The 6th Day of December, Year 1215 After The Great Cataclysm
"Attention! This will be your first and final beast awakening ceremony. Those of you who fail today will be spending the rest of your lives as regular civilians. Do not fret, many regular jobs pay well, just not as much as what a beast tamer can potentially earn. You can obviously continue to train your bodies, maybe apply for some F-Rank parties, but soon, you'll realise it's pointless without a beast by your side."
A contract with a beast, but of course. Once you get a contract with a magical creature of some sort, you'll notice that your human capabilities have suddenly evolved.
…
"Without further ado, let's allow the annual Beast Awakening ceremony to commence!"
The instructor spoke harshly; his words tingled towards every eighteen-year-old student inside the gymnasium, including Alex, who sat near the edge of the assembled students.
Standing next to him was his best friend, Noctis Crowe.
Their friendship had never once felt as if it were deteriorating, but recently, things started to change. And today's the day to prove what's real and what's not. Up until now, they've been training their bodies tirelessly and educating themselves in advanced private schools, all for this very moment. With Alex, not being given equal treatment, not at all.
"You ready?"
"Kinda nervous, jee."
Five centuries had passed since the great cataclysm, when rifts tore through reality and flooded the world with creatures that belonged in myths.
Humanity was on the verge of extinction, but luckily, the age of Beast Tamers arrived. Individuals who can contract mythical beasts that are only spoken about in fairytales, granting them classes, abilities and skills that defy anything humans thought was possible outside of fantasy novels.
Humanity managed to come back, earning the rights to their lands once more. Now, the age of eighteen represents more than just adulthood, but a chance to join the ranks of those who changed the world using beast-taming abilities.
Now, not only do beasts get assigned Ranks, but the individual does as well. This will only occur if the user and their beast grow a strong connection to one another.
"We'll proceed alphabetically by last name," the instructor stated, his glance stuck to the crystal on the table before him.
"Place your hands on this stone. If a beast has taken a liking to you, it will appear within your head and attempt to form a contract with you. If not…" he paused, glaring intently at his students, "good luck."
The only way to use your Beast Taming abilities to their max was within 'The First Gate.' In here, you have to fight against other mythological beasts that roam in the wild, attempting to retrieve the best minerals, utilities, and items possible. However, they only allow academy graduates to go through.
The governors of Ashtar, which is the region where every Beast-Tamer or human lived, are on bad terms with Noctra, the Demonic Empire. Thus, they cannot risk immature individuals going through 'The First Gate,' where they'll have to compete with high-ranking Demons to gain more rewards.
"Now, we'll begin." The instructor continued, "Noctis Crowe!"
A boy beside Alex stepped forward, his confidence clearly skyrocketing as he approached the podium. Alex watched closely as Noctis pressed both palms against the crystal's surface.
The boy's eyes closed, and after a few seconds, light bloomed around the sphere. Noctis's surroundings had a redish glow, which only lasted a couple more seconds after. Then, the boy below opened his eyes proudly.
"A Dreadscale Dragon! Getting a Dragon type alone is super rare! But you have one of the best options available! It's an SSS-RANK! You'll be a hit at the academy. With enough hard work, you'll be able to surpass some of the greatest beast tamers! As you evolve a closer bond with your beast, you'll be able to gain incomprehensible abilities, similar to your Dragon! Congrats, Noctis! I expected no less from a First-Degree noble."
Clap! Clap! Clap!
The applause spread throughout the gymnasium, and everybody stared at him gracefully. A decade ago, humanity decided to study the beasts. Soon, they realised that each beast would make the crystal glow an independent, specific colour. This was the reason the instructor could easily acknowledge which beast had been tamed.
Now, Noctis would have an open-ended option to join the Beast Tamer Academy, rather than going on trial like the rest of the eager students watching. If you didn't make this academy, you would have to join another one that's not as highly regarded as this one is.
The 'Beast Tamer Academy' was more than just words; it meant the future. Once you got in, life would be like a breeze, and that's exactly what Alex wanted. The other residents, however, don't even reward half of that. By the end, you'll be a backliner, a side cast, barely being paid more than a medic.
Alex's smile remained sarcastic, "Well done." He whispered to Noctis.
But he wanted the glory; he wanted to disprove others.
Noctis completely ignored him…
"Alex Thorn!"
