7
Dejected and tired Ace left the remains of the bear lord behind, not even looking if there where any other pieces of crystalized ether in the pile. He almost forgot the head of the bear lord as he left but luckily, he remembered and picked it up, it was still his trophy and if he delivered it to the tribe, he could become a warrior.
Getting back to the village was easy but it would still take a few days, the closer he got the less dangerous the animals would be. It took no less than three days for Ace to travel all the way back, on the way he had met several other trainees, and the sight of his trophy brought respect and fear.
It wasn't uncommon for trainees to steal each other's trophies, and some even stayed close to the village on purpose to ambush returning rivals and claim the trophy for themselves.
It was truly a no rules kind of game, if you lost your trophy then you where just too weak, at least that was the way the tribe saw it.
Ace didn't have that problem as he came waltzing through the forest towards the tribe, most trainees knew the bear lords terrifying reputation and anyone who could kill one was not someone they wanted to fight.
It didn't matter how Ace had beaten it since most trainees only cared about strength, they just saw the trophy and assumed ace had beaten it with pure power, a feat none of them could hope to achieve yet.
the trainees weren't allowed inside the tribe before they're trial by fire was over, they instead had a training area on the outskirts of the village borders. Ace knew he would have to go around the village to reach the training grounds or he would be punished for entering the tribe.
Around the village stood a wall made of bones and wood, it was terrifying in appearance and had skulls of big beasts protruding out of the wall. Outside of the wall stood guards for every gate to the village, they where all wielding a long bone spear and armor made of boiled leather.
One of the guards noticed Ace walking and saw his trophy, he poked his friend before he shouted at Ace.
"Not bad kid, not bad at all. It's been a long time since I have seen someone bring back a bear lords head"
When ace heard the guard, he stopped and smiled a bit, the entire journey back had been a sad one for Ace as he had found out he couldn't absorb ether no matter what he tried. The bear lords head was the only thing keeping his spirit up if only a little bit.
Ace continued on and the guard made a cold smile to his colleague
"there is quite a few monsters amongst the trainees this year, he's the fifth kid to bring back such a strong beast. We might just seal the deal with Necron this year"
Ace could hear the yelling and screams of children and he knew he had finally arrived at the training grounds, it was an open area where all trees had been removed and the grass had been long stomped gone. There where large rocks some the size of trees as well as massive pits and cave openings in the ground.
In the middle of the training ground stood dozens of tents made from skin, as well as a group of grown men with sinister expressions. The overseers, responsible for turning the kids into warriors, and finding the most gifted kids for special training.
This had been his home for six long and excruciating years, he could feel old wounds that had long since healed, suddenly hurting the moment he saw the place again.
Here as well stood a guard, and he waved Ace over the moment he saw the kid. It was a tall bearded man with a stern face and scars on the left side of his face, most like from an animal was Ace's assumption.
"only trainees with a trophy may re-enter the training grounds, unless you've failed… but you don't look a day over twelve to me"
the last bit was said with scorn in his voice as he recognized the boy, Ace was somewhat famous in the training grounds for having failed his baptism and still survived. Many of the guards thought of him as an embarrassment and they were all expecting him to fail his trial.
Ace on the other hand didn't recognize the guard, they often changed shifts and walking too close to a guard could be seen as leaving the training grounds, which would always result in severe punishment.
"then I am in luck I seems, so where should I deliver the trophy?"
Ace took the bear lords head from behind his back and held it in both hands in front of the guard, the scornful smile of the guard disappeared and was replaced with one of disbelief.
he stood still with a big smile on his face, waiting for the guard to come back to his senses. The guard finally stopped starring and recomposed himself, he cleared his throat before he gave Ace his directions.
"not bad kid, I'm surprised you managed to best a bear lord, very few trainees would dare to try and even fewer would survive the encounter. Go to the trial elder, his tent is the big red one, put the trophy on the ground inside and sit down, don't move unless your told to, understand!?"'
The last part came out rather gravely and Ace knew it wasn't because of a dislike towards him, but because the trial elder was a very important and very ruthless man.
Any disrespect towards him would be met with grave consequences not only for Ace, but even the guard could be punished for not having explained to ace properly how to meet the elder.
"I understand, I will not move or speak unless told to"
The guard looked at ace with a bit of relief, he had tested Ace by only telling him not to move. If Ace hadn't told him that he would be quiet as well, he would fail the test and would have to wait a whole day outside the training grounds before he could meet the elder.
The guard didn't want that either since he wanted the kid to do well at the elder's tent.
"proceed boy, and remember to sit still and keep your mouth shut"
After that the guard waved his hand for him to move forward, Ace continued on, still holding the bear lords head in his hands and with a rising feeling of worry of what was to come.
No matter how impressive it might be to bring back a bear lord he still had a big problem, he wasn't able to absorb ether. Ace was certain that even with the trophy, him recieving the title of warrior would be impossible, without a propper baptism.