The Burning Fiend

Reynolds listened to her words and decided that this girl was his prey and he would not let his prey escape. He smiled and said calmly after taking another taste of his wine. "I've been living in the area for almost a decade, but rarely did I had the time to explore Fenlai City as the Institute was rather strict with the students. Now that I graduated I decided to stay in Fenlai City for a few years and moved in a little more than a month ago. Tell me, where are you from? Why would you need a job?"

He offered information without saying much, he was either a warrior or a magus of at least rank 4 level as it was the requirement for graduation from the most simple academies and he had enough money to live in Fenlai City for a few year without worries. He was not a playboy as his experience with women was reduced at his exchanges at the Water Jade Paradise but he was trying to use his head for his hunt and hopping to be successful.

She seemed to register his words and was clearly more interested as she smiled, it was a while since she had tasted wine an it have already make her a little dizzy. "I am from a small town a few days from here where my father is the local lord, but I scaped home because I did not want to marry the rich merchant that was trying to buy me" she said a little angry.

Reynolds was thinking that things were going way too easy, but he did not question his luck he would only need to check before truly making a decision and that was easy enough. "I guess I can understand a little, the reason I am not coming home after graduation is because my family would likely force to join the army and I want to chose my own path".

Looking at her in a thoughtful way as if he was trying to make a decision, he said. "I do not feel a magus or warrior aura from you, have you received training? Have you tested if you have aptitude for training?" She seemed a little angry again and take another drink from her glass as a light blush was visible on her face. "My father never allowed me to train and refused to let me test for magus affinity. But my elder brother and little brother were both instructed in warrior training and tested for magic".

Reynold thought 'I got you now'. He seemed to be hesitant as he took another small taste from his glass, by now he had barely drank anything while Windsor had already drank half her glass. "I probably shouldn't say this, but even if you find a job you will still be at the mercy of others either your father will find you or someone else will take control of your future. The only way to gain true freedom is becoming strong yourself. I plan to go back to my family once I'm strong enough so they can't force me to do anything".

Windsor looked dejected and a tear seemed to be trying to escape her mesmerizing eyes, Reynolds enjoyed the effect before continue. "I might not should be saying this, but I guess I can relate a little with your situation even if I have been luckier myself. If you come working as a maid for me I would help you test for magus affinity and teach you how to train, this way when you decide to leave you may be able to make your own decisions".

She was now desperate, she needed to find work or things would get bad. She knew what being a maid implied and she was not willing to become a slave, but the temptation of becoming strong created a breach on her will. She took another drink of her wine calming down a little and took a look at the boy in front of her, he was handsome, rich and looked powerful. He exuded confidence and seemed not to care much if she accepted or not to go with her, she started to panic as she felt that her only way out was moving further away from her.

She bitted her lips and with slightly tearful eyes she said. "Young master I'm willing to be your maid". Reynolds was overjoyed inside, his first hunt had been so successful that he felt a little suspicious, but he would know for sure in a while. Keeping his fake calm demeanor he said. "Well Windsor I will never mistreat my own people as long as you are loyal and sincere I will keep my word". He asked for the bill and took the now shy Windsor to her inn to take her luggage and then they took a carriage to his villa.

"She was fascinated by the beautiful villa, but noticed the servants and reaffirmed her idea that her being a maid was most likely just an excuse to take possession of her, at least he was handsome and for the time been looked like a gentleman. 'Hopefully he will keep his word'. She thought as she was almost trembling in fear not sure if she was happy of regretful of her own decision.

Reynolds took her to the study and asked for her family information, age and personal details. She understood that he was looking for possible lies or troubles on her history, suddenly she saw that Reynolds eyes turned gray and everything seemed to stop.

Reynolds had used the most basic death style magic, 'slaving spell' on her and she stood in front of him with her eyes vacant. "Tell me Windsor, have you tell me any lies". The voice of the girl sounded slightly mechanical as she said. "No Master". "Did you omit something important on your story or situation?". "Yes Master". Raynolds smiled, "what was it that you omitted?" "Master, your slave stole a family heirloom from my father as revenge and planned to sell it for money". Reynolds was a little surprised as he did not expect that, but he was curious. "Show me".

Windsor retrieved a small pouch from between her b.r.e.a.s.t and handed it to Reynolds, inside Reynolds found a water type rank 6 magical beast core. Now Reynolds was about to laugh, perhaps he was been too paranoid but it was for the best to be sure. "Windsor have you been hired by someone and sent to me or Fenlai City as a spy?" Her mechanical voice sounded again as she said. "No Master".

Reynolds relaxed and returned the 'family heirloom to her' before returning her free will, but decided to leave the slave seed on her just in case. Windsor did not realize anything had happened at all.

"Well Windsor, everything seems to be alright. I will ask Jenna to help you get a maid uniform and instruct you in the etiquette that you need to follow. I will show you to your room and we will start testing your magus affinity later tonight". He then took her to the servant room that was connected to his own room which made her bloom but he did not paid attention to it and returned to his routine.

He was dancing with his spear in the garden as he felt like he had defeated a saint level beast and managed to tame it. The spear moved with ease as he tried to make his spear move like fire would as he entered different stances, sometimes calm and warm at times furious and destructive.

He then took a bath and enjoyed a delicious dinner. After that he summoned Windsor to his room, she entered trembling slightly and with a blush on her face. She was wearing her maid outfit that made Reynolds almost jump onto her, but he controlled himself... it was not the time yet.

He commanded her. "Sit on the carpet with your legs crossed your back straight and rest your hands on your legs". She bowed nervously before doing as she told. "Yes Master". Reynolds smiled he liked the sound of 'master' much more than 'young master' as she had used before.

"I'm going to guide you into your first meditation to test for elemental affinity, so take deep breaths to calm yourself and close your eyes..." After half an hour his hypnotic voice, he found useful to add death magic essence to it, brought the mesmerizing girl into a deep trance.

"Can you see light particles around you?" her voice did not sound mechanical as it had when he applied the 'slaving spell' on her, now her tone was normal but calm without insecurities. "Yes Master, I can". He smiled thinking that he had made a big profit with his first hunt ever. "Tell me, what colors can you see? The quantity of them? How near of far are these light particles from your body?".

"Master, I only can see yellow particles and they are close to me almost touching my body". His smile grew. "You have excellent earth affinity, which means that if you work hard you can become at least a rank 6 earth elemental magus. Now, I will guide you into absorbing this light particles".