Tamer's Path

Arriving at the arena, I immediately noticed its sheer scale and design—it was by far the largest section of the training building. It amazed me how the space seemed to stretch endlessly inside, far more expansive than the building's exterior.

This was the work of magical runes combined with advanced energy manipulation, creating something that seemed impossible to the untrained eye. It was yet another reminder of how this world's knowledge wasn't confined to physical tools alone—magic and energy could warp reality itself when wielded properly.

Though the mechanical side fascinated me, I couldn't ignore the allure of magic. It wasn't just a force; it was a discipline, one that mages of the Light Empire and Dark Empire seemed to have perfected. I made a mental note to explore this further someday.

For now, I refocused on my surroundings. The arena was packed, with at least ten large combat stages surrounded by rows of seating. Each stage was enveloped in a shimmering, almost imperceptible barrier. It wasn't just for show—the barriers kept the battles confined while shielding the audience with a second protective layer.

The terrain on the stages could shift at will, transforming to suit the preferences of the fighters. That, combined with the magical atmosphere, gave this place a sense of limitless possibilities.

As I walked around, it was clear why it was so busy today. Recruitment.

Word had gotten out that some of the major guilds were here to scout new talent. Tamers without a guild were buzzing with excitement, their eagerness almost palpable. For them, this was a chance to secure their future, to stand out from the sea of competitors.

Not wanting to miss the spectacle, I found an empty seat in the stands and settled in to watch.

A Bronze-Rank Battle Begins

The announcer introduced the fighters, and the combatants took their positions on one of the stages. On one side was a Plant Lizard, a sleek green creature with vines coiled around its legs and jagged leaves jutting out along its spine. Opposing it was a Cursed Armor, a dark, menacing figure that glowed faintly with purple energy, as if haunted by the spirits bound to it.

The tamers—both Bronze rank—stood at the edges of the stage, their expressions focused. The match began with both monsters testing each other cautiously, circling while their tamers issued commands.

"They're being careful," I murmured to myself, leaning forward.

"They have to be," said someone next to me, a tamer watching intently. "One mistake at Bronze rank can cost you the match."

I nodded but stayed silent as the match progressed. Both tamers started with a basic Speed Boost ability, increasing their partners' agility by about fifty percent. I couldn't help but notice how much weaker their enhancements were compared to mine—but they used them so effectively that it didn't matter.

The monsters began exchanging blows, testing the waters. Vines lashed at the armor while the cursed creature countered with shadowy strikes that sizzled on contact.

Then the tamers shifted strategies. Both used Energy Armor, combining their own energy with their monsters' defenses to form a reinforced shield. I watched as faint auras formed around the combatants—a green one around the Plant Lizard and a deep purple glow around the Cursed Armor.

"This is pretty standard for Bronze rank," the tamer next to me commented. "Speed, defense, power. Everything stays balanced at this level."

I was about to reply when the Cursed Armor unleashed a Fear Aura, its purple glow intensifying and radiating dread across the stage.

The Plant Lizard faltered for a moment, its movements hesitating as the fear took hold. But the lizard's tamer was quick to react, casting a Mind Calm ability that immediately neutralized the fear effect. The lizard roared, shaking off the hesitation and charging forward.

At the same time, the Cursed Armor's tamer deployed a Fog Field, blanketing the stage in thick, swirling mist. It created the perfect environment for the shadowy creature to move unseen, and the lizard seemed to struggle, its attacks missing their mark.

"Smart move," I said aloud.

"Yeah, but that plant guy's not out yet," my neighbor replied with a smirk.

Sure enough, the Plant Lizard's tamer had one last trick up his sleeve. Just as it seemed like the Cursed Armor had the upper hand, the lizard's tamer activated a Berserk Ability.

Vines sprouted from the lizard's body, thrashing wildly as its eyes glowed an intense green. It roared and lunged forward with renewed strength, striking the Cursed Armor with a relentless flurry of plant-based attacks. The fog dissipated under the sheer force of its barrage, and the armor was overwhelmed, crumbling into pieces as its energy was depleted.

The match was over.

---

As the crowd erupted into cheers, I leaned back, absorbing what I had just seen. It was my first real look at Bronze-ranked tamers in action. Their power might not have matched mine, but their skill and resourcefulness were undeniable.

Watching this battle wasn't just entertaining—it was a lesson. It reminded me that raw power wasn't everything; tactics and adaptability were just as important.

"You thinking about joining the recruitment today?" the tamer next to me asked.

I shook my head. "No. Just observing for now."

They gave me a curious look but didn't press further.

As I turned my attention to the next battle, I couldn't help but wonder what kind of opponents I'd face when my time came to step into the arena.

I was about to settle into my seat for the next match when I heard my name echo through the arena.

"Akira, you've been challenged to a battle!"

The crowd's murmur swelled, and I immediately felt dozens of eyes searching for me. I sighed inwardly. My so-called celebrity status refused to leave me in peace. It was clear the excitement from my earlier exploits still lingered, even though I had no intention of flaunting my strength.

Reluctantly, I stood and walked toward the stage. Whispers followed me. Some tamers were excited, while others looked skeptical, as if they thought I was all hype.

