The sun hadn't risen yet when Ty stopped the pickup in the dirt lot beside the rodeo arena. The air was cold, the sky gray, and his stomach twisted with nerves.
In the truck bed, Spartacus whinnied softly, restless. He felt it. Knew this day was different.
And it really was.
This was Ty's second official competition — but this time, there was $5,000 on the line. It wasn't just about practice anymore, or just the dream. It was a real chance to change the course of his life.
It all started a week before, when Jim Bartlett, Amy and Lou's father, showed up at the ranch.
"I heard you competed in Hudson," he said, leaning against the barn. "And that you won. Not much, but you won."
Ty wiped his hay-covered hands on his pants.
"It was just a small event."
Jim shook his head.
"A win is a win, kid. There's a big competition happening in Okotoks. State rodeo. Five thousand dollars for the champion. Calf roping. I thought I'd sign you up."
Ty was speechless for a moment.
"Five thousand?"
"That's right. But it's a different level. The horse has to be ready. You have to be ready."
Spartacus no longer limped. He was strong, with defined muscles and near-automatic obedience. And Ty… well, he was learning fast. Faster than anyone expected.
And he knew why.
System Active – "Fast Learner"
"You learn faster and more accurately by observing and practicing."
Support: 100% synced with Spartacus.
Progress update: Roping mastery — 64%.
"You're approaching professional level."
He didn't know where this came from. He only knew it worked.
Without explanation, it was as if his mind absorbed the right moves, the mistakes of others, the details nobody saw. Every practice, he improved. Every failure, he corrected faster than any experienced cowboy he'd ever met.
—
When he told Jack he was signing up, the old man's expression didn't hide his displeasure.
"And who's going to pay for this?"
"Jim offered. He wants to cover the entry fee and fuel."
Jack frowned.
"Of course he did. Jim always liked playing the hero…"
Ty fell silent. He understood the discomfort. Jack still didn't fully trust Jim — and deep down, feared Ty would leave with the first money he earned.
But he wasn't going anywhere. Not yet.
He just wanted to build something of his own.
"It's not for easy money, Jack. It's to save the first investment for my ranch."
Jack was quiet. He didn't respond, but he didn't stop him either.
That was enough.
—
Now, there in the dirt parking lot, Ty led Spartacus down the ramp. The horse descended cautiously, head held high, focused.
They were connected.
Ty felt his heart pounding, but his hand was steady.
He knew this competition was decisive.
In the arena, dozens of cowboys were already training. Older men, some with sponsors, huge trailers, prize-winning horses.
Ty was just a kid with an old pickup and a rescued horse.
But Spartacus had something the others didn't.
Contained fury and intelligence.
And Ty… well, he had the system.
Empathy with Animals – Active
"You instinctively feel what the horse needs. Your commands are more natural. The animal responds to your energy."
Current level: 89% sync with Spartacus.
—
The first round came quickly.
Ty entered the arena, hands firm on the rope, eyes fixed on the calf ahead. Spartacus trotted steadily. Silence at the gate.
Then — the signal.
The calf bolted. Spartacus shot after it like a living arrow. Ty rose slightly, spun the rope in the air, felt tension in his wrist…
Threw.
The lasso came down with absolute precision. The rope caught the front legs, and Spartacus stopped sharply, firm, pulling the line perfectly taut.
6.4 seconds.
The arena erupted in applause. The judge raised the flag.
It was the best time of the morning.
Ty left the arena with tears in his eyes.
He rested his head against Spartacus's neck.
"Thank you, buddy. Thank you for choosing me."
—
In the second round, he placed third. Still, his total time qualified him for the finals.
The prize? $5,000.
But at that moment, Ty wasn't thinking about money. He was thinking about how that horse, which everyone said was impossible to tame, now ran with him as if they were one.
He thought about the ranch that didn't exist yet, the fences still to be built, the sign without a name.
And he thought that maybe, for the first time in his life, he was on the right path.
In the crowd, Jim smiled. Lou waved from afar. And Amy… Amy looked on with pride. But Jack wasn't there. And Ty knew.
Some approvals come later.
But for now, he had something bigger:
The certainty that he belonged in that arena.