He couldn't help but laugh out loud.
'Goodness.'
'You kid also have this day, huh.'
But President Robb still strode forward and took the initiative to help Asher out of the situation, "We've agreed, we can start preparing to go back now."
Asher: "Okay!"
Jason and other staff, "Wait! Professor Asher! I think we can discuss a bit more!"
Asher's urge to slip away became even stronger.
"Next time."
"Definitely next time."
Asher said with a straight face.
His pet beasts were still waiting for him at home.
This place is not suitable to stay for long.
President Robb at the side saw this and couldn't help but show a smile he couldn't suppress.
"If you really want Professor Asher to help with research, shouldn't you follow procedures?", President Robb stood up and spoke for Asher.
Immediately, Jason stopped. His gaze turned to President Hestner. Everyone else also turned to look at President Hestner in unison.
'President, give us a definitive word?'
President Hestner: "..."
"I got it," President Hestner helplessly waved at President Robb, "Fine, fine, I guarantee to follow the procedures, won't make Professor Asher work for nothing."
Although President Hestner is a bit… well, stingy.
But when it comes to the future development direction and financial prospects of the city, President Hestner still knew what's what.
Some money, even if you hate to spend it, if it has to be spent, it has to be spent.
But not now, after briefly agreeing on a time, Asher and President Robb finally returned smoothly to NY City.
———
President Robb patted Asher's shoulder with a gratified look, "Wanna go to the Beast Tamer Association together?"
There were still lots of things to arrange next!
"I need to return to the research institute first," Asher said helplessly, "I left in a hurry then, and all my pet beasts were left at the research institute."
President Robb suddenly understood.
"No wonder you contracted a pet beast in that completely unknown environment…", Speaking of which, President Robb paused.
Asher smiled slightly.
He understood what President Robb meant.
Although the Angel, being a mechanical attribute beast, was indeed magical. By common logic, in that kind of situation, Asher really shouldn't have recklessly tried to contract a beast with unknown origin.
Was he really not worried at all?
Hearing that Asher didn't bring any of his original pet beasts, President Robb understood.
But...
"Then how did you subdue this pet beast?", President Robb looked at Asher with slight confusion.
Normally, before contracting a wild beast, you have to beat it until it submits. Otherwise, resistance is natural.
Asher didn't bring a single battle-capable pet beast.
Only himself.
And still managed to successfully contract a pet beast?
Hearing this, Asher smiled, "...Consider it good luck, Angel's case is rather special."
President Robb: "?"
'Wait a minute?'
President Robb's confused gaze fell on this big ball in front of him.
'What did Asher call this thing?'
'Angel?'
Somehow.
President Robb opened his mouth, not knowing what to say.
"...As long as you're happy," President Robb randomly nodded, imagining a lot of storylines for Asher and Angel's meeting and contracting.
But for Asher, none of that mattered.
As long as President Robb didn't suspect him, that's good.
"About the placement of the Heart of Machinery…", President Robb frowned again as he mentioned it.
The Heart of Machinery. An existence capable of continuously producing and creating semi-living mechanical constructs.
To say he wasn't tempted at all, that was definitely a lie.
But the Heart of Machinery was found by Asher. In terms of energy, it was also bound to Asher.
"Transporting it will take some time, no rush," Asher waved his hand, "I'll come find you tomorrow, Uncle Robb."
President Robb thought for a bit, nodded in agreement, "Alright."
"Then go get some good rest first," As he spoke, President Robb patted Asher's shoulder.
Asher turned and went back to the research institute.
———
Fortunately, the situation was slightly better than he imagined.
The moment Asher's figure appeared, the staff at the institute all showed expressions of joy and tears.
"Professor Asher, you're finally back!"
"Boohoo! If you didn't come back soon, we really wouldn't be able to hold back those little ancestors."
"Professor Asher, your pet beasts…"
A crowd of people gathered around, all with expressions too complex for words.
Asher: "..."
"Ahem!"
