The Psychopathic Beast Emperor

Bahamut and Exildra’s show of affection to Lily had become the talk of the sect after the day’s battles were over. Even his fight with Gabi didn’t gain as much exposure as this. The most asked question was...

What do they see in him?

Yes! What do they see in him? What do Exildra and Lily see in Bahamut? Is it because of his strength? There were stronger people than him.

Is it handsomeness? He had a lot of rivalry in that department. Was it charm? He was a newbie in that department. So what exactly helped him get two of the most beautiful ladies in the sect? Even though they were all new disciples, Exildra and Lily were among those given the hidden title of sect beauty. They were part of the most sought-after girls, as if they were a commodity.

But not only had Bahamut gotten a sect beauty, but he had snatched two, and they were even ready to share him from what they had witnessed. Anyone who knew Lily knew how she was. She was crazy, sly, proud, and never shared her stuff with anyone. That was how the Kuramas were. But to see her like that with a human boy and an elf girl was more shocking than saying that the fox empress was marrying. They were both shocking events, but Lily’s own was more shocking.

And then, there was Exildra, an Esteria, a powerful family despite their fall from grace.

People could only wonder just what Bahamut said into their ears to get both of them like that.

...

The sect did not sleep that night. It buzzed.

From the outer residences to the inner courtyards, from quiet corridors to crowded training grounds, one topic spread like wildfire, carried by whispers, arguments, disbelief, and pure, unfiltered curiosity.

Everywhere, it was still the same question.

"What do they see in him?"

...

At the outer disciples’ quarters, a group of youths sat in a loose circle, bowls of food long forgotten in their hands.

"I’m telling you, it has to be strength," one of them insisted, slamming his chopsticks down. "Did you not see his fight? That kind of power..."

"It is not unique," another cut in immediately. "There are inner disciples stronger than him. Even among us, there are people who can match that level."

"Then what? His face?" a third scoffed. "He’s handsome, sure, but don’t act like he’s the only one. Look at the inner sect alone..."

"That’s what I’m saying!" the first snapped. "It doesn’t add up!"

Silence fell for a moment. Then someone muttered.

"Maybe he’s cursed."

They all paused.

"Cursed?"

"Yeah. Like... some kind of attraction curse. You know, the kind that messes with your head."

"That’s stupid."

"Is it though?"

They all went quiet again.

...

Elsewhere, near the female residences, a cluster of girls huddled together, their voices low but sharp.

"I don’t get it," one of them said, arms folded tightly. "Exildra? Fine. Maybe she sees something. But Lily, too?"

"That’s the problem," another replied. "Lily doesn’t share. Ever."

"Exactly!"

"She literally tried to claw someone’s eyes out last week for touching her food."

"And now she’s... that?"

A third girl frowned slightly, thoughtful.

"Did you see her expression?"

They turned to her.

"What about it?"

"It wasn’t fake."

That made them pause.

"She looked..." the girl hesitated. "...happy."

Silence.

"That’s even worse," someone muttered.

...

At the training grounds, a group of older disciples leaned against a stone wall, watching the night sky.

"This is bad," one of them said flatly.

"How so?"

"That kind of influence... It’s disruptive."

"Influence?" another laughed. "You’re acting like he’s some kind of leader."

"He might as well be," the first replied. "Think about it. In just a short time, he’s drawn that much attention. Not just from disciples... even the elders are watching him more closely now."

"So?"

"So if this keeps up, people are going to start picking sides. Admiration, jealousy, resentment... it all builds."

A pause.

"You’re overthinking it."

"Am I?"

The question lingered.

...

Near the inner sect’s walkway, two cloaked figures spoke in hushed tones.

"The Kurama girl..."

"Yes."

"That change in her behavior... It’s not natural."

"You think it’s him?"

"I think... something about him affects people."

"That’s a dangerous assumption."

"Is it?"

Neither spoke for a while.

"And the Esteria girl?"

"Even more concerning."

...

In a quiet corner of the sect, a lone disciple sat cross-legged, eyes closed, but his thoughts far from calm.

"Two sect beauties..."

His fingers tightened slightly.

"Sharing..."

His aura flickered faintly before stabilizing again.

"Ridiculous."

...

Even among the elders, the murmurs had begun. It was not loud or obvious, but it was present. A passing glance, a slight pause in conversation, a shift in attention. The kind of subtle awareness that only those who had lived long enough could notice, because this wasn’t just gossip. It was a ripple, and ripples had a way of becoming waves.

...

Back in the outer sect, one final voice spoke, quieter than the rest, almost lost in the noise.

"Maybe..."

The others turned.

"Maybe it’s not about what he has."

A pause.

"What do you mean?"

The speaker shrugged slightly.

"Maybe it’s about how he makes them feel."

Silence followed. No one responded, because that answer... was the most confusing one of all.

...

Bahamut walked with tired steps into his residence, only to come upon two pairs of eyes piercing through him as if he’d stolen something.

"What?" He asked in confusion at Sel and Ren.

"Do you realize what you’ve caused again?" Sel asked with a smile.

"Oh? Is it the talk about my relationship with the girls?" Bahamut asked with a nonchalant expression.

"Yeah. What else?" Ren chimed in with a click of his tongue.

"Sucks to be them," Bahamut said as he dropped onto the floor. He lay down with his hands crossed behind his head, looking at the ceiling.

"So, are you gonna ask me my secret too?" He added, referring to the two.

"Ask you for pointers? Bruh... I’d rather stay as a bunny," Ren commented with a chuckle, making Bahamut’s eye twitch in annoyance.

"You seem to forget that we gave you the push to get Exildra. If anything, you should be coming to us, bearing gifts of appreciation," Sel added.

"Says the guy who can’t tell the truth of his feelings to the lady he loves," Bahamut countered with a dark smile.

Sel’s expression twisted darkly as his eyes glowed.

"I will kill you..."

"HAHAHAHA!"