“I do not want to continue.” Jensen groaned as they got out of the carriage for a break. They had left the campus with droves of other students heading to the festival. He did not take kindly to the long trip.
“Stop complaining you could be motion sick like her.” Meredith scolded Jensen pointing at Auna.
“I’ll be okay. We should arrive in tonight, right? It will give me some time to rest.” Auna moaned quietly as she lay on the grass. It was early morning. They had left the evening before going through the capital teleport to the Wardite one. They then rode in the carriage all night the creatures pulling the carriage easily able to do so. The drivers being switched out as needed. They were now near the border of Bloodwave territory. It would take a few hours after that to get to the hunting grounds. The border town of Bloodwave would be hosting the event as usual.
The Bloodwaves and the Pearls would be staying at the mayors’ home which did not surprise Auna. The king would also be at the mayors’ house. In small towns like this the Mayors’ house was as big a manor to host such guests. The part of the house Auna had seen was mainly the front area. A hall would connect the front to the guest wings. The mayors staff lived in the front of the house while the mayor and his family lived in the east wing. The larger west wing was for guests. She would have to be careful visiting Ciela. Ciela stayed home, and would be in contact with the elders in their dungeon for the next few days. She was a little worried, but willing to have Auna leave her if it meant winning the seeds. She didn’t even know what was in the seeds.
“We will reach by the end of the day, should be in time for dinner.” Duke Pearl smiled. This was the first time in a few years he made the journey for the festival. It was dangerous to travel so far in the pada season, which had most of the nobles on the western side of the country struggle to make it. Some would just stay in the capital for the pada season, while others like duke Pearl just did not go. Though they usually sent at least one person from their territories to participate by hosting them in the capital for the season. Duke Pearl would usually stay with his children and wife sending a representative. This year though his wife said he had to go to watch their children.
“Please don’t mention food.” Auna moaned.
“You really can’t handle motion in a carriage well.” Jensen sighed putting a cool cloth on her head as he placed her head on his lap.
“Thanks.” Auna groaned again closing her eyes.
It wasn’t a long stop before they were back on the road with Auna looking even more pale than she usually did. The next few hours were awful for her. Once they arrived in the town, she was carried off the carriage wrapped in a blanket. She was groaning and not opening her eyes. It was near dinner time.
“Is the child, okay?” The king had arrived before them and came to great his ward.
“She will be. She gets sick from motion. It’ll take a few hours at least for to be okay.” Duke Pearl bowed to the king jostling Auna who moaned loudly in protest. “So sorry.” He tried to calm her.
“Don’t worry about etiquette please take care of the child.” The king waved them away to which the Duke gave a nod leaving with the children. Other people had seen the scene and rumors that the girl would not be able to participate began to spread.
In the evening Auna woke up. The moon was brightly shining in the room she, Meredith, and Chloe were sharing. She looked through her logs to see she had been bathed by the female staff and put to bed. She had a couple hours before the events would start. She decided to start her day. Ciela would understand if she didn’t visit till tonight. She had warned her she might not.
Stretching she got dressed in thicker pants and a short-sleeved tunic with a partial back, and a turtle neck. Her mantel was secured to her shirt instead of around her neck. She had picked stronger fabric for the event, the cotton fabric ripping too easily. She wore no shoes still instead wrapping her knees and ankles for extra support. She grabbed her sunglasses for later, along with putting her sword on her hip.
Slowly she slipped out of her room. She wanted to find the kitchen to eat, her storage only having snacks. She would need a proper meal if she wanted to be her best. She had never been in the guest wing though, quickly she got lost. Even with her map she struggled to find her way.
“Careful child.” Auna heard from above her when she bumped into a person rounding the corner. Looking up Auna saw the King, dressed and ready for the day as well. “Why are you wandering around in the dark?”
“Sorry for bumping into you.” Auna smiled sheepishly. “I don’t need light to see. I am cursed when it comes to light you know.”
“You really drop your formal manners when alone don’t you?” The king laughed as he motioned for her to follow. “I am heading to the kitchen want to join?”
“Sorry my king, I can be unmannered.” Auna bowed before following after him.
“Is it good?” The king asked again as Auna scarfed down fruit tarts he had offered her while the staff cooked them breakfast. The staff knew the king would wake early which was why a crew was awake.
