Chapter One: The Digital Age

“Good morning and welcome to the news. Today’s top stories include: King Ma attending the economic summit with the Emperor Penguin Beast, a large-scale Digital Realm appearing in the northwest region of our country, and Imperial Capital University publishing the latest paper on Digimon evolution…”

Sigh.

Zhao Jie let out a soft breath. Never in his wildest dreams had he imagined that fate would play such a trick on him. All it took was a night’s sleep, and he’d found himself transported to a parallel world.

Just as the news reported, this world was home to extraordinary creatures known as Digimon.

Fifty years ago, mysterious realms began to appear all over the world, merging with the Blue Star. Through exploration, humans discovered these remarkable beings and named these mysterious places Digital Realms.

Digimon varied in strength. The powerful ones possessed intelligence on par with humans and formidable might. After years of research and conflict, thirty years ago, humanity finally discovered that a rare few among them could form contracts with Digimon—these individuals became known as Tamers.

“Xiao Jie, come have breakfast.”

Hearing this voice, a smile appeared on Zhao Jie’s face. He responded and quickly made his way to the dining table.

“Wow, Mom, what’s the occasion? You’ve made such a hearty breakfast today!”

Looking at the eggs, bread, and milk on the table, Zhao Jie asked curiously, peeling an egg and taking a big bite.

“Slow down,” his father chided, rapping the table and fixing him with a stern look.

“Got it, Dad. But the tea eggs Mom made are just too delicious!” Zhao Jie replied, sitting up straight and grinning.

Father Zhao shot his son a glare, his carefully prepared words forgotten in an instant.

“Son, tomorrow’s the start of your senior year, isn’t it?”

“Yeah.”

“Your mother and I have thought it over. Today, we’re taking you to get tested to see if you qualify to become a Tamer. If you do, you’ll join the Digital Class this year.”

Huh?

At his father’s words, Zhao Jie’s hand froze mid-reach for the bread. His eyes widened in surprise as he looked at his parents.

Training a Tamer required enormous resources—just feeding a Digimon was already beyond what a middle-class family like theirs could afford.

“Don’t look at us like that. Over the years, your mom and I have saved up a little nest egg for you. But if you want to get married in the future, we might not have much to give you then!” Father Zhao joked.

Zhao Jie took a deep breath and leapt up from his chair.

“Hooray for Mom and Dad!”

In a world with Digimon, not becoming a Tamer would be a huge regret. As for a marriage fund? With Digimon, who cared? Wasn’t Angewomon more alluring than any bride?

“You rascal, sit down and eat. Once you’re done, we’ll head out for the test,” his mother said with a smile, which she quickly suppressed, putting on a stern face.

To prepare for this, both parents had taken the day off. After breakfast, the family of three set out together, driving their somewhat old sedan toward the Digital Center in Wuling City to test for Tamer aptitude.

The Digital Center not only conducted aptitude assessments but was also the only place one could legally bond with a Digimon.

Every Digimon had its own identification number. Any Digimon without one was considered an illegal entity. If discovered, not only would the Digimon be confiscated, but the family would lose their right to become Tamers for thirty years.

“We’re here!”

Zhao Jie hopped out of the car, his eyes shining as he gazed at the silvery building—the Digital Center.

“Let’s go,” his father said, patting his son on the shoulder as he parked the car. He exchanged a subtle glance with his wife. Their son was so excited; if he didn’t qualify, it would be a heavy blow.

Mother Zhao squeezed her husband’s hand, silently comforting him—and herself.

“ID and student card, please.”

The security guard blocked their path. Only students aged seventeen and above could take the test at the Digital Center; that was the rule.

Otherwise, they’d have to follow the standard procedure, which was more expensive for both the aptitude test and, later, the Digimon bonding fee.

Zhao Jie obediently handed over both documents, and after the check, the family finally entered the center.

“Pay ten thousand, get your number, and wait. When your child’s name is called, he should go in alone,” a staff member explained briefly before moving on to the next group.

“Ten thousand per test—what a price,” Father Zhao muttered. The registration fee alone was ten thousand; who knew how much the Digimon egg would cost?

Following the instructions, Father Zhao filled in the forms, paid the fee, and handed Zhao Jie a number: 35. It was a low number, meaning they’d arrived early, though over thirty others had beaten them to it.

After waiting more than an hour, Zhao Jie’s name was finally called.

“Mom, Dad, I’m going in. Wait for my good news!” he said, waving before following a staff member into a small room.

Inside, he saw a massive, pitch-black pod. Everything in the room seemed to serve this device—the Digital Pod used to assess aptitude, each one costing a fortune.

“Enter the pod. No matter what the outcome, I hope it won’t affect you. The world is vast—even if you can’t become a Tamer, there’s so much to see,” an elderly man with graying hair advised gently before closing the pod door.

He pressed a button beside the door, and a kaleidoscope of colors shimmered across its surface.

Inside, Zhao Jie saw a world of white, which gradually turned to gold, enveloping him completely.

Warmth, softness, comfort.

Bathed in gold, Zhao Jie’s eyelids fluttered as drowsiness washed over him. Unable to resist, he fell asleep right there in the Digital Pod.

As he slept, golden energy continued to gather, eventually forming a golden eggshell around him, as if nurturing new life.