Tulip City, one of the seven great human settlements, stands tall amidst the ruins of once-thriving ancient cities.
Surrounded by imposing circular walls forged from an unknown, resilient material, the city bears the scars of countless battles, with cracks and bloodstains that tell tales of its harsh past.
Beyond the walls lies a dense forest that stretches as far as the eye can see, a constant reminder of the dangers lurking outside.
At the heart of Tulip City, a towering structure dominates the skyline, its peak piercing the clouds.
At the very top of this building sits a luxurious villa, a symbol of unparalleled power and status.
Behind the villa, an artificial hill rises, with a crystal-clear lake nestled at its base. The early morning sunlight—a rare luxury in this apocalyptic world—casts a golden glow on the lake, making it sparkle as fish swim beneath the surface.
Remarkably, there are no other buildings around this hill and lake, for this is the private backyard of the villa.
In a city where every inch of land is priceless, such a residence is unimaginable to outsiders.
But this villa belongs to the Lord of Tulip City, the ruler of one of humanity's last bastions.
Inside the villa, in a room on the second floor, a boy of about fourteen or fifteen was finishing his morning routine.
He glanced at his reflection in the mirror, seeing a handsome young man with fair skin and noble features, the very image of a young aristocrat.
"Even after fifteen years, I still find it hard to believe how handsome I am in this life," Bai Daichi mused, a hint of helplessness in his voice.
Bai Daichi was no ordinary teenager. In his past life, he had been a special forces captain who perished on a suicide mission alongside his entire team.
But fate had given him a second chance in a new world—a world of beast tamers and mystical creatures. Unlike the usual time traveler, Bai Daichi was reborn, growing up naturally from infancy but with all the memories of his previous life intact.
Perhaps, he thought wryly, he had missed drinking the fabled Meng Po soup during his journey through reincarnation.
The rustling of leaves outside drew his attention. A small bonsai tree floated into the room, glowing with a vibrant neon green light, tiny electric currents dancing along its stem. The plant's gentle hum resonated in the air.
"Yin Yin~~"
Xiao Chi, breakfast is ready.
"I understand, Lumitree. Let Father know I'll be down as soon as I finish up here."
Bai Daichi smiled warmly at the plant, understanding its wordless communication as though it spoke aloud.
After getting dressed, Bai Daichi descended to the dining room on the first floor.
The servants had already laid out a sumptuous breakfast on the table.
Seated at the table were a middle-aged couple and a young girl of about ten, sharing a meal in peaceful harmony. These were Bai Daichi's parents and younger sister.
What caught Bai Daichi's eye, however, was the presence of a majestic old man sitting at the head of the table.
His hair was white, but his face remained youthful, giving him the appearance of someone in their fifties or sixties.
But those who knew him well were aware that his true age far surpassed that.
This was Bai Yunshun, Bai Daichi's grandfather—the revered Lord of Tulip City and one of humanity's greatest leaders.
A beastmaster of unparalleled skill, with ultra-rare beasts under his command, Bai Yunshun had ruled the city for fifty years, earning a reputation as one of the strongest figures in the world.
His presence alone exuded an aura of authority, marking him as a man who had wielded power for decades.
"Grandpa, when did you arrive? Aren't you busy with city affairs?" Bai Daichi asked with a smile as he approached the old man.
Bai Yunshun, usually stern and composed, softened at the sight of his grandson.
"Today is the annual Awakening Ceremony. As the city lord, I must be there to give a speech and encourage the students," he explained, his voice warm with affection.
"Xiao Chi, you're also taking your high school entrance exams this year, so you need to participate in the ceremony as well. We'll head to the Awakening Hall together."
"Great, We, Grandpa and Grandson will go to the ceremony together then.", Bia Daichi smiled knowing his grandpa will accompany him the ceremony.
The Awakening Ceremony, officially known as the [Annual Beast Taming Awakening Ceremony of the Jizhou Federation], was a crucial event held every year during the high school entrance exams.
It was a rite of passage, where students had the opportunity to awaken their beast-taming talents.
Those who succeeded could apply to prestigious Beast Taming High Schools and embark on the path of becoming a beast master.
For those who failed, only ordinary high schools remained.
Yet, despite the significance of the event, Bai Daichi remained calm.
A month earlier, he had already awakened his beast-taming talent on his own—a rare and difficult feat.
But as the descendant of Bai Yunshun, the legendary beast master, Bai Daichi had inherited the bloodline that made such an achievement possible.
His awakened talent, the ???-level ability known as [Animash], was considered extraordinary.
As Bai Daichi joined his family at the table, he couldn't help but marvel at his own good fortune.
He had been born into a powerful and wealthy family, with loving parents and a legendary grandfather.
For a time traveler, his life seemed almost too perfect.
Could it be that he wasn't the protagonist after all? The thought crossed his mind, but Bai Daichi quickly brushed it aside.
Today, he would attend the Awakening Ceremony with his grandfather, the mighty Lord of Tulip City, and take his first steps toward a destiny that only he could shape.