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."

as little violence as

look forward to

was really surprised and impressed by how much

be regarding his dark inclinations, but he had slowly gained more tact and understanding as time went on. In fact, he rarely ever

changes were due to

preferences and chosen to act in accordance with them.' He smiled, clearly satisfied with the

all the more difficult to view Ater in a

remind you that you still owe me a reward for my most recent accomplishment

Rey heard this, he gave a

"Ah, yes…"

plans, it skipped his mind. Considering the gravity

him I was able to get this strong as well. The plan he concocted with Emil was suspicious,

not deny Ater's assistance, even though he

just ask him what he wants.' And so he

contemplation upon being asked to mention what he wanted most

if I was to

at that moment that Rey remembered what Ater chose as his reward the last time—being petted

that!' He cried inside, looking at Ater with pleading eyes while the unaware Familiar seemingly wrestled with his thoughts about what he considered a

receive some praise from you, but… I believe there is one thing

it that you desire most?" Rey smiled, relieved it wasn't what he feared,

Silence.

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 from his Master's

no longer

words hit Rey like a sledgehammer, cousin yet another pang to swell

vanished, now replaced by 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 began to seem as though Rey was the

from the Land of the Elves, and especially after. After watching you and thinking

those

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

to trust me. That is

his knees and made a subservient

"Ater, I—"

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

instantly recognized it as the Cursed Box that belonged

parties to enter a pact that can be enforced with a curse from this world. As you are well 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