Little Jellyfish: 'No time left! Don't think about it! Just obediently accept me!'
'It's worth it!'
'Absolutely worth it!'
The little jellyfish's bell expanded and contracted. Perhaps because it had eaten its fill, the originally transparent water-colored nerves inside its bell now had a faint multi-colored tint.
Asher turned his head to look at the Little Raven on his left shoulder, then at the little white snake on his right shoulder, and finally, his gaze fell on the Cat-Worm in his arms.
"See, in this family, only you are being excluded," Asher stroked the cool, smooth scales on the Cat-Worm, speaking with eyes full of sympathy.
Cat-Worm: "?"
Hearing this, the Cat-Worm was momentarily stunned. Then, following Asher's gaze, it looked toward the Little Raven, the little white snake, and the little jellyfish.
Cat-Worm: "!"
'Why!'
'Why do these guys all look dazzling under the sunlight!'
(ノ｀Д)ノ
'Damn it!'
'This dragon is going to make a fuss!'
Asher patted the dragon horns on the Cat-Worm's head and smiled silently.
'Hehehe!'
'You were the one egging me on before, weren't you?'
'Now you get it, huh!'
'This isn't as simple as you thought!'
The Cat-Worm whimpered, burying its head into Asher's chest.
Asher: "..."
Great.
He had been headbutted hard by those already quite powerful dragon horns.
Today was yet another peaceful and harmonious day for this big family.
The contract process was quick.
Since he had decided to take in this mutated poison box jellyfish, Asher didn't hesitate and proceeded directly with the contract.
The little jellyfish, who desperately wanted to cling to Asher's big leg and was fully aware of its own uselessness, didn't hesitate at all either. If it could initiate the contract itself, it would have acted even faster than Asher.
After handling everything,
Asher realized that Lily still hadn't returned.
He stepped in the direction where the little girl had just left.
Although it was Asher's first time at the welfare home, he had past memories related to it. Plus, there hadn't been many changes to the place over the years, so he quickly found the location of the cafeteria.
Through the window, Asher saw the little girl with her head lowered, hands twisting together.
Then, shifting his gaze—oh ho, standing opposite her was Mama Ruth.
Asher: 'No wonder.'
The moment he walked in, he heard Mama Ruth seriously questioning Lily about what she intended to do with the food she had taken.
The food at the welfare home wasn't particularly precious, but everyone tried their best not to waste any of it.
"Mama Ruth, I asked Lily to bring some food," Asher strode forward and took the initiative to explain.
Mama Ruth looked up at Asher, "Huh? Why are you involved again?"
"I remember you ate quite a lot at noon. Hungry again so soon?"
"A growing boy eating his family into poverty isn't just a saying," Mama Ruth didn't immediately believe him. But she could tell that Lily wasn't trying to waste food, and Asher had spoken up because the matter did involve him.
After thinking it over, Mama Ruth decided to let it slide for now.
As for the details… she'd ask Asher about them later.
Taking care of children, raising them, and guiding them had never been easy.
Yet for twenty years, Mama Ruth had never once felt weary of it. She remained full of energy every day.
Asher smiled at the sight.
Even if Mama Ruth didn't plan to ask, he would have brought it up with her later.
A child had independently approached an unknown beast. This time, they got lucky—it was just a beautiful, useless jellyfish that only ate and didn't dare harm humans.
But what if it had been a violent beast instead?
Just as humans used beasts, some beasts also ate humans.
Having been let off lightly, Lily quickly ran to Asher's side, clutching his clothes as if deeply reliant on him.
"Lily really likes you," Seeing their closeness, Mama Ruth couldn't help but smile, "Normally, she doesn't like clinging to people, nor does she like others clinging to her. She's a very independent little girl. Since she's so close to you, she must truly like you."
Asher glanced down at the little girl.
'Hmm.'
'Understood.'
Lily wanted to speak but hesitated—she was worried about her friend eggy.
But with Mama Ruth here, she was too afraid to say it aloud to keep her secret safe.
Asher: (•‿•)
Lily, who was usually good at reading expressions, realized for the first time that she couldn't understand big brother's face.