"Good luck out there," Noctis said. Alex smiled back.
As Alex stepped to the podium, he could feel every eye in the gymnasium clearly gazing at him.
He understood why; he was a failed noble part of the 'Thorn' bloodline. The only thing that allowed him to remain inside his castle was the fact that he had a chance for a promising Beast.
The Beast Taming crystal sat tightly on the table, the faint glow from the previous student's awakening faded away, as if it was never there.
Alex paused, then placed his hands on the reflectionless jewel. He pressed his palms hard, feeling the immediate chill.
But, to no surprise, Alex already felt disengaged. He already knew what was about to happen, or what was most likely to occur. Because his entire life has been failure, from the moment he stepped into this place, there was no room where he belonged.
Alex didn't focus much because he didn't care at all; he was abused from a young age. So being abandoned from that household wasn't going to make him care any less. A title arose from the others soon after. This title meant utter uselessness; he was known as 'The Failed Noble.'
The stone didn't respond, just as expected. Under Alex's hands, the crystal cooled. He closed his eyes, yet nothing happened, nothing changed.
Alex waited; maybe this might actually create a miracle, the last sparks of his hope that remained might now envelop him.
The instructor sighed, frowning, "That's enough!"
Alex frowned back, "Instructor, maybe this can change my life…"
"Alex, step back!" The instructor spoke more harshly during this moment than at any other. "Awakening failed. Next!" The instructor called out, "Maria Rose!"
Then, Alex walked back, "Time to find a regular job." He acknowledged his new reality, "No point in even going back home, they'll just kick me out for good this time."
Alex walked back to his row. He didn't care much, but that was because he had always expected Noctis to be his friend. Since the age of four, they have always been close to one another. And Alex truly believed that, as long as he had a trustworthy companion like Noctis, then that would be all the motivation he needed to continue. Both were born from high royal bloodlines. But one was a success, the other was…
A failure.
As Alex travelled towards his designated spot, he smiled at Noctis, who just gave him that pitiful look, almost as if he was disgusted.
"We'll talk outside later," Noctis said, glancing forward.
Alex wasn't dense; he knew exactly what was about to happen. 'I can't be friends with you anymore,' or something along those lines.
The ceremony continued. More beautiful beasts, more darkened creatures, and of course, a couple of failures. But for Alex, someone from a royal bloodline not being contracted to a beast was truly an embarrassment.
…
Bam!
Time had passed, and now, Alex and Noctis were all alone in the snow and cold. Noctis dragged Alex into a porta-potty, lifting Alex by his hair. Noctis was much bigger than Alex after all, but what was surprising was the fact that he actually decided to use a physical attack.
"Idiot!" Noctis yelled, "You dare embarrass me?! Our royal bloodlines are related! Yet you can't contract any beast!"
Slam!
Noctis slapped Alex on his right cheek. Alex's glare never left the floor; his eyes darkened.
"Look at me when I'm talking to you!" Noctis clenched his jaw, "Your parents told me to tell you that if you don't unlock a beast, then you can never call yourself a 'Thorn' again. Never come back to the estate ever again!"
"A-alright," Alex whispered, but Noctis wanted more of a reaction; he wanted something he could feel accomplished before leaving for good.
Slam!
He slapped Alex again, yet the little boy who hadn't awakened anything showed no sparks of retaliation.
"This should make you mad," Noctis whispered, as a girl started entering the stall, "Hey, babe! Let's go-" She paused, looking at Alex, "o-oh Alex, it's not what it seems."
"No, that couldn't be-"
"Yes, it is." Noctis cut him off smoothly, "Your girl chose me over you, now live with it."
Alex then tried going in for a slap out of anger, "Erhhhh!"
It was stopped by one hand, "Guess my dragon gave me better instincts." He grinned, then slammed Alex into the stall once more.
"Let's go," Noctis said to the girl beside him, "we've had enough."
She pitifully looked at Alex one last time, then left. And before she left, she let off a little giggle, one that heavily angered Alex.
This world is corrupted, and everybody knew this, yet, since the most powerful Beast Tamer's rule, nobody dared bat an eye. Nobody has any complaints, but this world needs change.
At this point, more than ever, Alex not only wanted revenge but also to change this corrupt place.
A voice then came within Alex's mind as he closed his eyes.
"Do you want… revenge?"