Damon’s Cat had just come back from its stroll...
[Ding! Pet Has Inflicted Despair!]
[Ding! Pet Has Crushed Many Dreams!]
[Ding! Pet Has Taken in a Student! Allow?]
Damon couldn't help but raise a brow. If that was a stroll, then dropping a nuke could have been considered a prank! As soon as he saw this, he gestured for his pet to shush. ‘Play dumb no matter what!’
“M-Miaow!” (Y-Yes, Master! Will do!)
This was bad. What if they got banned for causing trouble? Had it been any other time, he wouldn't have cared, but knowing that a Calamity was about to fall upon the Blue Zone, he couldn't afford to wait till the next opportunity. It was now or never.
Just as he worried, a large hologram suddenly appeared, filling the sky completely. On it, profiles kept defiling as if showcases on a sports channel. Seeing this, his cat pointed its tiny paw at it in shock.
"M-Miaow!" (M-Master, why are we in the sky?!)
[#1 Unnamed. Pet: Fortune Neko!]
[#2 Glacial Lilly. Pet: IceBorn Spirit.]
[#3 Will Brew the Heavens! Pet: Golden Spatula!]
[#4 Young Master of the Warwick Clan. Pet: None!]
The lower one's position, the less screen time they'd had... which gave Damon plenty of it, seeing as he had finished #1. As soon as his face and pet appeared on the screen, surprised gasps echoed in the area.
“W-What?! This guy’s a contestant?! I thought he was part of the Academy’s welcoming staff!”
“Holy shit, it’s that guy who was selling sausages. I knew he wasn’t simple!”
"Wait... that's the cat! It wasn't part of the evaluation?! I call FOUL!"
The last guy wasn't the only one. At this moment, countless death glares were sent their way. But it wouldn't be limited to this place either, as this was broadcast to the entire city! With this, a target was instantly painted on Damon's back.
“This guy should be disqualified! He almost made me die in there!”
“Ditto, this damn cat has been sabotaging us all along!”
“The Taming School Has to do something about it!”
The clamor kept increasing, a storm brewing. At this moment, Damon felt like a French Monarch about to face the guillotine. Except this time, the stakes were far greater than simply his life! He turned to the crowd:
“Gentlemen, gentlemen. I’m sure it has to be a mistake. This cat? Look at how cuddly it is. There’s no way it would have tried to sabotage anyone! You tell them.” He lied without a single care in the world.
“M-Miaow!” (I swear, I just ran through and didn’t do anything else!)
Some couldn’t help but be taken aback, while others still seemed about to jump the pet and Master duo to give them a good beating. Heck, a couple had even taken weapons out, ready for a fight! Hammer, sword... was that a chainsaw?!
But just as it became heated...
– ROAR! –
A single roar ended it all, the headmaster's Amberbeast showing up!
The Lion’s appearance was enough to end all squabbles. It was akin to a king in an unruly children’s class, its mere presence rendering them silent. It lazily gazed at all the parties involved.
Then, as if on a stroll, it approached the Boundary, pressing a fridge-sized paw onto it. The effect was instantaneous, the Boundary reacting as if it had seen a friend! – Gleam! Gleam! Gleam! – Then it happened.
Images suddenly escaped the barrier, scenes of the previous events.
“Miaow!”, “Miaow!”, “Miaow!” the cat could be seen minding its own business as it ran all over the place. Yet, one could also see countless applicants being eliminated in the background, distracted.
Then, the past was replaced by the present, with contestants still struggling to reach the exit or lying on stretchers. They all had one thing in common: they were cursing a certain cat.
Seeing this, a ferret-looking youngster exclaimed.
“SEE! I was right! The Cat’s been cheating! This is the proof! They should be kicked out!” The man screamed triumphantly. Now that everyone had seen this, Damon’s time here was coming to an end.
The Amberbeast nodded, resting its golden eyes on Damon. Except, this wasn’t a mere gaze; it was an ability! Damon instantly felt it… PRESSURE!
The world ceased to exist.
There only remained those eyes. Those goddamn golden eyes.
They were bigger than the universe, the entire world suddenly tinted AMBER.
This was a predator, one about to devour him whole. He had to repent. He had to beg for mercy. He had to run, as far as he could. He had to… NO! Damon forcefully resisted that gaze, glaring back.
This bastard was trying to render him unconscious, then it would kick him out! His shoulders slumped. His feet sank into the stone pavement. Blood started trickling down his lips. Yet he kept glaring.