Puffing up her cheeks in frustration, she hummed indignantly, grabbing at Asher's clothes, swaying back and forth in an attempt to get some information about eggy from him.
Asher continued to smile.
Mama Ruth looked at the small one, then at the big one. Her expression gradually shifted from gratified to puzzled, then from puzzled to enlightened.
'Got it.'
She finally understood why the most prideful, independent girl in the home had suddenly become so close to Asher.
At first, she thought it was because Asher was charming.
Turns out, it was because they had a secret.
And Asher was the one holding the advantage.
Just as Mama Ruth was about to speak, urgent footsteps sounded outside the door.
"Mama! Mama!"
"Grandma!"
"Mama Ruth!"
Several overlapping voices called out, each one shouting excitedly.
Looking at the two little rascals who ran up to her, Mama Ruth pulled a neatly washed handkerchief from her pocket and patiently wiped the sweat off their foreheads.
"What's the rush?", She asked with a helpless expression after finishing.
The taller one and the shorter one both let out embarrassed little laughs, their faces flushing slightly.
"Ah… I forgot what I wanted to say!", The slightly taller one, who looked around six or seven years old, was grinning one moment and suddenly froze the next.
'What was it again?'
The little boy blinked his bright, intelligent eyes, tilting his head as he struggled to remember.
"There's an uncle even older than big brother here!", The shorter one, Little Good, spoke clearly.
Hearing this, the taller one, Little Tall, immediately showed a look of realization, nodding repeatedly, "Right, right! There's an uncle! He said he came to see Mama!"
"And he wants to donate to the welfare home!"
At the word "donation," Little Good's eyes lit up.
Donation!
The welfare home often received donations—clothes, shoes, snacks, books, drawing pads, stationery, toys… everything imaginable.
Everyone cherished these things.
But monetary donations were rare. When they did come, they meant better meals for a while.
Even if the kids didn't fully understand what donation meant, they remembered the benefits it brought.
And so—
"Donation, donation! Grandma, we have to hurry! Don't let Uncle leave!", Little Tall bounced up and down excitedly, looking like an energetic little monkey.
If Mama Ruth weren't still an authoritative figure in their eyes, this little monkey would have already dragged her outside.
Now, though…
Mama Ruth merely glanced at Little Tall, and he instantly quieted down.
Little Tall: *obedient mode activated*
Mama Ruth gently tapped both kids on the head, "Alright, let's go now."
"By the way, Asher, you should come along too," As she spoke, Mama Ruth turned around with a kind smile and looked at Asher, "What kind of day is today? Why is everyone coming to donate money one after another? With your donation of five million, the welfare institute can now sustain itself for a long time and greatly improve the children's living conditions."
"I have the ability to do so, and the person who came today also has the ability. We wanted to do this, so we did. Isn't that perfectly normal?", Asher held little Lily's hand in one hand, while in the other, he carried a chubby cat-worm that refused to return to the spirit sea beast space. Inside his clothes, a small white snake was coiled around him.
Little Raven and the little jellyfish had both obediently returned to the spirit sea beast space earlier.
"It's a good thing that people are donating. My donation is mine, and others' donations are theirs. Mama Ruth, you should just accept it and use it all on the children—improving their living environment, their housing, their diet. Making money isn't easy, but spending it is even harder," Asher said sincerely.
For him now, spending money was almost too easy.
Just casually buying some resources would already drain his funds, but fortunately, he had the backing of the government and the nation. In this regard, he rarely needed to spend his own money.
Otherwise, even earning eight figures a year wouldn't be enough for him.
Little Tall and Little Good, who were being held by Mama Ruth to prevent them from running around wildly, listened to the conversation between Asher and Mama Ruth with curiosity. They tilted their heads and looked in Asher's direction.
Little Tall had a face full of confusion.
But in Little Good's eyes, there was a flicker of genuine wisdom.
Mama Ruth was chatting with Asher and didn't notice the expressions of the two children.
Asher just had to lower his head, and he met their gazes.
He gave a friendly smile to the tall and thin Little Tall and the short yet slightly chubby Little Good.
Seeing this, Little Tall immediately returned a bigger and even sunnier smile.
