As he stepped inside, the atmosphere shifted. The interior was all marble floors and high ceilings, with golden accents that caught the sunlight streaming through the tall windows. Felix’s boots echoed loudly as he crossed the pristine lobby, trying not to look too much like a wide-eyed tourist.
He glanced around, noting how impeccably dressed everyone seemed. In some ways, the Pet Bureau was like a matchmaking agency and everyone who stepped into here—from cats to humans—looked their most polished, putting forth the best image of themselves.
So naturally, Felix felt woefully out of place.
A sleek reception desk manned by a cat attendant stood at the center, while to the left, a café area buzzed with activity. Cats, easily identifiable by their preternatural grace even while in human form, mingled with their human companions. Felix adjusted his hood nervously, acutely aware of the ears that twitched under the fabric.
“Checking in for Felix Bloodstone,” he said, handing over both his school and city ID.
The attendant, a woman with short-cropped hair and a professional smile, nodded, barely blinking at Felix's appearance. “Ah, early, I see. Your appointment to meet your selected humans is at ten. Feel free to wait in the café.”
Felix mumbled a thanks and headed toward the seating area where he chose a corner table. He pulled out his phone to avoid interacting with anyone while also passing the time. On top of everything that happened yesterday, he had yet to fully learn more about this new world he was stuck in. This extra time while waiting was just what he needed.
Felix started simple, typing in Pet Bureau. A deluge of results appeared instantly, listing official websites, news articles, and forums. He tapped on the first link, which brought him to a sleek homepage adorned with elegant graphics of feline and human figures.
The banner at the top read: “Mzia Pet Bureau: Serving the Bond Between Regal Ones and Their Cherished Companions.”
"Okay… 'cherished companions'? That’s one way to put it," Felix muttered.
Scrolling further, he saw a mission statement:
“The Pet Bureau is dedicated to fostering harmonious relationships between Regal Ones and their human pets. From registration to training, we ensure every pet is matched with their perfect Regal One.”
Again, Felix couldn't help drawing connection to a matchmaking agency and unconsciously let out a chortle.
He also noted that the cats of this world didn’t seem to refer to themselves as such but used the rather snooty (in Felix's humble opinion) term “Regal One”.
He moved on to another search: Mzia. Like he had suspected, this wasn’t Earth but B3-52, a planet governed by the Regal Ones—sapient cats with supernatural abilities. Felix clicked on several pages with information about Regal Ones and took some quick notes down while reading.
Regal Ones were the apex species of B3-52. They possessed three distinct forms:
Human Form: Indistinguishable from humans, except for the ears and tail that appear when they aren’t in control.
House Cat Form: Compact and agile, perfect for blending in or relaxation.
Divine Form: Their most powerful state, used only in times of great need.
The hierarchy of Regal Ones are strictly defined:
S-Rank Regal Ones: Deities in all but name. Their divine forms are said to be awe-inspiring, capable of single-handedly quelling the most dangerous Corrupted threats. They rarely interact with society outside of ceremonial occasions.
A-Rank and B-Rank Regal Ones: The backbone of Mzia’s government, military, and other high-level functions. Regal Ones at these ranks are revered for their abilities and intellect.
C-Rank and Below: Ordinary Regal Ones who contribute to society in less glamorous ways, from running businesses to teaching.
There were strict laws governing interactions between humans and Regal Ones. Humans were to be protected and cared for, but there were unspoken social rules that Felix found unnerving. For instance, a Regal One’s competence was often judged by the behavior and appearance of their human pets.
So not only do I have to keep myself from getting found out, I have to make sure my humans don’t embarrass me either? So much work for so little gain! Felix grumbled internally.
His search next led him to Mzia’s government website, which he managed to glean common knowledge on its structure which was divided into three main divisions:
Leader Division: Responsible for policy-making and governance.
Combat Division: Tasked with defending society from threats, including Corrupted beings.
Nurturer Division: Focused on education, healthcare, and the well-being of both humans and Regal Ones.
The Nurturer Division managed facilities like the Ivory Sanctuary, where young Regal Ones lived and were educated until adulthood. Humans, meanwhile, attended separate schools but could earn fellowships to study alongside Regal Ones if deemed exceptionally talented.
