Weakest Beast Tamer Gets All SSS Dragons

Chapter 624: Chapter 624 - Taming the Fifth Year - Friends

The room was strangely empty when Ren finally arrived.

Liu and Taro had already moved in days ago. Their beds were made with military precision, their desks organized with the patience of those who’d had time to spare for proper arrangement. Books stacked neatly. Personal items placed just so.

Min’s bed also showed signs of recent occupation. A half-unpacked suitcase. Clothes tossed with the characteristic abandon of his friend who never quite understood the concept of ”putting things away”.

Ren dropped the ”small” backpack he kept outside his beast storage next to his bed. Yet even with nothing on his back anymore, he felt the weight of the last few days like stones on his shoulders.

The days following the ceremony had been a whirlwind of papers, signatures, and meetings with people whose titles he still couldn’t fully remember. Lord something of somewhere. Lady whoever from whatever house. All blurring together into a mass of formality that made his head spin.

And then he also had been listening to the girls’ complaints. Especially about the defense at Selphira’s ice wall.

Larissa had been diplomatic about the matter, as always. ”Some nobles from the major families tried to... complicate things for Luna during the defense.” Her tone had been neutral but something lurked beneath.

Luna had been more direct. ”Idiots with inflated egos who thought they could question me because I’m a woman and young.”

Liora had simply rolled her eyes. ”Old nobles being old nobles. You know how it is.”

None had mentioned names. Ren had assumed it was because they didn’t expect him to know the names of these families. And didn’t want to fill his head with more noble names and politics than it already was. So he’d nodded and murmured the appropriate things and hadn’t asked more.

Now, standing in the silent room in the gloom, where before his mushrooms would have automatically illuminated everything, he wondered if he should have asked.

The door opened with a creak and Liu entered, his night bat materializing briefly on his ears before dissolving back into his system.

”Ren,” he said with a genuine smile that lightened some of the tension in Ren’s chest. ”Thought you’d arrive tomorrow.”

”Managed to escape,” Ren let himself fall onto his bed. The familiar mattress received his weight as he let out a sigh that came out more dramatic than he’d intended.

”Where are the others? What did I miss?”

”Taro went to the library to look up something about territorial documentation protocols.” Liu sat on his own bed, crossing his legs beneath him. ”Apparently his earth element comes with administrative responsibilities that are driving him crazy. Prepare yourself ’elemental rainbow’.”

”And Min?”

”Chasing some girl, probably.” Liu shrugged, but there was affection in the gesture. ”He received his title from his uncle. Hasn’t stopped talking about it. ’Lord Min’ this, ’Lord Min’ that. It’s adorable and annoying in equal measure.”

Ren smiled despite the exhaustion. ”How are things here? Very different?”

”Completely different.” Liu leaned back against the headboard, his expression becoming more serious. The casual posture contradicted the weight in his voice. ”The schedules changed for everyone. Taro, Min, you and me have completely separate classes now. Noble curriculum and all that. I’ll only see you in combat training.”

”Just combat?”

”Just combat,” Liu confirmed. ”Lin and Yang keep torturing everyone equally, regardless of year or status. It’s the only consistent thing in this place now. Everything else is adult preparation... and the extra noble curriculum for you and Min.”

Ren pulled his schedule from his pocket, the paper already wrinkled from so much folding and unfolding. Checking it. Rechecking it. Hoping the huge amount of information would somehow change if he looked enough times.

”Says I’ll have that... noble protocol, with Aldric Galehart.”

The silence that followed was long enough for Ren to look up.

Liu was watching him with a strange expression. Something between concern and something else Ren couldn’t identify.

”What?” Ren asked.

”Nothing,” Liu said too quickly. The word came out rushed, forced. ”Just that... the Galeharts are a big family. Powerful. In Starweaver territory.”

”And?”

”And nothing.” Liu stood up, clearly wanting to change the subject. He moved to his desk, unnecessarily rearranging already organized items. ”I’m sure it’ll be fine. External tutors shouldn’t be able to harm you anyway.”