The first light of dawn spilled over the horizon as the caravan came to a gradual halt. Courage stirred awake, his head resting against the window of the bus, which had been his makeshift pillow for the past few days. Outside, the towering gates of Star River City came into view, flanked by shimmering walls that sparkled faintly under the sunlight. The city was a hub of grandeur and activity, its reputation as the cradle of beast tamers unmatched.
With a groan, the bus’s doors slid open, and the instructors began ushering the children out in calm, orderly lines. Courage, still drowsy from the journey, shuffled along with the crowd, his younger siblings close behind him. Besmouth stretched with a dramatic yawn, while Ruby rubbed his eyes, still half-asleep. The murmur of excitement among the children grew louder as their feet hit solid ground, the realization of where they were slowly sinking in.
Traveling for days and sleeping in cramped seats had taken its toll. Many of the children yawned openly, their faces a mixture of fatigue and anticipation. Yet, despite their exhaustion, their spirits were high. Today was the big day—the culmination of their efforts, their Awakening Ceremonies, and the beginning of their journeys as beast tamers.
The instructors, dressed in crisp uniforms, ensured the children were lined up neatly in front of the buses. Courage stood with his siblings—Opal on his left, Sapphire and Ruby behind him, and Besmouth chatting with someone in the next line. The instructors allowed them a moment to gather their thoughts and shake off their sleepiness.
One of the instructors, a stern-looking woman with sharp eyes, clapped her hands to draw their attention. “Listen up, everyone!” she called out, her voice cutting through the chatter. “You’ve all made it to Star River City safely, and I commend you for your patience during the journey. However, this is only the beginning. Later this afternoon, you will receive your assigned beasts alongside the chosen ones from other caravans. Until then, we’ll lead you to your temporary residences, where you can rest, eat, and prepare for the event. Follow instructions and behave yourselves while inside the city. Understood?”
A resounding “Yes, ma’am!” echoed from the lines of children.
“Good. Follow us.”
The instructors led the group through the bus station toward a nearby building. The children trudged behind, their weariness temporarily forgotten as they took in the sights of the bustling city. Star River City was alive with activity—merchants shouting their wares, tamers accompanied by magnificent beasts striding through the streets, and distant glimpses of towering structures that seemed to pierce the sky.
Upon reaching the temporary residences, the children were assigned rooms and given clear instructions on what was expected of them. The rooms were modest but comfortable, equipped with soft beds, clean bathrooms, and fresh linens.
Courage and his siblings shared a room. The moment they entered, Besmouth collapsed onto one of the beds, sighing with relief. “Finally, a proper bed!”
Opal sat on the edge of another bed, stretching her arms. “I’m going to sleep for an hour. Wake me when it’s time for breakfast.”
Courage, too, couldn’t resist the allure of the bed. He lay down, sinking into the mattress, and closed his eyes. The room was silent except for the sound of his siblings shifting into comfortable positions.
After a few hours of rest, the children were awakened for breakfast. The dining hall was a lively place, filled with the aroma of freshly cooked food. Courage piled his plate with bread, eggs, and fruit, savoring every bite. The meal was a welcome change from the rations they had eaten during the journey.
Post-breakfast, they were given time to freshen up. Courage relished the hot shower, letting the water wash away the fatigue of the past days. By the time he emerged, he felt rejuvenated and ready for the challenges ahead.
Later on the instructors gathered them for a briefing on conduct within Star River City. “This city is a sacred place for tamers,” the stern instructor reminded them. “You are to respect its rules and traditions. Do not wander off without permission, do not tamper with anything that does not belong to you, and above all, remember that you represent your garrisons here.”
The children nodded solemnly, the weight of the moment settling over them. Courage exchanged glances with his siblings, determination shining in their eyes. They knew this was more than just a trip to the city—it was the start of their journey into the unknown.
After a half-hour of marching, the children found themselves standing before an enormous dome-like structure that dwarfed anything Courage had ever seen. It was the size of a stadium, with intricate carvings etched along its surface, radiating an aura of significance and grandeur. The instructors herded the children inside, and they were immediately met with a sprawling corridor that seemed to stretch endlessly.
