"It's my turn."
Felter's expression also turned excited, "Oh oh oh!"
"Wait! Wait! Wait!"
Seeing Asher's figure about to leave, Felter quickly said:
"Is it open?"
"Or give me a password."
Asher glanced at Felter and still said, "These two matches should be open."
Little White Snake's battle situation and such, Asher didn't really mind letting others watch.
Felter gave Asher a thumbs up and said seriously, "I knew it!"
"Brother Asher, you're a real man!"
Asher rolled his eyes.
'Opening access to the battle arena equals being a real man? Forget it, not gonna talk about it.'
Asher waved his hand.
Following the direction signs, he walked toward Battle Arena No. 18.
———
Just after Asher left—
The lounge door was knocked.
Felter, who just switched the viewing channel to Battle Arena No. 18: "?"
"Asher, you…", Felter spoke while going to open the door, thinking Asher forgot something and turned back.
Unexpectedly, opening the door, he saw a short-haired woman.
"Ah…", Felter's voice got stuck in his throat instantly.
A woman with crisp short hair, wearing glasses, with two small moles at the lower right corner of her mouth, reached out to Felter, "Hello, I'm Donna Whit, the sparring partner for Mr. Asher's next battle."
"Finished the previous battle a bit late."
Felter stepped aside to let Donna Whit in.
He briefly explained the situation to Donna Whit.
The one battling wasn't him.
It was Asher.
When Donna Whit heard Asher's name, her gaze showed a slight special ripple, then she nodded.
"Okay."
"Can I watch Mr. Asher's battle here together?"
Donna Whit asked politely.
Although she's a Tier 4 beast tamer, but Asher paid money, so at least basic respect must be shown.
Asher wasn't present, so his companion's permission was necessary.
"That probably won't be a problem," Felter said.
The two sat on the sofa together.
Just in time, Asher also appeared on the battle arena.
Because it was a private battle arena, there were no spectator seats around.
Those who could watch Asher's battle channel were only those who spent large amounts and could enter exclusive lounges.
"Hello, Mr. Asher, right?"
The referee nearby, the only person present besides Asher and the sparring partner, quickly stepped forward to confirm Asher's identity.
After verifying there were no mistakes, he guided Asher into the battle zone.
Asher immediately started observing his opponent.
Just like in the photo Asher had seen before.
This Tier 4 beast tamer Jacob looked very spirited.
Even though unlocking the sixth contract slot was hopeless, Jacob didn't fall into self-pity.
His tough features and fierce, murderous eyes could instantly let opponents understand that he, Jacob, was strong.
Very strong among Tier 4 beast tamers.
While Asher was observing Jacob, Jacob was also observing Asher.
Young.
That was Jacob's first impression of Asher.
Then, Jacob felt Asher looked kind of familiar.
'Why?'
Jacob was puzzled for a moment.
Then he threw the confusion aside.
'If I can't recall, forget it.'
'It isn't important.'
What surprised Jacob more was… before he entered, no staff reminded him to go easy.
What did this mean?
Jacob didn't think the staff forgot.
It could only mean… this opponent had the strength.
Thinking of this, a savage grin appeared on Jacob's face.
'Very good.'
'I will definitely make today's paying customer feel every penny spent is worth it, on the edge of the blade!'
Asher: "?"
'Why does it feel like the other guy's gaze toward me is kind of off?'
Asher didn't think too much of it.
Simply assumed Jacob was just that kind of macho guy.
He nodded to acknowledge his identity.
Neither side said more.
The training field was right ahead.
The only method of communication they needed was battle.
No need for pleasantries.
"This battle will be one-on-one mode."
"Please both parties release your beasts."
The referee nearby began the procedure.
Because Asher was the paying client, Jacob gestured a "please" motion toward Asher.
As the stronger party, at least from Jacob's perspective, he was doing a job.
He would pick the most suitable beast as Asher's opponent based on what Asher used.
