Angel seriously began analyzing the situation for Asher.
Asher did not interrupt.
He simply swapped the Cat-Worm in his arms for Little Raven.
In the research institute where the air conditioning ran twenty-four hours a day.
Holding the Cat-Worm for too long, the cool touch became a bit too cold for his hands.
Switching to Little Raven felt much more comfortable.
The despised Cat-Worm: *baring teeth and grimacing*
Cat-Worm: 'Damn it! Damn it damn it!'
Asher: *Pretending not to see*
Little Raven gave the Cat-Worm a haughty queenly glance.
The Cat-Worm was so devastated it shut down emotionally.
"But, the alchemist might have left behind relevant private records related to the Heart of Machinery," Angel was indifferent to Asher's act of swapping cat for bird.
When the Cat-Worm bared its teeth, Angel even wiggled its body twice.
In the already angry eyes of the Cat-Worm.
This seemed even more like a provocation.
The little white snake flicked its long tongue and coiled on the chair Asher was sitting on, placing its oval head on Asher's shoulder.
Clearly showing a "watching the drama unfold" expression.
Asher couldn't help turning his head to take a look.
'Hmm!'
A pair of beautiful golden eyes were so bright they almost glowed.
Asher glanced at the little jellyfish.
How to put it...
Its reaction wasn't as obvious as the little white snake.
Maybe because it didn't have eyes.
They say the eyes are the windows to the soul.
Without this special soul window, the little jellyfish could hide its true emotions effortlessly.
But at this moment.
The little jellyfish was pulsing its round jelly cap.
Its eight long tentacles were waving aggressively.
Obviously.
The little jellyfish was very excited.
Asher shook his head.
Just like Little Raven's firm and unshakable status as the eldest sister of the family.
The Cat-Worm's status as the one everyone bullies always resurfaced from time to time.
Asher decided it was better not to remind the Cat-Worm of this.
Otherwise, the little guy would really blow its top.
Asher silently pulled out a pack of freeze-dried snacks the Cat-Worm liked... uh no, some snacks.
Pushed it in the direction of the Cat-Worm.
His gaze still remained on Angel.
"Private records, huh,".Listening to Angel, Asher pondered for a moment.
He had thought about this question before.
If it existed, there would be traces.
Alchemists from thousands of years ago were still human, right? Even if alchemy was not passed down.
What about their bloodline?
What about their descendants?
Even just a tiny bit, a teensy bit...
Like when he was still back in his hometown.
Didn't everyone's ancestors use to be rich?
In the earlier years.
Didn't every household have one or two items that looked like antiques?
Some better-preserved families might even have genealogy records or something to prove their noble bloodline.
Asher thought it could be understood this way.
And he briefly described it in this manner to Angel.
Angel: ...
"That's a valid way to understand it, but there's still a difference."
"Alchemists have no descendants."
Asher: "?"
Asher silently typed out a giant question mark.
But after Angel piqued Asher's curiosity, it said nothing more.
Asher stared at Angel for a while.
In the end, he could only helplessly drop the topic.
"Alright, alright, if you don't want to say it, then don't," Asher muttered.
"Even if I really asked, you'd probably say it's classified information."
Angel, uncharacteristically considerate, didn't speak.
But that single big eye blinked several times.
The meaning was self-evident.
"So let's sum up now," Asher refused to play guessing games with a riddle-speaker.
He directly skipped over the hidden topic and returned to business.
"No matter what. This person speaking ill of me from the shadows knows something about the Heart of Machinery," As he spoke, Asher paused.
"Why does it feel... like this person might be related to Kates?"
After thinking for a moment, Asher felt that wasn't right.
Kates had a map. But that didn't mean Kates knew what was at that location on the map.
If she had known there was a Heart of Machinery there.
Even if she didn't join the Advanced Beast Tamer Academy. She'd have turned all of South Soren upside down to find that place. That's a mechanical-attribute Beast.
"Handle the online discourse first," Asher shook his head.
'I'm out in the open, the enemy hides in the dark.'
