- 'Now then, the final stage is all that remains. Lets get on with this.'
Thought Val, looking at the magic screen above. Zelos’s projection displayed on the magic screen, and the busting arena quieted down to hear him.
- “According to Sir Edric’s judgment, you have passed the second stage of trial. Well done. Although Sir Edric didn’t use even the quarter of his strength, it was enough to overwhelm warriors of the same temple rank as yours”
Said Zelos, mixing mockery between his praises.
- “Overcoming our fears is one of the great challenge for all warriors. It determines your potential and your fate. Remember that well”
Zelos continued without waiting for Val’s reaction
- “Now that you’ve replenished yourself, let’s move on to the final stage of this trial”
- ‘Yes, dusk is approaching. I must finish this quickly and leave Kelnar’
Thought Val, watching the golden rays of the sun slowly leaving the arena. As per Kelnar’s tradition, Val knew he is not allowed to stay in the city after completing the trial.
Unfortunately, it’ll be nighttime when he’ll finally leave Kelnar, and he knew the danger of venturing in the wilderness at night.
- “The final stage is called The Ordeal of Discernment. It’ll test your ability to make judgments under perilous circumstances. A choice that may seem easy yet difficult at the same time”
Zelos continued
- “Recently, we captured a legendary rank beast on the outskirt of Dunnet-Un. The beast was meant to be prepared as your mount, but unfortunately, our warriors failed to tame it”
Said Zelos, pausing briefly.
- “The beast possesses a rare mutation, making it more intelligent and powerful than the other beasts. You have two choices: either kill it or tame it. Both choices are difficult, yes, but comparatively, killing is easier than taming it”
Zelos explained, and the arena started bustling again. The spectators were shocked, hearing about the mutated beast, it made them feel worried for Val.
- ‘Capturing a mutated legendary beast? Must be done by a Bishop rank. . . Wait! They were planning to give it to me?’
Thought Val, sighing. It is well known in the Lower Realm that mutated beasts, as rare as they are, make bad companions. Unless you’re an Ixeger, who can bound them with a pact, mutated beasts are not trustworthy.
- “If you’ll choose to kill it, we’ll just prepare a new mount for your journey. But if you tame it, it might give you an unexpected boon. That is only if you’re able to do it. Is that understood?”
Zelos asked
- ‘Wait! . . Then, how will I be judged? . . Whatever, lets first try to tame it. If the beast refuses to yield or if it’ll take much more than its worth, then I’ll just slay it’
Val was confused about the clear condition of the final stage, even though it was near impossible for him to tame it, he decided to give it a try while keeping a limit in his mind.
He nodded, giving his confirmation to Zelos.
- “Very well. The final stage of trial begins here. May the Goddess watch over you.”
Announced Zelos, giving a signal to release the beast.
Clung~!
The arena gates swung open, releasing a cloud of white mist onto the ground.
Grrr~!
Growling fiercely, the beast emerged from the mist, walking across the arena with a menacing presence. Its jaws emitted the same white smoke as it snarled, and its orange eyes glowed with killing intent.
Standing 7ft tall, the beast possessed the sturdy body of a wolf and the head of a fox. Its orange and white fur, along with its long feather-like ears and tail, added to its striking appearance.
- ‘Wait! these markings . . I remember writing about it’
Thought Val, looking at the beast. Unique gold canine teeth, and golden lines that started from its canine teeth and went all the way up to its ears, crossing its eyes. These golden markings on the beast were the indication of a rare mutation
- ‘A mutation influenced by the divinity of Divine Realm, making the beast more powerful at night’
Thought Theo, remembering the details he mentioned in his novel.
Grrraaw~!
Standing 40m away, the beast roared at Val, ready to lunge at him.
- ‘Also, there are several cuts on its body, evidence of previous attempts at taming’
Val observed the beast's injuries. The wounds were fresh and bloody, making the beast even more dangerous.
Grrraaw~!
The beast dashed toward Val, snapping its jaws. It didn’t come straight but from the side to attack him.
- ‘I should exhaust it first’
Val decided, standing indifferently, watching the beast approaching him from right side.
Approaching close, the beast lunged at him to bite out his head. But Val swiftly jumped up and twisted his body in mid-air, dodging its jaws.
Their eyes met in that brief moment, and the beast observed his indifferent gaze, that resembled an abyss.
The beast stopped its momentum, digging its fangs on the ground, and turned around to lunge at Val again. But it found him running in the opposite direction. Without any delay, the beast chased after him.
Val ran straight to the wall of arena, but the beast was catching up to him since he was not using mana. Reaching close enough, the beast lunged at his back, but Val stepped on the wall of arena and leaped backwards, past over the beast, making the beast crashed in the wall.
