Asher: *Understood*
'If it can't be replicated, it can't be proven. If it can't be proven, it can't be denied. So they simply chose to ignore it, huh?'
Professor Damien gave Asher a knowing look.
"Alright, alright, as long as you understand. Don't overthink it," After briefly discussing the situation regarding alchemy with Asher, Professor Damien suddenly shifted the topic back to its starting point.
"Little Ash, I think my laboratory needs talent like you," Professor Damien said sincerely, his gaze full of expectation.
Need.
Desperately need.
So hurry up and join his research institute.
For a moment, the old Professor Damien seemed to see a vision of him and Asher joining forces, speeding down the road of scientific discovery together.
Asher: "..."
"Goodbye, farewell, I'm leaving," Asher rejected him three times in a row and turned to flee.
Seeing this, Professor Damien sighed, "Ah!"
Although he had already prepared himself mentally, hearing Asher's rejection still left him with a faint sense of disappointment.
What a pity.
After spending time with Asher and realizing his extraordinary talent, Professor Damien truly wanted to bring him into his research institute.
Exploitation? Certainly not.
But with Asher's help, his research progress would be twice as effective with half the effort—like adding wings to a tiger. However, young people have their own pursuits.
Professor Damien had only extended the invitation to try his luck… If it didn't work out, so be it.
After all, some things require personal willingness and cannot be forced.
As Professor Damien reluctantly bid farewell to Asher and turned around, he met the gaze of his… no, his old apprentice.
Adam looked at Professor Damien with a deep, sorrowful gaze, "Teacher, you're really in a hurry to replace me, aren't you?"
"I knew it! You must be tired of me!", With that, Adam let out a long sigh.
Professor Damien, an old man who never expected to face a competition for favor among his disciples: "..."
"Shut up," Facing this disciple who was clearly not young anymore but still acting like a sulky teenager, Professor Damien found it amusing, but his words remained sharp, "This old man knows nothing!"
"Don't make trouble here, brat!"
'What's wrong with appreciating a talented young man?'
He was just making the same mistake that everyone makes…
———
During the New Year, Graymont remained as lively as ever, bustling with people.
Crowds came and went.
The streets were packed.
Although there had been no further updates online, such a massive ancient tomb sitting there naturally attracted waves of curious visitors.
Fortunately, with support from headquarters, the Graymont Beast Tamer Alliance generously used Lightyear Dragon Cavalry to transport all the invited beast tamers, breeders, and pet beast professors back to their designated locations.
Lightyear Dragon Cavalry—an experience like flying.
It gave all the professionals a journey so smooth it felt like traveling through time.
Charlotte personally escorted Asher back to NY City.
Before Charlotte could even satisfy her curiosity about Asher and say anything, she heard Asher remark, "The feeling is completely different from riding the Jargon Dragon King!"
Charlotte: "..."
She was instantly speechless.
Listen, listen.
Is this something a human should say?
Comparing the Jargon Dragon King—an actual Dragon King, a true Dragon King—to Lightyear Dragon Cavalry?
Even Lightyear Dragon Cavalry would cry if it heard that.
It didn't cry, but it certainly felt a bit wronged: ಥ‿ಥ
"GRR?"
'Isn't this comparison a little unreasonable?', Lightyear Dragon Cavalry howled dryly, not shedding a single tear.
Although Charlotte wasn't Lightyear Dragon Cavalry's beast tamer, she more or less understood its emotions. She helplessly patted its head, 'There, there.'
Some things just shouldn't be compared.
"Professor Asher, I hope you can go further, develop better, and discover new beast evolution forms that benefit the people and the nation," Taking a deep breath, Charlotte calmed herself and said seriously.
It was precisely because she had studied Asher's records that she understood—
The young boy standing before her was nothing short of miraculous.
...Not something ordinary words could describe.
Asher smiled, "I won't disappoint."
Research must be done.
As long as it doesn't interfere with his own growth.
After a brief conversation with Charlotte, who, for some reason, seemed to know him well, Asher parted ways with her.
