Two days had passed. Today was the Trial.
Revvyn laid flat on his bed. He was awake, his legs spread out and his arms thrown wide, staring up at the cracked wooden ceiling. He had barely slept for two days. How could he? He was in a world he didn't understand, carrying memories he didn't remember making, and in a few hours, he was going to stand in front of the entire village to determine his fate.
But honestly, none of that was why he couldn't sleep.
He just couldn't sleep. His mind was buzzing with a restless, nervous energy.
Knock. Knock.
Revvyn rolled his head toward the door. It pushed open, and Lily peeked inside.
"Good morning," she greeted, her face lighting up with a bright, genuine smile.
Just seeing her made the tight knot in Revvyn's chest loosen. "Good morning," he replied, sitting up.
He took a good look at her. She was magnificent. The morning light caught the vibrant pink of her hair, and her simple farm dress clung softly to her curves. His mind appreciated the view, completely and totally. But his body? Still nothing. The complete lack of physical response put a sour taste in his mouth, but he forced it down. Not today. Focus.
Lily stepped fully into the room, holding a neatly folded stack of blue clothing.
"I know you were asking a few weeks ago what I was doing at the tailor shop," she said, her cheeks dusting with a light pink. "I wanted to keep it a surprise."
She presented the clothes to him. It was a sturdy blue shirt with a crossover collar and matching trousers, lined with thick white thread. It looked distinctly like a martial artist's uniform, designed for free movement and durability.
Revvyn's eyes widened.
"It's just a little gift," she said softly.
A little gift, Revvyn thought. She probably spent weeks saving up copper coins and working late into the night to make this for me, and she calls it a 'little' gift.
"Do you like it?" she asked, her voice tinged with nervous anticipation.
Revvyn pulled his gaze from the fine stitching and looked directly into her purple eyes. "I love it."
But I love you more, he thought. The realization surprised him, but he knew it was the truth—a mix of his own feelings and the deep affection of the original Revvyn.
♦♦♦
A few minutes later, Revvyn stepped into the main room, dressed in the new clothes. They fit perfectly, wrapping comfortably around his lean frame.
His mother looked up from the hearth, her tired face softening into a proud smile. "You look like a fighter, my love."
"Thanks, Mom," Revvyn said. The word was starting to feel natural on his tongue.
"Let's go," Lily said, hovering near the door with eager energy.
They were just about to step outside when a weak, raspy voice stopped them.
"Revvyn."
Revvyn turned. It was his father. For the past two days, the man had been silent, locked in a battle with his own failing lungs. He was sitting in his reinforced chair, a heavy blanket draped over his motionless legs, pale and sweating.
Revvyn immediately crossed the room and knelt beside him.
"My son," his father struggled to say. Each word looked like it cost him precious energy.
Revvyn leaned in, attentive."Do you remember the stories I told you... of your ancestors?" his father asked.
Revvyn searched the borrowed memories in his head. Faint images surfaced—a man's voice by a fire, tales told before sleep.
"Your ancestors were once powerful Beast Tamers," his father whispered, his voice cracking.
"Popular. Prestigious. But later down the line, your great-great-grandfather ended it all. He gave up the beasts and settled down as a farmer. He just wanted a simple life."
A wet, rattling cough wracked his father's frail body. Revvyn's mother hovered anxiously nearby, but the old man waved her off.
"That's why we became farmers," his father continued, his trembling hand reaching out to grip Revvyn's wrist. His grip was surprisingly tight. "But you... you will restore what we once used to be."
Another cough shook him.
"I trust you," his father gasped, his eyes locking onto Revvyn's with a fierce, desperate light. "I believe you can do it. Go out there... and make us all proud."
Revvyn took the words in. They hit him like a physical weight, settling deep in his chest. He felt a sudden, burning motivation. He felt driven. He felt like he could actually step onto that platform and conquer the world for this old man.
He nodded firmly, stood up, and walked out the door with Lily.
They arrived at the village center. The Trial grounds were packed. A massive ring had been drawn in the dirt, surrounded by ancient, glowing runestones.
Revvyn stopped at the edge of the crowd, his eyes wide. "Whoa. I didn't expect this many people."
"That's how it's always been," Lily said, her voice hushed with awe. "This is the first time I actually get to watch a Trial up close."
Revvyn looked at her. He watched the way the morning breeze played with her hair, the way her eyes scanned the crowd with nervous excitement. He stared a bit too long, caught in the moment.
Then, Lily gasped. Her posture went rigid, like she had just seen a ghost.
Revvyn turned his head. A figure was approaching them, flanked by two other figures. The man walked with an arrogant swagger, like the dirt beneath his boots was privileged to have him step on it.
Revvyn instantly recognized the face from his memories. Slick black hair. Narrow eyes and a smile that never reached his eyes. Lucien Baltimore.
His family owed the Baltimores a staggering amount of money. It was a debt that would soon swallow the farm whole. And Lucien had made a generous offer: he would wipe the debt clean if Lily married him.
Revvyn's jaw clenched.
"You made it," Lucien said, stopping a few feet away. His smile was pleasant, but his eyes were cold.
"Were you planning on me not making it?" Revvyn asked, his voice flat.
Lucien's smile widened slightly. "I guess it failed."Revvyn understood immediately. The memory of the two massive wolves in the forest flashed through his mind. They had struck him down, but they hadn't stayed to finish the job or eat him. They had retreated. Because they weren't wild—they were sent.
Lucien turned his attention to Lily. He reached out, grabbed her hand, and raised it to his lips. "My love," he murmured smoothly.
Lily yanked her hand back as if she'd been burned. "I am not your love."
Lucien straightened up, completely unbothered by the rejection. "I don't know why you choose to be so stubborn. If you marry me, you'll have a better life. You'll travel the world, wear silk, and you'll have me to protect you."
Revvyn felt something hot and violent boil in his chest. How dare he touch her.
"I don't need your protection," Lily spat.
Lucien studied her for a moment, then shrugged dismissively. "Fine then. I'll leave you to your dirt for now."
He turned to walk away, but paused, casting a sideways glance at Revvyn. "Mind your business, kid."
Revvyn stood there, his blood roaring in his ears. He wasn't going to let this arrogant prick take Lily, and he definitely wasn't going to let him get away with attempted murder.
He took a slow, deep breath. No... I need to remain calm. I have a chance here.
He recalled the stories of the Trial. He knew the ranks. F-Rank was the lowest, moving up through E, D, C, B, A, S, and the legendary SSS. His ancestor had succeeded in taming a powerful beast. The bloodline was in him. Even if he didn't get something legendary right away, he just needed a beast that could grow.
He clenched his fists, the blue fabric of his new sleeves pulling tight. I won't disappoint you, Lily. I won't disappoint you, Dad. I'll get strong enough to crush him.
At the center of the ring, the village Elder raised his staff. The crowd instantly fell silent.
"The Awakening Trial begins now," the Elder's voice boomed across the square. "When your name is called, step into the circle. Let the mana judge your soul."