Echoes of the Wild: Tales of a Beast Tamer-Chapter 29: Academy Exams (1)

(Chris's PoV)

The fastest way to reach the Bronze Rank was to improve Snow more, but that wasn't as easy as it was before. At that time, she only needed food and sleep to improve her level but it has been two days since she reached the Bronze Rank, but there was no improvement.

She ate more after reaching the Bronze Rank but it didn't help her much. I believe that I need to feed her a specific diet to push her forward from now on.

When she was still in Iron Rank, feeding her the common pet food didn't cause problems for me but as she increased her rank, the quality had to be upgraded or no matter how much food I fed her, nothing changed.

When a pet beast ranks up, the food used to feed the pet has to not only increase in quantity but also in quality. If that is not achieved, then the level of the pet won't improve their level from eating.

The common food can only be used to sate the hunger, not to improve the pet's level as before.

So, though I am feeding food for Snow, I didn't see any improvement and thereby no improvement in me either. There is nothing else I could do about that.

Better quality food costs a lot.

With how poor my family is compared to other Beast Tamer families and how much of a financial burden I have become for my family, it's best to not think about getting better food for now.

Though the levelling-up speed decreases, Snow would level up sooner or later. I can enter Bronze Rank then. For now, I would be a Iron ranker

I was not able to reach the Bronze Rank but the exam time has come. It means I have to face the exams as an Iron ranker. So, I can only pray that the opponents that I face will not be so troublesome.

Well, I can use the fusion state to protect myself but that means, the true power of the Frost Fox can't be used.

---

Early in the morning, all the students from our school arrived at the grounds before it was seven. The exam starts at eight in the morning.

The school said that so, the lazy fellows would get on time.

Even though Snow regressed to her lazy state as she used to be, I didn't. I maintained my own timetable. So, I was able to reach the school on time.

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"Hey Chris, How are you? Are you ready for the exam?" William asked me as soon as he spotted me approaching.

When I arrived, he was already there. So, I walked towards him, He too took notice of me coming towards him and initiated the talk.

"I am good and I believe that I would at least pass the exam", I replied.

I didn't want to boast that I could get a higher rank as that might be a very difficult thing to achieve. Also, that could attract unwanted attention.

"How about you?"

"Ah, same here. I can say that I can pass but getting a pass wouldn't mean a good academy. For that, I need to earn a lot of points in this exam".

I nodded, agreeing to his statement.

Getting into an academy and getting into a good academy is totally different. The better the academy is, the better the chances of growing to a higher stage.

---

While we were talking, soon the headmaster and the teachers arrived.

"Everyone, in a few minutes, the portal to the secret realm would open. Your exam will be conducted there. So, before you enter, there are a few things that you need to know", the headmaster started to speak as soon as they arrived.

"First, the secret realm is controlled by the Federal Alliance and that means it is monitored. Killing other students is prohibited but attacking to get their resources is permitted as long as the damage done to others is not great. Failure to comply, severe punishments would be handed out".

"Second, there are many monsters in there along with treasures. You have to kill these beasts. Killed beasts and treasures obtained by you are yours to keep. You would be given a bracelet that would record your kills. No one can take away that but the resources that you got from those beasts, that others can get from you".

"Third, there is no third. That is all. Remember, the entire province can enter this realm and that means, you would come face to face with many students, and also many geniuses. So, it's best to not act without thinking as they can crush you easily".

As the headmaster was giving us the rules and advice on how to proceed a portal opened nearby. It opened on its own. I wonder how that was done.

A portal usually needs someone to open it. Of course, there are natural portals that open on their own but they have a very long time.

How did the Federal Alliance achieve this?

I don't think they would say to someone at a lower level like me. Only the ones at the top should know those secrets.

"Okay, everyone. The portal has opened. Form a queue. You will be given a bracelet as you enter the portal", the headmaster stopped his speech once the portal opened.

One by one, we entered the portal to compete. Yes, everyone here is a competition. After all, there won't be unlimited beasts or treasures lying around. There would be only limited.

---

(Third PoV)

"How do you think that this year's batch would fare?" the headmaster spoke to the teachers.

The teachers looked at each other, not knowing what to say. This was something that occurred every year.

The headmaster would ask this question. Whether they answer it or not, they would be in trouble. Even though that was the case, it was better to answer the question, rather than be branded as mutes who can't even answer a simple question.