'Good!'
'Sitting on the mountain watching the tigers fight, huh!'
Asher and the others didn't expect they could even witness Cold Nation and the Eastern Nation fight.
Why not accept benefits delivered to your door?
Hesitating even one more second is disrespecting the failure of the conspiracy.
And so, Soren stepped down from the originally scheduled victim role.
The Eastern Nation and Cold Nation started tearing into each other first.
Those countries in the international community waiting to laugh at Soren: "?"
'Wait a minute?'
'Isn't something off here?'
———
"There's nothing off."
[Imperial Spire]
Dr. Veyl, who received the latest gossip caused by the Eastern Nation and Cold Nation, had an expression that was calm as water.
'What?'
'The Eastern Nation and Cold Nation started fighting first?'
'Isn't that a completely normal thing?'
'These two countries still want to scheme against Soren? That's just a joke.'
Even without coming from the front.
Even making moves in the dark, Soren could still crush these two nations.
Still thinking of stepping on Soren?
Dr. Veyl just wanted to say: 'If dreaming makes one great, then anyone can be remarkable.'
But one must still open their eyes and look at the world, to realize just how big the gap is between themselves and other major powers.
"But it's not like there were no gains either," Dr. Veyl smiled as he opened a special report.
Inside was information about Asher.
An introduction to Asher's personal information.
Age.
Family background.
School attended.
Current honors.
But the specific achievements were not shown.
Yet just the part that was shown, was enough to leave people who saw it speechless in shock.
A 20-year-old level-two researcher, just one step away from becoming a level-one researcher.
Who would believe this if it were said?
Just asking, who would believe it?
Dr. Veyl looked at Asher's two-inch photo and pressed his lips together, "This face…"
In an instant.
Countless memories of the past surfaced in Dr. Veyl's mind.
Those were memories from when he was still in Soren.
To him.
Neither hateful nor particularly beautiful.
But in the moment he saw Asher, Dr. Veyl realized, turns out he still had some lingering attachment to those past days.
"…Asher huh, if it's like this, then it's not surprising," Dr. Veyl sighed, taking this file to the shredder.
He threw this hard-earned file directly into the running shredder, "Good thing I noticed first."
"Imperial Spire…", While speaking, Dr. Veyl suddenly furrowed his brow again.
His expression looked a bit hesitant.
"If it's him, then entering the Imperial Spire might also be a good option?"
Aside from the Imperial Spire's weird academic factions, to Dr. Veyl, the Imperial Spire was a very useful tool.
He believed, it would be the same for Asher.
"Let me think about it some more," Thinking so, Dr. Veyl shook his head, deciding to consider further before making a decision.
As for Asher's opinion?
That wasn't very important to him.
Just like Asher's origins.
People always have times when they can't choose for themselves. [T/N: BS, you always have a choice]
———
"Achoo—", Asher sneezed.
"Who's talking about me behind my back?", Asher rubbed his nose, "Can't be those people from Cold Nation and the Eastern Nation, right."
"This whole incident doesn't really have much to do with me."
Hearing Asher sound like he really believed that, Iris didn't even want to speak, "Don't be so modest. I, as an outsider, more or less know what you did this time."
"And you call that 'not doing much'?"
"Your contribution was huge."
Asher smiled slightly, "Thanks for the compliment."
Iris: "…"
"You really are shameless," Iris said helplessly, "No wonder you can come up with ways to deal with Cold Nation and the Eastern Nation."
"Can you say something nicer?", Asher smiled, "Besides, by now, the Eastern Nation should almost be in internal chaos, right?"
He was referring to the Drilling Worm research project.
After Cleveland boasted about it.
Encouraged by Asher and Professor Desmond, their side also sent people to understand the project.
Talked it up like crazy.
Lots of hype.
The concept of transcending into a dragon-attribute beast was very eye-catching.
The Eastern Nation did take this project seriously.
"Who would've thought, this project has already been established for 18 whole years, oh my goodness," Asher said while shaking his head.
"Really didn't know before checking, but once checked, it was shocking."
"I even suspect the Eastern Nation did this on purpose."
"Thinking that this project already consumed too much time and money, their country can't support further research, so they came to Soren to freeload."
Asher didn't leave the Eastern Nation any face.
Said it directly.
Iris had an amused expression, "What you said… okay, 18 years is a bit outrageous."
Before Asher appeared.
Soren had also had long-running research projects.
But, no matter how long. Once it passed ten years. The government would evaluate the project in all aspects.
Once confirmed that the project was no longer worth pursuing, no matter how much had been invested, they would stop further research. Call it cutting losses in time.
Even if earlier investments couldn't be recovered.
They absolutely wouldn't keep throwing into that bottomless pit.
At the same time.
The professor responsible for that pet project would have all projects strictly audited in the following years.
"Well… maybe it's because the early investments were too huge, too much was put in, they simply couldn't pull out anymore."
"At that point, the only way forward is to keep raising expectations, keep hyping up the potential benefits of this possibly unviable project."
"Maybe that Cleveland guy?"
"He might have already known that Drilling Worms can't evolve into dragon-attribute beasts, but he had to make himself believe."
"And had to make his country believe too," Iris said, shaking her head.
"Of course, not all of the Eastern Nation's leadership are fools."
"They definitely realized the problem."
So when they wanted to strike Soren this time, they pushed out this project team.
The strategy was dual-use.
If it succeeded.
Then everyone's happy.
They could also stomp hard on Soren's pet research.
If it didn't succeed, just like when the Eastern Nation, in desperation, tried to smear Soren, as long as they shifted attention and public focus onto Soren, they'd count that as a success.
Thinking of this, Iris couldn't help but let out a long sigh, "So dirty, these people's hearts are just too dirty."
Luckily.
