Michelle

I had done it! The Emperor terrified me. Even more so when he singled me out. I had thought that everyone else was going to fight like me, but everyone clearly hadn’t practiced and gathered every scrap of knowledge. There were some tense moments, and my bright red hand monster took more damage than it should have. Thankfully it was my go-to testing monster for a reason, since it could regenerate.

Also, metal monsters were incredibly rare. So there was a very low chance of a direct type counter. I had served in the army and had leveraged that to get a license. Once I had heard about the tournament, I knew I had to enter and win.

Working with monsters was easier than working with people. That was why I didn’t join a team. Also, it was hard to focus properly with multiple monsters. That was why I liked this single monster format. It gave me a chance to shine.

I just didn’t realize that I would be singled out. The crowd was going wild at my success. The cheering was nearly overwhelming. The counting too had been quite a bit. I couldn’t help but wonder what special prize I was getting.

Emperor Michael made his way over to me. His face scrunched up for a moment and the surrounding sound quieted down. How had he done that? “Michelle, congratulations. Your technique was very impressive. Even better than the Ritualists,” he said.

“Ah, thank you, but I don’t really know who that is,” I replied. I didn’t stay up to date on the gossip. Was he some sort of super summoner the Emperor had on retainer? The Emperor chuckled at that.

“A great enemy that I eventually killed. Also, the pioneer of many techniques that people use today,” he replied. I felt my knees grow weak. Please don’t kill me. Please don’t kill me. “Let me ask, do you have a request of me?”

“Points are good,” I quickly said and he nodded.

“If I offered you a position. Would you accept it?” he asked me.

“Um, what kind of position?”

“On my team. Your talent is impressive Monster Master Michelle. I would have you at my side battling higher level monsters. Of course you would get a lot of points to survive and thrive. But I didn’t want to offer you and make you feel forced to accept.”

“I..I have to decide now?” I asked nervously.

“Yes. Just like you were decisive in those fights, being decisive with something like this is important as well,” he said. I didn’t know what I wanted to do. I gulped nervously.

“Yes,” I finally decided. I wasn’t a people person, but he took the time to ask me nicely and not in front of everyone. I could respect someone who respected me. Even if he had a scary reputation and melted people.

“Excellent. Go in front of the judge’s platform with your team.” The sounds of the crowds rushed over us once more. I quickly made my way over as he shot away in a blast of air. He quickly returned and landed in front of me. His voice boomed out over the arena somehow.

“Michelle, you have triumphed and shown the Empire that your talents are second to none. In addition to the regular reward of two Rods of Taming, two million points, a letter from me. There is an additional prizes, granted to you by me personally as Emperor!”

“First, you have earned the title of Monster Master. Your battling skills are beyond impressive. Standing above all your peers without question. When all officially address you, this title shall be yours. Now and forevermore!”

“Second, you have shown your determination and grit. To put everything on the line and triumph against difficult odds. While the arena is not a level 4 or 5 zone, your true character has still shown through. That is why I offer you a place on my team as summoner. Will you do me the honor of accepting?” he asked.

I nodded, the words catching in my throat. I was terrible at public speaking and resisted the urge to cover my face. “Thank you for you acceptance Monster Master Michelle. Now a short break before we start the next round of single matches with level 3 monsters!”

The crowd roared. Emperor Michael leaned in close to speak, not repeating his earlier silencing trick. “You can wait in the Imperial box. Tell Samantha that she is to arrange for your stay at the Imperial Palace. Also let her know, that preparations need to be made to pull fifty million for you.”

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

“What? Fifty million points?” I felt faint.

“I know it isn’t much. But that will put you over four thousand stat points. If you are going to be on my team, you need that much. Level 4 monsters are no joke. Anything after that I will have to consider carefully. If we can capture a lot of level 4 monsters, then we can use that income to help boost your stats.”

I wanted to faint. Fifty million points. I couldn’t even think how long it would take me to get that much and he just decided to give it to me for joining his team. Getting the couple million I already had, was an incredible amount of work and effort. Now I was just getting so much for doing something anyone could do.

“That’s…that’s too much!” I finally said.

“Hmm, it really isn’t. Now if it was a billion points, then that would be a bit much. But fifty million is nothing. Just keep doing what you have been, and everything will be fine. Well, if you want to feel like you have earned it, then beat me.”

“Beat you?!” I asked, afraid. I had no chance against him. I didn’t want to die.