“Yes, my king.” Auna nodded happily.
“Are you feeling well enough to participate?” The king asked warmly with a small hint of disappointment in his voice.
“Yes, I just need some food and fresh air. I was planning to go outside it is rare to have a morning with the moon shining through in the pada season. I just get motion sick is all.” Auna nodded as she ate the final bite of the fruit tart.
“I see. I am glad you can participate.” The hint of disappointment was gone from his voice.
“Please enjoy.” The staff gave a bow as they placed plates in front of the two early birds.
“Thank you!” Auna gave a smile folding her hands in prayer. It was habit she picked up from her old world, and revived during her religious classes.
“Are you done praying?” The king asked as she picked her fork up.
“Do you not pray?” Auna asked taking a bit of sausage.
“I do sometimes.” The king grabbed his own fork to eat. He had politely waited for her to pray.
“Okay, time for fresh air.” Auna smiled placing her plate in the sink for the dish washer. The king brought his plate as well.
“May I join you?” The king asked.
“Wouldn’t people think you are giving me inside information about the events?” Auna questioned. She did not want people to think she cheated.
“True, can my body guard escort you? There are many people around.” The king asked not expecting Auna to turn her gaze to the body who was hiding in the shadows. He wasn’t physically visible but she looked right at him. The king could see him only due to the charm around his neck.
“Sure, he can come. Only if he stays in the shadows though, I don’t want people to think I am cheating.” Auna gave a smile and waved at the man hidden who tilting his head gestured for her to lead the way outside. She did give a final goodbye to the king with a polite curtsey.
“It is so nice out here.” Auna took a deep breath as Theo came walking up to her. He had been asleep upstairs when she left the room. She had not wanted to disturb him as he was cuddled cozily beside Chloe. Chloe often got cold easily so Theo would sleep with her.
“Theo, do you want to go for a run? Would the shadows be able to keep up with us?” Auna asked glancing at the man in the shadow, who gave her a thumbs up.
Quickly Auna melted into the moonlight which surprised the man in the shadow, who could still see her. “Is this why you could see me?” He questioned.
“Most likely the moonlight and the darkness does exist side by side. Theo come on.” Auna called to which Theo then melted into the moonlight. They had found out the beasts could enter moonlight and sunlight naturally. Being moon and sun wolves it made scene, even without a skill it was a part of them. They did maybe the trace skills they had made it possible.
The three of them spent nearly an hour zipping through the town watching people and exploring the different temporary stalls being set up. They ended back in the garden to the king waiting with Duke Pearl.
“You really need to be more mindful of letting us know where you are going, Jensen nearly burned the town down looking for you. I convinced him to eat breakfast first though. Please go calm him.” Duke Pearl half scolded her. He was unaware of the kings’ guard still in the shadows, laughing at her being scolded.
Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.
“I will go calm him, but please remember I am not your child.” Auna smiled asking Theo to shrink down before entering the house. She gave the king a proper curtsey again before leaving.
“That girl is going to be the death of me.” Duke Pearl sighed deeply watching the little girl leave.
“Thank you for caring for her. She did tell me she was heading out though. I allowed it; I have someone watching her.” The king gave smile to Duke Pearl before leaving.
“Is she one of the shadows as well?” The king asked quietly. Although he wasn’t he could communicate with the shadows.
“No sir. She was in the moonlight. It was beautiful. I am not sure she could do such things in the day time though.” Giving a bow only the king could see the man laughed. “I was surprised though. A moonwalker has not been seen in many eras.” The king nodded satisfied for now, he felt a presence he would rather not speak in front of.
Ayda who had absorbed a stealth skill slunk away back to her master who was reading the logs in real time. A convenient way to eavesdrop.
Soon the event started. Once the older children were sent into the forest the younger ones began fighting in the arena that had been set up. The first day was for individual matches, the group event would be tomorrow. The event tested endurance, skill, and strength as such participants would have to do all ten fights back-to-back. The only break given was the time it took to bring in the next monster. Many children could do three without issue. Once the fourth round started many would pull out. Some made it to six, others eight. No one had made it to ten yet.
Even Jensen had to stop at eight due to a rough hit to his head making him see double. He left the arena to rest for tomorrow. Meredith made it only to five as she was better in support. The triplets struggled working alone each making it to seven. Chloe made it to the ninth but she ran out of energy falling unconscious before they could bring out the tenth. It was horrifying to see the difficulty of the challenge.
