As Ryner was heading toward a certain spot inside the large training field, he stopped and turned around to look at a hero that was glaring at him. It was a boy with black hair, brown eyes and glasses. As he stared at his face, he remembered that it was the same student that was the first to collapse on the first day of training. In fact, this boy would always be the first to give up during their training sessions for the past week. Then again, that was normal since he didn’t look like he kept himself in shape as he had a skinny body with no visible muscles.

“(Guess he’s not too happy about my style of training. Probably had it easier with Cain.)” [Ryner]

Ryner thought as he saw the eyes darkened with hatred. He wasn’t really well-liked among the students.

“What’s up kid? If you want to pick a fight, then I don’t mind.” [Ryner]

He said in a relaxed tone, but after a few seconds of silent glaring, the young man turned his back on him and left as he said a few words.

“… There’s no need.” [Random hero]

His voice was emotionless as he suppressed his wrath and indignation. Ryner watched him for a few moments before going back on his way. But, he was stopped by another person. It was a young girl that had brown skin, dark caramel eyes and long black hair. She was a cute lady with a slim and small body that was slightly childish for her age. Putting it bluntly, she looked younger than a high schooler. Standing several meters in front of him, she stared at him with an expressionless face without moving at all.

“…” [Ryner]

“…” [Random hero]

The two were completely silent and immobile like statues with one looking down on the other because of the height difference. Without warning, as if making up her mind, she trotted over to him, stared at his face for a few seconds, and stretched her left hand out to him.

“… If you’re not gonna give the skull to anyone, can I have it?” [Random hero]

She said in a quiet voice.

“…” [Ryner]

Without saying anything, Ryner raised his hand and put it through the blue circle made of rings that appeared by his will. He pulled out a white human skull and gave it to her. Upon receiving it, she grabbed it with both hands and looked at it with sparkling eyes.

“Oohhh!” [Random hero]

Not paying attention to Ryner anymore, she left in a happy gait while holding her new toy to her small chest.

“… The hell was that?” [Ryner]

It was the first time he talked to that girl that liked to receive human skulls as a gift.

“Did you see that?” [Random hero]

“Yeah, I did.” [Random hero]

“He actually gave a girl that creepy skull for real.” [Random hero]

“I know, right?” [Random hero]

“First it was sexual harassment and now this…” [Random hero]

“Even though he gave those cute bells to Aria and Elena…” [Random hero]

A couple of girls a bit away were quietly whispering to each other while staring at him with disdain. Although there were many students that didn’t like him, there were also some that didn’t mind interacting with him like the skull girl. But, with his horrible first impression, most of the students in the class stayed away from him.

Making his way to the side of the wall near the entrance, he could see a small group of knights along with some maids surrounding a table and chairs that were carried to the training field. There, Prince Alex, Princess Lillian and Prince Carl were elegantly having tea and snacks together. Alex had joined his siblings and was resting until training began again.

“Hello Ryner. Would you like some tea?” [Lillian]

Lillian asked when Ryner got closed to them after the knights made way for him.

“No thanks, I’m just here for the usual chess match with Carl and… You don’t have it.” [Ryner]

Sitting down on the last free chair, he looked at the little boy that was eating a slice of cake while tilting his head. The chess board that he always saw was not on the table or anywhere else. Carl, blushing and glaring, looked away from him as he answered in a stutter.

“It-it’s fine to take a break once in a while! I’ll beat you tomorrow, but for now I want to relax!” [Carl]

Once he was done talking, he stuffed his cheeks and ignored Ryner.

“Well, alright then. Guess I’ll have some tea too.” [Ryner]

At his words, one of the maids swiftly moved to set a cup of tea in front of him with practiced movements. Ryner was sipping on his drink while Carl, who had his back to him, was looking his way from time to time. The youngest prince didn’t notice that his two siblings were watching him with a warm gaze. Slowly, his hostility had turned into competitive spirit and he started interacting with his so-called enemy the same way one would when he was quarreling with a friend. They were happy for him and thankful to Ryner because their youngest brother acted more like his age then they did when they were younger, so they could easily see when he was sad and lonely with no kids of his age to befriend. Although there were the heroes in the castle too and each time he was excited to see them, but these otherworlders were busy getting stronger and he was busy with his studies, so they interacted a few times only.

However, after meeting Ryner who took over the heroes’ training, Carl was distracted from his usual worries and focused all his energy on winning in chess. This of course caused troubles to the tutors in charge of teaching him, but he looked more energetic than usual and they could even catch him happily smiling from time to time as he looked forward to their next match. The same could be said for these two. The three royal siblings had gotten used to being with Ryner.

They weren’t sure what would happen when they gave him the right to disrespect royalty, but he treated them with enough politeness that he didn’t get on their nerve, except for Carl during their chess match. It felt weird since they weren’t used to a commoner talking to them as an equal, but the commoner was an otherworlder, so they managed to accept it as dealing with someone with no common sense.