“Yes. There is an exhibition between me and my personal guards tomorrow. But I think you might do better. I will let you pick one of the level 4 monsters I have captured. Consider that an additional signing bonus. I will show them to you after the next part of the tournament. Will be interesting how well you do against me and in a team environment with one monster.”

I wanted to object, but he had already turned away. I dismissed my monsters and made my way out of the arena. A black woman with an afro was waiting for me. The afro was kind of frizzing out right now. I would have said it was the heat, but the temperature was very stable.

“Monster Master Michelle, did Emperor Michael pass on any instructions?” she asked me.

“Samantha?” I asked.

“Yes,” she replied.

“I am to get a place in the Imperial Palace, and to go to the Imperial box in the arena. He mentioned that he would be giving me a level 4 monster for the exhibition match tomorrow,” I explained.

“That is fine, do you have belongings stored anywhere?” she asked me.

“Only in room 68 here in the arena. Just two packs. One with crystals and summoning supplies. The other with my personal items.”

“I will have them moved.”

“Oh, he also mentioned he wants to arrange for me to get fifty million points,” I added. Samantha froze up at that and looked at me.

“I am not accusing you of anything, but you are sure about that amount?” she asked me.

“Yes. He was very clear about it, and how it was a small amount,” I replied. Samantha closed her eyes and nodded.

“Alright. If you need anything, or have questions, feel free to ask me. Most likely I will be appointed as his personal assistant after this tournament. Which means if you have problems, he will be annoyed. If there is anything at all, please don’t hesitate to ask me,” Samantha said.

“I will. Thank you,” I replied.

“No need. You earned your position yourself Monster Master Michelle.”

“Ah, you can just call me Michelle,” I said hurriedly. That title was so embarrassing.

“Very well Michelle.” She then called over a soldier and assigned him as my escort. I was taken up to the Imperial Box as Emperor Michael was just announcing the next matches of the tournament.

“Hello,” an older looking woman with her hair done up greeted me. Her eyes seemed to pierce through my soul.

“Supreme Governor Clarissa!” I squeaked out.

“Sit next to me.” I quickly took the seat. Food and water were brought over. I hastily filled up a provided plate and got some orange juice to place on the table next to me.

“So, Monster Master Michelle, what city did you arrive in?”

“Truth. I was out there grinding, and fought as a soldier for a while. But once the war was over, I went off on my own to grind. Oh, you can just call me Michelle. I don’t know why Emperor Michael gave me that title,” I replied quickly.

“You can call me Clarissa. As for the title. I suspect Michael did it as a way to show his appreciation for your talent.”

“He mentioned that I was better than someone he knew,” I said quickly.

“Ah, the Ritualist?” I nodded at that. “A great enemy before the Divine Empress who almost killed us all. A genius in monster control. The slime on wolf technique was pioneered by him.”

“Really? What else did he do?” I asked with curiosity.

“Human experimentation. I would say his body count might even rival the Divine Empress’ if you only count the people she killed directly.” I gulped at that. “He died not far from here. After transforming into a monster himself.”

“That doesn’t sound pleasant,” I replied, not knowing what else to say.

“Indeed. You can do anything else, but don’t betray or speak about Michael behind his back. He won’t care if you sleep around. Or other things. But he won’t take betrayal or perceived betrayal kindly. And I would prefer not to deal with the fallout,” Clarissa explained.

“I won’t. I promise.”

“Words are easy, but actions are much harder Michelle. Your position is incredibly sensitive and will have political implications. You don’t need to worry about any of that. But people will try to take advantage of you. Asking you innocuous questions to gain information on him. You cannot answer any of them. Do you understand?”

“Yes,” I replied.

“Even how long you are gone for or his movements. If he dies, what do you think will happen?”

“Someone else will be Emperor and you will keep running things?” I wasn’t sure. I helped sell plants at a local flower shop and stayed away from politics. They were stressful to even think about.

“Chaos and war. It would be the end of the Empire of Purgatory. Only his position at the top creates stability. If you compromise his safety in any way, I will be most upset. And if he dies, you better be next to him,” Clarissa replied while sipping her drink. I felt myself pale a bit at that.

“This isn’t a threat. But just the reality I need you to be aware of. He is the lynchpin that holds all this together. That is keeping old Earth resentments from leaking through. His absolute power and the death of the Divine Empress by his hands has solidified his position in a way nothing else can. Don’t mess that up. I enjoy peace instead of chaos and war.”

“Got it. I will be careful,” I quickly replied and chugged down my orange juice.