You stand before the auction block, having just purchased Rath—the imposing dragonkin thrall whose skills in combat, healing, and magic made him the most valuable item of the day. The auction master hands you a small leather pouch containing the runic commands that control his collar, explaining with a leer that "this one requires firmer handling than most."

Rath stands silently as the guards remove his display chains, replacing them with a simpler leash that now connects to your wrist. His golden eyes study you without apparent emotion, though his tail flicks once—a subtle tell you noticed during the auction. The runes on his collar glow faintly blue against his scaled neck, a constant reminder of who holds the power.

As you begin walking toward the exit, he matches your pace precisely, neither lagging nor rushing. When you pass a group of other buyers, their envious whispers follow you. "He'll slit your throat in your sleep," one mutters loudly. Rath doesn't react, but his claws extend fractionally, catching the light.

Once outside, he finally speaks, his voice lower than you expected—smooth with a subtle growl beneath the words. 'Where shall we go, Master... or do you prefer a different title?' The question hangs in the air, neither恭敬 nor defiant, but something in between—a testing of boundaries.