First-level researcher. If that's not a big shot, then what is?
Felter also began to feel a bit uneasy.
He even began to reflect, was what he said a bit too reckless?
Thinking this, Felter quickly rejected that idea.
'Not reckless at all. What do you mean by "born to do this job"?'
He even said that Asher was born to be a beast tamer.
Professor Hubert and Professor Desmond directly witnessed the entire process of Felter's change of expression.
In that process, they accurately read Felter's thoughts and inner changes from the expressions on his face.
Professor Hubert and Professor Desmond: "..."
How to put it?
It's been a long time since they've seen such an honest and simple child.
Simply put, they've never seen someone this silly.
With their current status, it's very rare to have someone this silly appear before them.
"Well, not necessarily," Professor Desmond muttered quietly, "At least smarter than those few from last time, the Eastern ones."
Only Professor Hubert and Asher, who were standing next to Professor Desmond, heard his words.
Although no explanations were given, both of them somehow "got" what Professor Desmond meant.
Asher: "..."
How to put it?
Well, you can't say he's completely wrong either.
"But what he said does make sense," Asher smiled, picking up the thread from what Felter had just said, and continued.
"Let's forget about closed-off research… that really doesn't suit me."
"And this alien species currently has no clear leads. Even if we wanted to study it specifically, we wouldn't know where to start," Asher spoke very seriously.
If the alien species really appeared in the real world, that would definitely be extremely troublesome.
But whether it appears or not isn't something Asher can control.
At this point, it depends on whether the beast tamers in other countries can hold up or not.
"Although it sounds a bit unpleasant, if something really does go wrong, it'll definitely start spreading from other countries, and we'll still have some reaction time," Asher said terrifying words with a smile.
Professor Hubert and Professor Desmond nodded.
Terrifying? What's so terrifying about that?
It's just a correct recognition and attitude from a national standpoint.
They even wanted to say, very good, keep it up.
"I'll continue to keep an eye on it too."
"If there's any news, or if there's anything that needs help, the two professors can contact me anytime."
"Let's forget about the rest," Saying this, Asher smiled again, "I'm also preparing to participate in next year's National Beast Tamer Competition."
"In the upcoming period, I need to properly train and nurture my pet beasts," Asher spoke very casually.
Professor Hubert and Professor Desmond: "?"
Originally, the two didn't think there was anything wrong with Asher's refusal, but after hearing Asher's words, big question marks appeared above their heads.
'Wait, what?'
They heard Asher say he's going to participate in what? The National Beast Tamer Competition?
"Professor Asher, are you saying your pet beast lineup…", Professor Hubert opened his mouth, wanting to persuade Asher.
'You're still young, no need to rush.'
'And compared to your talent in beast taming, isn't your talent in pet beast research even more obvious?'
'Spend a little more time, and the returns will be clearly visible.'
'Why go all out for the national competition… it's just not worth it.'
Professor Hubert tried to start with the lineup to persuade Asher.
To participate in the national competition, one must have a complete lineup of six pet beasts.
Asher's age is what it is.
He's undoubtedly a genius.
But having all contract slots unlocked… surely not, right?
Professor Hubert wasn't entirely sure.
Hearing this, Asher smiled, and a confident smile appeared on his face.
"As for contract slots, I'm only short of the last one."
Asher counted on his fingers, right in front of Professor Hubert and Professor Desmond, counting his five pet beasts.
From Little Raven to Cat-Worm, then Little White Snake and Little Jellyfish, and finally the angel he just recently contracted.
Five pet beasts.
Only one short of a full lineup.
Professor Hubert and Professor Desmond: "..."
"You really are…", Hearing Asher's words, Professor Hubert showed an expression of wanting to say something but hesitating.
Say what? Just how was he supposed to keep persuading him now?
Six pet beasts, five already contracted, only the last one left.
Professor Desmond straightened his expression, trying to appear more kind, "Professor Asher, I think you still need to think this through carefully."
"Don't be fooled by it just being one last pet beast, but there isn't much time left until the National Beast Tamer Competition."
"In less than a year, you not only need to unlock the contract slot and contract a pet beast, but also train it, nurture it, build tacit understanding, and so on and so on..."
"My suggestion is, wait a few more years to participate, there's no rush."
Professor Desmond tried his best to set aside personal motives and spoke from Asher's perspective.
Professor Desmond couldn't say he had no personal interest when dealing with Asher.
For example, he thought every day about how to lure Asher into the national research institute.
It's heartbreaking just to say it.
He actually has to use the word "lure."
They're the national research institute. A place countless pet beast evolution scholars and professors dream of joining.
Unfortunately, things were different when it came to Asher.
Thinking this, Professor Desmond let out a sigh in his heart.
What is this?
Once upon a time, when he was young, he too was rebellious, proud of his talents.
But when the national research institute invited him, Professor Desmond accepted happily.
The same thing happening to Asher…
Suddenly turned out very differently.
Don't be fooled by Asher's usually good-tempered appearance, seemingly never angry. Treating everyone and everything with a peaceful attitude.
Only those who truly spent time with Asher would realize, some things aren't as simple as they seem.
Just like Asher's temper, it only seems gentle on the surface.
Only upon real interaction would one discover Asher's pride and integrity were in no way inferior to people like Professor Desmond.
Just hidden under the surface gentleness.
Which made most people instinctively think Asher was really that kind of person.
Thinking this, Professor Desmond sighed again.
He really was paying the price for his younger self.
'...Oh, wait, no.'
This wasn't just his younger self, this was the Younger Self Plus MAX edition.
Professor Desmond: 'Such sin!'
'This really is too sinful!'
Taking a deep breath, Professor Desmond tried to suppress those personal motives and seriously said to Asher again.
