The only yardstick for truth on the Blue Planet was power. Those who developed their gifts became mages, warriors, and animal tamers; those who didn't were relegated to mediocrity and led lives of toil, mockery, and hopelessness.
A boy's or girl's destiny was set in stone on the day of awakening, which was more than just a ceremony in the proud Dragon Country.
The Academic No.13 High School was a place of learning and the birthplace of dreams in City H, a small outpost remote from the splendor of the capital. Today, the entire city had assembled to witness the Awakening Ceremony taking place in its largest hall.
Voices hummed in the Awakening Hall. Teachers stood solemnly by the crystal platform, dressed in long black robes. Elders of the clan kept a close eye on things in the hopes of finding a gem that was worth polishing. In line, well-groomed students shifted around, chatting nervously and excitedly.
The Awakening Stone, a giant crystal that pulsed dimly with light, stood at the center of it all. A single touch would reveal each student's destiny—warrior, mage, archer, healer, or, in the rarest cases, the fabled Beast Tamer path.
"Next—Zhou Lin!"
A shaky boy stepped forward. He touched the stone. The crystal turned red as flames erupted upward.
The steward exclaimed, "Fire Mage!" The hall was filled with cheers.
"Next—Chen Hui!"
A girl touched the stone with her hand. The shimmering green light formed the outline of a bow.
"Archer of Spirit!"
With tears in their eyes, her family applauded.
Names were called, one by one. Destinies came to light one by one.
Until at last the steward's voice could be heard:
"Chen Ho."
The audience burst out laughing.
"Are you still trying?"
"I've already failed three times."
"He will never cause anything to awaken."
Tian Ruo, the Tian clan's son, grinned at the rear. His voice broke the whispers. "Trash should know when to stop making a fool of himself."
Like fire, the jeering spread. Some shook their heads pityingly, while others laughed cruelly.
Teacher Zhang Qingshan, a stern man with graying hair, sighed at the dais. "Come on, Chen Ho." He spoke in a severe tone, but there was a hint of worry in his eyes.
Chen Ho made his way to the platform. His heart thumped like a war drum, but he walked steadily. His hand tightened around his mother's final gift, a cracked jade pendant that hung around his neck.
Let this not be in vain, Mother.
He pressed his hand to the icy crystal surface.
For a moment, nothing happened.
Snickers popped up. "I am hopeless!" "Again, failure!"
The Awakening Stone then shuddered.
Boom!
The hall was filled with golden light that burst forth. Pupils stumbled back, covering their eyes. The educators let out a gasp. Even Dean Mu Qing, who typically covered his face with a political mask, widened his eyes.
Gleaming so brilliantly that they appeared to be etched into heaven itself, the runes of fate carved themselves into the stone. One word stood out above the rest when the light eventually faded:
Tamer the Beast (SSS).
Stunned silence froze the hall.
Then there was an uproar.
"Beast Tamer?"
"SSS rank?!"
"It's impossible—not in City H, not here!"
"A three-time failed boy woke up as Beast Tamer SSS?"
Shouts and gasps filled the hall.
Despite himself, Teacher Zhang Qingshan trembled. "Congratulations, Chen Ho."
Mu Qing's eyes gleamed with calculation, but he forced a smile. An SSS Beast Tamer is too uncommon. Too risky. I have to keep a close eye on him.
Chen Ho, however, could hardly hear the sound.
Motes of gold dissolved into his heart as the jade pendant at his chest broke and cracked. His bones and soul were inundated with warmth as it rushed through his veins.
Then—a voice. Gentle. Known. The voice of his mother.
"My son... Only one is visible to the world. However, four paths awaken within you. Agreement. Call. Restoring. Taming the Beast. Every SSS. Until you're ready, stay hidden. The heavens will test you, so proceed with caution.
Breath catching in his throat, Chen Ho shuddered. Four awakenings in SSS? I feel them, but it's impossible. They are authentic.
However, no one else appeared to notice when he looked up. Beast Tamer (SSS) was the only truth revealed by the Awakening Stone.
The laughter came back, a little weaker than before.
"What if he's a Beast Tamer?" Tian Ruo laughed. "He is nothing without a beast. Without a contract, a Beast Tamer is as weak as garbage.
A few pupils chuckled. Others remained silent, shaken by what they had witnessed.
Chen Ho hid the storm within him by lowering his gaze. He formed a line with his lips.
Mommy... I'll keep your gift safe. I'm not going to waste it.
Master Yan Tianhe, the eccentric visitor from the capital's Beast Tamer Academy, sat up straighter at the far end of the hall. Sharp brilliance replaced the drunken haze in his eyes. "There was no beast, but the sky shook so violently. Hehe! Fascinating. Very intriguing.
Elder Wu Heng activated a jade slip in the corner and communicated with the capital in a low voice. In City H, Beast Tamer, SSS, a prodigy, has emerged. Chen Ho is his name.
The hall was still roaring with mockery, envy, and disbelief.
Chen Ho, however, didn't hear it. As steady as a drumbeat, his mother's final words reverberated in his chest.
There was only one Beast Tamer in the world.
He carried the flame to become Master of the World, but no one else knew it.