Reborn As A Maid

The fight did not stop.

The tournament went non-stop with each subsequent bout only increasing the excitement of the spectators who were seeing new heroes with incredible skills. Legends were being created literally before their eyes!

Again the announcer raised his voice.

"Now our contestant – the Beast Hunter of the Eastern Wildlands! The hunter who hunts together with nature! King Gale!"

The eastern gate opened slowly.

In came a tall young man whose skin had an amazing tan. His movements were slow and calm. He wore leather armor instead of steel, thus being able to move like any creature of the forest. On his back there was a bow. A hunting knife was hanging from his belt.

But the most impressive thing about him were his calm emerald eyes.

Together with the young man in the arena came three companions.

The first companion was a black bear whose thick fur shone like silver.

Then there appeared a silver wolf with golden eyes, scanning the arena.

Above them there was flying a proud hawk, whose cry echoed across the stadium.

The crowd was astonished.

"They brought beasts here?"

"They look so calm..."

"They are walking together!"

King Gale tenderly scratched the bear’s ears, his voice being warm with tenderness. "Ready, Bruno?"

The bear responded with a loud growl, its head rubbing into the scratch of his master.

The wolf’s tail wagged, its tongue hanging out.

Above them the hawk proudly shrieked and soared up.

King Gale’s smile became softer. "We will try our best."

Lilia on the royal balcony turned her face towards the unusual trio. "They really trust him."

"I agree," Arthur said thoughtfully. "They are not summoned creatures. They are lifetime companions."

"That’s much more difficult to achieve. You cannot force the trust but earn it, day after day," Lucas added with respect.

Walking to the center of the arena, King Gale was remembering some events that had happened many years ago because of his companions.

Many years ago, he had been a frightened little boy traveling through the thick forest together with his parents. His father was a great hunter, being perfect with a bow and a blade. His mother was a healer, having always kind hands.

One evening something terrible had happened.

Corrupted monsters rushed down from the mountains, their roars piercing the air of the forest. His parents fought desperately for him, using their blades against the enemies.

"Run!" screamed his father desperately.

King obeyed and ran, crying with fright.

After he stopped running, exhausted and frightened, the forest had become silent.

He spent many days, trying to find his parents but in vain – they did not come back.

Hungering and hungry, he finally collapsed beside a river, his body unable to go further.

But when he opened his eyes again, he saw a mother wolf standing over him with her golden eyes.

She did not attack. She just nuzzled him gently, urging him to follow her to the den.

Then, the pack of wolves fed him, offering him protection and a place to belong.

Many months passed and then many years.

He grew up among wolves, bears, birds and many other creatures. He learned their movements, their cries and their emotions. He learned that trust cannot be forced – it is earned through patience, kindness and mutual respect.

And when he was found by rangers, he was speaking the language of the forest better than the language of people.

From that moment he promised to protect people and nature.

Not to control the beasts but fight together with them.

The referee walked to the center of the arena. "Contestants ready?"

Opposite King Gale there stood a famous monster tamer – Cedric Voss.

Whereas King wore simple leather armor, Cedric was wearing expensive armor with magical collars and enchanted chains. Behind him there stood several big wolves, their bodies being tense and their tails low.

But their faces looked different than those of King’s companions – their eyes were filled not with trust but with fear.

Cedric laughed arrogantly. "So... You are the so-called Beast Hunter."

King looked at the wolves silently, his emerald eyes full of compassion. "They are afraid."

"It doesn’t matter. They obey me," Cedric shrugged indifferently.

King shook his head quietly but definitely. "Obedience is not equal to trust."

The referee raised both flags.

"Begin!"

Cedric gave the order instantly. "Attack!"

His wolves rushed forward, their movements being jerky and nervous.

King Gale was still calm, his feet steady on the stone.

He did not scream but just nodded.

Then the silver wolf that had been walking at his side rushed forward, its movements being smooth and beautiful.

But instead of attacking the enemy wolves, it tried to guide them away from the fight, gently herding them, calming their fears.

Meanwhile Bruno, the giant bear, intercepted Cedric himself.

The enormous bear stood on its hind legs and growled loudly, its sound shaking the very foundations of the arena.

The sound echoed across the stadium, making everybody silent.

Cedric stumbled, losing his composure.

Above them the hawk folded its wings and dived. Its shriek told King Gale about the hidden magic which Cedric was going to use behind his back.

Without even turning around, King rolled to the side.

A magical net fell harmless on the ground, its glowing strands vanishing.

The crowd burst into admiration, its cheers becoming louder.

"They are fighting like one mind!"

