Lord Goldel stepped forward, his rich robes gleaming from the rays of light. He spread his arms wide, a broad smile plastered on his face as he gazed down at the twelve-year-olds gathered before him.
Goldel was a man who loved the sound of his own voice and cherished every chance to exercise what he considered to be a great oratory skill.
If you asked his subjects, however, well, let us just say they wouldn't mind skipping that part.
The murmurs, however, did die down, and the lord of the ward began his address.
"Welcome, welcome brave youth of Braycliff Ward!" he began, his voice booming through the court. "It is indeed my honor to oversee yet another generation from our beloved ward begin a new stage in their life."
Lord Goldel paused and watched the crowd's reaction to his address.
'Not much... but they would soon be drawn by his irresistible voice.'
"Today marks the first step in your journey as tamers. By achieving the age of twelve, you are now ready to face the Edge of Bray, to find a companion beast that will not only strengthen you but also serve the great kingdom of Gadlon!"
The children looked at each other, some filled with eagerness, others nervous.
Lord Goldel continued, his voice rising, "Know that your bond will bring honor to our ward, to your families, and to the kingdom itself. And remember, the choice of your companion will shape not only your future but the future of Braycliff!"
It seemed as though Lord Goldel would go on forever, caught up in his own words, until Master Doran, the ward's beastmaster, stepped forward.
With a subtle cough, he leaned in and whispered into the wardlord's ear.
From the back of the eager faces, Alden smiled.
The beastmaster probably had to politely remind the wardlord that the ceremony was time-bound.
Lord Goldel looked momentarily displeased but then nodded, his face breaking into a beaming smile that almost made him look youthful.
"And now, I shall leave you in the capable hands of Master Doran, who will explain the preparations and guide you on how to select a suitable companion."
Lord Goldel stepped back, and the crowd applauded their wardlord more out of courtesy rather than appreciation.
To Goldel, however, it made no difference; it was his talent that had eventually won their hearts.
Master Doran took the floor.
His gaze was calm but seemingly pierced into all the young aspiring tamers looking at him.
"Listen carefully," he began, diving directly to the main point as was his signature habit. "The beasts you'll encounter are divided by ranks: common, rare, legendary, and the elusive mythical rank."
The beastmaster paused to allow the youths to process that.
"You will not know a beast's rank until it chooses to reveal itself; therefore, do not be swayed by appearances alone. Contract only a beast whose temperament and strength you feel ready to handle."
At that, most of the children looked at each other in apparent confusion, but it was a hand next to him that shot up.
Alden looked at Ina in shock; he wanted to reach for her hand and force it down, but it was already too late.
Almost all the eyes were on her now.
Alden wished that he could disappear; he felt like those gazes would pierce past her and fall on him.
Master Doran smiled encouragingly at the young girl.
"Good, I see you have questions already," he said, pointing at Ina.
"But what if you aren't able to see the beast's evolution path... what if it doesn't reveal it to you?"
From the eager faces that were now directed at the beastmaster, it was clear that it was a question shared by many.
Master Doran smiled at the curious faces.
"Excellent question," he said, and Ina beamed at that.
"Well, in most cases, once the beast agrees to enter a contract with a tamer, it is customary for the tamer to be able to see the beast's rank and evolution path," Master Doran paused.
"However, in case you are unable to see this, the best choice is not to contract the beast, as that is a clear indicator of incompatibility between the tamer's temperament and that of the beast."
"But what if you still want to contract the beast? I mean, it could still be done even without seeing these aspects, right?"
Alden didn't have to look to know it was Tomel who had asked that question. It was just like Tomel to insist on things that he had clearly heard being advised against.
Master Doran, however, did not seem to view Tomel's question in that manner.
"You are right," he nodded, seemingly acknowledging Tomel's point. "Some tamers still contract such beasts. However, like I said, it is unadvisable," the beastmaster directed his gaze at Tomel as if making sure the point went home.
Alden knew he was wasting his time. Tomel would willingly return inside a dragon's belly as long as he just returned with one.
"The reason is such beasts will reject the tamer once they get strong enough... it is at that point we call them monsters because they stop becoming allies of the kingdom and instead begin to wreak havoc."
Tomel, however, did not appear satisfied.
"But there are some that stay loyal to their tamer, right?"
Alden thought that the beastmaster would be tired of Tomel's questions, but he wasn't.
"Indeed there are, but it is a wild card." Tomel looked like he would interrupt with yet another question, but the beastmaster raised his hand to stop him.
"In any case, there will be a sorting ceremony where your beast will be accepted or rejected. Do you really wish to take that risk?"
Tomel eventually seemed to get the point. Contracting a beast wasn't the end; the kingdom still had the right to reject whatever was considered a threat.
Master Doran smiled, seeing that Tomel had got his point, and he went on with his explanation.
"Beasts of common and rare ranks are the most likely to be found. Legendary ranks are rare, even for a trained tamer. And mythical rank beasts… well, none have ever been contracted here in Braycliff."
Several faces, including Tomel's, looked sad, but Alden could see Clark smiling; he had told them as much.
"But remember, even the most humble companion, if raised with care and loyalty, can evolve to become a strong resource for the kingdom," Master Doran said, trying to console the sad kids.
He paused, letting the words sink in before he added, "When you enter the forest, trust your instincts. Each of you has a unique talent, a gift that will appease one beast or the other. This journey is yours alone, but Braycliff stands behind you."
"You will each receive an amulet, should you feel in grave danger and wish to leave the forest just press on it, there will be beast nights patrolling near the forest, but once you come out with or without a beast, you cannot re-enter, so only in grave danger should you use the amulet "
With that, Master Doran nodded, signaling the servants to hand out the supplies.