Walking over to stand next to Henry, we began to chat back and forth, laughing our asses off much to the dismay of the other students who were still trying to focus on the awakening ceremony. Every time a teacher gave us a stern look, we'd bite our tongues for a second before bursting into laughter again. The tension and fear that had been hanging over us all morning was gone, replaced with excitement, relief, and the kind of joy that only comes after your biggest worry turns into your greatest victory.
The ceremony didn't end for another hour or so. During that time, only another four students managed to awaken, and all of them had C or B-ranked talents. It was a decent result, but none came close to Henry's S-rank or my A-rank. The gap between us and the rest of the year was clear, and for the first time, I actually felt what it was like to be one of the few people others looked at with envy. It was strange, uncomfortable even, but also… satisfying.
After the ceremony finally ended, Henry and I were getting ready to leave. The crowd had mostly dispersed, with students either celebrating quietly or sulking in silence. Just as we were about to step off the field, a firm voice called out from behind us.
"Hey, Henry and Leo. Come here for a second."
We both turned around to see the familiar figure of the principal approaching, an older man with short grey hair and an unmistakable aura of power radiating from him. Even without trying, his presence carried weight, pressing down on us slightly. He was a Rank 4 Beast Tamer, and every step he took reminded us just how far we had to go.
Seeing that we were being called, Henry and I straightened up immediately and walked toward the old man.
"What is it, sir?" Henry asked in his usual loud, confident voice, though even he sounded a bit more respectful this time.
The principal nodded approvingly before speaking. "Well, you see, because both of you have awakened high-rank talents, the academy is willing to sponsor you in taming your first beasts. We'll be providing each of you with a baby beast of general-level potential."
For a second, I just stared at him, unsure if I'd heard correctly. When the words sank in, a grin spread across my face before I could stop it. I had been worrying about this exact problem since the moment I awakened, how I would afford a strong beast. Even with my A-rank talent, it would've been useless without a good companion to train with.
With the little money left behind by my parents, the best I could've afforded was a weak beast with commander-level potential at most. But now… this changed everything. The school was offering me a chance I never thought I'd get.
I clenched my fists slightly, excitement and determination burning through me. This was it, my first real step toward becoming a true Beast Tamer.
Seeing that neither of us responded, the principal let out a theatrical sigh and then spoke again with a teasing glint in his eye. "What, don't either of you want the school's help?" he asked, clearly joking, though his tone had that practiced edge that made it hard not to take him seriously.
For a second I didn't realize he was kidding. I looked up into his face, panic flickering across my features, and blurted out, "No, no, sir. It's not that. I, I'd really appreciate it if the school would sponsor me in getting my first beast." My voice came out faster than I meant, nerves making my words tumble.
Henry, never the nervous one, clapped me lightly on the shoulder and answered in that same loud, confident way he always used. "Yeah, same here." His grin never left his face. He sounded like he'd expected this to happen all along, like the universe simply owed him an S-rank talent and a free beast on top of it.
The principal chuckled, a deep sound that made him seem younger for a moment. "As you know, classes for the rest of the year are cancelled for those who awakened a talent, In order to prepare for the university exams and, frankly, to keep you out of trouble." He paused, looking at both of us expectantly. "If you come into my office tomorrow morning, we'll go through the beasts available and make the arrangements. Understand?"
We both nodded quickly, eager and somehow still a little stunned. The promise of support felt surreal, like a door had been opened for us that had previously been bolted shut. The principal gave us a satisfied nod, then waved us off. "Good. Make sure you rest up. Dont forget" With that, he strode away, his robes flapping behind him.
Henry and I exchanged looks that crackled with excitement. "Can you believe it?" he whispered, although his eyes shouted it louder than his voice. My grin felt ridiculous on my face; my stomach was full of butterflies.
We said our goodbyes and left the field. The rest of the school ground seemed quieter now, students drifting in clusters, some celebrating small victories, some nursing their wounds of disappointment. It felt strange to walk among them with the knowledge that our futures had already shifted.
When we reached my apartment, Henry didn't bother with knocking. He produced the spare key I'd given him years ago with the ease of someone who knew he was welcome. The door swung open at his touch, and without ceremony he dropped his bag by the couch and plopped himself down, sprawling like he owned the place. "So, you know what beast you want?" he called out, already scanning the channel list with a remote in hand.
I walked into the tiny kitchenette, grabbed two bottles from the fridge, and tossed one to him. "Nah," I answered, settling down on the floor beside the couch and leaning my back against the small coffee table. "You?"
"Neither," he said, not even thinking about it. He flipped through the channels with the remote like he was changing the subject by force of will.
We both burst into laughter at the same time, the kind of laugh that rinses away tension, loud and stupid and completely uncoordinated. It felt good, ridiculous, and a little like cheating. For once, the future didn't seem like an abyss; it felt like a path you could actually walk down.
Henry stayed at my place until it was well past dark. We ordered from the burger shop down the street, played some old fighting games until our thumbs hurt, and talked about nothing important, favorite beasts, stupid hypothetical team-ups, which classes we'd skip if we could. Time slid by until his phone buzzed with his mum's call. He answered with a guilty grin and then finally, reluctantly, stood up.
"Got to go," he said. "She'll freak if I'm not back soon." He gave me a quick, awkward hug Henry-style, all elbows and enthusiasm, then headed for the door. I walked him out because that was just what we did, and when he stepped out into the night he waved back at me like everything was fine and nothing had changed and yet everything had.
I shut the door and made the short trek back to my own room. The apartment was exactly as I'd left it earlier that morning, small, a little grimy at the edges, but mine. I collapsed onto the sagging mattress, half expecting the whole day to be a dream. The exhaustion hit me like a weight, and before I knew it I drifted off, smiling in my sleep.
Morning came with a shock that felt physical: cold water splashing across my face. I shot upright, heart hammering, instantly ready to fight. For a heartbeat I was sure someone had broken in. Then I saw Henry's grinning, slightly smug face leaning over me, the empty cup in his hand, culprit of the assault.
I shoved at him reflexively, punching as hard as I could in his stomach, but the blow just bounced off as if he were made of springs. He only laughed harder. "Come on, we've got to go pick out our beasts," he said, still grinning like a man whose world had just rearranged itself in the best possible way.
I rubbed my face where the water had chilled me awake, blinking the sleep from my eyes. "Yeah, yeah," I muttered, voice still thick with sleep, but a grin matched his now. Together, almost as if on cue, we moved toward the door, backpacks slung over our shoulders, hearts full of a mix of anxious excitement.