At the age of 16, children will receive a blessing that can tame monsters or beasts. But before that happens, they will be put through a trial where they will be given an egg and try to hatch it using the blessings they have received from the Goddess of Tamer.

That's what should happen, but since Ren is still asleep he'll be late for the trial. He just had his birthday yesterday and even though no one came, it was okay for him because he still received the blessing from the Goddess of Tamer.

He just needs to attend the trial to become a full pledged tamer, it's his dream becoming the best tamer in the world, but because he doesn't have parents to support him, his life became difficult.

At the age of 10, he learned to do hard work to save money for himself. He became a farmer, he became a heavy lifter, he did all that just to get into the academy.

The warm breeze blew past his face, causing him to stirred, he slowly opened his eyes and when he saw that the sun was up already, he quickly stood up.

"Oh no, I'm going to be late!"

He quickly took the clothes he was going to wear for the trial and quickly carried them to rush towards the river.

He quickly took off his clothes and jumped into the river to bathe. The cold water relaxing him up, for the trial later.

"Ahh... This feels good..."

After relaxing for some time, he got up to get dressed, he took the dress and pants and put them on. The white fabric of his shirt blended smoothly with the brown pants he was wearing.

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As Ren raced through the fields, he caught sight of the academy's spires, towering above the town like watchful guardians. The trial would be held just beyond, in the Blessed Grove, a sacred forest that was said to be touched by the Goddess herself.

He skidded to a stop at the edge of the grove, panting heavily. He wasn't the only one running late. A few stragglers were still filing in, their nervous chatter filling the air.

Ren clenched his fists, nerves twisting his stomach. For as long as he could remember, he'd dreamed of standing here, on the cusp of becoming a true tamer. All the back-breaking work, the countless days spent saving up, it had all led him to this moment. He took a deep breath and stepped forward, joining the line of children waiting their turn.

Then suddenly, a sharp voice rang out.

"Peasant! So you actually showed up?"

Ren turned to see Taro smirking at him, flanked by his usual crowd. Taro was the son of a wealthy nobel, and he never missed a chance to sneer at Ren's worn clothes and calloused hands.

"I thought maybe you'd finally given up," Taro continued, arms crossed. "I mean, it's not like an orphan can compete with the rest of us."

Ren never thought about Taro's judgmental words, but since this might be their last meeting, maybe he should say something to Taro that he can remember for the rest of his life.

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"Yeah, well... I never thought about it at all, besides, I can use simple magic unlike you who can't even make a flower bloom."

He smiled. He knew that Taro didn't know how to use simple magic, he saw that when he was walking back to his house, he saw that Taro can't even make a small flower bloom.

Before Taro could respond, the Overseer of the trial, an older woman dressed in ceremonial robes adorned with symbols of the Goddess, raised her hand for silence.

"Gather around, initiates."

The crowd quieted as she led them into the grove, where an altar stood in a small clearing. Behind it, on a series of shelves, lay rows of eggs, each glowing faintly under the dappled sunlight.

The sight took Ren's breath away, each egg was unique, some covered in smooth scales, others with delicate patterns etched into their shells. He could almost feel the heartbeat of life within them.

"You each carry the blessing of the Goddess, and with that blessing comes the responsibility to nurture and protect your bond. Today, you will prove your worth as tamers by bringing forth the life inside these eggs."

As she spoke, she motioned for them to approach the altar, one by one, to receive their egg. Ren's heart pounded as he watched each child take an egg and find a spot on the grass, cradling it in their hands as they began to concentrate.

When it was finally his turn, Ren stepped forward, almost holding his breath.

The Overseer scanned the shelves and selected an egg from the highest shelf, one that seemed darker and heavier than the rest. As she handed it to him, Ren noticed something strange, a faint, dark aura shimmered around the shell, and the warmth he expected was instead a cool pulse against his palms.

"Not every blessing is straightforward, Ren. Some bonds require more than simple desire. They demand resilience and strength, qualities that only a rare few possess. Do you understand?"

Ren nodded, though he wasn't entirely sure he did. He took the egg to an open spot under a tree, sinking to his knees as he held it tightly. The other kids were already focusing on their eggs, their faces scrunched with concentration as they whispered quiet prayers to the Goddess.

He closed his eyes, reaching deep within himself to summon his blessing. He could feel it, a warmth in his chest, like a tiny flame flickering to life. He focused that warmth into his hands, willing it to flow into the egg.

At first, nothing happened. He could hear the other kids murmuring in excitement as their eggs began to glow, but his own stayed dark and still. Panic crept into his mind. Was he doing something wrong? Had his blessing failed him?

Then, he felt it, a faint pulse from within the egg, like a heartbeat answering his own. The sensation was cold and distant, but unmistakably alive. His grip tightened as he poured every ounce of strength and belief he had into that tiny heartbeat.

"Come on… I know you're in there. I've waited my whole life for this. Just… trust me."

Just as he thought he couldn't hold on any longer, a small, shimmering crack appeared on the surface of the egg.

A small hand appeared in the crack and another hand on the other side of the shell, then two legs came out from under the shell, it started running even though it was still inside the egg, Ren can tell that it's a lively beast.

"Hey! Wait for me!"

Ren finally caught up and looked down at the creature wriggling out of its shell, a creature unlike any he'd ever seen. It was small, with a lizard like features and scales that shimmered faintly like stardust, but its gaze held a spark of mischief. It chirped and pranced around him, Ren couldn't help but laugh in wonder.

"Strange... for I certain feels no heartbeat inside that egg, but you... you just manage to hatch it."

The Overseer, the older woman had said to him. She had a flicker of doubt on her face but she managed to nod in acknowledgement.

"Do it with care, that beast sure is strange for one. It deserves all the love that it can get, for I certain that you will surely treasure your beast."

As Ren gazed down at the small creature, he felt an unexpected warmth, almost as if an invisible thread had tied them together.

In his mind, faint emotions echoed back at him, excitement, curiosity, and a sense of longing that mirrored his own. It was as if the creature, too, had waited its whole life for this moment.

As he gently stroked the creature's scales, he noticed a faint marking glimmering near its neck, a symbol he'd only ever seen in the oldest texts about tamers. What exactly had he bonded with?