Asher raised a fist with one hand, coughed lightly twice with it against his lips, "That Fire Fox Queen's preference really is..."
"Special," Asher softly uttered these two words, as a kind of praise for the Fire Fox Queen's unique preference.
Kates: "Hahaha! I think so too!"
"It's just that after becoming the one being compared, I suddenly feel like this thing isn't that funny anymore."
Watching the drama is fine.
Becoming the main character in the story. Not so great.
Duncan, the Beast Tamer of the Fire Fox Queen: "..."
'Shouldn't the one who wants to cry more right now be me!', Duncan sobs.
Duncan hugs the Fire Fox Queen and cries bitterly, trying to retrieve the Fire Fox Queen. And switch to another beast to fight Kates.
"Coo! Coo! Coo!", The Fire Fox Queen waves its claws.
Only meaning one thing, no way.
Asher and Kates cross their arms, standing to the side, with similar expressions on their faces.
Interesting.
More.
Duncan really wants to cry out like a dog.
Not helping is one thing.
Still standing on the side watching the drama.
"Wuwuwu!"
Finally.
After a busy half day, and all of Duncan's courage.
Duncan, as the Beast Tamer of the Fire Fox Queen, still successfully persuaded the Fire Fox Queen to obediently return to the spiritual sea beast space.
"Coo!"
'You just wait, you little crow!'
Before disappearing, the Fire Fox Queen didn't forget to throw some harsh words at Little Raven.
And then disappeared the next second.
The point is, Little Raven couldn't possibly chase it into its Beast Tamer's spiritual sea to beat it up.
Little Raven: *Angry*
'Angry! Angry! Angry!'
Little Raven's eyes suddenly lit up as it looked at Duncan.
Duncan's whole body went stiff.
Felt like he was being stared at by some fierce beast.
Asher: "..."
Asher sighed.
"This Fire Fox Queen is really...", Asher trailed off.
Once.
He thought June's little Fire Fox was already annoying enough.
After evolving into Fire Fox Queen, that annoying personality levelled up.
But because it lost to Little Raven, in front of Little Raven, June's Fire Fox Queen was still considered obedient.
Until they met this Fire Fox Queen.
Asher understood.
This is a trait carved in the bones of fox-type beasts.
Annoying.
A punchable look.
Whether or not it can win a fight, first provoke the opponent. Or else it won't feel satisfied.
"Alright alright, don't be mad anymore," Asher had no choice but to let it go.
Honestly.
When he saw that Fire Fox Queen, he also had a strong urge to punch.
So Little Raven being angry was totally normal.
"Next time we run into it, we'll beat it up first, then talk," Asher said seriously.
Little Raven: ﾉ(＾∇＾)ﾉ
Little Raven cheered up.
Duncan trembled, staring at Asher in shock.
Like he didn't expect his teacher Asher to say something like that.
Asher smiled at Duncan.
"As the Fire Fox Queen's Beast Tamer, I believe student Duncan can understand his teacher's feelings, right?"
'Such an annoying Fire Fox Queen.'
'Who wouldn't want to throw hands?'
Duncan opened his mouth, then silently closed it again.
Alright.
He got Asher's meaning.
But he still found it a bit hard to believe.
"Don't look at your teacher with those eyes," Asher winked at Duncan with a smile.
"Actually, your teacher isn't that old, still young, being impulsive is totally normal."
Asher said it openly.
Duncan was instead at a loss for what to say.
Because after hearing Asher's words.
He and Kates suddenly remembered.
'Oh right!'
'Speaking of age teacher Asher is younger than us!'
Thinking of this, Duncan and Kates: "..."
"Teacher, you're amazing!", Kates once again gave Asher a thumbs up.
Duncan also nodded repeatedly.
"Alright," Asher smiled, not saying anything more on this topic.
"Then you two keep training, battling, I'll be off?"
Duncan and Kates had no intention of stopping Asher.
Asher, with Little Raven and the other three beasts, left the place easily, continuing their journey of exploring the grass.
