The ceiling fan turned with all its might as it tried to lower the room temperature and prevent heat.

Silence reigned supreme with all the students focused solely on the open textbooks before them. The female teacher, Miss Madeleines surveyed the classroom with satisfied eyes, having hardworking students with results to show for it is not a bad deal for any teacher.

Ring!

The bell sounded with alarming ferocity, like it knew today was an important day.

Books closing with sighs of relief broke the quiet dominating the atmosphere previously.

“The last beastmaster test is occurring after class, those interested should head to the school field.” Miss Madeleines’ words caused a minor commotion. Some of the students had smiles appear on their faces when she finished her sentence and Dina was one of them.

Sweat accumulated on Dina’s palms and her heart thumped in excitement when she heard the teacher’s words. It didn’t stop the self doubt though, failing the test twice is enough to drive anyone mad and with this test being the last the school is hosting did not help matters.

If she failed this test, Dina would have to take another at any of the certified beastmaster colleges and universities.

Trying not to look at the animal jewelry hanging off a small number of her classmates, Dina assured herself she is going to get there but the few she sighted kept magnifying in her mind.

The jewelry shone with lines contouring the different varieties of animals, seeming to bring them to life. Every beastmaster has them.

It symbolizes their status in today’s society and shows off their beasts too.

She only have one golden chance left to ace the test this year since the odds of awakening as a beastmaster decreased the further one age. Beast scientists gauged the best time to succeed in becoming one is between 10-16 years and she clocked sixteen yesterday.

Being a tamer or a beastmaster is everybody’s goal but reality can be rather unpredictable with one to four tamers in every ten individuals.

Now most jobs decreased in value with those related to beasts rising up with demand. It concerns how mankind can survive and it all started years ago.

The world’s cultural and technological development halted when beasts began popping up all over the place. It was taken as nothing serious by both civilians and the government.

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To them, it is quite simple. If any animal appears where it shouldn’t or causes damage, it just needed to be put down. A bullet or two would do the trick.

Unfortunately, it proved to be quite complicated.

The sparse beasts multiplied into hordes huge enough to threaten cities with harder defense and fiercer offense. Some had abilities that defied logic and bordered on the supernatural.

Proving the fact that almighty Father God didn’t want the human race to vanish completely, a breakthrough came. A scientist studying the remains of the invaders came upon a discovery, He noticed a mark between his eyebrows and the strange disappearance of the research material from a beast named the Iron Backed Lion.

Further probing made him chance upon a strange new space containing only an egg with a strange design. Upon hatching, an infant Iron Backed Lion was found. The new Iron Backed Lion showed an unprecedented love and respect to George Havine, the scientist.

George was placed under heavy surveillance to see if the infant beast’s attachment will fade away with time. It didn’t and the world found light at the end of the tunnel.

Dina shook her head to wake up from the trance she unknowingly slipped into.

Now is not the time for history.

“Class dismissed.” Announced Miss Madeleines, her hands occupied with rearranging her things for the next lesson.

Dina swiped her textbook from the desk then began walking out of the class after she grabbed her bag with the other hand.

A deep breath escaped her lips as she set out for the school field. Some of the students coming out of their classes headed towards the destination with her.

Dina inhaled the smell wafting out of the grassy field when intense sunlight and moisture touched it. Not giving up more time to enjoy the scenery, she observed the set up the school management arranged for the test.

A podium two feet in height takes up majority of the allotted space and the metallic table containing various materials reflected sunlight interchangeably.

Mr. Sark, the Principal of Blossom High School talked with a handsome man sitting on one of the chairs. A tiny splash of red was present in his eyes, betraying his fatigue.

Soon, the field filled up with excited students and Dina savoured the happy and nervous mood spreading in the air.

“Queue up and come forward.” Mr. Sark instructed when he noticed all participants are present.

A male from the SS3 Science class quickly moved opposite the handsome man.

“Don’t worry, everything is going to be fine. Just choose a beast material and concentrate on finding your nurturing platform. It is situated in your head and between your brows.” The words flowed out of the examiner’s mouth like he said it countless times.

The student picked a part looking like a curved claw from afar before concentrating. The claw began fading in and out of focus and everyone watched with serious eyes.

A long time later, a refreshing smile appeared on the examiner’s face as he congratulated the successful person. It seemed to wash all his previous tiredness away.

As the student walked back to the end of the line to wait untill everything is wrapped up, a smile teetering on crying adorned his face.

Dina’s emotions went on a rollercoaster ride every time a student went to take the test with their success or failure showing in their expression.

When it got to her turn, her legs added weight but Dina reached the table containing materials finally. The Principal shot an encouraging look at her and she nodded, it didn’t matter if she made a mockery of herself. Being a beastmaster matters more than that.

Her eyes scanned the materials laid on the table, trying to find the one sharing a resonance with her. She wouldn’t want to choose a beast she didn’t like.

It won’t be fair to her future companion.

A pink skin caught her gaze. The colour lacked luster but she clicked with it nonetheless.

She focused on the skin to begin the process. The air seemed to have solidified with every passing moment the material remained intact. It showed no signs of flickering at all. Her heart sped up as well and goosebumps surfaced on her exposed forearms.

Dina didn’t want this test to fail because with every time she try to awaken as a beastmaster, the lesser her chance of becoming one.

The percentage of succeeding declines with the frequency of people’s attempts. It goes from a hundred percent downwards and this fact is the major reason why the test begins at a younger age.

Most people give up when the estimated percentage is below fifty. It was attributed to a mindset; they couldn’t ace it with their chances being in all time high, how can they awaken if it is below fifty.

A prickly pain attacked her head and sweat beaded on her clenched hands, it didn’t make her sight waver from the pink skin though.

Bang!

The pain switched to intense throbbing and the world turned dim.