Cold Nation was unreliable.
Betrayed directly.
That made the Eastern Nation's plan fail before it even started.
Hearing that, Asher also nodded, "Indeed, Cold Nation played a key role here."
How to say it…
Some things, even when clearly slandered, when someone throws a basin of dirty water on you, everyone knows it's fake, it's baseless.
There will still be some people jumping out saying things like "flies don't bite seamless eggs," or "if you really had nothing wrong, you wouldn't be splashed with dirty water," that kind of nonsense.
"No matter what, not having to deal with that kind of mudslinging, and having Cold Nation willingly act as the evidence nation, ensuring nothing splashes back, this feels amazing."
Asher smacked his lips.
Normally not fond of social media, even he had been binging gossip on all the major platforms these days.
Can't help it, these melons just taste too good.
[Today's phone screen time has reached 13 hours]
[Anti-addiction mode has been activated]
Asher casually picked up his phone: "…"
Asher silently, as if nothing happened, stuffed his phone back in his pocket.
Iris noticed something was off, but the feeling passed in a flash.
She didn't think too much about it.
"Right," Iris looked at Asher, "So what are you planning to do next?"
"Take a break?"
Asher thought along with her words, "I guess I really have been quite busy lately."
"Take a break for a while then."
"I also need to find time to take Little Raven and them to farm some forbidden zones."
'If possible, also grind some more in Red Soil Secret Realms.'
Asher had seen the versatility of the Three-legged Golden Crow blood crystal.
Even if he couldn't use it openly, using it privately, occasionally claiming it was old stock being reused, was still good enough.
Iris: "…"
Already increasingly used to treating Asher as a pet research professor, Iris suddenly remembered, 'Asher's self-defined profession is actually beast tamer.'
Iris: "…"
Speechlessness was her mother tongue.
Luckily, she had long accepted Asher's absurdity. And didn't continue complaining.
"So here's the thing," Iris smoothly changed the topic. "The Southern Soren Region's Advanced Beast Taming Academy is recruiting professional course teachers. Requirements: Tier 3 researcher under 35 years old."
Asher: "?"
'Huh?'
'Seems like first time hearing this?'
"Don't act like it's the first time. This is entirely because you don't pay attention," Iris could tell what he was thinking just by his expression.
She rolled her eyes.
Speechlessly said: "This news is pretty widespread."
"You're just so busy, that's why you missed it."
Hearing that, Asher calmly smiled, not feeling awkward at all.
'What's wrong with that?'
'If he could help it, he wouldn't want to be like this either!'
'It's just been way too busy!'
"Bluewind University's classes are pretty boring for you now. I suggest you go check out the Advanced Beast Taming Academy."
"If nothing else—"
"The combat department beast tamers there are quite strong."
Iris knew Asher way too well.
Sure enough.
Asher showed an interested expression.
Then he stroked his chin, "But… why is the Advanced Beast Taming Academy suddenly recruiting pet research professors?"
"Weren't they previously focused on training advanced beast tamers and breeders?"
Asher said uncertainly.
Pet research professors were mostly aimed at ordinary people who couldn't become beast tamers.
And among them, the number of beast tamers was pitifully small.
Whereas the breeder profession was more compatible with beast tamers.
Excellent students could both raise their pets and strengthen themselves as beast tamers.
The two professions didn't conflict much.
Hearing this, Iris gave Asher a "think for yourself" look and didn't speak.
Asher: "…"
'That familiar look.'
'That familiar feeling.'
"Could it be…", Asher uncertainly pointed at himself, "Because of me again?"
"What else?", Iris looked at him, amused.
"You think the impact you've made is small?", Iris said angrily.
"As a pet research professor, you're undoubtedly top-tier in the country."
"If you say your talent is second, no one dares say they're first."
"Flattering, it's not that exaggerated," Asher said modestly.
Iris chuckled.
True or false, Asher knew in his heart.
So did the other pet research professors and the general public.
"And as a beast tamer…", Iris paused, then continued, "Just based on the strength you've shown—it's also top-tier."
Whether it was the freshman league organized by Jade Dragon and Flood Dragon Universities.
Or the combat rankings for all universities in South Soren, excluding the Advanced Beast Taming Academy, Asher topped the list again.
Unfortunately, after that, Asher auto-graduated.
Didn't get to participate in the league.
Otherwise, many people wanted to see firsthand how powerful Asher's pets really were.
And how much he could shine on the grand stage.
"The Advanced Beast Taming Academy was always a place for training top talents. Whether Tier 3 beast tamer strength or other professional courses—"
"It's all about maximizing their potential."
Iris said calmly, "Since you can show capabilities in both pet research and beast taming, then the talents and elites at an advanced academy, by theory, should also be able to do it."
They say: 'Since someone already did it, so can we!'
Asher: "…"
'So the ultimate grinder is… me?'
Asher was shocked.
He opened his mouth, wanting to say something, 'Don't just copy me like that!'
But in the end, he said nothing.
"Fine then…", Asher nodded, "Suddenly I don't really want to apply anymore."
Iris: "?"
'Huh?'
'That's not the right reaction!'
'How could Asher not be tempted by the chance to spar with more powerful beast tamers?'
Asher: 'Afraid that after entering the Advanced Beast Taming Academy, I'll get jumped by students who are supposed to be mine!'
Asher could already imagine.
Once the class starts, what kind of mourning-filled scene awaits.
———
[Three days later]
Asher successfully applied and became a pet research professional course teacher.
[T/N: Hey everyone! If you're into mystery, magic, and a whole new twist on the wizarding world, check out my new fanfic "Harry Potter: Transmigrated Detective Link." A sharp-minded detective finds himself in the world of Hogwarts, and things are about to get interesting. Give it a read and let me know what you think!]
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