Asher put a fist to his lips and coughed a few times, a bit embarrassed, then looked up at everyone.
"Tell me, what happened during the half a day I was gone?"
'Could it be Little Raven and the others really tore the house apart?'
Speaking, Asher walked inside.
Only then did he notice.
This group beside him, none of them spoke.
Before Asher could ask again—
WHOOSH! WHOOSH! WHOOSH!
Several figures rushed toward Asher from inside the house.
Asher: "!"
If those hit him head-on, he felt he'd be lying in bed for a day.
Just then, the Angel, which had been quietly following Asher without any movement, suddenly acted.
The shrunken metal ball suddenly grew large.
Directly blocked the few that were charging over.
Little Raven: "?"
Cat-Worm: "?"
Little White Snake and Little Jellyfish: "?"
All four of Asher's pet beasts looked at Angel with various confused expressions.
Including the institute's staff.
Levi pinched his nose.
"No wait…"
"What is this again?"
"Another beast?"
Levi looked at Asher with a bit of uncertainty in his tone.
"Angel, mechanical attribute beast, also my pet beast," Asher nodded and introduced Angel at the same time.
Everyone: "?"
'Huh?'
'Hmmmm?'
'What did we just hear?'
'Mechanical attribute... for real?'
Little Raven, who understood what Asher said, also suddenly widened its eyes.
The pair of large golden-red eyes were filled with pure shock.
Even Asher felt a little embarrassed seeing it.
'Have to reflect a bit, did I not handle this well?'
Little Raven flapped its wings and flew a circle around Angel.
Before it could get mad, its gaze toward Angel showed even more confusion.
'That name seems familiar.'
'That big-eyed guy also looks familiar.'
'Where has the bird heard of it?'
"Meow! Meow!"
'The phone!'
Remembering it, Cat-Worm shouted.
Little Raven: "!"
'The bird knows!'
'Holy sh*t!'
Little Raven looked at Angel in shock.
As pet beasts who had been with Asher a long time, Little Raven and Cat-Worm both knew Angel.
That is, the thing in Asher's phone. But they never cared much. After all, it was in the phone.
No big deal.
Who knew, in the blink of an eye… their home was infiltrated.
Little Raven was fuming.
Cat-Worm lowered its body and entered hunting mode, staring at the big metal ball.
"Meow! Meow!"
'Want to pounce!'
Asher: "..."
Asher scooped up the well-behaved Little White Snake and Little Jellyfish.
"In the time I was gone, did you two cause trouble?", Asher didn't even bother asking Little Raven and Cat-Worm.
No way around it, those two were slick old troublemakers. Getting them to behave was a challenge. In contrast, Little White Snake and Little Jellyfish were different. Those two were very well-behaved. Especially compared to Little Raven and Cat-Worm.
Seeing Asher's gaze fall on them, Little White Snake and Little Jellyfish silently, silently turned their heads away.
Just not looking at Asher.
Especially Little Jellyfish. With no eyes, it directly curled into a ball.
Little Jellyfish: 'Hibernating, don't want to talk!'
Asher was silent.
'Great. Now it is all very clear.'
"So what exactly did you do."
Asher had a pained expression.
"Ahem!", Sarah coughed twice on the side.
Asher looked over.
Sarah quietly said: "...Well, that… Professor Asher, your room…"
As she spoke, Sarah blinked.
Implied meaning.
Those who get it, get it.
Asher: "..."
Didn't want to understand instantly.
But he really did understand what happened.
'My room… probably gone.'
Asher opened his mouth, then closed it again.
'Fine. Within expectations.'
If it was just his room, Asher even felt Little Raven and the rest were holding back a little.
'Not bad, not bad.'
And then, Asher walked farther in.... and saw a row of ruins.
This was where Asher's room in the institute was, not far from the staff's living quarters.
Now… Asher rubbed his forehead.
"Everyone go stay at a hotel for a few days first," Asher turned his head, not looking at the ruins again.
Looking won't help. Can't be repaired. Have to rebuild.
