As the attribute panel appeared, a unique contract book slowly materialized before Chen Yue.
Just like Zhang Liang's, this bronze-colored contract book emitted a faint glow, surrounded by wisps of mysterious energy.
"I… I've awakened too?"
From the feedback of the contract book, Chen Yue learned that his awakened talent was the Eye of Truth, which allowed him to see information about pet beasts.
But his talent was a bit different—it could even reveal evolution paths of pet beasts. That was a serious advantage.
"I'm totally getting a cheat code here!"
He sighed inwardly, but didn't say it aloud.
After all, everyone's talent was a secret. Unless it was a combat-type talent that could be seen, most beast tamers wouldn't reveal their gift to others. Even Chen Yue didn't know what Zhang Liang's talent was.
As he thought about this, the pages of his contract book started to turn on their own.
Normally, a newly awakened Beast Tamer would have blank pages.
But strangely enough, Chen Yue's contract book wasn't empty at all. According to his senses, a pet beast was already bound to it.
"That can't be right—I just awakened, didn't I?"
Still in shock, Chen Yue was caught off guard by what happened next.
A familiar white kitten slowly appeared on the empty space in front of him.
[Name: White Fluff Cat]
[Level: Infant Stage, 0%]
[Potential: Normal Grade]
[Attribute: None]
[Skills: None]
[Description: A common housecat that began mutating after exposure to extraordinary factors.]
[Evolution Paths:]
① Path of the Sun God – Can evolve up to Mythic Form
Almost reflexively, Chen Yue blurted out:
"Bastet!"
The white fluff cat in front of him immediately leapt into his arms, as if affirming his words.
He gently stroked the soft fur. The cat squirmed comfortably in his embrace.
Chen Yue could never forget her—Bastet, his dearest companion besides his parents.
A car accident had taken not just his parents' lives, but also that of Bastet.
She was a stray he had found in the park and adopted. A white cat who had brought light to his otherwise lonely childhood.
So he named her after the Egyptian goddess of the sun, moonlight, protection, and healing—Bastet.
What Chen Yue didn't expect was for Bastet to now reappear in his contract book—as his pet beast.
"You're so sneaky, Chen Yue! You awakened and didn't even tell your brother!"
Zhang Liang's voice broke Chen Yue's train of thought as he clapped a hand on his shoulder, feigning disappointment with a dramatic headshake.
"If I told you I just awakened, would you believe me?"
"Yeah? Then I'm the reincarnation of Qin Shi Huang."
"I believe you."
"…"
Yunhai High School
"One month from now is the Beast Tamer College Entrance Exam. Students who have awakened their talents don't need to come to school starting tomorrow. Focus entirely on training your beasts. Oh, and don't forget to register for the exam with the academic office. As for the rest of you, classes continue as usual. Class dismissed!"
With that, their homeroom teacher left, ignoring the collective groans behind him.
Chen Yue began packing up his desk.
The entire morning, he'd been absent-minded—absorbing knowledge while constantly thinking about his mysterious awakening and the appearance of Bastet in his contract book.
His awakening might be explained as some trigger from his transmigration.
But Bastet? That was something else entirely.
Even after digging through his predecessor's memories, he found no clues.
Eventually, he stopped worrying about it. After all, having Bastet as a contracted beast was a good thing. No point in overthinking.
As for that so-called "Mythic Form" evolution path—he had never even heard of such a stage. The known beast evolution stages were: Infant, Growth, Mature, Perfect, and Legendary—five in total. Mythic? That was new.
"There are too many mysteries I'll have to uncover myself… but for now, I need to grow stronger."
Just then, a boy from the front row turned around and asked:
"Zhang Liang, I heard you awakened your beast-taming talent yesterday. Can we see your pet beast?"
Other classmates quickly joined in:
"Yeah, show us! Come on!"
After all, Beast Tamers were usually high-status figures. Now that someone in their class had awakened, they naturally wanted to cozy up.
Luckily, Zhang Liang had always been easygoing. Instead of feeling bothered, he actually seemed a bit smug at the attention.
Chen Yue just smiled awkwardly, not exposing Zhang Liang's ego.
So far, only two students in class had awakened… no, now three—including Chen Yue.
"Alright, alright. I'll summon it right now!"
With that, he summoned his contract book. A flash of white light later, and a Night Shadow Hound appeared before everyone.
Instant gasps and whispers echoed through the room.
"I've seen this beast before—it's a Night Shadow Hound, right?"
One knowledgeable student named it, and Zhang Liang nodded mysteriously.
"Tch! What a bunch of country bumpkins. That Night Shadow Hound is only elite-grade, and you're all acting impressed?"
Everyone turned toward the voice. It was Song Xuan, the other awakened student in class.
He had been at odds with Chen Yue and Zhang Liang since the start of high school—though no one remembered why anymore.
Smirking, Song Xuan walked over and glanced at the hound.
"It's just an elite-grade breed. No way it compares to my Thunder Python."
As soon as he finished, his contract book appeared. With a flash of light, a massive snake over a meter long manifested in the classroom.
Its vertical pupils glowed yellow, and its scales shimmered with a deep violet hue.
The python slithered next to Song Xuan, its tongue flicking constantly.
Several students who feared snakes immediately backed away.
"Tch, trash—take a good look! My Thunder Python has rare-grade growth potential. Way more noble than your garbage hound!"
Zhang Liang couldn't take it anymore.
"Song Xuan! Let's fight right now! Cut the trash talk!"
"Bring it on, coward!"
"You—!"
Zhang Liang was about to rush him, but Chen Yue grabbed his arm.
The Thunder Python clearly outclassed the Night Shadow Hound in both breed and training time. Fighting now would be a huge disadvantage—and could even affect their college prospects.
Zhang Liang's anger simmered, but he slowly calmed down under Chen Yue's gaze. Still, the heaving of his chest revealed his frustration.
"Hmph! Knew you'd chicken out."
Song Xuan sneered, recalled his beast, and left.
As for Chen Yue? In Song Xuan's eyes, someone without a talent wasn't even worth a glance.
The crowd, sensing the tension, quickly dispersed—nobody wanted to get on Zhang Liang's bad side.
"It's okay. I know you're upset. But we're weaker than others right now—no point denying it. If we want to wipe away this humiliation, we have to work harder."
Chen Yue's voice was calm, but firm.
He knew Zhang Liang's personality. If he wasn't motivated now, he might never catch up.
"I'll go ask my dad to buy me rare materials right now! I swear I'll surpass that bastard!"
With that, Zhang Liang stormed out of the classroom—forgetting to even say goodbye.
Chen Yue could only shake his head and murmur, "I hope this helps him grow stronger."
In his last life, Zhang Liang's impulsiveness had caused him to fail the college exams.
Chen Yue didn't want that to happen again—not in a world filled with supernatural powers. He didn't want Zhang Liang to live with regret.
As for his own secret?
Chen Yue wasn't going to tell anyone. Not even his parents.
But when it came to helping others, he would do everything he could.
And right now, he had some ideas on how to evolve both Bastet and Zhang Liang's Night Shadow Hound.