"Everyone bring stretchers today—even if we have to carry him, we're bringing him back!" a student declared, while the rest wore grim expressions enough for it to look like a funeral.

If it were anyone else daring to provoke Black Whirlwind like this, people would assume they'd suffered some kind of mental breakdown... but with Chen Shu, being occasionally abnormal was perfectly normal.

"Alright, spill. What happened?"

Li Yuan settled into his office chair and lit up a cigarette, his eyes already showing the weariness of someone who'd heard every excuse in the book.

"Teacher Li, I think I might be having some mental issues lately."

"I’ve heard that one…” he looked up as if remembering,”twenty one times just from you. Try a new one."

Chen Shu started, "I..."

Li Yuan took a light drag from his cigarette, squinting through the smoke as he studied Chen Shu with the practiced gaze of a teacher who'd seen it all.

"That problem on the blackboard today—you really don't know how to solve it?"

Despite his rough appearance, Li Yuan was surprisingly perceptive and had caught the genuine bewilderment in Chen Shu's expression earlier. That problem was the most basic of the basics, something any elementary student could handle with their eyes closed.

"Teacher, I really don't know how... I don't even know what a Beast Tamer is anymore."

All he'd done was take a nap in class, and somehow the entire world had changed around him. The familiar core subjects—Language, Math, and English—had vanished, replaced by chaotic beast taming knowledge, and to top it all off, some inexplicable system had awakened in his mind.

"Today's Saturday anyway, tomorrow's my day off. Go home and rest up."

Surprisingly, Li Yuan didn't give Chen Shu a hard time. Despite his explosive temper, he had a sharp tongue but a soft heart beneath his harsh words. Besides, he knew Chen Shu's father personally.

"Thank you, Teacher Li."

Chen Shu grabbed the leave slip from the desk and turned to go—he really did need time to process everything. In the span of a single afternoon nap, his entire world had... completely shattered.

......

"No way, Chen Pi is actually still alive?"

"I totally thought they'd be burying him by now."

"Brother Shu, how'd it go? Did Black Whirlwind throw any punches?"

The moment Chen Shu stepped out of the office building, Zhang Dali and the others surrounded him like reporters at a hint of a  scandal.

"Throw punches? He wanted to, but he was conquered by my overwhelming charisma," Chen Shu said, waving his hand dismissively as if it were no big deal whatsoever.

"..."

Everyone's eyes twitched in disbelief, some wide. Could this guy show even a shred of shame?

"I'm heading home now," Chen Shu announced, turning toward the school gate, only for an obviously excited Zhang Dali to jog after him.

"Brother Shu, tomorrow's Sunday—want to hit up the Beast Taming Arena together? I heard they got new equipment."

The Beast Taming Arena was the school's dedicated facility for students to train their Contract Spirits, basically like a gym but for magical creatures.

"Nah, I'm staying home to rest." Chen Shu shook his head, still completely lost and needing time to adapt to whatever the hell was going on with his new reality. Even acting as if he knew everything was taking a toll on him.

......

Half an hour later, Chen Shu returned to his residential complex.

"Little Shu's back already?" Auntie Wang from downstairs called out with a warm smile as she walked her dog. Still reeling from the day's events, Chen Shu just nodded silently in return.

What the hell was going on with this world? He clearly remembered doing math homework last night, but after one sleep, math had somehow transformed into Beast Studies. And apparently Contract Spirits were a real thing now? Most importantly, that system in his head...

[Ding! Detected significant emotional fluctuation in the host. Would you like to view the beginner's guide?]

The mental notification made Chen Shu's steps falter, confirming that this really wasn't a dream after all.

[View]

[Beginner's Guide: Welcome to the Beast Taming Choice System!]

[This system aims to help the host go further on the path of beast taming!]

[System Features:]

1. Provides multiple choices—host can select based on personal circumstances

2. Each choice yields corresponding rewards

3. Rich reward content including but not limited to: Beast Taming Power, Contract Spirits, skills, items, etc.

[Current Host Level: Level 0 Apprentice Beast Tamer]

[Contract Spirits: None]

[Warning: Host must contract their first Contract Spirit before age 18, or will permanently lose the ability to become a Beast Tamer]

Staring at the information flooding his mind, Chen Shu's brow furrowed deeply. Eighteen years old? He was already seventeen—less than a year left. And what the hell was a Contract Spirit anyway?