As soon as he stepped off Lightyear Dragon Cavalry, President Robb immediately dragged him to the NY City Beast Tamer Alliance.
"Come, come, have some tea," President Robb pressed Asher onto the soft sofa in the reception room, personally serving him tea with an unusually eager look in his eyes.
He rubbed his hands together, "Asher, can you share a little something…?"
Asher exchanged a glance with President Robb.
Asher smiled, "Uncle Robb, take a guess—did I sign a confidentiality agreement?"
President Robb: "..."
President Robb sighed.
"Ah, I knew it…", He had only been hoping for a little inside scoop…
"I actually didn't sign one," Just as President Robb's shoulders slumped, Asher continued.
President Robb's eyes immediately lit up.
Whoosh!
"But Ms. Charlotte from the Star City Alliance Headquarters specifically asked us not to spread information recklessly."
President Robb was disheartened again…
"Sharing just a little shouldn't be a problem."
President Robb looked at Asher with a resentful gaze, "Little Asher, your Uncle Robb is getting old. This kind of emotional rollercoaster is not good for my heart."
"Haha," Asher chuckled, took a sip of tea, and then casually said, "It wasn't an ancient tomb. It was an alchemy workshop."
President Robb: "?"
His previously expectant expression instantly collapsed, completely losing enthusiasm.
"An alchemist… Forget it. Even if we knew in advance, it wouldn't be of any benefit," President Robb sighed.
From President Robb's reaction, Asher confirmed once again; the nation, the alliance, the authorities, truly had no idea about the prophecy. Or was it a prophecy that ancient humans had received.
Nor did they know about the "Ultimate Weapon" that was created afterward.
In fact, they saw the entire field of alchemy as something useless yet difficult to discard.
Asher: '…This is… a bit hard to comment on.'
Shaking his head inwardly, Asher still had no intention of telling anyone about the "Ultimate Weapon."
It was a secret.
A secret only he should know.
"If that's all, I'll be leaving now—", Asher was about to take his leave when President Robb interrupted.
"Wait, Little Asher, don't be in such a hurry. I actually called you here for another reason," President Robb met Asher's skeptical gaze.
President Robb hesitated.
Then he rolled his eyes and said helplessly, "Do I really look like that kind of person in your eyes?"
Asher: "..."
"Do you want the truth or a lie?"
"...I want your most sincere lie," President Robb chuckled at his own words.
He lightly coughed into his fist, "Alright, alright, no more joking. Let's talk business."
"The thing is, Spirit City reached out to us, hoping you could make a trip there. I neither agreed nor refused. You decide if you're interested," President Robb's expression became serious as he handed Asher a document.
A business trip?
Specifically inviting him?
Asher was intrigued and quickly scanned the document.
"Marine Beast life in the Inland Sea is in a chaotic state. Suspected abnormalities in marine beast' ecosystems. Seeking a professional beast professor to assist with investigation and resolution?", Asher read word for word.
That's probably what it means.
"Uh...", A thoughtful expression appeared in Asher's eyes.
The more top-tier the pet beast evolution professors are, the more they focus not only on the pure research of pet beast evolution.
Long illness makes a good… cough cough, no, that's not it. Something like that.
After studying pet beast evolution for a long time, one would more or less grasp related problems in other aspects of beasts. Powerful pet beast professors, besides handling their professional work, can even help deal with some special situations beyond evolution related to beasts themselves.
Drawing inferences from one example, accumulating experience—when researching pet beast evolution in the future, who knows when it might come in handy?
Just like the specific request Professor Damien received before.
If it weren't for how absurd the follow-up became, this would just be a slight expansion beyond Professor Damien's abilities and wouldn't be considered a big deal at all.
"How… did they think of looking for me?", What Asher was curious about was not anything else, but how Spirit City thought to invite him.
Asher knew that in the eyes of many people who didn't understand him, his experience seemed too unbelievable and outrageous.
On one hand, they praised him as a genius. On the other hand, they muttered under their breath about how "a person with no facial hair isn't reliable", which made no scientific sense at all.
