"Ha! How weak only from walking a small distance! Were you hit so hard by your inferiority during the testing that you suddenly passed out? Or is it your stupidly low conceiving rate that made you hopelessly move forward and trip over your own feet?"
"Ding! Memories passing now to help host adapt and integrate! :D "
"Who?" Ronja looked up at the agitating and grating voice.
Cat gritted her teeth in frustration, "It's Lady Sarai."
"Ignore her Miss, she no longer had any good intentions for you..."
"What, Ronja? Running with your little cat tails between your legs? What insignificant beasts..."
As Sarai continued to run her mouth, Ronja felt her brain swell. Words fell from her mouth as if she was enchanted, "And to someone who used to like to chase me around all day, suddenly you think you're above me because of some test? What a petty person you are. Following me around all day because I look good to hopefully catch the eye of a few more suitors, and then discarding me when you think you no longer need me? With just a mediocre conceiving rate at that? Are you much better than me?"
"And so, what!" Sarai began to shriek, "I'm still better than you, and science at least can prove that! Beauty isn't everything Ronja."
Sarai began to hobble away with her own little trio, seemingly satisfied with her last word in place.
"Are you okay Miss?" Cat immediately began to comfort her, her own eyes watering.
Both Anna and Cat then picked her up steadily, allowing her to stand on her feet properly.
"I'm fine guys..."
Ronja then shook her head, heavy bells jingling on the headpiece.
Memories filled the information gaps in her head. Her current identity was Ronja. Until the system could send her home, that was who she would remain.
Thinking of the 100-candidate list, she sighed in frustration. Her current number was 100. While she was the last to make the cut, at least she would have picking rights for partners and a territory to manage... but her psychological barrier against polyandry and childbirth still hadn't been pierced through.
And now she had to pick three men as her husband candidates?
She couldn't possibly be anymore against it.
The thought about how to leave, glancing at the system window for help:
"Mission termination is not allowed... any resistance will result in original fate restoration! :D"
Goosebumps crawled up her arm. Original fate restoration? What is that supposed to mean?
"The host... was supposed to fall to her death! Long live the system for its gracious and magnanimous heart to save the host! Give birth or die! :D"
Sweat gathered at Ronja's temples. When she fell from the vine, she was already dead?
"There was a brick below you right in line with your neck. You would have bled to death, host! Thank your lovely system for giving you a blessing! :D"
Ronja's eyes watered, tears threatening to fall. Thank you, lovely system.
"Your welcome my sweet and adorable host! Now go give birth! Have fun!"
Wait! Then is my original body still alive!?
"Yes, this lovely system will let you go back and forth as you complete your tasks!"
Anna looked over and misunderstood her unshed tears, "Miss, don't worry about Sarai, she's not a very worthy person to be around anyway. Anyone could see she was using you for attention."
Cat chimed in, "That's right, she just wanted to vet everyone hovering around you to find out who she could poach from your suitors!"
Anna: "Though I still can't believe that Cyrus..."
"Enough you two, it's all in the past now."
The two then shut their mouths and walked forward silently. They were almost to the selection platform.
Looking ahead, Ronja could barely make out the structure, but was captivated by its harmoniousness with the surrounding environment.
The Beast Planet was larger than Earth, almost quadruple in size. The plants grew to heights unseen on Earth and was naturally blessed with clear water, clean air, and abundant harvest.
Even more profound was the Beastmen's relationship to the land. Living in harmony with nature and worshiping the Beast God. Blessed with strength and combat talent to match.
The platform ahead seemed to blend into the surrounding trees, growing out of it. It was separated into three tiers: The lowest containing candidates, the middle platform with the ladies and their women in waiting, and the highest containing a small group of people, possibly regal or aristocratic ladies and their primary husbands, with some priestesses mixed in.
Once all of the ladies were settled, the speeches began in earnest.
Some coming to wish a heartfelt congratulations, others advisory.
"... And finally, the candidate selection ceremony may commence."
A thunderous applause sounded throughout the space, putting pressure on the ears and filling the heart.
For some reason, Ronja's heart began to beat erratically. Was it in anticipation or fear? She really didn't know. But for now, she decided to set aside her prejudice and try to make the best of her situation.
"Congratulations host, for the psychological self-counseling! Please accept the attribute reading gift from this system!"
A ring suddenly appeared on her pointer finger.
"Think of who you would like to perceive, and their attributes will come up into your window."
Ronja inspected the simple ring on her hand that looked like it was made of a blue crystal. She then looked at some of the selection candidates, deciding to test her luck.
As the Beastwomen made their way down to the third platform, the Beastmen began to emanate hormones like never before.
A lot of the Beastmen showed off in an attempt to capture a few more suitors and provide themselves with options. Some opting to switch between animal form and their regular forms, and some remaining human, possibly not so keen on letting people know what they were yet.
However, even at that, the quality of these candidates was obviously already sorted.
Each Beastman wore numbered plates, signifying the gene-quality.
Ronja looked at one of the candidates in the forefront first:
-
Enzo
Candidate Rated Number: 5
Beastform: Red-Crested Falcon Beast
Qualities: Exceptional Strength, Exceptional Agility, Steady Flight, Stealth, Arrogance
Weaknesses: Lacking Female X-chromosomes, low chance of birthing girls.
Hidden Bloodline: Shadow Bird of Prey
Special State: None.
-
Peeking at the top candidates' qualifications, Ronja had a rough idea of what may be considered important in the Beast Continent.
Strength!
Past the top 100 candidates almost none held any "Exceptional Strength." These candidates were subsequently thrown the most options for suitors.
However, Ronja continued looking past these top 100, and even past the top 400. As someone at the bottom of the list, she continuously made her way to the back of the lineup, finding some less-than-desirable candidates.
She knew that anyone too high up would possibly reject her, and she would rather not go through the trouble anyway.