Asher: "..."
'Ahem!'
Although, however this really wasn't his area of expertise, having a special talent or skill was one thing, but the special consequences brought by special resources, Asher also had no solution.
He could only pat the young man's shoulder.
'Don't cry.'
'Believe in yourself!'
Byrd, tearfully, "Teacher, this isn't something that can be solved just by cheering me on."
"And besides, I'm not the protagonist of the world, I can't just explode my small universe because I want to," As he spoke, Byrd was about to cry again.
He looked at Asher with teary eyes, "If we're being honest, clearly you're more like the protagonist of this world, Teacher!"
Asher smiled, "I think so too."
"But unfortunately, as the protagonist of this world, I also can't help with this matter," As he spoke, Asher spread his hands.
Byrd suffered a critical hit.
The young man walked out of the office with drooping head.
Eva stuck out her tongue at the sight, and quietly said to Asher, "Then Teacher, I'll go comfort him!"
"This matter is pretty unlucky for him."
"Teacher, do you think in special circumstances, we can apply to the school for a postponed assessment?"
'Hm?'
This was the first time Asher had heard of this idea.
"Not sure. I'll ask."
Said and done.
That afternoon, when he ran into Harry, Asher casually brought up the question.
"Ah," Upon hearing, Harry pushed up his glasses, his expression clearly more than a little troubled.
"This kind of thing is really… quite rare."
Asher: "So is it possible to apply for a postponed assessment?"
"Unfortunately, no," Harry answered firmly.
Asher: "?"
Harry looked at Asher.
Harry showed a sudden realization, "Right, you were a good student back in school, never needed to use tricks like this."
Then Harry explained to Asher, "It's not hard to approve one person. But what if other students try to do the same in the future?"
The training of contract beasts and the improvement of their strength. That in itself is part of the performance and evaluation requirements of an advanced Beast Tamer academy.
If you fail, you repeat the year.
Try again next year.
Make-up exams don't exist.
It's like failing to reach a goal in half a year, thinking that an extra month or two will somehow make it work.
That's why the academy is extremely strict regarding make-up exams.
No matter what special circumstances.
Extensions are not allowed.
"It's just to avoid setting a precedent, otherwise people will start finding loopholes," After speaking, Harry spread his hands.
Asher thought for a moment.
'It is indeed true.'
'Give them an inch, they'll take a mile.'
No matter the age, people are good at this trick.
As long as a loophole exists, someone will find a way to exploit it.
If they approved Byrd's extension this time...
"I'm afraid the main audience of acting in the future will all be students from South Soren Advanced Beast Tamer Academy," Asher thought of this scene and couldn't help but laugh.
Harry: "..."
'Ahem!'
He imagined it.
Couldn't laugh at all.
That would be an utter disgrace.
How could Asher still laugh?
Harry decided to skip this topic.
"By the way, for next week's exchange week with Southwest Advanced Beast Tamer Academy, what are you planning to share?", Harry proactively asked.
Then he met Asher's confused expression.
Asher: "?"
"Oh!", Asher showed a sudden realization.
Harry distrustfully pushed up his glasses, "You're faking it."
"If you really didn't hear or weren't paying attention, you can just tell me."
Asher coughed twice, looking at Harry with helpless eyes, "Seriously, what kind of image do I have in your mind?"
"Is there really no trust left?"
Harry didn't feel any issue at all, and nodded.
'Correct.'
'There's no trust left.'
"You have a history," Harry had done some research into Asher's personal life.
And found out.
Asher could even forget about winning an award.
Harry: "?"
'How can someone be this forgetful?'
So Harry didn't casually bring this up to Asher. He was afraid Asher might forget again.
That would be terrible.
"I've already prepared, it's not that hard," Seeing Harry's disbelief, Asher sighed, looking a bit wronged.
"Although, however."
"Southwest Advanced Beast Tamer Academy, or rather other regional academies, probably don't have a course on pet evolution research, right?"
"As long as I reorganize my previous course content, it can be used for the exchange," Asher said and gave Harry a look.
'How's that?'
'I'm still pretty smart, right?'
Harry: "..."
Harry was trying hard to control himself, not to show envy, jealousy, and hatred.
Thinking of how he'd racked his brains these past few days to prepare content for exchange week, his hair was almost falling out.
And now hearing what Asher prepared, Harry really couldn't help but feel jealous.
His jealous heart was soaking in vinegar.
Asher spread his hands helplessly, "That's not my fault."
"Who told other academies not to have this course?"
"Even if we really exchange, there aren't many who can talk with me on this subject."
Harry: "..."
Harry pushed up his glasses, trying to calm down, "Alright, I admit you have a point."
"In that case, the reception work for the event will be handed over to you too."
Asher: "Rejected."
Harry: "Rejection invalid."
"All the other teachers at school are busy preparing their exchange materials."
"This concerns the honor of our academy."
"As a member of the academy, this is your time to step up without hesitation."
"All this is your responsibility now."
Asher: "..."
'Feels like I got CPU'd.'
'Really don't want to agree.'
But after walking around the academy, he saw that the teachers really were busy.
After thinking about it, for the honor of the academy, and for professional responsibility, do your job as long as you wear the robe. Asher still agreed to it.
"Nice!"
"Great! When the time comes, we'll present Teacher Asher like a trump card. Just ask, who can top that! Who!"
"Hahaha! I can already imagine the expressions of those guys from Southwest Academy when they see Teacher Asher!"
"Harry, not bad!"
Everyone celebrated joyfully.
Only Asher stayed silent, looking at Harry.
Harry coughed twice, looking around. Everywhere but at Asher.
"Good grief, so you've been scheming against me from the beginning," Asher said, expressionless.
"Not scheming!", Harry loudly denied, "This is definitely not scheming!"