Little Good, however, blinked, and his gaze toward Asher became even more curious. But he also gave a shy, close-mouthed smile.
Lily, holding Asher's hand in one and her beloved brown teddy bear doll in the other, glanced at the two guys smiling like idiots. She gave a heavy "hmph" and turned her head away.
The two adults walked at a leisurely pace with the three children.
As Asher approached the main hall entrance, he could hear chattering voices inside.
"Uncle is the best! Uncle, do you still have that candy?"
"Uncle, uncle, I want to eat those little biscuits!"
"Thank you, Uncle!"
"Uncle, are you a Beast Tamer too?"
"Uncle, are you super powerful?"
Just like how they had surrounded Asher earlier, the children were now crowding around a man whose face was not clearly visible. They jumped up and down, waving their little hands at the man in the center, eager to receive a delicious treat.
"Alright, alright."
"There's enough for everyone."
"And actually, you should be calling me 'Big Brother' instead!"
"Uncle is a super powerful Beast Tamer. And I'm also a pet beast professor. Do you know what a pet beast professor is? It's someone who specializes in researching beasts, a super amazing kind of person," The man's clear voice rang out from the midst of the children. It carried a special resonance, along with an indescribable warmth.
When Mama Ruth heard this voice, she blinked, then immediately smiled with realization. Her pace toward the main hall quickened.
"Little Levi! When did you come back to the country? You didn't even tell me in advance," Mama Ruth entered the main hall, holding the two children by the hands, her voice filled with joy and laughter.
"It's your Big Brother Levi... Oh, you were still young when Little Levi left, so you might not remember clearly," Mama Ruth turned her head and glanced at Asher beside her.
Levi Fraser also immediately noticed Asher standing next to Mama Ruth.
Unlike the two obviously young children who still needed Mama Ruth's care, nineteen-year-old Asher had finally grown from 175 cm to 179 cm—just a hair away from a solid 180 cm.
Handsome in appearance, with a graceful demeanor, and carrying a natural confidence and steadiness that couldn't be faked.
Moreover, since Asher was holding the hand of an adorably cute little girl, Levi instinctively assumed that Asher was a young volunteer at the welfare institute.
Before Levi could even speak.
He heard Mama Ruth's words.
Levi was stunned for a moment before he realized—
'This well-off-looking young man is actually also a child from their welfare institute?'
'And from the way it sounds… I have even met him when I was younger?'
Levi showed a thoughtful expression.
Fifteen years ago, among the children at the welfare institute… there didn't seem to be anyone who matched up.
"You don't recognize him, do you?", Mama Ruth, seeing Levi's expression, immediately knew what he was thinking. She chuckled.
But Mama Ruth didn't rush to introduce them. Instead, she said to Asher, "Levi is ten years older than you. He awakened his Beast Tamer potential when he was 14 and then left the welfare institute."
"I was only four years old back then, so I really don't remember," Asher nodded.
Four years old.
His memories before he was six were all blurry, let alone when he was four.
He really couldn't remember.
"Little Levi was also an ambitious kid," Mama Ruth sighed with emotion, "He got into Flood Dragon University, and during his studies, he earned himself a spot for international exchange through his own excellence. He spent several years abroad… You graduated in November, right?"
As she spoke, Mama Ruth looked at Levi, "I remember you told me on the phone."
"Yes!", Levi flashed a bright smile and gave Mama Ruth a thumbs-up, "Mama Ruth, your memory is amazing."
"You just know how to flatter me," Mama Ruth rolled her eyes at Levi, but there was no real reproach in her tone, "Ever since you left the welfare institute at 14, first you called me every two days, then once a week, then once a month… After you became an adult and went abroad, at least you still called me once every six months. I've never met a kid as clingy as you."
As she spoke, Mama Ruth had a smile on her face.
Asher: "..."
'Good grief.'
The first impression of Levi in Asher's mind instantly changed from a kindhearted guy who handed out snacks to kids to… a total mama's boy.
Levi had definitely treated Mama Ruth like his real mother.