The interior was a flurry of activity. The vast space was alive with the buzz of hundreds, perhaps thousands, of people. Most were freshly awakened youths from garrisons across the region, alongside locals of Star River City. Interspersed among them were staff members, instructors, security personnel, and other enigmatic figures whose roles Courage could only guess.
The children from the Blue Orchid Garrison were directed to an area where they were arranged in an organized square formation. Around them, other garrisons were being stationed in their respective spots, each patch spaced apart from the others. Courage observed how the arrangement wasn’t random—it was based on each garrison’s evaluation results.
As realization dawned on him, Courage felt a wave of unease. The Blue Orchid Garrison patch, a small and often overlooked group, was positioned alarmingly close to the front. Only a few groups were ahead of them, including the local awakened of Star River City itself. Whispers and murmurs rippled through the crowd as eyes began to focus on them.
“It’s rare for a small garrison to be ranked so high,” someone nearby muttered, their words echoing Courage’s thoughts.
The weight of those stares bore down on Courage and his peers. He glanced at his siblings. Ruby looked nervously at the crowd, while Opal crossed her arms, her face neutral but her posture tense. Besmouth, usually quick with a quip, shifted uncomfortably on his feet. Even Courage found himself sweating slightly under the heavy atmosphere.
Fortunately, the tension didn’t last long. The murmurs quieted as a colossal holographic image flickered into existence at the far end of the corridor. A woman appeared, her image towering above the crowd. She was stunningly beautiful, her sharp features framed by perfectly styled hair. Her outfit was equally striking—a blend of modern fashion and ceremonial elegance, adorned with patterns resembling flowing rivers and starlit skies.
Her voice was clear and commanding, easily carrying over the restless crowd. “Welcome, awakened of the southern plains Region. You stand here today not just as individuals, but as the seeds of tomorrow—cultivators of potential who will shape the future of your garrisons, your city, and your region. Together, we rise to nurture the new and honor the legacy of the old.”
The representative paused, letting her words sink in before continuing. “I extend my congratulations to all of you for making it here. This is no small feat. Your journey begins today, and we wish you the best of luck as you step forward into the unknown. May your growth be steady, your bonds strong, and your ambitions unwavering.”
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The crowd erupted into polite applause, the children clapping along. Courage couldn’t help but admire the woman’s poise, though his thoughts wandered to what came next.
“Now,” the woman resumed, her holographic gaze scanning the gathered patches, “we will announce the order in which each garrison will proceed this afternoon to receive their beasts. This order is determined by the evaluation results of each garrison, a testament to their performance, potential, and dedication. Naturally, the Star River City Awakened will go first.”
Courage expected that. Star River City, with its unmatched wealth, influence, and history, was always ranked first. His thoughts mirrored those of many others: It’s only natural. How could anyone rival such a superpower?
The woman continued, listing the next garrisons. “Following Star River City are the White Fortress Garrison and Fire Star Mountain Garrison.”
Courage nodded silently. These were well-known garrisons with long-standing reputations. Their places near the top were no surprise.
“And next,” the woman said, her voice cutting through the room like a blade, “we have the Blue Orchid Garrison.”
For a moment, silence fell over the corridor. Then, as if a dam had broken, the building erupted into chaos. Gasps of disbelief, hurried whispers, and shocked exclamations filled the air.
“The Blue Orchid Garrison? How is that possible?”
“A small garrison overtaking so many larger ones? That’s unheard of!”
Courage felt his stomach tighten as the eyes of hundreds, if not thousands, locked onto their patch. The attention was suffocating. Even the awakened from Star River City, who usually paid little mind to smaller garrisons, were now glancing their way with curiosity and, in some cases, disdain.
The representative’s hologram remained composed, unbothered by the commotion. “For those wondering how this came to be, let me explain. Garrisons are evaluated based on two criteria: the number of awakened and their quality. Despite its size, the Blue Orchid Garrison has achieved a ranking higher than many larger, more developed garrisons. This is a testament to their exceptional efforts and promising talent.”
