Beast Tamer: I Can See Evolution Paths

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Asher noticed several expectant gazes fixed on him.

Harry's tone was gentle, showing no sign of distrust or disrespect toward him—his attitude was excellent.

Additionally, Robb, sitting beside him, made no move to intervene, which was another good sign.

Asher had chosen to cooperate with Robb for a reason.

Over the years, the Beastmaster Alliance had never been known to maliciously suppress talented beastmasters. Instead, they had supported generations of struggling geniuses, building a reputation of good faith and reliability.

This was why Asher had chosen to share his results with President Robb in advance, establishing a verbal agreement and trust.

"Sure, what would you like to know?" Asher nodded.

Henry couldn't hold back and asked, "What's the core of the Little Fire Fox's evolution into the Fire Fox Queen? Isn't it the King attribute?"

Henry prided himself on being the fastest among domestic researchers studying the Little Fire Fox's evolution, especially regarding confirming and experimenting with the King attribute.

If the core was the King attribute, Henry couldn't figure out how Asher had identified the commonalities faster than he had.

If the core wasn't the King attribute...

Then six years of effort and dedication would all have been for naught.

Henry knew better than to rush forward with such a question—it concerned a researcher's most critical findings, and most people wouldn't reveal such things.

But if he didn't get a clear answer, if he couldn't understand... Henry couldn't let it go.

Hearing the question, Asher appeared lost in thought.

"I bet he doesn't even know what the key is." Don scoffed.

Among everyone present, Don was the most hostile toward Asher.

Past grievances and fresh animosities fueled Don's blatant malice toward him.

Don sneered, "Maybe it's just dumb luck, like when he stumbled onto the evolution of the Honeybug."

Smack!

Marie slapped the back of Don's head with surprising force—unlike Qin Lan's earlier half-hearted tap, this one almost gave Don a concussion.

"Shut up! Stop embarrassing yourself."

Don grumbled but obediently closed his mouth, though his eyes continued darting around, brimming with resentment as he glared at Asher.

Marie's hand itched to slap him again.

Don's comment was ridiculous to anyone with a brain.

Sure, the Honeybug's evolution could be chalked up to coincidence because the process was simple—the hard part was whether the Honeybug could overcome its instinctual cowardice for the sake of its master and survive.

If the Little Fire Fox's evolution were that simple...

It would've been discovered long ago, even before it became a research topic.

Throughout history, many had attempted to study the Little Fire Fox's evolution, but only Asher had succeeded in making it happen.

This meant he must have identified the most critical core factor.

Such a factor wouldn't be revealed—

Asher spoke up. "Actually, my original goal wasn't to research a new evolution path for the Little Fire Fox."

At his words, everyone's chaotic thoughts instantly cleared.

Even Don, who had been spewing nonsense, perked up and listened intently, afraid to miss a single word.

"Because of the Honeybug's evolution, I developed an interest in pet evolution." Asher reiterated the excuse he'd used many times before, so smoothly that he no longer found it suspicious.

"I read relevant books and papers, gained some small insights, and discovered a key factor that I believe is closely related to all pet evolutions."

After a brief pause, Asher continued, "The bond between a beastmaster and their pet influences the pet's evolution. I call it affinity."

Asher's tone was so calm and composed, as if he weren't discussing a groundbreaking discovery.

President Robb, Ivy, and June, who had already heard about "affinity" from Asher, remained unaffected, their expressions unchanging.

But the others couldn't maintain such composure.

Henry's eyes widened in shock. "Do you... do you know what you're saying? By telling us this, aren't you afraid..." Aren't you afraid we'll also start researching this "affinity" concept?

"Affinity? Evolution? Who are you trying to fool?" Don sneered dismissively.

The father and son's eyes met mid-sentence.

Henry: "..."

Don: "..."

"Ahhh! Dad, I was wrong." Don quickly crouched down, clutching his head to avoid another "affectionate" slap from Marie.

Marie shot him a look that promised retribution. "Shut up, got it?"

'Got it, got it!' Don nodded furiously.

Today, Asher was clearly his parents' favorite child.

He was just a stray picked up from the trash—how could he hope to compete with their "real son"?

Don covered his mouth with both hands, his eyes still glaring daggers at Asher.

But Asher paid no attention to Don's petty antics.

With a calm expression, he said, "There's nothing to hide. I mentioned this concept to Professor Iris shortly after I came up with it."

"I understand your concerns, Professor Henry." Asher smiled slightly, his demeanor as steady as ever. "But what is there to fear? Affinity may be a key factor, but it doesn't mean that understanding affinity will make pet evolution as simple as drinking water."

The required skills a pet must learn.

The level a pet must reach.

The level a beastmaster must achieve.

The resources that must be used...

And so on.

Countless other steps still needed exploration and verification.

Not everyone had the advantage of his talent for eliminating unnecessary obstacles.

Hearing this, Henry froze momentarily.

He looked at Asher's clear, confident eyes, which held no trace of deceit or hesitation. Many words he had prepared suddenly felt unnecessary.

'Did Asher not realize that if this concept of "affinity" were verified and made public, countless researchers in the field of pet evolution would use it to discover new evolutionary paths?'

Asher knew.

Yet he still chose not to hide it.

Because he had confidence in himself.

Even if everyone started at the same point, he was certain he could stay ahead.

The difference between six years and one month?

It lay in perspective.

In vision.

In the confidence to make even greater discoveries in the future.

The burden in Henry's heart suddenly lifted.

"I'm no match for you," Henry admitted with a sigh.

Asher: "?"

'Wait, what?'

'What kind of imaginary scenario did you just come up with?'

Asher's confused gaze seemed to say he had missed an entire season of speculative drama.

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