Beast Tamer: I Can See Evolution Paths

"My innate skill is Affinity, which allows me to get along with most beasts," Asher explained.

"However, whether it's because of my innate skill or my own sensitivity, I can sense some of their emotions and thoughts when interacting with beasts."

To solve Hua Hua's problem, he had to explain Hua Hua's situation.

Quickly utilizing a portion of his secondary innate skill, Asher crafted a truth to mislead Professor Jorge.

Not a single lie was spoken—he merely withheld certain private details.

Conveniently, the incident where he helped Vicky resolve the dragon lizard issue could also be attributed to his acute perception of beasts' emotions.

Reasonable enough.

"Hua Hua… It… I…" A long-overdue truth slammed into Professor Jorge's mind, making him feel dizzy.

What just happened?

Who was he, and where was he?

Hua Hua swayed its large red flower bud in surprise, and the fiery lips hidden inside parted slightly in shock.

[How… does he know…?]

Seeing Hua Hua's inner thoughts, Asher could already imagine the shocked expression on its "face," full of bewilderment and confusion.

Clearly, it hadn't told this person anything.

How did he know?

"Hua Hua!" Finally reacting, Professor Jorge sprang up, striding to Hua Hua's side and gripping the leaves on either side of its body tightly. "Go for a check-up. Right now, come to the lab with me for a full examination."

"No more delays!"

Professor Jorge had thought that since his wife's passing, nothing could shake him so profoundly.

But now, Hua Hua was driving him to despair.

"If your mother had known, she would never have approved of this." Professor Jorge pointed a trembling finger at the Noise Flower's bud, angrily scolding, "You're trying to anger both me and your mother to death."

Hua Hua swayed its body, its thick leaves hesitating left and right.

'Oh no, Baba is angry!'

The Noise Flower hadn't done it on purpose.

It felt guilty.

But what if it was a little happy about it, too?

The Noise Flower's bud closed, turning away resolutely to avoid meeting Professor Jorge's gaze.

'Oh dear~ What did Baba say just now? I didn't hear clearly, no check-up, thanks!'

It was already calmly waiting for death, so why overthink things?

Hua Hua's attitude was serene and philosophical.

Professor Jorge was almost driven to a stroke by his "rebellious, old daughter."

Asher hurriedly intervened to calm the situation: "Professor Jorge, please calm down. These things have already happened; getting angry won't change them."

"I'm telling you this not to upset you but because I believe you should know… Additionally, I feel that Hua Hua's emotions have been repressed for a long time. I suspect its delayed evolution is linked to the pain it endured during your wife's illness."

It wasn't merely related—it was the core issue.

This was the key reason why the Noise Flower couldn't evolve into a Quite Flower and had turned toward the [Nightmare Flower] evolutionary path.

On reflection, Asher found himself reassessing the Noise Flower as a beast.

Setting aside its excessive noise, whether evolving into a Quite Flower or a Nightmare Flower, both forms seemed beneficial for patient care.

However, either evolution required the unconditional love of its Beast Master.

Love allowed the Noise Flower to bathe in sunlight and evolve into the comforting Quite Flower.

Love also gave it the courage to endure pain, suffering, and the shadow of death, evolving into a Nightmare Flower.

For its Beast Master—Professor Jorge's wife—Hua Hua had borne all of this. But the dual burden of physical and emotional pain had drained Hua Hua's energy, pushing it toward the abyss of darkness.

If the Beast Master it loved had still been present, the post-evolution risks might have been minimal.

At worst, its personality would have shifted significantly.

Yet, for the ones it loved and who loved it back, it would have restrained itself to avoid causing harm.

Importantly, with Hua Hua's consent, the Beast Master's spiritual domain and Beast Space could partially suppress its negative energies.

But… that person was gone.

'Hua Hua will never accept a Beast Master other than Mama or Baba.'

'Mama is gone, and Baba can't establish a new contract with me',Hua Hua couldn't guarantee that, after evolving, it won't completely lose control under the influence of dark energy. So, it had chosen to hold itself back.

'No evolution!'

'I cannot evolve!'

Listening to Asher, Professor Jorge was flooded with thoughts.

