" I'd wish you good luck but with the number of times I have, I'm starting to think I may be the problem." Mingi's older sister said to him before while he put his shoes on to go his advancement exam.
"I know you're tired sis, but I promise this time is different." Before Mingi could explain further his sister interjected.
"You said that the last time, but you better mean it this time because we literally can't afford for you to fail again," she retorted
Instead of responding, Mingi simply sat up with his shoes done and gave her a pat on the back before he left the house, while his sister mouthed good luck to him behind his back.
As he walked, Mingi began to think about how much the world had changed in a single year, while he admired the tamers who were freely walking around with their beasts. The world had gone through what could only be described as what had been a purge and then an awakening.
Beasts had appeared a year ago, tearing everything and everyone they saw piece from piece. No one knows what happened to the animals, but all the so-called beasts had turned out to be mutated versions of the existing animals. Luckily humans had also begun to evolve to combat these beasts, but for those who their body could not handle the evolution, they died. Hence the world was purged from all those who were unsuited for survival in this new environment.
Mingi was so deep in thought that he almost didn't hear his senior calling out to him.
He looked in the direction of Nani who was now running towards him with a big smile on her face. Her ginger hair fluttered behind her in waves, and he could see her chest heaving indicating she had sprinted there all the way from the train station.
" M-mornin Mingi," she said completely out of breath.
Mingi looked at the young woman doubled over in front of him with a humored expression and muttered a good morning back to her.
After finally catching her breath, they both continued their journey to the city's assessment hall where they would both be taking their exams. While Nani was getting assessed to upgrade to a rank C, Mingi was hoping to move from an awakened state to at least be ranked, even if it was to the weakest, which was rank E. He had taken the assessment six times already and had failed miserably, so the lack of faith his sister had in his ability to pass the assessment was completely justified. All Mingi needed to do was to get at least 100 points to finally find out his affinity and skills and see his status window.
"We're finally here." Nani interrupted his thoughts as they stopped outside of the huge gray building with the beast tamers crest on the front. As Mingi wondered if this was really worth it another time, he heard his sister's words in his head again, "we can't afford for you to fail again" and suddenly he wasn't so sure anymore.
As if sensing his thoughts, Nani placed a hand on his shoulder while saying, "You've got this Mingi. I've seen you train harder than anyone these last few weeks, just remember what I told you and apply what you practiced. Text me when it's all over and I'll drop by to celebrate with you and Aria. Good luck Mingi."
He was getting tired of hearing those words but as she walked away all he could say was thanks. After completing his registration, it was finally time for him to complete his tests. The written test was no harder than the last six times, but the physical aspect was where he always failed.
"Akata Mingi" His name was shouted on the speaker, and he heard the whispers around him. Everyone knew about his past failures because this was the easiest aspect of becoming a tamer, but he had already failed so many times. He could hear comments of pity and mock as he walked to the front desk in the hall.
The examiner who was already familiar with him spoke with a dry tone, "Well Mingi you already know the rules, strike the target as hard as you can and if your score is over 100, we can test for your affinity and the proficiency ok?"
As a response Mingi only nodded and stalked off toward the target leaving a snickering examiner behind him. As he stopped in front of the target, he closed his eyes and took a deep breath trying to remember his training sessions with Nani. Not wanting to overthink he swung with as much power as his body could muster.
When he finally opened his eyes, he read the score meter, which to his surprise said 102. Mingi couldn't help the smile that crept on his face knowing he could finally test for is affinity and begin his beast training. He turned around to see the shocked face of the examiner who was probably expecting him to fail again, but he had actually passed and that made him smile even more.
Breaking the silence, he asked" So where do I go next?"
Almost like a second nature, the examiner answered third door on the left pointing to the walkway outside the hall, still smiling Mingi stalked off to get his final evaluation done.
Finally stepping out of the building, Mingi had a giant grin on his face making anyone who saw him know he had passed his exam. Pulling up his status window once more he couldn't believe what he was seeing. All his data was on display in front of him including his affinity which now stated water and his skills which stated shield and slice which were very basic skills, but he was happy nonetheless.
Interestingly enough, on his first evaluation it showed that his affinity proficiency was at 21% meaning he would be able to get a special skill even though it was very rare. The evaluation for this skill was much less tedious because little to no one did this assessment anymore because of how little persons actually got a special skill.
Mingi tried calling his sister to let her know that the assessment for the special skill would take him an extra 30 minutes, but he couldn't reach her. Assuming she was asleep he went back into the building wanting to get this over with as soon as possible.
Today must have been Mingi's lucky day because after doing the assessment it showed that he indeed had a special skill which was known as The Eye, but he was unable to use it because his proficiency was too low.
Mingi wouldn't allow that to break his mood though as he strutted out the convenience store having stopped to get some snacks and beer for his sister knowing she would want to celebrate him finally passing his exam.
As he rounded the final turn to his apartment, he noticed the faint smell of smoke he looked up to see his building covered in soot. Shocked, he made a full sprint toward the building while trying to call his sister again.
Once he got the building, he tried to run inside but he was stopped by the officer who pulled him aside to question him. Unable to think, he franticly stated that he needed to get inside to find his sister. The officer in a calm but solemn tone replied, "I'm sorry sir but there were no survivors."