And from how Mama Ruth was reacting, she clearly had a different level of affection for him as well. After all… Asher calculated their ages—Levi must have been in the first batch of children Mama Ruth had cared for, so their bond was naturally stronger.
After some brief conversation, everyone sat down.
With Mama Ruth present, the previously rowdy children who had been surrounding Levi calmed down and behaved more politely. Seeing this, Levi chuckled.
"Even after all these years, Mama Ruth is still as formidable as ever," Levi laughed, his eyes filled with nostalgia, "I still remember when I was little… Ahem."
Mid-sentence, Levi suddenly stopped.
The children who were munching on snacks: "?"
Asher: "?"
In the main hall, aside from Mama Ruth, everyone else turned to look at Levi.
Levi shut his mouth tightly and said nothing more.
"Hmph, you brat still remember how troublesome you were back then, huh? Now you look all proper and respectable, but tell me, how could you have done such mischievous things back then?", Mama Ruth seemed to be reminded of the past by Levi's words, snorted, and said with a hint of exasperation.
Asher: "Mama Ruth, speaking in riddles is unacceptable."
'We're having a conversation here!'
'You two—one old, one young… cough cough, you two should stop speaking in riddles in front of so many of us.'
Mama Ruth glanced at Levi, who was looking at her with pleading eyes, then at Asher, who was sitting beside her, eyes filled with curiosity. After thinking for a moment, she finally said, "Do you remember those things that were forbidden at our welfare institute when you were a child?"
"Quite a few of them were because of this brat," Mama Ruth gestured toward Levi.
Asher fell silent for a moment.
'Ah...'
He did remember that.
He had always found those prohibited rules strange.
Completely baffling.
What did it mean that one was not allowed to try flooding the dormitory to create a simulated ocean environment?
What did it mean that one was not allowed to hide parts of beasts under the covers?
What did it mean that one was not allowed to capture beasts on their own and cultivate them in the septic tank?
And so on… there were seven or eight such strange rules.
Every now and then, Asher would recall them.
Normal people wouldn't do such things, right?
But unexpectedly...
Asher looked at this senior brother, Levi, and his gaze gradually became strange.
For some reason.
He felt that the three rules that left the deepest impression on him were most certainly Levi's doing.
Levi, whose dark past had just been exposed: "..."
"Cough! Cough! Cough! Cough! I think we can skip this topic now," Under Asher's peculiar gaze, Levi raised a fist to his lips and coughed lightly twice, his expression somewhat unnatural.
Enough, enough!
If this goes on, he'll get angry!
But then again… the one who exposed his dark past was none other than his dearest mother, Mama Ruth.
What could Levi do?
Levi could only pretend that nothing had happened and pray that Asher wouldn't start reciting the original versions of those forbidden rules.
After all, so many years had passed.
Some outdated prohibitions had already been revoked and replaced with new ones. At least, the kids now probably wouldn't be able to tell which rules were because of him.
Thinking of this...
"Alright," Asher didn't press the issue. He had only just heard about it and was a little curious.
In reality, Asher wasn't particularly nosy.
'Mhm.'
Asher was certain.
Hearing this, Levi's eyes instantly lit up, and he looked at Asher with gratitude.
'Good, good, good!'
'This younger brother, who is ten years younger than me, has such a great personality!'
Just for the fact that they were both raised by Mama Ruth, from this day forward, they were brothers from different fathers and mothers.
Mama Ruth: "?"
'Something doesn't feel right here.'
"By the way," Levi quickly changed the topic as he remembered what Mama Ruth had just said. He looked at Asher with curiosity, "Mama Ruth just said 'also'?"
"So you've also awakened Beast Master potential?"
Asher nodded.
In an instant.
Levi became excited. He sat up straight and assumed the posture of an elder brother caring for his younger sibling, "You're ten years younger than me, so that means you're 19 this year. Are you in university? Which university? How are your grades?"
Asher was momentarily stunned and didn't reply.
It wasn't that he couldn't say it.
He just hadn't expected that, even after changing worlds, he would still receive the classic New Year triple questioning from family and friends.
So nostalgic.
