Beast Taming: Starting From Zero

Chapter 107: Signs of Evolution

(Additional updates cause tomorrow's my first day of class.)?

Litan Beastmaster High School is the top beastmaster high school in Zhehai Province, with a rich educational background and a school name that has been changed countless times.

When talking about this school, it's not just the graduation rate that stands out, but also the various competitions the students participate in during their time there.

Whether it's academic or martial, group or individual, they have won places in national and even international High school competitions.

Sometimes, when they win provincial competitions, they don't even bother to post a notice on the school website.

However, while there are many competitions, they always announce the results of individual or team combat competitions at the provincial level.

After all, combat competitions have always been the most popular.

Qiao Sang wasn’t too surprised when she heard this.

As the second-best high school in the province, Shengshui High School naturally sets Litan Beastmaster High School, the top high school, as its target.

She figured they probably hold these types of freshman training sessions every year, likely saying the same things each time.

The goal is simply to elevate the students' attitudes toward learning and ignite their enthusiasm for training.

The second-place school never accepts being second to the top.

Those who make it into Shengshui High School often feel they could have made it into Litan Beastmaster High School as well.

The scores for getting into both schools aren’t that different, but since students are from different cities, they only have one option.

However, once they enter high school, the gap starts to show. Litan Beastmaster High School is always slightly ahead of Shengshui High School.

This has caused Shengshui students, especially the freshmen, to be very dissatisfied with Litan Beastmaster High School students.

Qiao Sang glanced at Lu Liangye out of the corner of her eye, only to see him clenching his fists, his face full of excitement.

As expected, another one fired up by the speech...

Qiao Sang, however, didn’t feel much about it. Given her mental age, school rankings didn’t concern her much.

High school is just a transitional stage, college is what really matters.

As for competitions, she wasn’t worried at all.

Her Yabao was about to evolve, his Ember skill had reached mastery, and he had even learned the Meteor Rain skill. She had absolute confidence she could crush her peers.

If it weren’t for the school’s arrangements, she’d think she didn’t even need this training to beat Litan.

If the vice-principal thought a few words could ignite her passion for the training, he would only be disappointed.

"You all know Litan Beastmaster High School is the top high school. Their school team even placed third in the national middle school beastmaster competition. But you were all chosen by the school based on various factors, and I believe that with training, you won’t lose to Litan’s team." Said Liu Yao calmly.

"The reason you were chosen was not only because of your contracted beasts and your combat skills but, most importantly, your academic scores."

Qiao Sang was taken aback. What did academic scores have to do with this?

"If your academic scores are low, there’s no chance of getting into a top university. But if, within the next three years, you defeat Litan and win first place in the provincial competition, and then pass the D-rank beastmaster qualification exam…”

"At that time, for the college entrance exam, all you need is to reach the separate admission line for the beastmaster combat program, which is typically 160 points. This year’s score was also 160." Liu Yao continued.

"160 points?!"

Qiao Sang and Lu Liangye's eyes widened instantly.

Although Qiao Sang didn’t aim for second-tier schools, she was still shocked by the score.

After all, the full score for the college entrance exam is 750 points!

Liu Yao was pleased with their reactions.

"Of course, we expect more from you than just second-tier schools. If you meet the two conditions I mentioned, first-tier schools and top universities also have special tests. Pass them, and you can skip the college entrance exam altogether."

Qiao Sang: !!!

For someone who had endured the hellish college entrance exam once, this sentence hit her right in the heart.

"Vice-principal, when does the training start?" Qiao Sang couldn’t help but ask.

"Don’t rush, it starts tomorrow. You’ll be taught by two teachers, and they’ll group you based on your performance. The teachers will explain more tomorrow, and I’ll also give you specific guidance on how to nurture your contracted beasts."

Qiao Sang’s eyes lit up. A training plan personally created by an A-rank Breeder! Forget about the college entrance exam, just this training was worth it!

"One thing to remember: You’re not irreplaceable. If you don’t perform well, other students may take your spot at any time. I hope you cherish this opportunity and train hard." Liu Yao added.

"Don’t worry, Vice-principal, we will work hard!" Qiao Sang had now fully embraced the enthusiasm for the training.

Liu Yao nodded with satisfaction. "Very good. Lu Liangye, you may leave now."

Lu Liangye was baffled. Why was he being sent out? And what about Qiao Sang?

"Vice-principal, I’ll work hard too."

"Yes, I know. I still have something to discuss with Qiao Sang. You may leave."

What couldn’t be said in front of him?

"Alright." Lu Liangye stood up and politely closed the door behind him.

As soon as Lu Liangye left, Liu Yao eagerly walked up to Qiao Sang and stared at her Fire Fang Dog with bright eyes.

"Your Fire Fang Dog is vastly different from a month ago. Its jaws are short but strong, its teeth are sharp, and its fur is shinier. It looks like it’s about to evolve."

