Beast Tamer: I Can See Evolution Paths

After chatting with Vicky for a bit, Asher set up a meeting for him to visit Aspengrove Village the day after tomorrow.

Ending the conversation, Asher returned to the Pet Service Center.

"Thanks, Brother Ron." Asher handed over a portion of the snacks he had packed up earlier to Ron.

Ron didn't refuse. "You're welcome."

Seeing Asher, Ron's emotions were a little complicated.

At first, he had regarded Asher as a rival, thinking that Asher had easily achieved the life he himself had struggled for, thanks to his background.

But then… Asher's progress was simply too fast.

Ron's tiny grievances couldn't keep up with the speed at which Asher was soaring ahead.

And now, Ron was left feeling awkward.

He didn't exactly dislike Asher, but he wasn't entirely comfortable either.

The only comfort was that Asher would be starting school in a week.

Once they stopped seeing each other, surely the awkwardness would fade, right?

Before that, Ron was trying to make up for the prejudices he had previously held against Asher in his own way. Otherwise, who in their right mind would sit under a scorching 40-degree sun to help look after someone else's pet beast?

After exchanging a few words, Ron eagerly took the snacks and disappeared into the service center behind him.

Asher set the remaining two portions aside, then walked over to check on Little Raven.

This was Little Raven's fourth day of slumber.

There wasn't the slightest sign of her waking up, and her small body remained curled into a tiny ball.

'Is it my imagination, or does Little Raven seem to have shrunk even further?'

"I must be mistaken…" Asher muttered softly. "She is already tiny, and if she shrinks any more, there'll be nothing left of her."

Still, Asher wasn't overly worried about Little Raven's condition.

Even as he stood there observing her for less than ten minutes, the sleeping Little Raven smoothly rolled over from a belly-up position to one where the feathers on her back were facing the sky.

She was clearly committed to a full 360-degree, all-encompassing sunbath.

Or, when Asher ran his hand along Little Raven's head and down to the tip of her tail, even in her slumber, the little fluffball visibly shuddered under his touch.

If Little Raven were in a coma, her reactions wouldn't match up at all.

Moreover, while asleep, Little Raven's tiny claws hidden under her black feathers would occasionally kick out wildly without warning.

Asher: "?"

'Is she having a nightmare?'

Curious, Asher rubbed his chin and observed her for a while longer. When it was clear there were still no signs of her waking up, he turned and sat down.

Cola with goji berries.

A box of snacks.

Asher munched away as he reviewed the day's gains.

"Today's academic conference should be trending online, right?"

"After all, who wouldn't be intrigued by a high schooler discovering a new pet evolution route?"

"And then there's my proposed concept of 'Affection Levels'... That'll bring in even more interest."

Just as Asher thought, his name was being widely discussed on social media.

Though not to the extent of overnight fame, his name, age, and achievements combined were enough to spark countless discussions.

And then, once the image of the Fire Fox Queen was revealed, it drew in another particular crowd entirely.

In just a moment, what had been a heated discussion about Asher turned into a battlefield for obsessed fans of the fluffy queen.

Asher: "…"

He closed his phone and massaged his temples with a sigh.

"Some things never change, no matter the world. My silly netizens are forever the same."

Asher had no doubt that in a few years, he might even see people online claiming they'd marry the Fire Fox Queen.

Just the thought of it felt surreal.

In this free-spirited era, people's preferences were equally unrestrained.

As long as it didn't harm others, they were free to pursue whatever they wanted.

Though his expression was exasperated, his heart was light.

The more interest in the Fire Fox Queen, the more people would want to form contracts with one.

How could a Fire Fox evolve into a Fire Fox Queen? Everyone was curious.

By seeking information and learning more, the Fire Fox Queen's public recognition would naturally rise.

However… compared to the Fairy Butterfly's meteoric popularity, the Fire Fox Queen's progress was much slower.

This was partly because the evolution path of the Fire Fox Queen hadn't been officially verified.

For instance, while Asher knew that a minimum Affection Level of 100 between the beastmaster and the Fire Fox was required, other conditions—such as the fox's level, the beastmaster's level, and the number of high-grade materials needed—were given as estimated ranges based on the data from June's Fire Fox.

For example, mastering six fire-type skills was reported as "at least five fire-type skills."

Similarly, consuming 15 fire-elemental energy stones was presented as "10 to 20 stones."

Anyone who could precisely determine every requirement after a single evolution wasn't a genius—they were a monster.

Munching on snacks while scrolling through his phone, Asher suddenly felt a sense of unease.

'Hmm… is someone watching him?'

Turning his head, Asher's eyes met the tiny black orbs of Little Raven, who lay on her cushion, unable to move but staring at him intently.

Little Raven: o(一︿一+)o

Resentful.

Irritated.

'I've been awake for ten minutes, and this useless beastmaster hasn't noticed a thing.'

'What happened to our supposed bond?'

"Huh? Little Raven, you're awake?" Asher immediately straightened up. "When did you wake up? And why aren't you coming over?"

Putting down his phone and snacks, Asher stood up and approached Little Raven. That's when he noticed her gaze fixed firmly on his snacks.

'Oh.'

'She is eyeing the food in my hand.'

Any lingering worry Asher had about Little Raven's condition vanished in an instant. He chuckled.

'Clearly, she isn't in bad shape—how else could she wake up and immediately fixate on eating?'

'And her gaze?'

Little Raven: (へ╬)

'Why isn't she getting up?'

It wasn't that she didn't want to—she had no strength.

Little Raven had been asleep for four days and nights, starving the entire time.

Bloodline awakening didn't grant infinite energy or allow her to stay active without food or drink. On the contrary, it left her even hungrier.

Little Raven: 'Damn it!'

Little Raven: 'If my beastmaster doesn't feed me soon, I swear I'll swallow him whole in one bite.'

Because that's just how Little Raven is—she eats beastmasters whole without even chewing.

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