'Can't make a move for now.'
'But it's not a big problem.'
Asher looked at Angel beside him.
The troublemaker probably didn't expect that Angel's capabilities online were far beyond his imagination.
"Even if the opponent knows the use of the Heart of Machinery, that doesn't mean they understand mechanical-attribute Beasts."
"Not to mention, Angel is not an ordinary mechanical-attribute Beast," Asher said with a smile.
Although he still didn't know the real goal behind this online storm.
And the opponent surely couldn't have guessed either.
Compete with him in public opinion?
They had absolutely no chance of winning.
Very quickly, with Angel's involvement, what was initially a flood of hired comments, plus some clueless onlookers, disappeared.
Before emotions were fully stirred up, Angel made its move.
The internet age didn't mean people had no thinking ability. In terms of steering the narrative logically, Angel was definitely top-tier. By appropriately showcasing some of Asher's abilities and achievements.
Perfect.
All the mud-slinging.
All the malicious intentions.
None of it held up.
Asher gave Angel a thumbs-up.
"Alright, just keep an eye on things online," Asher said, "If you can find out who's behind this, good. If not, it doesn't matter."
Asher's voice was calm, expression was calm.
He didn't take last night's internet farce seriously at all.
"If the opponent really has a purpose, they'll eventually make a move."
"Otherwise...", As he spoke, Asher paused, the corner of his mouth slightly curling up.
Little Raven in Asher's arms moved a bit.
It lifted its head, using big golden-red eyes to look at Asher.
"Chirp?"
'For some reason, the bird seems to sense a wicked vibe from its beastmaster.'
'Could it be the Beast Tamer had turned bad?'
But after looking carefully, Little Raven couldn't find anything wrong.
In the end, it could only nuzzle Asher a couple more times.
'Mm! More nuzzling! The Beastmaster definitely won't have any problems!'
Confused Asher: "?"
He was already used to Little Raven suddenly snuggling up, and just absentmindedly petted it in return.
———
[The Next Day]
8 a.m. was the regular work start time.
All the staff who had rested in the hotel the previous night returned to work.
"Professor Asher!", Eliana greeted Asher as soon as she saw him.
But Asher, when looking at Eliana, had a slightly surprised expression in his eyes.
Eliana noticed too.
She slightly curled her lips, showing a faint smile on her usually calm face.
"Professor Asher, about last night...", As she spoke, Eliana looked at Asher with concern.
Asher immediately understood what was going on.
He waved his hand, "It's not a big deal, most people are still rational."
Just like Asher said. There are monsters and clowns online, but also rational netizens.
'What era are we in now! Let alone whether the Heart of Machinery really has the powers the internet says. Is the country useless?'
Other countries, especially that eastern neighbor, they might be questionable.
But their own country? Definitely not.
Whether from the government, private sectors, or even the staff in Asher's research institute, are they all blind?
Besides, Asher hadn't shown any signs of ambition or villainous tendencies before.
Suddenly causing trouble? Why did it seem more like some people were trying to stir things up.
Except for a few truly gullible folks who believed the conspiracy theories online, most people stood with Asher and tore the opposition apart.
Thinking of this, Asher smiled again.
Whether he minded or not was one thing.
But truly seeing everyone take his side, Asher still felt pretty good.
"Professor Asher, your mentality is really strong," Seeing that Asher genuinely didn't take the matter to heart, Eliana gave him a thumbs-up.
That mentality was seriously impressive.
Eliana imagined herself in the same situation... she felt she wouldn't handle it well.
She already had some mental issues to begin with.
If someone targeted her like this...
"Everyone get to work," At that moment, Asher waved, driving everyone back to their posts.
"Last night, those who were resting or gossiping, all rested enough, right?"
Asher swept his gaze over them.
Everyone: "..."
'Ahem!'
'Professor Asher, why tell the harsh truth! Can't you just pretend you didn't see anything?'
Asher smiled.
Everyone scattered like birds and beasts.
'In the end.'
'Professor Asher is still a capitalist at heart.'
