Thinking again about those research results in Asher's hands… Luna shut her mouth.
'Alright then. Asher's money, as long as Asher is happy spending it, it's fine.'
On this matter, instead, Felter was more open-minded, "As long as you're happy buying it, that's all that matters."
"And I heard that Asher's sixth sense is quite sharp? Maybe this really is something useful for Asher's pet beast?"
"Eight million, that's actually pretty cheap then."
Luna suddenly understood.
'Oh right, almost forgot. Asher still has a very famous sixth sense.'
'Maybe…', Luna glanced at her sister, 'Mm, feels a little guilty.'
Aria met Luna's gaze and immediately understood what her sister was thinking. She casually waved her hand, "I just thought this thing looked kind of interesting and nice-looking."
"Buying it as a decoration isn't out of the question, but eight million, I really would hesitate a bit," Aria said sincerely.
The Leonheart Family has money, but that doesn't mean she can spend money recklessly.
If it were to spend eight million to buy a suitable pet beast, the family would definitely have no objections, and it would directly go through public accounts.
But spending eight million to buy a decoration. Hehe, one hundred percent would have to come from her personal stash.
Even if Old Leonheart is their biological grandfather, it's useless.
As for whether her little private stash could afford it… Aria showed a helpless expression on her face.
'Better not say anything. Having money, and having money in hand, are two completely different things.'
Looking at Asher on the other hand, he doesn't have much industry in hand… The mechanical attribute pet beast manufacturing industry hasn't been fully opened yet, but Asher does have money in hand, and it's all solid, liquid funds.
Far surpassing peers by who knows how many times.
Listening to the conversation, Asher smiled, "Sixth sense… saying it like that is fine too, just look at it, anyway, I just felt that buying it wouldn't be a loss."
"But how to use this thing…", Asher used a tissue to wipe the fragment clean and held it in his hand, carefully examining and rubbing it repeatedly.
Estimating that this thing, when whole, should be a disc about four or five inches in size, with a thickness of five or six centimeters, and the edge slightly higher than the center.
Asher rubbed his chin.
"Still pretty confused," Asher spoke the truth. He bought it, but didn't know how to use it.
"Maybe it really is like that stall owner said, you need fate."
When the chance comes, naturally he'll know.
Luna: "..."
Wanted to complain, but didn't know where to begin, didn't know what would be best to say.
"Maybe, your life really does feel kind of like the protagonist's. Who knows, maybe one day you'll figure out how to use it," Luna didn't mock him, but said something that felt like a mockery.
Asher laughed heartily, "Thanks for the good words."
Asher was quite satisfied with today's gains at the market.
He stayed another day at the Leonheart Family's place, and in the afternoon, Asher even found time to stroll through the market alone.
It was more ordinary. Not as interesting as the morning.
Asher sighed.
'Alright then.'
'The morning could be considered a lucky pick. Having one stroke of luck is already great, wanting another one… really not very likely.'
———
[The Next Day]
Asher returned to… Radiant City, with a full pack.
"Yo!"
"Big busy guy."
Early in the morning, upon seeing Asher, Iris showed a surprised expression.
It was true surprise and astonishment.
"I'm at least an honorary professor of Bluewind University, coming back once in a while is normal, right?", As Asher finished speaking and turned his head, he saw Iris quietly staring at him, continuing to stare.
Asher: "..."
"Alright then, I'm here to settle a course task. I don't plan to come back to campus for quite a while," Asher added.
This time Iris stopped staring at Asher, clearly convinced.
Asher twitched the corner of his mouth, "Seriously?"
"What kind of image do I have in your heart?"
Not his illusion, Asher felt like his reputation out there was a little… off?
"What else?", Iris crossed her arms, her posture proud and upright, "Probably the standard genius type. Aside from yourself and your research, all other human interactions, social etiquette, none of it matters to you."
Asher was silent.
Asher frowned.
"Wait a second?", Asher realized something, "Are you sure you're not describing me directly?"