Levi, unaware of Asher's thoughts, assumed that Asher hadn't done well in his university entrance exams when he saw his silence. He immediately stopped the topic, refusing to rub salt in Asher's wounds.
"Let me tell you, it doesn't matter if your university isn't that great. As long as you work hard and have that drive in you, that's what matters," As Levi spoke, he started shifting the conversation toward himself, "Take me, for example. Even though I got into a top university, in my first two years… Mama Ruth knows this—I was really lost."
Perhaps because he sincerely wanted to comfort Asher, Levi, who obviously cared about his pride, didn't hesitate to bring up his past embarrassing moments in an attempt to encourage Asher.
"Everyone was better than me. Their beasts had superior talent and potential. In NY City, I might have been a top student, but at Flood Dragon… sigh, that sense of disparity, I won't even mention it," Levi glanced at Asher again.
Calm.
Steady.
His initial impression of Asher remained unchanged.
If Mama Ruth hadn't told him, he would have thought Asher came from a loving and well-off family, nurtured with care by his parents.
There wasn't a trace of confusion in him.
His eyes were bright.
As if he had a firm understanding of his future.
Seeing this, Levi's impression of Asher improved even more.
And he was itching with curiosity.
'So, which university did this younger brother of mine get into?'
'It seems like he isn't too satisfied with it?'
'Or is he just strict with himself and doesn't want to talk about it because he couldn't get into his dream school?'
Both seemed possible to Levi.
What he didn't notice was the complicated look on Mama Ruth's face as she looked at him.
She hesitated.
After some thought.
Mama Ruth decided not to remind Levi.
Forget it, forget it.
If he was willing to uncover his past wounds, that was a good thing. Wounds only heal when they're exposed to light. Keeping them hidden out of pride would only let them fester and turn into inner demons.
And so.
Levi missed a chance to quickly learn the truth.
Lost in his own thoughts, as he recalled his past, his face showed a slightly regretful expression, "…Flood Dragon's vastness made me realize that there are far too many geniuses in this world. Compared to them, I'm not a genius Beast Master at all. I was just a little more diligent and luckier than most Beast Masters in NY City."
"I was lost for a while."
"Then one day, I suddenly woke up. I couldn't keep going like that. I had to work hard, push forward, and repay Mama Ruth for her care and upbringing. I couldn't let myself become someone I couldn't even respect."
Asher opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but seeing Levi so deeply immersed in his reflections, he remained silent.
Forget it.
Listening to this "brother" talk about his life experiences was actually quite an interesting experience for Asher.
Ahem.
He definitely wasn't just enjoying a good story.
He was experiencing someone else's life.
And so.
Levi missed a second chance to quickly learn the truth.
He was definitely not just listening to a story.
"I studied it carefully at the time. The Beast Tamer profession in our country is way too competitive," As he said this, Levi showed a bitter expression. Clearly, this was his real experience, and it had left a deep impression. Even after five or six years, he still couldn't forget it, "In the Beast Tamer profession, it's really hard for me to outcompete those battle-crazed maniacs."
"So, after much deliberation, I made a decision—I switched to another field to compete with them," Levi chuckled with a smug look in his eyes, "Usually, people switch from the beast evolution research major to the combat major, but rarely does anyone switch from the combat major to the pet evolution major."
"After all, intelligence is something that, when facing certain things, either you have it, or you don't."in
For example, advanced mathematics.
And, for example, pet evolution research.
These are things where you either understand them or you don't. The process may or may not matter, but the results say everything.
"Once I decided to compete in this field, I had to go all the way!", Levi's mood gradually changed from initial dejection to brightness and enthusiasm.
"Compared to our country, the nation most outstanding in the pet evolution field is definitely Blue Nation, the country that developed the extreme-speed Lightyear Dragon Knight."
Hearing this name, Asher was stunned for a moment before he reacted.
'Oh, oh, oh—Blue sounded a bit like the Germany I know.'
Mainly in terms of studying abroad.
If you went to Eagle Nation or Eastern Nation to study abroad, it might mean you had some ability, but more often than not, it was just for prestige.
But Blue was different—studying in Blue for three years would be the most important seven years of your five-year life.
This was no joke.
If you didn't work hard, you might never come back after studying abroad.