"There aren't many young contestants in the National Beast Tamer Competition."
"The average age is usually around thirty."
And Asher was still about ten years younger than that average.
To compete on the same stage with those people now... Professor Desmond, on the one hand, was worried about Asher, and on the other hand, wasn't very optimistic.
"I know you're skilled at training and nurturing pet beasts."
Regarding how those breeders always tried to poach him, Professor Desmond had heard too.
His attitude was simple: Don't even think about it.
Trying to poach Asher from their pet beast evolution research team? Dream on.
"But the accumulation of time and experience can't be easily erased just by talent."
"Pet beast research and beast-taming combat are still quite different."
The former truly relies on talent.
The latter requires not just talent, but also accumulation of time and effort.
Professor Desmond earnestly advised.
He really didn't want their little pet beast evolution genius to be struck down in beast-taming combat.
Professor Desmond blinked his sincere big eyes and looked seriously at Asher with an expression more earnest than ever.
Asher smiled, "I know all of that."
"But I still want to give it a try."
"Some things, you won't know until you try. If I don't try, how would I know the actual gap between my strength and theirs?"
Saying this, Asher shrugged and said calmly, "And even if I accidentally lose, it's not a bad thing for me, right?"
"I can still use my young age as an excuse for failure."
Professor Desmond: "..."
Professor Desmond's pupils shook.
Professor Desmond was shocked to realize, things weren't quite as he imagined.
What Professor Desmond imagined: Asher, hot-blooded youth, wanted to dominate and establish fame in beast-taming combat.
Reality: While I'm still young and can use it as an excuse, let's go leech some experience. When I'm older, that excuse won't work anymore.
Professor Desmond opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but couldn't.
Then he closed it again.
Professor Hubert, seeing this, couldn't help but laugh.
"Hahaha!", Professor Hubert, holding a thermal cup in both hands, slowly took a sip, "Professor Asher's way of thinking is actually pretty good."
"Young people!"
"Should have this kind of drive."
"If you want to try, then go try!"
Professor Hubert waved his hand and gave Asher his encouragement.
"Thank you, Professor Hubert, for the encouragement," Asher smiled and nodded at Professor Hubert.
Professor Desmond then turned to look at Professor Hubert in shock.
'Wait, what? Aren't we on the same side?'
'Why did you suddenly take Asher's side?'
Professor Hubert calmly glanced at Professor Desmond, not caring about his surprised look at all.
What's there to be shocked about?
Besides, when did he ever say they were on the same side?
Reading Professor Hubert's thoughts, Professor Desmond was left in disarray.
Seeing the two like this, Asher laughed again.
Spending time with like-minded people really puts you in a great mood.
Asher walked around the research institute again, mainly to discuss the alien black sludge discovered in the small secret realm with Professor Hubert and Professor Desmond.
"This must be treated with caution," Professor Hubert took up the responsibility, "I'll keep contacting my friends, and try to get first-hand information as quickly as possible."
Asher made an OK hand gesture.
With Professor Hubert watching over this matter, he felt much more reassured.
Asher let out a long breath from his chest. Hopefully, the development of this issue won't be as bad as he imagined.
Asher sincerely, genuinely hoped so.
———
Leaving the national research institute, Felter still followed beside Asher.
He looked at Asher.
Then looked again at Asher.
Felter went from sneaking glances at Asher to boldly and blatantly staring at him directly.
Asher: "..."
The next time Felter looked over, Asher decisively raised his head and met Felter's gaze.
Felter suddenly froze.
Asher said amusingly, "You're the one who was sneaking looks at me first, right?"
"Now you're putting on this victim look,nwhat's that about?"
"Ahem," Felter coughed a little awkwardly when he heard that, cleared his throat, and pretended to be calm.
"I... I just...", Felter tried to explain.
But he realized his mind was blank, he had no idea how to explain it better.
Felter, looking frustrated, gave up trying to explain.
Seeing this look, Asher found it even funnier.
"Just say if there's something you want to ask me or something you want to discuss," Smiling, Asher took the initiative to start the conversation.
Seeing Asher like this, Felter gradually calmed down inside.
"Mm..."
After a moment of hesitation, Felter still spoke.
"Asher, don't you feel tired like this?"
What Felter said was vague.
But Asher understood what he meant, and what he was trying to say.
Seeing that Asher didn't answer, Felter continued.
"I admit some people are geniuses, but no matter how talented, human energy is limited. There are only 24 hours in a day."
"Isn't it better to focus on just one thing, one goal?"
Asher rubbed his nose, "It's not that I'm aiming too high or anything, it's just..."
Pausing for a moment, Asher shrugged, "Training pet beasts, fighting alongside them, becoming an excellent beast tamer, that's my goal."
"As for pet beast research..."
The moment Felter looked over, Asher smiled and said, "Let's just say it's a very good way to relax."
Felter, who had just been thinking of persuading Asher to pick one focus: "..."
'Listen, are these words even humanly possible?'
Asher: 'Eh? I don't see anything wrong!'
'Isn't this great?'
Felter: "..."
Gave up trying to reason with Asher.
Luckily, Felter was only casually bringing it up anyway.
Felter by nature wasn't someone who held grudges.
No matter what it was, he could easily let it go.
Just like that, he completely put the earlier minor conflict with Asher out of mind and looked at him with great interest.
"Asher, are you really going to participate in the National Beast Tamer Competition?"
Asher nodded, "Why else would I say it?"
Felter's voice carried complex emotions, "I just think... tsk! It's a national-level event! One of the most prestigious competitions in the country!"
"I can only participate in competitions at the level of the high school league or novice league right now, and you suddenly aim straight for the national competition…"
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