Chapter 2

“Holy crap! Holy crap! Did you guys hear?!”

“Someone just saw the homeroom teachers of Class One and Class Two taking more than a dozen students straight to the academic office. Do you think they’re going to sign up for the Global Beastmaster Entrance Exam?”

The once-quiet classroom during break was suddenly disrupted by a slightly chubby figure rushing in from the hallway. The boy stopped at the door, excitedly pointing outside to share the latest gossip with his classmates.

Zhou Wanli looked up. She knew this boy—Wu Chengyu, the class sports representative.

In her previous life, he’d been known for his wide circle of friends. It was said he had buddies in every grade and class, and whenever anything happened at school, he’d be the first to know. Gossip was his favorite thing to share.

In this world, Zhou Wanli got along with him just as well.

Chen Xiaoxiao, nearby, rolled her eyes and called out loudly, “Isn’t that obvious? Do we even have to guess? Class One and Two are the elite classes. The teachers personally escorted them—anyone could guess they’re going to the academic office to sign up for the Global Entrance Exam.”

Wu Chengyu snorted, darted over, and knocked Chen Xiaoxiao on the head, deftly dodging her retaliatory punch as he argued, “That’s not necessarily true. The academic office isn’t only for those signing up for the global exam. What about the ‘heroes’ who break the rules or get into fights?”

Chen Xiaoxiao laughed in exasperation. “You? A hero? You’re a regular at the academic office yourself.”

Listening to their banter, Zhou Wanli nearly burst out laughing. It seemed their relationship hadn’t changed—a pair of bickering friends.

Wu Chengyu shot her a sidelong glance, declaring with mock pride, “Hmph! I don’t argue with girls!”

Chen Xiaoxiao sniffed, “I don’t argue with petty people.”

Their lively sparring left the rest of the class anxious for the latest news. Meng Yifei and Wang Tongtong, seated in the front, leaned over and interrupted, “Wu Chengyu, you said you saw students from Class One and Two. Did you see exactly who?”

Meng Yifei and Wang Tongtong were the class monitor and academic officer, naturally most concerned about these matters.

Wu Chengyu shook his head. “I heard it from a friend in Class Six. I’m not sure about the details.”

“Why? Are you guys so interested because your brain development and neural tendril growth have both met the requirements?”

Zhou Wanli quietly perked up her ears to listen. She hadn’t fully absorbed her memories yet and was completely lost about how to become a Beastmaster or sign up for the entrance exam. Plus, her counterpart in this world seemed to be a poor student, likely never having paid attention to any of this.

So Zhou Wanli didn’t hold out hope—she just planned to pick up what information she could from the conversation.

In the front row, Meng Yifei bit her lip, visibly frustrated. “I’m still a bit short. My brain development is at 10, but I’ve only grown one neural tendril. That’s not enough to qualify.”

“There’s only half a month left. I doubt I’ll reach the standard, let alone sign up and apply for an ecological simulation auxiliary field to help with awakening. With my ordinary talent, there’s no way I’ll awaken in such a short time.”

“Even if I manage to sign up, I won’t be able to participate in the final Global Entrance Exam. Brain development and neural tendril growth are just the registration requirements. To actually take the exam, you need to have your soul field awakened.”

“Half a month isn’t enough.”

Meng Yifei sounded disheartened.

Wang Tongtong sighed, “If we can’t take the global exam, we’ll have to sit for the regular college entrance exam instead. That basically means we’ll never become Beastmasters—unless something miraculous happens.”

Zhou Wanli was secretly shocked. So the Global Beastmaster Entrance Exam was really this important? Clearly, no matter the world, the saying that exams decide your fate always holds true.

So what exactly was this Beastmaster Entrance Exam?

Even the sign-up requirements were this strict, so the actual test must be even tougher.

But for now, it was too early for her to worry about that. What she was really concerned about was whether she could meet the registration requirements in just half a month.

What were brain development and neural tendrils? What was soul field awakening?

Since fate had given her this second chance at life, shouldn’t she get some kind of starter gift?

Zhou Wanli felt that she absolutely should.

Reborn in such a magical world, she certainly didn’t want to miss this rare opportunity—she wanted to truly experience a life completely different from before.

And becoming a Beastmaster was the first step!

Seeing everyone’s spirit droop, Chen Xiaoxiao clapped her hands to encourage them. “Hey, Class Three isn’t that bad, okay? Every year, Beixi First High has thirty or forty students who qualify! There’s still half a month left—nobody knows what’ll happen until the last moment.”

“Except for those in Class One and Two, I bet everyone’s progress is about the same. Don’t worry, just push a little harder! Maybe we’ll awaken on our own without any aids! The chances are slim, but it’s not impossible!”

“And if we fail and take the regular college entrance exam, with our grades, we’ll still get into a good university.”

“Exactly!” Wu Chengyu echoed.

Zhou Wanli nodded in agreement.

Their conversation wound down just as the bell rang, ending their discussion.

It was the final review sprint of their senior year, so classes mostly consisted of teachers summarizing textbook knowledge. There was little cold-calling, so Zhou Wanli made it peacefully to the end of the school day.

When the bell rang, she felt as if a great weight had lifted. After a quick goodbye to Chen Xiaoxiao, she packed up at lightning speed and hurried out.

Her family had bought their new apartment in Beichen District back when she was in junior high, and they’d never moved since.

The familiar cityscape filled her with nostalgia.

