"But in that case, kid, you won't be staying in Radiant City for much longer, right?", Vicky sighed, looking at Asher with a resentful gaze.
Asher: "…"
'Although… that is indeed the case.'
"The evolution of Silverfang Tiger does need me to return to NY City for better research," Asher didn't try to hide anything and nodded.
It had been a long time.
Asher rarely found himself as eager as today about the evolution route and method of a pet beast.
Silverfang Tiger reignited his passion for studying pet beast evolution.
'So, there are still evolution paths even my golden finger can't see?'
Just thinking about it made Asher feel excited, and he couldn't wait to thoroughly research what was going on.
Vicky and June, seeing the excitement in Asher's eyes: "…"
The two exchanged glances, their eyes filled with the same confusion.
'Wait a minute.'
'Why does it feel like the Asher we knows isn't quite like this?'
'Asher and a hardworking person?'
'Something feels off.'
But they couldn't put their finger on it.
June could only wave a hand helplessly, "Forget it. Your work is important too, so hurry back."
"I believe that no matter what kind of problem it is, Asher, you will definitely be able to solve it," Ivy also winked at Asher and smiled in encouragement.
Hearing that, Asher also smiled, "Then I'll gladly accept your blessings."
Next up was bringing the Striped Thunder Tiger back to NY City… Alright, things didn't go that smoothly.
Upon hearing that Asher was in Radiant City, Iris came rushing over… Well, not exactly, but close enough.
In any case, she made her way over.
The Pet Beast Care Competition officials had prepared a temporary resting place for Asher and Silverfang Tiger. When Iris arrived, the one human and one tiger were just staying there.
"Tsk tsk…", Iris had just stepped in, ready to say something, when she saw the Striped Thunder Tiger sitting with its paws wrapped around its head, bowing down as it got relentlessly smacked by Little Raven's wings.
The words she had prepared to say got stuck in her throat.
This scene suddenly made her emotions feel off.
She coughed twice to adjust herself before turning back to Asher.
And she also shot a glance at the Striped Thunder Tiger and Little Raven.
"What is this…", Iris opened her mouth, seemingly searching for the right words, "It's only been a while since we last met, and you've evolved too?"
Asher: "?"
Asher looked at Iris with a confused expression.
"I already heard about what happened to this big tiger on my way here," Iris motioned toward the Striped Thunder Tiger with her chin.
"This is totally your usual troublemaking style. The moment you return, there's no way you'd just sit still. If you're not studying new pet beast evolution routes, then you must be stirring up some kind of trouble."
She spoke with the tone of someone highly experienced, "I just didn't expect that this time, you evolved too, hitting two birds with one stone."
"And what's up with your pet beast?"
Little Raven's changes were quite noticeable.
June and the others had seen them too, but they hadn't paid much attention.
They trusted that Asher wouldn't harm Little Raven. The rest…
Bah!
Why even think about it so much?
As long as the human and the bird were fine, that was all that mattered.
Asher thought for a moment and gave a simplified version of what had happened in the Forbidden Land of Red Soil, "That's pretty much it."
"Oh, then that's fine," Iris nodded, accepting Asher's explanation with ease.
Asher was a bit puzzled.
'Is Iris really someone who accepts explanations this easily?'
Then, he heard her continue, "I was just worried you were conducting some secret experiments… Ahem!"
As she spoke, she looked up, meeting Asher's incredulous gaze.
'If the timing wasn't inappropriate…'
'Fine.'
Asher still couldn't hold back and asked loudly, "Wait, what exactly is my image in your minds?"
Hearing that, Iris's expression wavered, her eyes darting around as she looked at the sky, the ground, anywhere but at Asher.
'What kind of image?'
'Uh… how to put it?'
'It is difficult to describe.'
'Better to just skip this topic altogether.'
"That's not important. As long as what you're doing is legal, it's fine," Iris smiled calmly.
"I actually came to talk to you about something else."
"In a little while, the International Academic Exchange Conference will be starting."
Asher blinked.
Clearly.
He had never heard of it before.
Iris wasn't surprised.
Heh.
If no one else knew Asher, she sure did.
Asher was simply too lazy to look into it. If someone said he was arrogant and looked down on it, that wouldn't be entirely wrong either.
But Iris still dutifully gave a brief introduction, "This conference mainly serves as a platform for different countries to exchange academic findings, showcase research, and make trades. Over time, it has also developed other activities."
"For example, exchanges between geniuses from different countries."
Asher: "You write 'exchange' but read it as 'battle,' right?"
Iris: "…Ahem!"
"As long as you get the general idea."
Asher: 'Got it, got it.'
He totally understood.
Why must it be an exchange between geniuses from different countries?
Was this truly a simple, ordinary, purely academic exchange with no ulterior motives?
Even elementary schoolers wouldn't believe that.
The whole "friendship first, competition second" thing?
That's something only the first-place winner gets to say.
But… after thinking about it, Asher shook his head, "Wouldn't my participation be a case of bullying?"
Iris: "?"
She was stunned.
'How is this bullying?'
'You are only 19!'
If he joined, he'd absolutely be the youngest, the fastest-rising, and the most accomplished among them.
She had no doubt about that.
"No, no, no," Asher shook his head, "I mean… I'm already a Level 3 researcher. By April, I'll probably be Level 2."
"From that perspective, wouldn't I be bullying them?"
His expression was calm, and his voice was completely steady.
But the words… Iris almost choked on them.
Damn.
She had never considered this angle of 'bullying.'
But if she thought about it… Iris nodded, "That's true. The so-called D-rank research genius from the Eagle Nation is already 22 years old."
Young?
Maybe in the Eagle Nation.
But compared to Asher…
Forget it.
There was simply no comparison.
