Awakening : Becoming The World's Strongest Beast Master

There was a deathly silence all around.

The woman's face turned pale as she stared at Leo in disbelief. She hadn't expected him to flip the table so effortlessly.

She had been in a foul mood earlier and took her anger out on Mia, shoving her without a second thought. She assumed it was harmless—after all, she was accustomed to being arrogant and getting away with it. Usually, people around her would tolerate her behavior, and if she made a mistake, someone would step in to shield her.

This was the first time she had been treated so harshly.

One of the teachers shouted angrily, "What do you think you're doing? Flipping a table before even being admitted to the academy? This behavior is unacceptable!"

"You're clearly not suitable for this academy at all—"

Before she could finish, Leo tore the business card in his hand into pieces and spoke in a cold, expressionless tone:

"If there are so many ridiculous rules here, then I won't bother coming. If Victor asks about me, I'll make sure to mention how unwelcome I was made to feel—especially because of you."

His icy glare shifted back to the woman.

"And you. Apologize to my sister, or you won't be allowed to enroll today."

His face was devoid of emotion, but his presence exuded a chilling aura.

The woman looked around, hoping for someone to intervene, but no one came to her aid.

"You're the one wasting everyone's time," she stammered, trying to regain her composure. "You—"

Leo interrupted her, his voice firm and resolute.

"This isn't the only place for registration. Even if you have some special arrangement with this teacher and need her specifically to handle your paperwork, you could've just waited your turn. Why interrupt someone else's process?"

He took a step closer, his eyes narrowing. "This is my final warning. Apologize."

The woman began to panic but still tried to keep up her defiant act. "It's not my fault you're holding everyone up! I—"

Before she could finish, Leo's summoned beasts appeared: the White Jade Cat, the Silver Light Fox, and the Thunderbird. They surrounded Leo, their menacing gazes fixed on the woman.

The sight silenced her immediately. The onlookers were equally stunned, especially the students who had come to register. While they could sense the beasts' power, they couldn't identify what kind of creatures they were.

The teachers, however, exchanged uneasy glances. They recognized the high bloodline levels of the beasts.

Their expressions darkened as they reassessed Leo. It was no wonder Victor had taken an interest in him. For a first-level Beast Tamer to contract three high-tier beasts—two of which were already fully mature—was practically unheard of. Such potential was extraordinary.

The teachers began to realize that failing to admit someone like Leo would likely result in repercussions for them later.

Despite her fear, the woman forced herself to speak. "Do you think you can use your beasts to attack me here? You'll be punished for this!"

Her voice faltered as she glanced at the three creatures, their predatory stares sending shivers down her spine.

Leo's voice remained calm but commanding. "Shock her. Don't stun her."

The woman's defiance crumbled as the Silver Light Fox used its charm ability, rendering her motionless. Moments later, the Thunderbird sent a controlled jolt of electricity through her body, causing her to collapse, trembling uncontrollably.

Leo turned to Mia, gently setting her down. "Go and slap her," he said softly.

Mia, still sobbing, looked at him in shock. She shook her head, clearly frightened.

But Leo's tone hardened. "You have to do this today. My older sister has already gone somewhere else, and one day, I'll leave too. Even if I take you with me, you still need to learn to protect yourself."

He knelt down to her level, his gaze serious. "The first step is learning how to fight back when someone bullies you."

Leo's words were firm, and his demeanor exuded an air of authority.

"I… I can't," Mia whispered, trembling.

Leo's expression didn't soften.

He remained resolute, determined to make his point.

In the memories Leo inherited, he knew that Mia had always been shielded from the harsh realities of life. Despite their struggles, their family had done everything to give her a protected childhood.

But Leo didn't think that was a good thing.

He understood that in a world as dangerous as this, survival required strength. If something ever happened to him or Lia, Mia wouldn't stand a chance on her own.

Determined to prepare her for the future, Leo had resolved to help her become more independent. This was the first step.

Mia hesitated but finally took a shaky step toward the fallen woman. The woman, still conscious but unable to move, glared at Mia with a mix of fear and hatred.

At that moment, a boy about Leo's age stepped forward, trying to intervene. "Hey, there's no need to take things this far—"

But the White Jade Cat let out a low, threatening growl.

"Meow…"

The boy froze as the cat arched its back, ready to strike.

Leo's cold gaze turned to the boy. "When my sister was pushed down, you didn't step in to help. And now you want to play the hero?"

He scoffed. "What's the matter? Hoping this will earn you her favor?"

The boy's face turned red with embarrassment, but he didn't dare respond.

Mia stood frozen, her hand raised but trembling.

Leo's voice cut through the silence, sharp and unyielding. "Hit her. When someone bullies you, you hit back. Hit her hard. And if she doesn't back down, make her regret it."

The crowd watched in stunned silence. None of the teachers stepped in; they were too wary of Leo's power to interfere.

Mia glanced back at Leo, hesitating.

The woman on the ground snarled, her voice filled with venom. "You think this is over? I'll make you pay for this!"

Her words only made Mia more nervous. Seeing this, Leo stepped forward, grabbed Mia's wrist, and guided her hand toward the woman's face.

Slap!

The sound echoed in the air as Mia's hand connected with the woman's cheek.

Mia froze, staring at her own hand in shock. But then, she raised it again, this time striking on her own.

Leo finally nodded in approval. "Good."