Brett and Harry were both stunned when they heard this.
'Huh?'
"If you put it that way... it does make a bit of sense," Harry slightly furrowed his brows, rubbed his chin with one hand, and muttered.
'Yeah.'
'To ordinary beast tamers, a year might not be much.'
'Within a year, whether the pets they cultivate can evolve or not is still uncertain. A slight delay is just something to complain about a bit. But what about these geniuses at the Advanced Beast Taming Academy?'
'If they can't evolve in a year, their academic assessments for the year will be delayed by a whole year.'
At first glance, it might not seem like a big deal.
But among the students of the Advanced Beast Taming Academy, the competition is extremely fierce.
If a student has a good mentality, then it's fine.
But if a student's mentality is just a bit off...
"It seems this matter is more serious than we thought," Once he figured it out, Brett's expression also turned quite serious.
Asher nodded, "This matter is definitely much more serious than it appears on the surface. We must quickly find out everyone involved behind this."
Everyone exchanged glances.
They had made up their minds.
After drafting a preliminary plan, they didn't continue talking.
Just a brief meeting would do.
Staying together too long might raise suspicion.
They planned to lure the snake out of its hole, not to alert it.
Just as they thought, their actions didn't alarm anyone.
Everyone even thought they had simply gathered to discuss the upcoming Exchange Week.
"Speaking of which, this year's Exchange Week includes Teacher Asher and Old Rothschild. Why don't we try something new?"
Suddenly someone proposed.
Asher: "?"
'Huh?'
'Huh! huh?'
'Ain't I only supposed to be in charge of welcoming guests?'
'Why am I suddenly involved again?'
Before Asher could express his opinion, the people around him started chattering one after another.
"This is good, this is good! You're right! Exchange Week is the same every year, boring to death. Let's do something fresh."
"But what new things can we even do for Exchange Week? No matter how you toss it around, it's the same stuff."
"Teachers exchange, um, I mean, exchange teaching methods, then get a few students to battle, and let them share what they've learned in school."
"Besides that, what else is there?"
"Hmm…"
As they talked, everyone turned to look at Asher in unison, countless eyes like light bulbs in the dark.
Sparkling.
So many that Asher couldn't ignore them even if he tried.
"Teacher Asher, it's your first time attending, and your brain works well. Why don't you give us an idea?", Someone chuckled, looking at Asher with a fawning smile.
"...But you guys already said everything that can be done," Asher replied expressionlessly, voice calm.
"My mind is completely blank right now, and I actually find these exchange activities pretty interesting."
What?
You're tired of it?
But he's not tired at all.
He even wants to personally go on stage and fight with the students.
Everyone: "..."
"Alright, alright! That works!", A teacher beside him slapped his thigh and said with joy after hearing Asher's wish.
The confusion on Asher's face was about to spill over.
"Seriously?"
"You're not joking?"
Harry laughed and looked at Asher, "What's there to joke about?"
"If you want to spar, then go for it. The academy never forbids duels."
Just, they need to be civil and harmonious duels.
Meaning: no private brawls in secret.
Sparring itself is a way to help students grow.
Most teachers don't step in. Not because they don't want to, but because it's inappropriate.
Teachers of combat classes are strong beast tamers. If they step in, students have no chance of winning.
Teachers of non-combat classes may or may not be beast tamers.
If they're not, then there's nothing to say.
If they are... usually their combat and pet training skills aren't that strong either.
Otherwise, they wouldn't have excelled in their specialty.
Time is limited.
Either too strong or too weak.
That's why teachers don't normally participate in student events.
But Asher…
Thinking of those two types, all the teachers looked at Asher with a complicated gaze.
Who would've thought someone could be so talented that they balance both professional skills and pet training combat?
Moreover, they've all heard Asher's famous line—
("Pet evolution research? That's just a hobby!")
When inspiration hits, he just does some research on the side.
His main job is still striving to become a powerful beast tamer.
Everyone: "..."
'Hmm!'
'Although we're colleagues with him, it still feels like Asher is super punchable.'
Asher silently typed out a question mark.
'Like, seriously, some respect?'
"Ahem!"
Noticing what the academy teachers were thinking, Brett, because of his temporary alliance with Asher, gave a light cough.
Signaling everyone to restrain their expressions.
He had similar thoughts too.
But could they not make it so obvious?
Like Asher's blind or something, and can't see a thing.
"Haha! That's right, that's right!"
"Yeah, yeah! If Teacher Asher joins the exchange duels, the kids from both academies will surely be very interested!"
"Eh? Right! If Teacher Asher joins, does that mean he represents the South Soren Advanced Beast Taming Academy?"
"That doesn't seem right! Asher has a different status from those students! He should be a separate faction!"
At first, everyone was just trying to change the topic.
As they continued, they inexplicably, sincerely started arguing.
Still rational: Harry and Brett: "..."
The two exchanged looks and felt the same suffocation.
'Seriously?'
'Do our colleagues all have something wrong with their heads?'
Judging by their behavior, it's hard to imagine them being capable of some grand scheme of internal and external coordination.
Another weird reason to trust their colleagues has emerged.
Unfortunately, if possible, Harry and Brett wouldn't want to build trust this way.
It's really embarrassing.
Old Rothschild watched happily from the side.
In the end, it was Asher who stepped up to break up this not-quite-farce.
"Alright, alright, that's enough," Asher raised both hands, motioning down to silence the crowd.
