"When did the last person visit?", Asher asked.
"Umm…", World Tree Lily really didn't want to disappoint Asher and was thinking very hard, "The last one was during the last time I was awake… when was that again?"
"Alright, alright, let me think again…", As she spoke, World Tree Lily suddenly paused.
Then began to shake with a "swish~ swish~ swish~"
"I remembered!"
"The last time I was awake, the one who established a connection with my flower ring was that Mokari."
———
"The youngest Level-Two Researcher in a hundred years in Soren!"
"The one who received the Diaz Beast Evolution Professor Award? What kind of newly promoted pet professor starts directly at Level Two!"
"But now that I think about it, how come I feel that the professors who received this award in past years don't seem to be very famous?"
"Do you know what genius means? Not everyone is as famous as Professor Asher!"
The awarding process for the Diaz Beast Evolution Professor Award wasn't complicated, nor was it grand.
It was mainly procedural.
In previous years, it didn't attract that much attention either.
At most, after the award ended, official news media channels would mention it for two days.
It would spark some discussion online.
A small group of Beast Tamers would pay attention to it.
Newcomers?
Maybe in the future, they'd research something useful, who knows?
So they would spare a bit of attention to take a small look.
Just a little bit.
Not more than that.
Most of the focus was still within the profession itself.
Only peers truly knew how difficult it was to receive this award.
But once they received the award, it would become much easier for them to navigate within this field.
Their speculations and ideas would also be seen as more credible.
For newly-entered pet professors, it undoubtedly provided huge assistance and a better future.
However, when the person receiving the award turned out to be Asher…
————
[Star City]
Inside the National Research Institute, a group of pet professors were sitting together, directly using the large built-in screen in the AV room to project and watch Asher's award ceremony.
While watching, they couldn't help but talk.
"Sigh, look at us, then look at him! That's the gap!", said an older pet professor, shaking his head, around forty or fifty years old.
Others: "..."
What he said, they couldn't refute it.
Everyone present was about the same age.
The youngest was already forty-five or forty-six, and there were quite a few who were fifty-seven or fifty-eight.
In the institute, the lowest level of pet professors were Level-Three Researchers, and there were only two Level-One Researchers. But those people weren't in the AV room right now.
The core strength was still this group of Level-Two Researchers.
Even though compared to the big shots above and Old Damien, they were quite far behind. But compared to the many other researchers, they were still pretty capable, alright.
Until—
"The new wave pushes the old wave, I haven't even had time to become the old wave and I'm already about to be slapped dead on the beach."
"The way you said that… really hits the heart, damn it!"
While they were talking, two Level-One Researchers happened to walk past the door.
Hearing the voices coming from the AV room, the two looked at each other, eyes filled with knowing expression.
"This Professor Asher… wonder if there's a chance to work with him."
The slightly younger one, with medium-length curly sheep-like hair and a lean build, Professor Desmond said.
"Maybe?", The slightly older one beside him, with fully white hair and a bit balding, Professor Hubert, blinked.
"Hmm," Professor Desmond pondered, "Just afraid young people tend to be arrogant because of their talents."
"Too opinionated, might be hard to get along with."
It's not that Professor Desmond was trying to speculate about Asher's personality in private.
It's just that… this kind of situation wasn't uncommon.
The younger someone was when they achieved great success, the more likely they were to become arrogant and self-important, thinking they were the best in the world, invincible.
"Are you sure you're not talking about yourself when you were younger?", Professor Hubert showed a kind, gentle smile.
Professor Desmond had stronger talent.
Though his age differed from Professor Hubert's by almost a full zodiac cycle, in terms of achievements he was nearly on par.
"I still remember more than ten years ago, you loudly said in front of me, 'Don't look down on the young—'"
"Stop, stop, stop!", Seeing that his dark history was about to be exposed again, Professor Desmond quickly cut him off, "Can't you forget a little?"
'Does he not care about saving face?'
Professor Hubert smiled.
Looking at that familiar smile, Professor Desmond thought of the dumb things he did in his youth: "..."
Alright.
He had it coming.
He would reflect.
"Suddenly I hope this Professor Asher is a bit of a troublemaker," Professor Desmond completely reversed his stance, sincerely saying.
His dark past really needed someone to cover it up.
