The golden pillar of light continued to pierce the heavens.
Every person in Azure City's central square stood frozen.
Even the Awakening Crystal trembled violently.
Elder Rowan stared at Kai in disbelief.
"What... what kind of talent is this?"
He had presided over Awakening Ceremonies for over fifty years, yet he had never witnessed such a phenomenon.
Suddenly, countless runes appeared on the crystal.
One by one, they surrounded Kai like orbiting stars.
The air became heavy.
Several weaker Beast Tamers instinctively stepped backward.
Even their contracted beasts lowered their heads.
Then—
CRACK!
The Awakening Crystal split down the middle.
Gasps echoed throughout the square.
"It broke!"
"The Awakening Crystal actually broke!"
"Impossible!"
The crystal had survived thousands of awakenings over hundreds of years.
Yet today...
It had shattered.
Kai himself was equally surprised.
"System..."
"What exactly is happening?"
The familiar mechanical voice answered.
[Analyzing...]
[Talent successfully awakened.]
A translucent blue panel appeared before Kai alone.
Hidden Talent
Name: Beast Origin Sovereign
Rank: EX
Description: The supreme Beast Taming talent that exists beyond the known rankings.
Effects:
• Every beast naturally feels goodwill toward the Host.
• Beast growth speed increased by 1,000%.
• Evolution success rate: 100%.
• Beast loyalty: Absolute.
• Beast comprehension speed increased dramatically.
• Passive Beast Language unlocked.
Kai blinked.
"EX Rank?"
The memories he inherited told him that the highest known talent was only SS Rank.
EX Rank had never even been mentioned.
[Correction.]
[This talent did not exist before today.]
[It was created alongside the All Encompassing System.]
Kai smiled helplessly.
"So I'm literally the first."
Before he could think further, another notification appeared.
First-Time Login Reward Available
Claim?
YES / NO
"Yes."
Golden particles gathered before him.
A black ring engraved with silver dragons materialized in his palm.
Item Obtained
Infinite Beast Ring
Rank: Divine
Abilities:
• Infinite storage for beast resources.
• Time flows one hundred times slower inside.
• Instantly heals contracted beasts.
• Automatically gathers Beast Qi.
• Cannot be destroyed.
Kai quietly slipped the ring onto his finger before anyone noticed.
At the same time...
A group of luxurious carriages stopped outside the square.
Royal guards quickly cleared a path.
Everyone bowed.
"The Royal Family!"
An elegant woman wearing white robes stepped forward.
She possessed long golden hair and piercing blue eyes.
Behind her walked several powerful Beast Tamers.
Elder Rowan immediately saluted.
"Greetings, Principal Evelyn."
She nodded slightly.
Her gaze landed on Kai.
"So..."
"You're the child who caused the awakening phenomenon."
Kai respectfully bowed.
"Greetings, Principal."
She studied him for several seconds.
Then smiled.
"Interesting."
"I cannot determine your talent."
Normally, every talent would appear above the crystal.
But Kai's had been hidden by the system.
Only the phenomenon remained.
"What is your name?"
"Kai Anderson."
"Would you be willing to attend the Royal Beast Academy?"
The crowd erupted.
"The Royal Academy?!"
"Only geniuses enter there!"
"It's the strongest academy in the kingdom!"
Kai answered calmly.
"It would be an honor."
Evelyn nodded.
"Good."
"I'll personally sponsor your education."
The surrounding students looked at Kai with envy.
Some admired him.
Others glared with jealousy.
Among them stood a handsome young man wearing noble clothing.
His name was Lucas Sterling.
The son of one of the kingdom's most influential noble families.
He had awakened an A-Rank Flame Wolf Talent earlier that morning and expected to become the center of attention.
Instead...
Everything had been stolen by Kai.
Lucas clenched his fists.
"I'll remember your face."
Kai noticed the hostility but ignored it.
Petty rivalry wasn't worth his attention.
Just then—
DING!
Main Quest Received
Become the strongest Beast Tamer in existence.
Current Progress: 0%
Reward: Unknown
Failure: Impossible
Kai laughed.
"That's one ambitious quest."
The system responded immediately.
[Host possesses the All Encompassing System.]
[Average goals are beneath you.]
Before Kai could reply, another notification appeared.
Beginner Quest
Contract your first beast.
Reward:
• Random Divine Skill
• 1,000 System Points
• Beginner Gift Pack
Time Limit: Seven Days
Kai nodded.
"Now we're talking."
According to this world's rules, Beast Tamers could only contract beasts after awakening their Beast Space.
Without a beast...
They possessed almost no combat ability.
Principal Evelyn approached him once more.
"The academy begins in three days."
"Before then..."
"I recommend visiting the Azure Beast Forest."
"It contains many beginner-level beasts."
Kai smiled.
"Thank you for the advice."
After returning home, Lily and Mia welcomed him excitedly.
"You got accepted?!"
Lily's eyes filled with tears.
"Your father dreamed of attending the Royal Beast Academy."
"I'm proud of you."
Kai gently hugged her.
"I won't disappoint you."
That evening...
After everyone fell asleep...
Kai quietly left the house.
Moonlight illuminated the empty streets.
His destination was obvious.
The Azure Beast Forest.
According to the memories, countless young Beast Tamers entered the forest every year searching for suitable partners.
Most contracted common beasts like Wind Rabbits...
Stone Monkeys...
Or Green Wolves.
Kai, however, had different plans.
"If I only get one first contract..."
"It has to be extraordinary."
The system suddenly spoke.
[Suggestion.]
"Issue."
[Scanning nearby area.]
A three-dimensional map appeared.
One glowing golden dot shone deep within the forest.
Hidden Opportunity Detected
Distance: 18 km
Danger Level: Unknown
Estimated Reward: Extremely High
Kai smiled.
"Lead the way."
The system highlighted the safest route.
Hours later...
He reached the deepest part of Azure Beast Forest.
The surrounding trees had grown enormous.
Silence filled the air.
Not even insects could be heard.
At the center of a clearing stood a gigantic black egg covered in ancient golden runes.
The moment Kai approached...
The egg trembled.
A powerful heartbeat echoed across the forest.
BOOM.
BOOM.
BOOM.
The system's voice became unusually serious.
[Warning.]
[Legendary Beast detected.]
[Species Unknown.]
[Probability of successful contract for ordinary Beast Tamers: 0.000001%.]
[Probability for Host...]
The screen paused.
Then changed.
100%.
Kai slowly reached out toward the mysterious egg.
The ancient runes suddenly began to glow.
A voice echoed inside his mind.
"I have waited..."
"...for thousands of years."