Chapter 32: A New Collar? And There’s Even a Ring on It!

A new collar?

There’s even a ring on it!

Lilia held up the mini Feathered Cat Teaser in her hand, her face full of pride.

She had just learned her first Magic!

Even though it was just a Feathered Cat Teaser, it proved her talent!

“Master! I’m amazing, right! Meow!”

Lucia reached out and rubbed her head.

This time, the motion was gentler than ever before.

Lilia squinted in comfort, a purring sound rumbling from her throat.

Wait.

She suddenly opened her eyes.

No!

She had almost let this damned body’s instincts take over again!

Now was the time to negotiate!

“Um….. “

Lilia tilted her face up, her bright heterochromatic eyes fixed on Lucia.

“I did so well, shouldn’t there be a reward? Meow?”

She deliberately emphasized the word “reward”.

The Succubus Advancement Manual: How to Turn Innate Gifts into Weapons said that one should learn to exchange achievements for bargaining chips.

As long as she could get the first reward, there would be a second and a third!

Sooner or later, she would use this method to exchange for real freedom and power from this pervert!

Lucia stopped rubbing her head.

She looked at the anticipation on Lilia’s small face and smiled.

“Yes, you performed so well that you certainly deserve a reward.”

Success!

Lilia was elated inside.

She was just about to say, “I want to learn a real attack spell”.

Lucia clapped her hands.

The door to the study opened silently.

Lilith walked in carrying a tray.

It was that tray again.

And that damned black velvet cloth.

Lilia’s smile froze.

Something was wrong.

She had seen this scene three times already.

The first time was the cat ears and cat tail.

The second time was the Bell Collar.

The third time was that shameful Lace Apron.

Every time this thing appeared, nothing good happened!

Her tail behind her swished uneasily.

“Master… what is this? Meow?”

Even she could hear the trembling in her voice.

“Open it and you’ll see.”

Lucia took the tray from Lilith’s hands and set it on the desk.

Then, in front of Lilia, she lifted the velvet cloth.

A black leather collar lay in the tray.

Wider and heavier than the one she was wearing now.

No extra lace or bows, just a simple and rugged style.

But the most important thing—

At the front of the collar was a silver metal ring gleaming coldly.

Lilia’s mind went “buzz”.

A leash ring—

No, right now it was just a ring.

But she knew exactly what the presence of that ring meant.

“This is made from the hide of a young Abyssal Dragon Lizard, imbued with the Magic of ‘Toughness’ and ‘Tranquility’.”

Lucia picked up the collar and weighed it in her hand.

“Wearing it will help you concentrate better and stabilize your magic power.”

“I don’t want it! Meow!”

Lilia blurted out without thinking.

She recoiled in fear, the fur on her tail bristling.

“This isn’t a reward at all! It’s a—

Dog leash!”

She swallowed the last three words.

“Mm?”

Lucia raised an eyebrow, her blood-red eyes fixed on her.

“You don’t like it?”

“I don’t like it! Meow! Not at all! Meow!”

Lilia shook her head furiously.

Was this a joke?

Wearing a bell around her neck was already embarrassing enough.

And now, this thing with a ring?

Was she supposed to be walked around like a dog?

Her dignity wouldn’t allow it!

“Is that so?”

Lucia took the collar and stepped toward her.

“But I think it suits you very well.”

“Don’t come closer! Meow!”

Lilia backed away.

At the same time, she frantically called out to the Succubus Advancement Manual in her mind.

What should she do?

What should she do if the enemy made an unacceptable demand?

The book said… to guide the other party into proposing an alternative!

Yes!

An alternative!

“Master!”

Lilia forced herself to calm down.

“This reward is too valuable, meow!”

“I only learned how to conjure a Feathered Cat Teaser, I don’t deserve something this nice, meow!”

She waved her hands desperately, forcing a panicked expression onto her face.

“You should wait until I learn a more powerful Magic before giving me such a reward, meow!”

“For example… for example, when I learn the Fireball Spell!”

“Yes! When I master the Fireball Spell, you can give it to me then, and I’ll wear it happily! Meow!”

Delaying tactics.

If she could put it off, maybe something would change.

Lucia paused.

She seemed to be considering the proposal.

“Oh? So you mean that if I teach you the Fireball Spell, you’ll be willing to wear it?”

“Yes yes yes! Meow!”

Lilia nodded furiously.

The Fireball Spell was so difficult—who knew when she’d actually be able to learn it?

“Very well.”

Lucia’s reply made her heart sink.

“I’ll teach you right now.”

She snapped her fingers.

A fist-sized black fireball appeared out of thin air in her palm.

The fireball floated there, emanating a destructive aura.

“Watch carefully. This is the Fireball Spell.”

Lilia was dumbfounded.

Teach her now?

Wasn’t this a bit too rushed?

“Lilith.”

Lucia gave an order without looking back.

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Lilith appeared behind Lilia.

Two hands pressed down on her shoulders.

Lilia froze.

A power she couldn’t resist held her firmly in place.

“Before learning Magic, you must receive your reward.”

Lucia took the black collar and walked up to her.

She personally unfastened the thin Bell Collar from Lilia’s neck.

The clear sound of the bell faded away.

In its place, the wider, heavier leather collar with the silver ring was fastened around her slender neck.

“Click.”

A soft sound.

The collar locked into place.

The size was just right, snug against her skin.

Lilia stood frozen.

She could clearly feel the weight of the collar around her neck.

And the cold, humiliating metal ring that symbolized her subjugation.

It was over.

Her last shred of dignity shattered with that “click”.

“Very beautiful.”

Lucia stepped back, admiring her new “work”.

The black collar made Lilia’s neck appear even paler and more delicate.

The silver ring sparkled under the magical lamp’s light—cold and enticing.

“Well then,”

Lucia turned and walked back to the desk, picking up the black fireball again.

“Let’s begin our Fireball Spell lesson.”