"What kind of genius image is that?"
"It's not that bad, right?"
Iris: "..."
Iris rolled her eyes at Asher.
'Have some self-awareness, OK?'
Hearing that, Asher smacked his lips, his expression completely calm.
What? Embarrassed? That doesn't exist at all.
Asher never gets embarrassed over this kind of thing.
Iris saying he's the type to act on his own whims… wasn't totally unreasonable.
Asher is someone who never self-sabotages. His mind is extremely strong.
And Asher deeply understands how to go nuts in a reasonable way when pressure builds to a certain level, enough to mentally destroy others.
Rather than eroding himself through internal struggle, better to let everyone experience his pain.
Asher: 'Be kind to yourself.'
Fortunately, Iris didn't know what Asher was thinking. Otherwise, she would definitely give him a huge eye-roll.
"Mm…" Asher touched his chin with his left hand, pondered for a moment and said: "In that case… how about I prepare a public lecture when the semester starts?"
Saying that, Asher looked toward Iris.
Iris was stunned for a moment upon hearing it, then immediately realized what Asher meant.
"If it's you, then it's not impossible," Looking at Asher, Iris's eyes showed a knowing look.
"You're definitely not planning to teach next semester, right?"
Asher gave a slight smile.
Some things don't need to be said so clearly.
All understood without words.
"I'm preparing for the National Beast Tamer Competition," Facing Iris, Asher still gave a brief explanation.
Iris' mouth twitched.
But her face didn't show any unusual expression at all.
Unlike those people who wanted to advise Asher upon hearing his words, Iris had known him for a while now.
What kind of person Asher was… Iris might not know perfectly, but she had a good idea.
For decisions like this that Asher had already made, he wouldn't adjust them based on other people's opinions.
This could already be considered an announcement, not a discussion.
"Thinking about it carefully, with your current strength, it's not impossible for you to go take a shot," After a moment of silence, Iris nodded and said in a very calm tone.
Asher smiled at Iris, raised his palm toward her, "I knew you'd understand me."
"Hmph!", Iris snorted lightly but still raised her hand and gave Asher a light high five.
Asher lowered his hand, walked two steps, dragged two chairs over, and the two of them sat down.
"Still the same thing. No matter what, I'm at least an honorary professor at Bluewind University," Asher crossed one leg over the other, resting his chin on one hand.
Iris glanced at Asher.
She found that when this pose was done by Asher, it didn't look cocky at all. Instead, it carried an indescribable ease and elegance.
Asher's body language was extremely relaxed, "I definitely don't have time to teach a full course. That would require preparing at least a dozen or twenty lectures."
Saying that, Asher looked at Iris again.
Getting Asher's thought process, Iris: "..."
Iris had a face full of embarrassment and anger, "At that time, that was an elective course."
"Moreover!"
"You taught pretty well too."
It wasn't that she was irresponsible. Absolutely not.
Iris would absolutely not admit it.
Asher nodded repeatedly.
Letting out "mm-mm-ah-ah" sounds from his nasal cavity.
'Understand, understand, understand.'
'That's how it is.'
Iris was furious.
In the end, she could only roll her eyes at Asher again.
"In short, that's how it was," Asher decisively skipped over this topic.
No need to elaborate further. Those who get it, get it.
Asher said unhurriedly, "But I can, at the start of the new school year, open a public class. Students who are willing to come can just register directly and enter."
"That just so happens to cover my course for the new school year."
Iris gave a mocking laugh, "You make it sound easy."
Iris swore, she definitely wasn't biased against Asher, she just purely thought Asher was thinking too simply.
"Indeed, you're very impressive, quite famous in the field of pet beast evolution research."
"If you were to offer a normal course, surely many students would want to take your class."
"But if it's just a public lecture, what makes you competitive, or irreplaceable?", As she said this, Iris paused.
She silently thought in her heart.
'Actually, it's not impossible either.'
After all, Asher wasn't just a little famous in pet beast evolution research, he was very famous.
