CHAPTER 2: NEUROCORES

John sat on his desk, his eyes lazily staring at the classroom ceiling. Suddenly, he heard footsteps approaching. As he turned his head, he was shocked to see his teacher standing before him. Quickly, he jumped up from his seat.

"I'm sorry, Teacher! I didn't realize you were here," he blurted out, his voice filled with nervousness.

Miss Julie folded her arms, giving him a stern look. "Oh? You didn't see me walk in?" she asked, her tone laced with sarcasm. "Alright then, tell me, were you able to tame that cat today?"

John hesitated, scratching his head. "Uh… no, ma'am. She bit me again. I don't know why! I even fed her the most expensive fish, but—"

Before he could finish his sentence, Miss Julie slammed her hand on his desk, making him flinch.

"If taming a beast was as simple as feeding it, the rich kids in this school would have been the best beast tamers by now!" she scolded. "Tell me, what have you been doing for the past four years? How did you even get admitted here? This school has tolerated you for four years, and now, this is your fifth. Yet, you haven't tamed a single beast!"

John swallowed hard, feeling the weight of her words.

"Let me make it clear," she continued. "If you don't tame at least ten beasts within the next three months—no, scratch that—if you can't even tame one before leaving this school, it will be the biggest embarrassment for us."

John lowered his gaze. He had already heard these things before, but this time, something about Miss Julie's tone made his stomach twist.

"I want to meet your parents," she suddenly declared.

John's eyes widened in panic. "Ma'am, I… I don't have parents. I live alone."

Miss Julie's expression didn't soften. "I know that. But someone has been supporting you all these years. This school wouldn't have kept you otherwise. I want to meet that person."

John clenched his fists. "But there is no one," he insisted.

"Then bring them tomorrow," she snapped. "Or don't bother coming to school at all. I will personally submit a complaint against you."

John stood frozen, his heart pounding. If Miss Julie reported him, he would be expelled for sure.

A few snickers echoed through the classroom. John felt eyes staring at him, mocking him. Beside him, the girl named Joanna stood up and glared at the class. The laughter immediately died down.

Miss Julie turned to John again. "Tell me something, John. Do people become like the ones they spend time with?"

John hesitated but nodded. "Yes, ma'am. People adapt to their surroundings."

"Good," she said. She then grabbed his chin and turned his face towards Joanna. "You've been sitting next to her for four years. Have you learned even a single thing from her?"

John didn't know how to answer. The truth was, he had never even spoken to Joanna properly. He had only watched her and admired her skills but never dared to ask her anything.

The students began whispering.

"If I had been sitting next to her, I would've asked her how she tamed her beast!" one student remarked.

"And look at John. He just sits there, blushing like a fool!" another laughed.

John felt his face burn with embarrassment.

Joanna, however, didn't laugh. Instead, she took a step forward. "Enough!" she snapped. "All of you, shut up!"

The room fell silent.

She turned to Miss Julie. "You say that John has learned nothing from me. But has anyone considered that his presence is making my beast weaker?"

Everyone gasped. Even John looked at her, shocked.

Joanna continued, her voice cold and sharp. "My beast has been acting strange lately. Losing control. And I'm certain it's because of John sitting next to me."

John's heart sank. He had already been treated like an outcast. And now, the one person he admired had just accused him of being a burden.

Miss Julie sighed. "Alright, John," she said. "I'll give you one last chance. Tomorrow, you have two options. Either you bring your guardian or you submit a fully detailed report on the beasts in our region."

John's head snapped up. "A report…?"

"Yes," she confirmed. "I want the names of every master in this city, their level, their beasts, their feeding habits, their habitats—everything. If you can't do that, bring your guardian. Otherwise, don't bother coming back to this school."

John felt a chill run down his spine. It was impossible. Gathering such information in just one night was a task beyond his capabilities.

Still, he had no choice.

He swallowed hard and nodded. "I… I understand, ma'am."

Miss Julie gave him one last look before turning away. She walked to the centre of the classroom and pressed a button on the wall. Immediately, a large holographic screen appeared, displaying a video.

"Alright, class," she announced. "Today, we will be learning about Neuro Cores."

The room, which had been filled with tension moments ago, suddenly buzzed with curiosity. Even John, despite his troubled thoughts, couldn't help but pay attention.

Neuro Cores were legendary. They allowed humans to surpass their limits, evolving from basic fighters to elite warriors. With a Neuro Core, one could store their beasts inside them, without the need for food or rest. The beasts would remain preserved, their strength constantly growing within the core.

But Neuro Cores weren't something just anyone could have. According to the laws of the world, only those above the age of twenty could generate one.

Except for one man.

Chris Vance.

The first human to generate a Neuro Core at the age of fifteen. The man who had once tamed an army of beasts and led humanity to reclaim their land. A legend so old that no one knew if he was still alive or if he had simply vanished from history.

As the lesson continued, John's mind raced.

Tomorrow would decide everything.

Would he be able to complete the impossible task?

Or would he be forced to leave the only place he had ever called home?