Awakening : Becoming The World's Strongest Beast Master

Leo stepped into the Advanced Ability Academy, while Mia kept glancing back over her shoulder, her gaze lingering in the direction Lia had departed.

Over the past two days, both Leo and Lia had reassured Mia numerous times that Lia leaving for the top ten academies was a positive step and that they would visit her often. Yet, despite their words, Mia struggled to accept the separation from her older sister.

Seeing Mia's forlorn expression, Leo gently took her hand and spoke softly, trying to comfort her. "Don't worry, Mia. Sister will be fine. She's much stronger than either of us, and we need to focus on taking care of ourselves now."

Leo truly felt no concern for Lia's safety anymore. After all, she had grown significantly stronger, and with Augustus personally protecting her, the chances of any trouble arising were slim. Beyond that, Leo had spent every last one of his points in the academy store to purchase supplies for Lia, leaving himself penniless. But he was confident. As long as Lia avoided getting involved with powerful or influential people, she would undoubtedly thrive in the elite academies.

"If the worst happens," he thought to himself, "I can always contact Augustus again and , ask him to assign a few more people to keep an eye on her in the top ten academies."

Leo's comforting words continued as they arrived at the academy's registration area.

In this world, everyone had the potential to awaken supernatural abilities, but most people ended up with abilities that were nearly useless. Those with weak abilities usually chose not to attend the Advanced Ability Academy. After all, enrolling required tuition fees, and being part of the academy came with its own restrictions on personal freedom.

Only those with well-off families would send their children to this academy despite weak abilities. But for most people from ordinary backgrounds, unless their powers were exceptionally strong, the academy wasn't an option.

The registration area was not crowded. There were six registration tables, but only one was unoccupied; the other five were busy with long queues. Leo approached the table where no one else was signing up.

Carrying Finn on his back, Leo shook him gently in an attempt to wake him up. But Finn remained fast asleep, leaving Leo no choice but to explain with a helpless smile: "This is Finn. His ability is a B-rank nightmare ability. He's currently unable to wake up, but I'd like to register him anyway."

The teacher handling registrations was a middle-aged woman in her forties. She had short hair and wore black-rimmed glasses. Though her appearance was ordinary, her stern demeanor exuded authority, making her seem difficult to approach.

She cast a cold glance at Finn and replied curtly, "A nightmare ability? It's practically useless. We don't have any instructors who specialize in that field, and since he sleeps most of the time, he wouldn't learn anything here. You'd be better off taking him back home."

Although her reasoning seemed logical, Leo was undeterred. He knew that nightmare abilities were rare and understood the challenges Finn faced. Leaning closer, he whispered respectfully, "I understand, but if he doesn't join the Advanced Ability Academy, he won't have the chance to enter the top ten academies. Please, make an exception."

The Advanced Ability Academy was just the first step. The true opportunities to grow stronger and achieve greatness lay within the top ten academies. Graduating from one of them guaranteed a position of respect and influence.

For Leo, entering the top ten academies had been his goal ever since he inherited the memories of this world. More importantly, Finn had expressed his own desire to attend. With his B-rank ability, Finn was almost guaranteed a spot if he graduated from the Advanced Ability Academy. But without registration here, that dream would be crushed.

The teacher looked Leo and Finn up and down, her expression unwavering. "I've made myself clear," she said coldly.

"Nightmare users, even with a B-rank ability, spend most of their time asleep as their power grows stronger. It's not practical. You're wasting your time."

Her words stung, but Leo gritted his teeth and maintained his composure. He reached into his pocket, pulling out the business card given to him by Victor, and placed it on the table. "Regardless, I'm here to register," he said firmly. "My name is Leo, and my ability is Beast Taming."

The teacher's gaze flickered to the business card before narrowing suspiciously. She looked at Leo for a long moment but said nothing. Around them, whispers began to spread among the onlookers.

"Beast Taming? Seriously? He thinks he can make it here with that?"

"Hahaha, what a waste of time and money."

"If he does join, we already know who's taking last place in the academy."

The teacher picked up the business card and examined it closely. After a pause, she sighed and muttered, "From my perspective, you're making a mistake by entering this academy, but if a mentor has chosen you, I suppose I have no choice."

She wrote down Leo's name and handed him his registration slip. "Your registration is complete," she said flatly. "The school term starts in a week. Make sure to report here on time."

Before Leo could leave, he spoke again. "Teacher William said he wanted both of us—Finn and me."

The teacher's expression darkened. She looked at Finn again, then back at Leo, a cold smile forming on her lips. "William? He's been at this academy for years, and he's never once agreed to teach a student who didn't specialize in Beast Taming. Not even when the dean requested it. And now you're telling me he asked for a nightmare user? You're lying."

Her words cut deep, and Leo's heart sank. He hadn't anticipated William to have such a reputation for strictness.

At that moment, an impatient woman in the registration line shoved Mia aside. "Don't block the way, brat!" she snapped.

Mia, who had been standing quietly next to Leo, stumbled and fell to the ground. Her hand hit a sharp stone, and tears welled up in her eyes as pain and shock overwhelmed her.

"Ouch…" Mia began to cry.

The woman sneered down at her. "Where did this little idiot come from?"

Hearing Mia's cries, Finn woke up, his groggy eyes scanning the scene. When he saw Mia on the ground, he quickly got off Leo's back to help her up.

Leo, however, turned his gaze to the woman who had pushed Mia. His expression was cold and unyielding.

"What are you staring at?" the woman snapped. "Hurry up and leave if you're done. Stop wasting everyone's time."

Leo glanced around and realized the woman's actions were deliberate. Two nearby teachers were idle, casually watching the commotion instead of stepping in. His face darkened.

He stepped to the side and lifted Mia into his arms. As the woman moved toward the registration table, Leo abruptly kicked it, sending it flying across the room.

His voice was calm yet icy. "Apologize. Now. Or I'll make you regret it."