BOOM

A loud crash was heard. I rush over to the crash and it's………….. the Minotaur guy!

He was beaten and bloody all over. One of his horns was even broke off. I unconsciously touched my horns to make sure they were still there.

“He'll be fine. Vos always does that. I'm surprised he survived the fall.”

If I didn't have scales I would have been pale! I was scared! I ask the girl, “Do they usually die?”

“Well yes and no. Yes Vis usually kills them but no they don't really die.”

“That's not confusing at all”

“Shut up! The arena is a special place. It's been enchanted by our greatest sorcerer Lani Fey. No one knows how but she enchanted it so that when an ally kills another ally in the arena, the dead Ally is reborn!”

My mouth flew open. I was in complete shock. So Lani Fey is that powerful? Damn………..

“Can he recover?”

“No shit Sherlock. They wouldn't allow Vos to bruise them that badly if they couldn't recover.”

“So he's completely fine?”

“I just told you he was! Ugh this is why I don't like people!”

“So can you tell me what General Ragnel said?”

“Fine, whatever. Him and a colleague were talking about they couldn't expect much from the rookies. Something about how Gaia's power hasn't influenced much beyond the basics and their skills and levels shouldn't rise much. In fact, a lot of skills wouldn't be available to you all unless……”

“Unless?”

“Unless something tragic happens or that person just has a string of bad luck their skill list shouldn't rise above three.”

“I've got four!”

“You want a pat on the back?”

“No but a massage would be nice.”

“Beat down Vos and I'll give you a massage.”

“That a deal?”

“If you can beat Vos’s assessment then yes. I don't think you can but it's whatever.”

“Get ready to be proved wrong!”

“Like you can beat him.”

[Bask has leveled up to lvl 4! Speed and energy increases a little more]

A screen popped up. My plan is working!

“You know I never got your name.”

“It's something else I won't give you.” She said that with a sly look in her eye. I see what you're doing!

“Oh really? Well I'm Bishop.” I then stuck out my hand.

She grabs it and says “Names aren't important but if you absolutely have to know mine it's Evangeline.”

“Ugghhhhh"

Evangeline and I both jumped at the sound. The Minotaur beside us just made a noise. He's probably in a lot of pain.

“Help me pick him up.” She gets on one side of him and I get on the other. We put one arm each across our shoulders.

“We should probably take him to the inn. I'll show you the way.”

I followed Evangeline to the inn. They immediately opened the doors when we got there. We weren't in a rush or anything, but I did want to get his weight off me. He’s huge! We had to turn sideways just to get him through the door. People ushered us to a room to lay him down at. Those Nomads were quiet around us…………. I wonder why? Evangeline was such a talkative person, is she different or are they different? Eh, not my monkey, not my circus.

We lay him down on the bed and the silent Nomads began treating his wounds. Seeing as there was nothing else I could do, I walked out of the inn and back into the sunlight.

While in town I decided to look at the shops. Other Tamers were around. They talked and chatted with each other and the Nomads. The Nomads, however, weren't much for conversation. With a few polite words here and a nod there is how they got through most of the talkative Tamers.

I kept looking around until I found a rather interesting stall. Most of the vendors sold weapons, armor, ingredients for God knows what and other trinkets. The stall I stopped at was lined up with dusty books. I picked up a book that said 'Knife Fighting For Dummies.’ I was astounded. I absolutely needed that book.

“Not for sale. Only examined and assessed Tamers may buy from my stall.”

A short, old man walked out from behind the stall. He wore a pair of sunglasses, a long, white beard that went down to the floor and a suit and tie.

“I just thought this stall was strange. The rest of the stalls are selling weapons and camping equipment. Why are you selling books?”

He grinned, “Knowledge is power my boy! Hmmmmm.”

He went behind the stall and rummaged around for a few minutes. I was about to leave when he finally returned, carrying a book. He walks up to me, grabs the book in my hand and gives me the other book.

“I'm not supposed to do this, in fact I could get into some minor trouble if someone found out, but I can't help but feel you're special in some way. Consider this as my gift of becoming a Tamer.”

I look at the old book. I can't even read the title it's so old. Since I don't have a backpack, or any money to buy one I wrapped my tail around it.

“Thank you sir. I have a great feeling about this.” I have a terrible feeling about this.

“Hehe come back after Vos finishes whooping your ass if you want to buy that other one. I'll keep it on hold for you.”

And on that note I walked back to the inn to check on the Minotaur guy. It's been around a few hours since I left.

I walk through the inn and inside the Minotaur guy's room. He was sitting up in bed, his sword beside him. He looked lost, like without a purpose. I know that feeling.

I stuck my hand out

“Bishop.” I told him my name.

“Juan” He grasped my hand and shook it.

“Feeling any better?”

“Fuck no! I feel like a truck just ran over me. Vos is unbeatable, he's savage, he's…………… a fucking monster.”

I could see the terror in his eyes. If one man was able to do this then why do they need us?

“His speed was incredible. One second he was in front of me, the next he was stabbing me in the back with his claws. Beware his claws! When he gets excited those claws start to light up green. They get faster, sharper and tougher. And don't even think about injuring him! He stood there and let my stab him! He could've dodged! My sword couldn't even go past his fur! It's stabbing a fucking rock!”

My jaw dropped a little. So Vos is way tougher than I expected. I wonder if I could still beat him?

Nomads nurses came in after they heard the other guy's shouting. “Leave” they told me, and so I did. I walked back to the arena. I didn't go inside but layed on the ground. I opened the book to page one and it said-

“The Trickster's Guide To Winning Any Fight”