After some time studying his skills in the room, Jason finally decided to venture outside. The new beast-control ability he'd received, "Beast Mimicry," was surprisingly useful, but he knew he'd need to be creative to fully utilize it. 'Duke doesn't have to stay a "dog" in the usual sense,' he thought with a grin. 'I can train him in ways that bring out his best instincts without me having to, well... act like him.' He made a mental note to gather the right training supplies once back in Green Sea City.
After securely tucking away the Sacred Deer Pendant in his Identity Card backpack, Jason stepped outside into a quiet, gray-stone residential area. The structures around him were stoic and ancient, with no one in sight—a stark contrast to the bustling atmosphere he'd expected.
Walking toward the main gate, he finally spotted someone—a tall man in a crisp white suit, his thick-rimmed glasses giving him a serious air. The man was deeply engrossed in a book, occasionally reaching into a bag of potato chips next to him. Spotting Jason, he broke into a welcoming smile.
"A new arrival?" the man greeted him, standing up and brushing off a few crumbs. "Congratulations on passing the Novice Trial!"
Jason approached, eyeing him curiously. "And you are?"
"Consider me your guide," the man replied, extending a hand. "I'm Callum, though folks around here call me 'White Dragon.' I went through my own trial about two months ago, so I can show you the ropes around Infinite City."
Jason shook his hand, appreciating the friendly gesture. "I'm Passenger B," he replied, nodding toward his Identity Card. 'Best to keep things low-key for now.'
"Passenger B?" White Dragon laughed. "You don't meet many folks who go with a simple alias like that."
"It works," Jason shrugged.
White Dragon motioned for Jason to sit down. "Alright, let's cover the basics. I imagine you have a few questions?"
Jason nodded. "I'll start with the biggest one: what's happening here?"
White Dragon leaned back, crossing his arms. "Three years ago, strange black cards began appearing worldwide. Hundreds showed up in cities across the country—particularly in large nations like ours. They selected people to become 'beastmasters' and put them through a trial."
Jason's eyes widened. "Three years ago? And the world knows about it?"
"Well, sort of. It's not public knowledge yet, but governments are aware. The sheer number of cards that appeared made it impossible to ignore. Some governments have tried managing it quietly, but the scale is… massive. Even now, new cards are popping up daily, and thousands of people worldwide are being chosen. In fact, officials predict they won't be able to keep it a secret much longer."
Jason processed this in silence, recalling his Sacred Deer Pendant. His family had guarded the pendant for generations, which suggested these powers had been around far longer than just a few years.
White Dragon continued, "Most people selected don't make it past the trial. Those who do make it to Infinite City, like you and me. The government tries to register everyone who passes and even has organizations to support and manage beastmasters."
"Manage them?" Jason asked, raising an eyebrow.
White Dragon nodded. "The official line is to 'maintain order.' They don't force anyone to join an official organization, but registration is mandatory to prevent anyone from using their powers for, you know, criminal purposes. Official members get some perks and access to resources but are held to higher standards. It's all voluntary, though. You can go independent if you prefer."
"So you're official?" Jason guessed.
"Yep. I work with the Newcomer Relations Department in the Beastmaster Alliance," White Dragon replied. "Think of it as the onboarding branch for new recruits. I come here to help folks like you get settled and answer questions. The Alliance gives me free access to the training realms and resources here as a thank-you."
Jason considered the offer but hesitated, wondering how official affiliations might complicate things with the pendant and the growing abilities he was still figuring out.
White Dragon noticed his reluctance. "Don't worry, going independent doesn't change much. Just register, stay out of trouble, and you'll be left alone."
Jason nodded thoughtfully. "So... why aren't beastmasters everywhere? If people have had powers for three years now, why hasn't the world changed?"
White Dragon laughed. "Oh, there were some… disagreements in the early days. The first batch of beastmasters was much harder to manage. Let's just say some folks resisted government oversight, and it caused a bit of tension. Eventually, a balance was reached where beastmasters work with officials, not for them."
Jason grinned. "It's a delicate balance, huh?"
"Exactly. And, for now, it works," White Dragon replied, checking his watch. "Well, that's the rundown. Any other questions, or would you rather explore?"
Jason thought for a moment. "What can you tell me about leveling up? I want to prepare Duke for more advanced challenges."
White Dragon gave him a knowing smile. "The Training Realm is your best friend for that. It's low-cost, easy to enter, and a great way to refine your skills without risking injuries. You can even practice with your new skills—Beast Mimicry if I'm not mistaken?"
Jason groaned. "Yeah, but the idea of mimicking my husky's moves feels... awkward."
White Dragon laughed. "I can imagine! But it can be incredibly useful. Work on refining the skill so that you're mimicking the 'strengths' and instincts of your pet, rather than... barking and chasing your tail."
Jason laughed, finally feeling more optimistic about his skill. 'Maybe this guy knows what he's talking about after all.'
"Alright, I think I'll give it a shot." He stood up, ready to begin his exploration of Infinite City.
"Good luck, Passenger B," White Dragon said with a grin, waving him off. "Remember, we're all learning here. Infinite City has a lot to offer, so use it wisely."