Lu Fan awoke with a start, his heart pounding in his chest. He wasn't in his small, familiar room with peeling wallpaper and the distant hum of city life outside the window. Instead, he found himself in a strange place—a dormitory, with simple wooden furniture and a soft bed that felt entirely foreign to him.

He sat up slowly, his mind racing. The last thing he remembered was staying up late to finish a report for work at the animal care center. But now… now he was here, in a body that wasn't quite his own, in a world that was entirely different.

"What's going on?" he muttered, rubbing his temples. The memories were a confusing mix—his own and those of someone else, someone who had lived in this world. A world where people tamed beasts with extraordinary powers. A world where he was no longer just a struggling employee but a student at an academy dedicated to beast taming.

His name was still Lu Fan, but now he was a young man just beginning his journey at the prestigious Azure Sky Academy. The academy was known for producing some of the most powerful beast tamers in the land, and students from all over flocked to its doors in hopes of forging a bond with a spirit beast that would change their lives.

But there was a problem. The Lu Fan of this world was different from the others in his class. He had no spirit beast.

"Great," Lu Fan sighed, swinging his legs out of bed and standing up. The wooden floor was cold beneath his feet, grounding him in this new reality. "First day at the academy, and I'm already behind everyone else."

He moved to the small mirror hanging on the wall. The face staring back at him was younger, with sharper features and a leaner build than his own. But the eyes… the eyes were the same, filled with a mix of curiosity and determination.

A knock on the door startled him. "Lu Fan! Are you up?" a voice called from the other side.

Lu Fan hesitated for a moment before answering, "Yeah, I'm up."

The door creaked open, and a young man with a friendly smile peeked in. "Morning! I'm Chen Yu, your roommate. Ready for the first day?"

Lu Fan nodded, trying to remember if there was anything about this Chen Yu in his newly acquired memories. "Yeah, just… trying to get my bearings."

Chen Yu chuckled. "Understandable. The first day's always a bit overwhelming. But don't worry, we're all in the same boat. Well, except for those who already have their spirit beasts." He shrugged, not noticing Lu Fan's discomfort. "You'll find one soon enough."

Lu Fan forced a smile. "Yeah, I hope so."

As they left the dormitory and headed towards the main academy grounds, Lu Fan couldn't help but feel a sense of awe. The Azure Sky Academy was a massive complex, with towering buildings made of stone and glass, surrounded by sprawling training fields. The air buzzed with excitement as students—some accompanied by their spirit beasts—chatted animatedly, sharing their hopes and dreams.

But beneath the excitement, Lu Fan felt a gnawing anxiety. Without a spirit beast, he was at a significant disadvantage. Spirit beasts were more than just companions; they were a tamer's source of strength, their bond amplifying each other's powers. Without one, he was just an ordinary person in a world of extraordinary beings.

As they approached the central courtyard, Lu Fan noticed a large board where students had pinned various notices. Some were advertisements for tutors, others for training groups. But one notice, in particular, caught his eye:

"Beast Market—Affordable Spirit Beasts for Beginners. All welcome."

It was as if the notice was speaking directly to him. He wasn't from a wealthy family like many of the other students, and the thought of acquiring a rare and powerful spirit beast seemed like an impossible dream. But a cost-effective beast… that was something he could manage.

Chen Yu noticed him staring at the notice and grinned. "Looking for a beast, huh? The market's not a bad place to start, especially if you're on a budget. Just be careful—some of those sellers can be pretty crafty."

Lu Fan nodded, filing away the information. He had a lot to learn, but he was determined to make the most of this opportunity. "Thanks, Chen Yu. I think I'll check it out after classes."

"Good idea," Chen Yu said, clapping him on the back. "Come on, let's not be late for orientation."

As they walked towards the main hall, Lu Fan's mind was already racing with possibilities. He didn't know how he had ended up in this world, but he was here now, and he had a chance to start fresh. A chance to become something more.

But first, he needed a spirit beast—one that would be the key to unlocking his potential in this strange new world. And he was determined to find it, no matter what it took