Chapter 214 Beast Tamers

On the other side of the portal

In the middle of the forest stood a portal, just like what the news had stated. Back at the lab, the portal was described as stable, and that crossing through doesn't entail any risks aside from physical disturbances.

A father and son cautiously walked through closer, trying to figure out whether they'd believe the researcher's words. So far, nothing weird had transpired, much to their relief.

"Dad, do you see that?" The son asked, pointing right by the base of the portal. "It seems like."

"Whoa~! Isn't that an Alpha Red Salamander?!"The father exclaimed at the top of his lungs, his eyes sparkling. "It's the first time I've seen one!"

.....

A few hours ago

Ti-ring! Ti-ring!

Ti-ri-ri-riiiing!

The morning sunlight shone through the half-opened curtains by the windowsill, beaming on a young teenager who was sprawled on the bed, snoring. Muttering something in his sleep, he started scratching his belly before rolling to his side. "Mhmhmm~" He mumbled right when he reached the edge of his bed.

Thud!

"Wah?!" The teenager woke up and rubbed his eyes in surprise.

For quite a few minutes now, his alarm clock had been going off but it took him a fall on the bed just to wake up. Dragging himself, he approached his alarm clock and turned it off, yawning as he did so.

Kruuooh!

A strange creature walked on all fours and approached the teenager, licking his face. It had the appearance of a leafy sea dragon, except its light blue in color. With an enthusiastic purr, the creature nuzzled the young teenager just as he sat beside the bed.

"Oh, Sarugaso, good morning! I see you're as energetic as ever." The young teenager grinned, totally forgetting that he had a prior engagement the night before.

"Ash? Ash?"

"Yes, mom?" He called out, thinking that her mom was probably done cooking breakfast.

"Don't you know what time it is? You have to meet the Lead Researcher, right?" Her mom lightly berated from the way downstairs. "Don't tell me you just woke up?"

"Ah! Right! How could I forget!"

Ash Grey, one of the continent-renowned Beast Tamers, had just gotten home from a long adventure. He was so exhausted when he got home that he overslept, overlooking his scheduled appointment with the Lead Researcher of Beasts.

Due to copyright infringement, the creatures of this world were simply called Beasts— mysterious creatures that freely roam the world. Every region and continent has its own exclusive Beasts which made the world a literal ball of adventure. This world is where Ash Grey grew up in along with his mom AND DAD. And right now, he was leading the dream as one of the Region Lead Researcher's assistants. His task— to study the Beasts, adventure with his own Beasts as a Beast Tamer, and aid in the Beast Research.

So far, Ash Grey had been successful with his adventures, traveling along with his first companion, Sarugaso, the Leafy Sea Dragon pokemo— er, the Leafy Sea Dragon Beast. He had been to eight regions in total, participating in Beast Tamer competitions on his way to becoming the Beast Master. It was his life-long dream to become the Beast Master, just like his dad who was pretty famous around the world.

Looking back to it now, Ash Grey could still remember the time when he got his first beast— it's as if it happened yesterday. Just like now, he also overslept back then right when the Beast Choosing Ceremony happened. The Beast Choosing is an annual event held by the Regional Lead Researcher. At this time, the Lead Researcher would pick out young teenagers with the potential to help with his research. And since Ash's father was pretty famous in the industry, Ash easily got a recommendation and he got a free pass in the Beast Choosing Ceremony.

However, he overslept, and the only Beast left just so happened to be Atran, the Leafy Sea Dragon Beast.

Through his journey, Atran (along with the beasts that Ash managed to tame) became stronger, evolving into Pacifia, and then to Sarugaso.

Sarugaso stared at Ash as he made his way downstairs, tailing him. Ash had trained Sarugaso to have stable footing on land despite being a Water-type Beast and because of that, it didn't trip on the stairs.

"Oh, son, you're here!" Jean casually waved to his son while sipping on his morning coffee. He was reading the newspaper just like any other generic dad in a morning scenario. "You and your oversleeping habits, I guess you haven't heard the news?"

"The news?"

"Come on, dear, the two of you should eat breakfast first," Dahlia called out from the kitchen. "You were also called by the Lead Researcher, right?"

"You mean Professor Oakland, yeah? It's got something to do with THE NEWS." Jean once again emphasized, piquing Ash's curiosity.

"News?! What news?!" Ash excitedly chirped. Just a few seconds ago, he was half-awake, drowsily walking down the stairs with a constant yawn. But right now, he was more than eager to go out and meet Professor Oakland.

"The two of you should eat first! Seriously, like father like son," Dahlia commented with a warm smile and gentle gaze. It wasn't every day that her husband and her son are home and that's why she always cherished the time she spends with them.

"By the way, when did you arrive, dad?" Ash asked, munching on a piece of toast while he held a hotdog on a stick in the other hand.

"Yesterday afternoon, you were already asleep. You didn't even hear me and your mom." Jean continued.

"Hear what?" Ash cluelessly asked.

"TALK! YOU d-didn't hear us talk!" Dahlia panicked for a moment before glaring at her husband.

"Yeah, we were laughing out loud last night while watching a comedy show. I'm surprised you didn't wake up from all the noise." Jean agreed.

"Oh, ah right! Uu~ I missed the show! Did you at least record it, dad?" Ash asked, hoping that his dad remembered to record the episode for him.

"Of course, it's caught in 4k," Jean responded, giving Ash a thumbs up.

"Swell! I'll watch it later! In any case, what's the news about?" Ash couldn't wait any longer. As he asked the question, he sideglanced towards his mom, thinking that he'd disapprove of the conversation. To his relief, his mom just nodded along.

With his wife's approval, Jean answered. "Ah, that? Apparently... a portal appeared in our region. Professor Oakland believed it's a doorway to another dimension— and there are new species of Beasts residing there."

"Whoa~?! Really?!! Then we should go! I wonder which types of Beast I'll meet over there!" Ash pumped his fists in the air.