"Good morning, idiots." Professor Owen's voice, as he entered the classroom door, made all the students straighten their backs.
He walked in, looking carefully at each of his students, and laughed. "For the first time in the last three years, you're not dying of sleep when I walk into the classroom." He looked at the wristwatch on his wrist.
"The time is the same," he said and looked out the window. It was cloudy. "The weather is the same." Then he looked back at his students.
"What the hell is wrong with you? Why is no one sleeping?" He grabbed a pen and fiddled with it between his fingers for a moment before grabbing it firmly and throwing it into the air. "Robert, wake up, we're in class!" he shouted.
It was a shout they all recognized. Over the past three years, he had said it many times, at least 400 times.
But this time, the student named Robert, who usually slept in class, simply raised his hand and caught the pen with ease.
The pen wasn't meant to hit him; if he did nothing, it would pass him by and hit the wall. Considering he was close to it, the soft bounce of the pen would wake him up.
"Professor, cut the nonsense," Robert said. "Don't play games on such an important day!" he complained.
Owen smiled. "If our sleepy bear Robert is awake, then I must assume everyone else is too."
His gaze swept over everyone once more, and he nodded approvingly.
"It's been three years..." His voice sounded slightly nostalgic, which surprised the students. It was the first time they had heard him speak like that.
"And I must say that I am not at all proud," he declared fiercely and unscrupulously, deflating all the students who thought they would hear a motivational speech or something similar.
"You are all a disappointment. Three years and you haven't managed to summon a beast. I must say, this is the first time I've seen anything like it, but I don't want to leave thinking that I've spent three years teaching a bunch of idiots, so..." He stared at them. "At least one of you has to get your beast today. This is your last chance."
Even though Professor Owen spoke as if it meant nothing and that it would only be hurtful to his pride if they didn't awaken, the reality was that this day was crucial, especially for the students.
The teacher was just trying to calm them down and lighten the mood with a few jokes because he knew how important it was.
Beast Masters ruled this world; they had enviable power and could sustain entire nations with the abilities they acquired from their summoned beasts.
Beast Masters are forged in battle and grow thanks to it, influenced by it. Thanks to that, they gain powers capable of ruling the world. But you can't battle beasts or other Beast Masters if you don't have a beast, since they are the ones who grant you power.
Whether it's the ability to use the Magic Network and thus access powerful magic or the strengthening of the body through evolution, everything happens thanks to the summoned beasts.
If you fail to summon one, then you are part of the lowest class in society and will have to work hard your entire life to earn your daily bread. Even the rich have difficulties if they fail to obtain this summoned beast.
But the biggest problem with not becoming a Beast Master is that you are very vulnerable in a world full of constant dangers, where humans and other allied races are at the mercy of the cursed beasts and the continuous advance of the Cursed Lands. If you were a normal person, you would be unable to defend yourself.
Therefore, for all these young dreamers who wanted to reach the heavens, weigh the clouds, and hold mountains in the palm of their hands, as well as venture into the Cursed Lands, summoning a beast was so necessary.
Especially for the poor.
Among the 15 students in the classroom, Edward Lux was the quietest. Not because he didn't like to talk, but because he had a lot on his mind.
He transmigrated into this world as Edward Lux about a year ago, and since then, he has known that his life here would not be easy.
He has no talent whatsoever, and even though his father works day and night to provide him with the best opportunities, working hard in dangerous mines, he still can't seem to wake up.
The old Edward tried once and failed. The new Edward tried again... and failed again.
This is his last chance to do so, which is why the worried look on his face is so apparent.
'Transmigrating to a world without a trap... it's really unfair.' He smiled sadly.
Just then, he felt a hand press down on his shoulder. He flinched a little and jerked his head back.
A fist flew past his eyes and stopped before hitting the table.
Edward immediately looked where the teacher should have been... but he wasn't there. He had just left.
So his bullies had decided to make their move.
"You bastard, Lux! What did I tell you about dodging my punches?" Robert roared as he tried to grab him by his clothes.
Edward managed to break free with agile movements and stared at him. Behind him were three others.
Enemies of Lux, that's what they call those who bully him. Not because they are his enemies, but because they are enemies of the surname.
The Lux surname is particularly famous worldwide because of the ancient Lux Empire, which ruled large swathes of land on the continent. But their fame became cursed when it became known that the Cursed Lands and the Cursed Beasts appeared because of them.
They are to blame for much of the world's hardship.
'And also the ones responsible for my misfortunes,' Edward complained.
Obviously, he had nothing to do with those Lux; they were legendary Beast Masters. How could he be like them? But his surname was a curse in itself.
Robert smiled coldly when he noticed that he was distracted and attacked him head-on with another blow, while someone from behind kicked him in the back of the knee to knock him to the ground.
When he came to his senses, he managed to move to the side and dodge Robert's attack, which visibly angered him. But he hadn't noticed the attack from behind, although he already suspected one was coming.
The problem is that he doesn't have eyes in the back of his head; he couldn't foresee the type of attack that was coming. Soon, a decisive blow knocked him off balance from behind and sent him forward. Although he managed to maneuver well enough to avoid falling completely, he was finished in his position.
SWOSH*
SWOSH*
The sound of two things flying and a double thud, followed by an explosion, then echoed.
Robert and his friends had to put a hand to their heads to shield themselves from the pain and turned to see the piercing gaze of Professor Owen from across the classroom.
"Do you want my 100 Chalk Sticks per Second attack, you little troublemakers?"
"No, no, no. We're coming, Professor Owen."
After everyone left, Edward gave the professor a grateful look, but he didn't care.
'He didn't help me; he just enforced the academy's rules.' That's what he thought, and that's what the professor's expression said.
"Sigh." He could do nothing but follow behind everyone else.
The professor led them to the Academy's Summoning Hall, where other students were waiting.
Of the five classes, 30 students had failed to become Beast Masters on two previous attempts. Fifteen of those students belonged to Professor Owen's class.
The hall was peculiar: it was built entirely of dark stones. Many red torches illuminated the corners, and a large chandelier hung at the top.
Inside the room, there was nothing but a rock in the middle, from which water flowed.
"There are 30 of you, third-year students, who have failed to see what the universe and destiny have determined will be your invocations." The academy director and person in charge of awakening the students was already inside, waiting for them, and came out from behind the rock, saying those words.
"Today will be your last chance. If you want to rise above the sky and achieve glory, then let your destiny allow it," he said. He was an elderly man with some wrinkles on his face and short, gray hair.
One of the most powerful and wise men in Linnava, whose words carry great weight. Even though he was not exerting his strength, the students swallowed hard and felt the pressure on their shoulders.
"The test is simple; you already know it. The first three steps in the Water of the Rock of Awakening will determine whether you succeed in summoning your beast. If you fail, you will be expelled. If you succeed, you may continue walking, and the Rock at the bottom will show you your summoning and your talent."
"Go ahead. Do it three at a time as usual. I don't need to call you," he declared. His firm words weighed heavily on the young people's shoulders.
Among the 30 presents, three stepped forward without being called. Everyone knew the order in which they had to advance; no one was ignorant of the rules.