"Students from Class 2, Grade 3, please proceed to the Hall of Heroes in an orderly manner to participate in the Beast Taming Talent Awakening Ceremony. Class teachers and relevant staff, please maintain order."
The announcement echoed through the school, and the atmosphere in the classroom grew tense.
Before long, the students of Class 2, Grade 3, lined up outside the Hall of Heroes. Li Qingzhou stood quietly in the middle of the line.
He was 180 centimeters tall, with a strong build and handsome features, standing out from the rest of the students.
"Isn't that Li Qingzhou? The genius of Class 2, Grade 3."
"Yeah, the academic superstar. He's ranked first every year and is also the captain of the basketball team. He plays with such elegance."
"I wonder what talent he'll awaken. I'm curious."
"Judging by past cases, the lowest rank for someone like him is a B-level talent. Some even awaken S-level talents."
"Handsome and talented, how can anyone not admire him?"
The surrounding students buzzed with conversation, but Li Qingzhou remained silent, indifferent to the chatter around him.
It had been four days since he had transmigrated to this world, and he was already getting used to the envious and admiring glances that followed him wherever he went. After all, his predecessor had been a true genius, and such attention was to be expected.
During these days, he had gained a basic understanding of the world he found himself in.
This was a world dominated by beast control, where humans lived relatively safely. The development of this world closely resembled that of Blue Star (Earth) until a turning point occurred hundreds of years ago, changing its trajectory forever.
Back then, a mysterious abyss had appeared on the continent, and everything began to evolve and mutate.
These evolved creatures, known as extraordinary beings, possessed powers that could move mountains, fill seas, and summon storms, much like the mythical beasts in ancient Blue Star legends.
As a result of these mutations, humanity lost its position at the top of the food chain, and their living space continued to shrink.
In this time of crisis, beast masters emerged to protect humanity. They drove away the invading extraordinary creatures and defended human homes.
Since then, beast masters had become the most important figures in human society. A complete system around beast control, including capturing, training, and exploring, had developed.
Although society had stabilized, the abyss remained mysterious and dangerous. To this day, no significant discoveries had been made from its depths.
In this world, everyone had a chance to awaken beast-control talent before the age of 18. Only those who awakened such talents could become beast masters, the most coveted profession in society.
A person's beast control talent determined not only their starting point but also their future potential.
The former Li Qingzhou had been an academic prodigy, excelling morally, intellectually, and physically. He had ranked first every year, and teachers, classmates, and even his parents had placed high hopes on him.
However, despite his past achievements, Li Qingzhou couldn't help but feel anxious. After all, this was a moment that would determine his future.
Beast control talents were ranked from highest to lowest as S, A, B, C, D, E, and F.
This talent would shape one's future. Awakening a high-level talent meant starting life with an advantage.
While Li Qingzhou's mind wandered, the awakening ceremony for Class 2, Grade 3 began.
"Liu Yu, step forward," the announcer called.
Li Qingzhou glanced at Liu Yu, a hardworking student with average grades but good athletic talent and physical fitness.
Liu Yu walked quickly to the awakening device. After three minutes of waiting, however, the device remained unresponsive.
A teacher approached and led Liu Yu away.
Every student had only one chance. If no talent was detected within three minutes, they would have to leave the school, graduate early, and resign themselves to living as an ordinary person.
Those three minutes determined their fate.
The students in line began to realize the harsh reality of the awakening ceremony. Failure to awaken meant a life of mediocrity, unable to join the ranks of beast masters.
In this world, beast masters were considered elite. Even the most ordinary beast master held a higher status and income than regular citizens.
"Wang Li, you're next," the announcer called.
After a few moments, the indicator light on the device lit up, displaying the words:
"Talent: Flame Enhancement, Rating: D Level."
"Flame Enhancement: Enhances the strength of fire-based beasts and provides some affinity with fire-type beasts."
Although Wang Li's talent was rated low, there was still a round of envious congratulations from the crowd.
Liu Yu, the hardworking student, had failed to awaken, while Wang Li, a notorious troublemaker who slept through classes, had succeeded. This outcome stirred complex emotions in those waiting in line.
Talent, after all, was never fair.
Wang Li, now looking smug, ran a hand through his bright yellow hair, basking in the attention.
More students stepped forward, some succeeding, some failing.
The world's inequalities were starkly revealed in those moments.
Soon, it was Li Qingzhou's turn.
"What kind of talent will the top genius awaken?"
"At least B-level, don't you think?"
"You're too conservative. I bet it's A-level. Did you hear? He's already broken through to the second level of 'Yun Ling Jue.' Hardly anyone reaches that before becoming a beast master."
The students murmured in anticipation.
Zhou Ling, the homeroom teacher of Class 2, Grade 3, watched Li Qingzhou with high expectations. His talents were undeniable. Not only was he knowledgeable about various beasts, but he had also shown extraordinary skill in practicing Yun Ling Jue, a meditation technique that boosted spiritual power, essential for beast control.
Li Qingzhou had broken through to the second level of Yun Ling Jue before even awakening his talent. In Zhou Ling's entire career, she had only seen two students do this: Lin Ze, a famous graduate with an A-level water affinity, and now Li Qingzhou.
She believed that Li Qingzhou had the potential to awaken an A-level or even S-level beast control talent.
Taking a deep breath to steady himself, Li Qingzhou stepped forward to the awakening device.
After a few seconds, the indicator light flashed, and a line of text appeared on the screen…