【Interstellar Contract Magician】Ruyuanke

Chapter 464 [Empire] Ability Class vs. Beast Taming Class

A few days later, one afternoon, the instructor finally found me. I was in the dormitory, sorting my gear, when I heard a gentle knock on the door. Before I could react, the instructor appeared. He didn't come in directly, but stood at the doorway, his brow slightly furrowed.

"Are you free?" His voice was calm, but with a hint of imperativeness.

I nodded, motioning him in. He walked in and glanced around the dormitory. A flicker of mixed emotions flashed across his eyes, but he quickly suppressed them. He stood by the bed, slightly silent. The atmosphere was a little tense for a moment.

"You... have been recommended for transfer to Beast Tamer Class 1." He finally spoke, his tone unfathomably calm. "Your ability to fight plants has already attracted the attention of the higher-ups. Beast Tamer Class 1 is where you belong."

I was stunned, a sudden surge of inexplicable emotion welling up within me. Beast Taming Class 1 was a completely different class. Almost all the students possessed the ability to control and tame exotic beasts, and some even had new male students with special abilities. Most of these students were considered future battlefield forces, standing at the forefront of the empire. And I...

"You should understand that this isn't a question of your own," the instructor continued. "It's just that everyone knows that power isn't your own, but rather the power of the battle plant behind you. You're merely its medium."

I fell silent. He was right. Those gleaming cyan lights had stunned everyone, crushing those who considered themselves powerful. But that wasn't my power, not at all. That power belonged to the cyan seedling, its strength, not mine.

"You don't have to deny it anymore." The instructor seemed to sense the hesitation in my heart. "Your relationship with it makes your connection with combat plants different from others. You have the ability to control it, perhaps even stronger than anyone else. Beast Taming Class 1 may be the best place for you."

I took a deep breath, a struggle brewing within me. This wasn't the place I wanted to be. I didn't want to be seen as a tool, or even a fighting machine. My "superpower" was just that of a plant; all I could do was borrow its power.

"You don't have to make a decision right away." The instructor seemed to sense my uneasiness and softened his tone. "But I still suggest you give it some serious thought. This might be a more suitable path for you."

I lowered my head, staring at the green seedling in my hand. It lay quietly in my backpack, like a silent heart, unassuming. It never asked for anything, yet always gave me strength in crucial moments. And yet, it seemed I never truly understood it, or rather, I never truly accepted it.

"Thank you, instructor," I finally said, my voice low. "I'll think about it."

The instructor glanced at me, nodded, and then turned and left. The footsteps at the door faded away, leaving me standing alone in the dormitory, my mind racing.

I know this is just the beginning.

Perhaps Beastmaster Class 1 will be my final destination, but I still resist. The green seedling gave me strength, as if using its own strength to teach me how to face those ridicules and contempts.

But can I accept myself as the master of this power? Can I truly control it, or even not rely on it?

I don't know the answer.

During these few days of training, I was still the runt at the back, still unable to keep up with everyone else's pace, even having to stop frequently during physical training to catch my breath. But strangely, no one laughed at me anymore; everyone's eyes had completely changed. The contempt and ridicule I once had seemed to vanish overnight.

Sometimes at the training grounds, I'd hear familiar calls: "Brother Yang, how was practice today?" or "Brother Yang, let's go eat later?" Their voices held a respect without a hint of contempt. Those big guys who once looked down on me seemed to have let go of their previous attitudes.

I was a little confused, head down, unsure how to respond. They no longer looked down on me; instead, we interacted as equals, as if the gap we once had never existed. Whenever they called me "Brother Yang," I couldn't help but feel a jolt, a surge of inexplicable emotion welling up inside me.

"Brother Yang, come here. I'll treat you to something to eat today. How about it?" A boy who used to often grin and laugh at me, with a sincere smile on his face, reached out and patted my shoulder.

I paused for a moment, realizing that these people were no longer the arrogant individuals they once were. Their attitudes had completely changed. Was it because I had stunned the entire class in our last battle, or was it because they had begun to understand that what I held in my hands wasn't just an ordinary contracted plant, but a force that even they couldn't ignore?

Regardless, I began to get used to these changes. It was like I had suddenly been given a new identity, and everything seemed to be quietly changing. I was no longer the despised little dwarf. My name began to be mentioned differently in this school.

However, sometimes I fall into deep thought.

How do they view me now? Do they truly respect me, or are they just attracted by the considerable power behind me?

Despite these questions swirling in my mind, I habitually lowered my head and silently followed them to the cafeteria. Perhaps, just like the instructor said, I would eventually accept this identity, whether I wanted to or not.

I once went to the training ground of Beast Taming Class 1, and the atmosphere there was completely different from that of Superpower Class 1.

Although those students were not as muscular as those in the special ability class, and some even looked thin and less eye-catching, the scene could only be described as "a riot of demons."

In the center of the training grounds, the presence of the exotic beasts was undeniable. They varied greatly: some were fierce beasts with fur as hard as steel, others were birds with wings like giant black bats, and still others were small, slithering like snakes. Their abilities were also independent, their swift, unleashing force in stark contrast to their masters' commands. Some of the exotic beasts erupted in deafening roars, charging at the others, and for a moment, the scene became as chaotic as a wild war.

Some students stood by, calmly directing their beasts, while others were completely out of control. Especially when the beasts were just beginning to adapt to their control, they would occasionally rush around and cause a commotion. One boy's beast nearly threw him to the ground after it lost control. The scene was a chaotic mess. Despite everyone's efforts to control it, every time a beast lost control, the entire venue was thrown into chaos.