Professor Hubert smiled without speaking.
Not to mention that Asher didn't look like that kind of person.
Professor Hubert had also heard from some old friends about Asher's character.
Most likely, Asher wasn't the same kind of young person as Professor Desmond had been.
But there was no need to say that out loud.
Give a colleague, and junior, some face.
Professor Desmond, who had no idea and was still cherishing beautiful hopes and wishes, 'Then I really thank you, huh!'
The two of them chatted briefly, then walked past the AV room.
They didn't go in.
With their positions as the top bosses, going in would definitely make the others feel awkward.
So they didn't go in at this moment to avoid being a buzzkill.
What they didn't expect was that very soon, they really would get a chance to work with Asher.
———
"Phew—"
Finally done dealing with the media, Asher let out a long sigh, wearing an exaggerated "saved" expression on his face.
"Do you have to be that dramatic."
It just happened to be a short holiday.
June, Ivy, and the others who had come with flowers to personally witness Asher's award ceremony. Seeing Asher's reaction after squeezing out of the crowd, they teased him.
Asher gave them a "you don't understand" look.
"I'm not exaggerating, I really…"
'Feel like dying!'
"There were so many people, everyone was super curious about you, Asher," Ivy pursed her lips, smiling lightly.
"How could the media not tell that you've got a lot of juicy topics on you?"
Young.
Level-Two Researcher.
Countless achievements.
Honorary professor at Bluewind University.
A powerful Beast Tamer.
One by one, the labels on Asher were insanely impressive.
"Even if they can't directly interview you in person—"
"Snapping a few close-up photos, tossing them onto a headline on some media outlet would still rack up plenty of views and attention," Ivy explained knowledgeably.
Asher, who also understood these tricks: "..."
Speechless.
"Sigh!", Asher sighed, "Sometimes, being too outstanding is a kind of mistake too."
June: "..."
'That is definitely sarcastic.'
Ivy chuckled and nodded in agreement, "Asher is really outstanding."
Vicky didn't see anything wrong with it at all. While slinging an arm over Asher's shoulder, he loudly praised Asher to the heavens. Boasting so much it couldn't be found on earth.
Just to trick Asher into treating them to a meal. Hanging out with friends, a light, relaxing gathering.
———
The next day—
With his focus having slightly shifted recently, Asher decided it was time to properly train his pet beasts again.
"Especially you," Asher's gaze landed on Cat-Worm.
Cat-Worm: *shifty eyes*
Looking at the sky, looking at the ground. Just absolutely refusing to look in Asher's direction.
But Asher didn't plan to let Cat-Worm off so easily.
He hadn't noticed before but ast night, after drinking a little, Asher himself was walking a bit unsteady.
Cat-Worm popped up midway to mess around, kept snuggling into Asher's chest, in a "please hold me" posture.
Then, Asher couldn't pick him up.
For a moment, the atmosphere was both heavy and awkward.
Asher and Cat-Worm stared at each other.
With two guys beside them laughing their heads off.
Whether for the good of Cat-Worm, or for the sake of regaining his lost dignity—
"We need to train properly. If this keeps up, I really will rename you Cat-Pig," Asher stared seriously at Cat-Worm and said.
Clearly, Asher wasn't joking at all.
Cat-Worm, already unhappy with his current name: "!"
'No way!'
'Anything but that!'
'Watch me!'
'Today I'll rise up!'
Looking at the Cat-Worm who seemed injected with streoid, Asher revealed a gratified, plot-succeeded kind of smile.
Little Raven on the side: (￢_￢)
'Alright, alright.'
'Who told you to be a bird-type beastmaster?'
'Let's just pretend we didn't see anything!'
'Besides, it is true that the little bro need to lose weight.'
'Otherwise, even running will become difficult someday.'
'That really won't do.'
And so, under Asher and Little Raven's shameless teamwork, with Little White Snake and Little Jellyfish watching the show, Cat-Worm began a mad jumping training routine.
When it came time to eat, Cat-Worm devoured his usual portion with an "meow~ meow~," and still wanted to shove his big head into someone else's bowl.
"No," Seeing Cat-Worm's movement, Asher reached out immediately to stop him.
Cat-Worm: QAQ
"Meow!"
"Meow! Meow!"
'Hungry!'
