Summoner System in the World of Monster Tamers and Hunters

The next morning arrived like any other, like the past couple of days, light spilling into the shared apartment, faint clattering from the kitchen, the scent of ginger porridge wafting through the air.

Lin Fang stood in front of the mirror, adjusting the collar of his slightly outdated blazer.

He had chosen something modest but presentable.

His pants were ironed, his shoes cleaned, small things, but today felt like a first step.

He was just stepping out of his room when the kitchen filled with movement. Li Liu was there, her back facing him.

"Morning."

"Ah… Yes. Morning." A quiet greeting escaped Li Liu, her back still facing him.

Lin Fang smiled, shaking his head. "I'll be back by lunch." He said. There was a subtle nod from Li Liu.

Lin Fang didn't mind it. He knows that she is a bit shy, based on his observation over the past couple of days. He was about to exit the apartment. Just then, the door creaked open, and he saw his old classmate.

Zhi Yan had just returned from her jog, her cheeks flushed, breath still steady but visibly worked.

Her black tracksuit clung to her like a second skin, damp with sweat, hugging her form.

The zipper was down halfway, her tank top underneath sticking to her curves, and her ponytail was pulled high, swaying with each step.

Lin Fang blinked. Then blinked again.

"Hey," she greeted, swiping a towel across her neck. "Morning."

He tried to keep his eyes locked on her face.

"Hi," he managed, offering a faint, composed smile.

Zhi Yan raised a brow, then glanced at his attire. "All dressed up this early? Where are you off to?"

"Research," Lin Fang said, clearing his throat. "I need to look into feed for avian-type monsters. Also… I'm heading to the Association. Planning to get my license as a Monster Tamer."

She stopped mid-wipe, her eyes narrowing slightly. "A what? Monster Tamer license? I thought your goal was to become a rich pet shop owner."

He chuckled dryly. "That's still the plan. But right now, I'm nothing more than a middleman. I buy from someone and sell to someone else. No real growth. It's not sustainable in the long run. I want to acquire the eggs through my own efforts, you know, cutting the cost to nothing, thereby increasing the revenue."

Zhi Yan's towel stilled. She frowned, her expression shifting from amusement to concern. "But… you don't have mana, Classmate Lin. You're a plainfolk. A Monster Tamer without mana is vulnerable. You know the risks, right?"

He nodded firmly with a steady gaze on her face. "I do. But I'm willing to risk it. I can't stay safe forever if that safety means being stuck in place."

She stared at him for a long moment.

Then, without a word, she glanced down the hallway, looked back at him, and said softly, "Let's go together."

"Huh?"

She didn't explain. "Just wait for a bit. I know someone. I'll introduce you to an expert."

Lin Fang blinked. "You… do?"

After a brief pause, he nodded. "Okay."

Zhi Yan gave a satisfied nod, flashed a small smile, and disappeared into her room.

Li Liu, who seemed like a silent spectator, couldn't help but glance at her room door and chuckled. "And she says they are just friends."

Meanwhile, Lin Fang stood in the hallway, heart beating just a bit faster. Maybe from the adrenaline of his plans. Maybe… It's because he was about to go outside with a girl? It's been years since he had a girlfriend, after all.

Exactly twenty minutes later, her door opened again.

This time, she had changed into something simple like clean jeans, a light blouse that fell just below her waist, and a cardigan that softened the sharpness of her athletic frame. Her hair was down now, falling around her face in soft layers, and for a moment, Lin Fang just stared at her in a daze.

She looked… she just looked like this image of a girl next door who you want to see every day.

Zhi Yan adjusted the strap of her shoulder bag and met his gaze. "Let's go?"

He forced a smile, brushing a hand through his hair. "Yeah. Let's."

"Bye, Liuliu." Zhi Yan walked outside, waving her hands without looking back.

Li Liu didn't speak about that. Only after they finally exited, she exhaled in relief. "Finally, they are gone." She put a hand on her chest. "Lin Fang is really making it hard for me to even breathe properly. Why should Yan'er's friend have such good looks? Why wasn't he like Brother Hao?"

Meanwhile, outside, the engine of Zhi Yan's four-seater convertible purred like a feline on the prowl.

It was sleek, low, and matte black with silver streaks. Lin Fang climbed in with a faint cough, tugging at the seatbelt as he thought to himself. "It's a Cragan. Even the least model is worth 2 million credits. Just how rich is this girl…"

He didn't say anything, though. Didn't ask questions. He just sat there, one leg awkwardly crossed over the other, as Zhi Yan hit the accelerator.

They left Huaxi City behind soon after, driving past the outskirts into a greener district. The buildings thinned out. Wide roads turned into narrow ones. Fountains and landscaped gardens dotted the way.

Eventually, they turned onto a private road lined with peach blossom trees, all of them in subtle bloom, even though it wasn't the season. At the end of the road stood a pristine villa, grand but not too fancy. White stone, bronze detailing, and the kind of peace only wealth could afford.

They stepped out of the car.

And Lin Fang, still awkward, followed Zhi Yan through the ornate gate.

The courtyard opened before them like a canvas painted in still life. Wind rustled the leaves. Birds chirped from somewhere unseen. But in the center of it all, two people were locked in combat.

One was a middle-aged woman, her salt-streaked hair tied in a high bun, movements graceful yet firm. Her eyes were steady and cold.

The other was a young man, perhaps in his twenties, lean and confident, the sleeves of his combat jacket rolled up. His hair was dyed a silver ash, similar to the woman's.

And in between them were the lightning Jaguars. One is larger, bigger than the car Zhi Yan and Lin Fang just rode. The other one seemed smaller and younger, but it looked quite aggressive, trying to attack the larger counterpart again and again, only to get swatted away every time.

Lin Fang's pupils narrowed without meaning to.

In his vision, faint lines shimmered.

Lightning Jaguar

Grade: Rare

Level: 46

*

Lightning Jaguar

Grade: Rare

Level: 32

His brows furrowed at those details, not the level but their grade.

"Rare?" he muttered under his breath. "And still could climb to that level?"