"Just a small, kind-hearted lie!"
Asher gave a dry laugh and rolled his eyes.
But since he'd already agreed, Asher naturally wouldn't say anything else.
Seeing this, Harry let out a breath of relief.
Asher gave him a look.
'You think that's all?'
'Heh!'
'Hehehe!'
———
In the next few days, Asher's life remained extremely regular, and the physical form of his pet was steadily improving.
Though the progress was slow.
But the stronger the pet, the harder it was to improve.
That's just how it is.
Asher wouldn't feel anxious because of it.
Harry, however, became anxious, "Teacher Asher!"
"What did you do!"
"Why have I been unlucky for several days straight!"
Harry, with a limp leg and crooked glasses, found Asher and loudly demanded.
Asher looked at him calmly, giving him a puzzled expression, "You're unlucky, what does that have to do with me?"
"You make it sound like I can do anything."
Harry fell silent.
Harry stared at Asher.
Asher remained indifferent.
'What?'
'Trying to guilt-trip me with a stare?'
'Nope, not gonna happen.'
Asher was fearless.
And besides, wasn't Harry's misfortune still within an acceptable range?
Like falling through the bed in his sleep.
Slipping while walking in the morning.
Toast always landing on the floor.
All sorts of minor troubles.
But what did any of that have to do with Asher?
As he spoke, Asher winked at Harry.
Harry: "..."
"If it has nothing to do with you, why do you know all the details so clearly, Teacher Asher."
Asher: "Probably because, Teacher Harry, you've been so unlucky lately that everyone's talking about keeping their distance."
"Yeah."
"Don't want to get infected by your bad luck."
Asher took a step back.
Harry felt a dagger stab into his heart.
Brutal.
Those words were way too brutal.
As if he wanted to be this unlucky.
Thinking of this, Harry's eyes were practically brimming with heartbroken tears.
"Damn it!"
"No way!"
'If I can't give Asher trouble, can't I at least go make life difficult for the other teachers who pushed for Asher to receive the guests?'
He didn't know how Asher did it, but Harry was sure this was somehow Asher's doing.
So he was going to drag everyone involved down with him.
He couldn't do anything to Asher.
But he could still spar with his colleagues.
And so, Harry left with pride and fury.
Asher calmly continued sipping his afternoon tea.
What?
Unlucky?
Nothing to do with him.
He'd never admit to it.
———
Then—
A week later.
Asher and Old Rothschild faced each other at the academy entrance.
"Aiya!", The aged Old Rothschild, upon seeing Asher, revealed a surprised and delighted expression, "Professor Asher!"
"Didn't expect to see you here!"
He excitedly walked toward Asher, grasping his hands.
"Old Rothschild, long time no see," Asher nodded back at him.
Though the Jargon Dragon King wasn't following behind Old Rothschild, anyone who knew Old Rothschild, or his dragon king, could never not know Asher.
"You guys are shameless! Even invited Old Rothschild!"
"Heh, right back at you! As if you didn't pull out Professor Asher to show off!"
"Not the same! Professor Asher is a specially hired teacher at our academy!"
"Same! What's the difference! Old Rothschild is a teacher at our Southwest Academy too!"
"Ptui! Shame on you! A current teacher and an honorary one aren't the same!"
"What's the difference!"
The teachers from both academies stared each other down, sparks flying.
There's competition between academies from different regions.
That's perfectly normal.
During exchange week, bringing out your best, most impressive people to represent your school, is there anything wrong with that?
No!
Absolutely not.
If you can't do it, it's not that you don't want to. It's that you don't have anyone like that.
Unfortunately, when Asher and Old Rothschild met, not a single spark flew between them.
The atmosphere was harmonious beyond compare.
The onlookers around could only sigh.
"But you guys actually managed to hire Professor Asher? That's impressive."
The representative from Southwest Academy was an older middle-aged man.
No bald head.
No beer belly.
No glasses.
A rare sight indeed.
"What kind of offer did you give Professor Asher? Tell us!"
"Maybe we can use it to bring in a Level 1 Researcher ourselves."
The person handling external affairs for South Soren Academy wasn't anyone else, it was Harry.
Not for any special reason.
Partly because of his good relationship with Asher.
Partly because of his colleagues' heartfelt "love."
"Heh," Upon hearing that, Harry chuckled and looked at the teacher, "Old Brett, you really think I believe you?"
"You'd take the info I give you and double it to poach Asher, wouldn't you?"
Teacher Brett gave Harry a "you're overthinking it" look.
Then continued.
"*Sigh* Can't you be a little more naive?"
"Professor Asher is a pet evolution professor for all of Soren—if you can hire him, so can we!"
Harry gave a dry laugh.
No point in talking to this guy.
No way they'd succeed.
Professor Asher was loyal to NY City, Jinyang City, and to the entire South Soren.
Harry: '...He should have loyalty, right?'
Over there, Asher, who was chatting with Old Rothschild, had a slightly itchy nose.
He reached out and rubbed his nose.
"Feels like someone is talking bad about me behind my back," As he spoke, Asher looked over in the direction of Harry and them.
Unfortunately.
Harry either didn't notice or just didn't look back anyway.
"Feels like you're living quite a comfortable little life," Old Rothschild said to Asher with a smile.
Asher turned his head back to look at Old Rothschild.
"Not bad."
"Just that there's a little problem."
"Might need your help."
Upon hearing this, Old Rothschild patted his chest and agreed without a second thought.
"What does this old man need to help with?"
"As long as you say it, there's nothing that can't be done!"
═❀═❀═❀═❀═❀═❀═
patreon.com/AmbitiousTranslator
🥳Joining Patreon keeps me motivated and eager to work diligently, so please consider joining.🥰 You can access upto 20 advance chapter through Patreon.
https://discord.gg/bYAfGyp98y