Asher calculated his friend's age again... Ah, it just about lined up with those who spent six or seven years in Blue.
If Levi graduated in six or seven years, it showed he had some talent in this field.
Otherwise, taking ten years or even longer wasn't unheard of.
Blue—a nation that struck fear into all international students but whose diplomas carried immense value.
"I applied for three consecutive years, and I had to present my achievements in beastmastery just to barely meet the requirements for studying in Blue," Levi's recollection ended there. As for what came after... well, he really didn't want to recall his years in Blue.
Graduating was joyful.
But the experience of studying abroad... was a living nightmare.
Levi had regrets.
If not for sheer determination keeping him going, he would never have made it to graduation.
But now, it was all over. Levi felt he could finally forget about it. Most importantly, his brother already saw him as unreliable—there was no need to reinforce that image further.
At the right moments, he still needed to establish his grand and noble image.
Mama Ruth, who had raised Levi since he was little and could see through his thoughts at a glance: "..."
She really didn't want to speak.
Like, seriously... Was this the right time to bring this up? Isn't this a bit too embarrassing?
Ahem.
Anyway, since Asher didn't say anything, she decided not to be the bad guy either.
Unaware of Mama Ruth's thoughts, Levi finished talking about his embarrassing past and turned back to Asher with bright, shining eyes. With boundless enthusiasm, he filled Asher with motivational words, "No matter what your past was like, or what your present is like, as long as you work hard, your future will definitely be bright."
"By the way, Asher, what major did you choose in university?", He couldn't ask about the school, but he could ask about the major.
Maybe he could even give Asher some useful advice.
After all, he technically had experience in dual majors.
While studying beast evolution, Levi never completely abandoned pet training and nurturing. Although he couldn't compare to his former elite classmates from the Flood Dragon Academy, after all these years, he had at least reached the second tier of beastmastery.
Third tier... Well, that was still a challenge.
Unlike breeders.
Breeders could accumulate experience while personally raising their pets.
But Beast Tamers and pet evolution professors were two completely different professions.
Thinking about this, Levi couldn't help but wipe away a tear of hardship.
It was tough.
Really, really tough.
His years in Blue... unforgettable for life.
Before Asher could respond, Levi's eyes met those of the little white snake that had emerged from Asher's collar and draped itself over his shoulder.
Levi suddenly realized something.
He noticed again.
Oh.
The strange plush pig that Asher had been holding—it was alive.
'That must also be one of Asher's pets.'
'Tsk! tsk!'
'This "little brother" sure spoils his pets.'
'Look at that snake—so sleek and shiny.'
'And look at that cat—so... solid.'
Even in his memory, Mama Ruth's orange cat wasn't that fat.
The plump cat-like bug, feeling Levi's scrutinizing gaze: *Yawn*
o(▼皿▼メ;)o
'What are you looking at?'
'Still looking?'
'Looking is fine.'
'But why that expression?'
'Don't think just because you didn't say anything that I don't know what you're thinking!'
'I know that look too well!'
'Damn it!'
'Still looking!'
'No way!'
'I have to teach this guy a lesson!'
Asher: *Quick, precise, ruthless*
He swiftly caught the Cat-Worm, which had been about to pounce out of his arms.
Sitting right across from Asher and watching his actions, Levi: "?"
"Ah? Your pet wants to go out and run around?", Levi nodded sincerely and innocently, "It should, actually. Being too overweight isn't good for a pet—it affects their health and their combat abilities."
"Asher, I'm telling you, I've really seen pets that were spoiled too much by their Beast Tamers. In battle, they couldn't even run—they could only roll."
"That was really... tsk tsk, I won't even mention it," Levi shook his head and looked at the Cat-Worm in Asher's arms again. He spoke with deep emotion, "Asher, you'd better be careful. If your pet ends up like that..."
Before he could finish, the Cat-Worm suddenly broke free from Asher's grip and launched itself like a blue cannonball straight at Levi's stomach.
Levi, after taking a direct hit: *Soul leaving body*
"Hahahaha—", Mama Ruth, who had been silent, couldn't help but burst into laughter.