As long as the name and reputation of Asher were used, it would definitely attract a crowd to that extent of popularity.
But…
Iris's concerns weren't entirely baseless either.
Ever since Asher became an honorary professor at Bluewind University, the number of students applying to the university's pet beast research program had increased significantly this year, and among them were even some already well-known genius students.
To say they came because of her, Iris? Forget it.
Whether Asher was self-aware was uncertain.
But Iris definitely knew her own worth clearly.
These people could only have come for Asher.
They wanted to attend Asher's class, to study under Asher.
However, Asher wasn't planning to open a proper class, just a single public lecture... These students who came for Asher definitely wouldn't be content with being brushed off like that.
If it's just a public lecture, after the lecture ends, wouldn't it be enough for them to just watch the recording on the school's official website?
Why did they give up better schools' guaranteed admissions, offers, and travel from afar?
Iris thought a lot.
She didn't want to pressure Asher.
But she also didn't want this kind of thing to damage Asher's reputation.
Iris thought about many things in her heart, but on the surface it only looked like a few moments of pondering.
Her eyes moved slightly, Iris silently, quietly looked toward Asher, as if waiting for an answer from him.
Although Iris didn't voice her worries and concerns, just by looking at her expression, Asher understood everything.
Asher felt a bit warm inside.
"No need to worry, I'm prepared," Asher smiled calmly once more, not only showing no concern at all, but even comforting Iris in return.
The question marks above Iris's head were practically spilling out.
Asher still maintained his smiling expression.
Iris: "..."
"Fine," Iris sighed. She no longer expected this riddle-spewing Asher to say anything more.
Since Asher said that… then Asher surely had a plan… right?
In the end.
Iris still couldn't help feeling a little uneasy.
———
The summer vacation passed in the blink of an eye.
Soon it was the time for all major institutions to begin a new academic year.
Returning students came back to school.
New students enrolled.
All schools were bustling with activity.
But this year, Bluewind University was especially lively.
"That's the one, haven't you all heard about it?"
"Heard it, heard it! Like who hasn't heard this news!"
"Sigh… Professor Asher really is… how should I say it? Is this the so-called genius temper?"
"You can't say it like that, can you? I think Professor Asher is actually quite nice."
"But about this public lecture thing…"
"Wait, wait, wait? What are you all talking about! Why does it feel like I've stepped into some kind of major riddle-speaker live event? I didn't understand a single word!"
Upon hearing that, everyone looked in unison toward the person who just spoke.
Taking a glance at the admission notice in their hand… oh, not surprising at all, combat department.
"Even combat department shouldn't be so out of the loop, right? This is such big news," Someone muttered in a low voice.
The student who had just spoken. Saying they didn't understand anything and felt like they had entered a riddle-speaker convention, was Taylor Right, a new student in the combat department specializing as a beast tamer.
Taylor's ears twitched, and upon hearing that, he scratched the back of his head with a shy smile on his honest face.
"I, uh, I got in from a rural township… family conditions aren't great, my grades just barely got me into our school, and I spent the whole summer training my pet beast, climbing mountains and crossing rivers…"
"I'm not too familiar with school news and such…"
The other new students: "..."
Once again, everyone looked at Taylor in unison.
But this time, their gazes had changed.
Their eyes were filled with sympathy and a bit of inspiration.
Looking again at Taylor's clothing and the luggage he brought… not terrible, but definitely not good either.
The nation and alliance provide subsidies. But the subsidies can only provide a modest standard of living for underage beast tamers.
Let alone that being a beast tamer is a money-burning profession to begin with.
"Getting into Bluewind University is already amazing," The student who had muttered earlier now awkwardly stepped forward, gave Taylor a thumbs-up, and said comfortingly.
"Right, I'm Connor McNauget, a new student in the Pet Beast Evolution Research Department."
"We were talking about Professor Asher," As Connor spoke, he paused for a moment, "Professor Asher, you've heard of him, right?"
By the end, Connor's tone carried a hint of uncertainty.
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