Beast Tamer: I Can See Evolution Paths

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The pet beast service center opened at 8 a.m.

At 7:30, the air was at its coolest.

Aspengrove Village was filled with dense, lush trees, and the morning breeze was soft and gentle.

Asher stepped out of his dorm, carrying a freshly made chive pocket and a carton of milk, strolling unhurriedly toward the service center.

Just as he neared the entrance, he stopped in his tracks.

'Wait… what?'

'What is that strange creature near the door?'

He recalled the villagers mentioning something about wild wolves roaming around, 'Is it one of them?'

Eye of Insight—activate!

As long as it was within his line of sight, his talent could take effect.

And then… the log panel's display put his mind at ease.

'Phew!'

It wasn't a wolf or a beast.

Still cautious, Asher approached the service center.

If it wasn't a beast, it had to be someone from the village.

Anyone with legitimate business would know the service center's opening time.

If someone was waiting outside this early, Asher figured they were likely here to stir up trouble.

And with his small frame, he wouldn't stand a chance in a fight.

What normally took five minutes over a few hundred meters turned into a slow ten-minute approach.

The moment he saw who it was, he fell silent.

There was indeed someone sitting at the entrance.

But contrary to his mental image of a tough guy with tattoos, it was a mature woman in a lab coat with her hair loosely tied in a messy bun. She wore frameless glasses, and her striking features exuded elegance.

Yet… she was slumped against the door, almost dozing off.

Asher was quiet for a long moment.

With only fifteen minutes until work started, he still had breakfast to eat and cleaning to do.

There was no room for sentimentality—his job came first.

"Excuse me, miss? Hello? Could you please move aside?"

At his words, the woman's eyes snapped open.

"Ron…?"

Her gaze was still a bit unfocused as she looked at him.

Asher quickly understood. "It's not opening time yet. Ron usually arrives a bit later. Let me unlock the door so you can wait inside."

She nodded, standing up from the steps, instantly leveling herself with him.

Seventeen-year-old Asher, standing at 177 centimeters, blinked.

Glancing at her long, slender legs, he comforted himself internally.

'I am just a little behind on nutrition. With a carton of milk every day, I still have time to reach 180 centimeters by the time I am eighteen.'

As he opened the door, the woman, who had clearly taken a taxi all night, seemed to fully wake up.

In an instant, she recognized Asher as the blue-uniformed boy in the video she'd watched multiple times.

"Hello, I'm Iris, a professor at Bluewind University in NY City and Ron's graduate advisor." She introduced herself politely.

"Yesterday, Ron sent me the surveillance video of the honeybug's evolution. Would it be alright if I asked you some questions about it?"

Asher was a bit taken aback.

Bluewind University was equivalent to a top-tier institution, one of NY City's finest, renowned for its programs in pet beast breeding and care. Every year, it attracted as many applicants as the nation's elite universities.

"Of course, I'll answer whatever I can."

He had no reason to refuse.

It just meant breakfast would have to wait.

Iris pulled a chair from the front desk and sat down, her eyes behind her glasses burning with curiosity, as if she could see right through him.

"I've already watched the footage over ten times, and I have some theories about the honeybug's evolution."

Since the video came from her own student, she hadn't doubted its authenticity for a moment.

There was no reason to.

Assuming the footage was real, every detail mattered.

"Many Beast Masters—and even ordinary people—don't even consider honeybugs worthy of the term 'pet beast,'" she began.

"It's not just because honeybugs are low-grade, but also because of their timid nature—they're prone to committing suicide at the slightest disturbance."

"Not to mention, if their honey sac is removed, honeybugs fall into a frenzied state and end their own lives immediately."

"But the honeybug that young lady brought yesterday was clearly different. You were in close contact with it; could you describe its personality?"

Hearing this, Asher thought he saw a glint in Iris's glasses.

He didn't hide anything, simply nodded. "Yes, that honeybug was different from most others."

"It had used Sacrifice Strike but didn't die, managing to hold on until it got here."

Asher recounted Ivy's reason for bringing Nene to the service center.

The surveillance footage didn't capture audio, so Iris's eyes lit up as she heard additional information.

"Sacrifice Strike?"

'This honeybug is anything but ordinary.'

Iris grew even more certain of this as she continued, "The evolution happened after its honey sac was removed, correct?"

Asher nodded.

"I see." Iris's face broke into an enlightened smile.

"Courageous, not prone to self-harm, and honey sac removal—these are the keys to honeybee evolution."

Her tone was filled with conviction.

Asher's eyes widened in shock, 'How can her guess be so spot on?'

'Not a single detail is off.'

Honeybee evolution hinged on it not committing suicide after honey sac removal.

But not committing suicide… was already an insurmountable challenge for most people.

Noticing Asher's expression, Iris mistook it for doubt in her theory. "You think my guess is unreliable?"

"No." Asher shook his head. "Bold hypothesis, careful verification. The unique trait of that honeybug was indeed its personality. Professor Iris's line of thinking makes perfect sense."

Iris laughed.

"I was wondering how to tell you that one of my research projects focuses on pet beast evolution. My theories aren't unfounded."

"Thank you for your trust and cooperation."

After asking her questions, Iris stood up.

"Could you share that young lady's contact information with me?"

Asher didn't agree immediately. "Um… would it be alright if I ask her first?"

He had assumed someone from the Alliance would be visiting, so it was better to ask Ivy's permission.

Iris didn't mind his caution, even giving him an approving look. "Very good—you know how to respect a young lady's choice."

"Alright then. Let's exchange contact info, and if she agrees, you can pass her number to me. I'll be off now!"

After they exchanged numbers, Iris left as abruptly as she'd arrived, like a whirlwind coming and going without a trace.

Asher could only think, 'What a remarkable woman!'

Meanwhile, somewhere in a room Ron lay flat on his bed as he murmured, "Ha... I... Um... Have... Umm.. Professor... Iris..."

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