Divine Beast Ascension

Before Oli could say anything in response, he could feel the mental link sever as the energy within the crystal faded away.

“So, how was it?” Eeole asked, dropping the silence formation around him and Zelsh. “Not what you were expecting, right? Most people wouldn’t even dare to expect such a conversation to happen.”

Oli shook his head but still smiled. “That... So that’s what happened... You work for Dominus, and he needs me for some reason to complete his plans. But I can only learn more after the Global Exhibition... And I’m the fifth person you’ve tried this with?”

“Correction,” Eeole added, “you’re the fifth soul I reincarnated and the first person we’ve actually worked with. Don’t forget the important details. We’ve spent thousands of years trying to make this happen and we can finally get past the plan’s first phase.”

“What phase?”

“Phase one. Where you compete in the Global Exhibition and enter Devil’s Canyon. After that, there’s no going back as the plan will begin to unfold for the world to see.” Eeole glanced at the fossil once more as he stored it in his void ring. “... For now, we need to get you back to finish your training. There’s not even two suns till the qualifier so don’t get lazy just yet.”

.....

Sighing, Oli followed along. “Right... There are too many unanswered questions for me to keep thinking about anything else... Let’s get going so I can take an ice bath to clear my head.”

Zelsh laughed and gave Oli a proud slap on the back. Together, they exited the dark pit while Eeole and his lights faded out of view.

It didn’t take too long for them to get back to the others. They had chosen to start cultivating and training in the empty colosseum, so it was easy to spot them all. Zelsh shouted, “Time to go!”

All the young cultivators hurried to meet Zelsh and Oli at the arena’s entrance overhead. None of them wanted to stop training but they had no choice, and they would soon be back at the inn where they could rest in order to tackle their new techniques the next day brimming with energy.

Neither Oli nor Zelsh said a word about what they had been up to and no one asked. The group kept quiet as they returned to Permafrost Palace and hurried back to the inn.

The first person to get excited upon them entering the inn was Yeter, who leaped into the lounge area and tackled Oli to the ground. “What took so long!?”

“We had to handle things properly,” Oli chuckled and knocked the stallion off of him. “But we’re back now, so stop horsing around already.”

“HEY!” Yeter scolded but laughed all the same.

The rest of the team laughed while passing to their rooms. Fulkar was the only one who joined Oli in the ice baths, where the ice and water would help him adjust to the new technique much faster. Oli used the bath to cool down his rampant mind and refocus himself. Then, he went to bed to make sure he was fully refreshed and clear-headed.

For Oli and the team, the next sun and a half passed by like a morning breeze. By the time they were able to get comfortable with their new techniques or arts, their free time came to what felt like an abrupt stop. And the first day of the Provincial Qualifier arrived.

The whole team was gathered that morning for an early breakfast. They were all curious about what was happening next but Zelsh only smiled and hummed at their questions.

After breakfast, Zelsh led the Rot Region Team through the city, but only after Freele and Trantor kissed goodbye. Zelsh was as casual as always and never demanded any attention. This made it very easy to maneuver through traffic. And, to the team’s surprise, there was more traffic than usual and dozens of stands in the market covered with Permafrost Province banners.

“They’re just celebrating the second equinox, as well as the Provincial Qualifier,” Zelsh informed them. “But the public won’t be allowed to witness the first round, so all they can do is celebrate the start of the qualifier in order to welcome all the guests visiting to witness the second round. Make sure to survive the first round, all of you. Otherwise, the entire team will be removed from the qualifier.”

That was the only fact everyone knew regarding the mysterious first round. But it still rocked their hearts with a few waves of worry.

Soon, the team was past the city’s center and heading north. The traffic lessened and they ended up at Permafrost Palace while the second sun was still rising. Everyone proudly halted and lined up behind their team leader, following the example of the other teams present in the teleportation circle courtyard.

Zelsh stood still and smiled like he always did, standing beside Oli with his nonchalant pride.

“You seem excited,” someone commented as they approached Zelsh. “Is it because he leveled up?”

“Maybe. Or maybe it’s because I can’t wait to see him mop the stage with every other team captain,” Zelsh smirkingly replied.

Jeerda smiled but refrained from laughing. “Is that so? Then... I hope I too can look forward to it. Pray to Dominus that they make it through the first round.”

“I’m certain they’ll make it. So certain that I’m willing to bet my cultivation technique, if you dare match me...”

She blinked a few times. Looking back and forth between Zelsh and this youth she’d heard both plenty and so little about, Jeerda sighed while covering her mouth with her hand. “... You’re serious?”

“Completely!” A sealed scroll appeared in Zelsh’s hand. “I’ll gladly bet with anyone.”

“... I may be willing to accept. But only if you’ll bet on them for complete victory-”

“Done. Oliver will come in first place anyway, so what have I got to fear?” guffawed Zelsh, leaving all nearby kings with an unsettling feeling.

Jeerda nodded slowly while retrieving a scroll of her own. “Very well. We’ll leave them with... Rhyner, please hold these until the end of the qualifier, unless you’d like to get in on the action?”

Rhyner Trighton stepped away from his team and approached the provincial king with a quick bow, not even glancing at Zelsh’s team. “I know how well Zelsh trains his younglings, so I won’t be joining the bet. But I’m willing to keep the sealed scrolls until the bet’s been won.”

“Perfect. Then, I’ll take my leave for a moment. Once the last two teams arrive, I’ll inform you of this year’s location.”

As Jeerda walked away, Zelsh laughed and gave Rhyner a friendly nudge, “Long time no see. You’re looking good, King Rhyner.”

“Don’t mention it. If I hadn’t had your support all those years, it would’ve taken much longer to get where I am now,” lauded Rhyner.

“Nonsense! Your self-installed institute put you on the map and did most of the work,” Zelsh reasoned. “Accept some pride in your abilities and claim your right like a proper king! You’re almost a low-king and in just a few years. That’s astounding, kid! I remember when I escorted you to the Quadrant Finals back in the day. You’ve been working hard for so long, you deserve far more praise than you’re getting.”

“... Fine...” Rhyner sighed and chuckled. “Thanks. It means a lot coming from you.”

But Zelsh laughed some more while throwing his arm around Rhyner’s shoulders, “Come on, now. You’re about to be a low-king. That’s just one level away from me! And I’m way older than you, squirt.”

“Okay, now you should stop it,” laughed Rhyner before turning his volume down to a whisper. “I know how you work. There’s no way you’ve been stuck in the mid-king realm for so many centuries. I’m convinced you’re hiding your strength and there’s nothing you can do or say that will convince me of anything less.”

Zelsh pulled Rhyner in for a noogie, stating, “That’s enough out of a kid like you! Stop trying to flip my praise back onto me. It’s your praise to be had, so accept it proudly!”

While that was going on, the second-to-last team arrived. Also, the Rhyner and Rot Teams stole glances at one another. They were oh so curious about each other given how close their kings were. The Rhyner Team scanned over Oli and his companions with laser-like precision, trying to commit their every feature to memory. Oli and Fulkar, on the other hand, hid sly smiles as they remembered each of the Rhyner Team’s faces. Especially the boisterous team captain who had approached the masked Oli to demand that Oli sell him an item Oli had rightfully won.

But Oli and Fulkar kept quiet. They had already shared all information they had with the rest of the team, who also kept their lips sealed while sharing scanning stares with the Rhyner Team. Yeter didn’t say anything. However, he couldn’t help but laugh when he locked eyes with Karos, who was baffled to see the stallion after two years apart.