Beast Taming Patrol Chapter 8: Chapter 3 Xue Henqing (Seeking Investment and Followers)

At Green Eagle Senior High School, the most significant event of the year is the annual initial beast allocation.

Once this process concludes and the graduating seniors earn their status as certified Beast Tamers, the school can reveal its official certification rate. This metric, recognized by the Beast Taming Association, serves as a primary indicator of the institution's academic prestige, much like the college entrance exam rates from the era before the catastrophe.

For the students participating, this event represents the moment their lifelong study of Beast Taming theory finally transitions into practice. By forming a contract with their first beast, they can register as official Beast Tamers and launch their professional careers.

With these thoughts in mind, the group of eighteen-year-olds followed their instructor toward the specialized breeding zone. They could hardly mask their intense anticipation as they prepared to choose their first partners.

"Clap, clap!"

Zhao Qingsong struck his palms together, drawing the students' wandering focus back to him. As he looked over the faces he had taught for three years, a rare, gentle smile softened his usually stern features.

"Students, the Green Eagle Breeding Area is now open to you. In addition to our school's signature lower-leading species, the Green Feathered Eagle, there are sixty-seven varieties of common elite species available for you to contract freely," Zhao Qingsong said, pausing for emphasis. "However, there is one vital point I must repeat!"

"When picking a beast, you must look beyond just the species; the harmony between your temperament and the beast's personality is crucial!"

"I know you all desire the strongest possible creature, but you have to understand that a beast isn't merely a tool for a Tamer. This creature will be your partner for life, a bond that remains until death. Do not rush your choice or focus only on raw power; the beast that is truly compatible with you is the only right choice!"

His voice grew heavy as he noticed many students weren't truly listening. He let out a silent, weary sigh.

In his own youth, he had been obsessed with strength. He had ignored a high-ranking elite beast that shared an instant soul-bond with him, choosing instead a Green Feathered Eagle that clashed with his spirit.

That choice led to constant friction after the contract was signed. Because they could never achieve stable cooperation during guardian beast operations, he was eventually forced to retire from the frontlines against exotic beasts and take up a teaching position at the high school.

These youngsters might not grasp the depth of his regret, but he hoped that if even one student listened, a similar tragedy might be avoided.

Clearing his head, Zhao Qingsong shouted, "Alright, everyone head inside. You have the entire day to make your selection. Once you've decided, pay the required breeding fee and you can take your new beast cub home!"

The moment he finished speaking, the restless students surged forward into the park entrance, terrified that a moment's delay might cost them the beast they coveted.

Zhao Qingsong’s expression soured briefly before he chuckled at his own reaction.

Had he not been just as impatient during his own initial beast allocation?

Wait, is there someone still standing there?

He looked surprised as he spotted a lone young man who hadn't joined the stampede into the park.

It was Lin Su.

Recognizing the student, a look of understanding crossed Zhao Qingsong's face.

Being Lin Su's homeroom teacher, he was well aware of the boy's circumstances. Lin Su likely lacked the funds for a Green Feathered Eagle's breeding fee and would have to settle for a standard elite species.

Given that Lin Su was a top student in Beast Taming theory, this limitation was surely a bitter pill to swallow. It made sense that he lacked the frantic excitement of his peers.

Though he felt for the boy, Zhao Qingsong couldn't offer much help. Even with his decent salary as a master-class Beast Tamer, the costs of maintaining his own beasts were astronomical, leaving him with no surplus funds to assist others.

Watching Lin Su walk toward the gate with a thoughtful frown and slow steps, Zhao Qingsong stepped forward and gave him a supportive pat on the shoulder. "Lin Su, is everything alright?"

"Huh?" Lin Su snapped out of his trance and gave a small shake of his head. "I'm fine, teacher."

In truth, the beast allocation was the last thing on his mind. He was still processing the surreal events of the previous night in a realm known as the Martial Spirit World.

Could those experiences—which felt so incredibly vivid—really have been just a dream?

He felt a nagging suspicion that it was more, but he couldn't confirm it until his bus ride to the park. While meditating to kill time, he discovered that his beast space had mysteriously leveled up to a second-order space while he slept.

This was definitive proof. Last night wasn't a dream; his crossing over had actually happened.

Now, two massive questions occupied his mind.

First, what caused the crossover?

Second, would it happen again?

The answer to the first question seemed straightforward.

Thinking back on both incidents, he had fallen asleep before waking up in a different world.

Therefore, the crossover was clearly triggered by sleep.

He could test this theory simply by seeing what happened the next time he closed his eyes for the night.

As for the second question, Lin Su remained uncertain, making it vital for him to weigh how either outcome would change his life.