C3 – Battle Spirit Bloodline
After over a century of valiant struggle, Battle Spirit Fighters have reclaimed a portion of the territory for humanity. It is only with this hard-won homeland that humans can survive and thrive, protected by the encircling steel walls.
With a place to call home, humanity could finally breathe easier and focus on strengthening their ranks by training Battle Spirit Fighters to combat the monstrous threats.
Years of accumulated knowledge revealed that roughly one in every hundred individuals possessed the Battle Spirit Bloodline. The optimal age for awakening this bloodline was not too young, as premature awakening could lead to being overwhelmed by the battle spirit. Yet, one couldn’t be too old either, as time was of the essence.
After extensive deliberation by the Battle Pet Alliance, the middle school exam was designated as the time to awaken the Battle Spirit Bloodline, with fifteen being the prime age for developing as a Battle Spirit Fighter.
Consequently, the middle school exam evolved into an even more critical test than the college entrance exam, splitting into two distinct parts: the Knowledge Exam and the Martial Exam.
The Knowledge Exam remained as it was before the Desolate Era, assessing students on standard cultural and scientific knowledge. This was crucial since science and culture form the bedrock of human society, and the right talent is needed to ensure its continued progression.
The Martial Exam, however, was a unique test created specifically for nurturing Battle Spirit Fighters. Only those with the Battle Spirit Bloodline were eligible to take this exam.
Currently, the Spirit Summoning Pearl on the podium serves to verify a student’s Battle Spirit Bloodline, providing an accurate assessment.
Since the inception of the Battle Spirit Fighter educational system, nearly all children with the aptitude have been cultivated into national pillars, bolstering humanity’s might.
Yet, the situation remains precarious. The creatures beyond the steel walls are evolving at an alarming rate. Any complacency on humanity’s part could mean falling behind in this evolutionary arms race, turning humans into mere footnotes in the monsters’ ascent.
“Student Zhou… you’ve been tested three times already. The Spirit Summoning Pearl is infallible, so please step down.”
The homeroom teacher watched with a mix of frustration and sympathy as a student named Zhou He stubbornly refused to remove his hands from the Spirit Summoning Pearl. “You need to let go,” the teacher reminded him gently.
The pearl lay dull and lifeless, a clear indicator that Zhou He lacked the Battle Spirit Bloodline. Had he possessed it, the pearl would have glowed with vibrant colors.
“No… it can’t be! This can’t be happening!” Zhou He protested in disbelief. “My parents used up all their savings, even sold our house, just so I could become a Battle Spirit Fighter and honor our family. It’s impossible that I don’t have the Battle Spirit Bloodline!” His voice was tinged with panic as he stared at the unresponsive Spirit Summoner, his denial bordering on hysteria.
With a heavy sigh, the homeroom teacher shook his head and called school security to escort Zhou He to the counseling office.
This wasn’t the first time he’d encountered families who had gambled everything on the dream of nurturing a Battle Spirit Fighter. While there were tales of success, the reality was often more like Zhou He’s—families left with nothing, their hopes dashed despite their sacrifices.
The origins of the Battle Spirit Bloodline remained a mystery, but the consensus was clear: those with stronger bodies and minds had a better chance of manifesting it. Sensing an opportunity, many merchants started peddling spirit medicines, claiming they could boost one’s odds.
Despite the Alliance’s official statement that the medicine’s effects were negligible at best, desperate families continued to pour their fortunes into these dubious remedies, all for the slim hope that their child might rise to become a revered Battle Spirit Fighter.