Entering the Ziyuan Residential Complex, she immediately spotted a couple behind the counter of the convenience store at the entrance.

The man was of average height, plain-looking, but his eyes were bright and spirited. He was cheerfully scanning customers’ items, full of energy.

Beside him, the woman was quieter, helping out occasionally but mostly watching over the store.

When they saw the girl with her backpack approach, both their faces lit up. Zhou Qingfeng quickly finished with the customer, waved her over, and said happily, “Wanwan, you’re home early today! School must be tiring. Come here! Dad’s got some fresh energy fruits for you—take them home to eat.”

Zhou Wanli shook her head, smiling. “Dad, Mom, it’s fine, you keep them. I’ve got a lot of homework today, so I’ll head up first.”

Yang Yue, however, wouldn’t take no for an answer. She grabbed a pre-packed bag of fruit from the counter and handed it over. “Take it! Your parents run a convenience store; how could you lack a bit of fruit?”

Zhou Wanli had no choice but to accept. Her mother was as decisive as ever.

Waving goodbye as she walked out with her things, she turned her head only to bump into something with a soft thud.

It didn’t hurt, but she felt as if she’d fallen into a warm and fluffy embrace. Puzzled, she reached out and felt silky fur slip through her fingers.

Wait, fur?

Yang Yue hurried over, pulling her daughter away with a mixture of exasperation and amusement. “Silly girl, why are you just standing there after bumping into someone’s pet beast? Be careful, or you’ll anger Uncle Li’s Nightmare Beast!” She tapped her daughter’s head in mock reproach.

But when Zhou Wanli got a clear look at the creature, she was stunned. She’d thought she was prepared for supernatural beings, but reality was nothing like imagination.

The extraordinary pet before her stood nearly two meters tall, almost brushing the ceiling of the store. It obediently stood beside its owner, its massive, powerful body rippling with muscle. It looked more like a ferocious variant of a hyena, sleekly furred in deep blue.

Lowering its head, it gazed coldly and mercilessly at the fragile human before it.

For the first time, Zhou Wanli understood what it meant to be rendered helpless by terror. Frozen with her head half-raised, she dared not move a muscle.

It felt as if she were hallucinating—she had become a lamb awaiting slaughter, pinned by the beast’s gaze, its fangs at her throat, a heartbeat away from bloodshed.

Just as she was about to suffocate, something shattered in her mind. With a sharp snap, a few intangible forces burst out, instantly forming a barrier between her and the beast.

Like a drowning animal pulled from the water, Zhou Wanli gasped for breath.

The Nightmare Beast seemed to sense something, its pupils contracting in surprise as it looked at her. Li Shuping, standing nearby, also caught on, his eyes flashing with astonishment.

“Xiao Hei!”

A deep growl answered.

Patting the Nightmare Beast’s back, Li Shuping chided, “Why are you staring at the kid? Don’t you know you look scary? And you need extra training when we get home—your aura control is a mess, and you frightened her!”

He then turned to Zhou Wanli, his gaze pausing for a second at the back of her head, discreetly taking note of the strange, writhing tendrils before speaking. “Sorry! Did we scare you? Xiao Hei just looks fierce but is really gentle.”

“It doesn’t like staying in the mind sea, so I usually keep it outside. Don’t worry, though—I’ve put a sensor ring on it. If anything happens, I can instantly recall it to my mind sea!”

Zhou Wanli barely registered what he was saying. Still dazed, she thought, Am I really this timid? I just glanced at the Nightmare Beast and nearly fell apart. Maybe I really have no talent for being a Beastmaster. QAQ

Oblivious, Yang Yue patted her daughter’s shoulder with a smile and introduced her, “This is Uncle Li, who just moved into the complex. He’s a real Beastmaster! His Nightmare Beast loves bitter oranges, so they come to the store often.”

“And it’s very well-behaved—always helping Uncle Li carry things home. Sometimes when there’s a delivery, it even helps me and your dad unload boxes.”

With that, Yang Yue reached out to stroke the Nightmare Beast’s back, and the creature even wagged its tail at her. Their harmony made Zhou Wanli, already doubting herself, feel even more self-conscious.

Zhou Wanli: …Life is really falling apart. Double the pain.

She was drooping with discouragement when a business card was suddenly handed to her.

She looked up and was surprised to see it was Uncle Li. Frowning in confusion, she didn’t understand his intent.

Li Shuping smiled. “No harm meant. Just thought we’d get to know each other—consider it an introduction to a future Beastmaster.”

“Beastmaster? Future?” Zhou Wanli was lost. “But I haven’t even signed up for the Beastmaster Entrance Exam!”

Li Shuping was equally stunned.

“You haven’t signed up? Why not? Does anyone these days awaken their soul field and not want to become a Beastmaster?!” He was incredulous.

“What? I’ve awakened my soul field?!” Zhou Wanli doubted her own ears.

“How would I not know if I’d awakened?”

“How would I know you didn’t know?”

The two of them stared at each other in confusion.

Finally understanding what was going on, Mother Yang grew anxious and interrupted, grabbing Li Shuping’s arm. “Brother Li! Are you serious? Has our Wanwan really awakened?”

“It’s true,” Li Shuping confirmed. “I think when the Nightmare Beast accidentally released a trace of king-level pressure, her neural tendrils mistook it for danger and responded.”

“Only someone who’s awakened their soul field can manifest neural tendrils outside their brain in the real world.”

Li Shuping looked at Zhou Wanli, his expression serious. “So congratulations, future Beastmaster.”