Chapter 11: Chapter 11 : Mentor
Here's the revised chapter with the character name changes applied:
Because of Evan's matter, Lia didn't want to go out at all. Finn also fell asleep a few seconds after opening his eyes every time, and Leo had no choice but to go out to buy food himself, planning to eat together when he got back.
Walking down the street, Leo soon realized someone was following him.
Frowning slightly, he quickly walked into a restaurant, ordered a few takeaway dishes, and then sat near the door, keeping an eye on the street outside.
Soon, he spotted the person following him—a middle-aged man who looked ordinary enough at first glance. But unlike the other passersby who walked by without a second look, this man occasionally glanced toward Leo, his eyes lingering for just a moment too long.
When the man tried to casually walk past him, Leo stood up, blocking his way. With a small smile, he said directly, "You've been following me this whole time. Why not just say what you want?"
"If I were a woman, I might think you were up to no good."
The man hesitated at first, trying to come up with an excuse, but upon seeing Leo's calm expression, he chuckled awkwardly. Finally, he spoke softly, "Well, I mean no harm. I'm a teacher from the Advanced Ability Academy. I noticed you when I was at the hospital earlier and got curious. Are you someone who just awakened this year?"
"Have you already managed to contract two beasts?"
"Have you signed up for the Advanced Ability Academy?"
"If you haven't, would you like me to be your mentor directly? I truly admire your potential!"
The man's eyes sparkled with enthusiasm as he spoke, his demeanor resembling that of a fanatic meeting their idol.
At first, Leo thought this man was trying to cause trouble, but hearing he was actually a teacher from the Advanced Ability Academy, Leo's expression softened.
The middle-aged man looked at Leo like he'd just discovered treasure. It was rare for him to encounter a talented beast tamer, and he seemed thrilled at the possibility of mentoring Leo.
Among all supernatural abilities, the beast-taming ability was often ranked near the bottom, and the perception of it being weak was widely shared. However, Leo's talent was undeniable—being able to control two beasts so soon after awakening indicated a rare strength of spirit.
As a teacher specializing in beast taming, the man had often faced exclusion and disdain for his chosen field. Meeting Leo gave him hope. With proper guidance, Leo could become strong enough to challenge the stereotypes surrounding their ability.
Sensing the man's genuine excitement, Leo nodded slightly. "I do plan to attend the Advanced Ability Academy, but I haven't officially signed up yet. If you're willing to accept me, I'd be happy to have you as my mentor."
A smile tugged at Leo's lips as he spoke. With his system, he wasn't relying on the academy for progress, but having a mentor would significantly increase his chances of earning a spot in the top ten academies.
Hearing this, the man's face lit up with joy. He quickly pulled out a golden card from his pocket and handed it to Leo.
"Show this card to the registration teacher when you go to the Advanced Ability Academy. They'll direct you to me. I'll do everything I can to help you grow your beast-taming power."
After saying this, the man turned and left, fearing that staying longer might annoy Leo.
Leo glanced at the card in his hand. It was a business card with the name "William Hudson– Beast Tamer" written on it. Smiling faintly, he tucked the card away, collected his food, and returned to Finn's house.
Back at the house, the atmosphere was subdued. Lia was still visibly upset about Evan, and Finn's erratic sleep patterns continued. After eating, Finn quickly dozed off again.
In an effort to lighten the mood, Leo recounted his encounter with William while shopping. Turning to Lia, he asked, "Sister, did you know about William Hudson when you were at the Advanced Ability Academy?"
Lia thought for a moment before nodding. "There are three types of teachers at the academy.
First, the school leaders—they don't teach but handle administrative duties and maintain order.
"Second, there are ordinary teachers, who provide general instruction based on their respective abilities.
"The third type is mentors. Mentors are powerful individuals who handpick students with exceptional talent and potential for success. Having a mentor in the academy is considered a significant advantage."
"Mentors can provide specialized training and resources that ordinary teachers can't," she added, her tone slightly brighter.
"William is somewhat of an exception. Despite being a beast tamer, which is generally regarded as a weaker ability, he's managed to become a strong figure. That alone shows how extraordinary he is. However, he's known for being extremely selective, and over the years, he's accepted very few students."
"I don't know much about him personally, but I do know that if you get to be his student, it's definitely a good thing."
Hearing this, Leo felt relieved. At least this seemed like a promising step forward.