Chapter 2: A Beating

Qingcheng Jiayuan.

Building C, Room 606.

When Qiao Sang returned with her mother, she was still a bit dazed.

After all, she had been scolded by the teacher for nearly two hours. If the teacher's stomach hadn't growled later, he might have continued criticizing her.

Qiao Sang washed her face twice in the bathroom.

She looked at herself in the mirror; her face was delicate, just like her previous life.

Only, she was much younger, with a bit of baby fat on her face.

"Come and eat." Her mother's voice came from the living room.

"Coming."

Qiao Sang responded, then silently washed her face again.

When she entered the living room, her mother, Ye Xiangting, gave her a sharp look. "The food is cold, I just reheated it. Hurry up and eat."

Actually, Qiao Sang's original family was very similar to hers. Her parents looked the same, and they were both from single-parent families.

The original Qiao Sang's father didn't disappear or die young; he simply divorced her mother.

They divorced when the original Qiao Sang was three years old. Her father, Qiao Wangyang, remarried that year and had a daughter, who is now 14.

This was quite intriguing...

Perhaps feeling guilty towards her mother, he left the child and the house to her during the divorce.

Her mother, Ye Xiangting, did not remarry and raised Qiao Sang alone, working and taking care of her.

Fortunately, her mother was an E-level Beastmaster with a Faithful Weng and a Fat Home Pigeon.

She usually earned money by renting out the Fat Home Pigeon for flying tours, living a relatively comfortable and easy life.

Life hadn't worn her down into a haggard woman but had made her a strong and gentle woman.

Qiao Sang deeply understood this.

Her mother had endured the teacher's two-hour scolding and, upon returning home, managed to hold back from beating her.

She was too strong!

However, it wasn't really her fault. The Beast Codex was in her brain and couldn't be taken out, and she hadn't contracted with any extraordinary beings. Without going to the Beast Center for a check-up, she couldn't prove that she had awakened on her own.

Qiao Sang ate in silence, not daring to speak.

Although her mother was a strong woman, she might not remain strong forever.

"Take a day off tomorrow; I'll take you to the Beast Center," her mother said, looking at Qiao Sang.

Qiao Sang was stunned for a moment. "Why are we going to the Beast Center?"

"You said you've already awakened on your own, right? We need to get a check-up and a certificate so we can go to the Pet Beast Base to choose a pet beast," her mother explained.

Since she had awakened, it was best to choose a pet beast as soon as possible.

Qiao Sang was shocked. "You believe me?"

Her mother's eyes twinkled with a smile. "You're my daughter; I know you. Although you're a bit slow, you wouldn't lie about something like this at such a critical moment."

Qiao Sang felt a mix of emotions, unable to describe the taste in her mouth. In fact, the mother in this world not only looked similar but also had a similar personality.

"Mom, if you believe me, why did you let me be scolded for two hours without saying a word?"

Her mother laughed, a rather chilling laugh. "Awakening on your own is one thing, but getting a zero on the exam is another. I haven't even asked you why you got a zero."

Qiao Sang: "..."

...

...

The next morning.

At the Hanggang Beast Center entrance.

A large, fat, three-meter-long, brown-bodied, red-tailed extraordinary being descended from the sky.

Qiao Sang excitedly got off the Fat Home Pigeon. It was her first time experiencing such a close encounter with the sky, and it was incredibly thrilling.

She decided that she would definitely contract a flying-type pet beast in the future!

"Fat Home Pigeon, thank you for your hard work." Her mother patted it.

"Gu bi~"

The Fat Home Pigeon flapped its wings, nuzzling its large head against her mother, rubbing against her affectionately.

Her mother waved her hand, and a faint light shone on the Fat Home Pigeon. In the next moment, it disappeared.

No matter how many times Qiao Sang saw it, she found it incredibly magical.

These things couldn't be explained by science in her previous life.

Entering the Hanggang Beast Center, her mother led her directly to the 37th service counter.

Before the staff could speak, her mother said, "Hello, we're here for a brain domain test." She then gestured for Qiao Sang to take out her information card.

Qiao Sang obediently took out her information card.

The staff scanned it. "Hello, 500 Alliance Coins."

Humans, relying on their Beastmaster abilities, had already left Earth and colonized three other habitable planets.

The currency used across the four planets was the Alliance Coin.

After her mother paid, the staff registered and returned the information card. "Just follow Quagly."

A green, less than one-meter-tall Quagly appeared behind the staff.

It had a round head with a pair of green antennae tipped in yellow and wore a staff badge on its chest.

As a plant-type pet beast, Quagly was gentle and very popular, especially among girls.

"Quagly."

