Chapter Two: The Great-Eared Beast

"Congratulations, you have the talent to become a Digimancer. Here is your Talent Certification—please keep it safe."

Hearing these words, Zhao Jie finally felt a huge weight lift from his heart; he really could become a Digimancer now.

"What does it mean that my talent is rated at Grade A?" Zhao Jie accepted the certificate, curiosity flickering in his eyes.

"Talent is graded from highest to lowest as S, A, B, C, and D. Young man, your talent is considered very high," the elderly professor in charge of the assessment explained with a kindly smile.

The higher the talent grade, the greater one's affinity with digital energy, which also meant a much stronger starting point.

"Only Grade A? I thought I might be S grade." Zhao Jie's tone held a trace of disappointment.

The old professor could only shake his head in mild disbelief. S grade was something exceedingly rare and unattainable; throughout all of Huaguo, fewer than ten Digimancers with S-grade talent were known.

"Alright, you may go now. I hope you grow into a powerful Digimancer." The professor waved his hand, signaling Zhao Jie to leave.

"Thank you, Professor. I will work hard." Zhao Jie bowed, then walked out of the building.

…

"Well? Son, how did it go?" His parents, faces taut with anxiety, hurried to ask the moment Zhao Jie emerged.

"Dad, Mom, your son is destined to be a great Digimancer. Of course, I succeeded."

Succeeded? Upon hearing this, the couple finally breathed a collective sigh of relief.

"Then what are we waiting for? Let’s go and choose your Digiegg!" Hand in hand, Zhao Jie's parents led him away, their departure watched with envy by the surrounding crowd.

"Welcome to the Digimon Distribution Center. Please present your Talent Certification." Two attendants, their professional smiles unwavering, blocked the family's path.

"Here," Zhao Jie replied, handing over the certificate. The attendants glanced at it, and their smiles suddenly froze.

Grade A—this was a Grade A talent! In all their time here, they’d mostly seen D and C grades, an occasional B, but never an A.

"Is there a problem with my certificate?" Zhao Jie asked, puzzled by their silence.

"No problem at all. Please, come in," one attendant quickly returned the certificate and ushered them forward.

Once their documents were put away, the family of three finally entered the Digimon Distribution Center.

"Welcome. This is the Digimon Taming Center. For a payment of two hundred thousand yuan, you may enter the Digital Sanctuary to bond with a Digiegg. Please note, the fee is nonrefundable, regardless of outcome. Shall we begin now?" A middle-aged man with a bushy mustache and a black jacket approached, greeting them with a smile.

"Digital Sanctuary?" Zhao Jie scratched his head in confusion. He’d never heard of such a place in Wuling City.

"It’s not a traditional Digital Sanctuary," the man quickly explained. "It’s a special space where Digieggs are stored. Because it’s an independent dimension, we call it the Digital Sanctuary."

"Let’s pay the fee. Son, go claim your Digimon." Zhao Jie’s father gave his assent, glancing at the mustachioed man for confirmation.

"Please follow me to the payment counter. You’ll receive an identification tag to enter the Digital Sanctuary," the man instructed. "The higher your talent, the more likely you’ll attract a Digimon’s favor. If your talent is too low, I’d recommend waiting until your digital energy is stronger before attempting to bond."

"By the way, young man, what is your talent grade?" As he led them to the payment window, the man suddenly remembered to ask.

"My talent? According to the certificate, I’m Grade A."

"Grade A? That’s a rarity. In that case, nothing should go wrong," the man remarked with a flash of surprise, deftly completing the transaction and handing Zhao Jie an identification tag.

"Dodo, take this young man inside." At his words, there was a faint noise from beneath the counter, and soon a short creature with large, floppy ears appeared before the family.

"Excuse me (in Cantonese). Hello, I am Lopmon. Please follow me."

"So cute! Absolutely adorable!" Zhao Jie’s mother’s heart melted at the sight of the rabbit-like creature.

Although she’d often seen Digimon on television, this was her first time encountering one so close.

Lopmon? Zhao Jie gazed curiously at the creature; it was just as cute as in the anime.

However, remembering what Lopmon evolved into, a chill ran down Zhao Jie’s spine—cuteness would be left far behind.

Soon, led by Lopmon, Zhao Jie found himself in a closed-off chamber.

"There are many Digimon here, young man. Do your best! You have one hour." With that, Lopmon bounced away, leaving Zhao Jie alone.

Many Digimon? Zhao Jie looked around, but couldn’t see a single one.

Wait! This was an official facility; they couldn’t be deceiving him. There had to be a trick to it—he just hadn’t found the right method.

Since leaving the assessment room, his brow had felt gently warm, as though something had been activated.

Focusing, Zhao Jie directed his will to the spot between his eyebrows. Suddenly, Digieggs appeared in his mind’s eye.

"I see them!" Zhao Jie exclaimed, but at his outburst, the eggs vanished from sight.

So, he couldn’t get too emotional. Once he understood the trick, he began to study his surroundings more calmly.

In truth, for those newly awakened as Digimancers, simply entering this space and waiting was enough; after a time, a Digiegg would naturally appear to them.

Those who saw nothing had lesser talent and needed to strengthen their digital energy before returning to seek their own partner.

But Zhao Jie didn’t know this, and the mustachioed man had also forgotten to mention it.

Still, it hardly mattered. Once a Digimon partner was bonded, there’d be no need to focus so hard to see them.

"So many eggs!" Zhao Jie was overwhelmed; everywhere he looked, there were Digieggs. It was a problem—without some kind of special insight, he had no way of knowing what kind of Digimon lay within each egg. If he chose one with little potential, it would greatly affect his future prospects.