Weakest Beast Tamer Gets All SSS Dragons

Chapter 247 - Double Tamer - 3rd

”However,” Zhao continued, with a slight smile, ”this doesnʼt exempt you from the theoretical exam, which constitutes fifty percent of your final grade.”

A murmur of discontent spread through the classroom, primarily from the newly incorporated students who had hoped for an easy pass.

For Ren, however, the news presented no problem whatsoever. His enhanced processing capacity, a product of his fusion with the ring, allowed him to assimilate information at a rate that bordered on superhuman.

The mushrooms in his hair pulsed with quiet confidence as he reviewed his mental catalog of crystallographic knowledge.

He had already memorized practically the entire syllabus, extracting knowledge from textbooks and notes borrowed from Min and Taro.

He wouldnʼt need to present a thesis specialized in his beast either since Wei had already approved him. Despite his mushroom having reached bronze rank, fulfilling another of the possible requirements, it was very difficult to demonstrate that this was the case and not incorrect maturation.

The only obstacle to officially verify this rank was that his core remained abnormally small, even tinier than that of his hydra, despite technically being his main beast.

A specialized crystal could see his interior cores, but the mushroomʼs would still not reach the minimum size of a bronze 1. The two 20% increases his mushroom had managed to obtain also fell far below traditional standards. A bronze 1 rank beast should provide a minimum 60% increase in its main attribute and a maximum of 100%.

ʼThe true advantage of my beast is being able to obtain multiple beasts,ʼ Ren reflected as Zhao began the lesson. ʼI could explain to them in detail... But having them believe Iʼve simply taken a potion is convenient for now.ʼ

The idea of having to explain to Julius, the Director, or any of the intimidating adults at the academy how his beast really worked seemed an unnecessary risk. The obtained potion provided the perfect shield, a reasonable explanation that required no further questioning.

At the end of class, Ren caught Kleinʼs gaze, laden with barely contained frustration. The Goldcrest heir must have already understood that it was too late to surpass him in this subject. In his eyes, Ren had practically lived underground the entire semester, giving him an unfair advantage in crystal collection.

His only hope would be to obtain a perfect grade in Meiʼs class, tie with Ren in Weiʼs, and then defeat him decisively in the battle class, both in individual and team modalities. Since the combat subject carried more weight than the theoretical ones, he could still snatch the semester honor.

A logical plan considering he would soon be Bronze 1. The lionʼs increased power would give him a significant edge in combat scenarios.

But it didnʼt contemplate that Ren already had more total increases than the 80% Klein would obtain. The mushroom boyʼs hidden advantages remained precisely that for him, hidden.

In the following days, classes gradually resumed their normal rhythm. Han and Larissa fully reincorporated after their interrogations, and although Han initially seemed uncomfortable, especially around Ren, he slowly began to relax again in the groupʼs presence.

Whatever had been discussed in the Directorʼs office remained private, but the tension in Hanʼs shoulders had visibly decreased with each passing day.

Renʼs groupʼs incursions into the depths were temporarily suspended, diverting the boysʼ attention toward theoretical preparation.

Ren took advantage of this time to work on his eggs and his cultivation.

♢♢♢♢

Upon returning to the dormitories after the dayʼs classes, they found a surprise. The auxiliaries had finally delivered all the materials collected during the expedition. Carefully labeled packages occupied every available space: piles of shadow stalker skins, bark stalker parts, and other materials.

The room now resembled a warehouse more than a living space, with barely visible paths between the beds.

”Where are we supposed to sleep?” Min asked, contemplating the now crowded room with amazement.

”We can process and sell them for a bigger cash out, but first will need to reorganize,” Ren suggested, already evaluating how to use the vertical space.

”All this... is really just ours?” Taro asked, incredulous.

”Most of it is mine,” Ren admitted. ”But donʼt worry, Iʼll find somewhere to store it.”

The next day, Zhao made the official announcement of the expedition grades in front of the entire class.

As expected, Renʼs group topped the list with astronomical values that made the efforts of the rest of the students seem ridiculous.

”And with these results,” Zhao concluded, his owl markings brightening with what seemed like pride, ”it is established that Ren Patinder obtains first place in the practical gathering unit.”

A murmur ran through the classroom. Although everyone had anticipated this result, hearing it officially transformed it into an inescapable reality.

Jin and Klein exchanged somber looks. What they had feared was confirmed: Ren, the boy with the supposedly weakest beast, had secured the first official academic victory, consolidating his position as the most outstanding student of the semester so far. The mushroom boyʼs trajectory continued to defy all expectations.

Klein clenched his fists under his table. His plan to obtain the semester honor was becoming increasingly complicated. The path to proving the Goldcrest superiority was narrowing with each achievement from the common-born student.

Classes continued their normal course.

Julius had remained at the academy for a few more days after the attack, dedicating himself to a meticulous underground investigation. According to circulating rumors, he had found no traces of the attackers, who had apparently retreated wounded, disappearing as mysteriously as they had arrived.

♢♢♢♢

The school returned to complete normalcy.

But today, things in the boysʼ room had spiraled out of control.

Min jumped in the dormitory with eyes bulging with excitement.

”Itʼs moving! Ren, itʼs moving!” he exclaimed, gesturing toward his nest.

”They donʼt move, relax,” Ren approached Minʼs nest and examined the new fully formed egg. A faint bluish glow pulsed from within.

”Itʼs ready,” he confirmed, a slight smile forming on his lips. ”Call it.”

Min nodded nervously and extended his hand.

When he made contact, a brief light connected the creature with Min, and the bond was established.

He concentrated, briefly closing his eyes, and when he opened them, the egg emitted a more intense flash. His excitement was palpable, the culmination of weeks of anticipation.

The four observed in silence as the creature inside struggled to free itself. Finally, with a decisive crack, the shell split and a gelatinous substance spilled over the nest. The scent of fresh water filled the air.

In the midst of the fluid, barely visible, floated what appeared to be a transparent tadpole the size of a rabbit. Its internal organs, faintly visible through its translucent skin, pulsed with a constant rhythm. Two small black eyes rotated independently, examining its new environment.

Min extended his hand tremblingly. The amphibian swam through the air as if it were in water, approaching his fingers with undulating movements. It circled his hand once, twice, then settled in his arm, its small body cool and slightly damp.

”Itʼs...” Min began, clearly searching for word.

”A glorified tadpole?” Liu suggested, unable to contain a mocking smile.