The children in the house, curious about what happened, poked their heads in.
'Wow—Mama is laughing so happily!'
'So what happened?'
'Why does the nice uncle look like he's dying?'
'Did big brother bully him?'
'No way! Big brother wouldn't bully people!'
'Right! It must be the uncle's fault!'
The kids whispered among themselves and quickly reached a consensus—'big brother is a good person! The cat is a good cat!'
'The uncle losing his soul?'
'Pfft!'
'What does that have to do with big brother and the cat?'
The Cat-Worm, after landing its attack, retreated swiftly and sat in Asher's arms, casting a disdainful, lofty gaze at Levi.
Levi, finally regaining his senses, looked up and met the Cat-Worm's smug expression: "..."
"No way, I can't let this slide today!", Levi stood up, rolling up his sleeves aggressively as he spoke, "What kind of skill is a sneak attack? If you have the guts, let's settle this with a battle!"
Mama Ruth's expression gradually turned speechless.
Why?
Because Levi wasn't even talking to Asher.
He was talking to the Cat-Worm sitting in Asher's arms.
Mama Ruth: "…"
'Is this the so-called "a man remains a boy until death"?'
'No, no, no.'
'Calling him a boy is even giving him too much credit.'
'Judging from his behavior, his mental age is at most three years old. Otherwise, who in their right mind would challenge a pet beast to a battle?'
"I'm not bullying you, you don't look like you're that strong anyway. How about this? I'll use my Rank 4 Advanced Spirit Cat to battle you, how about that?", Levi, still unaware of Mama Ruth's thoughts, was seriously communicating with the Cat-Worm about the duel.
"It's not that I want to bully you or that I don't want to use a weaker pet beast, but all my contracted pet beasts have been with me for years. The weakest one is already Rank 4 Advanced, I really don't have anything lower than that."
"But a Spirit Cat is a cat, and you're also a cat. A cat fighting a cat isn't unfair, right?", Levi spoke earnestly, but the Cat-Worm's anger meter was UPUPUP↑
Cat-Worm: *Furious Dragon Roar*
"Meow! Meow!"
"Meow!"
'Unforgivable!'
'Dragon!'
'I am a dragon!'
'A mere Spirit Cat dares to compare itself to me?'
'Unforgivable!'
'I must teach this guy a lesson!'
However…
Levi couldn't understand what the Cat-Worm was saying. He could only half-guess based on the Cat-Worm's angry emotions and body language.
"Agree or disagree? One 'Meow' for yes, two 'Meow' for no," As he spoke, Levi raised one finger, "What? Don't tell me you're scared?"
"Or maybe… you don't want to see the agility of another cat? Afraid you'll be discouraged, huh?", The more he spoke, the more it seemed to make sense.
Asher: "…"
Some people just insist on courting disaster, and no one can stop them.
What could Asher do?
Asher thought—'whatever makes you happy.'
Every word Levi said was like pouring oil on the fire of the Cat-Worm's rage.
Forget it.
Let them handle their own matters in their own way.
"Meow! Meow"
Hearing this, the Cat-Worm let out two sharp cries without hesitation.
'What?'
'Scared?'
'Impossible!'
'Today, I must let this guy understand what it means—'
'A dragon's dignity is sacred and inviolable!'
And so, Asher, who wasn't even the main character here, was somehow dragged into this duel.
Asher thought for a moment and wanted to release Little Raven and Little Jellyfish to watch the fight.
He couldn't miss this—such a great opportunity for some entertainment.
But Asher hadn't expected—
Little Jellyfish, which had no issues during the contract process, did not obediently come out when Asher tried to release it. Instead, it dived straight into Asher's spiritual sea.
Asher: "?"
His spiritual sea was thrown into turmoil by Little Jellyfish.
The disturbance it caused was even greater than when Asher absorbed the Primal Energy, greater than when Little Raven, the Cat-Worm, and the little white snake entered his spiritual sea.
In an instant—
Cold sweat broke out on Asher's forehead.
Starting from his temples, intense pain spread first throughout his entire head, then gradually downwards—his upper body, shoulders, arms, lower body, legs, and feet.
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