Asher simply ignored them, disregarded these people.
But that didn't mean he was unaware.
When President Robb saw that Asher genuinely couldn't figure out the problem, his gaze toward Asher gradually became strange.
"No way, no way, you really don't know how ridiculously outstanding your reputation is?"
Asher: "?"
He suspected President Robb's words carried a deeper meaning.
What "ridiculously outstanding"?
Asher knew nothing.
President Robb held his forehead.
"You brat…", President Robb hesitated before speaking.
"I know your mind is never on anything other than research and training, but I really didn't expect your news intake to be this blocked off."
"The research results of the Noise Flower and Rabbit Dog you took over before have been released."
As soon as President Robb said this, Asher was momentarily stunned, then quickly realized what he was talking about.
"Oh, oh, oh!"
"This!"
President Robb stared at Asher in silence.
Asher smiled.
"…Great, you really completely forgot about it," President Robb sighed, "I… Sigh! How long has it been?"
Has it been a year?
No!
Not even close.
Over there, Professors Jorge and Hugo worked at an impressively fast pace. Just in time for the New Year, they each published their latest research results one after the other, and in the second author position of both papers, they coincidentally and unanimously listed Asher's name.
Other professors and beast tamers who happened to buy this issue of the journal took one look—
'Oh my goodness!'
How long has it been since they last heard news of Asher? And now he's taken up two second-author slots in the same journal issue?
Thinking about how Asher has been making waves in various ways recently…
'Amazing, bro.'
They genuinely wanted to ask Asher: How did he manage to conduct his own research while also helping others and even securing second-author positions?
Even Professors Jorge and Hugo mentioned in their papers—if it weren't inappropriate, they would have given Asher the first-author position.
This was what Asher deserved.
Without Asher's help, they wouldn't have achieved these results today.
A̶s̶h̶e̶r̶—t̶h̶e̶i̶r̶ s̶u̶p̶e̶r̶h̶e̶r̶o̶!̶
Asher: "…"
"I didn't, I'm not, they're exaggerating…", Before Asher could finish speaking, he met President Robb's meaningful gaze.
President Robb: 'Say it.'
'Go ahead and say it.'
'If I believe even one word you say, it means I have a problem with my brain.'
Asher gave up on explaining.
"Thanks for the recognition, everyone," Asher said helplessly.
President Robb patted Asher's shoulder,"Alright, alright, don't be so modest. You deserve this."
"With these two pet beast professors proving your abilities, plus the vague rumors that within half a year, you'll likely be promoted to Level 2 Researcher…"
"Wait, wait, wait," This time, Asher really couldn't stay silent. He quickly raised his hand, making a gesture to interrupt President Robb, "Where is this rumor coming from?"
The last one at least had two second-author papers to back it up.
Level 2 Researcher?
How come he had no idea?
"Huh?", President Robb also looked surprised, "You don't know that you were awarded the Diaz Beast Evolution Professor Prize?"
Asher blinked.
Then blinked again.
He gave President Robb a "What do you think?" look.
President Robb covered his mouth with one hand, pondered for a few seconds, then suddenly realized, "Oh—this really is my fault. I forgot to tell you!"
"Wait a second," President Robb gestured to Asher, then quickly got up and rushed to a nearby office.
A short while later, President Robb's "thud thud thud" footsteps returned to the conference room.
President Robb entered holding some kind of document.
"This is it, the award notification document. I thought I told you before…", As he spoke, his voice grew smaller.
Asher not remembering meant he had never been told.
President Robb thought for a moment and decided it was safer to change the topic.
Ahem!
He must have been too excited at the time, plus it happened shortly after the confirmation of the evolution of the Jargon Dragon King, so he hadn't gotten around to mentioning it.
He had just assumed he had already told Asher when they were in contact.
"The award ceremony is in mid-April. Right now, it's only early February, so there's still time—no rush," Thankfully, he happened to remember this while chatting today.
Otherwise, by the time April rolled around and Star City reached out to Asher…
Oops.
Asher would have been completely clueless.
