"Here."

Haruma rolled to him a cleaning caddy filled with supplies.

"Another servant should have already stocked this cart for you. Remember what’s there just in case they forget something."

That morning was busy touring the castle and being introduced to others. The never-ending Beauty and the Beast-like rooms were overwhelming. Hyeon had to constantly tell himself that it was just the first day and everyone feels this way during the first few weeks of a new job.

Then again, not everyone has an energy-sucking wolf for a boss.

"You’ve seen most of Festr Castle, but don’t concern yourself with a majority of it unless someone needs help. Your key priority is the Master’s quarters and occasional outside work."

Hyeon questioned, "Sir, can I ask why I’m in charge of that area and not someone else?"

"So if Master needs your energy, you’re at his beck and call. It’s always been the intern’s responsibility to take care of this area."

Hyeon thought about how Fenrir was desperate for soul energy when they first met. The giant wolf form and urgent need to touch was all too fresh in his mind.

"How long has it been since the last dýr was here?"

"Hmm. A while ago. We had problems with compliance, so that person wasn’t here for long."

"But I thought a contract couldn’t be terminated for that type of thing."

"It can’t," he said this without revealing too much information about the previous person before him. It must be a confidential matter.

Haruma held up his wrist to reveal his insignia. It seems everyone has the same design.

"You do not need to see the Master every day. When he needs soul energy, you’ll feel his call for you through this mark."

Hyeon rubbed his own imprint. He still didn’t know what the weird letters meant.

"What does it feel like when he needs me? How will I know?"

His trainer shrugged. 

"The sense of someone’s insignia being summoned is different for each individual. Currently, I know some feel an itch while another feels like their arm is being snapped in two. I believe how they feel it depends on their past sins."

"What do you feel, sir?"

Haruma didn’t reply. Instead, he chose a few cleaning items from the caddy and explained what they’re used for.

Curiosity was really getting to Hyeon. Although this white fox was respected as an authoritative figure around here and was helpful in his own, odd way, he was sent to the southern lights for a reason.

What did he do to end up here?

He kept pointing to and explaining the equipment. This was the most Hyeon has heard him speak since being here.

"...be wary of acid on your gloves which could leave permanent prints on the furniture. This brush can be used on textiles while this is meant for drawers..."

Who knew he’d actually have more enthusiasm when it comes to work, of all things.

A few hours passed of non-stop details and how to’s. The work generally wasn’t difficult; it was just a lot. As they were backtracking through the hallways, Hyeon heard a commotion nearby. A small group of demon spirits gathered around a circle, cheering on whoever was in the middle. 

Throughout the day, the other servants’ expressions remained passive and focused on their work. Now, their faces showed menacing grins and feral eyes as they observed whatever was happening in front of them. 

"Stay in the back. Don’t talk to anyone," Haruma instructed with a stern voice.

Hyeon listened and watched. Without hesitation, Haruma walked towards the disordered huddle. Light grey smoke, similar to a fire getting ready to ignite, wisped off his body. Was he going to shift? He already had ears and a tail. What else could evolve? 

The circle of servants noticed him approaching and dropped their deranged behaviors quickly, knowing that the offenders would be punished soon. They looked at the ground and scattered to the side. When they did this, it was revealed that two servants were physically fighting. 

One had bird wings that were dark brown with black speckles. It was difficult to get a good look at the details because of the scuffling, but Hyeon could make out feathered, long tufts sticking out from his short hair. He had curved, black talons as fingernails that were aiming to rip out their opponent’s throat. The defender was some sort of rodent who had white and grey hair pulled back in a messy man-bun. His hairless tail whipped back and forth in an attempt to knock the other off their feet. A few punches were thrown around with verbal attacks. Their uniforms were ragged from the scuffle. 

"I wouldn’t expect anything less from a dirty sewer rat to spill bleach on my shoes," the winged person taunted.

"Perhaps if owls weren’t so far-sighted, they would have noticed someone restocking the bleach bottle right next to them. Besides, we both know who has more power between us," retorted the mostly-human rodent as he wrenched one of the owl’s wings down.

Haruma stood nearby and called their names, “Clem. Hearne.”

They didn’t hear him and continued to shred each other. The rat finally tripped the bird to the floor.

Clem said in victory, "Just because my name means merciful, doesn’t mean I’ll give you any. What a fine hunter you turned out to be, Hearne."

He lifted his sharp claws to go for a mortally wounding swipe as the owl below looked ashamed to have lost to their natural prey.

Suddenly, both went flying to the opposite sides of the hallway with a hidden force. After a few moments from impacting the walls, they had a bewildered expression from the random interruption to their match. Hearne remained on the ground rubbing his back. 

Clem cracked his neck while trying to stand up and started to say in anger, "Whoever did that is dead."

When they saw who was responsible for their break up, the rat stumbled right back down in shocking dread. He knew they were in trouble.

In the spot they were just brawling at was surrounded by dense smoke. Two purple eyes could be seen glowing through the dark vapor. A deadly white fox stepped out of the grey cloud. Instead of one tail, there were nine.

Hyeon was awestruck.

Haruma is a nine-tailed kitsune!