'Still wanna eat!'
Asher: "..."
"Is it just my imagination, or is your appetite getting bigger and bigger," Asher looked at the tearfully begging Cat-Worm, expression a bit helpless.
He picked up Cat-Worm.
This time, Asher was mentally prepared, and didn't fail to lift him.
"Is it physical hunger, or spiritual hunger?", Asher asked seriously.
Although he joked about Cat-Worm being heavy, in truth, Asher never planned to force Cat-Worm to lose weight.
But pure cravings and the energy needed for growth were two entirely different things.
"Meow! Meow"
Shook head both ways.
Asher: "..."
"You really are honest, huh," Asher said with a mix of amusement and helplessness, gently tapping Cat-Worm on the head.
With a reverse hand rummaging through his storage, Asher pulled out some energy crystals he'd stored up for a long time, plus some blood crystals from the Golden Crow secret realm.
He'd even gone back in there with Little Raven later to gather more.
Taking them out openly wasn't possible for now.
Pet beasts always had their own instinctual sense of what kind of energy they needed most. Privately using it for himself wasn't a big problem.
However, the attributes of the Cat-Worm weren't quite right, so Asher wasn't sure if the Cat-Worm could actually make use of it.
'Let's give it a try.'
Pet beasts have their own judgment when it comes to the energy they need.
Just like how before, the Silverfang Tiger sensed the energy of the blood crystal from Asher.
Cat-Worm: 'Yay!'
'No refusal to what comes!'
'Eat eat eat!'
'I can eat anything!'
'Catdragon eats everything!'
Asher: "..."
'Sigh!'
'It's just too hard.'
'Good thing I can make money now.'
'Otherwise, just raising these few pet beasts alone will directly bankrupt me.'
Little Raven: 'Don't cue me.'
Little White Snake: 'Same as above.'
Before Asher could even properly train the few pet beasts at home for a few days, he got approached yet again.
Asher: "?"
———
Looking at President Robb in front of him, Asher's tone carried confusion.
"This kind of thing… doesn't sound like it needs me, right?"
President Robb: "Needed, very needed, the one most needed is someone like you!"
"Don't belittle yourself, you have to believe in your own strength!"
"No matter where, your strength and skill are the most badass ones!"
Asher: "..."
"Be a little more sincere, less of the script. I'm not someone who necessarily needs others to flatter me with rainbow farts."
Looking at President Robb, who almost praised him as if there's none like him in the heavens or the earth, Asher's expression was nearly cracking.
"The national research institute shouldn't be short of people, right."
Asher really couldn't understand.
'Looking for me to collaborate?'
Yes.
From age and achievements, he was indeed impressive.
Not yet 20 years old and already a Level 2 researcher.
But if it were a real project, shouldn't the official first pick be a Level 1 researcher, or maybe Elder Damien?
Just like the last time when the official led the research on the "Extreme" project.
After all, he was still relatively low-key.
Seeing Asher genuinely thinking like this, President Robb wanted to speak but held back, feeling somewhat choked up and speechless.
'So Asher really has no damn clue about his own strength, huh?'
'Are some things only to be judged by surface-level rankings?'
"This time's situation is kind of urgent," President Robb decided to skip this topic.
"The international exchange conference is about to start, and Alan proposed that they want to come to our country to study, exchange some experience."
Hearing this, Asher nodded.
'Didn't seem like a big issue?'
'Sounds pretty normal.'
Alan is a small country, but due to its special geographic location, it's located in a rare beast exclusion zone.
In the past century, it hadn't been harassed or attacked by any beasts.
Losing pressure and motivation certainly makes people want to lie flat.
However, Alan was lucky.
In such a peaceful environment, quite a few purely scientific pet beast evolution researchers emerged.
At its peak, two-thirds of the country's population were pet beast professors, and among that two-thirds, more than half had extremely high talent.
Calling it a chosen land, or a hatching cradle of pet beast evolution professors, wouldn't be an exaggeration.
Blue Country being able to claim the position of a scientific powerhouse was all because Alan's population was too small.
Maintaining around two million people year-round.
Occasionally even falling below that number.
A third-tier city in Soren alone would have a population larger than the whole of Alan.
All in all, Alan was quite peaceful, and its relationship with Soren was also pretty good.
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