And the one who would suffer wouldn't be Asher—it would be him, the Beast Tamer Alliance President.
President Robb: "Your achievements are truly remarkable. Winning the Diaz Beast Evolution Professor Prize is perfectly normal."
"And based on usual practice, award recipients' researcher levels generally get promoted by one level."
Of course.
For someone as young as Asher to already be a Level 3 Researcher and an award recipient… that was extremely rare.
If Asher got promoted again, he'd be a Level 2 Researcher, and the only level left ahead of him would be Level 1.
Looking at Asher's age…
'Some people drift through life and end up with nothing.'
'Some people…'
'Forget it.'
President Robb didn't want to continue. It was too depressing.
Even as the President of the Beast Tamer Alliance, he still felt a little crushed.
"In short, that's the situation," President Robb summed up, "Your great achievements have been recognized by the Beast Tamer Alliance Headquarters, and your abilities have spread even further."
"Spirit City reached out to you partly because they trust your abilities, and partly… they probably want to take advantage of a good deal."
Asher: "?"
"What deal is there to take advantage of with me?",Asher asked curiously..
President Robb gave Asher a "you're still young" look, then turned his head and earnestly explained to Asher, "Your abilities are here. If nothing unexpected happens, after May, you will be a Level 2 Researcher, a full level higher than now. The cost of asking for your help will definitely be different from when you were still a Level 3 Researcher."
But how long can it take in total?
Two months, three months.
A large sum of money is saved directly.
President Robb couldn't help but say, "They are really too good at calculating."
However… "It's understandable," President Robb sighed again.
"Spirit City is a coastal city, right next to the Tranquil Inland Sea, the second-largest inland sea in our country. The entire sea bears a significant responsibility as the economic leader of Spirit City's GDP."
"Simply put… not much money."
"Fishing, Harvesting: These are seasonal businesses."
"Just like from January to the end of May, the Tranquil Inland Sea is under a fishing ban.'
"There is no way to generate income from ordinary fish in the sea."
"If they couldn't rely on allowing Beast Tamers to enter, earning some income from the process of contracting marine beasts… they would be even poorer."
"That's why Spirit City's Beast Tamer Alliance is extremely frugal, trying to stretch every dollar into two. Naturally, they want to hire the most cost-effective pet professor to solve their problems."
So.
Even though Asher is expensive.
He is a full two-thirds more expensive than other Level 3 researchers, yet Spirit City still wants to seek his help.
The key is spending money wisely.
The amount of money is not the point.
Cost-effectiveness is what matters most.
By paying a price that is two-thirds higher than a typical Level 3 researcher, they can invite a pet evolution professor who actually possesses Level 2 Researcher abilities… What a great deal.
Asher: "…"
Asher silently gave a thumbs-up.
These people really know what it means to save where needed and spend where necessary, never wasting a single penny.
President Robb analyzed both the pros and cons for Asher.
The decision of whether to go or not was placed in Asher's hands, leaving him to choose on his own.
"Uncle Robb, I accept," After thinking for a while, Asher looked up at President Robb and said with a smile.
Refuse?
Why refuse?
It's normal for the other party to be frugal.
And Asher himself was very interested in coastal cities.
Spirit City… After contracting the little jellyfish, Asher had looked up information on coastal cities and countries and happened to come across details about this city.
Geographically, it is by the sea.
Ninety percent of the city's industries depend on the Tranquil Inland Sea. Even their Beast Tamer Alliance branch is built near the inland sea.
It is said to be for close monitoring of Beast Tamers going into the sea.
To prevent them from doing anything harmful to the ocean.
Furthermore.
The Tranquil Inland Sea has a complex and unique marine environment, making it highly valuable for the ecological study of water-type and marine-type beasts.
And… it's an extremely suitable environment for the little white snake and the little jellyfish.
The little white snake—water attribute.
The little jellyfish… in theory, is water attribute, but after a special mutation, it can treat air as omnipresent water, freely swimming through the ocean of air, a miraculous beast.
Asher: (•‿•)
But no matter what.