That would take time. But they still needed a temporary place to stay.
After all, this was caused by his pet beasts, letting everyone live at the institute wasn't great either.
"Actually, where we stay doesn't matter much," Pierce stepped forward.
He stared at the Angel following Asher with curiosity, "Professor Asher, can you tell us more about this mechanical attribute pet beast?"
'So curious!'
'Mechanical attribute!'
'That was an attribute that only exists in theory!'
They'd never seen one.
And never thought, there'd be a day one appeared right in front of them.
How could anyone not be curious.
Seeing this, Asher didn't brush them off.
Found a place to sit down.
Asher roughly told them about what he'd experienced earlier.
Of course.
Just like what he told Jason and President Robb. It was an abridged version.
The most important parts were replaced.
The rest of the story was enough to shock them.
"It can be like that?"
"Amazing, my bro!"
"Professor Asher, no wonder your nickname is…"
Asher gave Levi a look.
Levi: "..."
Levi coughed a couple times.
Others who'd heard Asher's nickname couldn't help but laugh.
'Got it, got it.'
'Professor Asher doesn't like that nickname.'
'Just don't say it in front of him next time.'
"That Heart of Machinery, any chance we can bring it here?", Pierce brought up another thing that excited him.
'Heart of Machinery, even the name sounds powerful. Its actual abilities must be incredibly powerful too.'
Pierce wasn't a mech fanatic, but that didn't mean he didn't like it, or wasn't interested.
"Maybe?", Asher said uncertainly.
"The most likely outcome is to set up a mechanical attribute beast breeding base here in NY City, I guess?", Actually, before coming out, Asher had already considered the destination of the Heart of Machinery.
Leaving it in Oakridge City… definitely impossible.
Even though Angel's body was already built, and didn't need the Heart of Machinery's help afterward.
But, what if something unexpected happened?
Even if the chance was just 1%, or 0.1%, Asher still felt the Heart of Machinery was better in his or his people's hands.
But if it were in his own hands… a bit difficult.
If placed in NY City, no problem.
Plus, with his relationship with President Robb, if there really was an emergency needing the Heart of Machinery, President Robb would definitely agree without hesitation.
Thinking this, Asher shrugged indifferently.
Pierce gave him a thumbs up, "Professor Asher, you are really…"
"Great!", After thinking for a while, Pierce still used that word.
No choice.
Other adjectives didn't feel right.
The others around couldn't help but laugh.
They understood what Pierce meant.
But precisely because of that, they found it especially funny.
Asher also laughed, "That's enough."
"Everyone's tired today, get some early rest. I'll reimburse the hotel booking later," Asher said generously.
Everyone cheered happily. They weren't short on money, but when the boss was generous, they were just happy.
———
[At Night]
Pierce, Levi and the others booked the top-floor suite of a luxury hotel.
Not only did it offer a 270-degree city night view, the hotel service was also top-notch. Gourmet food and fine wine, everything was available. Everyone relaxed and enjoyed.
Just then.
Eliana, who was browsing her phone nearby, suddenly frowned, "Did you see the top trending search?"
The others: "?"
"What top trending search?", Pierce, who was munching melon seeds, looked up, glanced around, eyes filled with innocent confusion.
Eliana: "..."
"Heart of Machinery trending."
The others blinked again.
Sarah frowned first, "What happened?"
"Wasn't the Heart of Machinery not transported back yet?"
'How did the info leak early?'
Beast Tamer Association staff in Oakridge City were well aware. They definitely wouldn't randomly spread this info.
NY City folks knew even less. Besides President Robb, it was just them.
But in the blink of an eye, how did the Heart of Machinery even hit the trending list?
Everyone quickly checked their phones.
And then…
"No way?"
"Who's this Wen Wen guy coming out of nowhere, spouting nonsense here?"
Chase also frowned, full of confusion and annoyance.
"What do you mean, Professor Asher embezzled the Heart of Machinery?"
"Where did he get that rumor?"
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