Weakest Beast Tamer Gets All SSS Dragons novel Chapter 126

"I told you before," Ren stepped forward, cutting off Klein's monologue. "That kind of thinking is for halfwits."

Klein froze in the doorway. His golden lion manifested more fully. "What did you say?"

"Having a beast that is decent in the lower ranks doesn't give you the right to look down on others." Ren's mushrooms pulsed with growing intensity, their light steady and unwavering. "Or to threaten humiliation... or to treat people like objects."

"A decent beast?" Klein turned fully. "My golden lion's lineage is the culmination of generations of noble cultivation. You dare call it decent? What next, will you compare it to your pathetic mushrooms?"

"Your beast or your noble genes don't make you a better person than anyone else," Ren's voice remained firm, unbending. "And tomorrow won't be the easy victory you imagine against my awesome spore!"

Min and Taro straightened slightly at his words. It wasn't a promise of victory, both understood the real odds too well for that. But it was a promise of dignity.

"Are you challenging me, mushroom?" Klein stepped forward, but Ren held his ground.

"I'm reminding you that arrogance has a price." Ren met Klein's gaze steadily. "And that my friends deserve respect, regardless of tomorrow's outcome."

Feng and Astor exchanged wary glances. Few dared confront Klein like this.

"Tomorrow," Klein practically spat the word, "you'll regret every single one of those words. And when I'm done with you and your pathetic friends, everyone will see the difference between…"

"The difference between someone who needs to humiliate others to feel superior," Ren cut in, "and those who win or lose with dignity."

Outside in the dark hallway, the girl held her breath. Her mistake in being seen had caused Klein to reveal something perturbing, but at least now she knew...

Though now she would have to report this unexpected development. The Goldcrest heir was saying very concerning things, and she didn't like hearing that at all...

At least Ren seemed unwilling to let Klein say whatever he wanted about it.

The silence that followed within the room crackled with tension. Golden patterns danced across Klein's skin, pulsing with fury.

"Tomorrow," Klein finally spoke, his voice cold as winter frost. "In the arena. We'll settle this once and for all."

"Tomorrow," Ren nodded once.

When Klein and his followers finally left, Min released the breath he'd been holding.

"What was all that about?" Taro asked as they finally closed the door.

"Klein being Klein," Min shrugged, though worry lined his face.

"He's trying to intimidate you," Liu suggested. "Though I don't know what he meant about Luna... Wait! Is he jealous because Ren seduced her in the room the other day?"

"Don't be ridiculous..." Ren sighed.

"Ren," Taro began hesitantly, "we..."

"I know," Ren turned to face Taro and Min. "I know the odds aren't in our favor. But that doesn't mean we have to accept his threats or his contempt."

"You're right. Even if we lose," Min smiled faintly, "at least we'll do it on our terms."

"And he'll have to earn his victory," Taro added, his voice stronger now.

Liu watched from his corner, a small smile playing on his lips.

They might not win tomorrow, but something more important had been strengthened tonight.

Ren's mushrooms pulsed softly as he began planning tomorrow's battle. He couldn't promise them victory, but he could ensure Klein never forgot this encounter.

♢♢♢♢

Luna, Liora, and Larissa gathered in the main room each night, a ritual as familiar as breathing.

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Two of the three cousins shared the characteristic blue hair of the adjacent family, while one bore the blonde of the main line. Each wore it differently, like variations on a noble theme.

"You won't believe the horror story I just heard!" One burst into the room, practically trembling with disgust. "Klein is shouting to the four winds that he has a fiancée!"

"That's impossible," another replied, sitting ramrod straight with an irritated expression. "Marriage promises can't even be made until sixteen."