After experiencing a not-so-thrilling morning, Asher continued with his day's schedule.
The 10 a.m. big lecture.
Asher arrived right on time.
Started his lecture.
The moment the bell rang, Asher was also the first to put away the lesson plan and head toward the cafeteria.
Overtime?
Nope.
That's absolutely impossible.
Not to mention whether overtime has any meaning in university.
Compared to overtime, Asher cared more about what was on the lunch menu today.
After enjoying a satisfying lunch, sweeping through most of the cafeteria with his little jellyfish.
As soon as he walked out.
Asher was blocked by students.
"Finished it this early?", Asher flipped through the small homework in his hand with surprise.
Whether in terms of word count or the refinement of the work, it was top grade level.
Asher looked at the girl in front of him with surprise.
It was that previously cute-looking girl, Eva Elsie.
Even her name sounded a bit adorable.
With her was a chubby boy, also a student from Asher's small class.
When Asher's eyes turned to him, the chubby boy Byrd Staymire visibly panicked.
"Teacher, I… my paper still needs some time to finish," Byrd scratched his head at Asher, looking a bit embarrassed.
Asher put away Eva's assignment and smiled at Byrd, "Didn't finish the paper but still dared come with Eva, not afraid I'll think you're not as diligent?"
Byrd's face turned pale for a second.
Then he came to his senses, realizing Asher was joking, and looked at Asher a bit embarrassed, "It's like this, teacher, I just wanted to ask you..."
As he spoke, Byrd's voice got smaller.
Asher: "?"
"I'm also your teacher, if there's anything just say it."
Hearing this, Byrd seemed to gather a bit of courage, looked at Asher, and asked awkwardly, "It's like this, teacher, my pet beast seems to have a problem with evolution. I wanted to ask if you could help take a look..."
While talking, Byrd also scratched his head awkwardly.
"I know it's a bit much to ask, but..."
Byrd bowed his head in embarrassment.
Asher is a level two researcher.
Although Byrd is a student at the Advanced Beast Tamer Academy, normally, he probably wouldn't even get in contact with a level two researcher circle after graduation.
But Asher just happens to be their teacher.
A teacher's circle is also a kind of resource extension for students.
Just depends on whether the student can tap into it.
Asher rubbed his chin, didn't refuse outright, "Let's talk somewhere else."
Standing at the cafeteria entrance, with people coming and going, was awkward.
Byrd nodded repeatedly, 'Yes yes yes! All good all good!'
As long as the teacher didn't reject outright, it meant there was room to discuss, so Byrd naturally had no objections.
"Teacher teacher! I want to come too," Eva raised her hand, looking at Asher with a face full of anticipation.
Asher chuckled: "Then come along."
While walking, Asher continued.
"You two planned this, didn't you? One hands in homework, the other seizes the chance to ask questions?"
"Hehe!", Eva put her hands behind her back, smiling sheepishly at Asher.
Byrd looked even more embarrassed and nodded.
Although...
That's indeed what happened.
"Luckily Eva was willing to help me, otherwise I'd be too emb—", Not that Byrd was that shy.
Just that asking something like this from a teacher.
Knowing he was taking advantage, he felt a bit awkward.
Asher smiled.
Didn't say anything more.
Mainly because Asher knew.
If he dared say one sentence today, "No problem, come anytime."
His office would soon be packed.
Asher is kind-hearted, and doesn't mind occasionally helping those around him, but that doesn't mean he'll never reject trouble.
Back in his office.
Asher finally asked Byrd in detail what was going on.
"Actually, it's like this, my beast is Little Steel Ball," While speaking, Byrd released Little Steel Ball.
It had to be said.
This beast got its name for a reason.
Looked like a shiny, round stainless steel ball.
Still small.
No hands or feet.
Completely round, not even any eyes.
Before evolution, it moved by using special ability propulsion and rolling.
If Little Steel Ball's special ability was a bit weak, mixed in with a bunch of normal steel products, it could barely be recognized.
But after evolving into Steel Armor Beast, it becomes a powerful Steel + Special attribute beast.