"There are no commands!"

"They know what to do!"

Jennie admired King, her eyes following his moves. "He trusts them completely."

Roxy nodded, her voice being full of wonder. "And they trust him."

Snow proudly smiled, his tail swishing. "This is true friendship."

Cedric clenched his teeth, his eyes being full of anger. "Enough!"

He activated several magical collars, their runes becoming bright with cruelty.

The enchanted wolves howled in agony as they were pushed into an erratic charge.

The smile on King’s face faded, his voice taking an unusual tone.

"You shouldn’t treat friends like that."

The bear growled in fury.

Bruno smashed the ground with a huge paw, creating a shock wave which only affected Cedric, making the boy stumble as it cracked the stone floor.

Simultaneously, the hawk dove down and grabbed the magical whistle out of Cedric’s hands.

King swiftly drew his bow.

An arrow flew through the air.

It didn’t pierce Cedric’s flesh but cut the crystal which controlled the collars.

The dark magic holding the restraints dissipated.

The wolves immediately stopped attacking Cedric and slowly approached King instead, lowering their tails and flattening their ears.

King knelt in front of them.

"You don’t have to fight anymore."

One scared wolf tentatively rested its head against his hand, shivering with relief.

The crowd fell silent, holding their breath.

Even Cedric gaped at the sight of it, his face paling.

The referee turned to look at Cedric, confused.

Without his beasts and control magic—he lost the battle.

Cedric slowly lowered his head.

"I surrender."

Both flags rose in the referee’s hands.

"Winner—King Gale!"

Roars of victory filled the air.

But most spectators cheered for another reason.

Because they saw compassion—inaction of a man who treated his companions as equals.

King helped Cedric to his feet, bowing in front of him.

"I hope," he whispered, "that someday you will fight besides them and not above them."

Cedric gazed at his former comrades and felt ashamed.

"...Perhaps, I have much to learn."

King Gale left the arena with Bruno, the silver wolf, and the hawk on his side.

Even the Royal Knights applauded for him.

Arthur smiled, nodding approvingly.

"Power built on trust."

Lilia nodded back, her heart touched by the gesture.

"The kingdom could use more people like him."

Jennie watched King Gale go to the competitors’ corridor far below, her face softening.

She smiled to herself.

"Strength doesn’t always come from a weapon. Sometimes, it comes from the bonds we choose to protect."

As the cheers for King Gale faded, the lights in the arena suddenly died down.

The crowd fell into puzzlement.

"What is happening?"

The announcer’s voice echoed from the speakers in a dramatic tone, carrying a note of mischievous humor.

"Our next competitor—the woman known in the underworld as the Phantom Thief—Rudy Kiss!"

Instead of entering through the gates of the arena, Rudy’s voice rang from above, light and teasing.

"You’re all looking at the wrong direction."

Thousands of spectators automatically gazed up at the sky.

Rudy was sitting on the top of the stone archway of the arena, her black-and-purple coat gently rustling as she lazily swayed her legs. There were no signs that the girl was sitting at such height—it seemed like she was sitting on the branch of a tree. She was smiling playfully.

She smiled and waved to everyone, her voice filling the whole silent stadium.

"Good afternoon!"

The crowd burst into laughs and applause, forgetting about their confusion.

"How did she climb there?"

"When did she leave the waiting room?"

Even the Royal Knights looked around confused, their hands instinctively gripping the handles of their weapons.

With a grace movement, Rudy jumped into the middle of the arena—floating like a bird.

Not a single sound was heard from her landing.

She theatrically bowed, laughing.

"My apologies. I hate boring entrance."

Her opponent entered from the other side of the arena—a famous duelist named Vex Hale.

He wore the armor which reflected the dim light of the lamps, and wielded both longsword and dagger. The boy stood confidently, and his eyes were sharp.

"I’ve heard your tricks," Vex said, pointing his sword with ease. "They won’t work on me."

Rudy innocently tilted her head, pretending to be offended.

"Tricks? I am offended. I prefer the word talent."

The crowd laughed.

The referee raised both flags, cutting through the anticipatory silence.

"Begin!"

Vex immediately rushed at his opponent, wielding his sword fast.

Rudy stayed still.

The blade passed right through her body.

"...What?"

The Rudy before his eyes instantly transformed into dozens of floating flower petals which were gently flying in the air and disappearing.

Gasps were heard from the audience.

It was illusion.

A cheerful voice sounded behind him, teasing and light.

"Looking for me?"

Vex turned to look.

There was nothing.

The next voice sounded from his left.

"Nope."

"Nope."

"Nope."

From everywhere.