Felix leaned back against his seat, letting the information sink in. So… cats run the world, and humans are just kind of… there? Pets? He glanced around the lobby. Most of the humans he saw were fawning over their cats or chatting animatedly, seemingly content with their roles.
"I guess ignorance really is bliss," Felix muttered.
Suddenly, Felix stumbled upon an article on the site that made his stomach churn in uneasiness. It described the Madness Index, a measure of mental stability present in every living being on B3-52—Regal Ones, humans, animals, even plants.
When a being’s Madness Index dropped below zero, they became Corrupted. These creatures, stripped of their rationality, turned into violent, supernatural entities driven by chaos and destruction.
The article included a chilling warning:
“Corrupted beings pose a grave threat to society. When an individual’s Madness Index plummets to dangerous levels, intervention is required. If left unchecked, Corrupted beings can escalate into S-ranked threats, known as Evil Ones.”
Felix swallowed hard. The article went on to describe how the Combat Division was responsible for neutralizing these threats. And apparently, most if not all Regal Ones chose their humans prudently. Humans who could provide moral or even actual support in their career. For example, Regal Ones working in the Big 3 often selected human pets who could provide strategic support in their work. These humans seemed to be the only exceptions to the overly coddled masses. Likewise, their status in society was much higher—the highest a human in this world could reach.
Felix couldn't help thinking about his own selected humans. Could the original him have chosen them in a calculated way? But thinking of what was written on the profiles and their ridiculously good looks, he honestly had some doubts.
Felix’s search brought him back to the role of humans in this society. An article titled The Bond Between Regal Ones and Humans detailed how humans were registered with the Pet Bureau at birth. They were raised with the expectation that they would eventually become the cherished companions of Regal Ones, offering emotional support, companionship, and occasionally specialized skills.
Felix skimmed the section about the selection process. Regal Ones were encouraged to choose their first pets upon reaching adulthood, forming lifelong bonds. The tone of the article was saccharine, emphasizing how Regal Ones adored their humans and would go to great lengths to protect them.
“Adorable and cherished,” Felix muttered, mimicking the article’s tone. “More like overly pampered and clueless.”
Felix’s displeasure hit a crescendo as he pieced together the information. He wasn’t just in a world where cats ruled. He was one of those cats. A Regal One. And not just any Regal One—he’d been recruited into the Combat Division, a position that required strength, skill, and the ability to fight monsters.
Felix slumped against the window, watching the city outside. Why couldn’t he have just transmigrated into a regular human? A normal life, as someone’s adorable and cherished pet, didn’t sound so bad right now.
But another thought crept in, one that brought a flicker of cold comfort. If he’d been chosen for the Combat Division, it must mean he was powerful—at least on paper. That was better than being a helpless human at the bottom of the food chain, vulnerable to the Corrupted.
I just have to figure out how to use these supposed powers without making a fool of myself, Felix thought.
The world he’d found himself in was dangerous, absurd, and overwhelming, but it also offered a golden finger—a chance to survive, maybe even thrive, if he played his cards right.
Felix, determined to shift his focus, picked up the phone again and tapped on the next search result. It was a forum for "young adult Regal Ones," and the title of one thread immediately caught his eye:
"Combat Division Rookie Tips: Surviving Your First Year."
The first post read:
"If you’re reading this, congrats on joining the Combat Division! You’re either incredibly brave or incredibly unlucky. Probably both."
Felix snorted. "Unlucky doesn’t even begin to cover it."
Another post outlined "Combat Essentials," including advice like, "Don’t rely on your divine form unless it’s a last resort—it’s exhausting, and the collateral damage is insane."
Lingering on the words collateral damage, Felix scrolled further. His tail twitched restlessly. "Just what kind of monsters are we talking about here?"
A post further down answered his unspoken question:
"Evil Ones are terrifying, but they have one weakness—"
Before he could read the rest, his phone pinged with a notification. A blinking icon in the corner of the screen caught his attention: a group chat titled Ivory Sanctuary Class of 2024.
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