As a Beast Master specializing in pet evolution, he might not compare to the renowned professors, but he understood the basics.

"Hua Hua… Are you refusing to evolve because you fear losing control of your power afterward?" he speculated quickly. "Your evolutionary path isn't leading to a Quite Flower. The Quite Flower, being wood-type and special-type, wouldn't have issues like losing control or going berserk… So your evolution must involve more unstable attributes…"

Years of research into the Noise Flower's new evolutionary paths weren't fruitless.

"Your post-evolution attributes are likely dark-type or poison-type—attributes prone to causing accidents if not properly controlled," Professor Jorge murmured.

Dark-type beasts often correlated with stealth, shadows, or ominous traits.

While some dark-type creatures defied such stereotypes, many possessed frightening or bizarre abilities, cementing dark energy as a symbol of evil and death.

In truth, anyone knowledgeable about Beast Mastery would know this wasn't entirely accurate—but not without some basis.

Fifty-fifty.

Things always had two sides.

Dark-type creatures' use of energy often appeared unsettling—shadowy energy balls, sudden ambushes from shadows, or creepy movements within darkness…

Cough, Asher glanced at the oblivious Cat-worm before looking away.

No offense meant.

Moreover, dark energy was often physically cold—tangibly so, perceptible even to humans.

This had made domestic horror films particularly fond of featuring "no ghosts," instead relying on shadowy, unidentified dark-type creatures or amalgamations of resentful spirits…

Realistic 5D theater experiences sometimes even involved live dark-type creatures casting skills overhead for an immersive audience scare.

The creativity astounded Asher.

All in all, dark energy was powerful and enigmatic, yet within the constraints of a Beast Master's domain, dark creatures rarely went berserk—at most, exhibiting a gloomier demeanor.

Asher sighed.

Professor Jorge also let out a faint sigh.

He stood up, bent over, and gently stroked the large red bud atop Hua Hua's head, a mixture of pride, relief, and sorrow on his face.

"Our Hua Hua truly is remarkable."

Hua Hua froze.

It instinctively followed Professor Jorge's hand but couldn't understand why he was praising it.

"You've suffered, haven't you?"

"Whether it's enduring the pain of illness for Jannet or suppressing your power to avoid evolution, it's all been incredibly hard on you," Professor Jorge said softly, his hand tenderly brushing over the Noise Flower's bud.

Hua Hua understood. It leaned into Professor Jorge's palm.

The flower bud swayed gently in sync with his movements.

'Not too bad~'

'It's bearable~'

'For Mama and Baba, Hua Hua can endure~'

'What's another year? Soon, Hua Hua can reunite with Mama!'

Growing visibly happier, Hua Hua's fiery lips accidentally released a sharp, soul-piercing noise.

Both Asher and the Little Raven, along with Cat-worm in his arms, were utterly stunned by the auditory assault, their faces blank as if questioning life itself.

In contrast, Professor Jorge and the two Quite Flowers, Ding Ding and Dang Dang, remained unfazed, seemingly accustomed to Noise Flower's racket.

In fact, Ding Ding and Dang Dang showered Hua Hua with pollen—not to quiet it but to boost its energy.

Witnessing this, Asher was speechless.

'Seriously? Not loud enough?'

He couldn't fathom how much noisier the Noise Flower could be at full strength.

For the first time, Asher truly admired Professor Professor Jorge.

'A hero!'

'He is truly a hero!'

Professor Jorge's wife contracted three Noise Flowers, but at least she couldn't hear them.

It was Professor Jorge himself who truly had to share the same space and endure the sound of three Noise Flowers every day!l.

To survive under the "torment" of three Noise Flowers... Asher couldn't help but admire him.

Asher, Little Raven, and Cat-worm all looked inexperienced, utterly defenseless against the weakened Noise Flower's attacks.

Professor Professor Jorge, meanwhile, was trying to come up with a solution. "Hua Hua, if worse comes to worst, you'll evolve. The dark energy imbalance without a Beastmaster's restraint... then let's contract."

At this point, a deep sense of reluctance crept into Professor Professor Jorge's voice.