At this moment, Asher asked another question.
"Do they have any age or achievement requirements for these 'geniuses'? Otherwise, how do they even determine who counts as one?"
Hearing that, Iris smiled. She casually sat down on the sofa beside Asher, her long legs crossed, the black stockings emphasizing her toned legs.
"Of course, there are requirements," she said, twirling her hair, "For both pet beast cultivators and pet beast research professors, the age limit is 26, and they must have at least one remarkable achievement."
"Additionally, their rank must be at least Junior Pet Beast Cultivator or D-rank Researcher."
Asher clicked his tongue, "Under 26 years old, a Level 4 researcher… feels like this 'genius' title is a bit watered down."
Iris: "…"
Iris stared at Asher speechlessly.
He wasn't joking.
He genuinely thought that way.
She was at a loss for words.
Taking a deep breath, she adjusted her mindset again. After spending so much time with Asher, she had naturally gotten used to his 'Humblebragging-style' remarks.
If it were anyone else, they'd probably be thinking about how to ambush Asher with a sack right about now.
Seriously, he was just asking to be punched.
"You really think being a Level 4 researcher at 26 is easy?", Iris said with a hint of exasperation in her eyes, "Even for me, I only barely became a Level 4 researcher on the verge of turning 26, okay?"
Saying that, Iris rolled her eyes.
'Does he really think 26 is that old?'
'It's not!'
'Not at all!'
Think about it—
Normally, a university student enters college at 18. Four years of university means they graduate at 22.
And if they pursue further studies?
What about graduate school?
Even if they go straight into a research institute under a pet beast professor—
As long as that person isn't Asher, a single project taking one or two years would already be considered short.
Most of them take at least three to five years.
While ordinary people are still struggling to get promoted from intern researcher to full-fledged Level 5 researcher, only the most gifted individuals can achieve remarkable results at this prime working age and become recognized as the real "geniuses" in this field.
Once upon a time—
Iris was one of them.
Not to mention, she was also the youngest Level 3 researcher in Radiant City.
But ever since Asher appeared, everything changed.
Jealous? Iris definitely wasn't jealous.
All in all, Asher could be considered to have had a brief teacher-student connection with her.
Although the time was really short, it was still real.
Iris was genuinely happy for Asher's achievements.
But!
But there were many times when Asher's unintentional 'Humblebragging' remarks left her speechless.
Like right now.
Iris was this close to breaking down the difficulty of meeting the "genius" standard and shoving it into Asher's mouth, making him realize, just how special he actually was.
Then, she heard Asher slowly say, "I understand what you mean."
"But if that's the case… I'd really feel kind of bad about it, wouldn't I?"
"Everyone else is still a Level 4 researcher, and I, a mere Level 2, jumping in… Hmm," At the end, Asher nodded.
Iris thought about it and realized he had a point.
The gap between Level 2 and Level 4…
If others saw Asher's title, they might indeed get the impression of a 'big shot bullying beginners' situation, huh?
"But your age isn't an issue…", Iris thought, still feeling a little unwilling.
Fortunately, she didn't continue persuading him.
She could see it now. Asher genuinely had no interest in this event, which was why he kept refusing over and over again.
Since that was the case, Iris couldn't really force him anymore.
'Fine.'
'Let him be.'
Honestly—
For Asher, competing for the so-called "genius" title against these Level 4 researchers, who were still like 'kids,' was probably less meaningful than returning to his own research institute and focusing on new, interesting pet beasts.
'Right, Silverfang Tiger?'
Iris's gaze swept over the battered Silverfang Tiger beside them.
'Show some of that evolved presence, Silverfang Tiger!'
Little Raven: (￢_￢)
'Enough already.'
'What's the plan here?'
'Trying to teach this big tiger to challenge the position of Little Raven, the boss?'
Iris: 'I'm out, I'm out.'
However, since Iris had made a special trip here, Asher didn't rush back immediately either.
Instead, he wandered around Radiant City for a bit, showed his face at Bluewind University, and met up briefly with Jessica and Aeron.
Finally, he had a meal with Vicky, June, and Ivy.
Although no one said it outright, Asher could tell they were all very happy.
His mood lightened as well.
Only then did he finally head back to NY City with the Striped Thunder Tiger.
———
"Don't be afraid," Asher patted the front leg of the Striped Thunder Tiger.
Mainly because there was nowhere else he could reach.
"We'll do a quick blood test first and then check your other stats. i
It won't harm your body," Because of what the Striped Thunder Tiger had been through before, Asher took extra care to reassure it.
And as it turned out—
It was a good thing he did.
Otherwise, the equipment in his research institute would have suffered another round of destruction.
Asher: "…"
'Thank God!'
Fortunately, he remembered that before evolving, Silverfang Tiger had encountered a scumbag beast tamer.
'That guy definitely didn't treate Silverfang Tiger well.'
Using instruments to help Silverfang Tiger heal would have been out of the question.
After running the usual tests with standard equipment, Asher quickly noticed something different about the Striped Thunder Tiger.
"Hmm… does this data look a bit off?", Asher looked at the report in his hand and spoke with a somewhat uncertain tone.
What he was looking at was a physical examination report for the Striped Thunder Tiger.
One of the indicators was called "Evolution Factor."
It could be understood like this: for all beasts and pet beasts, the amount of "Evolution Factor" in the same volume of blood should always be higher after evolution than before.
But in the case of the Striped Thunder Tiger, it was the exact opposite.
After evolution, the "Evolution Factor" concentration in its blood hadn't increased, it had actually dropped by 3%.
Asher: "?"
'This number… doesn't seem quite right, does it?'
Asher turned to look at the Striped Thunder Tiger: stare—
Striped Thunder Tiger: *scared, nibbling on its paw*
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