C1 Mutated Evolution

"What? I've actually traveled through time and space?"

Ye Fann gazed at the surroundings, a sense of déjà vu washing over him as confusion set in.

He found himself in a classroom where the teacher had just made an announcement from the podium.

"Next week, you'll all be participating in the unified selection for the God Pet Academy."

"I hope each of you will give your best performance and aim for impressive scores on the exam!"

With that, the teacher exited the classroom, leaving a buzz of conversations in his wake.

"The exam is next week, and I'm seriously lacking confidence."

"Given my grades, getting into the Center First Class College seems like a pipe dream."

"I guess someone with no strength or connections like me should just stick to the regular subjects!"

Listening to his classmates, Ye Fann pieced together the intricacies of this world.

The original owner of this body was also named Ye Fann, a typical senior at Domesticated Beast High School.

A century ago, a surge in the world's spiritual energy unleashed countless ferocious beasts that ravaged the earth.

To survive, humanity was forced to erect formidable strongholds.

A select few with the innate talent of Beastmasters were humanity's lifeline amidst the peril.

Thus, the role of Beastmaster ascended to become the most revered profession.

Endowed with extraordinary privileges and status, they shouldered the critical duty of safeguarding humanity.

For the youth, the dream of becoming a Beastmaster was universal, and Ye Fann was no exception, harboring a profound reverence for them since childhood.

Yet, the path to fulfilling such dreams is fraught with obstacles.

At the age of 16, Ye Fann had taken part in the soul contract ceremony, a rite to summon mystical beasts.

This ceremony would conjure a Divine Pet, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that could define a Beastmaster's entire potential.

But to his dismay, after the ceremony, Ye Fann summoned a beast that sat at the very bottom of the Beast Illustrated Handbook rankings. This beast was anything but formidable.

It was a Divine Pet only marginally stronger than the stray dogs on the streets: an elf apprentice.

It was common knowledge that the elf apprentice had virtually no potential for growth, and its attributes were alarmingly weak.

Despite all efforts to coax its evolution, the elf apprentice proved exceedingly difficult to improve.

Even with a stroke of luck in evolving it, its power pales in comparison to the most basic of exotic beasts.

Ye Fann harboring hopes of using such a Divine Pet to gain admission into the prestigious Tier 1 Beastmaster Academy at Central Mansion is nothing short of a pipe dream!

"I'm up against such a tough challenge right off the bat. What am I going to do?"

With the test looming, Ye Fann's face was etched with worry.

Chen Yang, his friend of six years standing beside him, chimed in:

"Don't stress about it too much. Pursuing a standard major isn't a bad thing. At least you won't have to confront the kind of ferocious monsters that Beastmasters do."

Chen Yang was well aware of Ye Fann's capabilities.

With a bit of luck, Ye Fann might even secure a spot in a third-tier Beastmaster vocational college.

But as for getting into the elite Tier 1 Beastmaster Academy at Central Mansion, that was utterly out of reach.

Their conversation was interrupted by an excited chatter nearby.

"Congratulations, Young Master Wang, on your lucky acquisition of an evolved Divine Pet!"

"An Advanced Class E Explosive Gorilla – it's bound to be the strongest Divine Pet in this year's cohort!"

"Don't forget us when you make it into the Center First Class College!"

In the classroom, a group of students was fawning over Wang Yu, showering him with compliments.

Wang Yu basked in the attention, looking smug and self-satisfied.

Chen Yang watched the spectacle with a hint of scorn.

"He's just riding on his family's wealth, isn't he? Someone else bought that Divine Pet for him. What's there to gloat about?"

Born into the affluent Wang Family, Wang Yu had access to resources far beyond the average person from a young age.

Lacking notable talent, his strength and status were still elevated above the ordinary, thanks to the influence of money.

Wang Yu's wealth often fueled his arrogance, especially around regular students like Ye Fann and Chen Yang.

"Sure, Wang Yu has money, but when it comes to real talent, Shen Ruxue from the next class is a true prodigy."

Chen Yang whispered, "They may be on par grade-wise, but Shen Ruxue's cultivation skills far outstrip Wang Yu's. They're not even in the same league!"

Listening to Chen Yang's words, Ye Fann remained silent. He simply zipped up his schoolbag and walked away without a word.

Once home, Ye Fann called forth the phantom that dwelled in his heart. Bathed in the faint glow of the lamp, a diminutive and endearing elf apprentice materialized before him. Ye Fann's lack of funds to purchase resources meant the elf apprentice's absorption rate was pitifully low, and as a result, it had shown no signs of evolution over the years.

"I've poured so much into you, and after two years, you've barely managed to scrape into Class E. It's no surprise you're at the bottom of the Beast Illustrated Handbook," Ye Fann lamented with a heavy sigh. He turned and pulled open a drawer.

From within, he retrieved a dark green pearl, no larger than a fingernail, and placed it before the elf apprentice with a sense of reluctance. The Beginner Wind Spirit Bead was designed to enhance the evolution of Wind Divine Pets, but its scarcity drove its market price through the roof.

Determined to evolve his elf apprentice, Ye Fann had spent his holidays working odd jobs just to afford the precious bead. Yet, despite absorbing its energy, the elf apprentice remained unchanged—as if the Wind Spirit Bead had been cast into dead waters, stirring not a ripple.

"It seems I'm fated to be just an ordinary person," Ye Fann sighed in resignation.

But in that moment of despair, a synthetic voice echoed in his mind: "Congratulations on binding to the Divine Pet Mutation System. The mutation program is now activated!"

What was happening? A system?

Ye Fann was momentarily stunned, then overwhelmed with joy. He had finally acquired the system! Shortly after, a high-tech, transparent panel appeared before him:

Divine Pet Mutation System

Host: Ye Fann

Current Divine Pet: Elf Apprentice

Attribute: Wind

Grade: Class E Low Rank

Experience Points: 1.03%

Skills: None

Characteristics: None

Normal Evolution Path: Elf apprentice modestly increases magical power, evolves into "Little Elf." Its ultimate ceiling is Class E Low Rank.

Mutated Evolution Path: Elf apprentice awakens ancient power, evolves into "Elf Sword Soldier." Its ultimate ceiling is the peak of Class S.

"My God!"

Ye Fan was taken aback.

He had pored over the Beast Illustrated Handbook, and according to it, the natural progression for an elf apprentice was to evolve into a Little Elf—the standard evolutionary route outlined by the system.

Yet, Ye Fan had never come across any mention of an alternative method of evolution!

"Is it possible that this divergent path could unlock some hidden, mystical powers?"

The thought electrified Ye Fan with excitement.