In the remaining time before the Moon Festival, I practiced what I had learned in the temple. I tried making gains in the Arcane Body Art, but the harsh fact was that this island didn’t have enough mana. If I wanted to train my cultivation, I would need to advance.

So I mostly trained my Spellcrafting.

My most interesting discovery happened when I fiddled around with the spell formulas of Basic Water and Basic Kinetic. Since my growth spurt in the temple, I was now able to cast simultaneous spell formulas as long as they were simple and small. Of course, I could also combine cultivation and structured magic, like I had done with the Silverback. I had used three things simultaneously there. A continuous spell, my Mana Augmentation Perk, and my Water Bullet spell.

But now I was practicing creating a layered spell. Two spell formulas stacked. A Water Bullet augmented by Kinetic Push. 

This generated some seriously deadly water and I actually felled a palm tree in our backyard, for which my mother scolded me. But I leveled, so worth it!

[Spellcrafting level 14!]

[+1 Mana Flow]

[+2 Magic Power]

Further progress with Skills was hard at this point, even though I was getting better at wielding magic. The problem was, again, that there was so little mana. I would constantly have to move around the village beach to keep casting spells. I knew that if I leveled up Mana Sight, I would see more, but that was gradual, and because the Skill was already at a decent level, the improvements were slow to come. I was fairly certain that I was approaching the point at which I could already see all of the mana that was available. My Mythic Skill would also soon reach level 20, and I was looking forward to getting a powerful perk.

I also trained my Mana Absorption and practiced using Mana Augmentation to enhance my body. That would be my best chance at winning the physical contests, especially wrestling. The Perk handled most of the complicated work, so I could focus on getting faster and stronger. 

The Junglers recovered a decent amount of the body of the Silverback. My family had the place of honor in the village’s party on the night of recovery. The village was so happy. I was ceremoniously granted my hundred quotas and given a large chunk of Silverback’s grilled meat with a coconut sauce.

Other villages also sent envoys. They brought our village gifts of beast pelts, woven fabrics and basketfuls of dried fruit and mushrooms. Each of the envoys bowed in front of me and thanked me for my contribution. I was feeling pretty good about myself, truth be told.

One of the guests from another village was a young boy of twelve or thirteen. He was tall for his age, and had a certain assured grace about him. He wielded a spear in his muscular arms, and when he came to bow to me, I could sense his eyes were assessing me. I only nodded and smiled, and wondered if he would participate in the melee gauntlet in the Moon Festival.

Only Marek and his family were missing from the party. Everyone else acted so unreserved. They didn’t understand what the hell had happened, and half of them didn’t even believe me and my mother as we told our tale for the hundredth time. Even so, the villagers started calling me the reincarnation of the ancestors and Little God. It wasn’t absolute reverence, more like a fun joke, so I didn’t mind too much.

On the last night before the festival I was training my magic on the beach. I was tired and needed a break, so I sat on the sand to look at the ocean. Then I saw Danek approach.

“Hello,” the fat boy said. He had grown taller and wider, and his expression was uncertain.

“Hey,” I said. “Haven’t seen you for a while.”

“I wasn’t sure you wanted to be my friend anymore,” Danek said.

“Why wouldn’t I?” 

“You are our Little God now,” Danek said and chuckled nervously.

“It’s just a silly title,” I said and patted the sand next to me. “I’m still just me.”

“Is it true?” Danek asked as he sat down. “The story about the ruins and the Silverback?”

“Most of it,” I said. “But the stories seemed to have taken a life of their own.”

“Then you will win the Moon Festival,” Danek said.

“That is the plan,” I said. “But it’s a structured competition. I can’t just attack everyone with my magic and call it a win.”

“If you don’t win, my life is ruined,” Danek said quietly and scuffed at the sand with his toes.

“Right,” I said. “I heard you placed some bets.”

“I believe they were well placed.”

“So not worried about ruining your life?”

Danek smiled. “My life would be very hard in this village even if I didn’t lose. I am not liked by our generation.”

“How much did you bet?”

“More than I could afford.”

“You’re putting a lot of trust in me,” I said.

“Not misplaced.” Danek said and chuckled.

“You took a big risk though,” I said.

“Yes, but…” Danek was quiet for a moment, and then he continued with his cheeks red. “Watching you has taught me that I should be more bold. Just in my own special way.”

“I like that,” I said. “You should be bold. And you have every reason to be. You’re like the smartest person I know.”

“My father says that too, but it means more coming from you,” Danek said.

“The other kids must not be happy with me coming back from the ruins.”

“Some of them are pressuring me to call off the bet.”

“Cowards. But what did you guys even bet on?” I asked in confusion. “We are kids, we don’t have anything.”

Danek looked at me strangely. “How can you be so powerful, but not know anything?”

I shrugged. “I’m powerful because I’m single minded.”

“Fair, I suppose,” Danek said. “Well we bet what we have. Quotas.”

“Ah, that makes sense.”

“How big is the bet?” I asked.

Danek grimaced. “Big enough to ruin me for years. There were a lot of boys betting against you. I took all of the bets. If I win, I will be wealthy in quotas.”

“What are you going to do when you win?”

Danek laughed. “You said it like it is a sure thing.”

“Well…” I said. “I like my odds.”

