A Rat-Dragon System

CAST OUT LIKE DIRT

The moment I saw the creature standing right in front of me, I felt the ground should open up and swallow me.

The laughter did not stop.

Each of the students kept laughing at me. Their fingers pointed at me in unison and for a moment, I felt the ground should cave under me.

Out of everything in the world… I got a rat.

I stood there, frozen, staring at the tiny creature at my feet. It looked up at me and squeaked again, like it was happy to see me.

That only made it worse.

“HAHAHAHA!”

Jack’s voice rose above the others.

“I knew it! I knew you were trash!” he shouted, holding his stomach as he laughed. “A rat? Seriously? Even the system hates you!”

More laughter followed.

Some students covered their mouths, trying to hide their smiles. Others didn’t even bother.

I couldn’t lift my head. The embarrassment was just out of this world.

My hands were shaking from the shame I had just bestowed on my father and the lineage that expected more from me.

“Silence!”

Mr. Thomas’ voice rang out, but even he couldn’t fully hide the amusement in his tone.

Slowly, the noise died down.

But the damage was already done.

I didn’t need to look up to know what everyone was thinking.

I swallowed hard and slowly turned my head… toward the highest seat.

My father.

He was already standing. The entire hall went quiet again.

I could see his tense jaw, the way he clenched his hands and most importantly, the disapproval and disappointment in his eyes.

My father stepped down from his seat. Each foot he took felt like my judgment day was drawing nearer to me.

My heart thudded fast as I could feel the room radiating from his anger.

I wanted to speak. To say something. Anything that was going to make my father reason with me but my voice refused to come out.

He stopped right in front of me. “Look at me.” His voice was calm.

I slowly raised my head. The moment our eyes met… my heart dropped.

“You…” He paused, as if even saying my name was a blemish to his name. “Are you even my son?"

The words stunned me. For a moment, I thought I misheard him.

“D-Dad…” I whispered.

His eyes hardened. "Do not call me that.”

A low murmur spread across the hall. I felt something inside my chest crack.

“I gave you a name. I gave you a place in my house,” he continued. “And in return, you bring me this?”

He glanced down at the rat. It squeaked again. The corner of his lips curled slightly in disgust.

“A rat.”

The word sounded like poison coming out of his mouth.

“I made my rule clear,” he said, turning his back on me. “Any child of mine who awakens a useless system… will be disowned.”

My legs felt weak.

“No…” I muttered. “This… this is just a mistake. Maybe the orb—”

“Enough.” His voice cut me off instantly. “There are no mistakes in awakening.”

Silence fell again. And then he said the words that ended everything.

“From this moment on… you are no longer part of the Mu Xiang family. You are not longer my son!"

Gasps filled the hall.

My vision blurred. It felt like the ground beneath me had disappeared.

“Guards. Make sure this thing doesn't follow me."

Two men stepped forward immediately.

“Remove him from my sight!"

My eyes widened.

“W-wait! Please—”

One of the guards grabbed my arm. I struggled.

“Let me go! I can fix this! I’ll train! I’ll become strong!” I shouted, my voice breaking.

But no one listened. I turned desperately, searching the crowd.

Selena.

She stood there… frozen. Her hands slightly crossed in amusement and I could see something I had never seen before in her eyes.

Embarrassment and Anger.

She slowly looked away like I didn't matter.

That hurt more than everything else but it didn't matter. I was fighting for something else. A place in the Mu Xiang family.

Jack stepped forward, a wide grin on his face.

“Guess who has just been reduced to nothing,” he said, leaning closer to me. “You are way beneath me now!”

The laughter that echoes next to his words was enough to block my ear drums

I clenched my fists.

But I couldn’t fight back.

" See you around weakling. You punishment starts from tomorrow. You are going to wish you had never set foot in this great institution." Jack said with smug grin.

I watched as all of them walked past me like I was nothing.

Each of them stared at me with amusement. Some laughed at the creature in front of me while the others spat on me.

I was no longer the boy I used to be.

Vibrant and ready to give everything my best. Now, I was just the boy who awakened the most ridiculous pet system no one has ever seen.

I just lost my place in the world and also just got disowned by my father.

The room was empty except for me and the hideous creature staring back at me.

I stared at the floor with sad eyes. Tears welled on my face as I raised my foot… ready to crush it.

But then—

[ System online ]

My body froze.

[ Animal pet initializing ]

My eyes widened.

“What…?”

[ TASK: Upgrade pet level with just £1,000 ]

[ Reward: Pet evolves ]

My heart started racing.

Without thinking, I shoved my hand into my pocket and pulled out my phone.

That was all I had left. My last money. “…Fine.” I said with a sad voice.

I sent it without thinking much about it.

[ Upgrade successful ]

The ground trembled. I stepped back. The rat began to shake violently. Its body twisted… stretched… grew.

My breath caught in my throat. This wasn’t normal. This wasn’t a rat anymore.

It stood tall. Towering over me. My eyes widened in disbelief.

“What… are you?”

The creature slowly lifted its head.

And for a brief second—Its eyes glowed like fire.