Qiao Sang couldn’t help but be impressed. As expected of an A-rank Breeder, he could even tell that.

"Is he really about to evolve?" Qiao Sang asked, pretending to be excited.

"Yes, and your Fire Fang Dog looks energetic, with clear eyes, showing no signs of being artificially enhanced by medication. You’ve raised him well." Liu Yao praised.

He paused, then added, "This Fire Fang Dog has extraordinary talent. When he’s about to evolve, I suggest you use an A-rank Fire-type Evolution Stone, or if possible, an S-rank one."

Fire Fang Dogs don’t evolve naturally. To evolve into a Blaze Dog, it must use a Fire-type Evolution Stone.

Qiao Sang had researched signs of evolution.

Different contracted beasts exhibit various behaviors before evolving. For example, Cotton Bug's cocoon themselves, while Sand Foxes experience sudden tail pain.

As for Fire Fang Dogs, they have an inexplicable urge to bite things.

At that time, you’d have to get it something to chew on, or else who knows what it might destroy.

Qiao Sang thought for a moment and asked, "Is it possible for Yabao to evolve without using an Evolution Stone?"

Liu Yao hadn’t expected that question.

After a brief pause, he answered, "It’s not unheard of, but usually, other resources are used instead, which aren’t any less valuable than an Evolution Stone."

Before Qiao Sang could say anything, Liu Yao hastily added, "If you have any concerns, feel free to come to me. You and your Fire Fang Dog are very talented, and I wouldn’t want you to be held back by resources or other issues."

Qiao Sang’s eyes brightened, and she asked, "Really?"

Liu Yao solemnly replied, "If there are difficulties, I will help you. You’re a talented student, and your only focus should be on studying and training. Your talent shouldn’t be wasted."

Many talented novice beastmasters had faded into obscurity due to a lack of money and resources.

Though he wasn’t a philanthropist, this student’s talent was remarkable. In just one month, she had contracted two beasts through the Beastmaster Codex, and the Fire Fang Dog she contracted also had rare talent, growing at an astonishing rate.

This sparked a desire to nurture her.

Most importantly, with her in the team, this year there might be a real chance of defeating Litan Beastmaster High School.

If that happened, he could fulfill his old friend's request and return to the research institute to focus on his work.

Liu Yao gave Qiao Sang an encouraging look, signaling her to boldly express her needs.

Excitedly, Qiao Sang said, "If the training requires us to stay at school, can I apply to live off-campus? Also, can I keep my phone during school?"

Liu Yao: …

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The dormitories at Shengshui High School were all suites, consisting of two bedrooms, a living room, and a bathroom, luxurious by high school standards.

Exhausted, Qiao Sang arrived at the dormitory complex for female students, called Qin Xiu Garden. The name clearly reflected the school’s high hopes for its students.

After calling her mother to explain that she would be staying in the dorms, Qiao Sang found the dormitory supervisor and got the assigned dorm keycard for room 312.

On the way to the dorm, Qiao Sang was full of resentment. The vice-principal wasn’t trustworthy, he’d made things sound so nice, but in the end, didn’t agree to either of her requests.

At least she didn’t have to hand over her phone during training; otherwise, she wouldn’t know what would happen to her 5 million yuan.

She reached room 312 and swiped her keycard to enter.

“BALL!!!”

A high-pitched scream rang out from inside.

Qiao Sang and Little Treasure immediately covered their ears.

“Yap!” Yabao’s fur instantly stood on end as he leapt out of his beast master’s arms, vigilantly staring at the culprit while assuming a combat stance.

The culprit was a girl, who was now crying and hiding in the arms of another student, her face full of fear.

Seeing this, Yabao closed his bared fangs, and his fur relaxed.

Phew, he had thought there was an enemy. Turned out, it was just a coward.

“E-excuse me, senior… why do you have the keycard to our dorm room?” The girl asked, her long, naturally curly hair flowing behind her like seaweed.

“I’m a new student, just arrived for registration. I’m staying in this dorm too.” Qiao Sang explained.

The girl forgot her fear and stood frozen in place.

A new student?!

She was both excited and confused. As expected of Shengshui High School, they actually had new students who had already contracted two beasts, and…

She cautiously glanced at the Fire Fang Dog and the Treasure-Seeking ghost.

Oh my god! Both of her future roommate's contracted beasts were the ones she was most afraid of…

“M-my name is Jin Feifan. I just arrived for registration today as well.” Jin Feifan said, forcing a smile.

Even though her new roommate seemed intimidating, for the sake of their future together, she had to establish a good relationship!

“I’m Qiao Sang. Are you here for the training camp too?” Qiao Sang asked while inspecting the dorm’s layout.

“Yeah, I think everyone on campus at this time is here for the training. This is great, we can stick together.” Jin Feifan said, her smile a bit strained.

Qiao Sang glanced at her, puzzled. “What’s wrong? It looks like you’re about to cry.”

Jin Feifan: …

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