He wasn't a Beastmaster.

It was his wife who had been one.

Professor Jorge wanted to keep the three beasts his wife had contracted not just because of her but because Ding Ding, Dang Dang, and Hua Hua had become like family to him.

They had lost a family member, and the remaining one human and three flowers did not want to part again.

Professor Professor Jorge had been tirelessly researching new evolutionary paths for the Noise Flowers to avoid losing another family member.

But after all his research... Professor Jorge was still facing the loss of another family member.

Even if it wasn't by death.

"AAAAA—"

Noise Flower's fiery-red lips suddenly parted, transforming into a huge, gaping mouth as it unleashed an even louder, soul-piercing cry.

The once-invincible Little Raven, who had dominated since evolving, couldn't control its body and wobbled into Asher's arms.

(;へ:）

'The bird's down!'

'The bird's about to tap out!'

'This sound is too much for the bird to handle!'

Cat-worm was even more pitiful. Its chaotic eyes turned watery, and a teardrop hung from the corner of one of them.

QwO

'The dragon is so sad.'

'The dragon feels so wronged.'

'The dragon's brain isn't its own anymore!'

Asher's gaze was blank. Upon closer inspection, you could see the emptiness in his eyes—nothing was there, and nothing was being thought. Mechanically, his hands moved to cover Little Raven and Cat-worm's ears... Wait, do they even have ears?

Couldn't find their ears.

Asher: "..."

Resolutely, Asher hoisted Little Raven and Cat-worm onto his left and right shoulders, bearing the combined weight of dozens of pounds on his frail shoulders, freeing his hands to cover his own ears.

Little Raven and Cat-worm: "..."

'He's changed!'

'The Beastmaster has changed!'

On the other side, the Noise Flower was still causing a ruckus.

"AAAAA—"

'No!'

'Don't leave Baba!'

'Don't leave Mama!'

'Hua Hua isn't afraid of death!'

'It watches Baba every day. Even after dying, it can report Baba's situation to Mama!'

Puffing out its chest proudly, Hua Hua didn't think its thoughts were unreasonable at all.

With its large, wide leaves, Hua Hua angrily pounded on Professor Professor Jorge's chest… slightly lower.

'Bad Baba!'

'Baba's bad!'

Hua Hua's resistance to the idea of leaving and contracting with another Beastmaster was crystal clear.

Professor Jorge tried to reason with Hua Hua, but it only responded with even more piercing wails.

After years of not hearing the Noise Flower's voice, Professor Jorge, feeling a bit unaccustomed, rubbed his temples with a look of exasperation.

Seeing this, Hua Hua shut its massive mouth, and even its bud closed up a bit before turning its head away sulkily, ignoring him.

Finally.

Asher could release his hands from his ears.

Before letting go, he couldn't help but rub his ears vigorously.

"This is unbearable. Truly unbearable." The noise from the Noise Flower made Asher speak louder unconsciously. "I can still hear a ringing in my ears."

The Noise Flower's cries were truly mental attacks.

Even with his hands over his ears, the shrill sound penetrated his palms and entered his mind through his ears, resonating with his very soul.

But Asher didn't want this resonance at all.

Not even a little!

"I really apologize." Professor Jorge looked at Asher with deep guilt. The Noise Flower's cries... This was why he hadn't wanted to bring Asher to his lab earlier.

His lab didn't just have one Noise Flower—there were four being studied for comparative experiments.

If not for sufficient funding from above, Professor Jorge wasn't sure he could retain his three staff members.

At the end of the year, Professor Jorge even distributed bonuses several times higher than other labs, compensating for the physical and mental harm caused by the Noise Flowers.

Asher shook his head. "It's fine."

"In my opinion, besides the two paths in front of you, you have one last option." Asher sighed. "Hua Hua's new evolutionary path is right here. It can evolve anytime as long as it wants to."

"Switching to another Beastmaster is unacceptable to Hua Hua."

"Letting Hua Hua wait for death is unacceptable to you."

Asher's words earned a nod of agreement from both Professor Jorge and Hua Hua.

Indeed.

These two paths—these two choices—neither was acceptable to both Professor Professor Jorge and Hua Hua.

