"Same here," Blake confirmed, his silver hawk perched on his shoulder. "Tier 7, Level 0. Beast is Rank E, also Level 0."
"Mine too," Lily added, her serpent coiled gracefully around her shoulders. "Everyone starts at Tier 7, Level 0?"
Grand Magus Selene nodded approvingly. "Precisely. Allow me to explain the System's structure, as it governs everything about your growth in this world."
She raised her hand, and a large translucent diagram appeared in the air above the assembled students—visible to all, showing a hierarchical structure that resembled a game's progression system.
"For humans," Selene began, "there are eight Tiers, numbered from 7 to 0. You all begin at Tier 7—the weakest tier. Within each tier, you can gain up to 100 levels by defeating monsters and completing challenges. When you reach Level 100 in your current tier, you evolve to the next tier, and your level resets to 0."
She gestured to the diagram, where the progression was clearly illustrated:
Human Tiers:
Tier 7 (Novice) - Levels 0-100
Tier 6 (Apprentice) - Levels 0-100
Tier 5 (Adept) - Levels 0-100
Tier 4 (Expert) - Levels 0-100
Tier 3 (Master) - Levels 0-100
Tier 2 (Grandmaster) - Levels 0-100
Tier 1 (Legend) - Levels 0-100
Tier 0 (Transcendent) - Levels 0-100
"With each tier advancement," Selene continued, "you become exponentially stronger. A Tier 6 individual can easily defeat multiple Tier 7 opponents. A Tier 5 is worth ten Tier 6s. The gap only widens as you ascend."
"And our beasts?" Lily asked, her hand gently stroking her serpent's scales.
"Contracted beasts follow a similar system, but with lettered ranks instead of numbered tiers," Selene explained, adjusting the diagram. "They begin at Rank E and can ascend through D, C, B, A, S, SS, and theoretically SSS, though no beast has ever reached that peak."
Beast Ranks:
Rank E - Levels 0-100
Rank D - Levels 0-100
Rank C - Levels 0-100
Rank B - Levels 0-100
Rank A - Levels 0-100
Rank S - Levels 0-100
Rank SS - Levels 0-100
Rank SSS - Levels 0-100
"Just like humans, when a beast reaches Level 100 in its current rank, it evolves to the next rank and resets to Level 0. However," and here Selene's expression grew serious, "a beast's maximum potential is limited by your talent rank."
Derek frowned. "What does that mean?"
"It means," Selene said, "that your S-rank talent allows you to contract beasts that can potentially reach S-rank themselves. Someone with a B-rank talent, however, can only contract beasts with a maximum potential of B-rank. The beast may start at E-rank like all others, but it will never evolve beyond B-rank, no matter how much experience it gains."
Sophie looked down at her small deer-like creature with its flowering antlers. "So my Life Bloom Healer talent at B-rank means my beast can only ever reach B-rank?"
"Precisely," Selene confirmed. "Though reaching even B-rank requires tremendous effort and time. Most people in this kingdom never advance their beasts beyond C-rank in their entire lives."
"And humans?" Nina asked, her analytical mind already processing the implications. "Do our talents limit our tier advancement too?"
"No," Selene said. "All humans can theoretically reach Tier 0, regardless of talent rank. However, your talent rank determines the quality and power of beasts you can contract with, which in turn affects how quickly and safely you can level up. An S-rank talent holder with a powerful beast will advance far faster than someone with an E-rank talent and a weak creature."
The students began examining their status screens more carefully, comparing notes.
"My flame wolf is named Ignis," Derek announced, unable to keep the pride from his voice. "Rank E, Level 0. Skills are locked until he levels up."
"My serpent is Celeste," Lily said softly, her eyes warm as she looked at her contracted beast. "Also Rank E, Level 0."
"Zephyr," Blake contributed, indicating his hawk. "Luminos," Marcus added, his lion cub purring. "Flora," Sophie said with a gentle smile at her deer. "Mirage," Claire called her fox.
One by one, they shared their beasts' names—names that had appeared automatically in their status screens, as if the System itself had chosen them based on the creatures' essences.
Nina's owl was Athros. Grace's rabbit was Verdant. Maya's dove was Sanctus. Evan's tiger was Voltis. The naming continued—each beast unique, each name fitting perfectly.
Through it all, Aster stood silent and apart. No one asked him about his status. No one asked for his beast's name. Because everyone knew he had nothing to share.
"How do we gain levels?" Zara asked, ever practical.
"By defeating monsters from the Dungeon," Selene replied. "When you kill a monster, both you and your contracted beast gain experience points. The stronger the monster, the more experience you receive. Once you accumulate enough experience, you level up, becoming stronger and eventually unlocking skills."
She gestured to the diagram again, where a skill tree appeared—though most branches were grayed out and locked.
"Skills are abilities that you and your beasts can use in combat. They are unlocked at specific level milestones. Your first skill typically unlocks at Level 10, the second at Level 25, the third at Level 50, and the final skill of your current tier at Level 75. When you evolve to a new tier or rank, you gain access to more powerful skills."
"This is incredible," Evan said, his eyes practically glowing with excitement. "We're actually going to fight monsters and level up like in a game!"
"This is not a game," Cole said firmly, his teacher's authority cutting through the enthusiasm. "This is survival. Those monsters are real, and they can really kill you."
"Your teacher speaks wisely," King Aldric interjected. "Many brave warriors have fallen to the Dungeon's creatures. The fact that you possess high-rank talents does not make you invincible. Training is essential."
"Which brings us to your immediate future," the prince said, stepping forward. "Starting tomorrow, you will undergo intensive training. Combat instruction, beast bonding techniques, dungeon survival skills—everything you need to become the heroes we summoned you to be."
"All of you will be provided with quarters in the palace, personal instructors, equipment, and access to our training facilities," King Aldric added. "You will want for nothing as you grow in strength."
His eyes swept across the assembled students, lingering on Derek's S-rank mark, Lily's SS-rank, the various A and B ranks. Then his gaze passed over Aster without truly seeing him, as if he'd already been written off.
"Those of you with S-rank and above talents will receive special accommodations," the king continued. "You are our greatest hope, and you will be treated accordingly."
Derek straightened, a smirk playing at his lips. Lily looked uncomfortable with the preferential treatment being announced so openly, but didn't protest. Evan grinned widely.
"The rest of you will be divided into training groups based on your ranks," the prince explained. "A-ranks together, B-ranks together. This will ensure you receive instruction appropriate to your level."