Her words only fueled the buzz. Courage could hear bits and pieces of conversations around him.
“They must have some extraordinary awakened…”
“Maybe a hidden genius among them.”
“Even so, to surpass garrisons with established taming families? Ridiculous!”
Courage clenched his fists, feeling the weight of their scrutiny. It wasn’t just admiration—there was skepticism, envy, and outright hostility mixed in. Yet, amidst the chaos, a part of him couldn’t help but feel a flicker of pride.
We earned this, he thought, his determination hardening. Let them talk. We’ll prove ourselves soon enough.
The representative concluded her speech with well-wishes before the hologram vanished. The children from Blue Orchid stood tall, despite the heavy air.
As the representative's hologram faded, the children of Star River City were called forward as the first patch to receive their beasts. Courage and his peers watched as the patch formed an orderly line and stepped into a separate hall. The large doors closed behind them, and none of the children reemerged.
The same process was repeated for the patches from White Fortress Garrison and Fire Star Mountain Garrison. Each group disappeared behind the doors, heightening the anticipation and unease among the Blue Orchid patch. Whispers flitted through their ranks, speculation filling the air.
Finally, it was their turn. Courage could feel the tension in the air as the instructors signaled them forward. He exchanged a glance with his siblings—Ruby looked like he was about to faint, Opal had her hands clenched tightly, and Besmouth muttered something under his breath, though it sounded more like self-encouragement than a complaint.
They filed into the designated hall, the heavy doors shutting behind them with an audible clang. Courage immediately felt a shift in the atmosphere. The space was vast and sterile, its white walls glowing faintly under the illumination of soft overhead lights. The hall was lined with large, squarish chambers, each enclosed by transparent walls that revealed nothing inside.
An instructor stepped forward, their voice calm yet firm. “Each of you will enter an individual chamber. Follow the instructions provided and select your beast. Take your time and choose wisely.”
One by one, the children were directed to their chambers. Courage found himself stepping into a room that seemed to hum with energy. The walls and floor were pristine white, creating a strange, almost dreamlike space. The door sealed shut behind him, leaving him alone in silence.
Courage spun around, taking in the peculiar environment. He had never been in a place like this before. Suddenly, a soft, automated voice echoed from nowhere.
“Greetings, awakened of Blue Orchid Garrison.”
Courage flinched slightly, the unexpected sound startling him. After a moment, he cleared his throat and replied hesitantly, “Uh… hello?”
“Are you ready to begin the selection process?” the voice asked.
Courage paused before replying, “Yes… but can you explain how this works first?”
“Certainly,” the voice responded smoothly. “You will be presented with a list of creatures currently available for selection. You may scroll through the options and make your choice. If you have specific requirements, you may request creatures with particular characteristics. However, your options are limited to those available for this selection.”
“Got it,” Courage said, nodding to himself. “Let’s begin.”
With that, a glowing screen materialized in front of him, displaying rows of creature icons. Each icon represented a different species, accompanied by basic information such as their type, size, and notable traits.
At first, the sheer variety was overwhelming. Courage scrolled hesitantly, dragging his finger across the interface to navigate through the list. There were creatures of all shapes and sizes, from small, nimble predators to towering beasts of raw power.
As he explored further, Courage began to notice something curious. Some of the icons were faded out, their text grayed and accompanied by the word Unavailable. It didn’t take long to realize what this meant—those creatures had already been claimed.
“Figures,” he muttered to himself, frustration bubbling up. He couldn’t help but imagine the earlier patches snagging all the rare and powerful beasts for themselves.
But before his annoyance could grow, another category caught his eye. Certain creatures were highlighted with the label Package Creatures. Intrigued, Courage tapped on one of the icons, and the automated voice provided an explanation.
“Package creatures are selections accompanied by pre-studied, tested, and verified nurturing plans. These plans are designed to ensure optimal growth for new tamers, offering guaranteed results and simplified care instructions. Package creatures are recommended for new beast tamers to provide an efficient and effective start to their journey.”
Courage raised an eyebrow. The idea of having a creature with an established nurturing plan was undeniably tempting. He wasn’t exactly an expert in beast taming, and the guarantee of results sounded reassuring.
