The pre-dawn light, weak and watery, filtered through the cracks in the shutters, painting pale stripes across Lu Chen's face. He lay sprawled across his threadbare bed, a tangle of limbs and rumpled sheets, the remnants of a restless sleep clinging to him like a second skin. Ten years. Ten years since the sky had cracked open, spewing forth a torrent of monstrous creatures and reshaping the world of Lucia forever. Ten years since the world had irrevocably changed, a world forever marked by the arrival of the beasts and the awakening of abilities in humanity.

He stirred, a low groan escaping his lips, the sound swallowed by the quiet of the small, cramped room. The air hung heavy with the scent of dust and something vaguely metallic, a lingering reminder of the harsh realities of their existence. Life in the post-rift world wasn't easy. Survival was a daily struggle, a constant dance between hope and despair, a precarious balance on the knife's edge of existence.

A shadow fell across his face, momentarily eclipsing the weak sunlight. Lu Chen cracked open one eye, then the other, blinking against the sudden intrusion. His younger sister, Lu Zili, stood over him, a mischievous glint in her eyes, a half-empty bucket clutched in her hands. The remaining water sloshed gently, reflecting the light in tiny, shimmering droplets.

"Lu Chen," she said, her voice a soft but insistent whisper, "Wake up, sleepyhead. It's recruiting day!"

He groaned again, burying his face deeper into the pillow. The thought of another day, another struggle for survival, was enough to make him want to remain lost in the comforting oblivion of sleep. The weight of responsibility for his sister pressed down on him, a heavy cloak of worry. He was just an ordinary young man in an extraordinary world, a world that had dealt them a cruel hand.

But Zili wasn't one to be deterred easily. With a swift, decisive movement, she upended the bucket. A cascade of icy water crashed down on him, soaking his hair, his face, his entire body. He shot upright, sputtering and gasping, his eyes wide with surprise and a touch of irritation.

"Zili!" he spluttered, shaking the water from his hair. "What in the world...?"

She giggled, a bright, infectious sound that cut through the tension in the room. "You wouldn't wake up any other way," she said, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "Aunt Li'Er sent this for you. She says it's your academy admission."

She held out a neatly folded piece of parchment, its edges crisp and clean, a stark contrast to the worn and tattered state of their surroundings. Lu Chen took it, his fingers tracing the unfamiliar texture of the official seal. The Academy. A chance at a better life. A chance to escape the constant threat of the beasts, the endless struggle for survival. A chance to learn, to grow, to maybe, just maybe, find a place in this new, brutal world.

He unfolded the parchment, his heart pounding a rhythm against his ribs. The words were formal, official, but the message was clear: He was accepted into the prestigious Dawnbreaker Academy, a beacon of hope in a world consumed by darkness. A place where he could hone his skills, learn to fight, and maybe, just maybe, make a difference. A place where he could learn to protect Zili.

He looked at Zili, her face alight with a mixture of hope and pride. She was his younger sister, his protector, his confidante, and the only family he had left. They had survived together, clinging to each other through the darkest of times. Now, a new chapter was beginning, a chapter filled with uncertainty, danger, and the promise of a brighter future. A future where he might not just survive, but thrive.

He stood, the damp clothes clinging to his skin, a strange mix of apprehension and excitement churning within him. The academy was a long shot, a gamble, but it was a gamble worth taking. He had nothing to lose, and everything to gain. Everything for Zili.

"Let's go," he said, his voice firm, a newfound resolve hardening his gaze. "Let's see what this academy has to offer."

As they stepped out into the bustling streets of their city, a city still scarred by the ravages of the rifts, Lu Chen couldn't help but feel a flicker of hope. The world was still a dangerous place, filled with monstrous creatures and unpredictable threats. The air crackled with the latent power of those who had awakened, a power he lacked. But today, for the first time in a long time, he felt a sense of purpose, a sense of direction. He was going to the academy, and he was going to make his mark. He would fight for his sister, for his city, and for a future where the sky no longer cracked open, spewing forth horrors upon the world.

The journey would be long and arduous, filled with challenges he couldn't even begin to imagine. He was ordinary, unremarkable, lacking the innate abilities that defined so many others. But he had something else: unwavering determination, a fierce loyalty to his sister, and a burning desire to protect her. He would learn, he would adapt, he would overcome. He had to.

He glanced at Zili, her hand clasped tightly in his. Her small hand felt surprisingly strong in his, a symbol of their shared resilience. They would face this new chapter together, side by side, facing whatever challenges lay ahead. The academy awaited, and Lu Chen, armed with nothing but his resolve and the unwavering love for his sister, was ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead. The recruiting day was just the beginning. His true journey was about to begin.

To be continued….

The imposing gates of Dawnbreaker Academy loomed before Lu Chen, a colossal structure of grey stone that seemed to claw at the sky. He stood on the packed earth of the academy grounds, a sea of faces stretching as far as the eye could see. A nervous energy thrummed through the crowd – a palpable mixture of excitement, apprehension, and the raw power of newly awakened abilities. Hundreds of young men and women, all hoping for a chance to escape the harsh realities of the post-rift world, jostled for position.

At the forefront, a figure commanded attention. Principal Theron, a towering man radiating power, stood tall, his level 40 status evident in the subtle shimmer of energy that surrounded him. He was flanked by eight teachers, their levels ranging from 30 to 35, each a formidable figure in their own right. Before them sat a large, pulsating crystal ball, its surface shimmering with an ethereal light.

