Chapter 824: The Eve

Read at: https://blogspot-translatedstories.blogspot.com/?m=1 

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Qiao Sang hugged Yabao as she got up and walked to the door of Room 09.

She knocked.

After a few seconds, the door was opened by a bipedal pet beast, its upper body mostly yellow, its lower half like a green puffed skirt, with long yellow hair hanging from both sides of its head.

Qiao Sang stepped inside.

Seated inside were two examiners: A fair-skinned young man and a woman with short chestnut hair and dignified features.

In front of them on the desk were virtual screens about ten inches in size, along with pens and paper.

When the woman saw Yabao and Gangbao, her eyes lit up. She said, "Please have the pet beast undergoing assessment turn slowly in a circle to the left, then to the right."

The F-rank coordinator exam was the simplest level, just a basic check by professional breeders and coordinators. They would examine the pet's fur condition and test if its skill use met the required standards.

Yabao and the others had been raised with excellent care during this time, and with the vice-principal, an A-rank breeder, personally tending to them, Qiao Sang was confident she was only here to go through the motions.

"Xun xun~"

Before she could even call for Gangbao, Little Treasure suddenly appeared, landing gracefully on the floor. 

He extended his right paw to his left chest and bowed elegantly, then began to slowly spin left, then right, then left again, then right again...

Qiao Sang twitched at the corner of her mouth. She had no idea where he learned that bowing gesture. 

"One turn in each direction is enough."

She'd looked this up before coming, having the pet turn in circles was just a personal habit of certain examiners, simply to get a better look at the pet's body. The way it turned didn't matter much.

"Xun xun~"

Little Treasure stopped spinning elegantly.

A ghost-type pet beast... The chestnut-haired woman was momentarily surprised, but soon began her professional observation.

There were no visible injuries. His eyes were clear and bright, fur glossy and smooth. 

His small body, along with the golden ring atop his head and the one on his right ear, gave him an elegant and obedient air, creating a rare sense of beauty not often found in ghost-types.

The virtual screen displayed the applicant's information.

Naturally, she knew the applicant was from Blue Star, and the pet beasts were likely from there as well.

But regardless of a pet's origin, there was a standard way to judge their condition. The criteria wouldn't change just because they came from another planet.

And this ghost-type pet was clearly well cared for.

Following professional standards, the woman tapped Qualified on her screen.

Then the young man spoke. 

"Please have the pet demonstrate its best skill."

"Shadow Control." Qiao Sang answered without hesitation.

Among all of Little Treasure's skills, Shadow Control was undoubtedly his signature.

"Xun xun~"

Little Treasure floated up into the air and grinned, then raised a single stubby claw on each paw.

In that instant, his graceful aura vanished.

Two black shadows surged out between his claws, quickly splitting and expanding into what looked like countless black tendrils, writhing wildly in all directions, trying to entangle and consume everything.

The two examiners' pupils shrank as they looked up.

All light in the room vanished. Everything was shrouded in total darkness.

A cold, terrifying aura filled the space. The two examiners felt chills running down their spines.

"That's enough!" The young man called out loudly.

"Xun xun~"

Little Treasure chirped sweetly and dispelled the shadows.

Light returned to the room.

The examiners looked at Little Treasure with complicated expressions.

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Twenty minutes later, Qiao Sang walked out of the Coordination Center, holding her F-rank Coordinator Badge.

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Time slipped by unnoticed.

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Twenty-four days later.

9:30 PM.

Villa - Outdoor Training Ground.

"Tomorrow is the coordination contest." Qiao Sang said seriously.

"Xun xun."

"Gang Slice."

Little Treasure and Gangbao responded with equally serious cries.

"Gangbao, I suggest you switch performance order with Little Treasure." Qiao Sang said gravely, looking at Gangbao.

Originally, the plan was for Gangbao to perform in the first stage (the showcase) and for Little Treasure to handle the second stage (the flashy battle segment).

But after over twenty days of training, Gangbao's mastery of Gale had improved steadily, now reaching a high-level proficiency.

Her power had increased greatly, but likely because she kept getting stronger day by day, the control had become unstable.

What felt manageable late at night during practice would need readjusting the next day due to a sudden surge in power.

Gangbao didn't respond right away.

"Xun xun..."

Little Treasure looked between his master and Gangbao, sensing the atmosphere had become a bit tense.

"This is the best option." Qiao Sang sighed.

Even though ghost-types weren't suited for the showcase stage, Little Treasure had at least developed several possible entrance routines.

This coordination contest was entry-level, no past accolades were required to participate.

As long as Little Treasure didn't mess up, getting to the second round shouldn't be an issue.

Besides, he looked much more presentable than most ghost-type pets. Being a species not found on Chaosu Star, he could give the judges a sense of novelty.

A week ago, she had considered asking Gangbao to change her performance strategy, but every night she trained into the late hours and only stopped when she made progress, so she gave up on that idea.

She really wanted Gangbao to perform successfully too, but time had run out.

Since the goal was to let more people on Chaosu Star notice the charm of Steel Falcons, Gangbao's performance had to succeed.

The audience only praises and remembers the victors.

Gangbao remained silent.

Logic told her this was the right choice, but emotion said that giving up was admitting failure, that she was useless.

Qiao Sang waited quietly.

"Gang Slice."

After about ten seconds, Gangbao finally called out, saying she wanted to give it one more try tonight. If it still didn't work, then they'd switch.

"Alright." Qiao Sang nodded.

The atmosphere was still a little strange.

"Xun xun..."

At that moment, Little Treasure timidly raised a paw and called out, asking whether they should go out and do some healing, it was already quite late.

Because their time on Chaosu Star was limited, Qiao Sang had been going out earlier in the evenings lately to earn money by healing more people.

Qiao Sang pulled out her phone and checked the time. 

"We won't go tonight."

"Xun xun?"

Little Treasure tilted his head, confused.

"I'm staying with Gangbao to train tonight." Qiao Sang said.

"Xun xun~"

Little Treasure gave an understanding look, So that's why.

"Gang Slice..."

Gangbao looked up at her master, eyes gleaming.

She knew how important money was to her, especially after the unlimited card expired. And yet, now...

"What are you standing around for? Go train." Qiao Sang said with a grin. 

"Didn't you say you wanted to do the showcase performance?"

"Gang Slice!" 

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