- ‘That was close’
Thought Val, glancing at the beast after landing back on his feet.
- ‘Lets increase the distance’
Val quickly turned around and dashed toward the center of arena ground.
The beast got back on its feet, and started chasing Val again. Reaching at the center, Val suddenly turned around and dashed toward the coming beast. The beast flinched but didn’t stop, it ran even faster toward Val, snapping its jaws.
Reaching close, the beast lunged at Val, but he quickly lowered his body and slid under the beast.
- ‘What’s this?’
Thought Val, looking at the beast after getting back on his feet.
Having failed at attack, the beast didn’t stop but started encircling Val. A thick white mist started releasing from its fur and its jaws, which later covered the whole arena ground, and consumed Val.
- ‘I can’t sense its presence or hear anything. It’s like it vanished in the mist. A special ability, I guess’
Thought Val, looking around himself, blinded by the eerie mist. Suddenly, a large claw manifested within the mist and descending toward his head. At last moment, his instincts triggered, and he quickly covered his head, crossing his hands.
BOOM~!
The mana shield activated, blocking the beast's claw and saving Val from harm. However, the mana shield was shattered, and its impact sent him flying back several meters.
- ‘Unlike before, it’s more stronger and faster. Its strength is slightly greater than an Arch-Priest and it is using mist to hide its presence’
Thought Val, looking around for the beast. The situation has became more dangerous but he still didn’t drew out his sword. Raising his sword will only be perceived as showing hostility, he was avoiding that in order to show the beast that he don’t mean any harm.
- ‘Back!’
Val instinctively sensed the attack coming at his back. He tried to turn around but the beast was faster. Beast’s claw collided with his mana shield and deflected backwards. The mana shield shattered, releasing a force that threw Val away. He quickly twisted his body and able to land on his feet.
***
- “Oh goddess, what is happening? That beast is really dangerous”
- “That mist is covering the whole ground, blocking our view”
- “Strangely, it is even blocking the sound. Oh Goddess, please protect His Grace.”
- “Don’t worry, his grace is strong”
Due to that mist, spectators were not able to see what is happening in the arena ground. The whole arena was growing impatient in anticipation of the end.
***
BANG~! BANG~!
The beast relentlessly attacked Val while concealing itself in the mist, making it difficult for him to sense the incoming strikes. That mist was a domain of the beast, and Val had become its prey.
BANG~!
Val rolled over the ground, thrown away by the impact of mana shield and the beast. But he lay there, his back against the ground, peering through the mist with an expressionless and dusty face
- “That was my 9th mana shield. I only have one remain. I guess, that’s enough playing around”
Said Val, closing his eyes. He had been cautious about using his mana in front of his father, but with the mist concealing him, he no longer needed to worry.
So, he allowed his mana to flow throughout his body, and resumed his primal mana breathing.
- “Mana Sense”
Said Val, using one of his mana skills. Mana sense allowed Val to perceive the world in terms of mana. Since, everything is composed of mana, nothing can be hidden from him.
- “Found You!”
Val exclaimed, his eyes shot open, glowing like blue rings. Mist covered his body and he vanished.
Grrr~!
Growling, the beast materialized out of the mist, and looked around in search for Val. It was confused, because it couldn’t able to sense Val’s presence anymore.
- “Looking for me?”
Asked Val from behind the beast.
Startled by his sudden appearance, the beast turned back with a jump and found Val standing behind it. His body was surrounded by a flickering blue aura, resembling small flames, and his eyes continued to glow with blue rings.
- ‘Gaia Child!!’
A surprised voice of a girl echoed in Val’s mind.
- “Gaia? Wait! You can communicate?”
Asked Val in surprise.
Grrr~!
The beast growled angrily, raising its guard.
- “I don’t mean any harm, beast”
Val raised his hands in surrender and ceased the flow of his mana, returning to his normal state.
- ‘Her mutation granted her a greater intellect and thanks to the Monster Tongue skill, I can understand her. This is an opportunity’
Thought Val
Grrraaw~!
- ‘Lie!! I hear they say I’m a sacrifice for you’
The beast’s angry shout echoed in Val’s mind. The time when she was captured, many warriors joked and laughed, saying that she’ll just be a sacrifice for Val given her rebellious temperament.
- “It does not matter what other say, beast. I’m not here to harm you”
Said Val, sitting on the ground leisurely facing the beast.
Grrr~!
The beast growled, looking toward his sword.
- “Oh! This? . . Better now?”
