The Wolfwood House — Main Hall
The atmosphere in the Wolfwood house's main hall shifted suddenly as Carla entered. With regal grace she crossed to the armchair opposite, seating herself as though she had always been the mistress of the room. Her gaze immediately fixed on Christina, who stood awkwardly beside the scones and juice.
"I see my new maid has arrived," Carla said, her voice carrying playful superiority. "Come now, Christina. Bring me my scones and juice."
Christina's eyes widened.
"Carla? You mean I'm going to…?"
Carla answered firmly, a faint smile on her lips.
"What are you waiting for, applause?"
Christina quickly gathered herself, replying a little clumsily.
"Right away, um… Lady Carla."
Carla nodded in satisfaction and gestured.
"Come, sit beside me properly."
Christina sat down next to her, scone in hand.
"Do I… put a scone in your mouth?" she asked, slightly embarrassed.
Carla laughed, her tone teasing.
"Not in your own mouth. Ah…"
Christina carefully offered the scone, then asked softly:
"Is it good? May I taste one too?"
Carla shrugged, her voice light.
"I don't mind. Eat one yourself—but feed me at the same time."
Christina sighed, muttering quietly.
"You planned this in advance, didn't you?"
Carla's eyes gleamed mischievously.
"I don't know what you're talking about, maid. You came here of your own will—no one forced you."
At last Christina smiled, though her voice carried resignation.
"This round goes to you. I admit it."
The Wolfwood House — Main Hall
The door slowly opened, and Master Florian, the old mage of the Wolfwood house, entered. The aroma of freshly baked scones immediately reached his nose, and he inhaled with satisfaction.
"What delightful scents. Noelle, have you finished the scones?" he asked, his voice playful with curiosity.
Noelle answered sternly, though a mischievous smile lingered on her lips.
"Long ago, you old geezer."
Florian waved dismissively with a laugh.
"Ah, old men like me need plenty of rest."
Noelle's eyes flashed, her tone teasing.
"Of course! You're the one who stays up the latest. And don't think I don't know about your late‑night company. How do you entertain the capital's courtesans? With your magic, perhaps?"
Florian roared with laughter, replying proudly:
"Well, if anything, my magic staff is still full of energy. Hahaha!"
Christina grimaced, pushing her plate aside.
"I think I've lost my appetite for scones."
Andras turned to Florian with a mischievous smile.
"Look at this, Master Florian! Pointed ears on my right, pointed ears on my left. And both in maid outfits."
Florian's eyes swept over the two girls, then he nodded seriously.
"Hmm, let's see. Floralys isn't bad, but Noelle is better."
Floralys spoke up indignantly, her voice tinged with wounded pride.
"Surely your eyesight has worsened with age, old Mage."
Florian's eyes gleamed mischievously as he answered triumphantly:
"Even with these old eyes, I can still see clearly—Noelle's are bigger."
Christina burst out laughing, clapping her hands at the scene.
"Hahaha! You got burned, Floralys."
The Wolfwood House — Main Hall
After their morning training, Andrea and Anita entered the main hall. The aroma of freshly baked scones immediately filled their senses, spreading throughout the room.
"Hmm, you can already smell the scones," Andrea remarked with satisfaction.
"Noelle, did you make pork‑crackling ones too?" Anita asked, her eyes darting toward the table.
"They're right there," Noelle replied proudly.
"Thanks!" Anita bent down to take one, but suddenly a loud puff echoed through the hall. The room fell silent, everyone waiting to see the reaction.
Anita straightened calmly.
"Ah, that felt good. The effect of the morning milk."
The silence was broken by Master Florian, mischief gleaming in his eyes.
"Want to hear a cow's bellow? Then listen to this!" he said, before letting out a long sound that truly resembled a cow's moo.
Carla immediately spoke up in outrage.
"Ugh, Master Florian, that was disgraceful."
But Florian only laughed, his voice booming.
"Ha! If Noelle had done it, you'd have applauded her!"
Noelle's eyes flashed, her voice sharp.
"Just make sure you change your trousers by evening, old geezer, or the courtesans will start charging double for your antics."
Florian roared with laughter, answering triumphantly:
"Relax, Noelle. Old mages all wear brown trousers anyway. Hahaha!"
Floralys grimaced, pushing her plate aside.
"I think I've lost my appetite for scones too."
The Wolfwood House — Main Hall
The door opened softly, and Ironclaw, the Beast girl, entered the room. She immediately lifted her nose to the air, inhaling deeply the scent of scones, then sat contentedly at the feet of the Young Wolf, Andras, like a loyal hunting hound.
"Master, feed me!" she commanded.
"Open your mouth. Here," Andras replied, offering her a cheese scone.
"Hmm, tasty. Now a crackling one," Ironclaw demanded.
"Noelle doesn't have those. You'll get another cheese one. Here," Andras answered calmly.
Floralys spoke up indignantly.
"Hey! We're feeding you, and you're feeding Ironclaw?"
Andras smiled.
"It's a master's duty to feed his pet. When you have one of your own, you'll understand."
"So if I bought a beast‑kin slave someday, I'd have to feed it too?" Floralys asked.
"Of course! That's why you should choose the cutest one," Andras nodded.
"Master, feed me! Crackling scone!" Ironclaw urged again.
Andras turned to Christina.
"Christina, please bring me the crackling scone."
Christina protested.
"But Anita and Andrea are closer to it."
Noelle's eyes flashed, her voice thundered.
"Talking back to your master? That's the fifth penalty! Spanking!"
Anita immediately jumped in, almost triumphantly.
"One hundred spankings for Christina! I'll be the witness!"
"What kind of witness?" Christina objected.
"To ensure the punishment is carried out fairly," Anita replied seriously.
Christina's eyes widened, her voice desperate.
"Wait—one hundred spankings? Even as a child I only got ten from my mother!"
Anita answered sternly.
"A true knight can endure a hundred spankings on her bare backside!"
Christina turned to Andras in shock.
"Wait—you're going to smack my bare bottom, Young Wolf?"
Andras nodded gravely.
"Punishment is punishment."
Christina looked desperately to Carla.
"Carla, tell me they're joking!"
Carla's eyes flashed seriously.
"A wolf maid must be punished by Wolfwood rules. Today you are a wolf, not silver. I'm afraid you won't escape this—even you."
Christina nearly begged.
"Wait! Then make it only ten, alright?"
Noelle answered strictly, though mischief gleamed in her eyes.
"Don't worry, novice. I'll heal you afterward!"
Finally Christina cried out in despair.
"You're just messing with me… right?!"
The Punishment and the Days Before the Semifinals
Christina truly received her punishment. It was carried out in the Young Wolf's chamber, executed by her master, Andras. Anita served as the witness, confirming that the punishment was administered fairly. Noelle was present as healer, tending to Christina after the hundred strikes. At the door, Carla and Floralys were caught eavesdropping. Since Carla was mistress of the Wolfwoods, she had the right to listen in, while Floralys—wearing her maid's uniform—was praised by Noelle for completing yet another maid's duty: the task of eavesdropping at the door.
The second day passed in laughter and playful teasing, allowing Anita, Andrea, and Christina to fully relax before the Knightly Tournament semifinals. On the third day, the Young Wolf prepared the two female Wolf Knights mentally, while they rested physically for the entire day.
At last, the long‑awaited day arrived: the day of the semifinals. What thrilling and eventful battles await us? Will Anita manage to humble the Hero, or will the Hero advance to the finals? Who will triumph in the duel between Christina and Andrea?
The adventures of the Young Wolf continue in the next volume!
To be continued in Volume 2.