Dina shook her head, how could she forget?

“Mama, I know you don’t want me to awaken as a beastmaster at all because you are worried I’ll end up like father and mother.” Dina started, “This is my choice. I want to walk this path, I can’t accept being low key and unsatisfied with myself when I can become more. If someone drowned today, it doesn’t mean I won’t swim tomorrow. I just need to follow the rules and stay in the limits of my capabilities.”

Turi’s frown softened slowly, “This family lost two people and I don’t want you to be the third. I was expecting you to take up any normal jobs you find so you can remain healthy and safe.” She paused briefly, “And I promised your father I would not let anything happen to you.”

Dina came forward to hug her mama.

Her mother, Mithra was a valiant and adventurous lady who refused to stay put without doing anything to occupy or entrance her. She insisted on going to battle with the beasts and one day, Mithra set out to find a precious herb to cure Dina’s grandmother, who was severely sick at that time.

Mithra wasn’t able to save herself and Dina’s grandmother followed after.

Her death hit Dina hard, she was at the age of eleven then. The age where she needed her parents to fight against feelings and situations she wasn’t able to handle.

It wasn’t even the biggest blow yet, her mother remains remained lost in the battlefield.

Years later, her father married Turi before a mandatory call to fight came from the government. A beast wave double the ones from previous years attacked the borders, cities and every settlement of humankind they could reach so her father had to leave.

She didn’t know he wasn’t going to come back.

Now, only Turi, Lawrence and herself make up the Ray family. She could understand Turi’s concern.

Dina remembered how she rejected Turi at first because of all those novels and movies she consumed about stepmothers and their wickedness. A smile threatened to take over her lips when she reminisced on how wrong she was in the past.

Joyful warmth spread through her heart to her chest.

“I know, I will keep safety my top priority. You and Lawrence is still there fo me to worry about.” Dina assured, “Now let’s share the news with father and mother.”

Turi said with a complicated expression, “Alright, go prepare.”

It didn’t take long for Dina to get ready and she was back at the parlor when she finish.

The trio stepped out of the house and began walking on the sidewalk. The sky shone blue with not a cloud in sight and a calm wind gave Dina’s hair a caress, blowing stray strands in her face.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

“I haven’t gone to visit mother these days.” Dina started, “I’m not being a good daughter.”

Some of the pedestrians led their cats and dogs past them. Although a certain percentage of people would not have the chance to be a beastmaster, the arrival of the invading beasts caused mutations both in plant and animals and they control their animals through the companionship formed ages ago.

Among those pets, there are still animals who would hurt their masters by disregarding orders or going berserk.

Soon, they arrived in front of an entranceway. The exquisite and elegant words made from iron welcomed everyone in. The cemetery is slightly busy with some people standing or squatting opposite the tombstones they came to visit.

Dina and her family navigated the tombstones before stopping on a beautiful one made from a white material. It looked expensive at first glance and a few flowers decorated it.

When inhaling, Dina could catch a whiff of its light fragrance mixed with the cool breeze.

Turi dropped a flower bouquet by the tombstone as she finished saying her greetings. Dina didn’t even know where she got the flower.

Turi took Lawrence from her and moved backwards to give her space. Dina shot a thankful gaze to her.

The atmosphere grew solemn and serious.

“Mother, I became a beastmaster. I get to have beasts as my companions and fight against the invaders.” Dina started, “I choose to advance quickly by leaving out SS3 and taking the school leaving exam now in SS2.”

The wind seemed to caress her face as it flew by.

Dina tucked a stubborn strand behind her right ear, “Sometimes, I sit down and think. Why did the beast horde attack us? They came suddenly without warning, reaping numerous lives and destroying our foundation. I wouldn’t have lost you and father so early.”

“I miss you. You would have joked and given me an answer that will sound stupid and at the same time satisfy my curiosity.” Dina said as she watched the sun rays perch on the tombstone, making it brighter in the process.

A choked laugh struggled out of her throat and a tear slid down.

She wiped the lone tear away, “I miss father too. Turi is good to me and Lawrence is as lovely as he was. I pray I get a great school. Don’t worry, I’ll visit later. Take care of father.”

Dina walked a little to the right to stand in front of an identical tombstone. This was her father, Kar’s final resting place. Both graves looked like a pair.

“Father, I said everything I could say today. I’m sure you heard my words with mother. Missing you and browsing the memories you guys left behind is all I can do now. I will see you when I visit later.” Dina said before tilting her head to the sky. There was only a solitary cloud on the solid blue background.

Dina took a few minutes to rejuvenate herself to the best state before walking over to where Turi and Lawrence are standing.

“Let’s go mama.”

Turi nodded and they began their journey home.

******

It didn’t take long to return and Dina whipped out her laptop to log in to the school website.

She assessed the group chat and scrolled to end. When she failed to see Mr Sark’s message, she clicked on pinned messages. She caught sight of it and tapped the button to open its contents. Her eyes scanned the message before clicking on the attached form link.

The message informed the students of the do’s and don’ts they have to watch out for in the application process.

Any issues the students won’t be able solve are already addressed so only the varieties of choices and questions fits for the students remain.

A form with cool colors and and elegant black text occupied the center of her laptop screen with a pale ash background bordering on white.

Beastmaster universities and colleges are divided into two. The first type believes new tamers should be introduced to war gently and they focus on raising new generation with useful skills. Wilderness exploration and other similar things have little time in their curriculum. They also offer majors and courses with almost no relation to war like Beast Veterinary, Physiology and more. Those students who are introduced to beast related courses in normal schools can study further in these colleges and universities or come straight there after the school leaving examinations. These schools are called special schools.

The second type is nicknamed military school. These universities are influenced directly or indirectly with the military. They don’t care about conditioning at all as they focus on bringing up warriors who wouldn’t falter in face of war and the like. Throwing them into adventure and practical experience is one the major thing they do. Her mother, Mithra attended this type of school.

Dina chuckled softly at the thought. Special school can’t contain her mother at all.

In Litu, the capital city of Yatiya and the place her home is currently located in, there are more military schools than the special ones because Litu is nearer to the border and more prune to beast attacks along with the country.

Those government people won’t do something without benefits.

Dina finally made her decision and picked a military university relatively nearer to home so it will be easy for her to visit or rush home in case of emergency.

Star Line Beast University.

Dina gave five stars to the name before submitting and shutting off the laptop to rest.

Becoming a beastmaster is just the beginning.