Asher had no objection or opinion on this.
He waved his hand.
A nearly 3-meter long snake-type beast appeared in front of Asher, with a waist as thick as an adult woman's calf, densely scaled in shimmering white with color.
After a pause—
But Jacob still quickly identified it based on his experience.
This was a Jade Silver Snake.
Water-type beast.
Only… at the moment he met those sharp golden vertical pupils, the battle-hardened Jacob's brain blared an alarm.
Danger!
Taking a deep breath, Jacob stabilized his expression and posture, showing no trace of change.
Then quickly reacted.
Jacob once again looked at Asher and the Jade Silver Snake with a spark of eager excitement in his eyes.
Jade Silver Snake?
Danger?
Jacob trusted his instincts and didn't think he was overreacting, nor would he underestimate Asher.
But what danger could a Jade Silver Snake pose?
And it was just a Jade Silver Snake at Tier 4 intermediate to high level?
He may not have fought one hundred or one thousand before, but definitely in the dozens.
The difficult part of the Jade Silver Snake lay mainly in its silent, lightning-fast speed, and soft-overcoming-hard, surprise attack methods.
These, in the face of absolute power, beasts with fighting or steel attributes that excel in physical attacks, were quite vulnerable.
Jacob didn't know whether Asher knew the Jade Silver Snake's weaknesses.
But he thought, he could show Asher.
Let him experience it.
Whether to come up with a counter-strategy in the future or to avoid fighting this type of beast, this match would be a good experience.
"Big Bear."
Jacob made his decision.
The next second familiar beast appeared in the arena before Asher.
"ORA—"
A Violent Bear over four meters tall, covered in dark brown fur, entered with raised arms.
Asher: "..."
Asher's look at the Violent Bear was a bit odd.
Violent Bear… this was really an old opponent.
Asher couldn't be more familiar.
Why?
Because he had a friend who loved Violent Bears and contracted more than one.
Not only Violent Bears, even the evolved form of Violent Bear… ahem, he had some knowledge.
What made Asher want to complain even more was, 'Do all fighting-type beast tamers think alike?'
'Beast names are either Bear One, Bear Two, or just Big Bear?'
'Forget it. Not important.'
Asher recalled past battles with Abella. He used Little Raven or Cat-Worm.
Never had the White Snake fought a Violent Bear before.
So, Asher immediately understood Jacob's thinking.
He nodded.
'Fine, let's try.'
Tier 5 low-level Violent Bear.
One full tier above the White Snake.
But not unbeatable.
There was no attribute advantage or disadvantage between the two.
"Water Gun."
Asher was the first to initiate an attack toward the Violent Bear.
Jacob raised an eyebrow, "Big Bear, block it."
Dodge? Counter? No need!
"ORA!"
The Violent Bear clapped its huge palms together, roared at the sky, and directly took the Water Gun attack head-on.
Effect? None.
At most, it just wet the bear's fur.
———
"When using a skill, you must not only consider your beast's strength and learned moves."
"But also the damage it might inflict on the opponent's beast and possible reactions or counters."
In the lounge seeing Asher's rocky opening, Donna Whit pushed her glasses and clearly explained.
While she spoke, Felter watched her pull out a notebook from somewhere and scribble furiously in it.
Felter: "..."
Though, he still felt the fear of being dominated by a top student.
He really wasn't a bad student.
But some fear is simply embedded in one's bones.
Donna Whit didn't know what Felter was thinking.
She still stared intently at Asher and Jacob's battle.
———
Jacob wasn't too satisfied with Asher's opening either.
Unlike Donna Whit, Jacob didn't care to analyze so many things.
Analyze? Why analyze?
Just take a few beatings, wouldn't you naturally learn that way.
Jacob didn't feel there was anything wrong with this thinking and immediately prepared to put it into action.
Guidance match was meant to be fought fiercely. Pin the other guy to the ground and pound away.
That was how to learn the most.
