This Beast-Tamer is a Little Strange

The arena buzzed with anticipation as students and some teachers of the second-years filled the stands, eager to see the re-ranking matches unfold.

This was the moment when the hard work they'd put in since their first-year ended would finally bear fruit and they'd be able to hopefully go up in rank.

The opening speeches thankfully didn't last too long, not that Bea would listen to it. Her mind was completely focused on just listening for the name "Kain Newman."

Thankfully, perhaps because the recognized Aegis and Queen, a few of Kain's classmates that Bea remembered teaming up with on missions in the past, and Kain's brother Bridge, also sat close to them. They seemed confused by Kain's absence and tried to strike up a conversation, but after sensing that this mysterious man directing Kain's contracts didn't seem to want to converse with them, they just watched the stage in silence.

Bea breathed a sigh of relief. Humans are just way too chatty!

Thankfully, the occasional roar or explosion from an ongoing match filled the silence within the group.

Soon enough, Kain's name was called to the stage.

"Alright, team," she whispered through her human puppet, and pointed at Aegis. "Aegis will go first. Just fight like usual. We're professionals, right? Right."

She tried to make the staff member exude confidence by puffing out his chest, but the result looked more like he was awkwardly trying to burp.

When Kain's group was announced but only Aegis climbed on the stage, the murmurs started immediately.

"Wait, is Kain actually not here?"

"Are you kidding me? He just sent his contracts? How arrogant can he be?"

"He has a right to be arrogant, he's in the top 5 so most matches wouldn't be of interest to him. Not to mention, have you seen those spiritual creatures? I bet that stone golem of his could crush my whole team by itself!"

The apprehension of the backlash Kain would receive faded from Bea due to the pride felt at that last remark. 'That's right! My master is amazing! WE are amazing'

The announcer's voice boomed through the arena, calling the next match: "Jeremy Sorran versus…Kain Newman!"

Aegis stepped forward, his heavy stone footfalls echoing like thunderclaps across the arena. His massive, rugged form glinted faintly in the sunlight, and the crowd erupted in an awed discussion at his massive and imposing form.

Jeremy, a wiry young man with sharp eyes, strode confidently into the ring. His three contracts were all summoned by him, and among the 3 big cats, his wind-attribute jaguar was undoubtedly the one with the strongest aura, its sleek fur rippled as if caught in an invisible breeze. And its eyes exuded a quiet but lethal determination.

Bea could see the anger simmering just beneath Jeremy's calm exterior. His clenched fists and narrowed eyes betrayed his thoughts.n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

'How dare Kain Newman disrespect me by not even showing up!'

Jeremy had worked harder than he ever had in his life in the hopes of advancing into the top 20 and securing the huge boost in resources that would come from such a ranking.

He had initially felt nervous about his first match being against someone so powerful, but now he was just filled with anger. Whatever admiration he had for Kain as a beast-tamer and evolutionary planner went up in smoke. He would show Kain the price of his arrogance and make sure to defeat him!

The whistle blew to trigger the start of the match.

While the smaller contracts, a cougar and cheetah, stayed further back to gather power to strike, the wind attribute jaguar moved like a streak of lightning—a blur of motion barely perceptible to the naked eye. The air itself seemed to twist and ripple around it as it hurtled toward Aegis with terrifying speed.

Gasps rippled through the crowd.

"Jeremy's Windclaw Jaguar has gotten a lot faster since last year!"

"Not to mention it looks like he's going to use his strongest skill from the beginning. I heard Galestrike is incredibly difficult to learn and usually only blue-grade spiritual creatures are able to use it."

"Wow, that jaguar is no joke. Even if Kain's not here, his contracts might actually have to work for this one."

"Who knows, maybe there will be the biggest upset in decades and a member of the top 5 will get defeated in the group stages."

"I hope so. That guy is so effing arrogant. Is he too good to show up himself?"

BOOM!

It was as if a bomb went off on stage. The jaguar, which had been charging with incredible momentum, was swatted out of the arena like a fly by a single devastating swipe from Aegis.

Sec-kill

The crowd fell silent, stunned by the sheer brutality and efficiency with which Aegis got rid of the opponent.

When the dust cleared, the jaguar lay outside the arena in a boneless heap, unconscious. Jeremy stood frozen, disbelief plastered across his face.

Aegis stood still, lowering his massive arm with all calm of a warrior who had just swatted an annoyingly buzzing fly.

The silence in the arena gave way to a chorus of whispers:

"Did…did that just happen?"

"I didn't even see it move!"

"That poor jaguar! Someone call the healers!"

Jeremy's face turned crimson as he gritted his teeth, clearly furious and humiliated.

Bea, meanwhile, struggled not to laugh through her puppet. She felt an overwhelming sense of pride. 'That's my teammate!'

Jeremy directed his 2 other contracts to surround and strike Aegis, but they were similarly dispatched in seconds by the towering golem.

The announcer cleared his throat, his voice echoing awkwardly through the stunned crowd. "Jeremy Sorran Vs Kain Newman. Winner: Kain Newman!"

As Aegis returned to his group, Jeremy shot him—and the possessed staff member—a glare that could have melted stone. Bea made the puppet offer a sheepish shrug in response.

It was another couple of hours before they completed their second, and final, match of the day. A match that was once again won in seconds by Aegis.

"Kain Newman Vs Celina Nevermor. Winner: Kain Newman!"

The group of spiritual creatures happily left the arena behind, the now silent audience still dissatisfied by what they considered to be Kain's arrogance, but also disheartened at their inability to teach him a lesson.