[Warning! Warning! You Stand No Chance Against This Opponent!]
He knew. This thing could kill him with a gaze if it so wanted, but would it dare?
“GROWL!” (Keep resisting, and you’ll die. Do you think you can withstand my powers?)
Damon’s answer was an even stronger glare. Die? Perhaps, but he’d give the damn thing an aneurysm before he kicked the bucket! Was it ready to throw its future away to kill little him?
[Ding! Your Pet is Helping! Tenacious Spirit Activating!]
[Congratulations! Resisted King’s Authority!]
As fast as it began, the gaze ended.
As Damon collapsed to his knees, the Amberbeast let out a low chuckle as it turned its attention back to the Boundary. Then, releasing a low growl, the entire thing… erupted with golden light!!
The participants who had been the closest to the finish line were suddenly released. They who had been stuck in place cursing a certain cat suddenly found themselves flying forward, landing before the beast.
Then, as if everything before had merely been of little importance to it, the Amberbeast lazily began strolling away. But before it could leave, the same weaseled-faced guy from before chimed again.
“Wait, what about that #1 Cheater? Is he really gonna escape punishment? Please reconsider! Else, it would affect Amber Academy’s Reputation! I for one wouldn’t want to tarnish such a prestigious legacy!”
Wrong move. Trying to blackmail a proud Amberbeast? There wasn’t anything more idiotic than that! The Beast turned around, glaring at the offender, and gave it the same treatment as Damon.
– DROP! –
A struggle? None.
The guy instantly fell unconscious.
Just like that, he had failed the exam.
It was only then that many understood. The Lion hadn’t shown favoritism; Damon had been punished by that glare and had only managed to remain thanks to his own efforts. As for what came next…
“Alright, everyone. We’ve lost enough time. Let’s head to the next test, shall we? You all still want to join the Academy, right?” The lady with the glasses called out, gesturing to the applicants to follow her.
As soon as she did, a Golden pathway reappeared, illuminating their footsteps. As for where it led, the answer was obvious: the depts of Amber Academy!
The group trailed behind her, not giving a second glance at the ones still stuck in the boundary or the weasel guy collapsed on the floor– better luck next life. In fact, someone especially appeared unbothered.
Munch. Munch. Munch.
“Talk about intense! Geez, I thought you were about to get expelled. Want a congratulatory cracker?” That one happily munching Senior had somehow restocked while all that drama was going on.
Damon simply grabbed one, knowing better than to interrupt this chatterbox student. He not only welcomed it but even encouraged it, giving his pet a meaningful glance; this was the signal to speak up.
“Miaow?” (What comes next? Are the next tests any fun?)
“Tests? Hehe, trying to get some insider info?” He had instantly seen through them! Seeing the Cat’s surprised face, he giggled, giving it yet another Pet Cracker.
The people who had been trying to overhear the conversation quickly went out of their way to take some distance. They wouldn’t be caught in that next scandal! Little did they realize their mistake.
A certain Cat’s eyes grew large as it noticed the writing on its Cracker!
- Test of Potential
- Physical Prowess
- Classic Written Evaluation
So those were the things that were upcoming? But it seemed that wasn’t all. The Senior winked, signaling to flip the cracker over. Written there was something they absolutely needed to know.
Alternative Evaluation: Brave the Tower.
DO NOT PICK THAT OPTION!
All this merely took seconds. As far as the rest of the world was convinced, the guy had outed them as trying to cheat, and a heavy silence had followed. That's when Damon acted, slapping his pet's head:
“How do the tests matter? We’ll beat them all! Now, eat your cracker and stop asking sensitive questions. Can’t you see you're making our host uncomfortable!”
“Miaow!” (Yes, Master!)
Never had a Cat eaten evidence that fast!
With this, the issue was resolved, Damon giving his guide an ever-so-subtle and grateful nod. Thanks to him, he now 100% knew the path he had to take- just in time as they had arrived.
Three gigantic Golden Pagodas. There, the upcoming evaluations would be held. The structures seemed too magnificent for this world, so much Mana oozing out of them that it took shape!
Then there were the people- students, lots of students, and their magical Beasts. They all gawked at the newcomers with curious eyes. It wasn’t every day that there was fresh blood; they were hyped!
Heck, some even held banners as they cheered.
~ You Got This Newbies!
~ Don’t worry if you fail; at least you tried!
~ I bet on #1 to tackle the Tower, don’t disappoint me!
Wait, there was betting going on?! As most applicants were busy observing their surroundings, shellshocked, Damon instead made his way toward the student crowd purposefully.
