Chapter 115: Chloe Evans, The King’s New Pet
The light of the ritual didn’t vanish all at once.
It slowly faded, revealing what it had been hiding.
Max narrowed his eyes, still blinded by the magical glow. He blinked several times, trying to focus... until finally, the silhouette at the center of the circle began to take shape.
It was a woman. Human.
Blonde hair falling over her shoulders. She looked to be around thirty years old. Her body was clearly well-trained. She wore tight black leggings, white running shoes, and a purple jacket with the logo of the brand "Mike."
"...Mike?" Max muttered, confused.
A few steps away, the king reacted immediately.
He straightened up.
Back straight. Hands behind his back... awkwardly hiding the wine bottle. His expression shifted into forced seriousness—almost ridiculous.
Max had to bite his lip to keep from laughing.
Dorian, on the other hand, observed with satisfaction.
"The ritual has been completed."
The woman turned in place, looking at everything around her.
Massive columns. Strange creatures. Clothing... she didn’t recognize.
Voices all around. But she understood nothing. Not a single word.
Even so, she didn’t panic. Her breathing was controlled. Her eyes, sharp.
Waiting.
Measuring.
Dorian smiled, clearly pleased.
"Magnificent..."
He stepped closer, openly analyzing her.
"...she looks healthy, seems strong... and—"
He didn’t get to finish.
The woman moved fast.
One leg bent. One arm raised to guard her face. The other ready below.
It was a perfect stance.
Dorian blinked.
"...oh."
He tried to step closer to examine her better.
And she attacked.
She jumped.
Spun.
A clean, precise kick.
A solid impact to the elf’s face.
CRACK
Dorian didn’t even have time to react.
He was sent flying and hit the ground.
Silence.
"...yes," Dorian muttered from the floor, his voice slightly nasal.
"I can confirm she’s strong."
Don’s eyes widened in surprise.
The king, however, smiled, satisfied.
"Excellent!"
He crossed his arms proudly.
"Clearly my pet must be strong!"
The woman took a step back, confused, looking at everyone.
"What do you want from me? Who are you? Where am I?"
No one answered.
Except one.
Max.
His eyes widened slightly.
’She speaks my language...’
He looked at her more carefully.
’...she didn’t consume the language book...’
A thought crossed his mind.
’...what options did they give her before she appeared here...?’
And then, without hesitation, he stepped forward slowly.
Hands visible. No threat.
"Relax," he said, in her language.
The woman tensed... but didn’t attack.
"...what?"
She stared at him, wary.
But he... was the only human. The only one who understood her.
"We’re in another world," Max continued. "They’re not hostile."
Pause.
"They brought me here the same way. With the same magic."
The woman hesitated. Her eyes scanned the room once more... then returned to him.
"...my name is Chloe Evans," she finally said.
She swallowed.
"I don’t know why... but I trust you."
Max nodded slightly.
"Max Stones."
He shrugged.
"And believe me... if they wanted to hurt you, you’d already be dead."
He gestured behind him.
"Especially after kicking the royal healer."
Chloe turned.
She saw Dorian on the ground, with blood coming from his nose and the perfect imprint of her sneaker on his face.
"...oops."
At that moment, the king approached. A bit... nervous. He extended the wine bottle toward her, without saying a word. Just offering it.
Chloe looked at him. Then at the bottle.
"I don’t drink alcohol... but thank you."
The king smiled... understanding absolutely nothing. But clearly sensing the rejection.
Max sighed. He turned to him and spoke in elvish.
"Your Majesty... perhaps it would be better to offer her water or juice. She doesn’t drink alcohol."
The king blinked. Then nodded quickly.
"Don!"
He pointed energetically.
"A barrel of water for my new pet!"
Then he looked back at Max.
"Good work, my boy."
Chloe watched the scene, surprised.
"...how...?"
She looked at Max.
"How can you talk to them and understand them?"
Max gave a small smile.
"I consumed the language book the system gives you when you arrive."
Chloe frowned.
"...consume a book?"
Pause.
"Wouldn’t it be... read it?"
Max let out a small laugh.
"Yeah... well... we’ve got a lot to talk about."
He looked at her carefully.
"What’s the last thing you remember?"
Chloe looked down for a moment.
"I had gone out for a run in the park, like every day."
She took a deep breath.
"I crossed a street... and a truck..."
She pressed her lips together.
"The driver fell asleep. I saw it coming."
Pause.
"...everything moved in slow motion."
Max looked away.
’...yeah... the classic truck-isekai cliché...’
Chloe shook her head.
"I don’t want to talk about that anymore."
"That’s fine, don’t worry."
At that moment, heavy footsteps were heard.
Don returned, carrying a massive wooden barrel filled with water.
He set it down nearby with a dull thud.
The king pointed at it enthusiastically, offering it with exaggerated gestures.
Max couldn’t help but laugh.
"It’s a gift from the king. A barrel full of water."
Chloe looked at him... then at the barrel.
"...I guess thanks."
Behind them, Dorian got up, wiping the blood from his nose.
"I must say..."
He adjusted his clothes, smiling.
"...I love it when beautiful women kick me."
Max sighed.
He looked at Chloe.
"The royal healer just wants to check if you’re okay."
Chloe frowned.
"I don’t like strangers touching me."
Max turned his head toward Dorian.
"Bad news."
Pause.
"She says don’t come near her."
He looked at him seriously.
"Unless you want another hit."
Dorian touched his face... thoughtfully.
"...that sounds tempting."
The king cleared his throat, regaining his composed demeanor.
"Max."
He pointed at him slightly.
"I entrust you with the training of my new pet."
Max blinked.
"...training?"
The king nodded, completely serious.
"I trust that you will... teach her manners, customs... and obedience."
Then he narrowed his eyes, curious.
"Though before that..."
He leaned slightly toward him.
"How is it that you can speak with us... and she cannot?"
Max sighed lightly.
"It’s thanks to an item, Your Majesty. A language book."
He scratched the back of his neck.
"I... consumed it. That’s why I can understand and speak all languages automatically."
He pointed at Chloe.
"She didn’t."
The king raised an eyebrow.
"...I see."
Max continued:
"I’m going to need one. At least an elvish language book, so she can learn."
The king waved his hand dismissively.
"Don’t worry about that."
He smiled.
"The castle librarian should have several."
Don stepped forward.
"I will take care of it immediately, my king. I will ask Arwen."
Max nodded, satisfied.
"Perfect."
Chloe looked from one to another, increasingly confused.
"What are you saying?"
She frowned.
"And why does everyone look so happy?"
Max turned back to her.
"They’re going to bring you a book to learn the elvish language."
Chloe made a face.
"...I’m not really a fan of reading."
She crossed her arms.
"It was hard enough learning Spanish and French... I don’t even want to imagine how long it’ll take to learn a language from another world."
Max let out a soft laugh.
"Don’t worry."
Pause.
"It’s easier than you think."
Chloe glanced at him sideways.
"You say that because you already know it."
Max smiled.
"...maybe."