“Efficient and effective, huh?” he muttered, weighing the pros and cons.
The voice continued, “Package creatures are chosen based on potential, practicality, and availability. They do not require rare or inaccessible resources, ensuring sustainability for the tamer.”
It made sense. The city wouldn’t recommend weak creatures or those that demanded impossible resources. Courage scrolled through the package options, noting how each came with detailed notes about their growth potential, temperament, and care requirements.
Still, part of him felt conflicted. While the convenience was appealing, it also felt like taking the easy way out. Yet, with so many top-tier options already claimed, he wondered if this might be the smartest choice available to him.
But recalling Dan’s instructions. Who had already stressed the importance of focusing on what aligned with Courage’s strengths, rather than chasing after what seemed flashy or popular. Resolving not to be tempted by the array of exotic and powerful options, Courage addressed the automated helper.
“Create a list of all insect species available,” he instructed firmly.
The helper responded promptly, and the screen shifted to a new list. Rows of insect species now filled the display, each accompanied by its unique traits and abilities. Courage noticed that, unlike the general selection, the insect pool showed no signs of shortages. He smirked at the realization.
“Figures,” he muttered. “Not many people would go for bugs—regular ones, let alone beasts.”
He scrolled through the list for a moment before issuing another command. “Now, filter it down to vigor-type insects.”
Immediately, the list shrank from hundreds of options to just a dozen or so. The narrowing of choices brought a sense of focus, and Courage resolved to make the best possible choice from what remained.
As Courage carefully scrolled through the vigor-type insect list, he murmured his thoughts aloud, analyzing each option.
“Lead Head Cricket: Ability—super leg strength. Seems… limited.”
“Hunter Spider: Ability—strong grappling. Sounds good, but let’s see the others first.”
“Armored Millipede: Ability—enhanced carapace armor. Not quite what I’m looking for.”
For two hours, Courage painstakingly examined every entry, considering each creature’s strengths, weaknesses, and how well it would complement his own abilities and Totem. Finally, he settled on one: the full Strength Beetle.
The decision wasn’t made lightly. Courage’s choice was guided by three primary reasons:
1. Familiarity and Affinity:
The full Strength Beetle was a type of beetle—a creature Courage felt an inherent connection to due to his Totem. This familiarity gave him confidence in his ability to control and work with it effectively.
2. Ability—Maximum Effort:
The beetle’s unique ability allowed it to utilize 100% of its physical strength whenever needed, with the added capability to channel that strength in precise ways. On the surface, the ability seemed straightforward, but for a creature reliant on raw physical power, it was invaluable. Courage also saw this ability as a solid foundation that could be further developed with the right training and resources.
3. Rarity:
Although the insect pool was largely untouched, Courage couldn’t ignore the scarcity of the full Strength Beetle. Unlike other species with abundant numbers, there were only a couple dozen of this beetle available. This suggested it might be a rare species, a fact that intrigued and tempted him even more.
And after a final moment of contemplation, Courage declared his choice to the automated helper.
“Helper, I’ve made my decision. I choose the full Strength Beetle.”
The helper acknowledged his choice. “Would you like to select the specimen yourself, or shall the system assign one for you?”
Without hesitation, Courage replied, “I’ll pick it myself.” He didn’t want such an important decision to be left to chance.
The screen shifted once again, presenting a short list of all available specimens of the full Strength Beetle. Courage immediately began eliminating options, starting with all the females. He understood that in most beetle species, males were generally more suited for combat. Males often bore distinctive features like horns or mandibles and exhibited a more aggressive nature, making them better-suited for battle
After carefully examining the remaining male specimens, Courage analyzed their physical traits and any additional notes provided by the helper. He scrutinized every detail, determined to choose a beetle with the best potential for growth . At this moment his many years experience in raising beetles came in handy
When he finally made his selection, Courage called the helper to confirm .
The helper’s voice chimed in. “Selection confirmed. Your chosen specimen will now be prepared and delivered. Please proceed to the designated waiting area.”