It was a Saturday afternoon. The sun was blazing… well, not really, that's just a way of saying it was insanely hot. Inside a small hut was a young boy with surprisingly white hair. This wasn't dyed white, it was obvious—every time a strand of his hair fell, another one of the same color grew back.
"This place is so relaxing… If it were up to me, I'd live here," said the boy, who was about 11 years old.
The boy was surrounded by wooden walls and a wooden floor. The hut was sparsely furnished; the most notable things were a wooden table, a wooden bed frame, and a wooden wardrobe.
Something was shining inside the hut. That object was underneath the wooden floor. What could it be? Well, curiosity had to play its part.
"I'm really fond of this little hut, so breaking the floor kind of hurts me a bit," said the boy as he cracked a small hole in the floor.
It was something very shiny. It looked like a sculpture—but miniature… actually, more like a figurine of some fantasy character, something like that. The boy brushed off the little dust it had. Upon closer inspection, he realized it was a figure of a silver wolf.
"Woah! It's the first time I've seen one of these… I guess it's a dog," he exclaimed, sitting outside the old hut.
"Looks like there's something written on it," the boy said as he read the inscription.
"Aparito, nato yatero, kairus meta, hold pus. Bordey?" the boy struggled to read the words out loud.
The boy was confused. He had just read something in another language… or at least, it seemed that way. The figure remained the same. The only thing to note about it was how well it was crafted. All the details were there, almost as if it had been traced from real life. The boy stared at it carefully while holding it in his hands.
"I've never had a pet… I guess I can keep it," the boy thought.
"You… would you like to be my pet?" the boy asked the unmoving figure.
…
"Alright… but on one condition."
A girl, who looked about his same age, appeared to his right. She wore a black shirt, black pants, and black shoes to match her entire outfit. Her hair was black, and her eyes had a honey color—not something you see every day.
The boy was so startled that he dropped the wolf figure. They stared at each other. The girl picked up the figure and tossed it back to him.
"You shouldn't scare that easily… Aren't you supposed to be a man?" she teased.
"Well… you caught me off guard… plus, I didn't hear you coming at all," the boy replied, picking up the wolf figure again.
"I know, I'm very stealthy," she said arrogantly.
Their eyes met. The girl's black eyes stared into the boy's blue ones. Then, she looked at the wolf figure and then back at him.
"I'll answer your request… but with one condition," she said, pointing at him.
He, confused, started looking at her closely. How could a girl dress like that and wander the streets alone? That was still a mystery, but it seemed everything would unravel soon.
"I know it's a little late to ask but… who are you?" the boy asked, staring at her.
The girl seemed confused. She approached the boy without breaking eye contact and took the wolf figure from his hands.
"You asked me to be your pet, and I replied that I would… but on one condition," she said, pointing at the figure before handing it back.
"Are you saying… you're this wolf?" he asked in disbelief.
The girl nodded, turned around, walked five steps forward, and spoke:
"What you're holding in your hands… is my home. You called me when you read the inscription on the figure… and here I am."
The boy was stunned by the revelation. He thought she was just a girl trying to get attention, but upon closer look, he noticed several things. Her irises were very different from his, her fingers had long, sharp nails… but the most shocking thing was when she yawned: her teeth… her teeth were long and sharp… like those of a beast.
"So… you're this wolf," he affirmed.
The girl nodded with a smile. She seemed happy he finally understood. It was hard to believe, but the proof was right in front of him. There was no doubt anymore.
"Seriously… is it okay to have you as a pet? I mean… you're a person… it feels kinda weird."
"Oh… so you meant that kind of pet," the girl said, placing her hand on her chin.
As if by magic, right before the boy's eyes, a floating paper appeared. It had something written on it, but he couldn't read it since it was the same language as the figure's inscription. Seeing his confused look, the girl spoke.
"I guess you can't read my language… fine, I'll read it for you," she said as the paper floated toward her.
The boy kept staring at her, curious to know what it said.
"Maybe… it's some kind of contract," he thought seriously.
"By this document," she began reading, "it is hereby informed to the contractor that upon hiring a pet under contract, the contracted party must obey the contractor's orders without objections. Likewise, the contractor must not physically or psychologically abuse the contracted party. If they do, the contractor will be eliminated for breaching the contract. The benefits of hiring a contracted pet are that you're not hiring an ordinary pet. This is a special pet, ideal for assassination jobs and personal protection. However, just as there are great benefits, there is a high cost," she said, then smiled mischievously at the boy. "The price is… to defeat the contracted party in battle. If successful, negotiations for contract duration will proceed. Sincerely, LADMBC," she finished reading.
"I knew it…" the boy thought as he looked at her.
"You heard it… if you want me as your pet, you'll have to beat me first," she said arrogantly.
The boy seemed thoughtful. He was weighing the pros and cons.
"Why would I hire this kind of pet… if I don't need one? I mean… I'm 11," he thought.
"I get that you're just a kid… there's not the slightest chance you'll win and make me agree," she said with a wicked grin. "So… go play with your toy cars," she mocked.
"It's a really good benefit… I know I don't need it… but still, if someone else takes this opportunity… I'd rather take it myself," he thought.