"Release it." Asher uttered two words.

Hearing this, Professor Jorge froze.

Hua Hua also paused.

Even Ding Ding and Dang Dang, who were scattering pollen, turned their gaze toward Asher.

With one human and three beasts staring at him, Asher remained unflustered and said calmly, "I'm just offering my opinion. Whether or not to do it is up to you to decide."

"Hua Hua is already at Tier 6 Advanced. After evolving… this suppressed power might propel it straight to Tier 7 Advanced, or even Tier 8."

"The dark attribute's uncontrollable energy could be managed in the Forbidden Zone."

"Tier 7 is still within the elite range for beasts."

"But at Tier 8, it would become a trump card-level beast."

"In its group, it would wield significant authority."

"If it gained an opportunity or developed a special ability after evolving... returning to the wild might actually be a good choice for Hua Hua."

Asher didn't finish his sentence.

But Professor Jorge understood his unspoken meaning.

Opportunities and special abilities… meant that if Hua Hua could ascend to Tier 9…

Beasts at Tier 9 or above were entirely different.

At the lord level, even in the human world, such creatures held considerable influence.

Compared to letting Hua Hua quietly wait for death or contracting with another Beastmaster to form a new family... Professor Jorge felt this was more acceptable.

The only question was…

Could Hua Hua adapt to the survival laws of the Forbidden Zone, where the weak are prey to the strong?

"Hua Hua, you…" Professor Jorge hesitated.

He looked at Hua Hua, then at Ding Ding and Dang Dang, his face full of struggle and indecision.

The helpless Professor Jorge's gaze fell on Asher.

Asher took a step back.

"This is a decision for you to make and discuss as a family."

"No matter how much I say, it's just a suggestion."

It wasn't his intention to meddle in family matters.

He simply couldn't bear to see a tragic ending… nothing more.

Having said this much, no matter what decision Professor Jorge and Hua Hua made, it had little to do with him.

Asher left the room, giving them time to discuss as a family.

He returned to the first floor, sat on the central carpet, with Little Raven in his left hand and Cat-worm in his right, and lay down as if completely drained.

"Ah… life is so hard…" Asher muttered while staring at the ceiling.

"Next time!"

"Next time, for sure!"

"I absolutely won't get involved in family matters like this again."

Can't they just focus on researching new evolutionary paths for beasts? He points out the key issue, and everyone gets along harmoniously… is that too much to ask?

Asher suddenly said, "If one day I'm gone, you two wouldn't go crazy like Hua Hua, would you?"

Little Raven, who was happily nestled in Asher's arms: "?!l"

Cat-worm, lazily draped over Asher's neck like a squishy scarf: "???"

'Would you listen to the nonsense coming out of your mouth?'

Before Asher could take back his words, the furious Little Raven flapped its wings furiously at his face.

Cat-worm joined in, jumping up and down on Asher's body with its seven chubby legs, making Asher experience what it truly meant to be "kneaded."

Caught off guard by his two furious companions, Asher: "…"

'I surrender!'

'Would apologizing now still work?'

Little Raven and Cat-worm: [○｀Д○]

'No!'

———

By the time Professor Jorge came downstairs with Ding Ding, Dang Dang, and Hua Hua, what he saw was Asher lying on the carpet, a feather stuck in his hair, and his clothes in disarray.

Professor Jorge: "?"

"Asher, you are…" Professor Jorge cautiously looked around, although he didn't really know why he was doing so.

Probably because… the atmosphere seemed off no matter how he looked at it?

Sitting up straight, Asher tidied his slightly messy clothes and gave Professor Jorge a calm smile: "Nothing, Professor Jorge. Just now, while waiting for you, I played a little with Little Raven and Little Dragon."

Asher's expression couldn't have been more serious.

Professor Professor Jorge didn't overthink it.

He nodded slightly.

"You really have a great relationship with your two pet beasts. The bond between beastmasters and their pets… sigh."

As he spoke, Professor Professor Jorge couldn't help glancing at the Hua Hua beside him.

After fixing his attire, Asher didn't spare a glance at Little Raven and Cat-worm. He stood and walked toward Professor Jorge.