Water, the ocean—for the little jellyfish, whose original species resides deep in the sea, is no different from returning to its happy homeland.
And then there's the little white snake.
The Jade Silver Snake.
One of the evolution conditions is… cultivating essence water.
Asher didn't even want to recall how much trouble he went through when helping the Little Raven cultivate essence fire.
The past is unbearable to remember.
But no matter how painful.
What must come, will come.
Going to a city filled with abundant water-elemental energy and a humid environment is beneficial for the little white snake's comprehension and cultivation of essence water.
Multiple benefits stack together.
Plus, he could earn money while on a business trip, so of course, Asher agreed.
President Robb wasn't surprised by Asher's decision.
It was exactly what Asher would do.
"Alright, if you want to go, then go. I'll notify Spirit City in a bit and make sure they arrange everything perfectly for you. You just need to go with peace of mind," President Robb gestured to Asher.
———
[Spirit City]
Unlike Graymont, which was bustling with energy during the New Year, with everyone united in their efforts and earning overtime pay.
The atmosphere in Spirit City's Beast Tamer Alliance was slightly bleak.
"No New Year holidays, no overtime pay, just two big dark circles… painful…"
The Beast Tamer Alliance was packed with people, all shirtless, with only swim trunks or beach shorts on their lower bodies.
"The problem is, we can't figure anything out even if we investigate… Each field has its own expertise. We aren't specialized in this field," A tall, muscular man with a layer of black oil-like shine on his muscles groaned loudly toward the ceiling.
"Going underwater twenty-eight times a day, the long sea horse is happy, but my skin is wrinkled from being soaked."
"I can't take it anymore, really can't."
A woman walking in from the entrance paused upon hearing the complaints, then continued inside.
"Heh!", A cold voice, filled with mockery, echoed through the work area.
Everyone: "?"
They turned their heads in unison toward the voice at the door. Unsurprisingly, they saw their stunning president.
Short hair.
Fair skin, beautiful, long legs.
A hazy gaze.
When she looked in a certain direction, one would instinctively feel she was looking right at them, making their blood boil.
However…
Those who knew her true nature… ahem, couldn't be attracted at all. In fact, when she looked their way, their hearts turned cold.
SWISH! SWISH! SWISH!
The previously slouched men instantly sat up straight, each back straighter than the other.
"Scared already?", Marina's gaze landed on the black-skinned strong man who had spoken, her hazy eyes carrying a half-smile, "Who was it before that told me he was in such great shape that even if he went all night…"
"Ahem! Cough! President, I beg you! Stop talking, stop talking!", The black-skinned strong man—Spirit City's Beast Tamer Alliance Vice President, Muller—clasped his hands together in a pleading gesture and shouted loudly.
"Do I need to go underwater now?"
"President, just tell me where! I'll jump in right now!", As soon as Muller finished speaking, the entire office erupted in laughter.
""Hahahaha—hahahahahaha—""
Seeing his colleagues laughing so hard they were falling over, Muller's expression turned miserable.
What could he do?
When he was young and reckless, he had flirted with the newly appointed President Marina.
Marina had no reaction.
Yet, this incident became an annual joke in their alliance, a black mark in Muller's history.
Muller: *wants a time machine*
To go back and slap his past self for talking nonsense.
Unfortunately.
There was none.
So, this happy joke was dragged out year after year in front of both newcomers and veterans.
Muller: 'Wishing heaven had no Marina so he could regain his dignity.'
"Alright, since you're suffering from kidney deficiency, just rest well and don't rush to go down," Marina smiled slightly, her gaze still misty and enchanting, easily capable of drawing out the deepest desires of a person's heart.
Except for anyone present.
"Huh?", Muller had already stood up, prepared to dive underwater for another half-hour or hour. But now, he didn't have to?
Muller scrutinized Marina from head to toe with a skeptical look.
"Monsters and demons, leave quickly!"
"Hey!"
"You impudent monster, daring to take the form of our president! Do you know what kind of devil our president is? Just wait, and we'll devour you whole, you little demon!"
