, relieved it wasn't what he feared, but also

Silence.

looked at Rey for a moment without saying anything, as if studying his countenance. He then approached the boy with a few steps before stopping just a few inches

longer trust me,

like a sledgehammer, cousin yet another pang

a contemplative expression that drew even more sympathy and guilt from Rey. He wanted to believe that Ater was merely trying to manipulate the situation, but everything about him oozed genuineness. It

After watching

not deny those allegations, because

the whole matter quite serious, and the fact that the usually smiling figure in the room was completely serious

to trust me. That is my

words, he fell to his knees and made a subservient bow that chilled Rey to his

"Ater, I—"

intend to make things easier for you to make your decision." Ater raised his head and lifted his hand, causing a black box to

instantly recognized it as the Cursed Box that belonged

aware, I have no means to alter a curse, or I would have done something to help Alicia. Since that is the case, it appears this Item is most optimal in restoring the trust