Asher: )
Asher didn't know what they were thinking. Otherwise, he'd definitely show them what a true capitalist looks like.
He had only scratched the surface, barely started.
Leaving the research institute, Asher went straight to the Beast Tamer Alliance.
Entering through the main gate, many eyes fell on Asher as he walked in and out.
As Asher's fame grew he was no longer the unknown young man no one recognized even when entering.
Now, Asher had a name. Any ordinary NY city resident or Beast Tamer could recognize him.
Outside, Asher might still wear a mask. But at the Beast Tamer Alliance... Asher thought about it and gave up.
Nobody else wore masks. If he was the only one wearing one. Wouldn't that make him more obvious?
Even if people didn't recognize him the first few times, once they figured it out, it was still pointless. Better to walk in confidently. Let them look.
But no matter how famous someone is, people get used to it after a while.
Unless...
"Professor Asher, that thing online last night, the Heart of Machinery...", Someone walked up beside Asher, lightly bumped his shoulder.
Tone excited.
Looking at Asher with curiosity and excitement.
Asher: "..."
If it were someone normal, who could read the room, they'd know to skip this topic.
Unfortunately, young people can't read the room.
Asher felt speechless, but also helpless.
Fine. He was also part of the "can't read the room" crowd.
Just now he didn't need to.
He sighed.
Just as Asher was about to say something to deflect.
"Professor Asher, the President is waiting for you," A somewhat familiar receptionist girl walked over to Asher.
She said softly.
Then gave the person next to Asher a slightly anxious and helpless look.
Young man: "!"
Face instantly flushed. Body straightened.
"Professor Asher, if the President is looking for you, go quickly."
"Otherwise even the receptionist girl might get scolded."
Speechless was Asher's native language.
'So it's not that he can't read the room.'
'He just only knows how to read girls' expressions?'
'A little funny."
But Asher still waved, then walked toward President Robb's office.
Walking in, President Robb was seated, not looking too anxious.
Asher paused, then walked in with a calm expression.
"Uncle Robb, I'm here,".Asher knocked on the door lightly from the entrance.
President Robb, who was staring at the screen, immediately sat up straight and looked at Asher.
"Oh oh! You're here!", President Robb waved at Asher, "What's our relationship? Come in directly."
Asher smiled, "Basic manners are still necessary."
No matter how familiar, unless it's your parents, you can't be too casual.
Maintaining a level of politeness and boundaries is the secret to close and lasting relationships.
With years of experience, Asher knew this well.
Any kind of relationship, once it goes too far, it's never a good thing.
Seeing Asher insist, President Robb didn't say more, but his smile grew more obvious.
"Originally I wanted to discuss the Heart of Machinery today, but last night...", President Robb lightly frowned.
Clearly, President Robb saw the trending topic last night.
No helping it, the subject involved a never-before-seen mechanical-attribute Beast and the most famous beast professor of the year, Asher.
The topic's popularity soared, even Angel couldn't fully suppress it.
Forcing it down would only make things worse.
Asher didn't insist on suppression either.
Rational discussion, rational voices were still plentiful.
Asher nodded, guessing what President Robb was about to say, "Putting the Heart of Machinery in NY city's official hands actually isn't unrea—"
Before Asher finished, President Robb waved his hand, "That's not what I meant."
"You too," President Robb looked at Asher like a parent watching their rich but clueless child.
"Some things you can give up, some things you can't."
"Besides, the Heart of Machinery is already partially bound to you. Leaving it under your name is completely reasonable."
Asher was surprised, though he didn't show it.
Not that Asher distrusted President Robb.
But... For small matters, maybe it's fine.
But the Heart of Machinery's existence could impact a city's future development.
Attracting a constant stream of Beast Tamers to apply and purchase mechanical-attribute Beasts.
Completely different from ordinary research funding applications.
President Robb was really just going to let it go?
Asher remained calm.
President Robb was bleeding inside.
He... he had thought of keeping the Heart of Machinery in NY city, directly centering development around mechanical beasts, but he has also been warned.
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