"Something is definitely going to happen." Bryan groaned leaning back his chair until it almost touched the wall.
After finishing the exam, he was taken back to his home where he had a brief reunion with Agnes and collapsed for two whole days after. After waking up, he went through the books he had plagiarized from Earth and stored in some corner of his room. And he finally found the answers he was looking for.
'I bet my entire fortune our school is going to get attacked by a mysterious group of villains.' Even during past exams for the Beast Tamer Academy, the only batch that was able to kill a half-step Super beast was theirs.
'I don't have time.' According to the typical format of academy stories, a mysterious organization always attacks the school. As a school dedicated towards training warriors, Fourth Continent's Beast Tamer Academy held hunts and training exercises. A prime opportunity to kill off promising talents and cause chaos.
'And the worst part? It has actually happened.' There was a group of psychotic individuals who saw the beasts as their gods and saviors and wanted to bring an end to the current human society. 23 years ago, they successfully ambushed the school, causing some casualties among both staff and students.
'The only thing I have to count on is my ability and this stupid lizard.' Bryan cast a glance at the lizard that was currently sunbathing with his belly facing the sky and sighed. If it wasn't for the occasional glimpses he got of Carl's true nature, he would have taken it for an ordinary lizard.
"Come on buddy. Time to train." He said as he picked up Carl by his head and dropped him on his shoulders. Rather than feeling despair or concern over his situation, Bryan was calm. No matter what came, be it calamities or storms, he would still have to give his hundred percent as usual.
'And perhaps, it could even end up being fun.'
….
"…I'm back," Lucy whispered, leaping over the fence and slipping quietly into the wooded compound, where trees and rocks loomed over an enormous. This was Lucy's home and the place she had lived in her entire life.
The Thirty Sixth state. In the Fourth Continent that had 30 percent of its territory completely occupied by beasts, this state served as the first line of defense against the calamity. With an annual death rate of at least 30 percent, it was not a place for the weak and cowardly.
The ether from the beasts that lay on the other side of the city turned the place that was once known as 'The Garden of Trees' into harsh desert like area. The sun hanging from the sky seemed to have been influenced as its harshness increased, causing the occasion wildfire.
Due to its harsh enviroment, the only residents of the state where those who had deep roots there, the military, and mercenaries who fought beasts in exchange for money.
Lucy's grandfather was a military man. His name, rank, and appearance where unknown to her. In place of her allegedly dead parents, the mercenaries who fought under her grandfather's leadership raised her. Even now, she was still living with them. And were also the reason why she was sneaking around her own home.
"IS THAT OUR LITTLE MUNCHKIN?" A loud voice yelled, causing the trees to vibrate, sending leaves floating to the ground. The door to the large mansion creaked as a gigantic silhouette stepped forward.
Panicking, Lucy grabbed Ragna and stuffed him into her bag as she leaped across the yard and towards her room on the second floor. Just as she was about to take to the air, a pair of strong, bulky arms wrapped around her, halting her movements.
"Our little rabbit is as cute as ever." Mary said, squeezing Lucy until the latter's face turned pale.
"C-Can't breathe." Lucy gasped for air as she spat out with urgency. Realizing she was using too much force, Mary let got of her and Lucy collapsed on wobbly feet.
"Meathead, I told you that we should be the first to greet her." From the mansion, a beautiful lady emerged wearing a plain white shirt, black trouser, and boots.
"Call me that again Angela and I swear, I'll pulverize that pretty face of yours." Mary raised her gigantic body and threatened.
"Is that supposed to be you whining? Sorry, but acting cute doenst work if the base is so… poor." Angela giggled and a metal spike appeared and slammed into the earth in front of her.
"The next one goes through your flower field of a brain." Mary raised her arm that had become encased in stainless steel.
"I'd like to see you try." Angela sneered as the grass around her swayed, growing several inches in seconds
"Should we stop them?" Lucy felt her body being picked up and looked at the people carrying her.
"Nah, I kinda want to see them fight." Roland said as he threw Lucy onto his back. Next to him was a man whose physique dwarfed Mary's gigantic one.
"I'd rather none of them got hurt. Remember how hard Lambert scolded us last time?" Arthur shivered as he thought of his leader with fear seeping into his every part.
"Don't worry, Micheal will cover for us." Roland gave Arthur a thumbs up as the headed into the house, leaving a scene of chaos behind them.
"Granny, Lucy's back!" Roland yelled as he burst into the kitchen. In front of a table, an old woman wearing an apron stood there cutting some vegetables so fast her hand formed afterimages.
"Granny." Lucy slipped out of Roland's hold and slowly walked towards the woman named Granny. The old lady looked at her with an expressionless face and Lucy inwardly gulped, stopping just a few feet from her.
"…You did well." Granny said in a monotone and handed her a small, freshly baked cookie. The corners of Lucy's mouth softened and she accepted the cookie and mouthed 'thank you', before running out of the kitchen.
"You guys are as awkward as ever." Roland chirped and hopped onto a chair only for lightning to strike him.
"Out. You aren't allowed in here." Granny said coldly as lightning crackled over her entire body.
Roland nodded stiffly and dashed out, running to his best friend to vent his grievances.