"Big Bear, use Slam!"
"ROAR! ORA!"
The Violent Bear excitedly swung its arms, moving so fast there were afterimages, and slammed down toward the Jade Silver Snake's location.
What surprised Jacob, Asher didn't show the panic he expected.
"Dodge," Asher said calmly.
Whether the White Snake could win or not, Asher might have a sliver of doubt.
But to simply dodge the bear's attacks, to entangle it, Asher was quite confident.
The Violent Bear's Slam missed.
The training ground's floor was pounded into a big crater.
Visible to the naked eye, If that attack had landed on the White Snake, it would've caused serious damage.
"Tail Whip," Asher decisively commanded the Jade Silver Snake.
Jacob didn't back down either.
"Body Slam!"
In an instant, only the Jade Silver Snake's crazy darting and the Violent Bear's thunderous destruction filled the field.
———
"Jacob underestimated him."
Those in the game are confused, observers see clearly.
Donna Whit immediately saw the root of the battlefield situation, Jacob's attitude.
From the very beginning, Jacob didn't treat Asher as an equal opponent.
Of course, at their level, most sparring partners go into matches with this mentality.
Facing all sorts of beast tamers, it was hard to sincerely respect every single opponent.
After all, with their strength, they were more than enough for the club.
Chance of losing was near zero.
But only near zero.
Didn't mean it couldn't happen.
Look now—
Donna Whit glanced at Jacob's current state, not embarrassing, but definitely not calm and easy, and quickly adjusted her own mindset.
Yes, when it's her turn to battle Asher later, she must not make the same mistake as Jacob.
———
Jacob: "Ah-choo—"
'Damn it!'
'Why does it feel like someone is badmouthing me behind my back? Is it those bratty kids from the exploration team?'
Jacob's eyes sharpened.
After today's battle with Asher, he'd have to visit the exploration team and see how those kids were doing.
If they couldn't even beat a "cripple" like him…
Then—
Jacob's expression turned serious again.
'Very good.'
But for now, this battle in front of him…
"You f***ing born in the year of the rabbit or what?"
"Damn it, you sure can run!"
Jacob looked at the Jade Silver Snake that once again escaped from the Violent Bear's twin palms, and couldn't help but curse.
"Ahem! Ahem!", The referee on the side couldn't help but cough twice.
'Civilized! Use civilized language!'
But Asher didn't really mind.
He calmly glanced back at Jacob, and said with a tone as if it were a matter of course, "Head-on clash, I absolutely can't win against you, so what's wrong with using tactics?"
Head-on against an opponent with absolute power?
Asher expressed, he really just wanted to bring the little white snake to improve its strength a bit, not to prove intelligence.
Jacob: "..."
Asher seemed to have said nothing at all.
But he also felt like Asher somehow managed to insult him in a really unpleasant way.
"Tsk!", Jacob smacked his lips somewhat unhappily.
"Still have to go for a quick battle, make it decisive," Thinking of this, Jacob's eyes sharpened.
"Big Bear, Exploding Smash!"
This time, Asher also had no intention of dodging in the slightest.
Dodging was ultimately just a tactic. In the end, it still had to return to a clash of strength.
"Dragon Tail Whip," Asher spoke.
Facing the Violent Bear's golden fist smashing down fiercely, the little white snake didn't retreat but advanced, viciously whipping its tail, facing off directly.
BOOM!
A huge explosive sound rang out.
The thunderous sound resounded through the entire training ground.
The clash and brilliance between energy and energy made it impossible to look directly.
Jacob stared unblinking at the two pet beasts on the field, a rare sense of hesitation rising in his heart.
The final result…
Finally, the energy dispersed.
The Violent Bear and the Jade Silver Snake each collapsed on their respective sides, struggling, unable to rise again.
Asher looked toward the referee on the
"Both sides have simultaneously lost combat ability, it's a draw!", The referee quickly shouted loudly.
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