The selfishness was clear, but this selfishness had a protective goal for himself and those around him. It was a once-in-a-lifetime chance. Having someone specialized in assassinations was beneficial for someone wanting to protect loved ones. Let's call it protective selfishness.
"Alright then," the boy said, leaving the wolf figure inside the hut. "I'm interested in hiring your services… um… what's your name?" he asked.
"I don't have one… after all, there's a small chance you'll be my first owner," she answered.
The girl added an extra detail about herself: she had never had an owner before. That was because no one had ever defeated her in battle, so she never had anyone to name her.
"But honestly, I have no hope… the previous person who lived here fought me nearly 20 times… and still couldn't beat me," she said, disappointed. "Not even being an advanced-level fire elemental wizard could defeat me… and now my opponent is a kid who still plays with toy cars… what a disappointment."
The boredom was evident on the girl's face. She stared at her next opponent, certain he wouldn't win her services either. But her previous statement left the boy shocked. An advanced-level elemental wizard… and still no match for her. What chance did he have?
"I… am not a wizard," he said indifferently. "Nor am I some super powerful person," he continued. "The only thing I can say is…" he paused, walking toward her, "from today on, your name will be Wulls," he finished, patting her head like she was a dog.
"Wulls?" she questioned in her head. "Alright… but first defeat me… and then I'll take that name," she said, making a big leap backward.
"Can we move away? I don't want to damage the hut," the boy requested.
The girl nodded. Both walked towards the hill until they were far enough not to damage the hut. The boy stopped in front of her, saying this would be a good place. The girl just smiled and started walking quickly towards him.
"Don't worry, kid… this will be over quickly," she said confidently.
Her confidence showed in her tone. She intended to end this as fast as possible. After all, her opponent was just a kid… what could possibly happen?
A loud crash was heard. Something at great speed had made contact with what could be called Wulls's hands. Surprisingly, the unexpected became expected. The boy's punch had been stopped by the girl's right hand. She was very surprised by what she saw. A child, a mere child, had just thrown a punch that, although she stopped easily, still surprised her. Attentively, she looked at the boy's face and realized his sweet, innocent expression was gone. Now, there was a serious and focused face.
"Are you really a kid?" she wondered.
In a quick move, the girl struck the boy's stomach, making him bend forward. Then, with a vertical kick, she drove him into the ground. Despite her surprise at the boy's earlier punch, the difference in strength remained the same. She wouldn't be surprised if the battle was already over. But still, curiosity filled her… how could an 11-year-old boy have such speed and strength?
"Don't get distracted!" the boy yelled, jumping up from the ground and headbutting the girl's chin.
She staggered back a few steps, looking at him with concern and doubt. The fight seemed over, but the boy suddenly surprised her with that headbutt. That was very unexpected. Blood ran from the boy's nose, but he didn't seem to care as the girl kept watching him with uncertainty. He kept trying to hit her, but she easily dodged and blocked his attacks.
"What's your name?" she asked while dodging.
"Asterio," he replied without stopping his assault.
"Where are you from?" she continued questioning.
"We're fighting, right? No need to talk… Focus!" he said, launching a low kick, which the girl dodged, then countered with a kick to his chin, sending him to the ground.
The girl's face was serious. Her mocking, arrogant attitude was gone; now a serious, thoughtful expression took its place. The boy got up, wiping the blood from his mouth.
"You look bored," the boy said, looking at her.
She wasn't really bored… she just found it odd what she had previously thought. The girl stared at him, then smiled as she had from the start.
"Yeah… I'm really bored. How about we finish this already? Clearly, you don't stand a chance of beating me, so I'll make you a deal," she said, smiling. "One hit… give me a single hit that makes me fall back at least to that rock," she said, pointing at a rock behind her. "If you do, I'll consider our battle over and proceed to negotiate the contract duration."
It was an unbeatable chance. No need to defeat her… just push her back to a rock three meters away. The girl stood there, smiling, watching the boy's reaction. He just sighed and accepted.
"Alright then… I'll give it my all… Wulls," he said, calling her by her possible new name.
"Yes… I'm ready," she said with a smile. "…Master," she whispered.
The main reason the girl accepted the boy earlier than expected was: "Aparito nato, yatero kairus meta, hold pus. Bordey?" Which means: "Appearance doesn't define the person, right?"
"Here I go!" he shouted, as his right eye glowed white, along with some strands of his hair.
"I knew it… this kid isn't what he seems. His innocent, kind appearance doesn't define his protective selfishness. He's perfect… he's not a righteous hero like the others who tried to claim me… no… he's a 'Selfish Hero'. The perfect master!" she thought excitedly.
With a loud yell, the boy charged at her at great speed, landing a powerful blow that caused a huge crash. A large cloud of dust rose, obscuring the battle's outcome. As the dust settled, something was heard collapsing to the ground. It was Asterio, who had fallen, exhausted after using all his strength on that final blow.
Meanwhile, the girl looked different. Now her hair and eyes had turned gray. She stood, watching yet another defeated opponent… who had already given her a name.
"Ahahaha!" she laughed mockingly. "How exciting! Finally! Finally!" she repeated over and over. "I've found my perfect master!" she shouted with joy.