The next day, the arena was packed tighter than a noble's wine cellar during festival season. Word had spread fast.
"Did you hear? The tamer with the squirrel won again."
"They say his bunny stared a flame beast into a coma."
"Maybe he's cursed. Or a beast summoner in disguise!"
Rei Valen sat quietly in the competitor's waiting area, sipping tea from a chipped clay mug. The gossip buzzed around him like flies. He didn't care.
He was trying to lose today.
The plan was foolproof: go up against someone strong, unleash zero threatening aura, trip over something, and get knocked out. Easy.
But fate, as usual, didn't give a single copper about Rei's plans.
---
Match 3: Rei Valen vs. Yorrik the Chain Tamer
The name alone should have been a red flag.
Yorrik stormed into the arena like he owned the place. Tall, broad-shouldered, and wearing iron-plated boots that clanged with every step, he looked more like a dungeon boss than a contestant.
He cracked his whip-chain twice, and three spirit beasts slithered out from behind him—each one bound in enchanted collars glowing with arcane script.
A rock hound, a mist lizard, and a razor hawk. All B-rank. All aggressive.
Rei stood across the field in his usual straw hat, cloak, and bored expression. Fluff hopped lazily next to him.
The audience was already whispering.
"That's the guy."
"Look, he's got the bunny again."
"No way that's just a bunny."
Rei crouched beside Fluff and whispered, "Remember: we're supposed to lose. Just sit still, act scared, maybe poop a little if it adds drama."
Fluff blinked once and scratched his ear.
Yorrik sneered from across the ring. "I hope you like hospitals."
Rei gave him a thumbs-up. "I collect loyalty cards."
---
Round Begins
The bell rang.
Yorrik cracked his chains. "Go!"
His beasts surged forward in perfect formation, fangs bared, magic flaring.
Rei held up a single finger. "Fluff. Sit."
The bunny sat.
That's it. No aura, no magic, no battle cry.
Just a plop onto the dirt.
But somehow... the razor hawk veered off course mid-air. Its wings spasmed. It crashed into a stone pillar and slumped unconscious.
The rock hound, halfway through its leap, yelped like a puppy and rolled mid-air, slamming into the mist lizard.
The lizard panicked and let loose a fog cloud so dense it blinded everyone.
Screams erupted from the crowd.
When the fog cleared, all three beasts were unconscious, and Fluff was sitting on one of them like it was a chair.
Rei was still sipping his tea.
Yorrik blinked. "What… what did you do?"
Rei looked around. "I... gave him a command. To sit."
The referee raised his hand, visibly confused. "Uh… Winner: Rei Valen?"
The audience roared. Half with excitement. Half with existential confusion.
Yorrik stormed toward Rei. "You cheated! That's not a normal bunny!"
Rei shrugged. "He's just fluffy. Your beasts fell over by themselves."
"They were terrified!"
"Well," Rei said, patting Fluff gently, "maybe they're just not used to cuteness."
---
Backstage – Later
Ellyn was waiting, arms crossed and grinning like a fox with gossip.
"You're trying to lose, huh?" she said.
Rei sat down, clearly miserable. "I tried. Did you see how well Fluff sat?! That was Olympic-level sitting!"
"The razor hawk exploded into feathers."
"He didn't touch it!"
"That's what makes it scarier!"
Kreg entered carrying a paper cone of roasted nuts. "Good news. You're trending on TamerScrolls. People are calling you 'The Whisperer.'"
"I whisper to tea leaves, not beasts," Rei groaned. "This is getting out of hand."
Ellyn leaned forward. "You know what your problem is?"
"I was born?"
She ignored him. "You're too good at hiding power. Now everyone thinks your beast is some kind of mythical mental dominator. They're calling Fluff a cursed empathy weapon."
Fluff, sitting nearby, sneezed adorably and a chair leg cracked.
---
Meanwhile – Somewhere Underground
In a stone chamber lined with glowing runes, members of the Beastmaster Cult of the Broken Horn gathered around a scrying pool.
"The boy with the bunny has appeared again," intoned the hooded leader.
"He must be a vessel for an ancient beast."
"Or the beast itself in disguise," muttered another.
"Should we eliminate him?"
The leader raised a hand. "No. Not yet. Watch him. If he is what we think... he may lead us to the Origin Tree."
They all chanted in unison: "Fluffy be praised."
---
Back to the City – That Evening
Rei trudged back to his stall in silence. Kreg walked beside him, occasionally muttering about snack prices. Ellyn trailed behind, humming a victory song she was clearly making up on the spot.
"Tomorrow's the finals," she said cheerfully. "You're one match away from the regional championship."
"I just wanted to sell herbs."
Kreg patted him on the back. "Maybe you could open a chain of 'Herbs & Fear Beasts' shops."
"Don't give the universe ideas," Rei muttered.
---
That Night – Alone in the Shop
Rei stared at a mirror, brushing Fluff's fur as the bunny snored gently in his lap.
"Okay," he whispered. "This is out of control. I'll go to the final. But we lose, alright? For real this time."
Fluff rolled over.
Rei added, "No intimidation. No accidents. No... sneezing magic death waves."
Fluff let out a tiny sneeze and the mirror cracked slightly.
Rei sighed.
"Close enough."