You're kidding," Arin said, clutching his forehead.
> "Nope," Elder Yuehua replied, sipping her morning wine. "You, your beast, and every disciple with a spirit pet are now entered in the First Annual Baby Beast Showcase Tournament."
> "Why me?"
> "Because we enjoy watching your life spiral into absurdity."
Yura appeared behind him. "Can I enter too? Technically, I'm still youthful, cute, and bite people."
> "You're not a beast."
> "I'm a fox spirit, close enough."
> "You were eating pudding with chopsticks yesterday."
> "I'm multi-talented."
---
[Ding! Mandatory Participation Confirmed.]
[Baby Beast Tournament: Objective – Win, Survive, and Entertain.]
> "That last part feels too on-brand."
Fluffy Doom was floating upside down nearby, spinning slowly while chewing a glowing insect.
> "He's so elegant," Yura whispered.
> "He's eating a lightning beetle alive."
> "I said what I said."
---
Scene: Tournament Grounds
The Inner Sect's stadium was transformed into a fluffy battleground. Elder disciples sat in high pavilions. Betting slips flew through the air. The arena was decorated with pastel banners and dangerous-looking plush toys.
An announcer yelled:
> "Welcome to the event that nobody asked for—but everyone secretly loves! It's time for the BABY BEAST SHOWCASE!"
Arin stood with Fluffy Doom on his head like a cursed hat.
Jun Bai arrived, majestic, holding his white tiger cub Thunderfang, who literally had lightning crackling off its fur.
> "Step aside," Jun Bai sneered. "This is a sacred competition. Not a circus act."
> "Oh?" Arin said. "You mean a competition judged by elders who bet spiritual stones on the cutest sneeze?"
> "Your beast is an unstable demonic anomaly."
> "So is my personality."
---
Round One: Pet Introduction
Each disciple introduced their beast onstage.
Yue Lan stepped forward gracefully. "This is Snowbell, a Frost Crane who composes poetry."
Snowbell bowed. Then recited an ice haiku that froze a watermelon in the crowd.
Jun Bai raised Thunderfang. "He can paralyze enemies with a roar."
Thunderfang roared. A disciple fainted three rows back.
Yura twirled. "My beast is... me."
Everyone cheered. She winked. Her ears wiggled.
Arin walked up last, Fluffy Doom in his arms, sparking gently.
> "This is Fluffy Doom. He explodes when nervous. So... don't clap."
A single person clapped.
Fluffy Doom sneezed.
A judge's mustache caught fire.
---
Round Two: Talent Show
Snowbell drew an entire landscape with frost feathers.
Thunderfang ran across vertical walls.
Yura breakdanced with fox tails.
Then came Fluffy Doom.
He… floated into the air.
Glowed ominously.
And began singing an ancient eldritch chant in reverse.
Several audience members began crying.
One passed out.
A tree grew a beard.
> "...Did my dog just open a minor dimensional rift?" Arin asked.
> "Yes," Elder Yuehua said calmly. "That's 10 bonus points."
> "He deserves a juice box," Yura added.
---
Backstage Chaos
As the competition paused, Jun Bai stormed over.
> "I don't care what magic that mongrel beast of yours has. You're cheating."
> "I'm just existing aggressively," Arin replied.
Fluffy Doom blinked, burped fire, and slightly singed Jun Bai's robe.
> "Control your—thing!"
> "He's sensitive. Don't yell near him. Or at him. Or beside him."
> "I will destroy him."
> "You'd have to out-cute him first."
---
Final Round: Obstacle Course
The arena shifted.
Fluffy platforms, swinging ropes, exploding donuts. The final challenge was speed and style.
Jun Bai and Thunderfang darted through the course like a blade through silk.
Snowbell froze the obstacles and glided above.
Yura danced through like she was in a music video.
Fluffy Doom?
He teleported. Accidentally. Through half the course.
He reappeared inside the judge's teapot.
> "...Well that's new," Elder Yuehua said.
---
Results
1st Place (By Chaos Vote): Fluffy Doom
2nd Place (Actual Skills): Thunderfang
3rd Place (Fan Favorite): Yura
Special Poetry Prize: Snowbell
Arin was handed a ribbon made of spirit silk that said "Most Likely to Accidentally Become God."
He wore it proudly.
---
Later That Night…
Arin lay in bed, Fluffy Doom curled against his chest.
> "You're a menace," he whispered.
> "Rrryurp," said Fluffy Doom, chewing his scroll again.
> [Ding! Bond Level Increased. Beast Companion has formed emotional imprint.]
> "You're gonna be real trouble when you grow up, huh?"
From the corner, the scroll muttered, "You two are going to end the sect one day."
Arin grinned.
> "Not before I win the next competition."