One by one, the hopeful students stepped forward, placing their hands on the cool surface of the crystal ball. A hush fell over the crowd as each individual's talents manifested. The air crackled with energy as diverse powers emerged: a young woman gained the ability to conjure pickaxes from thin air, her hands glowing with earthen energy; a boy received an herbalist's touch, his fingers tingling with the power to heal and cultivate rare plants; another student manifested the ability to create food that provided temporary buffs and debuffs, his hands shimmering with a faint golden light.

The process continued, a mesmerizing display of raw potential. Two hundred students had gathered, their hopes pinned on this single moment. One hundred and fifty received common abilities – minor enhancements to strength, speed, or perception. Twenty-five were blessed with rare abilities, granting them more significant advantages in combat or crafting. Twenty more received elite abilities, granting them unique and powerful skills. And then, the top five. They were the ones who drew gasps from the crowd, their talents shimmering with epic power: control over thunder, the manipulation of fire, the summoning of spectral swords.

Lu Chen stood near the back, his heart pounding a frantic rhythm against his ribs. He watched, a silent observer, as the extraordinary talents unfolded before him. He felt a pang of envy, a familiar twinge of inadequacy. He was ordinary, unremarkable, lacking the innate power that seemed to flow so freely through others. He had nothing but his determination and the unwavering love for his sister.

His turn came last. He approached the crystal ball, his hands trembling slightly. He placed his hand on the cool, smooth surface, his heart pounding in his chest. A wave of energy washed over him, a tingling sensation spreading through his limbs. The crystal ball pulsed with a soft, warm light, then faded.

Silence. Then, a voice, amplified by the academy's magic, echoed across the grounds.

"Beast Tamer. Common Grade."

A collective sigh rippled through the crowd. The academy's announcement was clear and concise, devoid of any emotion. The air grew heavy with unspoken disappointment. Lu Chen's heart sank. He had hoped, however faintly, for something more. Something… extraordinary.

The Principal's voice boomed again, cutting through the stunned silence. "All Common Grade students, please leave the academy grounds."

The words hung in the air, a stark and brutal reality check. Lu Chen's hopes, already fragile, shattered into a million pieces. His journey to Dawnbreaker Academy, a journey fueled by hope and determination, had seemingly ended before it had even begun.

To be continued….

The midday sun beat down on Lu Chen's back as he trudged away from Dawnbreaker Academy, his shoulders slumped with disappointment. The words of the Principal – "All Common Grade students, please leave the academy grounds" – echoed in his ears, a cruel mockery of his shattered hopes. He walked with the other rejected students, a silent procession of dashed dreams, each one carrying the weight of their failure. His path led him towards the docks, towards the grueling labor that was his only means of survival. How would he tell Zili? The thought hung heavy in his heart, a lead weight dragging him down.

He was lost in his despair, his mind replaying the events of the morning, when a voice cut through his gloomy reverie.

"Hey, lil' kiddo. You're looking a bit worse for wear. What happened?"

Lu Chen jumped, startled by the sudden intrusion. An old man, cloaked and shrouded in shadow, stood before him, his face obscured by the deep hood. His eyes, however, were sharp and piercing, glinting with an uncanny intensity.

Lu Chen, still reeling from the academy's rejection, poured out his heart. He explained his hopes, his dreams, the crushing disappointment of his common-grade Beast Tamer ability. He spoke of his sister, of their struggles, of the weight of responsibility he carried.

The old man listened patiently, his expression unreadable. When Lu Chen finished, a faint smile played on the old man's lips.

"Well, now," the old man said, his voice surprisingly deep and resonant, "that's a bit of a pickle, isn't it?"

Lu Chen stared, dumbfounded. He expected pity, perhaps a consoling word, but not this.

"I'm recruiting you," the old man declared, his eyes twinkling. "Into the Dragon's Maw Guild."

The words hung in the air, heavy with significance. Lu Chen's jaw dropped. The Dragon's Maw Guild. One of the top ten guilds in Lucia, a legendary organization ranked seventh overall. He had heard whispers of their power, their influence, their legendary leader. To be considered, let alone recruited… it was beyond his wildest dreams.

The shock was too much. Lu Chen's vision blurred, his knees buckled, and he collapsed into unconsciousness.

He awoke to the soft caress of luxurious silk sheets. He was in a room far beyond anything he had ever known – spacious, elegantly furnished, and filled with an air of opulence. Before his eyes, a holographic panel shimmered into existence, its intricate details sharp and clear.

**Name:** Lu Chen

**Age:** 18

**Lv.:** 1

**Ability:** Common (Upgradeable)

**Class:** Beast Tamer (Upgradeable)

A voice, smooth and authoritative, echoed in his mind.

*Welcome to the Beast Emperor System, Host.*

*You have received your first-time Legendary Chest and 10,000 EXP. Your level has increased from 1 to 4.*

Lu Chen stared at the panel, his mind reeling. The Dragon's Maw Guild. A legendary chest. A sudden, inexplicable surge in power. His life, it seemed, had taken a turn so dramatic, so unexpected, that it felt like a dream. But the luxurious room, the holographic panel, the undeniable surge of power within him… it was all too real. His journey, it seemed, was far from over.

To be continued….