Marina: ( ╹▽╹ )
Her smile became increasingly kind, increasingly gentle, increasingly beautiful, and increasingly… chilling for Muller.
.
.
.
Three minutes later.
Muller lay weakly on the ground, looking like a poor man drained of all energy by a succubus.
Meanwhile, Marina continued to smile, her complexion glowing as she said, "I know everyone has been exhausting themselves by diving again and again to investigate what exactly is happening along the coast, but the efficiency has not been as high as expected."
"Fortunately, Professor Asher from NY City has agreed to our invitation. From now on, everyone must follow Professor Asher's arrangements. Do not underestimate him just because he is young or looks youthful. Any questions?"
None, none at all.
Aside from Muller, who could no longer move, everyone else shook their heads.
No objections.
Not a single one.
They would ensure that young Professor Asher experienced true hospitality.
But...
"I didn't expect Professor Asher would actually come back!"
Someone muttered in a low voice, "After all, our president's attempt at getting a good deal… well, it's blatantly obvious!"
"Exactly!", Another person next to him whispered, "Even if Professor Asher is young and unfamiliar with the market, the president of NY City's Beast Tamer Alliance wouldn't just stand by and watch him be taken advantage of, right?"
"Could it be that he fell for our president's beauty trap?"
"No, no, no, our president is not a beauty trap—she's a black widow, the kind that truly devours men. No man can handle her."
"I think we need to warn the little professor in advance."
"Hehehe! No worries, a barbecue and some drinks, and we'll all be friends."
"This Professor Asher probably isn't weak…", Just as their discussion was getting lively, Marina's gentle voice struck like a thunderbolt.
"Hmm?"
The crowd: "…"
Silence.
So quiet that one could hear a needle drop.
Marina smiled, "Good. If anyone causes trouble, you all know what I'll do, right~?"
The crowd: "…"
Understood, understood.
They would perfectly complete the president's mission!
———
The moment Asher set foot in Spirit City and met the Beast Tamer Alliance's special reception staff, he felt something was off.
Spirit City had a unique geographical location—coastal, with moderate temperatures that were warm yet somewhat dry.
Asher, dressed in long sleeves and long pants, stood among two big men in beach shorts and floral shirts, looking somewhat out of place.
Moreover, were these people… being too enthusiastic?
"Welcome, Professor Asher!", The moment a man in a short-sleeved shirt and beach shorts saw Asher, he immediately appeared in front of him with a "whoosh," rubbing his hands in a flattering manner, snatching Asher's luggage from his hands.
Asher tried to take it back, but another similarly dressed man—this one with sunglasses—half-hugged his shoulder and eagerly said, "How could we let you carry your luggage yourself? Leave it to us!"
Before Asher could say a word, the two of them had already arranged his entire itinerary, "You just need to follow us!"
"Yes, yes, and no need to book a hotel yourself. It's the New Year, and hotel and homestay prices in Spirit City have skyrocketed. Not worth it! We've got a place for you!"
"You'll be satisfied!"
"Do you drink? If not… no problem! You can just enjoy the barbecue."
Asher: "?"
Not sensing any malice from these two, Asher followed them.
Then…
Looking at the Beast Tamer Alliance building standing by the sea, Asher's expression showed amazement.
Shocked.
Truly a bit shocked.
The grand and solemn building was situated near the cliff's edge, as if one step forward would lead to an abyss, with waves constantly crashing against the cliff below.
Asher: '…This is certainly a very regionally distinctive structure.'
Fortunately, it was just an optical illusion.
Once inside, one could see that there was still a considerable distance between the Beast Tamer Alliance building and the actual cliff. As long as one didn't do anything reckless, they wouldn't easily fall off.
"Professor Asher, hello," Marina, dressed in a flowing beach vacation dress, approached Asher, politely extending her slender fingers, "I am Marina Maregrove, president of the Spirit City Beast Tamer Alliance. Nice to meet you, and thank you very much for agreeing to our request and coming here."
Her voice was gentle yet elusive, just like the impression she gave at first glance.
Asher: "…Ahem!"
