“I’ll be heading to the Magic City for school the day after tomorrow. Why don’t you come stay at my place? You’re about to start your senior year—let my parents cook for you, so you don’t have to order takeout every day. It’s not healthy.”

　　Lauren Bennett held her tea, taking a gentle sip as she said, “My parents have mentioned it several times already.”

　　“I’m fine on my own. Thank our parents for me.” Ryan Clark also took a sip of tea to moisten his throat.

　　“Call them godfather and godmother!”

　　“Alright, alright, thank godfather and godmother for me.” Ryan Clark said. He and Lauren Bennett had grown up together, and her parents were his own parents’ closest friends. After Ryan Clark’s parents were confirmed dead, he was taken in by the Bennett family.

　　However, once he was able to take care of himself, Ryan Clark moved out on his own. The large sum of money his parents left behind was enough for him to live comfortably.

　　“I’m done trying to convince you. Let them talk to you themselves.” Lauren Bennett knew she couldn’t persuade Ryan Clark; she understood his temperament perfectly.

　　To put it nicely, he had his own ideas. Less nicely, he was rebellious—not just about little things, but about everything.

　　“Don’t worry, I can take care of myself. Just wait for me in the Magic City. I’ll come find you next year, and then I’ll be counting on you, senior!”

　　“Let’s see if you can get in first.” Lauren Bennett crossed one leg over her other pale leg, leisurely scrolling through her phone. She had excellent grades and had just been admitted to the top university in the south, Magic University. Because of her parents’ professions, she chose to major in veterinary medicine.

　　Although Ryan Clark’s grades were also good, getting into Magic University wasn’t easy. The coming year would be crucial.

　　“Piece of cake.” Ryan Clark didn’t think it would be difficult, though he hadn’t decided what major to apply for yet… Maybe something related to animals?

　　For example…

　　“Beastmaster?” Lauren Bennett said.

　　“What? Beastmaster?” Ryan Clark was startled and looked at her.

　　There’s a major like that? Isn’t it called animal science?

　　Lauren Bennett suddenly spoke up. Ryan Clark thought she was talking to him, but soon realized she was muttering to herself while looking at her phone.

　　“Just saw a post. I’ll send it to you,” Lauren Bennett said.

　　Soon, Ryan Clark’s phone received a link from Lauren Bennett.

　　He clicked on the post. The title read: “Help! Do you believe in the existence of supernatural phenomena?”

　　Huh?

　　Seeing the title, Ryan Clark frowned.

Chapter 2: Supernatural

　　Below the title was the main text from the poster:

　　【Here’s what happened. About a day ago, I suddenly received a mysterious black card.

　　When I got the card, a string of text appeared before my eyes, and I heard a prompt in my ear. It told me to use the card to form a contract and capture an animal as my pet, making me a beastmaster.

　　At first, I thought I was like the protagonist in an anime, having some kind of adventure.

　　But things weren’t that simple. After I followed the card’s instructions and completed the beginner’s task, I was transported to a very dangerous place, full of wild beasts. I almost died there!

　　My pet was badly injured protecting me. The local pet hospital couldn’t save it, and the vet said there was no hope. What should I do?

　　I have a feeling we’re already bound together. If my pet dies, something bad will happen to me too…】

　　Besides the text, the poster also attached a photo.

　　It was a large cat, its body seemingly petrified, eyes gouged out, and missing a leg. It looked miserable, gray blood oozing from its wounds, which were very strange.

　　Lauren Bennett looked serious. “Finished reading?”

　　“Yeah.” Ryan Clark nodded.

　　Lauren Bennett said angrily, “The injuries look off. The photo must have been photoshopped. This person… I suspect they’re an extreme pet abuser.”

　　Stories this clumsy and third-rate are usually just attention-seeking stunts. It’s way too fake!

　　Do they think they’re a “chosen child” or something?

　　“Agreed.” Ryan Clark echoed Lauren Bennett. There really were a lot of people like that, but his gaze lingered on the phone screen.

　　At first glance, this post did seem like a ploy by an animal abuser to get attention.

　　But when it came to messages that looked obviously fake, Ryan Clark was actually quite sensitive.

　　Supernatural phenomena…

　　A scene immediately flashed before his eyes: a city invaded by countless monsters…

　　That dream again…

　　Ryan Clark sighed inwardly.

　　In fact, Ryan Clark paid a lot of attention to supernatural information like this.

　　The reason was simple: he had a secret no one knew.

　　He could clearly hear the “inner voices” of non-human creatures—an ability like understanding animal speech and communicating telepathically with animals.

　　He had gained this ability two years ago.

　　At first, he wasn’t very skilled, but after practice, he could now hear the thoughts of many animals.

　　He could predict the weather, he could dominate the Green Sea City insect fighting tournament—all thanks to this ability.

　　And along with this ability came a strange dream.