Beast Academy: Raising Baby Beasts with Cashback 500%

The four members of Shani’s group gathered in the Concoction classroom.

Iris nodded in satisfaction when she realized that, by coincidence, none of them had left the academy. Students were allowed to leave campus during the weekend.

What Iris didn’t know was that none of the first-year students had gone home that weekend. Even those who had already packed their bags had changed their minds.

The reason was standing right in front of her. Shani.

Earlier that morning, Mercer had announced in Class 5’s group chat that Jeryon and Shani’s egg had hatched. They had become the first successful pair among all the first-year students.

The news spread through the entire first-year almost instantly. It was like everyone had been injected with motivation as they hurried off to continue their resonance sessions.

If Iris hadn’t been here, Sonny and Kiran would have already cornered Shani for advice. The few messages she’d sent in the group chat weren’t nearly enough to satisfy their curiosity.

For now, they had no choice but to pay attention to Iris.

Not wanting to waste her students’ day off, Iris got straight to the point.

”The beast feed is called Red Worm Jelly. My baby beast absolutely loves it because it likes apples. I think this recipe has great potential. Which one of you submitted it?”

Sonny and Kiran looked toward Noella, but she shook her head.

Beside her, Shani raised her hand. ”I created that recipe.”

She had no choice but to admit it. She had assumed the academy’s e-book was simply incomplete. She hadn’t expected that the recipe truly hadn’t been discovered anywhere on the continent yet.

Since it was Shani who had come up with it, Iris didn’t question its origin too much.

If it had been Noella or Sonny, she would have been much more curious. After all, both of them had grown up in prominent families in Aurelis, just like she had. Their backgrounds were similar.

Shani and Kiran were different. They had grown up in Zephyria, especially Shani, who had been raised as an orphan in a small town. There were many things about her that Iris simply didn’t know.

”I actually wanted to ask for your permission before I started making it for my own baby beast,” Iris admitted. ”If you don’t mind, of course.”

Shani had no objections.

”For Shani’s creativity, your group will receive bonus points,” Iris announced before dismissing the four students.

Sonny and Kiran immediately high-fived Shani in thanks. Noella smiled and thanked her as well.

Meanwhile, a new idea formed in Shani’s mind.

’If even an instructor’s baby beast at Feline Tower loves it, wouldn’t other people’s baby beasts like it too?’

The ingredients for Red Worm Jelly were cheap and easy to obtain. A business idea began taking shape.

”Shani, I want to see your baby beast.” Sonny’s voice snapped Shani out of her thoughts.

For now, she had to think of an excuse for the three friends staring at her with eager eyes.

Yes, even Noella looked curious.

...

Shani only managed to escape their questions after receiving a call from Cedric. She hurried into her room with a bright smile.

”Hello, Director! I have a baby beast now!” she greeted enthusiastically, before she could hear the lecture she expected.

There was no reply. Instead, she heard the high-pitched voices of several children and Cedric trying to calm them down.

Shani immediately switched the voice call to a video call. Cedric accepted it right away.

His face looked even more wrinkled than she remembered. Behind him stood Mina and the other children.

”Shani, we miss you!”

”Shani, you’re even prettier now!”

”Shani, is that your room? It’s so big!”

Shani couldn’t catch everything the children were saying, but she answered each comment she managed to hear.

”Shani, I’m going to be adopted by a couple from Lunarion. If everything goes well, I’ll come visit you in Aurelis,” Mina said with a faint smile.

Honestly, Shani was stunned. She was happy... but also sad.

”When are you leaving?” Shani asked, subtly tilting the camera upward so she could wipe away the tears welling in her eyes.

”My adoptive parents are coming to pick me up in two days,” Mina replied.

”Get my contact information before you leave,” Shani said. Mina nodded.

When the children had nearly finished talking with Shani, Cedric told Mina to take the younger kids outside. He wanted to speak with Shani alone.

Shani’s heart began pounding. ’Am I going to get scolded?’

She suddenly felt like a child who knew she’d done something wrong and was waiting for punishment.

Cedric’s stern expression gradually softened into one of relief. ”Thank goodness you’re safe over there.”

Shani froze. That wasn’t the reaction she’d expected.

Cedric explained that he already knew who Shani’s partner was and that she’d become the fastest student to hatch her artificial egg.

He had been shocked, worried... and proud of her.

”I know you always have a plan, Shani,” Cedric said. ”But if you ever need help, don’t hesitate to contact me, or anyone else you trust.”

Shani thanked him, though the words felt insufficient. She had no idea how she could ever repay everything Cedric had done for her.

While Cedric continued talking, Shani quietly transferred 10,000 Credits to him.

Only as they were about to end the video call did she mention the money.

”I recently received a scholarship from the headmaster because I became Jeryon’s partner. Before that, Instructor Cole also gave me some spending money. I haven’t used any of it because Jeryon has been covering all Nyx’s meal expenses and care.”

”I’ve already sent you the money. Consider it repayment for the transportation costs and the smartwatch you bought for me, Director. Use the rest for the children’s daily expenses. Please don’t send it back. I still have plenty of spending money left.”

”Oh, and could you give Mina 1,000 Credits before she leaves with her adoptive parents?”

After saying everything in one breath, Shani quickly said goodbye and immediately ended the call.

...