Opening my eyes, streaks of insight flashed through my eyes as quickly as it came. It was proof of making a breakthrough in my comprehensive knowledge.
I had long expected to see everyone gathered around me, so I wasn't as surprised as I was in the past. My eyes locked with Roy's and I couldn't help but take a step backwards to view this buddy of mine properly.
"Your wings..."
Though I was surprised, I quickly was able to link the event that'd just happened with the blood essence mutation I'd seen in my spiritual consciousness.
"Brilliant!" I heard someone's voice ring into my ear drums. It was Madman Fei's.
I smiled at him and couldn't help but bow in reverence, and muttered "thank you". If it wasn't for those strong thought-provoking words, none of these could have happened.
"Hahaha! You're really an elite! Why do I feel you're not a teacher here?" said the man, observing my aura and persona.
'What a smart old man!' I thought. I didn't have any excuse and I wasn't ready to reveal my disguise ability.
'What to do, what to do?'
Telepathically...
"Hey, Roy! Get over here and push me away from this place!"
"Hehe... with pleasure, buddy. They shall feel the prowess of this mister!"
Roy quickly growled at the red-haired man, using its head to throw me to its back. I gave off an innocent look as though none of these were my doing. Holding on to Roy's girdle and the little spines on its neck, our duo immediately flashed away from the Beast Guild. I quickly stowed away my uniform into my storage ring and reverted to my original appearance once we left the vicinity.
Back in the Beast Guild sixth floor...
Madman Fei stroked his beards with a mad grin on his face.
He then muttered to himself under his breath, "She seems to be wearing that clan's disguise skill. I never knew they already had a successor. Although she isn't too formidable in her disguise, it's enough to keep me from knowing her true identity. It seems mankind days of glory are really close by. Finally. Sighs."
* * *
"That was close!" I chuckled as the wind ran through my hair. The freckles on my face even accentuated my beautiful face. Looking behind me, I was happy no one chose to trail after me. Even with Roy's newfound cultivation level, I wasn't confident it'd be able to outmatch those 5-star beast tamers' savage beasts.
I stroked Roy's head gently and couldn't help but be cheered of my fortunate encounter today. Observing my surrounding, I realised that only one hour had passed since I went over to the Beast Guild. A thought suddenly popped into my head.
"Stop me here, Roy. You'll be going into the recluse ring for now. Now that so many people have seen your mutation, it'd be easy for them to fix the jigsaw pieces together if they see you together with me. I'm returning to the Beast Guild."
After I landed, Roy went into the recluse ring. I began to sprint back to the Beast Guild. My appearance and aura was different, so I wasn't afraid of being recognised for further interrogation. In addition to that, I wanted to lay low profile, so I couldn't even bring out Little Wolfy. As for Black Frost... that one wasn't even an option. Dragons were already extinct in the present generation. Even I would find it funny to see someone riding on one in this present era.
Thirty minutes later, I walked back into the Beast Guild. This time however, I was heading to the second floor.
"Yes, how may I help you?" A middle-aged man sat behind the front desk leisurely, with a warm smile.
"I'd like to take the 2-star beast tamers' examination," I said with a sweet smile of my own.
The man's lips twitched on hearing that, and his brows were furrowed. He looked as though he was disappointed and said, "How old are you, lass?"
I was confused, wondering why his countenance suddenly changed, and what my age had to do with my wanting to take the beast tamers' examination. Of course, he knew I was a beast tamer, since one of the requirements of getting into the academy was to be a 1-star beast tamer.
"I'm 16." Remembering something, I quickly added, "Could I use the 2-star library for a while before taking the examination?"
His eyes furrowed the more, before saying, after his eyes saw my recluse ring, "It seems you might have some potentials. The 2-star Beast Collection Vault is normally open at any time for 2-star beast tamers, but I'll make an exception for you. Take my 2-star badge and use it to gain entry there. Know that there's no second time compromisation."
My eyes lit up as he unclipped his emblem from his chest. It appeared that this middle-aged man was a 2-star beast tamer!
"Thank you! You're the best!" I reached his neck for a hug, giving him no choice but to blush inwardly. So... even guys blushed? Anyways, I was quite happy untill...
"You can only spend four hours inside. And, by the way, the examination costs 500 academy points."
My jaws dropped. 500 academy points was the exact amount I had received from the test in the Ethereal Hall. Adding to the 100 monthly academy points given to me back then at the Hall of Apprehension, I had just 600 points. If I spent the 500 points on me, I'd go back to being broke like the rest of the students in school!
I exhaled and said, "Anyways, I'm sure I'll pass the 2-star beast tamer examination. I'll pay the 500 points when I'm out of the Book Collection Vault—"
"Arrogant!" A young man about my age just walked inside the hall from the staircase below, when he heard those words of mine and couldn't help but think I was merely bragging. He was also clad in the beast tamer's uniform. His emblem told that he was also a 1-star beast tamer.
I eyed his rich-looking dress behind the uniform robe and couldn't help but be shocked at how expensive the cloth looked.
"Ah, so it's Young Master Juan!" the middle-aged man quickly chirped in to lighten the awkwardness.
"Hello." The boy did not even glance at the man for even a moment. He only managed to say that single word as a response, before speaking to me. "Do you think the Beast Guild are for the arrogant? How do you see the 2-star examination? And besides, your cultivation level..."
He couldn't continue because it was then that he realised he couldn't read my cultivation level, and was somewhat shaken, before quickly adding, "... your cultivation level is somewhat not bad, but is not a reason to be ignorant."
After saying those words, his hand brushed his robe as though in disgust, waiting to hear my words.
'Arrogant? Ignorant? Me?' I couldn't help but smile as I thought back to those princesses. I flashed a mischievous smile. If those three princesses were here, they'd definitely know that I was up to no good, after their last experience.
"Let's place a bet then."
The boy looked at me with interest as he smirked.
"Interesting. And what's your bet?"
I smiled, more than gratified at the lad's folly. It wasn't even as hard as communicating with Princess Lu Peng.
"You'll pay for my exam. If I pass, consider it your loss."
He asked hastily, "And if you don't?"
"Firstly, I will. However, so it could be fair. If I don't pass the exam, I'll refund the money back to you with an additional 100 points from my Student Token."
"Haha, agreed!"
'Fool,' I thought to myself.