“Ryner, I’d like to ask you something about that beastman. Is she going to be ok?” [Alex]

Alex, who didn’t interact with other races much, didn’t like or hate Maya. To him, she was this person’s slave only and he respected him after training under him. Although all he saw was just a glimpse of his true strength, Ryner was most likely the most powerful warrior he ever met. It was a shame that he couldn’t use magic. Otherwise he would have easily been able to stand among the heroes. No, he could probably surpass them.

“Hmm, what do you mean? Is something wrong with her?” [Ryner]

Ryner asked as he tilted his head and put down his teacup.

“(Now that he brings it up, Maya’s been avoiding me all day. I wonder why… She’s probably embarrassed from this morning.)” [Ryner]

He contemplated in his mind as he waited for Alex to talk who looked at his little sister that was blushing for some reason. Her eyes seemed to say that she didn’t mind, but begged him not to say anything unnecessary as she then looked at their eight years-old little brother who was busy eating his cake. Turning his attention back to Ryner, Alex started on the sensitive topic.

“Well, I heard that today’s the start of their… mating season.” [Alex]

“Ohhh, is that so-wait what?” [Ryner]

With a surprise expression, he asked again to make sure that he didn’t just hear it wrong.

“Beastmen have this same trait as animals. Once their body is mature enough, they will experience mating season. During this time of the year, they will feel the urge to look for a… partner you could say. Of course, it doesn’t mean that they will indiscriminately choose anyone, but rather they feel more attracted to the one they like and will be more willing to… Well, mate with said person. That’s according to what I’ve been taught anyway…” [Alex]

He explained with a bit of difficulty because the topic was something he was uncomfortable with, even if he was already twenty-one years old. On a side note, Lillian, a young girl in puberty, was looking at her teacup on the table with her face red and Carl was still too innocent to get the innuendo behind his brother’s words. Understanding what he meant, Ryner nodded his head while he looked for Maya in the training field.

“I see… So basically, there are gonna be some idiots who think they can get lucky with a beastman during this time of the year.” [Ryner]

He found her talking with three male students further away from his position. One had short dirty blond hair with blue eyes and the other had short brown hair with dark green eyes. Their supposed leader, who was busy appealing to Maya, had light brown hair tied in a small ponytail and hazel eyes that shifted from green to brown around the irises. They always hanged out together and were the ones who stared at Maya the most with lecherous eyes. Having heard of the beastmen’s mating season, they decided to try their luck and approached Maya with ulterior motives like usual, but with more confidence than before.

“(No wonder she acted like that this morning. Still, should I set up some countermeasures for her…? I should probably have some for myself too…)” [Ryner]

“Correct, that’s why I was asking if she was going to be fine. After all, she is your slave.” [Alex]

He looked at the prince again who also spotted Maya before answering him.

“Well, she’ll be fine. I taught her how to defend herself after all. How long does mating season last anyway?” [Ryner]

“It lasts for about two weeks. Until then, I advise you to keep an eye on her.” [Alex]

“Got it. Well, what can I say? Thanks for telling me. Knowing this will help me a lot.” [Ryner]

“There’s no need for thanks. I just wanted to warn you in case you didn’t know since you’re an otherworlder. It’s also in gratitude for your training.” [Alex]

He said while smiling and took a sip from his tea. Lillian was glad that the topic was over as she put a hand on her chest and breathed a sigh of relief. Carl was looking at her quizzically, wondering why she seemed relieved. Taking another look again, on the other side, the three heroes that were trying to pick up Maya soon left, visibly dejected. The beastman in question noticed Ryner’s stare and turned her back to him. She put up a calm front and had been enduring a burning sensation in her abdomen all day long, but she would definitely lose it if she stayed close to him.

“(Don’t look at Master. Don’t look at Master. Don’t look at Master. I want to mate with Master-No! Don’t look at Master! Don’t look at Master!)” [Maya]

She had experienced mating season before when she had turned sixteen years-old, but she never had any longing for anyone. While everyone was happily looking for a lover, she was focused on her training all day long and merely got a small urge to comfort herself at night. This year was completely different from all the other times. The small urge became a huge craving that was gnawing at her. Her mind was filled with only one person, with one desire.

“(Don’t look at Master! Don’t look at Master! Mate with Master! N-No I can’t! I’ve been raped damn it! I can’t do the same thing as those bastards and force myself on him! And push him down in bed! And get on top of him! And rip his clothes off! And look at his naked body…! And feel his bare chest with my hands… And kiss him as much as I want… And mate all night long… And…)” [Maya]

To those present, she looked completely calm, but to Ryner, he could tell that her mind was in chaos because of how her tail was waving around furiously.

“(Two weeks… How am I going to deal with this?)” [Ryner]

*Author note* I'm adding this note here after reading the comments. THERE WON'T BE ANY NTR WITH MAYA.

I hate that stuff.