Beast Taming: Starting From Zero Chapter 2: A Beating

Qingcheng Jiayuan.

Building C, Apartment 606.

Qiao Sang arrived home alongside her mother, her mind still foggy and unfocused.

She had just suffered through almost two full hours of harsh reprimands at school. Without the teacher's stomach rumbling, that lecture might have dragged on even longer.

In the bathroom, Qiao Sang splashed water on her face twice.

Gazing into the mirror, she saw her refined features, unchanged from her previous life.

However, her current appearance was far more youthful, cheeks still rounded with lingering baby fat.

"Dinner's ready. Come eat." Her mother's call echoed from the living room.

"On my way."

Stepping into the living room, she met the piercing gaze of her mother, Ye Xiangting. "The meal's gone cold, but I warmed it up. Eat quickly now."

Qiao Sang's family setup mirrored her own past one closely. Her parents not only resembled those from before but also shared the single-parent background.

Qiao Sang's father hadn't vanished or passed away prematurely; the couple had simply parted ways through divorce.

The split happened when Qiao Sang was just three. That same year, her father Qiao Wangyang wed again and fathered a daughter who's fourteen today.

How fascinating...

Maybe out of remorse toward her mother, he granted her custody of the child and the home during the divorce.

Ye Xiangting chose never to remarry. She toiled relentlessly to make ends meet, single-handedly bringing up Qiao Sang.

Luckily, as an E-level Beast Tamer owning a Faithful Owl and a Fat Dove, her mother earned steadily.

She supported them comfortably by offering aerial sightseeing services for hire.

Instead of breaking her into a haggard figure, life forged her mother into a resilient woman—soft on the outside, iron-willed within.

Qiao Sang sensed this truth profoundly.

Her mother had braved two hours of the teacher's tirade beside her, yet refrained from laying a hand on her once home.

Truthfully, it wasn't her doing. With the Beast Taming codex stuck in her mind and no prior contract to any supernatural creature, proving her self-awakening required a formal check at the Beast Taming Center.

Silently, Qiao Sang finished her food.

Though her mother embodied strength, nothing assured she'd stay unbreakable forever.

"Skip school tomorrow. We'll head to the Beast Taming Center," her mother declared, eyes fixed on Qiao Sang.

Qiao Sang froze briefly. "What's the trip to the Beast Taming Center for?"

"You claimed you've awakened by yourself, didn't you? We need the test and official certification first to pick a pet at the pet base." Her mother clarified.

Awakening meant grabbing a pet at the earliest chance.

Shock rippled through Qiao Sang. "You actually trust me?"

Amusement sparkled in her mother’s eyes.

"You're my daughter—how could I not see through you? Sure, you're a tad dim sometimes, but you wouldn't fib about this at such a pivotal time."

A swirl of feelings churned in Qiao Sang, leaving her speechless. Remarkably, this world's mother matched her previous one's looks and temperament perfectly.

"Mom, if you believed me, why let me sit through two hours of that scolding without a word?"

Her mother grinned, though the expression carried an ominous edge this time.

"Self-awakening is separate from bombing an exam with a zero. I haven't grilled you on that score yet."

Qiao Sang: "…"

---

The following morning.

Outside the Hanggang Beast Taming Center entrance.

A hefty, three-meter brown supernatural beast with vivid red tail feathers swooped down from above.

Qiao Sang leaped off the Fat Dove, buzzing with excitement.

Flying so near the heavens for the first time felt utterly exhilarating.

She resolved then: someday, she'd bond with a flying pet beast!

"Fat Dove, you've earned a rest. Thanks." Her mother stroked it gently.

"Dove-Bee~"

The Fat Dove flapped its wings, bumping its hefty head against her mother in playful affection.

With a wave, her mother summoned a light ray that enveloped the Fat Dove, vanishing it instantly.

No matter the repetitions, Qiao Sang marveled at the wonder.

Such feats defied all science from her former life.

Inside the Hanggang Beast Taming Center they went, her mother guiding her directly to Service Counter 37.

Before the attendant uttered a word, her mother stated, "Hi, brain domain test for us, please."

She gestured for Qiao Sang to present her info card.

Qiao Sang complied without delay.

Scan complete, the staff replied, "Hello, that's 500 Alliance Coins."

Humanity, empowered by beast-taming prowess, abandoned Blue Star to settle and claim three more livable worlds.

Alliance Coin served as the shared tender across these four planets.

Payment made by her mother, the attendant finalized registration and handed back the card.

"Follow the Cialiguo right in."