Magically, the teachers from both academies actually quieted down.
They exchanged glances.
South Soren teachers: 'Why are you guys so obedient? Asher is our academy's teacher!'
Southwest teachers: 'Heh! Who knows! How can you be so sure? Maybe we'll poach him!'
South Soren teachers: 'Shameless!'
Southwest teachers: 'If we can poach him, then shameless it is!'
What?
Face?
What's that?
In front of Professor Asher, it's not worth mentioning.
Seeing how the Southwest Academy's people looked like they were really willing to throw shame away, the South Soren teachers were getting eager to roll up their sleeves and show off their muscles.
No, if they don't show some real strength, the other side will think they're pushovers.
Seeing this, Asher sighed.
'Sigh!'
'Aren't they all supposed to be reputable people? This is an advanced academy, right?'
'Why do I feel as exhausted as a kindergarten teacher?'
"Seriously, that's enough," Asher interrupted their actions and muscle-flexing, "I'll go solo, a team of one. Students from both academies can challenge me."
"Oh right," As he spoke, Asher paused.
Once he had everyone's attention, he continued, "Wouldn't this count as the judge stepping in?"
"Isn't it a bit dull if there's no prize?"
Everyone thought for a moment, 'Seems to make sense?'
Then Asher added, "How about this, if someone beats me, I'll personally design a new, more suitable evolution path for their pet."
Teachers from both academies: "!"
In an instant, all eyes were wide as saucers.
If not for the planet's gravity, their eyeballs would've popped out from shock.
"Holy crap!"
"Teacher Asher, isn't that a bit too generous?"
"Yeah! What if several students beat you…", The teacher paused, scratching his nose awkwardly.
"I didn't mean to jinx you, Teacher Asher, I just…"
Asher smiled, not angry at the seemingly unlucky words, "It's okay."
"What you said is indeed a possibility."
"Then I'll just research a few more."
"It's not that big of a deal."
Everyone: "!"
'Now this is what you call generous!'
'Custom! Tailored!'
'Just ask, who wouldn't be tempted by those words?'
Even if it were just an ordinary pet research professor offering this, Beast tamers would still be tempted.
Let alone if that person is Asher, recognized, the youngest, the most capable one.
Given enough time to grow, he could become the leading figure in domestic pet research.
A long string of titles. But it shows, in the pet evolution circle, among beast tamers, Asher's status is absolutely unique and unmatched.
Even Harry, who had a good relationship with him, couldn't help rubbing his hands, "Can I join too?"
Asher: "..."
Asher gave Harry a helpless, amused look.
"Teacher Harry, are you a beast tamer?"
Harry went silent.
Harry suddenly realized.
"Oh right!"
"I almost forgot!"
"I don't think I'm a beast tamer!"
No one mocked Harry.
They couldn't.
They were all thinking the same.
That is to say, 'If students can join, can't we join too?'
'They wanted in too!'
Asher: "..."
"The judge stepped in."
"This is compensation for the students."
"If you guys join, there's no such treatment. Maybe you'll have to compensate me," Asher nearly rolled his eyes at them.
'Snatching opportunities from students?'
'Check your status first!'
Many teachers sighed in regret.
'Aiya!'
'Why is Teacher Asher so strict?'
'What's wrong with giving us a chance?'
Asher just gave a chuckle, saying nothing.
His strength is still close to that of the advanced academy students.
Even if he duels them, it can barely be considered fair.
Barely.
But if other combat teachers fight him...
Asher smiled.
Asher would demand emotional damages.
Ask why? Because he got beaten up.
Soon, this news spread throughout the academy.
Students who signed up for Exchange Week: "!"
Students who didn't sign up due to lack of interest: "!"
"Let's go! I must win this time! Beat Teacher Asher! I can do it!"
"Why! Why did they only say this now?! I didn't sign up this year! I'm about to start crawling in a dark twisted way!"
"You guys still have it okay. I can't imagine, when we go back and our classmates find out, and then realize they missed it... yeah, RIP."
"Hahaha! That's why I have to win! Then go back and brag like crazy, make them all jealous! Teach them a lesson for not coming!"
Wailing ghosts and howling wolves. Crazy prayers. All sorts of weird sounds echoed across campus.
Every beast tamer had their own fantasy.
One-on-one service.
Custom tailored.
Unique evolution route.
Who wouldn't be tempted?
They sure couldn't resist.
Including Asher's five small-class students.
After learning this, they gathered together, eyes full of shock.
"Teacher Asher, he...", the cute Eva widened her watery eyes even more, too stunned to say a full sentence.
Instead, Kates rubbed her chin on the side, "Come to think of it, this is kind of Teacher Asher's style?"
"It totally is something he'd do," Kates nodded heavily.
Cool guy Jasper also nodded.
"Right!"
"So I must win this spot!"
Kates chuckled.
Byrd: "Actually, I want it too. You all know my situation."
"But, there's one problem."
Others: "?"
What problem?
"That is—"
"Will we even draw the chance to fight Teacher?"
"What if he gets eliminated before facing us?"
Everyone suddenly realized, pupils quaking.
'Right!'
'We almost forgot that part!'
"Teacher Asher! You better not lose until you face us," Jasper pressed his palms together, praying furiously and shouting.
Just passing by, Asher who overheard: "..."
"Heh."
"You little brats, thinking too much."
'Beat me?'
'Better ask if Little Raven even gives them the chance!'
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