The tamer who had challenged me stood confidently on the stage. He had dark brown skin, short black hair, and sharp brown eyes that carried determination. His features hinted at a South Asian heritage.

"Ah, there he is!" the tamer said, a grin spreading across his face. He bowed slightly before introducing himself. "I'm Kamran, and it's an honor to face you, Akira."

"Nice to meet you," I replied, keeping my tone polite. "But I'm curious—why challenge me?"

Kamran smiled nervously. "I've seen what you can do. Facing someone like you is a chance to prove myself. If I can hold my own, it'll boost my chances of getting into a top-tier guild."

I wanted to tell him outright that defeating me wasn't realistic, but there was no gentle way to say it. Instead, I nodded. "I understand. Let's give the crowd a good match."

He perked up at that, his confidence returning. "It'll be a fair one-on-one battle. Three partners to choose from, and one fight at a time. Agreed?"

"Agreed."

Kamran introduced his team, starting with his Desert Claw Mole (Terrametalicus Diggora), a bear-sized mole with metallic claws that gleamed under the arena lights. Its claws could combine into a massive drill, perfect for tunneling or delivering devastating strikes.

Next was his Ash Vulture (Pyroscorcha Inferni), a menacing bird that had smoky gray feathers with glowing ember-like veins. It could manipulate ash to create powerful blasts or smother opponents in fiery clouds.

Finally, there was his Thornscale Plant Lizard (Herboclauda Spinosum), a green reptile with vines coiled tightly around its muscular legs and sharp, thorny scales that bristled like natural armor.

"They're strong creatures," Kamran said, clearly proud.

I nodded, though inwardly, I knew none of them could stand against even my weakest partner. Not wanting to embarrass him, I decided Lilia would take the lead.

I glanced at her. "You're up first. Show them what you can do—but don't overdo it."

Lilia smiled, her soft pink energy already radiating from her. "Understood, Akira. I'll be gentle."

Kamran didn't seem to recognize her significance yet, but the experienced tamers in the crowd did. A hush fell over parts of the arena as they realized she wasn't just any creature.

"Is that…?"

"A Flower Fairy? No, she's evolved. That's a Flower Princess."

Kamran's eyes narrowed as he chose the desert terrain for the match, believing it would give his side the advantage.

The Battle Begins

Kamran selected his Ash Vulture to fight first. The stage shifted, transforming into a vast desert. The sun blazed overhead, and the heat shimmered visibly in the air. Lilia and the Vulture stood a kilometer apart, the distance giving the bird an initial advantage.

"Smart choice," I muttered, impressed despite myself. A desert would weaken plant-based creatures like Lilia. It was a clever strategy—if he didn't know who she really was.

As the battle started, Lilia calmly rooted herself into the sand, her feet extending into green tendrils that burrowed deep into the earth. She began absorbing sunlight, the pink glow of her energy intensifying. Around her, small patches of green life began to sprout despite the harsh terrain.

The Ash Vulture wasted no time. It soared into the sky, using the sun as cover while it created ash clones. The clones rained down on Lilia, exploding into fiery bursts upon impact.

"Lilia!" I called out.

She raised her hands, summoning a pink energy barrier that easily deflected the attacks. Her eyes sparkled with amusement as she countered with her Flower Cannon, a blast of concentrated energy.

The Vulture barely dodged, transforming into ash to avoid the hit. It reappeared a few meters away, unleashing a massive ash cloud that spread across the battlefield, blanketing everything in choking gray smoke.

"She's trapped now!" Kamran called confidently.

I smirked. "Lilia, contain it."

She extended her arms, and a dome of pink energy formed over the ash cloud, trapping it entirely. Then, with a flick of her wrist, the dome began shrinking, compressing the ash until it was no larger than a football.

Kamran's face paled. "Wait, what?!"

"Finish it, Lilia."

She aimed the compressed ash sphere like a slingshot, but before she could fire, Kamran raised his hand in surrender.

"I—I yield!" he called, his voice shaking.

Lilia relaxed, and the pink energy dissipated. Kamran recalled his Vulture, his expression shifting from determination to regret. He glanced at Lilia, realization dawning in his eyes.

"That's not just any plant creature…" he muttered. "That's a Flower Princess. I… What the hell was I thinking?"

When it was time for his next match, Kamran glanced at Nyx, who loomed in the shadows, his gleaming silver fur and glowing eyes radiating quiet menace.

Kamran blanched. "No… no way. I'm out."

He turned to me, bowing deeply. "Thank you for showing mercy. I—I was a fool to challenge you."

I waved off his apology. "You're not a fool, Kamran. You're ambitious, and that's not a bad thing. But ambition works better with preparation. Keep training."

He nodded, looking both humbled and motivated. As he left the stage, I could hear the murmurs of the crowd.

"Akira never fails to impress."

"But he's too strong—this wasn't fair from the start."

I ignored the chatter and turned to Lilia. "You handled that well. You didn't even break a sweat."

She grinned. "I didn't need to. But next time, let me fight something a little more challenging?"

"Next time," I promised with a small laugh.