I stood on the sidelines, silently observing this battle and training session, unlike any other for the Superpower Class. Each student's relationship with their beast was unique; not everyone could achieve a perfect rapport. Some students' coordination with their beasts was seamless, almost like a tacit understanding; others, on the other hand, seemed to struggle, seemingly unable to reach a true understanding with their aggressive beast.

Compared to the relative quiet and solemnity of my time in Superpower Class 1, this place feels freer, yet also fraught with chaos and uncertainty. Everyone's Superpower represents their strength, and these strengths aren't always as formidable as they appear. Some Superpowers may possess immense power, but their owners' abilities may be limited, preventing them from fully unleashing it. Others, while seemingly unremarkable, can unleash unimaginable combat power. But the most troubling aspect is the power that can't be properly controlled by their owners.

I can only say that it was horribly crazy, luckily there was an instructor to keep things under control.

"You want to join us too?" A sudden voice from behind interrupted my thoughts. I turned around and saw it was the instructor. He looked at me with a hint of ridicule, "The students in the special abilities class think this place is chaotic, but perhaps this is the real battlefield."

I frowned slightly, but an inexplicable feeling welled up in my heart. This place was truly more primitive than the superpower class, closer to the instincts of combat. Everything was free of rules and restrictions, and everyone was growing together with the superpowers in their own way.

"I just came to take a look," I answered casually, but I was a little confused. The training methods in this place were indeed completely different from what I imagined. Maybe.

The way I interacted with these guys did make me feel a little uncomfortable. Especially here, the relationships between people seemed blunt and rough, completely lacking the subtle social distance and etiquette I was used to.

Everyone seems to live in a kind of violent aesthetic, their words and actions straightforward, without any unnecessary embellishment or consideration. Their interactions are often direct playfulness, provocation, and even undisguised competition and hostility.

In this environment, my sense of distance was constantly being drawn closer. Initially, I felt awkward and unsure how to fit in. The other boys always treated me like a "novelty," sometimes teasing me or cracking "harmless" jokes.

On the surface, they didn't seem to have any ill intentions, but these jokes always made me feel uncomfortable. I wasn't as open-minded as they were, and I didn't like to be casual about things, especially when that "casualness" came across as a bit too rough, which inexplicably repelled me.

Every time they teased me, I felt a pang of anxiety, unsure how to respond. Luckily, I was a woman disguised as a man, which gave me a sense of security as an outsider—though it also made me seem even more "different" in the class. Most of the time, I simply feigned ignorance, maintaining a necessary aloofness to avoid being drawn into their playfulness.

There were times when their ridicule and teasing nearly brought me to my knees, but I ultimately swallowed my emotions. Every time I witnessed their "brotherhood," I couldn't help but feel a sense of loneliness and alienation. Despite being surrounded by so many people, none of them seemed like true companions I could rely on. Perhaps the world of these boys truly was so different from what I'd imagined.

I gradually discovered that I had found a way to survive this discomfort. Not every guy was so straightforward. Some would observe me from the side, occasionally giving me some quiet time. Some would even offer me advice after training. Although their words were a bit crude, I could sense their kindness.

Even so, that deep feeling of strangeness never completely disappeared. It was like a string hanging in my heart, constantly reminding me that I did not completely belong here.

I don’t know if I can find my place in the world of these boys.

Yes, the training in the superpower class increasingly felt out of place. While everyone was showcasing their various superpowers, and the competition was fierce and direct, this training style felt almost meaningless to me. My "superpowers" weren't meant to be used in direct combat; they relied more on combat plants, and the training focused primarily on strengthening the body and utilizing offensive abilities. I felt like a spectator in these training sessions, my hands and feet always lagging behind.

In contrast, the training in the Beast Taming Class seemed more suited to me. Not every student there possessed exceptional physical strength or offensive prowess; many, like me, focused on collaborating with exotic beasts. After all, my "superpowers" were primarily developed through combat plants, which aligned more closely with the Beast Taming Class's philosophy.

Perhaps this is a stage that suits my characteristics better.

Although my training in the special abilities class always made me feel out of place, I unexpectedly developed a small group. Like a group of boys enjoying a game without rules, they constantly found excuses to get close to me. Perhaps it was the green seedlings in my backpack, or perhaps it was because some of them were constantly observing me, exploring my "special abilities." Gradually, I became the center of their conversation.

At first, their enthusiasm overwhelmed me. Some men would quietly approach me and ask if they could show me their battle plants. Some would stare blankly at my green seedlings, then exchange glances, as if trying to figure out how to get along with me. A few would even initiate conversation, not with questions about my abilities but to inquire about my daily life or chat about casual topics that held little interest to me.

Among them, there were a few boys who actually made me feel less repulsed. Their enthusiasm wasn't as direct or overt as the others, but rather subtle and polite. For example, the tall guy with a constant smile always approached me in a somewhat shy manner, whispering when he needed help, and didn't touch me or label me like the others did. And then there was the seemingly aloof boy, who would occasionally offer to help me with things, or quietly stand by and hand me a bottle of water after training. He usually didn't speak, and his eyes were a little strange, but at least he made me feel comfortable, unlike those boys who were always keen on shouting and discussing.

Sometimes, I feel an inexplicable sense of security. Even though this group of people is always around me, it doesn't seem to complicate my life. On the contrary, sometimes I get a strange sense of belonging from them. Perhaps it's their warmth that makes me feel less alone.

Even so, I knew something was missing from my heart. These people, though friendly, were only superficially enthusiastic. Every time their eyes lingered on me, I realized they were perhaps treating me more as a novelty than fully understanding me—especially my abilities and what I truly wanted. I also knew that as I continued my training, everything would become even more complicated.

Regardless, at least in this world of supernatural training, I no longer feel so lonely. These boys may become friends I can become close to in the future, or they may just be passing through, but at least they have given me some unexpected warmth during this time.