A few minutes later, he came back to rejoin his fellow applicants, a ginormous smile on his lips. Seeing this, the Pet-Cracker guy couldn’t help but exclaim.
“Did you just bet on yourself? Aren’t you stressed at all?”
“Will being stressed make me richer?”
Damon shrugged, his Pet giving him a paws up in the background. Then, he focused on a line of people that had just appeared in the distance. They seemed regal, all dressed in golden war robes... TEACHERS!
As soon as they were close enough to watch the show, it happened. With a ROAR, the AmberBeast was back, this time with the Headmaster. The latter greeted the applicants once more.
“I see that a bunch of you made it past the Boundary. How was it? Did you have fun?”
Fun! Was getting pressed like pancakes fun? If yes, they had gotten plenty of fun! But the applicants' grimaces didn’t seem to bother the man one bit as he kept going.
“Now, you guys will have two choices. One, you can Enter the Pagodas behind me. Three tests, and you’re done- that easy. Two, if you think those look too easy, you can try your luck in the Tower. Any question?”
Seeing this, a couple of applicants hesitantly raised their hands...
“A-Are there any benefits to the Tower?”
“How hard is it compared to the three Pagodas?”
“Sir, what would you recommend? That's the Amber Tower, right?!”
The Amber Tower was somewhat infamous. It was a specialty of the Amber Academy and mimicked a multi-layered Dungeon. The place was a wonder for training and actually contained 100% real Monsters!
“Indeed, the Amber Tower! Now, if you’ve never heard of it, I highly suggest you stay clear. As for the difficulty and benefits, they’re both great! Are you courageous enough or not? Decide now.”
Just as he uttered those words, the golden road they had been on suddenly split in two. One way led to the three golden pagodas, and a golden portal appeared on the other. This was a Dungeon Entrance!
People became restless.
What to choose? Risk it with the Tower, or play it safe?
For even the Headmaster to call the rewards Great… they had to be amazing!
Many were still hesitant, unconsciously turning their gazes toward the Rankers who had scored well in the first Exam. The latter sneered, knowing better than to try the Tower, for it was a SCAM!
But just as it seemed like everyone would naturally head toward the three Pagodas…
“Let’s go, shall we? We got an evaluation to crush.”
As Damon started strolling toward the Tower, the Pet Cracker Guy suddenly choked. What was that dumbass doing?! Even after he had warned him, too?! The three tests would have been so easy!
He wasn’t the only one confused…
“Holy shit. Is he really going there?! Madman!”
“Wait, what’s the big deal with the Tower anyway?”
“It’s a freaking Dungeon. Theory’s one thing, but there it’s KILL OR BE KILLED!!”
But amidst all that doubt and incomprehension…”Hell Yeah! You show them how it’s done #1 Dude!” A crazed shout resounded from the audience. Someone was about to make big bucks with their bet.
Damon kept walking, determinedly, not a single doubt in his mind, even as the Headmaster stood before him, blocking the way. “Are you sure? If you do fail this you’ll be instantly eliminated, no do-over.”
“Miaow!” (Of course, we’re sure! Just watch us!)
The cat responded with such gusto that it stunned the entire crowd. Seeing this, the Headmaster stepped aside, sighing profoundly. “Fine. Go ahead. I hope you don’t regret your choice.”
Choice? Damon actually felt like crying. To the rest of the world, the choice was easy, the three Pagodas being the straightforward answer. Sadly, things were incredibly different for him.
Written Evaluation? He could easily ace this!
Physical Prowess? He’d somehow manage to pass.
Test of potential? There lay the issue. No way in hell he could pass that!
Potential was a measure of one's talent. It went from F Grade to S tier, and anything below D was considered trash beyond belief. His potential? Not even F! After all, his soul was so corrupted that contracting regular Beasts was impossible.
If he actually took the potential test, he'd be kicked out!
The Academy was looking for diamonds in the rough, but Damon was a polished stone!
Any test would reveal that the current him was as strong as he’d ever get…at least in theory.
The Tower, while impossibly hard, was the only chance he had, and said Tower required one to already possess a Pet to enter, hence why he had NEEDED that earlier ritual. As they finally reached the portal, Damon warned his pet:
“This will be harder than the Rat King Fight. Are you ready?”
“Miaow!” (YES! Let’s do this, Master!)
Then they entered, the crowd gasping.
.
.
[Welcome to the Amber Tower!]
[Floor 1! Reach the End…Alive if Possible!]