So many Beast Tamers are willing to invest early on in Little Steel Ball, waiting for it to evolve into Steel Armor Beast.
As long as the process is done right, the chance of failure is extremely low.
Just needs a bit more resources, and can be a bit troublesome.
"I clearly followed the steps, don't know where it went wrong, just stuck at the final step, like it can't evolve."
Byrd frowned, full of worry as he shared his doubts.
"I even went to ask the teachers in the pet breeding department."
"But..."
'Couldn't get an appointment.'
Byrd had planned to wait a bit longer.
Didn't expect to get into Asher's small class.
Then he thought, maybe he should try asking Asher.
But never had the courage.
Took advantage of Eva handing in homework, and finally gave it a shot, 'Maybe if the teacher's in a good mood, he'll agree?'
"Alright, let me take a look," Asher nodded.
'Doesn't sound like a big deal.'
He looked at Byrd's Little Steel Ball.
▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬
[Beast: Little Steel Ball]
[Attribute: Steel + Special]
[Species: Mid-level Extraordinary, Mid-tier]
[Level: Tier Four, Intermediate]
[Skills: Bouncing Impact, High-Speed Rolling, ..., Flash Bomb]
[Evolution paths: Steel Armor Beast, Steel Raven]
[Does not currently meet evolution conditions]
[Burp — Full, very full]
▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬
Asher: "Emmm..."
'How to say this?'
Asher wasn't surprised by the results.
As expected.
Little Steel Ball's new evolution path appeared in front of Asher.
The only thing that puzzled him was, 'Why would such a round steel product evolve into something that flies?'
'Isn't this jump a bit too much? And that "very full"...'
'Could it be that Little Steel Ball is overfed?'
Asher carefully checked the requirements for Steel Raven evolution.
[Steel Raven evolution requirements:
Affection (100/100)
Heart of Steel (1/1)
Essence of the Sun (2/2)
...
...
All conditions met for evolution*]
Asher raised an eyebrow.
'Huh? Hmm? Hmm?'
'Actually meets all conditions for [Steel Raven] evolution?'
Then why didn't it evolve? Asher was baffled.
He clicked the asterisk.
Finally.
This time, Asher found what he really wanted to see.
[Greystone: After consumption, cannot evolve for one year (Countdown: 331 days)]
Asher rubbed his chin.
Greystone.
He'd heard of it.
A rare resource, but one most Beast Tamers don't use.
People can't wait for their pets to evolve, who would use this?
Except in rare cases.
Also, it has very low market circulation.
No demand.
No market.
Who buys?
One of those rare, chicken-rib items.
No value despite being available.
"Did you give Little Steel Ball anything strange to eat?", Asher asked.
Byrd blinked, looking confused.
"Eh?"
Byrd scratched the back of his head, "What do you mean... strange things?"
He replied uncertainly.
"Like, Greystone," Asher nodded.
"Though rare, your Little Steel Ball's condition is a lot like what happens after consuming Greystone."
Asher didn't even need to lie.
Indeed.
Some experienced Beast Tamers and breeders can tell just by looking.
Especially if they've seen a beast after eating Greystone, it's easier to recognize.
Byrd naturally didn't doubt Asher's words.
His face showed shock.
"How's that possible!", he exclaimed, "I only made a contract with Little Steel Ball recently."
"I spent a long time collecting resources for its evolution!"
"How could I give it Greystone!"
As he spoke, Byrd's face gradually turned aggrieved, "If that's the case… wouldn't I have to repeat a year?"
Byrd nearly cried for real.
Thinking of the upcoming final exams.
Byrd was genuinely upset.
Knowing the school's curriculum, including pet strength progress, was part of the requirements, Asher: "..."
"Well... I really can't help with that," Asher looked at Byrd with sympathy, "Good luck, worst case just retake the exam."
"Keep your mindset calm."
With less than two months left, it was impossible to raise a new pet in time.
The contract slot also didn't give Byrd that chance.
In an instant.
Byrd cried even louder.
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