The second trial was more in-depth. Instead of an obstacle course, it was a proof of survival course. They had to make a tent from brambles, catch an animal, skin it, and butcher it to make it safe to eat, and of course, make a fire. Veil had never made a tent from nothing more than sticks before, but after convincing the judges to feel Tank’s fur and a long-winded explanation of how warm he really was, the judges gave him half marks. Before the next event, Veil decided he needed to talk to Tank to make sure everything was okay and that he didn’t mind taking on the lion’s share of the work.
“Are you sure you don’t mind doing all this work for me?” Veil asked.
“What do you mean for you, human?” Tank asked. “I am doing this for us. Without this trial, we will be stuck here for another season. That sounds horrible to me.”
“It sounds horrible to you, huh?” Veil joked.
“Yes, Veil, it does,” Tank responded. “This place is horrible. All of the game is small and lacks any significant life force.”
“What do you mean, life force?” Veil asked.
“Life force. It’s inside everything that’s living. It’s what holds everything together,” Tank said, showing his annoyance at Veil’s incompetence by whipping his tail back and forth.
“No- no, I get that it’s in the name,” Veil replied, embarrassed.
“Then what is your question?” Tank said, scrunching his face into the dog’s version of a grimace.
“Well, I guess I don’t really understand exactly what you need life force for,” Veil blurted out, running his hand through his hair.
“Oh, that. Well, uhm, yes,” Tank replied, taking a moment to grandstand. He jumped onto a box holding equipment for the tents—things like small cuttings of ropes and knives. Veil only knew that because he watched the event staff unload them originally. “I am a soul-bound direwolf,” Tank said with a growl. “I use life force to essentially level up. I’ve eaten one thousand three hundred and forty-two creatures from around the village. Each one of them took me from the puppy you met me as after the reincarnation to the well, slightly larger pup you see today.” His head turned slightly to the side, and his tongue lolled out of his mouth. “And even at my diminutive size, I am fabulous, am I not?”
“You truly are,” Veil walked over and placed a hand on Tank’s head. “You’re really amazing, buddy. But uhm, how many creatures will you have to eat to get back to the size you were when we first met?” Veil asked.
“Well, that depends,” Tank replied.
“On what?” Veil asked.
“On where we go next. There’s no way I’m going to let you lose. I’m an adventuring wolf now,” Tank let out a low growl with each word.
“Alright, alright, no one failed to provide warmth, so we will move on to the next event with all 30 participants,” the chief proclaimed with his magically enhanced voice. “Everyone, to the arena!”
In the arena was a large pen filled with 20 animals, each a different breed but all resembling common farm animals. Just slight differences set them apart from their normal Earth counterparts. There were cows with two heads, purple goats that croaked like frogs, and even a cat or two with spiked tails and tiny human heads that could also breathe fire.
“As you may have noticed, there are thirty of you and only twenty animals, which means anyone who does not secure an animal will be eliminated. To further that, each animal is worth a various amount of points based on the danger and ease of capture,” the chief said. “We will be awarding 5 points for the Gavaevodata, 7 points for the Amethyst Capra, and 10 points for the Manticore.”
Veil raised his hand. “Uhm, yes, Veil,” the chief replied to the gesture.
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“Uhm, what are those names? Which one’s which?” he asked, turning a shade of beet red that didn’t seem possible with his sun-tanned body and face.
“Oh yes, you’re new here, aren’t you?” the chief replied with a chuckle. “That one,” the chief pointed to the cow with two heads, “is a Gavaevodata. That one,” he said, pointing to the purple goat, “is the Amethyst Capra, and—”
“That’s the Manticore,” Veil finished. “Got it. Thank you. Sorry, everyone,” Veil said, waving to the crowd.
“Shall we begin?” the chief responded, clearing his throat. “Good, let’s begin.”
“Go!” the chief said as the pen’s gate swung open. The second the words were out of the chief’s mouth, Tank lurched into action, becoming nothing more than a blur. He immediately caught one of the Manticores and shook it violently, a glow overtaking his body. The crowd gasped as the wolf seemingly grew two full inches in front of their very eyes.
“So good,” Tank howled out. “Mythical life force!” Tank lunged for another of the animals, and Veil screamed, “No!” But Tank was too fast, and Veil too far away to stop him. He had already had another Manticore in his mouth before Veil’s words registered in Tank’s mind. Another animal was dead at his maws, another life force downed. The glow reappeared, but this time Tank didn’t seem to grow any larger.
