"Oh? Is that so?" As soon as the words fell, a middle-aged woman on the other side feigned surprise and said, "Then Director Lin should be careful. Those desperadoes from the Hunters organization don't care whether you're a child or an adult."
The enemy of my enemy is my friend! The middle-aged woman decided to temporarily join forces with Pingzhen Royal Beast Academy to make Lin Yuansheng uncomfortable!
Lin Yuansheng's cheeks twitched, and a nameless fire rose in his heart. He thought, "The world only allows me to be an intersex person!"
He took a deep breath, calmed himself, and smiled, "Please rest assured, Dean Fang and Dean Chen. This training session, our academy has arranged over a hundred professional beast tamers to act as security." He then looked at them, "May I ask how many professional beast tamers you two deans have arranged?"
The two were stunned at the same time. Over a hundred professional beast tamers? This scale was enough to flatten the entire Yanbei region...
The grand gesture of over a hundred professional beast tamers acting as security was naturally orchestrated by the unwitting Zhou Nanfeng. He was famously doting on his daughter...
Their two academies did not have a tycoon like Zhou Nanfeng as a cash cow, and their security was entirely composed of academy teachers. Lin Yuansheng's words hit the nail on the head.
The three continued to provoke each other with half-hearted conversation.
But the man standing in the middle from beginning to end did not say a word, nor did his expression change at all.
Like an emotionless robot.
He raised his hand and looked at his watch.
Suddenly, he stepped forward.
His voice boomed like a bell, with a hint of madness.
"All attention!"
This voice did not sound like it could be uttered by a human, but like a mechanical behemoth roaring. The enormous sound immediately drew the attention of all the beast tamers participating in the training.
"Your respective academies have already conveyed the relevant assessment matters. I will only remind you of one thing: training is combat. Once you enter the training grounds, you are responsible for your own life and death!"
His voice was majestic and overbearing, especially the phrase "responsible for your own life and death!" which made many young beast tamers' hearts tremble.
The man looked around at everyone, his expressionless face. "Those who are afraid of death can withdraw now. Those who are not afraid, come forward and sign the safety responsibility agreement!"
As the words fell, a commotion erupted on the scene.
Students from the three academies whispered amongst themselves.
"Captain! You didn't tell us this training would be life-threatening!" a young girl exclaimed, her face pale.
The boy was sweating profusely. "I just found out! The academy never said our lives would be in danger!"
Public outrage!
The discussions grew louder. Students with more extreme personalities and family backgrounds spoke out defiantly.
"Why! We're going for training, not to die!"
"Exactly! We refuse to sign!" someone else chimed in.
They looked back at others, raising their fists in protest, trying to incite them!
Just as a few people were getting carried away and about to raise their little fists...
At that moment.
"Get lost!"
A roar echoed in everyone's ears, and all present covered their ears.
Those troublemaking students even collapsed on the spot!
The crowd below fell into a stunned silence.
...
Not long after, many students grumbled and withdrew from the training!
Ke Xin asked with a serious expression, "Do we still want to participate?"
"We've come this far, is there any reason to go back?" Tang Ao was uncharacteristically tough, mainly because he had bragged to his family, and returning home now would be too embarrassing.
Sisi and Huanghuang, the sibling pair, had traveled with their parents since childhood and were accustomed to living rough and facing death. Without hesitation, they nodded in agreement.
As for Zhou Shuyi, she was forced to attend this training. Knowing there was danger to her life, her brows furrowed even deeper. She managed to utter a "囧" (embarrassed) expression. If she could, she would go home right now! But if she went back now, she probably wouldn't even be able to enter her home... Helplessly, she could only nod along.
Only Lu Fei had yet to express his opinion.
Everyone's gaze fell on Lu Fei. He was staring blankly in the direction of the dense forest.
After arriving at the training grounds, Lu Fei began familiarizing himself with the terrain and sketching on a map.
Just now, he had accidentally noticed that there were not only students at the training grounds today, but also other onlookers. They all exuded an unfathomable aura, wore uniforms, and had a "御" (Royal) character affixed to their chests!
Lu Fei had also seen people wearing such clothing at the Beast Tamer Association that day. He wondered if these people were related to the Beast Tamer Association? Or perhaps...
He glanced at Zhou Shuyi and raised an eyebrow, "Honestly, how many bodyguards did your dad arrange this time?"
Zhou Shuyi flinched and held up a finger.
"One?" Lu Fei frowned.
Zhou Shuyi shook her head.
"Ten?" Lu Fei breathed a sigh of relief.
Only to see Zhou Shuyi continue to shake her head.
"One hundred?" Lu Fei was taken aback.
Zhou Shuyi finally nodded vigorously.
"Let's go, we're going to sign the safety responsibility agreement..."
...
The responsibility agreement was signed.
Over twenty teams remained from the three academies.
On the rostrum, the man revealed a rare smile on half of his face.
"Very good."
He announced loudly, "The members of the top three teams in this training will receive a qualification to be recommended to Wenmin City Beast Tamer Academy!"
As soon as these words were spoken, the students who had left cursing the place stopped in their tracks. Their mouths hung open, their expressions unsightly, filled with regret!
And the students who stayed, after a moment of silence, erupted into thunderous cheers!
It is worth mentioning a concept here: the career of a beast tamer.
A probationary beast tamer, after reaching the age of ten, can apply for a beast tamer academy. Here, they will study for six years and become a professional beast tamer. Of course, some outstanding students can graduate early.
The most basic welfare of becoming a beast tamer is having the qualification to be employed by the Beast Tamer Association. Once employed, not only will they receive exorbitant compensation from the association, but they can also purchase various materials for their contracted beasts at a lower price from the association's mall!
The higher the city's level, the more advanced the materials sold in the association mall. However, similarly, to be employed by the beast tamer association of a large city, there are strict requirements for the beast tamer themselves, one of which is the consideration of the beast tamer's educational institution.
This is also why the students who gave up on the assessment regretted it, because once they are recommended to Wenmin City Beast Tamer Academy, all subsequent resource expenses and daily costs will be borne by the academy!
At the same time, as long as you graduate successfully, it means you have the qualification to be employed by the Wenmin City Beast Tamer Association. To put it more simply, congratulations, you have passed the exam and secured your future!
The man showed no surprise at the students' reactions. Holding a small, sparkling device, he continued, "Before you enter, wear this location and distress device. Additionally, there will be a rescue center every five kilometers. If you encounter danger or wish to abandon the training midway, you can find them at any time!"
At this time, staff members began walking into the ranks, fitting students with glittering electronic devices.
"But I hope you never have to use this device! And I certainly hope no one gives up midway!" he said sternly.
"Finally, remember my name."
"My name is Fifth River!"