[Ding! Detected host confusion. Choice triggered!]

[Option 1: Immediately head to the Beast Taming Arena to learn about Contract Spirits]

—Reward: Basic Beast Taming Knowledge

[Option 2: Return home and ask parents about Contract Spirits]

—Reward: Family Harmony +1

[Option 3: Ignore the system and pretend nothing happened]

—Reward: Zen Master Title

Here we go again... Chen Shu stared at the three options, falling into deep thought. He had no idea what this system's deal was, but since it was here, he might as well see just how magical it could be.

[Choose Option 2]

With his choice made, Chen Shu quickened his pace toward home. No matter what, he needed to figure out this world's situation first.

[Choice successful! Reward obtained: Family Harmony +1]

[Effect: Relationships between family members become more harmonious, communication flows more smoothly]

Chen Shu: "..."

What kind of reward was that? Still, it wasn't exactly a bad thing, so whatever.

Click.

Chen Shu unlocked the door with his key.

"Little Shu's back? This early?"

A middle-aged man was watching TV in the living room and looked surprised to see Chen Shu. This was Chen Shu's father, Chen Ping—your average office worker who'd somehow ended up in a world where people tamed magical beasts.

"Dad, I need to ask you about something." Chen Shu sat down on the sofa with a serious expression that immediately caught his father's attention.

"What's up?" Chen Ping set down the remote.

"What exactly... is a Contract Spirit?"

Stunned by the question, Chen Ping asked, "Haven't you known about them since you were little? Why are you suddenly asking?"

"I want to hear you explain it in detail."

Chen Ping studied his son's face, clearly puzzled but willing to explain anyway. "Contract Spirits are Beast Tamers' partners—every Beast Tamer needs to contract one or more Contract Spirits for battle. Different Contract Spirits have different abilities: some excel at offense, others at defense, and some specialize in support. A Beast Tamer's level largely depends on how strong their Contract Spirits are."

He paused, his expression growing complex.

"You're about to awaken soon, and then you'll be able to contract your very own Contract Spirit. It's just... our family's financial situation is pretty average, so there's only so much help we can provide. You know how it is—good Contract Spirits are expensive, and they need all sorts of cultivation resources too."

Listening to his father's explanation, Chen Shu's confusion only deepened. Awaken? And you had to buy Contract Spirits?

"Dad, what does 'awaken' mean?"

"Awakening happens when you turn seventeen—you awaken your Beast Taming talent, and only after awakening can you contract Contract Spirits. You'll be eighteen next month, so you're just catching the last train."

Chen Ping patted Chen Shu's shoulder reassuringly. "Don't worry, with your grades, awakening Beast Taming talent shouldn't be a problem."

"..."

What did his grades have to do with anything? Did awakening actually depend on academic performance?

"Dad, do you have a Contract Spirit?"

"Of course—just an ordinary Wind Wolf, not very high level. Can only handle simple tasks."

As he spoke, Chen Ping summoned his Contract Spirit. A flash of light later, a modestly-sized gray wolf appeared in the living room.

"Woof woof!"

The Wind Wolf spotted Chen Shu and wagged its tail affectionately.

"See? This is my Contract Spirit—Wind Wolf, standard equipment for a Level 2 Beast Tamer." Chen Ping scratched the wolf's head with a somewhat helpless expression. "This is probably as far as I'll ever get. Can't count on me anymore—it's all up to you now. If you can awaken decent talent, you might even get into a good Beast Taming university."

Staring at the Wind Wolf before him, Chen Shu felt absolutely thunderstruck. There really were Contract Spirits! This world had actually changed!

"Dad, when's the awakening ceremony?"

"Next Monday. The school will arrange everything—they'll have a specialized Awakener come help you all awaken. If the awakening succeeds, you'll be able to contract your first Contract Spirit."

Chen Ping recalled the Wind Wolf and continued, "Just be mentally prepared —Contract Spirits aren't cheap. Even the cheapest ones cost tens of thousands."

Tens of thousands? Chen Shu sucked in a sharp breath. That would completely drain the family finances.