“I am sorry, Veil,” Tank yelped. “It was such good life force. I was caught up. It won’t happen again.” Tank released the animal from his mouth, but before it could even hit the ground, another of the contestants lunged to catch it, claiming his prize.
“Is that even legal?” Veil shouted to the chief.
“Everyone who gets one moves to the next round,” the chief yelled down to the pitch.
Veil had an idea. He looked around for Grok, who was trying to catch one of the purple goats but was failing. The animals seemed sluggish, but somehow every time Grok lunged for it, it seemed to become mercurial. “Tank!” Veil yelled.
“Yes, Veil, what’s up?” Tank called back.
“Help Grok!” Veil yelled.
“On it,” Tank said as he lunged and grabbed the animal by the back leg with his maw. “There you go. It should be stuck.” The animal’s magic seemed to wane as Tank bit it, the glow briefly returning, but it was barely noticeable. Grok quickly landed a killing blow on the animal.
“Yes!” Veil called out as Grok got his kill. It was only for 7 points, but it was enough to secure him to the next round.
The bell rang shortly after, announcing the end of the event. “We have quelled ten hopefuls today,” the chief called out, “but we have risen 20 of our finest to new heights. Those who have lost should take solace in the wisdom that they have fought their best and have come far. I can’t wait to see you all compete next year. The next event will take place in 15 minutes.”
As Veil walked out of the pen, he heard a yell from behind him. “Damn you, human!” He spun to see a large olive-green orc running towards him, sword drawn. Grok spun to defend him, but it was too late. The swordsman was too close, and just as the blade was set to make contact with him, Veil threw his arms up and released a fire bolt. The man began screaming as his flesh began to burn. Luckily for him, there was someone with a water ability in the crowd. The man ran over to put the fire out. The man was badly injured, but the chief ensured Veil he would survive.
Veil was scared. He never meant to hurt the man. His hands were shaking as the chief came over. “I’m so sorry,” Veil began as the chief walked over.
“For what, son?” the chief asked, confused.
“For hurting him. I- I mean, I thought I killed him.”
“Yes, he’s from a rival clan. We didn’t know he was so- so hostile. Don’t worry about him though. He tried to kill you, son. Are you okay?”
“I- I am fine,” Veil replied. “I’m okay, really,” Veil said, grasping his hand to stop it from shaking.
“Go to Griselda’s place and get a mana potion, son,” the chief replied.
“I can’t. I have to compete.”
“No, the next event was meat preparation, and you know that, don’t you?” the chief asked.
“Yes, my father taught me to hunt back home. We used to go every year before the—” Veil fumbled his words as the memories flooded back into him. “Before he passed,” Veil responded.
The chief closed the distance between them and wrapped Veil in a big bear hug, lifting him off the ground. “Then you’ve already won. You have about an hour to pull yourself together. Will that work for you, son?” the chief said, putting Veil back on the ground.
“Ye- yeah, that will be fine. Thank you,” Veil said, turning and sauntering off towards Griselda’s tavern.
As he walked through the door, Griselda was swamped. There were more people—humans, orcs, and what Veil could only assume were fair As he walked through the door, Griselda was swamped. There were more people—humans, orcs, and what Veil could only assume were fairies—than Veil had seen in his entire time in Nova.
“Be one moment,” Gris called out before looking up and seeing it was Veil. “Oh no, did you get cut? They cut the beast master?” she asked, starting to speak faster.
“No, no, nothing like that, Gris. The chief sent me to get a mana potion. There was an incident,” Veil explained, his voice barely above a whisper.
“Oh, hunny,” she said, passing him his mana drink. “It happens. Adventurers are heroes, and sometimes heroes have to do some pretty nasty things to succeed in their quest. Honestly, the bad guys really like killing the good guys. And even sometimes they swap sides on who’s who. It’s just the way of the world,” she said with a hearty laugh.
“Thanks, Gris. I feel much better,” Veil lied as he turned to walk back to the arena. “I really appreciate you,” he said with a half-smile.
The bustling noise of the tavern faded behind him as he made his way back, his thoughts swirling around the day’s events. He downed the mana potion, feeling a warm rush of energy flow through him. As he approached the arena, he saw Tank waiting for him, tail wagging.
“Feeling better?” Tank asked.
“Yeah, a bit,” Veil replied, nodding. “Thanks for sticking by me, Tank. Let’s get ready for the next challenge.”