One week until my first match.
The words echoed in my head like a drumbeat as I moved through the forest clearing at dawn. The air was cooler now, carrying the sharp scent of pine and damp earth after last night's rain. Rune darted across the wet grass with fluid grace, his golden rune catching faint light. Flicker practiced short flights between low branches, her wing growing stronger with each day. Sludge slowly oozed across a flat rock, testing his new ability to stretch and reform without losing cohesion.
The triple bond felt more natural every session — three distinct threads woven into a single, flexible cord. I could sense all of them at once now without the splitting headache I used to get. Rune's strategic caution, Flicker's bright energy, Sludge's patient adaptability. They balanced each other perfectly.
"Again," I said quietly, focusing my mana. "Full sequence. Pretend we're facing something faster and stronger than Lira's squirrel. Control the field, don't overcommit."
Rune started it. His Irritation Ripple expanded in a wide, shimmering dome that distorted the air and made the wet leaves twitch as if covered in invisible ants. Flicker launched immediately, weaving through the ripple with quick bursts of wind that carried the effect farther, layering sharp sonic flutters that confused direction and balance. Sludge extended several pseudopods at once, catching the outer edge of the ripple. He absorbed part of the energy, then released it back altered — thicker, stickier, turning confusion into sluggish entrapment.
I pushed mana through all three bonds in a smooth cycle. The feedback rushed back almost instantly: Rune's essence absorption giving me clearer senses, Flicker's light vitality easing muscle fatigue, Sludge's stability anchoring my focus so I didn't waver. The combined effect on the clearing was impressive. A small bush in the test zone shook violently before going still, coated in clinging residue and disoriented.
I let out a long breath, smiling despite the mana drain. "That's better. Much better."
Through the bonds came a wave of shared pride. Rune climbed onto my boot and looked up with intelligent eyes. Flicker landed on my shoulder, chirping triumphantly. Sludge quivered closer, leaving a faint glistening trail that slowly faded.
Rune – Level 7
Flicker – Level 5
Sludge – Level 4
The improvements were small but consistent. Every act of care, every shared meal, every training session pushed their hidden potentials forward. The golden motes on all three glowed softly in response to my attention, and I felt my own body adapting too — slightly sharper reflexes, better stamina, faint regeneration that made old calluses from stable work heal faster.
We rested by the stream while I divided the morning's rations. As they ate, I spoke to them like always.
"The opening ceremonies start tomorrow. I'll have to show all three of you publicly for the first time. People will laugh at first. But we stay calm. We fight smart. Lira isn't cruel — if we win cleanly, maybe she'll even respect it."
Rune nuzzled my hand. Flicker preened my hair gently. Sludge pulsed warmly against my palm, leaving a tiny, harmless sticky spot that felt oddly comforting.
The walk back to the village brought the usual whispers, but they felt different now. Less pure mockery, more confused curiosity.
"Is that… three beasts with him?"
"Vermin Boy is actually showing up to the tournament? Brave or stupid?"
I kept my expression neutral and headed to the stables. Garrick was waiting near the back pens, arms crossed.
"Kid," he said gruffly, gesturing me over. "Come here."
I followed him into a quiet storage shed stacked with hay and tools. He closed the door behind us.
"Opening day tomorrow," he continued. "Elders will be watching the low-tier matches closely. Some of them remember the old stories about strange affinities. Don't give them reason to call you a threat. Win, but don't dominate. Understood?"
I nodded. "I'm not looking to show off. Just… prove we're not worthless."
Garrick studied me for a long moment, then sighed. "You remind me of someone I knew once. Quiet tamer who cared too much. Didn't end well for him. But maybe times are changing." He tossed me another small bundle of dried herbs and meat. "For your three. And Eli? If things go south, you come find me. Quietly."
His words stayed with me through the long afternoon of chores. With three beasts helping subtly — Rune warning of restless animals, Flicker creating tiny gusts to move dust, Sludge absorbing and stabilizing spilled liquids — the work went faster than usual. Still, the growing attention weighed on me.
That evening, the village held a small pre-tournament gathering in the square. Lanterns hung from posts, and stronger tamers showed off their beasts with flashes of flame, wind, and thunder. Torren was the center of attention, his Stormhawk circling dramatically overhead.
I stood at the edge with my parents, trying to stay invisible. But Mira spotted me and walked over, her Ember Lynx trailing like a living shadow.
"Eli," she said, smiling faintly. "Three beasts already? That's… unusual for F-rank. You nervous about facing Lira?"
"A little," I admitted. "But we've been training hard."
She tilted her head, studying me. "You're different. Most tamers treat their beasts like weapons. You treat yours like… friends. I saw you in the forest once. You were talking to them." She paused. "Good luck in your match. I'll be watching."
Her words surprised me. Not pity — genuine curiosity. It was another small crack in the wall of doubt surrounding me.
Back home that night, I prepared everything carefully. I cleaned and reinforced the carrying pouches, mixed extra nutrient paste for Sludge, and checked Flicker's wing one last time. The three of them gathered around me in the corner as I sat on the floor.
"Tomorrow the real test begins," I whispered. "People will see us together for the first time. They'll laugh. But we know the truth. We grow through care. Through each other."
Rune pressed against my leg. Flicker hopped onto my knee. Sludge slowly climbed onto my other hand, warm and steady.
The triple bond glowed with quiet strength. The golden motes on their bodies pulsed in harmony, and for a brief moment, I caught a deeper flash through the connection — ancient, patient, like a long-forgotten song stirring awake.
I didn't know what it meant yet, but it filled me with hope.
As I lay down to sleep, the sounds of the village celebration drifted faintly through the walls — laughter, roars of powerful beasts, confident voices. Tomorrow, the opening ceremonies would begin. The low-tier matches would start the day after.
And on Day 3, I would step into Arena 4 with my three "weak" companions against Lira and her Wind Squirrel.
I closed my eyes, feeling the steady rhythm of the three bonds.
We were ready.
Not because we were strong yet.
But because we refused to stay weak.