Yu shrugged, his face calm. "Apparently. Guess we don't exactly scream '10th grade.'"
Just then, a girl crouched just outside the classroom, hands on her knees, peering at them curiously.
"Hey… uh… are you guys lost? New admission?" she asked, her tone cheerful and unfazed, brimming with confidence.
Chi blinked, caught off guard. "Uh… yeah, first day," he admitted.
Yu gave a small nod. "Yeah… we're new."
The girl's eyebrows lifted slightly. "Oh… okay… follow me, then. I'll show you to your class."
She glanced at them curiously. "By the way, what grade are you guys in...7th?" She tilted her head, hands clasped behind her back, her eyes bright with interest.
Chi and Yu exchanged glances. Starting at this school would involve more than just learning — they'd have to convince everyone that they belonged here, despite looking younger than everyone else.
Chi gave a small, determined smile. "10th grade 10-D."
Yu nodded in agreement, his expression calm but alert.
"Let's see… 10th D… Huh? You guys are in the same class as me?" she said, eyes wide with bewilderment.
Both Chi and Yu just looked at her silently, trying not to react.
She scratched the back of her neck, a faint blush creeping across her cheeks. "Hmm… you guys look… so small… I mean, young. But… you're in 10-D? I would have never guessed," she added quickly, as if trying to cover up her slip.
Her embarrassment deepened, and she nervously scratched her cheek, muttering to herself. A few crows cawed loudly outside, as if mocking her awkwardness.
Chi raised an eyebrow, barely suppressing a grin. Yu let out a quiet chuckle, shaking his head.
"Don't worry about it," Chi said smoothly. "We get that reaction a lot."
The girl's blush deepened further, but she gave a sheepish smile. "Right… sorry… I didn't mean to sound rude or anything."
Yu shrugged, trying to look nonchalant. "It's fine. Just… follow us to class?"
She nodded quickly, trying to regain her composure, though her cheeks stayed tinged pink.
The trio entered the classroom.
As Chi stepped in and scanned the room, he couldn't help but think, "As usual… puberty at its peak."
The classroom buzzed with loud chatter, laughter, and the occasional squeal — a mix of energy only teenagers could produce.
A tall boy sitting near the back leaned forward with a teasing grin.
"Hey… who are these kids with you? Your little brothers or something?"
The girl crossed her arms with an awkward smile. "No, they're actually new students. In this class."
The room went silent for a beat before a few whispers broke out.
"Wait—what?!"
"They look like middle schoolers!"
"Did they skip grades or what?"
Yu scratched the back of his head, muttering under his breath, "Here we go again…"
Chi sighed softly but smirked a little. "Guess we'll have to prove we belong here sooner or later."
Soon, the bell rang, and the chatter died down as footsteps echoed from the hallway.
The door slid open—
and in walked Loch.
Both Chi and Yu froze mid-breath, eyes widening in disbelief.
"...Loch?" Chi muttered.
Chi and yu in disbelief.
Loch walked up to the front of the class, his usual calm but confident aura filling the room.
"Everyone," he began, placing his hands behind his back, "I am Loch — and I'll be your teacher for this year, the next, and the one after that as well."
A low murmur spread through the classroom. Some students whispered in surprise — it was rare for a teacher to stay with the same class for three consecutive years moreover he's handsome.
Loch smiled faintly. "That means, for better or worse, you're all stuck with me."
A few students chuckled, and the tension in the room eased.
Loch clapped his hands, drawing the class's attention.
"Now, listen carefully. The school vault doesn't just contain living beasts — it also holds beast eggs. These eggs have lain dormant for decades, some even centuries, waiting for a compatible master."
A wave of murmurs spread through the class.
He continued, "The stronger the bloodline, the deeper its slumber. Some eggs will respond instantly… others might not react at all. But if your presence stirs one — if the egg acknowledges you — that beast will be yours to nurture and bond with."
Jin Chi's eyes lit up.
Eggs that choose their masters… sounds less like picking and more like destiny.
Then, the system window appeared again in front of him:
> [Mission Updated]
Main mission:Objective: Awaken a dormant beast egg with an SSS-rank bloodline or higher.
Reward:
• 3× Beast-Nourishing Elixirs(heaven grade)
• 2× Beast blood line awakner(heaven grade)
• Hidden Quest Unlock: Fate of the Ancient Bloodlines
Chi blinked, his pulse quickening. "SSS-rank … this system reallydhas heaven grade elixers?"
Yu leaned toward him. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing," Chi said quickly, forcing a smile. "Just thinking about which beast would actually choose me."
Loch's voice broke through his thoughts.
"The vault will open at dawn on Monday. Prepare yourselves — it's not strength or talent that decides your fate in there… it's your soul resonance."
Chi went back home, curiosity lighting his steps. "Mom, did you know Teacher Loch was going to be there?" he asked, glancing at her expectantly.
Her hand rested gently on her belly. "Yes," she replied softly, a small smile playing on her lips. "It was a group decision."
Suddenly, a soft kick pressed against her palm. Her eyes welled up with tears as she whispered, "Look… she's kicking!"
Chi's eyes went wide. "Whoa! She's kicking already?" he muttered, leaning closer, half in awe, half in disbelief. Is she practicing martial arts in there already? I swear, she's going to be stronger than me by the time she's ten!
A laugh escaped him, even as a warm smile spread across his face. "Mom… she's really moving!"
The room seemed to hold its breath for a moment, filled with a quiet, tender warmth. Chi's mind raced with excitement and worry all at once. I have to train hard… I can't let her outshine me too quickly!
Even the little kick made him feel a deep connection to the life growing inside his mother, and a quiet determination blossomed in his chest — to protect, to guide, and maybe… to survive having a little powerhouse sibling someday...
Haoran's eyes went wide, and he instinctively placed a hand over his mouth. "What!!! She's kicking already?!"
Chi, standing beside him, laughed and said, "Wow, Dad… she's really active!"
Haoran's hand rested gently on his wife's belly, a mix of awe and pride in his voice: "I… I can feel it. She's really moving. Incredible."
The tiny kicks continued rhythmically, and for a brief, perfect moment, the family just stood there, marveling at the small miracle growing inside...
"I can't wait for her to be in this world!" Chi exclaimed, his voice full of warmth.
Ever since that moment, his mind was filled with thoughts of the baby. Whether he was in class, walking home, or even training, his thoughts would drift back to her. A soft smile always crept onto his face without him realizing it.
Time flew by and it was time for the beast egg selection...
Next chapter: BEAST EGG SELECTION AND FIRST DUEL