The competition had been brutal, but Mia had given it everything she had. As the final round came to a close, with every beast tamer showing off their most impressive skills, she could feel the weight of the moment press down on her. The bleachers around the arena were packed with spectators—families, friends, teachers, and fellow tamers who had all come to watch the newcomers prove their worth. Mia's stomach had been in knots for the past hour, but she kept her focus, her eyes trained on Nut Nut Brawler and Professor Hootsworth. She had come into this competition as an underdog, an older tamer with little field experience but a fierce determination to do her best. The judges, who had watched carefully, had all praised her beasts' ingenuity, their grace, and their unusual combination of skill and heart.
But the reality of it was this: she wasn't the youngest. She wasn't the most experienced. And when the final scores were tallied, Mia knew she wasn't going to be crowned the champion. That honor went to a sharp-eyed young boy named Elias, whose majestic wolf beast had effortlessly flown through the obstacle course and executed every trick with flawless precision. The crowd had cheered for him, and though Mia had felt a twinge of envy, she also couldn't deny that he deserved it. He was a seasoned prodigy, a natural talent who had trained from a young age. She was happy for him, but that didn't make the sting of second place any less sharp.
The ceremony at the end of the competition was a blur. Mia stood in line with the other runners-up, smiling through the exhaustion. Her heart still pounded in her chest as the announcer called out names. The top three winners were each given a hefty prize, but as she stepped forward to accept her runner-up prize, she couldn't help but feel a strange sense of pride swelling in her chest. Sure, she hadn't won, but she had held her own, competing alongside people who had years more experience than she did. And that alone felt like a victory.
The prize money she received was substantial. Enough to cover some of her bills for the next few months—and to even buy a few more supplies for her classroom. But more than the money, Mia was given a special voucher: an invitation to enter the City-Level Beast Tamer Competition. She stared at it in surprise. It was the sort of prize that didn't just come to anyone. The city-level competition was for the best of the best, the most skilled tamers in the region. The idea of entering such a high-level competition would have been laughable a few months ago, but now—now, with the little achievements under her belt—Mia felt like she had earned the right to take a shot at it. Her beasts, especially Nut and Hootsworth, were growing stronger every day, and with the experience she'd gained here, she had no intention of stopping.
"Are you okay, Miss Greaves?" Elias, who had won the competition, came up to her with a shy grin. "You look like you're thinking about something serious.""Oh, I'm just… processing," Mia replied, giving him a warm smile. "You were amazing out there. I'm not even mad about second place. You've got real talent."Elias blushed and scratched the back of his head. "Thanks! I didn't expect to win, to be honest. But your owl—he was amazing. You've got something special.""Thanks," Mia said, her chest swelling with pride at the mention of Professor Hootsworth. "You've got talent, too. You're going to go far, Elias.""Maybe. But I think you've got a shot at the next one." He glanced at the invitation in her hand. "City-Level competition, right? You should totally enter."Mia paused, blinking. "You think so?""Why not?" Elias said with a grin. "You're clearly a really good tamer. You've got a strong connection with your beasts. It's not about winning—it's about learning, right?"Mia chuckled, ruffling his hair. "You sound like one of my students. You're right, though. It's about the journey.""Exactly! I'll be cheering for you!" Elias said, his eyes shining with genuine enthusiasm.
Mia walked away from the event with a lighter heart. Sure, she hadn't won, but as she walked toward the exit of the arena, her head high, she realized something important: second place didn't mean failure. It meant she had room to grow, and that was something to celebrate. She wasn't finished. She was just getting started.
When Mia arrived back at her apartment that night, she barely had the energy to take off her shoes before she collapsed onto the couch. Nut jumped onto the armrest, nudging her cheek with his tiny paws. "So, we lost. But we had fun! We flexed! I flexed!" Mia chuckled softly, reaching out to ruffle his fur. "You sure did, little buddy. We all did. And we'll do even better next time.""Yeah, next time!" Nut cheered. "We'll train harder! We'll build the muscles! We'll lift the weights!"Professor Hootsworth, who had been quietly observing from his perch, gave a satisfied hoot. "Indeed. But perhaps we should focus on a more refined method of training. Strength alone will not win the next competition.""Ah, yes. Refinement," Mia said with a smile, "and not just raw power. Got it." She leaned back on the couch, feeling a deep sense of gratitude for her beasts. Even though they weren't as flashy as some of the others, they were hers. And they were perfect for her.
As Mia settled in for the evening, she felt a strange sensation. The connection between her and Professor Hootsworth suddenly flared—subtle, but undeniable. It was as if a door had opened between them, a door Mia hadn't even known existed. She could feel it in her bones—something was about to happen. She sat up quickly, eyes narrowing in thought. Hootsworth tilted his head, his large golden eyes meeting hers. For a moment, they both stared at each other in silence. Then, without warning, a glowing aura surrounded the owl. The light was soft, like moonbeams filtering through a dense forest, and it was almost as if the entire room shifted in energy. "What's happening?" Mia whispered, her breath catching in her throat. Hootsworth stretched his wings and let out a low, powerful hoot. "It seems my time has come." Mia's eyes widened. "What do you mean?"Before she could ask further, the glow intensified, and Hootsworth's form began to shift—growing, his feathers shimmering and expanding. His body grew more regal, more refined, and his eyes gleamed with ancient wisdom. It was happening. Professor Hootsworth was evolving.
Mia's heart raced as she watched the transformation unfold before her eyes. She wasn't sure how or why it was happening now, but she felt a sense of awe and wonder. This was the evolution she had been waiting for—the moment when her connection with her beast deepened beyond anything she had imagined. This was what being a beast tamer was all about.
When the light finally faded, Hootsworth stood taller, more magnificent than ever. His feathers were now a deep, almost iridescent gold, and his wings shimmered with an otherworldly light. He was no longer just a wise, talking owl—he was something greater, something even more powerful.
Mia could only stare in awe. "Hootsworth…" she whispered.
The owl blinked, his eyes gleaming with a newfound depth of understanding. "It seems my potential was always within me. And now, it is unleashed. We are ready, Mia. Together.
Mia's heart swelled with pride. She had made it this far—second place, sure—but with a growing bond with her beasts, an invitation to the city-level competition, and the knowledge that her journey was only just beginning. The best was yet to come.