Reborn With the God-Tier Spirit Beast System

Chapter 7: The Academy's Greatest Joke

The rumours spread faster than wildfire. By sunrise, every corner of Azure Spirit Academy had only one topic of conversation. The genius who had awakened an S-Class Celestial Spirit Beast...Had traded her away for an F-Class Succubus. Students abandoned their breakfast to gossip in the courtyards. Senior disciples gathered along the training grounds, laughing so loudly that their voices echoed between the academy's stone towers.

No one believed the story at first. Then they saw Zhao Ming walking through the academy gates with Lilith quietly following behind him. The laughter became real."There he is."The fool finally showed up."The genius became an idiot."The words reached Lilith long before they reached Zhao Ming. Her shoulders shrank instinctively. She lowered her head until her silver hair concealed most of her face.

"I'm... sorry," she whispered. I made you lose everything."Zhao Ming stopped walking. The crowded academy road fell strangely quiet as curious students watched to see how he would respond. He turned toward Lilith."You didn't make me lose anything."His voice was calm enough for everyone nearby to hear."I chose you."Lilith's crimson eyes widened.

"But...""They're right."I'm only F-Class."I'll only embarrass you."For a brief moment, Zhao Ming saw another memory. The battlefield. Lilith was bleeding in his arms. Even while dying, she had apologised for not being strong enough. That memory hardened his resolve. He smiled gently."The world judges worth by rank."I judge it by loyalty."Lilith looked down, struggling to stop the tears gathering in her eyes.

No one had ever defended her before. Unfortunately, the surrounding students had no intention of letting the moment end peacefully. Three academy disciples stepped into their path. Leading them was Gao Feng, a B-Class Beast Master famous for bullying weaker students. He folded his arms and looked Lilith up and down before bursting into laughter.

"So this is the legendary replacement?"Several students joined him."I've seen rabbits with stronger spiritual energy."My family's servant has a better Spirit Beast."Gao Feng walked closer until he stood directly in front of Lilith.  She instinctively stepped backwards. He leaned down with a mocking smile."Tell me.""What spell did you use?"Did you charm him?"

"Or is he simply too stupid to know the difference between trash and treasure?"More laughter erupted. Lilith clenched her hands behind her back."I'm...""I'm sorry..."Before she could finish, Zhao Ming stepped between them. His expression remained completely composed."I suggest you move."Gao Feng laughed."Or what?"

"You'll let your little succubus glare at me?"The students surrounding them roared with amusement. Zhao Ming looked at each of them in silence. Then he spoke."Keep laughing."His voice was quiet. Almost gentle."You'll remember today."Something in his tone made several students instinctively stop smiling. For an instant, it felt as though an invisible pressure had settled over the courtyard. Even Gao Feng frowned.

Then he scoffed."Still pretending to be a genius?"He deliberately bumped Zhao Ming's shoulder before walking away."Let's see how long that confidence lasts."High above the courtyard, several instructors observed the exchange. Elder Wu sighed heavily."What a disappointment."Such extraordinary talent...""Wasted because of one foolish decision."Another instructor nodded.

"The academy invested countless resources preparing for an S-Class Beast Master."Now all of it has been thrown away."Principal Gu remained silent. His gaze lingered on Zhao Ming longer than the others. For reasons he couldn't explain...The young man's eyes contained none of the regret he expected. Instead...

They held certainty. That certainty troubled him more than the decision itself. Meanwhile, another procession entered the academy. Students immediately made way. Young Master Han walked proudly through the central plaza, dressed in luxurious ceremonial robes. Beside him floated Seraphina. Her six radiant wings shimmered beneath the morning sun.

Everywhere she passed, students gasped in admiration."That's an S-Class Spirit Beast."Magnificent..."Han Tianyu smiled confidently. He enjoyed every envious stare. His eyes soon found Zhao Ming."So."He stopped several meters away."How does it feel watching your future belong to someone else?"Seraphina also looked toward Zhao Ming.

She expected bitterness.Regret.Perhaps even jealousy.Instead...He simply nodded politely before continuing to walk with Lilith.No anger.No hesitation.No longing. For the first time, Seraphina's composure wavered."Why?"Why doesn't he regret losing me?"The question lingered in her mind long after Zhao Ming disappeared into the crowd. As they reached the academy's training grounds, a faint golden notification appeared before Zhao Ming's eyes.

Only he could see it. God-Tier  Spirit Beast System: Passive Bond Growth Detected.Primary Companion: LilithTrust Increased: 12% → 18%.Another notification appeared almost immediately. Hidden Evolution Requirement Achieved. Condition: Protect your companion despite public humiliation.Reward: Bond Resonance +1. Zhao Ming's heart skipped a beat. The system wasn't merely measuring strength. It was responding to genuine actions.

The more trust they built together...The faster Lilith would grow. He glanced at the timid girl walking beside him. She still believed she was a burden. She had no idea that every act of kindness, every promise kept, and every moment of unwavering trust was quietly unlocking a power the world had forgotten. The strongest evolution path...Didn't begin with battle. It began with a bond.

A loud bell suddenly echoed across the academy. Its deep sound rolled through every courtyard and training field. Students immediately straightened. The instructors rose from their seats. Principal Gu's voice spread across the academy through spiritual amplification."All first-year Beast Masters...""Proceed immediately to the Spirit Forest."

"The entrance examination is about to begin."Excitement swept through the students. Some grinned eagerly. Others looked nervous. Zhao Ming's expression turned serious. He remembered this examination. In his previous life...It had been the beginning of countless destinies. But this time...With the future already changing...He no longer knew what awaited them inside the forest.