Chapter 7 – A Noble Cat (1)
Clayo eluded the cat and ran away to his bedroom.
Heck! I have to put on my clothes first.
Two clothes were hung together inside the closet. One was a white shirt with a stiff collar along with a gray vest, and beside it was a black jacket with a long hem. It looks like they were school uniforms.
Boom! Boom! Scratch! Boom!
Just before he could button his uniform, Clayo opened the door where the cat was incessantly beating from the outside.
“Why are you trying to evade me, boy? Ain’t I just asking for food, huh?”
When the colossal cat jumped at him, Clayo’s light body rolled down on the floor from the impact.
“This cat can speak well…”
“Meow!!!”
He tried but couldn’t resist the giant cat who went wild, entangling him on the floor.
I am in a world of magic and swords, and I still can’t believe that cats can talk.
The colossal cat above him, who was pushing its paws against its chest, was warm and soft, despite being a feisty little creature. Clayo finally gives in after being shoved frequently by the cat’s massive front paws.
“Okay, okay, I’ll give you rice. But you’ll have to answer some questions in return.”
“Rice!” replied the colossal cat and continued, “In truth, I am looking for certain deceitful students.”
The cat who had pinned the young skinny boy effortlessly to the ground leaped away and wriggled a bit.
“Am I a crooked student?” asked Clayo.
“Why are you bothered? I believed your father had poured a large sum of money for your magical pedagogy here.”
It seems my father is affluent, but I guessed we’re not close to each other.
Despite the lack of familial connection, he was still glad he had financial stability in this world.
The cat stared at Clayo, still lying on the floor, wariness present in its form. A golden light suddenly emerged from its black irises. The cat trembled and suddenly jumped up on its hind legs.
“You are not Clayo Asser!”
This cat is smart.
Clayo stood up and before the wary cat.
“Who are you?” the cat inquired curiously.
“I’m just someone who’ll feed you.”
“Of course, you’ll give me my rice!”
“Yes, don’t worry. But how did you notice that I’m not Clayo? Would other cats and people recognize the difference as well?”
In the meantime, his identity was revealed to this cat only. But it would be difficult if another character, especially the important ones, would recognize he was a mere imposter. He wants to enjoy the luxuries and comforts borne from his father’s affluence. It would be too much of a fuss to get involved with other characters.
“I hold the eyes of truth that can see through a person’s nature. It is a power that had existed before the world divided into nine. This noble cat is simply inimitable .”
Clayo lifted the cat slightly with a look of admiration. “It’s wonderful. So you’re the only one who can see through me?”
“That’s the way it is.”
What a relief.
But no, isn’t it a bit disappointing that among the rest, only a cat had come to him? He had an accident, yet, even if half a day has passed, not a single friend came to visit.
“Meoow, meow–”
“You look cuter when you don’t talk.”
Once again, the furry paws connected with Clayo’s face. “This wretched thing!”
Clayo avoided the cat’s paw in time and threw in a question. “By the way, what’s your name, cat?”
“Let me know, too!” the cat replied.
“I guess you don’t have one then.”
“It’s just that no one has dared to name this noble cat.”
“So, I’m right. You don’t have a name.”
“How can a mere mortal bestow this noble cat a name, meow?” The cat, while standing on its hind legs, stretched out like a two-legged walking creature that resembles something big and dreary.
There’s a name that comes to mind.
“Cat, can I call you Behemoth? Isn’t it good? It’s cool,” he suggested.
The cat immediately objected. “How dare you call this noble cat with that name!”
“You must be like your name. It’s the name of a wonderful teacher of mine…”
“Who?”
“I can’t tell you,” Clayo answered with a sly smile on his face.
“Meow…”
“Behemoth.”
Behemoth, the cat, bent down on the floor with his four paws and accepted Clayo’s suggestion. “I’ll accept such commendation. But a lesser man must refer to me as ‘noble teacher.’”
“Absolutely yes! Teach me, noble teacher, because I’ve lost my memory after I fell into the river yesterday.”
“You haven’t lost your memories. You are Clayo, but at the same time, you’re not him.”
“But, regardless, I am Clayo Asser now.”
The cat snorted.
“So, I need to know more about myself. Besides, I just want my noble teacher to lead me through all of this. What do you say, huh?”
The cat snorted a second time when Clayo attempted to cuddle him, trying to appear persuasive and friendly. After all, Behemoth could be an essential company, for he was the cat who had lived for a long time in school and simply knew everything.
Every year, the cat observes new students, targeting a vulnerable student to use as his source for rice. It was a cat’s remarkable innate cunningness.
“So, in your opinion, I am the weakest and easiest student this year?” he clarified.
“I suppose you are, but the real Clayo didn’t get all cozy with me like you!’’
“Yes, yes, I won’t muddle you anymore. Just give me some vital bits of advice. I am all ears.”
“Ahem, then listen carefully. Not only do you have weak ether sensitivity, you didn’t have guts as well. You’re always stuck in your room crying without a single friend by your side. Fueled by rejection, you only relied your father’s money,” the cat listed impassively.