“I think— oh, it’s a little embarrassing,” Danek said and searched for words. “I would like to travel. If I win this bet, I will have enough funds to maybe try and become a merchant. Maybe I could even go to Aligapa.”

“Really now?” I said and grinned widely. “That’s an interesting goal. I hope you will.”

*

The day of the festival was a bright sunny day. Everyone wore their best clothes, and the women had colorful flowers woven into their hair, and the men wore the brightest blue warpaint I had seen yet. My parents took me north of the island where I hadn’t been before. The most beautiful lagoon was waiting there in a very large jungle clearing. The wide festival grounds had over five hundred people dancing, cheering, chatting, cooking and preparing for the competition.

“How are you feeling, little gem?”

Mother carried me around, and we had quite the entourage around me. I really liked how mother still called me little gem, instead of Little God like everyone else.

“Confident,” I said. 

“That’s my boy,” father said. “Are you really going to challenge the older kids? The Silver Sea Tournament will be here again in five years.”

“Dad, I am not waiting five years! I need to get to Aligapa. And I want to see what the older boys can do.”

“You might get hurt,” father said worriedly. 

The oldest boys in the competition were twelve to fourteen years old. After that they were expected to join the adults as professionals. A normal toddler of not yet three would get thrown around by preteens like a sack. Especially preteens with Skills in Wrestling and whatnot. But I had a few tricks up my baby sleeves as well. Well actually, I was wearing a comfy blue poncho— no sleeves.

“Have you seen Vorok?” I asked.

“No,” father said darkly. “But I heard something from the Elder. He was worried about Vorok. Said that Marek was playing with fire. I don’t know what that meant.”

“Sounds like tricks to me,” I said smugly. “But of course Marek and Vorok wouldn’t resort to that. They despise tricks.”

My parents snorted as we made our way to the competition arenas.

After some short speeches from each village’s elder, the festival began. The first generation competed first. Which was generally speaking the four to five year olds. But because I had awakened my System early, I was to join them as the runt of the litter.

First was spear throwing. A range with wooden beams had been built. Two competitors would stand beside each other and throw a spear fit for their age and size. There was a wide target colored in red at the end of the range, but that was mostly for the older boys. No child of five years had any business throwing a spear that far, Skills or not.

I watched the spear throwing with mild interest. It was clear who had practiced spear-related Skills and who hadn’t. It seemed that those who had also trained in Wrestling had an advantage because of their physical Attributes. Each throw was measured and the crowd, which was mostly the parents of the children, cheered.

Finally I saw Vorok. He emerged from the crowd, and I noticed something was off. His skin was a little too dark, even for having spent days training in the sun. And there was a look in his eyes that was somehow dull. I used my Mana Sight and I did indeed see mana inside his body. Everyone had some, but it was clear to me the rumors were true. Marek had done something with Vorok.

Had he been doping up his son?

Tricks, huh? All competition followed simple rules in the Moon Festival. Any Skills, Perks and for the older boys, Classes and their Abilities were allowed. But no tonics or elixirs. In the melee gauntlet, use of weapon poison was also prohibited.

I did wonder what kinds of tonics were used on Vorok beforehand, because his mana did look weird.

Whatever the cost of that was, I don’t think it was worth it. His muscles were infused with mana, but something looked off. I was no expert in this sort of analysis, but it looked like the muscles were overloaded with mana. A similar effect to my mana augmentation abilities, but burning with dirty fuel.

However, the results were impressive. Vorok threw the spear in a beautiful arc and the spear landed halfway the range. Everyone cheered and clapped and the announcer was all but ready to declare a winner. Vorok turned to the crowd and looked at me with a nasty smirk. I only nodded back.

Then it was my turn. Everyone from our village was silent, as if not sure what to expect. The crowd from the other villages was less impressed.

“Look at him. So clumsy with the spear. Does he even have the skill?”

“Hahah! He is just a baby. What were his parents thinking?”

“Does he even have the System unlocked?”

“You can tell from his body that he hasn’t trained his muscles. What is the point of him even participating?”

I ignored the crowd and focused on the spell. There was slightly more mana by this lagoon area than the beach of our village, which suited me just fine. Besides, I had ample time to prepare the spell and gather mana from my surroundings. Since nobody was rushing me, I decided to give the doubters a show.

Of course I wouldn’t throw the spear. That would be ridiculous.

So I just held the spear on the flat of my palm and started creating a spell formula under it.

“What is this kid doing?” someone from the crowd laughed. “That’s not how you hold a spear!”

The crowd joined the laughter. 

But they went silent when I completed my spell. I had taken my favorite spell formula and modified the structure for this competition.

I launched the spear like a bullet.

The little spear surged through the air in a straight line.

TSOK!

It struck straight to the target at the end of the range. It hit the target so hard it even cracked and broke, leaving only the sharpened end hanging from the target.

A stunned silence hung in the air. The proctor walked down the range and examined the broken target. He looked at the spear and blinked stupidly before turning to stare at me.

“By the spirits…”

He turned to the crowd.

“The— the winner is Luka, son of Jonaka!”

Our village cheered and father picked me up and hoisted me in the air. 

“Little God! Little God! Little God!”

Only Vorok didn’t smile.

I sure did. One challenge down, two more to go. 

And I had a cute plan for the next one.