Little Raven and Cat-worm weren't angry. Instead, the two little creatures were exceptionally united in their outward defiance. Little Raven, who considered herself the boss, even allowed Cat-worm to perch on her back.

Of course.

Flying while carrying Cat-worm or being its mount? No way.

They were merely playing a stacking game.

"Hua Hua's evolution—what's your plan?" Asher asked.

Professor Professor Jorge forced a difficult smile, then said with a hint of relief, "I've made up my mind. I'll apply to the Alliance to release Hua Hua into the Forbidden Zone."

Professor Jorge couldn't bear to witness Hua Hua's death.

And Hua Hua couldn't accept being alive but permanently separated from Professor Jorge.

Releasing her into the Forbidden Zone… Asher's words had inspired them.

This was different from letting the Hua Hua re-contract with another beastmaster and fully becoming someone else's beast.

If Hua Hua could return to the Forbidden Zone, she would still have a chance to return to Professor Jorge.

As long as she could control the overflow and rampage of the dark-attribute energy within her body, and if she became strong enough, with her relationship with Professor Jorge and her voluntary return, the Alliance would permit her to come back from the Forbidden Zone under supervision.

This process of learning control, without a beastmaster's help, might take a long time.

But compared to permanent separation, both Professor Jorge and Hua Hua could accept it.

"I'll just think of it as Hua Hua going away for school," Professor Jorge said with a smile.

"Hua Hua is almost fifteen, which, in human terms, makes her a young lady. Letting her leave home to be independent… isn't entirely unacceptable."

"Besides, as long as we're alive and still care about each other, there's always hope."

Hua Hua happily swayed her body and leaves, clearly agreeing with Professor Jorge's words.

'Exactly~'

'Hua Hua is just stepping away temporarily. Hua Hua will be back as soon as possible.'

As he spoke, Professor Jorge looked at Asher with gratitude,"Asher, Hua Hua and I owe you so much for this. I didn't expect things to turn out like this…"

Initially, it was about researching a new evolution route for pet beasts, something from which Asher could also learn a bit. Who would've thought it would end up as him helping resolve family matters?

"Not exactly," Asher replied with a smile. "Hua Hua's evolution is part of the new evolution route for Noise flowers, isn't it?"

"I only have one request."

"Say it!" Professor Jorge quickly responded. "As long as it's within my power, I'll agree."

"When you release Hua Hua, can you take me along? I want to see her evolution with my own eyes. I'm curious about the new evolution form of Noise flowers."

Asher's request was reasonable.

If someone knew that a beast beside them could evolve at any time, and it was a new evolution route, they'd definitely want to witness it personally if circumstances allowed.

The request wasn't difficult, and Professor Jorge agreed without hesitation.

In just one day, Professor Jorge's application to the Alliance received a reply.

Permission granted.

Because Hua Hua's previous beastmaster had passed away naturally, and Hua Hua was already fourteen, the Alliance didn't complicate Professor Jorge's application and issued him a permit.

"Professor Jorge, you didn't mention Hua Hua's new evolution route in your report, did you?" Asher said with certainty.

Professor Professor Jorge, driving a specialized pickup truck for the Forbidden Zone with Serenity Flower Ding Ding, Dang Dang, and Noise Hua Hua onboard, had a proud look on his wrinkled face.

"Of course not!"

"Whether I mentioned it or not makes little difference."

"Hua Hua would never agree to contract with another beastmaster. As long as the risk of her rampaging exists, the Alliance will approve my release application. Given that, why complicate matters? Simple is better."

If questioned, flexibility is the answer.

Truthfully reporting Hua Hua's situation would have dragged the timeline.

Professor Jorge couldn't afford to wait.

As long as he didn't see Hua Hua evolve with his own eyes, the shadow of her possible death loomed over him.

Why stick to procedures with the Alliance?

No way.

He chose the fastest route.

As for any disputes with the Alliance after Hua Hua controlled her power… those were future problems.

The priority was not delaying Hua Hua's evolution.

Asher laughed.

When he first met Professor Professor Jorge, he thought he was a rigid, inflexible type.