Behind the counter emerged a petite green Cialiguo, under a meter in height.

Round-headed with green antennae ending in yellow tips, it sported a staff badge necklace.

Gentle plant-type pets like Cialiguo charmed many, women especially.

"Cialiguo."

It stepped up to Qiao Sang, offering a courteous three-fingered welcome, every bit the pro.

Hanggang City, Zhehai Province's hub, hosted the region's grandest beast-taming facility.

Qiao Sang trailed the Cialiguo for over ten minutes to arrive at the brain domain test zone.

Cialiguo swiped its badge on the door scanner.

"Cialiguo."

Door sliding open, it beckoned Qiao Sang.

Ye Xiangting instructed calmly, "Head inside."

Her expression stayed composed, but anticipation flickered in her gaze.

Evidently, belief in her daughter didn't erase pre-result jitters.

Qiao Sang trailed Cialiguo through the threshold.

First in view: a short-haired woman in a white lab coat, accompanied by a hovering Bubbles Bell.

Qiao Sang had studied Bubbles Bell yesterday, so spotting one live thrilled her.

Genderless psychic-type rarity, Bubbles Bell stood out.

Psychic beasts proved scarce overall.

Pet bases stocked just five or six yearly, priced from millions of Alliance Coins—beyond most families' reach.

Qiao Sang pegged the white-coated researcher as wealthy on sight.

The researcher hammered at her keyboard, deep in tasks.

Cialiguo and Qiao Sang's arrival drew no shock, suggesting prior notice of the booking.

"Take a seat there." She pointed to a nearby single sofa without glancing over.

Qiao Sang settled into the spot.

Plain old sofa, utterly standard.

“Bubbles Bell,” the researcher summoned her companion, eyes on screen.

“Bell.”

Blue light bathed Bubbles Bell’s form.

Before Qiao Sang processed it, a silver helmet trailed by cables levitated over and clamped onto her head.

The display stunned her.

What convenience—perfect for the idle!

“Stay still.”

Researcher head down, but the command clearly targeted Qiao Sang.

Vision clear past the helmet, Qiao Sang watched the researcher furrow her brow at incoming data streams.

Tension gripped Qiao Sang at once.

The researcher's stern visage evoked a school enforcer's glare, amplified by context.

Qiao Sang's pulse quickened wildly.

“Self-awakened, were you?” the researcher queried abruptly.

“Miss, is something wrong?” Qiao Sang ventured, voice shaky.

“Nothing at all, relax.” Spotting the nerves, the researcher mustered a strained smile for comfort.

Qiao Sang's worries only mounted.

“Just six kids awakened independently this year, you included. Your brain domain must shine brightly, huh?” the researcher probed.

Top grades didn't guarantee self-awakening, yet self-awakened kids often aced tests.

Qiao Sang: “…”

The researcher aimed to soothe, but the awkward banter fell flat…

“I usually place third in class,” Qiao Sang stated flatly.

“School third is no small feat. Plenty of top-two students never awaken,” the researcher encouraged, smile rigid yet tone kind.

“This mock exam, I took first,” Qiao Sang shared, easing up.

“Post-awakening brain growth hits 2%. Self-awakeners average 5%, so leaps forward make sense,” the researcher noted, lauding the top score.

Qiao Sang: …

Two minutes on, the researcher glanced up. “Bubbles Bell.”

“Bell.”

Telekinesis whisked the gear away for Bubbles Bell.

“Awakening confirmed successful. Brain domain clear otherwise, though minor ripples noted. Rest up, snack on dried fruits,” she advised, passing a signed, stamped certificate to Qiao Sang.

“Thanks so much.”

Certificate in hand, relief flooded Qiao Sang.

"Results?"

Out the door, her mother rushed up anxiously.

Qiao Sang exhaled, offering the proof.

Her mother's complexion paled; she paused before grasping it.

“Mom, check it out,” Qiao Sang urged, nudging it nearer.

A cold dread seized Ye Xiangting. Her girl hadn't self-awakened, plus that zero score...

Zero or not, past marks barred beast-taming high school anyway.

Entry demanded a Beast Taming Manual contract via magnetic awakening, plus exam cutoff.

Middle school maxed at 650; last year's line sat at 332.

Had she strived and fallen short, fine—but failure plus deception?

Ye Xiangting questioned her upbringing approach.

Discipline was overdue for this one.

As her mother accepted the paper and peered down, Qiao Sang instinctively puffed up.

*.*

Qiao Sang stood dumbfounded.