This Beast-Tamer is a Little Strange

Bridge won.

Of course he did. Was that even up for debate? Especially after he was permitted by the opponent’s blunder to interfere in the battle…which he did by smashing a clawed hand into the face of one of the opponent’s contracts

His opponent had forfeited shortly after that devastating display, and the referees—after a brief scramble to confirm that the transformation was the work of his gift and not an enchanted object banned by the rules—had declared the result valid.

Now, as Bridge climbed the stairs back toward the seats, Kain didn’t say a word.

He just stared.

Bridge scratched the back of his head sheepishly, the very picture of someone who’d just gotten red handed for concealing something important.

“…Surprise?” he offered.

Kain raised a single brow.

Bridge coughed into his fist. “You mad?”

Mad?

Kain stared at him a moment longer, then blinked.

Was he mad?

He wasn’t exactly an open book himself.

Bridge didn’t know he was reincarnated.

Didn’t know that his star space contained a literal world—Pangea.

Didn’t know that the missions Kain kept taking weren’t from the College, but part of his obligation to a secret society called the Order.

He didn’t know about the secret organization Kain was slowly building in the shadows of the Empire.

He didn’t know about the System, or how it had guided nearly every critical decision of the past two years.

Or about the Earth Inheritance that he recently obtained from a second secret relic…

‘Ahem…it would appear that I’d have no right to be upset…’

Kain finally let out a breath and shook his head, the tension bleeding from his shoulders as he tried his best not to reveal any awkwardness in his expression.

“I’m not upset,” he said simply. “You’re allowed to keep things private.”

Bridge exhaled, visibly relieved, and leaned in slightly, lowering his voice. “Okay, so. You remember back during the first year? That thing in the Enchanted Spring? I said I felt something, but I couldn’t tell what it was.”

Kain nodded.

Bridge tapped his chest lightly. “Turns out it was this. The Gift. I didn’t even know what it was until halfway through this year”

He glanced around and leaned closer. “It’s not just wolves, you know. I can…transform, kinda, for others as well. I can take on the traits of any spiritual beast I’ve formed a strong connection with. Doesn’t have to be bound. Just… emotionally close.”

Kain narrowed his eyes. “That’s…rare. And powerful.” Kain had thought that Bridge’s gift was similar to Soren’s ability to transform body parts to a draconic form. But as far as he knew, Soren’s transformation was limited in what it could be, whereas Bridge was saying that, in theory, he could take on the features of any kind of creature…

“Yeah,” Bridge continued as if to put a damper on Kain’s high expectations. “But there’s a catch. Like, a big one. It’s super hard to meet the requirements for how close we are unless I’ve bonded with them. Only with really deep connections can I borrow anything meaningful. That transformation just now? It only worked because I’ve been with Lady and Princess for two years now.”

Kain absorbed that silently.

Kain blinked. Then frowned slightly as a memory surfaced.

Back in the relic. The Obelisk Sync trial. The Vespid guards. The seamless way with which they followed Bridge’s directions throughout the trial.

He had assumed they followed Bridge because of Kain’s influence—because they still trusted Bridge somewhat due to his relationship with Kain. But now…

“They listened to you,” he muttered.

Bridge tilted his head. “Huh?”

Kain looked up. “My contracts. In the relic. They were loyal to me, sure, but when I left the command structure to you for a bit, they didn’t hesitate to obey.”

Bridge looked surprised. “I thought that was because you told them to listen to me.”

“I did. But they listened faster than they should have.”

Bridge gave him a sheepish grin. “Guess they liked me.”

But then Bridge grew silent. Thoughtful. “Now that you mention it…. I did notice how some spiritual beasts would act more tame around me. I thought I was imagining it, but it does keep happening. I noticed it with wild spiritual creatures when out in the wild for missions, as well as the contracts of Addison and the others. Maybe this is another effect of my gift?”

Kain rolled his eyes.

But he couldn’t deny it: Bridge’s Gift was powerful. Not just physically—but socially, spiritually. The kind of Gift that might not shine in traditional duels, but could ease the strain for the group in any far-off war campaign or expedition.

After all, if Bridge could befriend any local creature to the level required to use its physical traits, then technically he could adapt his body to any harsh environment given the time…

A sharp chime echoed through the stadium cutting off Kain’s thoughts about the various uses of Bridge’s gift, followed by a ripple of noise.

Kain’s name appeared on the central screen. The match on Stage One was finished and the next match should be starting soon.

He glanced up.

“Please come to Stage One. Kain Newman and Addison Albright.”

He stood slowly.

From across the stands, Addison caught his gaze and waved—cheerful, excited, positively beaming.

This was her first time entering the top-eight bracket. She was proud. She had worked for it. Earned it.

It was natural that she’d be giddy about her first top 8 performance.

Kain winced.

He wasn’t one to feel guilt during a tournament match—especially not in Phase Two—but this was Addison. One of his closest friends. Someone who still referred to his spiritual creatures as “cutie pies” and would occasionally bake snacks shaped like his contracts (except for Bea, who nobody could see, much to her disappointment—the amoeba also wanted an edible replica of herself occasionally, even if she wouldn’t eat it).

He sighed.

Maybe… he could go easy on her.

Just a little.

At least until she got one good hit in.