Moreover, the staff member had just glanced at Ash's spiritual energy test report and noticed that her talent level was marked as F—the lowest possible rank.
This meant Ash's spiritual energy accumulation speed and total capacity barely met the minimum requirements for becoming a Beast Master.
If she contracted a "useless" Spirit Beast, she might as well say goodbye to the Beast Master path for the next few years.
And Ash had only just turned 18—the perfect age to take the Spirit Beast Department Practical Exam.
The staff member who is responsible for registering Spirit Beast contracts, couldn't help but worry that Ash was making a rash decision.
"If you're contracting a Spirit Beast just to qualify for the Spirit Beast Department Practical Exam, you might want to reconsider it. The exam registration deadline isn't until February 3rd, so you still have two months to carefully choose your starter Spirit Beast," they advised.
"Thank you for your kindness, but that won't be necessary," Ash said, shaking her head to politely decline the staff member's suggestion.
She then gently patted Larvanine, whose antennae drooped after hearing the staff member's dismissive words, and smiled warmly.
"Larvanine is my perfect partner and I've already decided—I'm going with it."
"Well, alright." Seeing Ash's determination, the staff member no longer insisted.
He took her identification card from the table and placed it on the reader.
Before long, the quiet hall echoed with the rapid clatter of typing.
After a few moments, the staff member looked up and handed Ash her ID card along with a brand-new Beast Master identification card.
"Please, follow me," he said.
Over time, the process of contracting a Spirit Beast has been developed into a simple and convenient system.
Unlike in ancient times, where a Beast Master had to learn to construct a soul contract manually without being able to sense spiritual energy, modern-day Beast Masters could rely on the local Beast Master Association.
By simply completing the Spirit Beast contract registration, they could enjoy the association's free contract-binding service.
Led by the staff member, Ash and Larvanine entered a room specifically designed for Spirit Beast contract ceremonies.
The room was minimalistic in design, save for the many embedded crystals on the walls and floor that Ash couldn't name, and a massive crystal orb, about a meter tall, positioned in the center.
"Larvanine~"
Larvanine shifted closer to Ash's neck, clearly uneasy.
"It's alright," Ash reassured, gently stroking Larvanine's head to calm it down.
Larvanine reluctantly loosened its grip on Ash's clothes, though it remained wary, its cute black eyes darting cautiously around the room.
Standing next to Ash, the staff member pointed to a shallow indentation in front of the crystal orb. "Please, place your Larvanine in that recess and then step up to the crystal orb. Put your right hand on it, and we can begin the contract ceremony."
"Understood."
Ash nodded in response and walked toward the crystal orb.
She gently tapped Larvanine on its forehead with her fingertip, signaling for it to move to the designated recess indicated by the staff member.
Larvanine nuzzled Ash's cheek affectionately before leaping off her shoulder and crawling to the spot she pointed at, patiently waiting for her next command.
Ash turned to look at the staff member standing at the door. "Is this alright?"
"Yes," the staff member nodded and added, "Now place your right hand on the crystal orb. After that, there's nothing else you need to do—just wait quietly and feel the process."
Ash nodded again, following the instructions.
She placed her right hand onto the smooth surface of the crystal orb.
Almost immediately, the interior of the crystal orb began to emit a soft blue glow.
Gradually, the same glow spread to the embedded crystals in the walls and floor, matching the light within the orb.
"Larvanine~!"
In the midst of the brilliant blue light, mysterious runes started to appear on Larvanine's tiny body.
At the same time, Ash's vision became hazy, and she saw something akin to blazing chains of colorful light between her and Larvanine.
These chains seemed to link two distinct lives together.
The sensation was indescribably wondrous.
Ash could feel a strange resonance forming between herself and Larvanine, a connection that seemed almost tangible.
In the blink of an eye, she saw a vision of a grand, unfamiliar door slowly opening before her.
"What is this...?"
A familiar yet strange energy surged continuously through Ash, flowing from the crystal orb, through her right palm, and into her body.
The energy then traveled along her meridians, spreading throughout her entire being.
It was an indescribably exhilarating sensation, as if a long-dormant power within her had finally found the perfect outlet and was now pouring out in an unstoppable torrent.
"This is spiritual energy," the staff member standing by the door explained to Ash at just the right moment.
On Gaia, humanity evolved by abandoning their "beast" forms, becoming a unique type of Spirit Beast with latent spiritual energy but no natural means of utilizing it.
Before forming a soul contract with a Spirit Beast, humans were entirely unable to perceive the spiritual energy within their bodies.
Only after establishing this bond could they reconnect with that inner power.
Although it was impossible to wield spiritual energy independently, unlike the characters in the fantasy novels Ash had read, the sensation of a vibrant, coursing energy flowing through her body was undeniably extraordinary.
"Congratulations," the staff member said as the blue glow faded.
He stepped forward from the doorway, offering Ash their congratulations.
"From this moment onward, you are officially a Beast Master."
"You can spend some time here bonding with your Spirit Beast and getting accustomed to the spiritual energy in your body. When you're ready, come to the front hall to collect your Novice Beast Master Guidebook."
"I have other matters to attend to, so I'll leave you to it."
"Thank you for your help," Ash replied with a warm smile.
After the staff member left, her gaze shifted to Larvanine, who was swiveling its small head in all directions, seemingly searching for the mysterious runes that had vanished along with the blue light.