Now? Clearly mistaken.

Professor Jorge's current reserved demeanor wasn't due to inflexibility but because those who once needed his charming side weren't around anymore.

When flexibility was needed, his mind was sharp as ever.

On the journey, Quiet Flowers Ding Ding and Dang Dang were responsible for scattering pollen. Coupled with the sixth-rank high-grade ferocity of Noise Flower and its noise capable of causing mental attacks at a moment's notice, no beasts in the Forbidden Zone dared to provoke them.

Soon, the vehicle reached the edge of the Forbidden Zone.

Professor Jorge got out of the car with Ding Ding, Dang Dang, and Hua Hua, while Asher stayed in the vehicle holding Little Raven.

Little Raven tilted its head, its golden-red eyes staring at Asher as if asking, 'Why not follow them?'

The Catworm yawned lazily, curling up bonelessly around Asher's neck like a plump, fleshy neck pillow.

"At this moment, we just need to watch quietly," Asher said, stroking the Little Raven in his arms.

The reason for not following... well, just like when making the final decision yesterday—this was Professor Professor Jorge's family matter, their last time together as a family.

Asher had already felt intrusive enough by tagging along just to see the icon light up in person.

If he interrupted them further… it would prick his conscience.

Just a little.

The size of a pinky nail.

After all.

Upgrading his talent skill was the most important thing.

He couldn't have worked this hard only to walk away empty-handed.

And so...

Asher quietly sat in the car, watching as Professor Jorge, Ding Ding, and Dang Dang all hugged Hua Hua one by one. Professor Jorge clutched Hua Hua's wide leaves, reluctantly whispering something.

Finally...

Hua Hua suddenly ran toward Asher with a "pat-pat-pat."

Under the astonished gazes of Asher, Little Raven, and Catworm, Hua Hua bent down and gave Asher a big, warm hug.

"Aaa—"

It seemed aware that Asher and the others couldn't handle excessively sharp sounds, so Hua Hua thoughtfully softened its tone.

'Thank you~'

'Although I don't know how you knew~'

'But for helping Hua Hua return to Baba's side, Hua Hua will remember you~'

After finishing.

Hua Hua didn't wait for a response, simply "pat-pat-pat" away, waving its long stems as it ran off.

Leaving only Asher sitting there, slightly dazed.

"This really is…" Asher chuckled, ruffling his own hair before scratching Catworm's head on his shoulder. "A rather magical experience."

His mood brightened a little.

Doing something unexpected and receiving an equally unexpected thank-you in return.

Could this be considered some kind of energy conservation?

Thinking about it, Asher couldn't help but laugh.

As he laughed...

Suddenly, Asher stopped laughing.

In the distance, a dazzling light burst forth.

Unlike the glow from the evolutions of the Honeybug, Little Fire Fox, and Little Raven, this light was black and purple, exuding an ominous aura at first glance.

Half of the forest, shrouded in mist, lit up with this dazzling light.

A powerful, ominous, and malicious aura, evoking all kinds of painful imagery, spread in all directions within a hundred-mile radius, centered on this light.

Yet it deliberately avoided Professor Jorge, Quiet Flowers Ding Ding and Dang Dang, and the pickup truck where Asher sat.

As the light faded.

A black-purple beast—Nightmare Flower—appeared before Asher.

Although a bit far away, Asher's 5.0-enhanced vision easily captured the full view of this beast.

Noise Flower's dark green stems had turned black and purple. Its heavy leaves didn't become slender and exquisite like Quiet Flower's but instead grew even broader with curling edges, looking more sinister.

The large red bud on its head also turned black and purple, exuding an eerie yet noble beauty.

Visually, it formed a stark contrast to the Quiet Flower, resembling a perfect creation transplanted from the abyss.

Asher activated his talent skill.

▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬

[Pet Beast: Nightmare Flower]

[Species: High-grade Extraordinary, Low-tier]

[Level: Eighth Rank, Low-tier]

[Skills: King's Aura, Abyssal Cry, Screech, …, Mental Shock]

[Aaaaaa—No… no! Not now! Baba is still—]

▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬

Professor Professor Jorge reached out as if to touch the evolved Nightmare Flower.

