Summoner System in the World of Monster Tamers and Hunters

These beasts weren't Legendary. Not even Epic. Just Rare. And yet, the pressure they exerted was enough to make the air feel charged.

Basically, the system rates the monsters with grades such as Common, Uncommon, Rare, Epic, and Legendary.

Until now, Lin Fang only thought their potential was tied to their grade. Just looking at his own pets proves that theory. The luminous Panda is of legendary grade and has a level 50 max potential. On the other hand, the Thunder Eagle (sellable one) is of Epic grade but has a level 40 max potential.

Then how come this rare grade Lightning jaguar has a better potential than a thunder eagle?

Lin Fang could only feel like there should be more to it.

Meanwhile, the young man charged forward with a fist, alongside the beast. His fist is crackling with electric sparks, a very rare scene for a monster tamer.

The woman, however, jumped high in the air with her leg raised to her head. The larger Jaguar charged forward to push away the younger one.

It was at this moment, the battle shifted. The young man caught sight of Zhi Yan by the courtyard gate. A look of surprise appeared on his face. "Yan'er?"

"Where in the hell are you looking, you brat?" The shout from the woman turned his attention, and his face paled for a bit as her kick was about to land on his face.

The sharp heel struck the man right in his forehead, crashing him to the ground with blood spurting out.

But then in the next second, the wound was closed as if it didn't exist, while the younger Jaguar yelped as its forehead split.

Immediately, medics, guards in sleek black uniforms, rushed in with a stretcher. The younger beast was carefully lifted, its tail twitching weakly.

Lin Fang stood silently beside Zhi Yan as both monster tamers turned toward them, waiting until both of them reached.

Zhi Yan bowed slightly, her voice soft and respectful. "Auntie Xiao."

The older woman nodded with a calm, calculating eye. "You are here." She said, her voice neutral. Then her gaze moved to Lin Fang. "Who is this?"

Zhi Yan glanced sideways. "He is a friend. He wants to register as a Monster Tamer. I came here for some advice, Auntie. After all, you are the strongest person I know."

The woman raised a brow but said nothing for a long moment. Then she spoke. "You don't have a shred of mana in you."

Zhi Yan nodded before Lin Fang could respond. "Yes. He doesn't."

Lin Fang took a respectful step forward and gave a short, firm bow. "Elder Xiao, I am indeed a plainfolk. But I still wish to become a Monster Tamer."

A beat of silence passed.

Then Jiang Fei, the silver-haired young man, let out a sharp laugh. "Without mana, you want to be a tamer?"

Lin Fang didn't flinch at that. He simply raised his head and met his gaze. "I'm raising a beast already. It'll take time to grow, but one day, it'll be strong enough to protect me. I don't need mental commands to guide those I've raised with my own hands. So, I don't feel it should be a problem to become a monster tamer."

Jiang Fei stared for a second, then burst into full laughter, tossing his head back. "Hahaha! Yan'er, where did you dig up this lunatic trash?"

Zhi Yan's expression darkened at once.

"Jiang Fei," she said sharply. "Don't talk like that about my friend."

Her words cut like a blade. Even Lin Fang blinked.

Jiang Fei's smile faltered at her tone.

Elder Xiao sighed. "Fei's words are harsh," she said slowly, "but not baseless. Only a maniac would try to become a tamer without any mana. Even the Tamer Association will do everything they can to fail your friend, unless he possesses an innate soul."

Lin Fang remained still without giving any reaction to her words, although he couldn't help but wonder what is an innate soul.

Zhi Yan then bowed deeply. "I understand. I'm sorry if this seemed like a waste of time. If you do not wish to help, we'll take our leave."

Before Elder Xiao could respond, she turned with her fingers wrapping around Lin Fang's hand.

"Come on," she said softly, but firmly. "Let's go."

Lin Fang didn't resist.

He simply followed.

Jiang Fei's gaze darkened as he watched them, especially their hands holding one another. The girl, who once said that she would marry him after growing up, is now holding hands with someone else, particularly a trash with an unreasonable dream. His blood naturally boiled in anger.

His jaw clenched. "Are looks everything now?" he muttered under his breath, fists curled. "I'm superior to him, from looks to the background. Then, why was she blatantly taking his side and even talking to me that way earlier?"

It was then that the woman spoke aloud. "Wait."

Zhi Yan and Lin Fang stopped, and Jiang Fei turned to look at his mother.

Elder Xiao stood with her arms crossed, her expression unreadable. "Young man, since you're really set on going down that path…" she said to Lin Fang, "I'll recommend you to someone."

Lin Fang listened in surprise.

Xiao Ru then said flatly. "His name is Li Changfeng. He's affiliated with the Zero Guild. Tell him that Xiao Ru sent you. He'll know what to do."

Zhi Yan's eyes softened. "Auntie…"

Elder Xiao didn't look at her. "Just go."

Lin Fang bowed again, this time lower. "Thank you, Elder."

Zhi Yan followed with her own bow. Then they left the estate together, their pace calm but swift, neither speaking for several minutes as they walked past the gates and climbed into the car.

The wind blew gently over the estate, but it couldn't quite cool the quiet fire that erupted in Jiang Fei, who watched them leave together.

He clenched his fists tightly. "She can't fall for him," he muttered again, a tremble in his voice now. "She can't… there's no way I will let it happen. Zhi Yan is mine, and whoever comes between us, I'll…"

Back outside the villa, the engine purred low as Zhi Yan guided the car out of the villa district.

After a few minutes of silence, Zhi Yan spoke, almost hesitantly. "I'm sorry… again. About Jiang Fei. He's not usually like that. He grew up as the only son in a wealthy household, and he is one of those rare, talented geniuses who can tame monsters and also use mana to fight, so... yeah, he's used to being condescending."

Lin Fang looked out the window and gave a faint, almost tired smile. "It's fine. I've been called worse."

She glanced sideways at him.

He added softly, "Even my own sister called me trash for being born without mana. What can I really expect from a stranger?"

The words came out light, almost casual.

But they carried weight. At least in the eyes of Zhi Yan.

Lin Fang didn't look angry or even hurt. He looked as if the insult had dulled through repetition.

Zhi Yan gripped the steering wheel tightly. Her jaw clenched, but she didn't respond immediately. She didn't know how to respond.

The silence followed between them again, atleast for an hour, until the skyline changed as the Guild District came into view. It was massive, spanning thousands of mu, but its true wealth was unevenly scattered. The lower the sector number, the more lavish the architecture, and the more powerful the guilds were there.

And their destination?

It's at Sector 14. Basically, the second-worst developed region in the Guild District.

The road was cracked in places. Streetlights flickered half-heartedly. A few buildings had boards nailed over their windows, their names faded by time and sun. Dust swept the narrow sidewalks all over.

Most of the guilds here were more or less dead.

Zhi Yan gave a small, apologetic laugh. "Sorry, I also didn't expect our destination to be here. But, you can trust Aunt Xiao's words."

"It's fine." Lin Fang muttered, his eyes wandering the surroundings.