Many parents were complaining that it was too hard this year. They gave credit to anyone able to reach six. Apparently, it was common for majority of the children to make it to eight. This year it seemed too hard. Auna was the last contestant, the order was picked by class level. As a ward with no real family backing, she was lower than even commoners. Tomorrow her group would also be last due to that.
Stepping into the arena Auna gripped her sword. The first few monsters had been weak, suddenly increasing in power at the third. The first monster was a purple slime. A toxic shot of liquid was sent at her from it landing on her mantle as she pulled it protectively over her. She rushed the slime monster quickly destroying the core with her sword.
Auna jumped back to the far end of the arena as they brought in a goblin, with black skin. As she met it in close combat, she noticed her sword would not cut his skin. It was solid as metal, sparking as she hit it. Jumping back, she took a second to think continuing to doge the blunt weapon in its hand. Making up her mind she sighed. She sheathed her sword on her hip.
Rushing forward she kicked the goblin as hard as she could in the nuts. It dropped down dropping the blunt weapon on its’ way. She picked up the blunt weapon clenched her teeth and began the long process of beating it to death. Huffing heavily, she dropped the weapon when the staff member began cleaning the corpse away. She again went to the far side of the arena.
A wolf was next with red hair. It shot fire at her as she ran around it. She heard screams of injustice saying Auna was being given only unique monsters unlike the other children. Auna came to a quick stop stepping backward she casted water magic. She surrounded the head of the wolf maintaining focus as she moved the wolf drowned after five minutes.
Stepping to the opposite side of the arena again she waited for the fourth monster. What came was a horned rabbit. Instead of one horn there was two, it was obvious someone was putting her through the wringer on purpose. She clenched her teeth and sheathed her sword again. Using her mantle as a distraction the rabbit missed her body and was caught by her. She snapped its neck.
The fifth monster was a huge snake. It swallowed her after a thirty-minute fight. She cut herself out covered in blood and stomach acid she smiles screaming for more. The sixth monster was a winged bat like creature that didn’t seme interested in escaping. Using her own wings, she fought it in the air removing both wings before its’ head.
The seventh monster was a pack of cat like creatures with stingers. Everyone had had to fight a pack of creatures for their seventh round. “You have to be joking me, my pack has ten! Everyone else had five what the heck!” Auna roared as she began to ready her spell, she was not going to take them down one by one.
“Lighting chain” Auna whispered as she pointed her hand towards the biggest cat scorpion. They had a weakness of lightning releasing her spell it was the quickest round yet. They all fell dead. The shock of her defeating them so quickly gave her more time before the eighth monster even if it was just thirty-seconds more.
The eight monster was a mole like creature. It really pissed Auna off as she hated going under ground. She crawled through the tunnels made in the arena killed the creature after a few deep bites dragging her kill to the surface.
The ninth monster was an orc with blue skin. An ice orc very rare. She sliced away at it using a hit and run method. She would throw fire magic at it sparingly. She didn’t want to show too much of her power or it would be suspicious most kids couldn’t just fire off high level magic constantly. Soon though she managed to hit an important blood vessel causing it to bleed out.
The tenth monster was a bear. “Really?” Auna couldn’t help but laugh thinking about the first monster bear she fought. This one had lightning magic arching off of it though. Fully evolved into a monster. It stood over three times her height. Without wasting any time, she flew up as high as she could while still being able to see the bear. The bear was looking side to side for its’ prey. It had not noticed her leap into the air, the damaged arena made many possible hiding spots. Her blood was splashed everywhere as well, confusing the nose on the bear. She didn’t allow for it to be confusing long. Using wind magic to keep her quiet and her scent away from the bear she dropped propelling herself faster than gravity.
With great effort her sword entered the bears head cracking into small chunks. Breathing heavily, she raised her arms with a big smile. “I have killed the bear!”
“You have. Do you wish to claim your prize, or to go another round? An interesting monster was brought back the other day by a group. Would you like to fight it?” The king asked as everyone screamed with excitement. The king did not often present the special monsters for fights, usually fighting them himself.
