Pain,That was the first thing Kai felt.
Unlike the peaceful feeling of drifting through the portal, this pain was sharp, as though countless memories were being forced into his mind at once.
[Synchronizing Host's memories...]
[Synchronization: 10%...]
[35%...]
[68%...]
[100% Complete.]
Kai slowly opened his eyes.
A wooden ceiling greeted him.
The room was small, with faded blue walls and a single window letting in the morning sunlight. A bookshelf stood in one corner, while a desk covered with textbooks occupied another.
"...I'm alive?"
He quickly sat up and looked at his hands.
"They're... younger?"
No.
Not younger.
Different.
The memories flooded his mind.
"My name is..."
He paused before smiling.
"Kai Anderson."
Although his soul still belonged to Kai, the body he now occupied belonged to another boy with the same name.
The previous Kai had been sixteen years old.
He lived in the Azure Kingdom, one of the seven great kingdoms on the Beast Taming Continent.
Unfortunately, the original owner of the body had died the previous night after suffering a fatal fever.
The gods had kept their promise.
Kai inherited every memory perfectly.
"So this is the world of Beast Taming..."
Every person in this world awakened a Beast Space at the age of sixteen.
Inside that space, contracted beasts could live and grow stronger.
The stronger a Beast Tamer became, the more Beast Spaces they unlocked.
Power determined everything.
Nobles ruled because they possessed powerful beasts.
Adventurers became rich by exploring dangerous secret realms.
Some Beast Tamers were even capable of destroying mountains with a single command.
Kai couldn't help smiling.
"This is much more exciting than my old life."
Suddenly—
DING!
A bright blue screen appeared before him.
THE ALL ENCOMPASSING SYSTEM
Host: Kai Anderson
Age: 16
Level: 1
Charm: 30 (+15 Divine Blessing)
Strength: 5
Agility: 5
Spirit: 10
Luck: ∞
Talent: Unknown
Beast Contracts: 0/1
Kai stared in disbelief.
"It actually exists..."
The mechanical voice sounded once more.
[Welcome, Host.]
[I am the All Encompassing System.]
[Please issue your commands.]
Kai blinked.
"So... you're alive?"
[Correct.]
"Can you explain your abilities?"
The screen changed.
System Functions
✓ Status
✓ Inventory
✓ Shop (Locked)
✓ Lottery (Locked)
✓ Fusion
✓ Evolution
✓ Return to Origin
✓ Infinite Storage
✓ Infinite Luck
✓ Quests
✓ Skills
✓ Beast Analysis
✓ System Creation
✓ World Map (Locked)
✓ Divine Missions (Locked)
Kai almost fell off the bed.
"This is ridiculous..."
"It combines every system!"
[Correction.]
[I encompass all systems.]
Kai laughed.
"I guess the name really fits."
Just then—
Knock! Knock!
"Kai!"
"Are you awake?"
A gentle woman's voice came from outside.
According to the memories, it belonged to his new mother.
"Lily Anderson."
She wasn't related to his previous family, yet hearing the concern in her voice warmed his heart.
"I'm coming."
He opened the door.
Standing outside was a beautiful woman in her early thirties with chestnut-colored hair.
She sighed in relief before hugging him tightly.
"You scared me."
"You've been unconscious since yesterday."
Kai smiled.
"I'm okay now."
She placed a hand on his forehead.
"No fever."
"Thank goodness."
Behind her stood a cheerful little girl around twelve years old.
"Big Brother!"
She jumped into his arms.
"I knew you'd wake up!"
Her name was Mia.
Kai gently patted her head.
"I'm sorry for worrying both of you."
His new family wasn't wealthy.
They lived in a modest wooden house near the outskirts of Azure City.
His father had died protecting the city from a beast tide years ago.
Since then, Lily worked tirelessly as a tailor to support the family.
Although poor, they loved one another deeply.
Kai silently made a promise.
"This time..."
"I'll protect them."
During breakfast, Lily smiled.
"Today's the Awakening Ceremony."
"You've waited years for it."
Kai remembered.
Every sixteen-year-old awakened their Beast Space today.
Success meant entering Beast Academy.
Failure meant living an ordinary life forever.
After finishing breakfast, Kai followed the crowd toward the city square.
Thousands of teenagers had already gathered.
Parents filled the surrounding streets.
Merchants sold snacks and lucky charms.
At the center stood a massive crystal over five meters tall.
Its surface shimmered with countless colors.
The Awakening Crystal.
An elderly man wearing silver robes stepped forward.
"I am Elder Rowan."
"I welcome all candidates."
"When your name is called, place your hand upon the crystal."
"The crystal will determine your Beast Talent."
One by one, names were announced.
"Oliver Green."
A boy stepped forward.
Green light appeared.
"F-Rank Talent."
Cheers erupted anyway.
Even an F-Rank talent meant becoming a Beast Tamer.
Another name.
"Sophia White."
Blue light.
"C-Rank Talent."
The crowd applauded loudly.
As the ceremony continued, only one A-Rank talent appeared.
No S-Rank.
No SS-Rank.
Finally—
"Kai Anderson."
He stepped forward calmly.
Whispers immediately spread.
"Isn't that the sickly kid?"
"I heard he almost died yesterday."
"He probably won't awaken anything."
Kai ignored them.
He placed his hand on the crystal.
Nothing happened.
One second.
Two seconds.
Three seconds.
Then—
BOOM!!
The crystal exploded with blinding golden light.
The earth shook violently.
A pillar of light shot into the heavens.
Every beast within Azure City suddenly roared toward the sky.
Elder Rowan's eyes widened.
"This..."
"This has never happened before!"
Hidden deep within the royal palace...
Several old men opened their eyes simultaneously.
"Someone awakened..."
"...a legendary talent."
Far above the clouds...
The gods smiled.
"He has arrived."
Inside Kai's mind, the system spoke.
[Congratulations, Host.]
[Hidden Talent Unlocked.]
[Beginning Talent Analysis...]
To Be Continued...