Coming back from the hawker’s market and straight to awareness school in the district; it was already late evening.

The winter scorpion-flies were still doing their job of buzzing in the ears and the wind had also slightly picked up its pace. Seems it was worried about arriving somewhere late too.

After quickly arriving at the center, Zi Yang registered his attendance and went to take a seat.

The classroom gave a musty feeling, possibly due to leaked rain and scant budget. The desk and chairs were placed at equal distances and the entire class was arranged in three rows.

The back of the classroom was slightly raised as compared to the front, proving a better viewing angle to everyone who comes to study.

The white board was conspicuously in the center of front wall and surrounding it were numerous charts, notices, diagrams made by center officials or some by students themselves.

All in all, Zi Yang had a feeling of going to third-rate university building which was later used for primary class students. Yes, that’s the only story which could justify the ambience of the class.

His classmates were from all age groups – kids his age, teenagers, and adults.

Zi Yang sat next to a teenager and asked, “Hello, I am Zi Yang. I didn’t see you the last time I came in. Are you new?”

The teenager replied, “Hi Zi Yang, my name is Jian Guo. Yes, I am attending for the first time today. What will the teacher teach here?”

Zi Yang detailed on what teacher usually teaches, which is self-protection from commonly found beasts in the town, some methods to exercise, and more opportunities to become an attendant of a professional in society.

While the two were chatting, Teacher He had already stood on the podium and started lecturing, “Today we will talk about how to distinguish if a beast master is dangerous and or a potential hazard to you.

When humans started contracting the beasts, they can contract them through soul contracts which means that the beasts’ souls are directly linked to the souls of the beast masters.

While this enables them to understand each other better, it also influences one another a lot. For example, a bloodthirsty mammoth may influence its master to have episodes of bloodthirst, or a dream tapir may cause his master to go delirious because of the excessive nightmares.

While a direct contract can speed up promotion, if not handled properly – the beasts and beast masters are all dangers in their own right.”

The history of the continent has been that the earliest contractors used to have soul contracts and only after developing a more civilized system did, the populace switched to beast space contracts.

In the earliest days when humans were raised by beasts as blood food, the human population had to be more united in front to deal with beasts so the side effects were discounted then.

Now, the geopolitical situation is largely stabilized so, the people who still contract through soul are either those who did not awaken their beast spaces and are desperate to become beast masters, or those who are confident in their ability or prefer upgrade speed.

“Most of these beast masters can easily go paranoid. So, the best way to identify them is if they can summon their beasts. If they can, then it is largely alright.

If not, but their beasts are stored in space beads or other space equipment – you should beware.”

An uncle raised a question, “Isn’t it possible that a beast master could have a second beast in space bracelet or maybe he’s going to sell or buy a beast.”

Teacher He bridged his nose, pulled up the glasses and replied seriously, “True. Very possible. But when we are weak and with no means to identify, we should be cautious.

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An easy way to solve this problem would be to buy a mobile phone set from Tianxin or Novak and other companies which are equipped with appraisal methods for beasts and beast masters.

But as we all know that such technological products are more expensive than an elite beast egg.”

Having said that, he continued explaining.

The world of beast masters is where everyone pursues strength. It is good, but if strength is not properly grasped – it brings repercussions as well.

A lot of paranoid beast masters, and primitive beasts group up to seek benefits regardless of the moral confines of dharma and Artha.

Underworld existed even on Earth. Imagine, how can underworld organizations not exist in a world favored by strength?

Seeing that the topic seemed a bit heavy for younger kids and teenagers, Teacher He brought a twist and suggested, “Another interesting way to be relatively safer without strength in the society is to associate oneself with official organizations or with professionals.

Why do you think your parents, or some of the elderly and uncles here have a lot of contact with their beast master neighbors, or curry favor with the beast regiment officers?

It’s simple – to seek warmth. To seek safety.

For the younger ones, you could try becoming an attendant to a professional. Like we have attendants in city lords and other government offices, or, you could choose to be an attendant for auxiliary professionals.

There are helpers for doctors in City Hospital, there’s a potion master in Meng’s potion shop in third street from the left. There are also Confucian scholars in all four high schools in the city.”

“Yeah, I’m working as an apprentice for Master Meng. He suggested that I visit and learn practical knowledge from the school here which is not taught in high schools”, Jian Guo quipped in a hushed voice to Zi Yang.

Zi Yang started chatting and found that this brother Jian Guo is working as an apprentice in order to secure a second chance at beast space awakening at the beast masters association.

He has some talent in potion making, Master Meng promised to accept his as his apprentice when he passes first star potion master exam and he is close to making it.

Zi Yang congratulated and added him on void net contacts. He is also making the body lotion for Zi Ming on advice of a provincial potion master. Maybe Jian Guo could help him.

Before that, we can maintain a good contact.

“Finally, you should remember to identify which area you could be good at through void net simulation experience rooms and get back together next week to discuss more on this.”

With that, Teacher He packed up and walked out of the class.

Jian Guo was quite talkative, not quite like most adults who sound condescending when talking to children.

Zi Yang had a nice time listening to the class, and he also thought seriously about learning potion making.

It should be similar to high school chemistry experiments, only more intricate maybe. Anyway, since we might have to make various potion for Zi Ming’s use – he might as well learn well.

This might come in handy to improve his social standing. Just potion making also requires use of spiritual qi, so he might need to use Mama Mei’s help in doing this.

Whoosh.

Thought interrupted by a gust of chilling wind. Zi Yang shivered, tightened his wind jacket and rushed towards his home.

“Bye, brother Jian. I’ll contact you on net”

“Sure thing.”

Both separated to their respected destinations.

At home, Zi Yang had a hot bath after a busy day and then, played with Zi Ming for a bit.

Zi Ming smiled but was still pretty quiet.

Zi Yang was heartbroken.

He initially thought his brother was smart and sensible so he’d be quiet enough. He felt proud of that.

Now, he looks carefully and understands that the baby might be sensible but its more because he’s always tired and hibernating to maintain energy.

Zi Yang discussed with Mama Mei and decided to monitor his condition and have a check-up with the doctor again sometime later.

A regular treatment in initial years might be crucial.

After sorting this out, Zi Yang took out the branch and planted it into a potted plant by Zi Ming’s bedside.

I mean God Willow has to be close with the human cub to develop affection, shouldn’t it. Shi Hao was able to get close this way, there’s no reason my Ming’er couldn’t get it done.

Looking at this way, Zi Yang still cannot let go of his fantasies.

Well, who can blame him? Transmigrating is one of the biggest fantasies and he’s seen names of some mythological beasts in the void net forums. So, if these could exist – why couldn’t another Willow God?

Don’t they say – Hold fast onto dreams, for if dreams die, life is a broken-winged bird that cannot fly.