“I will fight.” Auna nodded with a growl. Soon a pure black wolf with red eyes was brought into the arena. “Shit.” Auna groaned as the wolf dashed to her. She jumped into the air spreading her wings moving her mantle to the front of her. The wolf made wings of smoke following her to the air.
“Fuck you!” Auna yelled as he dove out of the way of the teeth aimed at her throat, they landed on her shoulder. They had been fighting for nearly an hour, Auna smiled wickedly. She had been waiting for this. Both of her arms were sore and bleeding. There was no strength left. Instead, she bit down on the wolfs’ neck. Blood soaked her chin and chest. The wolf yelped and tried to thrash her off. Her teeth would not release though, her sword had been knocked away so she used her nails to gain purchase on the huge wolf. After five minutes the fight was over.
“I have killed the wolf.” Auna howled loudly to the spectators excited screams.
While Auna was guided else wear to be cleaned and bandaged the older group of children had returned. The king would award the kids after the older ones’ hunts were cataloged.
“That was morbid!” Chloe laughed as she howled.
“It really was.” Jensen gave a howl as well.
“Are you guys going to all howl now? I did what I had to!” Auna laughed as she was being bandaged. They were watching the rain from under the covered arena seats. The king would be calling up the top three winners soon.
“Third place, Jordan Sapphire. Jordan, you made it to eighth using precise calculating skill. You suffered very little wounds and accurately knew when you had to leave the arena. You should be proud of your accomplishment here today.” The king gave the 11-year-old boy a plaque. Chloe and Jensen had both scored low for ending their arena challenge unable to fight. They would have been dead. That is why they would not place in top three. Though they did make top ten.
“Second place, Ellie Gysm. Ellie, you made it to eighth leaving the arena after defeating your monster. You suffered wounds that would take down warriors, instead your unique skills allowed you to continue to fight till your last ounce of energy. Be proud of your strength and willpower shown here today.” The girl was about 14 she would be aged out next year.
“Finally, but not least, A Jade. Better known to her friends as AJ or Auna. You thought through pain, despair, loss of your weapon, and fatigue. You managed to defeat not just ten regular monsters but eleven unique monsters. A challenge put to you to test your resilience and endurance. When you arrived, rumors claimed I would give you easy monsters, to prove to them the power you have I gave you the hardest ones I could. I am proud of you, so may no one question your strength from here onwards. Be strong, be brave, be savage, my ward, my orphan. Our orphan champion of the Kingdom of Jules.” The king handed over the plaque with the words magically inscribing onto it. She wanted to cry but was too tired. Looking up she gave a weak smile, then a proper curtsey thanking the king.
The crowd was going nuts as they screamed about their orphan champion. Although it was just the child arena, she had shown strong promise killing so many unique monsters one after another.
“Child. Congratulations on your victory.” Count Jade came up to Auna after she had joined the crowd again. He held out a small box with a ribbon on it. “It is late, this is a present for you.”
“I appreciate the kindness Count Jade. I must refuse though. Have a lovely night.” Giving a proper curtsey for the hundredth time today she left the slacked jawed count behind.
“Savage.” Jensen laughed as he led her to a place people were dancing. “May I have this dance?” He gave her a wink gently pulling her seeds and plaque away from her giving it to his dad.
“Of course.” Auna gave a smile. Ready to exhaust herself some more.
The next few hours were exhausting and joyful. Auna danced with Jensen for a bit the both of them moving in such sync people clapped and gave them a circle to dance in. When it started raining some people left to the shelters. Auna just kept dancing her light clothes stuck to her as did her hair. There was a huge smile on her face as she sung at the top of her lungs, careful not to put anyone to sleep. It was only when Jensen grabbed her hand again, she knew it was time to sleep.
Auna left to the protest of the people who wanted to continue the party.
“Auna, do you think tomorrow will be okay? Like your body took a lot of damage.” Meredith looked at the girl as they crawled into bed.
“I hope so. I used healing moon, and a top-level healer also used his magic on me.” Auna gave a soft smile to Meredith. Hoping again Ciela would not mind they did not visit. Aunas’ mind wandered again, she wished healing was the cheat skill stories in her last world claimed it to be. Not this nearly impossible to have enough mana to effectively heal a broken bone.
Going to bed Auna knew tomorrow promised to be just as hard. She hoped this display of giving her harder challenges would not continue tomorrow.