"Attention, everybody."
A firm voice echoed through the Awakening Hall, grabbing the attention of students, teachers, and spectators who had come to watch the Beast Awakening Ceremony. The principal glanced at the students before continuing.
"Today…" He paused for a moment. "…you learned what your guardian beasts are."
Some students held their breath.
"Some of you got what you expected. Others did not. And some," his gaze lingered on Zane and Arlen for a few seconds, "exceeded expectations."
Then he continued, his voice turning serious. "But don't think the world is built for you just because you have beasts to command. Some of these beasts may be stronger than humans inside the city, but outside the walls are monsters that can kill you and your beasts in seconds."
He paused again, waiting for his words to sink in, then continued. "Now, moving to the main topic. Your school life does not end with this Beast Awakening Ceremony. After one month, there will be an exam."
"An exam that will test your strength, intelligence, and compatibility with your beasts," he informed the students. Everybody already knew when and why the exam was held, but to be sure, he warned them one last time.
"You will receive a total of one hundred points. Fifty from your combat strength, thirty for how you command your beasts, and twenty from academics. These points will decide where your future lies. Universities across thirteen cities will offer you a place, but remember this."
He paused, his voice heavy with meaning. "They will take only the best."
After a brief silence, he added, "Your beast's level alone can earn you half the points. The rest will depend on your efforts and results over this month."
He concluded with a final piece of advice: "Do your best; that is the greatest counsel I can give."
And in his mind, he added, Our country depends on every one of you.
With that, the principal stepped down from the podium and returned to his office.
Zane listened intently as the principal left. Slowly, the students began to disperse. Some went off happily with their proud parents, while others bragged to the less fortunate about their beasts. However, many were crushed by disappointment and did not celebrate.
"Why was I so unlucky? How could this happen?" whispered voices filled the air, students stunned and ashamed by their results.
Zane even saw one girl, her face pale with shame, weighed down by the harsh words of her family.
Shame was a heavy burden carried by nearly a third of the students who had come hoping to prove themselves at the Beast Awakening Ceremony.
At that moment, he realized this world was nothing like the stories he had read before. Everyone had feelings; even the background characters had their own backstories. He felt a pang of guilt for laughing at their suffering just moments earlier. If he hadn't been lucky enough to take down Astra, he might have been one of them.
He glanced at Astra, who stood a few feet away, her eyes locked on him without looking away even once. He silently thought, I'm glad she chose me.
A woman in her mid-thirties approached him. As she came closer, she said eagerly, "Zane Prime, congratulations on obtaining a top-tier beast. You might have heard that the principal summoned Arlen to his office after the ceremony. He wants to see you as well."
Leaning in slightly, she added with a smile, "Zane, you stole the show today. I mean it—everyone is talking about you, even your crush, Matilda."
She was Zane's homeroom teacher. Though the ceremony had ended and classes were dismissed, the final evaluations still awaited the students. Despite her class ranking lowest among the five in their year, Zane had proven her wrong. She had not expected much from them, but his achievement of obtaining an SSS-ranked beast—the highest rank known to humanity—was extraordinary.
For her, this was the highlight of her teaching career. She imagined boasting to everyone that she had nurtured a beast master with an SSS-ranked companion. Proudly, she felt affirmed in her decision to become a teacher, grateful to have played a part in Zane's growth.
Zane looked up at the woman and recognized her immediately—Maris, his homeroom teacher and the person who had supported him the most behind the scenes.
He straightened his posture and said politely, "Hello, Teacher Maris. How are you?"
Then, with a blush creeping onto his face, he added, "That was in the past. Years have passed, and those feelings have faded. I don't have a crush on anyone right now, so please don't say things like that."
Maris grinned mischievously. "Really?"
"Really," he replied firmly, "and thank you. I was just lucky—nothing more."
"Don't be so humble. Luck is a form of skill," she said with a knowing smile. "Now, enough chit-chat. Arlen must have arrived by now. We shouldn't keep the principal waiting."
"Okay," Zane agreed, and together they headed into the school building. The principal's office was on the first floor, and a wave of relief washed over Zane since the school had ten floors and no elevator—it would have been torture if the room were on the top floor.
Astra walked between them, as if she were afraid the teacher might take Zane away from her.
After several minutes of walking through the quiet hallways, accompanied by light, idle conversation, they finally reached their destination and entered the room.
Inside, four people were gathered. Two of them were Arlen and his homeroom teacher, seated together. The principal occupied the head of the room, exuding an air of authority. The fourth person, however, was unfamiliar to Zane. Judging by the sharp military uniform and the stern expression etched on his face, Zane assumed he must be a high-ranking officer from the armed forces.
Despite the presence of this imposing figure, Zane had absolutely no desire to join the front lines. If this man's purpose was to recruit him for battle, Zane was already certain he would decline without hesitation. His resolve on this matter was unwavering; he was adamant about it.