His gaze wavered slightly.
This outfit was really… The material of the beach vacation dress was like a sheer veil, vaguely revealing the clothing underneath, but not too clearly—an ultimate play on the idea of "hinting without revealing."
Underneath was a bikini.
Asher: 'Do all coastal people dress like this?'
His eyes carried a hint of shock.
The men beside him frantically shook their heads in denial.
But then they thought—actually, they usually went around shirtless, just wearing swim trunks, so was there really much difference?
Their bodies stiffened instantly.
Seeing their silence, Asher also fell silent.
Fine, fine.
Nothing needed to be said.
He got the message.
Blending in with local customs… was not an option.
Better to focus on the matter at hand.
"Uh… Your document described things rather formally—'Abnormal disturbances among marine beasts in the Inland Sea, suspected issues with the marine beast population structure, requesting a professional beast professor for investigation and resolution'…", Asher repeated the summarized situation.
Then he shifted the topic, "So, what exactly happened?"
The burly men around him were surprised that this young professor, meeting their president for the first time, calmed down so quickly and shifted straight to business.
Even though… attraction to beauty was a natural instinct, wasn't it?
Even they only changed their attitude after realizing what kind of person their president truly was…
They thought Asher would react similarly… But instead, he refocused on the matter at hand so quickly.
While shocked, they also felt an indescribable respect.
Exchanging glances, they all had the same thought, 'This Professor Asher must be completely uninterested in women.' [T/N: In short, Gay.]
Wait… if that were the case, should they be worried about their own safety now?
Asher: "?"
A chill ran down his spine, and he instinctively slowed his steps. The familiar feeling of being misunderstood returned, and he scanned the group with a questioning gaze.
The burly men kept their faces expressionless, but their inner dramatics escalated, 'Yes, yes, that must be it!'
Then—Marina turned back, her misty eyes meeting theirs.
The burly men: "…"
Cold sweat instantly broke out.
Meanwhile, Asher felt the temperature rise.
Internally, he sneered.
He had a bad feeling, like he had fallen into a group of idiots. Was it too late to leave?
A suitable environment for little white snakes and jellyfish…
Maybe he could find another location.
"Professor Asher, please sit," Perhaps sensing Asher's thoughts, Marina spoke at the perfect moment, interrupting his contemplation, "I will explain the situation in Tranquil Inland Sea."
Hearing this, Asher temporarily set aside his thoughts.
Might as well listen.
Since he was already here.
Looking at the well-behaved, almost subservient burly men in Marina's presence, it didn't seem too dangerous, right?
"Please go ahead," Asher said.
"It's like this…", Marina clasped her hands together and began explaining the Tranquil Inland Sea situation.
Tranquil Inland Sea is the second-largest inland sea within Soren, close to several cities, and Spirit City is one of them.
Within Tranquil Inland Sea, there are not only a large number of ordinary fish but also a great number of beasts. The closer to the cities, the fewer beasts there are. The deeper one goes, the more the number of beasts gradually increases.
For the past few decades, over a dozen years, this pattern has never changed.
This has also formed the special ecology of the coastal area of Spirit City.
Just like how there are large and small vendors inside the city walls of a forbidden area, at the coastal edge of Tranquil Inland Sea, there are also large and small fishing boats, and the majority of those onboard are ordinary people.
Fishermen who are slightly stronger Beast Tamers directly go out to sea.
As for those fishermen near the coastal area, under the close monitoring, supervision, and protection of the Beast Tamer Alliance, there were basically no major problems. Occasionally, if one or two beasts approached the coast, as soon as they were discovered, the people from the Beast Tamer Alliance would arrive in time and resolve them.
However....
"Starting from the end of October, which is the best season for last year's fishing season, the number of beasts invading the coastal areas has increased more and more. From previously less than ten in a month, it became one per day, then two per day..."
As she spoke, Marina furrowed her brows, "By the time the situation was at its worst in certain months, there were even more than ten beasts invading the coastal areas at once."
"This also disturbed the fishermen, making it impossible for them to carry out normal offshore operations."
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