The same venue, the same day, discussing the same person, yet the conversation was entirely different.
"How long do you think he can last?"
Though no names were spoken, it was clear to everyone around who they were referring to.
"Three minutes, maybe."
"I think it'll be two minutes."
"With the earlier experience, it has to be at least five minutes, right?"
"Is there any chance of winning?" one of the defeated exam candidates murmured.
"You're still here?" The person who said five minutes turned surprised to see the others.
The defeated candidate replied, "I’ll wait until you finish before I head back for just a bit of training."
...
"Water Bubbles!"
As Sun Boyi announced the start of the battle, Lu Liangye, with a serious expression, quickly gave the command.
The Water Circle Catfish raised its front limbs, and dozens of translucent bubbles instantly filled the air, forming a tight barrier between it and the Fire Tooth Dog, reflecting shades of blue and red.
"What’s wrong with that Fire Tooth Dog?!" a voice from the stands gasped.
In truth, the Fire Tooth Dog had initiated the attack first. Before the bubbles had even taken shape in the air, it had already launched itself forward with incredible speed.
The bubbles soon surrounded the Fire Tooth Dog.
Dogs are often afraid of water; some fire-type beasts avoid it so much that they seldom bathe throughout the year. Yet, the Fire Tooth Dog showed no hesitation, charging right into the center of the bubbles.
It zigzagged at high speed, its movements slick and agile, avoiding dozens of bubbles without a single drop of water touching its fur.
Qiao Sang was not at all surprised. Over time, the Fire Tooth Dog had shown remarkable improvements in both speed and explosiveness, able to dodge nearly every pitch from the automatic pitching machine set at fourth gear. These floating bubbles were nothing in comparison.
What good is their number when they just stand there like obstacles?
The Water Circle Catfish continued to control its energy output with its front limbs, and the bubbles limited not only the visibility of the Fire Tooth Dog but also of the Water Circle Catfish itself.
"Quick, dodge!"
A sudden urgent command from the Beastmaster reached Qiao Sang's ears. The Water Circle Catfish instinctively tried to obey, but before it could lower its limbs, it was struck by a violent force, knocking it backwards.
"Circle!!"
As the Water Circle Catfish flew back, it was in pain and confusion.
How did that happen?
"Final blow," Qiao Sang uttered, marking the first line of battle.
A blazing flame formed into the size of an adult's fist and mercilessly struck downward toward the still-wailing Water Circle Catfish.
After struggling for a couple of seconds, the Water Circle Catfish fell silent.
"Water Circle Catfish!"
Lu Liangye quickly dashed toward his Beast, panic surging as he saw no response. "Teacher! Teacher!"
Qin Wen calmly approached the Water Circle Catfish and said, "It’s fine, a little lick will do."
After speaking, she summoned the Licking Lick...
...
"Whoa, did you guys just see that?"
"I saw it, Lu Liangye didn’t make it past two minutes."
"That Fire Tooth Dog is impressive."
"It’s not just that; it’s the Beastmaster! She didn’t even start giving commands at first, and the Fire Tooth Dog launched itself at once!"
Typically, novice Beastmasters like them follow the directions of their opponent during a battle.
For instance, if the opponent said "fire spark," they would know to either defend, dodge, or initiate counterattacks.
But that girl didn’t give any commands, and the Fire Tooth Dog used a powerful jab. The subsequent cooperation and results didn’t suggest that the dog was ignoring her orders, but rather attacking with her silent approval.
This type of situation usually only occurred in high-tier competitions.
Advanced Beastmasters would study their opponents’ beasts beforehand, devising a series of unique moves specifically so that during the match, their adversaries couldn’t predict their actions.
That was also one reason many large competitions do not set guidelines on who attacks first—it's all for the excitement. Some top Beastmasters, instead of crafting tactics after studying opponents, fully trust their beasts to act freely, ready to give commands only in crucial moments.
But those scenarios were only for high-ranking Beastmasters.
Yet, the girl before them was just a novice...
...
"What’s her name?" Liu Yao inquired.
"Qiao Sang, from Wencheng Middle School," Sun Boyi glanced at the candidate information in hand.
"I remember Wencheng Middle School had a student recommended to our school this year," Zheng Guoping remarked.
"Yes, there’s one, Dai Shushu. Her parents are regular folks, so she left a deep impression on me," Sun Boyi replied.
"Regular folks?! In this day and age, is it really possible for children from ordinary parents to reach self-awakening? What’s her Mind Domain development level?" Zheng Guoping asked, eyes wide in surprise.
"5%," Sun Boyi responded.
"That’s pretty good. If her exam scores are decent, let's put her in the advanced class," Liu Yao suggested.
"Is that wise? Even if she’s a self-awakened Beastmaster from ordinary parents, her Mind Domain development is only 5%. Our advanced class was established to rival the elite; many factors need consideration. What’s her beast's capability? What about her combat skills? And then there’s her..." Zheng Guoping trailed off, unable to continue.
Sun Boyi stared at him with a look of disbelief.
"What? Did I say something wrong?" Zheng Guoping shot back, displeased.
Sun Boyi responded lazily, "The vice principal said if her exam scores are fine, do you really think someone who’s been recommended would need to take the entrance exam?"
Zheng Guoping: "…"
Oh, she was referring to that girl named Qiao Sang…
Whether it was the Fire Tooth Dog or her performance in battles, it looked like there wouldn't be a problem with her entering the advanced class...
But he felt disrespected...
So frustrating...
At this moment, the center of attention, Qiao Sang, was taking out a bottle of Qiyuan Milk from her bag to give the Fire Tooth Dog.
Having gone through two battles, she had secured one of the five special spots at Holy Water Middle School.
But her goal was not just a spot; it was to be number one.
The difference between second and fifth places was a need to score at least 50 points above the minimum for the entrance exam, while just the first needed only to meet the minimum.
She understood this difference quite well.
Fifty points!
How many problems would she have to solve to raise that score!
And now, she was just one step away from that 50 points!
The Fire Tooth Dog, wearing triangular sunglasses, lounged in its seat, drinking milk with its paws, looking quite satisfied.
The second battle had just begun; the beasts were a Little Plump Dove and a Long-Eared Cat.
“Yah!”
“Yah yah!”
“Yah yah!”
The Fire Tooth Dog straightened up, one paw holding the milk, and the other waving in cheer.
After a few calls and a sip of milk, it continued to cheer on.
Its cheering target was the Little Plump Dove.
At home, the Plump Dove got along well with it. Whenever they ate, if the Fire Tooth Dog finished first, the Plump Dove would push its own energy meal over to share.
As a relative of the Plump Dove, the Fire Tooth Dog naturally wanted to cheer for its cousin.
“Yah!”
“Yah yah!”
“Yah yah!”
Ten minutes later, bolstered by the warm cheers from the Fire Tooth Dog, the Little Plump Dove lost…
(End of Chapter)