2: Shadow Mantis

“It opened up a new world.”

Zhao Sheng looked at the calm young man before him, his smile widening.

There were many students in Grade One, Class 5, but Lin Shu was the one he thought most highly of and was most satisfied with.

Even though they hadn't known each other for long.

Not just his personality, but also his attitude.

He was so serious and hardworking in everything he did.

Now that he had awakened his Beastmaster Talent, he could go even further down this path.

Thinking this, Zhao Sheng continued.

“I won’t waste any more words, I know you’re in a hurry right now.”

“I'll take you to the Beast Rearing House now.”

Nodding, Lin Shu followed in that direction.

This scene was noticed by the other classmates.

It caused gasps of surprise; this was the first person in Second High to awaken a Beastmaster Talent.

And it was their classmate, so they absolutely had to brag about him.

They started chattering incessantly to students from other classes… Not long after, they arrived next to the Beast Rearing House.

A three-story circular building came into view.

It was entirely an iridescent white, glowing brightly under the sun's rays.

Arriving at the entrance, Zhao Sheng took out a red card.

He swiped it towards the door.

“Beep, verification passed!”

The voice broadcast confirmed it.

The glass door then opened.

Stepping inside, a variety of beasts came into view.

The space was much larger than imagined, with areas like reservoirs and small patches of vegetation neatly divided.

Many beasts were scattered around.

There were small Stone Monkeys, Spiny Poison Scorpions, Rainbow-Winged Insects, Starfish, and so on.

Their quality was slightly better than common ones.

Lin Shu scanned the area and found that most of the beasts on this floor were of common quality.

There were a few scattered elite quality ones.

After all, these were provided for free by Second High for students to contract.

So, one couldn't expect too much.

However, Lin Shu was not choosing from here.

After all, those who awakened a Beastmaster Talent were still relatively few.

For such a genius, the treatment would certainly be different.

The initial quality would definitely be better.

It was a form of indirect investment in them.

The quality also determined a beast's potential, skills, and combat performance.

It was divided into Common, Elite, Perfect, Lord, Epic, and Legendary.

For a Beastmaster, the higher the beast's quality, the better.

After a quick look, they went to the elevator.

They arrived on the third floor.

After a series of checks by the internal staff.

They finally reached their destination for this trip.

Compared to the numerous beasts on the two floors below.

There were surprisingly only five on this floor.

It could be said to be pitifully few.

The reason was that this was reserved for students who had awakened their Beastmaster Talent.

There were ten classes in the First Year, with an average of forty students per class.

At most, four or five people per batch.

That's why the situation was as it was now.

“Among these, I most recommend you contract that Horned Lion.”

“It's very good in all aspects, very suitable for a new Beastmaster.”

“Of course, whether or not you contract it is still your choice.”

At this moment, Zhao Sheng spoke up, recommending it from the side.

He pointed in that direction.

Following his gaze.

He saw a small lion, entirely white and somewhat silly-looking.

It was clearly not long after birth, and currently only the size of a small puppy.

Its characteristic long horns on its head were only slightly protruding now, barely noticeable.

Focusing his gaze, the Horned Lion’s panel appeared.

【Name】: Horned Lion

【Level】: Lv1 (6/10)

【Level Cap】: Lv43

【Status】: Bored

【Quality】: Elite

【Attribute】: Normal

【Talent】: None

【Skill】: Junior — Horned Charge - Novice (1/20)

Recalling the information he had learned from the bestiary earlier.

The Horned Lion was indeed a good choice.

But there was no need to rush now.

“Teacher, I’ll look around a bit more.”

Seeing this, Zhao Sheng didn't say anything, just nodded.

Lin Shu continued to look around.

The next ones were a Snow Elf, a Thunder Star, and a Deep Sea Fish.

They were all decent, but their quality was surprisingly consistent.

All were of Elite quality.

That left only the last one.

Fortunately, it gave Lin Shu a pleasant surprise.

It made his eyes light up.

【Name】: Shadow Mantis

【Level】: Lv2 (2/20)

【Level Cap】: Lv45

【Status】: Healthy

【Quality】: Elite

【Attribute】: Dark / Space

【Talent】: Void Walk - Novice (1/200)

【Skill】: Junior — Assault - Novice (1/20)

Dual attributes, with its own Talent!

Moreover, the Talent even replaced the Shadow Mantis's original insect attribute with Space.

Lin Shu had learned about this species in the bestiary and remembered its original attributes.

Fortunately, there was a panel to check, otherwise he would have missed such a top-tier beast with such attributes.

Like Beastmasters, only a very small number of beasts could possess Talent.

Looking at the little mantis before him, he only felt how cute and beautiful it was.

Given this, what to contract was clear at a glance.

Without hesitation.

“Teacher, I want to contract this Shadow Mantis.”

His tone was calm, but it carried a sense of determination.

Hearing such a choice, Zhao Sheng was somewhat puzzled.

But he didn't say anything; this was Lin Shu's personal choice, and as his teacher, he would only respect it.

What's more, the baseline was an Elite quality beast.

How bad could his choice be?

He nodded, indicating understanding.

“Then let’s contract it here, I’ll watch over you.”

Hearing this, Lin Shu immediately took action.

He walked over to the Shadow Mantis.

Unlike common mantises, which are entirely emerald green.

The Shadow Mantis was entirely dark, seemingly influenced by its Talent.

On its triangular head were a pair of silvery-white eyes.

They exuded a hint of emptiness and mystery.

It was the size of a young kitten, and its two forelegs had barbed hooks arranged side by side.

Like it was holding two short daggers.

It was currently motionless, feigning sleep.

Lin Shu took out a few soybean-sized spherical pellets from his pocket.

An aroma, only appealing to beasts, wafted out.

These were beast meat pellets, used for rewarding beasts and assisting in contracting.

Fortunately, the other beasts nearby had already been taken elsewhere by the teacher.

So, there was no need to worry about them competing for it.

The little guy twisted its head, and the antennae on its head swayed continuously.

It woke up instantly.

It scurried closer, wanting to devour the beast meat pellets.

The beasts here hadn't been fed for some time, the purpose being to facilitate contracting.

Watching the Shadow Mantis continuously devouring the food, now was the best time to contract it.

He concentrated his Mental energy and began to construct the contract.

While constructing, he released goodwill with his Mental energy.

Soon, the contract took shape and merged into the Shadow Mantis’s body.

The little guy showed no reaction, continuing to munch.

Next, with no major mishaps, the contract was successfully formed.

At this moment, the Shadow Mantis’s eating motion stopped, interrupted by the contract.

However, it didn't stop for too long, resuming its eating in a blink of an eye.

It felt that the big guy in front of it was becoming increasingly close, like some important entity.

Newly born beasts were relatively easy to contract, except for some unique existences.

Contracting adult beasts would be very difficult; they wouldn't be as easily fooled as when they were young.

Seeing that the matter was concluded, Zhao Sheng walked over.

“Congratulations, you are now a true Beastmaster!”

“Thank you, Teacher, I still have much to do.”

Successful contracting was just the first step; there was still a long way to go.

At this point, the little guy had eaten all four beast meat pellets clean.

With a leap, it landed directly on Lin Shu’s shoulder.

It rubbed its somewhat hard and rough exterior against his chin.

Its two antennae comfortably curled forward.

Making Lin Shu smile faintly.

Is this what it means to be a Beastmaster? He was growing to like it more and more…