Ethan had pickpocketed a total of Eighteen gold coins, thirty silver, and five copper.
Weighing the pouch in his hand, grinning to himself. 'Damn, Valeria alone is worth at least all the gold. Not bad.'
Ethan left the academy, making his way to the lively Eastcalm markets. His mind was set on finding a specific booth that housed the Frostshadow Lynx.
The cobblestone streets stretched long beneath the setting sun, casting deep shadows as the first lanterns flickered to life, lighting the road. Ethan made his way toward the market, blending seamlessly into the crowd, moving like a window shopper with no intention of buying.
Ethan stood a few paces away from the Frostshadow Lynx, blending into the bustling market crowd with ease.
The creature's cage was positioned on a slightly raised wooden platform at the center of a merchant's booth, flanked by banners advertising "Rare Beast for Sale."
Frost sparkled on the iron bars of the cage, the lynx's breath becoming visible as it condensed into cold puffs. The frosty air formed a thin layer of ice on the cage.
The lynx paced restless inside the cage, its silver fur shining relflecting from the nearby lantern light.
Ethan leaned casually against the corner of a vendor's spice stall just across from the lynx's cage, close enough to observe every detail without drawing attention to himself.
Between him and the lynx, a crowd of market-goers milled about, some shouting over the din of haggling merchants, others pausing to ogle the exotic beast.
From his vantage point, Ethan had a clear view of the handler, a burly man with a leather apron.
The handler was absorbed in a tense negotiation with a buyer who stubbornly tried to reduce the price of a small, unimpressive ginger cat that lay lazily in its cage, seemingly uninterested in the discussion.
Above, Scruff perched on the crossbeam of a market lantern a few feet to Ethan's left, silently observing both the handler and the crowd below.
Ethan glanced at the lynx again, noting the steady rhythm of its movements and the frost-covered floor beneath its paws.
The space around the cage was marked with melted puddles where onlookers had stepped too close, only to retreat hurriedly from the biting chill.
Ethan's positioning allowed him a direct line of sight to the cage's latch, which, despite the frosty exterior, was secured with a simple iron lock.
His calculations narrowed to a few key factors: the lynx's pacing pattern, the handler's distracted focus, and the crowd that provided cover for his movements.
Scruff, his scruffy Wind Falcon, perched impatiently on a lamppost above, glaring down as if to say, 'Hurry up, amateur.'
Ethan flicked a pebble toward the handler's cart. Scruff took the cue, dive-bombing the stalls with all the grace of a drunk seagull, scattering papers and drawing attention.
During the commotion, Ethan casually slipped behind the cage, loosening the lock with the expertise of someone who had definitely done this before.
He didn't spring the lynx just yet. That would be stupid, you don't act when there's lots of eyes, even more so if the situation is unclear. He latched it loosely, making it look secure while preparing it.
Scruff returned, landing on his shoulder with a triumphant squawk. "Don't get cocky," Ethan muttered, slipping back into the crowd.
A few stalls over, Ethan browsed for supplies like a bargain hunter at a flea market. "I'll take the chili powder, ralerian root, and… that vial of peppermint oil," he said, barely hiding the smirk as he handed over 2 silver coins.
Ethan's hands moved as he mixed the powders and herbs into a small pouch.
In his past life as a Beastlord Supreme, such quick thinking and improvisation were second nature.
Experts like him were expected to know the quirks, and weaknesses of countless beasts.
A single irritant, cleverly chosen, could disorient a creature long enough to gain the upper hand. Ethan had once memorized entire volumes on the behavioral patterns and vulnerabilities of beasts.
As he tied off the pouch, he smirked. "A Frostshadow Lynx hates strong, clashing scents, which is too sensitive for its icy snout. Perfect."
To someone else, this concoction might seem like random ingredients thrown together in desperation.
To Ethan, It was a carefully put tool. And even in this younger, weaker body, he hadn't forgotten what it meant to be the best.
Back at the cage, Ethan tossed the pouch onto its roof.
The mix of scents hit the lynx like an insult to its ancestors, sending it into a frosty tantrum.
The handler rushed over, swearing up a storm, just as Ethan unlatched the cage.
The lynx bolted, freezing everything in its path, while the crowd screamed like they'd seen a ghost or possibly worse, high prices.
From the commotion, Ethan sprinted into the forests, Scruff following him. Tracking the lynx wasn't hard as it left a trail of frost as subtle as a fireworks display.
Suddenly, a random person slips a note into Ethan's hand, looking at the person he could see it was Alastair.
Behind him, the beast handler shouted curses, his heavy boots crashing through the foliage. "You won't get away, thief!" the man roared, the lantern in his hand swinging.
Ethan sprinted through the forest, his breath misting in the cold night air.
Behind him, the beast handler's shouts mingled with the growls of the Frostshadow Lynx.
Scruff, his scruffy Wind Falcon, flitted silently from branch to branch, shadowing Ethan's movements.
Suddenly, Ethan stopped. The plan Alastair had hinted at earlier snapped into focus.
He scanned the area and spotted a sturdy tree with broad branches.
Grabbing the lowest limb, he climbed swiftly and hid among the dense foliage.
From his perch, he watched the handler crash through the undergrowth, lantern swinging wildly.
The Frostshadow Lynx prowled behind him, its silver coat shimmering in the moonlight.
Ethan smirked and pulled out Alastair's cryptic note: "After you run to the forest, leave it to me."
The timing was there. The handler stumbled into a clearing, his lantern casting shadows on the ground.
The lynx circled, growling louder as frost crept over the ground. Just as it prepared to strike, a sharp whistle pierced the night.
Alastair emerged from the shadows, calm and collected, holding a glowing crystal. "That's enough, Snowfang," he said firmly.
The lynx froze, then turned toward him.
Its aggression melted into cautious curiosity as it padded over like a tamed predator.
Ethan watched, awestruck, as Alastair scratched behind its ears, earning a satisfied rumble.
The handler spun, furious. "That lynx is mine!"
"Not anymore," Alastair replied coolly, tossing a pouch of coins at the man's feet. "Take it and leave."
The handler hesitated, but greed won out. Snatching the pouch, he stomped off, muttering curses.
Once the handler disappeared, Alastair looked up, spotting Ethan. "You can come down now."
Ethan sighed, climbing down. "You really know how to steal the show," he quipped.
Alastair chuckled. "And you really know how to stir up trouble. That pouch of yours nearly spooked Snowfang."
"Snowfang?" Ethan repeated, eyeing the lynx, now docile at Alastair's feet.
"She's bonded to me but seems to like you," Alastair said. "You gave me the distraction I needed to free her from that handler."
Ethan crossed his arms. "You could've told me the plan."
"Where's the fun in that?" Alastair grinned. "Besides, you passed the test."
Ethan rolled his eyes but couldn't help smiling. "So, what now?"
"Now," Alastair said, "we get you ready for the Beast Trials."
Later, back at his cabin, Ethan sat on his bed, replaying the night's events.
As dawn neared, a knock broke his thoughts.
Alastair stepped inside, tossing a satchel onto the table. Inside, Ethan could see leather armor, a crossbow, potions, and a knife all carefully packed.
"Where did you get all this?" Ethan asked, testing the knife's weight.
"Let's just say I have my ways," Alastair replied. "You'll need it for the Trials. Don't waste this chance."
Ethan nodded. "Thanks."
Alastair left abruptly
As the first light of dawn seeped through the window, Ethan stood, fully geared. Scruff perched on his shoulder, squawking softly.
Ethan grinned. "Let's do this."