Noticing beast’s gaze, Val removed his sword and tossed it behind his back to ease beast’s wariness. Although the beast remained cautious around him, but fatigue was accumulating on her as she was constantly maintaining the mist.
- “Now, tell me, beast, what do you want?”
Asked Val
- ‘go home’
the beast replied, baring her ferocious teeth.
- “You mean Dunnet-Un? I want to go there as well. Lets leave this place together then”
He was as emotionless and indifferent as ever
- ‘So that you can use me? I’m no servant, I’ll not be your lackey’
The beast retorted
- “I’m not asking you to be one. You can’t leave this place without me, and I need your help to reach Dunnet-Un. After that, we’ll go our separate ways. So, what do you say?”
Asked Val. The beast pondered about Val’s offer and gave her reply
- ‘Deceive me, I’ll rip your head’
The beast warned
- “Sure, sure, I don’t want to lose my head either”
Said Val, standing up.
- “Lets take care of your injuries first”
Val channeled his mana, his eyes glowed like blue halo, his body covered in blue aura like flames. He approached the beast, but the beast flinched, and took a step back, shaken by his mana pressure.
- “Stay still, beast”
Said Val, gathering and condensing the mana of nature. An azure wind infused with natural mana began swirling around him. With each passing second, the azure wind deepened in color and glowed brighter.
- ‘Mana Healing’
Val raised his hand, allowing the azure wind to flow from his hand towards the beast. Like a gentle breeze, the azure wind brushed against the beast, causing its wounds to close and its exhaustion to fade away. Showered with condensed pure mana, she felt refreshed and it reminded her of home, the forest.
- “We’ll treat your wounds soon. For now, this’ll ease your pain, beast”
Said Val, looking up to the beast, stopping his mana flow and mana breathing.
- ‘no beast, I’m Gehma’
Said the beast in annoyance, sitting back and turning her head away from Val.
- “Ok Gehma, we’ll leave this place soon. Until then, just do as I say”
Said Val, turning away to look for his sword.
- ‘Hmph’
Gehma scoffed
- ‘This brat’
Sighed Val
- “Clear the mist, Gehma”
Said Val, as he couldn’t able find his sword. Gehma obeyed him regardless of her rebellious behavior. She closed her eyes and mist started fading, helping Val to locate his sword.
- ‘I threw it too far away’
He complained, walking toward the sword.
As the mist dissipated, the arena erupted in shock.
- “W-What? Where is His Grace going, showing his back to the beast?”
- “But look, that beast is just sitting there calmly”
- “Does that mean..”
- “Oh Goddess, what just happened in that mist?”
Val picked up his sword and came to stand in front of Gehma.
- ‘Bow, when I bow, Gehma’
Said Val, looking up to Gehma, communicating with her through thoughts. But she just moved her head away, ignoring him. Val sighed in defeat and bowed his head first to her.
Gehma looked at him with side glances, and was reminded how he had healed her and refrained from attacking her during the entire fight. Finally, she bowed her head in return, acknowledging the kindness he had shown her.
Witnessing the scene, the entire arena erupted in cheers.
- "Oh Goddess, His Grace has tamed the beast!"
- "That means, His Grace has successfully completed the trial"
- "Yaah! Long live His Grace the Third!"
***
- “ How is he able to tame a beast when even our experienced warriors couldn't do it? Just how is he become so much capable?”
Asked Zelos in confusion, watching Val and Gehma bowing to each other from the special room of arena. Zion had already left the room, greeting his teeth when he saw Val walking leisurely in the arena.
Eira, on the other hand, felt a mix of emotions. She was relieved that Val was leaving Kelnar, but she also worried that he might return after a year. She didn't want to see him again.
Asvaldur stood up from his seat, and his image projected on the magic screen. Val and Gehma stood side by side, attentively awaiting his words.
- “You chose to tame the beast instead of killing it, and because of that decision, you’ve gained a reliable companion. This stage was prepared to test your judgment ability but in truth, it is your resolve which was put to test”
Said Asvaldur in his elegant, suppressing voice.
- “Making a decision is easy, but having the resolve to follow through is very difficult. Understand that there are no inherently right decisions. Once you have made a decision, make it right with your own actions”
Asvaldur continues
- “You have passed the trial of courage, and by doing so, you have proven your resolve to all of Kelnar. As per the traditions, visit the Shrine of Goddess Hiera before beginning your journey. Do not forget what you’ve learned here, and that’ll be enough. May the Goddess watch over you”
Asvaldur concluded his speech and left with the others, while the entire arena erupted in joyous cheers, praising Val and the divine family.
- "Finally, it's time to leave this place"
Said Val, looking around the Arena.
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