"But don't worry—your mother and I have saved up some money over the years. It's enough for you to contract a decent Contract Spirit."

As Chen Ping smiled with a parental love that transcended worlds, a corresponding warmth spread through Chen Shu's chest; it seemed a parent's love for their child was constant, no matter the reality.

[Ding! Family Harmony +1 effect triggered. Relationship with father grows even closer]

[Hidden choice triggered!]

[Option 1: Thank father and express determination to become an excellent Beast Tamer]

—Reward: Filial Piety Title

[Option 2: Ask for more information about Beast Tamers]

—Reward: Basic Beast Taming Knowledge

[Option 3: Express unwillingness to become a Beast Tamer, preferring ordinary life]

—Reward: Ordinary Person Title

Seeing the new choices appear, Chen Shu had already made his decision. Since he'd arrived in this world, he might as well experience it properly.

[Choose Option 1]

"Dad, thank you. I promise I'll work hard to become an outstanding Beast Tamer."

Chen Shu spoke with genuine sincerity.

[Choice successful! Reward obtained: Filial Piety Title]

[Filial Piety Title: +20% favorability when communicating with elders]

[Ding! Due to host making consecutive correct choices, System favorability +1]

[New function unlocked: System Shop]

[System Shop: Use System Currency to purchase various items. System Currency can be obtained by completing choices]

Chen Shu's eyes lit up. A System Shop? That sounded incredibly useful.

[Current System Currency: 10]

[Shop Preview:]

1. Basic Contract Spirit Egg (Random) - 100 System Currency

2. Beast Taming Power Recovery Potion - 50 System Currency

3. Contract Spirit Cultivation Manual - 30 System Currency

4. Lucky Clover (Small) - 20 System Currency

Looking at the shop inventory, Chen Shu's eyes practically sparkled. Contract Spirit Eggs! Even though he only had 10 System Currency and couldn't afford anything yet, this at least proved the system was genuinely useful.

Noticing his son's dazed expression, Chen Ping asked with concern, "Little Shu, what's wrong? Why are you spacing out?"

"Nothing, just thinking about some stuff." Chen Shu snapped back to reality with a smile. "Dad, can you tell me more about Beast Tamer level classifications?"

"Sure thing."

Chen Ping nodded and began explaining in detail. "Beast Tamer levels go from lowest to highest: Apprentice Beast Tamer, then Level 1 to Level 9 Beast Tamers, followed by Bronze Rank, Silver Rank, Gold Rank, and the highest is King Rank. Apprentice Beast Tamers are people who haven't contracted spirits yet, like you right now.

Levels 1 through 9 are ordinary Beast Tamers—most people fall into this range. Bronze Rank and above are advanced Beast Tamers, extremely powerful and very difficult to reach. As for King Rank... those are legendary existences."

Chen Shu listened intently while mentally strategizing. Since he had this system, he needed to make the most of it and aim to become the strongest Beast Tamer in this world!

When Chen Ping suggested they visit the Beast Market the next day to get familiar with Contract Spirit prices, Chen Shu's eyes immediately brightened. A Beast Market? That sounded fascinating.

"Absolutely, I'd love to check it out."

[Ding! Choice triggered!]

[Option 1: Go to Beast Market with father and seriously study relevant knowledge]

—Reward: Market Research Ability

[Option 2: Go to Beast Market with father and focus on the most expensive Contract Spirits]

—Reward: Discerning Eye Title

[Option 3: Go to Beast Market with father and search for the most cost-effective Contract Spirits]

—Reward: Penny-Pincher Title

This choice made Chen Shu hesitate—all three options seemed decent, but considering their current situation, practicality was probably the way to go.

[Choose Option 3]

[Choice successful! Reward obtained: Penny-Pincher Title]

[Penny-Pincher Title: Chance to receive additional discounts when purchasing items]

[System Currency +5 obtained]

Excellent—another 5 System Currency brought his total to 15. Getting closer to actually buying something useful.

"We'll head out early tomorrow then. The Beast Market gets crowded, and if we're late, all the good Contract Spirits will be picked over."

Chen Ping explained, and Chen Shu nodded eagerly. He was genuinely excited about tomorrow's Beast Market expedition.

This new world was turning out to be far more interesting than he'd ever imagined.