He glanced at the beast standing on his shoulder as it sniffed the air. He wasn't sure, but Bobby had the ability to catch the scent of plants, so Rocky decided to let Bobby handle it himself. Meanwhile, Rocky would deal with the monsters ahead.
Three wolves rushed forward, spreading their claws toward Rocky. The gap between them was barely a meter—Rocky slashed one in half.
Catching the chance, he dove at the others and swung a series of slashes.
Pretty soon, the scene in front of him was nothing but mangled, bloodied corpses.
Bobby pointed his finger ahead, hinting that their goal was very close.
Rocky nodded in understanding and rushed forward more carefully.
Moonlight reflecting off Rocky's longsword danced in midair. Blood soaked the surrounding plants, coloring the ground a deep scarlet.
Soon, Rocky began to slow down. He sheathed his sword and headed toward a plant with six red leaves hidden in the darkness. The plant radiated a gorgeous glow, drawing the attention of any wild creature.
The color of death.
For a moment, Rocky felt his mind space out, but it quickly ended—because Bobby had jumped off his shoulder and yanked the plant out.
Bobby laughed and tossed the plant into his mouth… Just half a second later, he collapsed—not from poison, but from happiness.
Ting!
–
Race: Ancient ape
Level: 12
Species Rank: Calamity
Strength: 50 → 53 (+3)
Constitution: 56 →60 (+4)
Mana: 30 → 35 (+5)
Speed:34 → 36 (+2)
Unique Skill: Intermediate Swordsmanship, Void Forging, Aura of Apex Predator
"What the hell?" Rocky raised an eyebrow in confusion. He scratched his head while staring at the system screen.
A plant that could improve innate stats. He had never heard of it or read about it in any book, which meant this was a completely new type.
He could tell its rank was at least noble. Because it was only that rank that was able to affect his beast
This newly discovered plant was basically a cheat… If he could use it on his beasts, he was certain none in the world could stand against them.
And from what he'd seen, it seemed Bobby had the ability to find high-rank plants… which meant Bobby himself was a walking tool to find those cheats.
Rocky smiled viciously as he imagined everything he could do with Bobby's ability. Yet nearby, Bobby suddenly showed clear signs of fatigue. His furry face twisted in agony before he vomited everything out.
Rocky rushed over to check on him, but let out a relieved sigh when Bobby raised his thumb, looking happy.
"He's fine."
Rocky scowled as he glanced at the discovered plant nearby.
(I should be careful with these… Even with a Calamity-species rank, Bobby still suffered some side effects. If it were a beast of a lower rank, it could be much worse… they might even die.)
Ting!
[Your beast has created a skill]
[Name]: Verdant Insight
[Description]: You possess eyes able to see the traits of any plant in the world.
Rocky smirked.
"Good."
Without hesitation, he stepped up to the six red-leaved plant and yanked it out.
—
Name: Six-Red Skull Flower
Rank: Noble
Description: A noble plant with six crimson leaves shaped like skulls. Capable of enhancing innate stats, but causes severe side effects if used carelessly, and its effects decrease with each use. Even high-rank beasts may suffer temporary backlash; lower-rank beasts risk death.
Always emerges under moonlight during the Twin Moon Month, and dies when the sun rises.
—
Rocky clenched his fist in contentment when witnessing his skill. With this skill in hand, he had already become a plant scholar… no, he was already a plant expert of the era.
Meantime, everyone would need many years, even a century, to research the traits of plants—while he only needed to see them by a glance.
Even though he didn't have the ability to sniff like Bobby, it wasn't essential. He just let Bobby do what he did best.
Rocky nodded and said,
"Let's go, Bobby. We'll finish the exam before returning to the academy."
4 hours later.
Rocky scowled as he looked at the fields ahead. All of them had been burned into ashes.
"It seems someone did this… they don't want me to complete the mission."
Instantly, one person came to mind.
Jeff and his underlings.
(However, there's one way to avoid losing 200 credit points… If I give the Six-Red Skull Flower to the professor, she'll give me 2000 credit points for discovering a new plant.)
(Since the effect decreases with each use, I should use those things to save my course.)
Just like that, Rocky returned to the academy. He had prepared a piece of the skull flower for the professor; the rest, he would sell to make money.
"There you are, Student Rocky." Lorelei snorted as she gazed at Rocky, who had just stepped into the classroom.
She was certain he had returned without carrying any plant. After all, he hadn't paid attention to her lecture.
"Moonlight flower… have you found it?"
Rocky shook his head.
She clicked her tongue.
"I knew it."
Jeff and his underlings, sitting in their chairs, chuckled as their plan had succeeded.
"Good," Lorelei said coldly.
"You will lose 200 credit points, Student Rocky."
Bobby stepped forward and revealed a piece of the Six-Red Skull Flower in front of everyone. Instantly, most of the beasts' attention in the class was drawn to the plant.
"But I've found something more interesting than the Moonlight Flower… a newly discovered plant."
Rocky smirked.
"I remember the course has a rule: if someone finds a new plant, they will graduate from this course in that very year, right?"
Lorelei's face froze for a moment before she approached Rocky and checked the pieces of the plant.
She let her beast examine them again, then sighed.
"That's right, Student Rocky… you'll—"
However, at that moment, Travis suddenly cut her off.
"I think he's cheating."
Lorelei frowned.
"What do you mean?"
Travis leaned back in his chair and continued his reasoning.
"During the exam, he was always going along with my fiancée, Scarlet… Her clan is famous for researching newly discovered plants, so if someone like Scarlet finds a new plant, I wouldn't doubt it. But him? Just useless trash."
"Do you think a lazy guy who's always sleeping in class is capable of finding a new plant? No. I'm certain Scarlet helped him."
Lorelei scowled, then said,
"I can't accuse a student based on a single student's words. That's insufficient evidence… Can anyone here confirm that?"
A student raised his hand.
"Me! I saw Scarlet give him a plant, but I couldn't see it clearly because I was standing too far away."
Another student added,
"Me too!"
An enthusiastic student even used his beast — a type of beast capable of replaying what it had seen. By chance, it replayed the moment Scarlet gave Rocky a plant. Even if, from a clear angle, it also became evidence against Rocky.
"He's cheating!… For sure, a useless trash could never do such a thing." Jeff smirked, his eyes filled with contempt as he looked at Rocky.
At this moment, his scorn toward Rocky rose to another level.
"Tch. I've told him many times… trash should know where trash belongs. When trash stands in the wrong place, consequences will come. I guess he's learned a lesson."
Shawn, Cuthbert and Joe nodded.
"Yes, sir. He's a disgrace to the Stephens Clan."
Scarlet had been busy, so she had asked Lorelei for leave. She wouldn't come to the academy for at least a few days.
Of course, she wasn't here to help Rocky explain that she had only given him a discovered plant to ease his stress.
He was in a situation where everything was against him, and whatever he said would be foolish excuse.
"Student Rocky! You have failed this course for violating the rules of the plant course."
She said this while giving Rocky a disdainful look. He was the type of student she hated the most—lazy, making no effort, yet trying to gain what everyone else earned through hard work.
"You're suspended for two weeks. Go home and think about your sins."
A/N: I hope you enjoy this novel. Support by adding to your library and giving a power stone or two. Thank you.
I will also appreciate a review to keep me motivated.