But the Nightmare Flower quickly withdrew, disappearing from Professor Jorge, Ding Ding, and Dang Dang's sight.

Professor Jorge froze in place.

Only when Asher waved at him did Professor Jorge snap out of it.

Returning to the pickup, Professor Jorge still looked a bit dazed.

"Hua Hua… in the end…"

"Professor Jorge, don't overthink it. You know how much of a daddy's girl Hua Hua is," Asher reassured him with facts, patting his shoulder. "After evolving, Hua Hua probably didn't want to hurt you, that's all."

"It's been holding back for too long… The power Hua Hua gained after evolving is far beyond what you imagined."

Jumping from mid-grade, low-tier to high-grade, low-tier was remarkable in itself.

Not to mention its level jumped directly from sixth-rank high-grade to eighth rank.

Asher had a small hunch before, but the reality was beyond his expectations… Initially, Hua Hua endured everything to spare its Beastmaster from illness-induced pain, bearing it all while suppressing itself for four years, a form of psychological torment.

The evolution and strength of the Nightmare Flower directly correlated to the pain Noise Flower absorbed and endured.

Asher patted Professor Jorge's shoulder again.

It wasn't easy.

Not for anyone.

"Let's go back. When Hua Hua learns to control its power, that will be the day you're reunited." Asher firmly believed that day wasn't far off for both Hua Hua and Professor Jorge.

Professor Jorge nodded silently.

He started the car, driving back with Quiet Flowers Ding Ding and Dang Dang and Asher.

On the return trip, they didn't encounter a single beast.

Asher reasonably suspected this was the result of the aura Nightmare Flower unleashed during its evolution.

Such a powerful and terrifying force must have left those beasts too frightened to move.

Thinking about it this way… Even if Hua Hua lacked actual combat experience, it could likely survive in the Forbidden Zone just fine with its fearsome aura alone, right?

No need to worry too much.

———

[[Nightmare Flower] successfully recorded]

After two days of effort, Asher felt quite satisfied with the results.

"Only one new evolved beast remains to be recorded… I wonder when I'll come across the right one."

Asher murmured, stroking the Catworm.

Once his talent skill was upgraded, he'd finally get to study Catworm properly and see if there were any useful new functions.

Just as Asher was about to contact President Robb to check on customer support—

His phone rang.

Looking at the caller ID, it was Professor Jorge.

Asher: "?"

Hadn't Professor Jorge's matter already been resolved? Why was he calling again?

After some thought, Asher still answered.

"I heard you're looking for a professor working on urgent pet beast evolution research to follow and assist with their project, is that right?" Professor Professor Jorge said over the phone. "Thanks to you, Hua Hua's issue was resolved. I didn't do much to help you, but I can recommend a friend."

"He's been researching a new evolution path for Rabbit Dogs for two years. There was some progress, but it's been stuck for the past year."

"After hearing about how I solved Hua Hua's issue, he approached me. I didn't mention your name, just hinted at your involvement."

"He hopes you can help him too."

"You can negotiate the terms."

Professor Jorge spoke slowly and deliberately.

Asher's eyes lit up.

Wasn't this the legendary network effect, where good connections open more doors?

Love it.

This was practically a performance opportunity being handed to him.

With just one more entry, his talent skill upgrade would be complete.

Knowing Professor Jorge's character, Asher trusted that this friend wouldn't pose any major issues.

"Sure." Asher agreed without hesitation.

Over the phone, Professor Jorge added, "You don't need to be too polite with him. Be upfront about your expectations. If you provide key assistance, discuss how credit and results should be divided."

"No, wait." Professor Jorge paused. "Maybe I should go with you."

"That guy isn't malicious, but he tends to cut corners in subtle ways. If you go alone, I'm afraid you might unknowingly get taken advantage of." Professor Jorge sighed. "In short... you'll see when you meet him. He seems unreliable but is actually dependable."

Hearing this, Asher chuckled.

"It's fine, Professor Jorge. Let me talk to him first."

Someone capable of taking advantage of even Professor Jorge?

Now Asher was curious.

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