The whole arena suddenly seemed filled with laughter of Rudy—as dozens of identical Rudys appeared on the battlefield, smiling and mischievous.

The audience couldn’t determine which one was the real girl.

Arthur narrowed his eyes, muttering under his breath.

"Advanced illusion magic."

Lucas frowned, his eyes sharp.

"Combined with stealth. She is not only hiding—but rewriting the reality."

Vex closed his eyes in frustration and started swinging his sword wildly, dispelling several illusions into flower petals.

Then...

Clang.

His sword slipped from his hand.

"...What?"

He looked at the place where his sword used to be.

His weapon was gone.

Several meters away, Rudy looked at it with mock admiration.

"Nice craftsmanship."

She carelessly threw the sword into the air and caught it by the hilt.

Vex quickly drew his dagger and bit his teeth, charging at the girl.

"Thou won’t trick me twice!"

Rudy smiled, her eyes glinting with mischief.

"Really?"

She snapped her fingers.

Vex froze.

His dagger was gone too.

"...Impossible!"

The audience laughed loudly, raising the cheers.

Rudy twirled the stolen weapons in her hands.

"I think you dropped those."

She gently tossed the weapons to Vex , who caught them in utter astonishment.

The duel continued.

Vex attacked with increasing desperation, his swings becoming wilder every second.

Every time he blinked, something else disappeared.

His belt pouch.

His coin purse.

Even the contestant badge pinned to his chest.

He looked down and became pale. "...Where?"

Rudy was holding the badge between her fingers, carefully examining it. "I believe that this belongs to you."

She flipped it towards him and he clumsily caught it.

Laughter echoed from the crowd, their cheers resounding in the stadium.

Meanwhile, Arthur was folding his arms and observing Rudy carefully. "Her moves..."

Lucas was looking at her unbelievably. "I cannot see it."

Neither could do that the royal mages nor the experienced knights.

Each time when Rudy was moving, she was simply not there anymore—like she lived only between these actions.

While Vex started another attack trying to strike her with his sword—

She disappeared into his shadow.

She did not exist for a moment.

Then, stepping out from behind him, she was smiling at him. "So predictable."

Vex was looking at her shocked and became pale. "...When?"

Referee announced the end of the duel.

Vex slowly lowered his weapons and surrendered. "I surrender."

Cheering of the crowd became deafening.

However, Rudy was not ready to finish yet.

She looked up at the royal balcony and her eyes were shining mischievously. "Your Majesty, can I show you one more trick?"

Lilia was smiling at her curiously and tilted her head. "If it is not dangerous."

"I promise." Rudy bowed deeply.

A moment later—

She disappeared.

Arthur tried to touch his side. "...My pocket watch."

Gone.

Lucas was touching his hand and said confusedly. "...My glove."

His right glove was gone without a trace.

Even one of the judges started to pat his pocket and became pale. "My handkerchief!"

Everyone on the royal balcony was looking at them with shock and amusement.

A moment later—

Rudy appeared in the arena like she was not moving at all.

She was holding Arthur’s silver pocket watch, Lucas’s glove, and the judge’s embroidered handkerchief, and holding everything between her fingers.

Then she made a dramatic spin and returned everything with a perfect bow. "Please forgive me. I just borrowed them."

Arthur took the watch and smiled. "I commanded armies for decades and even I couldn’t follow your moves."

Lucas was shaking his head smiling. "I didn’t even feel when my glove is taken."

The crowd became roaring even louder, showing their appreciation.

Among other participants, Jennie was smiling and was carefully watching Rudy, her eyes full of professionalism. "This is her real power."

Roxy was looking at her uneasily, having her arms crossed. "...She is terrible."

Jennie was nodding thoughtfully. "Far more dangerous than she pretends."

Snow was laughing, his eyes full of amusement. "Exactly the type of a person who already wins the fight before it happens."

Roxy sighed and then looked at Rudy who was smiling to them from the arena. "...She is going to flirt with Jennie again."

Snow started laughing. "I am ready to bet my honorary badge that she will."

As if she could hear them, Rudy looked at Jennie from the arena.

She put her hand to her heart—then she blew her a kiss.

Jennie quickly turned away with reddened cheeks.

Roxy put her arms to her hips in a dramatic manner. "...I see."

Snow was laughing so loud that some other participants looked at him.

Rudy was winking at them and obviously was loving the mess she was creating.

Tournament was continuing and the stories about warriors who participated in it were getting only more popular.

However, in the shadows of the arena, destinies’ threads were weaving together and leading the strongest warriors to the collision which would change the continent’s fate.

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