It came to Qiao Sang, making a polite gesture with its three-toed right hand, showing a professional demeanor.

Hanggang City, as the capital of Zhehai Province, naturally had the largest Beast Center in the province.

Qiao Sang followed Quagly for about ten minutes before reaching the brain domain testing area.

Quagly scanned its badge at the identity recognition device outside the door.

"Quagly."

When the door opened, it called to Qiao Sang.

Her mother calmly said, "Go in."

Although her mother's face was calm, her eyes were filled with anticipation, showing that she was nervous despite believing Qiao Sang.

Qiao Sang followed Quagly inside.

A short-haired female researcher in a white coat and a floating Bubblebell greeted her.

Qiao Sang had just read about Bubblebells in a book the day before and didn't expect to see one so soon.

Bubblebells have no gender differences, are psychic-type, and are relatively rare pet beasts.

Actually, psychic-type extraordinary beings are generally rare.

Pet Beast Bases are also scarce, with only five or six appearing each year, starting at a million Alliance Coins, which most families can't afford.

She must be a wealthy woman.

Qiao Sang immediately labeled the short-haired female researcher in the white coat.

The short-haired female researcher was busy typing at a computer and didn't seem surprised to see Quagly and Qiao Sang, clearly having received Qiao Sang's registration information in advance.

"Sit over there." She pointed to a single-person sofa.

Qiao Sang sat where she indicated.

It was just an ordinary sofa with nothing special about it.

"Bubblebell." The short-haired female researcher called out without looking up.

"Bell."

Bubblebell suddenly glowed blue, and before Qiao Sang could understand what was happening, a silver helmet connected to several wires floated over and landed on her head.

Qiao Sang's eyes widened in amazement.

This ability was so convenient, it was like a lazy person's godsend!

"Don't move."

The short-haired female researcher still didn't look up, but Qiao Sang knew the words were directed at her.

The silver helmet didn't obstruct her vision. She clearly saw the short-haired female researcher frown as she examined the data transmitted from the device.

Qiao Sang instantly tensed up.

Is there something wrong?

The short-haired female researcher had a serious face, and when she had no expression, she looked like a school principal, especially with her stern look now.

Especially given her position and what she was doing, it made Qiao Sang's heart race.

"Are you an autonomous awakener?" the short-haired female researcher suddenly asked.

"Um, sister, is there something wrong with me?" Qiao Sang asked nervously.

"No, don't be nervous." The short-haired female researcher noticed the girl's unease and forced a smile to reassure her.

It was quite scary...

Qiao Sang became even more nervous.

"How many autonomous awakeners are there in our city this year, including you?" the short-haired female researcher asked.

Top students aren't necessarily autonomous awakeners, but those who successfully awaken autonomously are usually top students.

Qiao Sang: "..."

You can say she's smart or talented, but why bring up her grades?

Qiao Sang knew she was trying to ease her tension, but if you can't chat, don't force it...

"I'm usually third." Qiao Sang said without blushing.

"Third in the whole school is still good; many first and second place students can't awaken." The short-haired female researcher's smile was stiff, but her voice was gentle.

"I was first in the recent mock exam." Qiao Sang said, no longer nervous.

"After awakening, the brain domain develops by 2%, and those who awaken autonomously usually develop around 5%. Sudden improvement is normal." The short-haired female researcher explained why Qiao Sang was first.

Qiao Sang: "..."

After about two minutes.

The short-haired female researcher looked up and called, "Bubblebell."

"Bell."

Bubblebell used its psychic power to return the equipment to its original place.

"Congratulations on your successful autonomous awakening. Your brain domain is fine, but the fluctuations are a bit large. Rest well and eat more nuts recently."

The short-haired female researcher took out a certificate, signed it, stamped it, and handed it to Qiao Sang.

"Thank you."

Qiao Sang took the certificate, finally feeling relieved.

...

...

"How was it?" Her mother asked anxiously as soon as they stepped out.

Qiao Sang sighed and handed her the results.

Her mother's face turned pale, hesitating to take it.

"Mom, take a look." Qiao Sang pushed the certificate a bit closer.

Ye Xiangting felt a chill. Not awakening and getting a zero...

Even if she hadn't gotten a zero, her daughter's previous grades wouldn't have been good enough to get into a Beastmaster high school, which required passing the magnetic wave awakening and reaching the score line.

The full score for the middle school exam was 650, and the minimum score last year was 332.

If she had studied hard and still failed, it would be one thing, but her daughter had lied about getting a zero...

Ye Xiangting instantly questioned her education.

A beating is in order.

This child needs a beating.

Seeing her mother take the certificate and look down, Qiao Sang straightened her back.

"Slap."

Qiao Sang was stunned.