Connor McNauget's family background could not be considered good, but also not bad.
His father was a beast tamer, his mother was a Level 5 researcher, neither of whom could be said to be particularly impressive.
Under the influence of his parents, Connor was discovered to have a bit of talent.
Whether in beast taming, or in pet beast evolution research, he had a bit more talent than his parents.
Originally, in his second year of high school, Connor was supposed to decide which path to take.
The experience of countless seniors had proven. Wanting both, the future would not be bright.
Then Asher appeared out of nowhere. An unparalleled talent in pet beast evolution research, and also not-weak of a beast tamer.
Connor, who possessed both the talent for beast taming and an interest in pet beast evolution research, got excited, gritted his teeth, and decided to follow Asher's footsteps, dual cultivation.
If Asher could do it. He could too.
Just not as amazing as Asher.
It didn't matter.
He'd spend double the time and effort as Asher. He'd fight for it.
For that reason, Connor specially took the entrance exam from another city to Bluewind University, just so he could get closer to Asher and learn more knowledge and experience from him.
He didn't expect… That right as school started, he'd face the situation. Asher wasn't teaching classes, and there was only one public lecture this year.
In Connor's heart, there was a bit of anger.
Rationally, he knew this couldn't be completely blamed on Asher. Asher was only an honorary professor at Bluewind University, and his name wasn't originally on the teaching list.
But emotionally… Connor took a deep breath and kept persuading himself in his heart.
'It's okay, it's okay.'
'Haven't I already thought of this kind of situation long ago?'
'But… but… alright, I previously thought there might be a "but", a "maybe", a "possibly", an "if".'
That's why just now when he saw Taylor Right knowing nothing at all, Connor couldn't quite control his temper, and his tone became a little sharp.
Then he heard what Taylor said.
Now Connor's mood could only be described as complicated.
If he had to describe it. It was the kind of feeling where he'd get up in the middle of the night to slap himself.
"Oh!", What Connor didn't expect was that when Taylor heard Asher's name, his eyes instantly lit up, and his whole face looked especially radiant, "I know!"
"Professor Asher! And Professor Iris!"
"They are both great benefactors of mine."
Taylor was so excited he wanted to throw a punch, but since both hands were carrying luggage, he could only make a small gesture.
But everyone around could feel that gratitude radiating from Taylor inside and out.
Real and sincere. Solid and genuine.
"My pet beast is a Honeybug!"
"Then it evolved into a Fairy Butterfly. Only then could I barely get into Bluewind University. I'm so grateful to the two professors," As he spoke, Taylor released his Fairy Butterfly.
The beautiful, dreamy Fairy Butterfly lightly floated onto Taylor's shoulder.
The students around looked at Taylor with increasingly complicated expressions.
Hmm… how should one put it?
The freshmen gathered to discuss Asher's public lecture situation were mostly students from the pet beast evolution research department.
Not 100%, but at least 80% came because of Asher.
So the discussion was particularly intense and emotional.
Some understood, some blamed… all sorts of voices, everyone had different opinions and thoughts.
But between the lines, they all hoped Professor Asher could add a few more classes.
Just a few would be fine.
This is a responsibility. It's an obligation.
As they spoke, the emotions got more and more stirred up.
All kinds of righteous indignation.
As if Asher not adding classes was a heinous crime. If it really couldn't be helped, they would jointly petition the school.
If many people voiced the same demand, surely the school would take it seriously, right?
Until the moment they saw the Fairy Butterfly released by Taylor.
They suddenly fell silent again.
Connor looked at the Fairy Butterfly perched on Taylor's shoulder, interacting affectionately with him, and was silent for quite a while.
"Actually…", After thinking for a moment, Connor still said, "Compared to teaching us classes, if Professor Asher could use that time to research more pet beast evolution routes, wouldn't that be more valuable?"
The surrounding freshmen didn't speak.
The atmosphere suddenly became a bit strange.
Thick-skinned as he was, Taylor didn't notice anything unusual. He happily snuggled the Fairy Butterfly, then looked at Connor with shining eyes, "Eh?"
"This classmate, continue speaking. What about Professor Asher?"
Facing Taylor's curious and trusting gaze, Connor's conscience suddenly gave a thump, "Uh… well, about that…"
Connor hesitated.
Connor felt guilty.
Connor looked toward the other classmates, hinting with his eyes, 'Someone explain this please!'
And, as expected. Everyone averted their gaze.
Refused to meet Connor's eyes.
Connor: "…"
'Damn! What happened to our previous camaraderie?'
Others: 'We don't know you. Not even a little. Stop making things up.'
And besides, didn't it look like Connor and Taylor were getting along well?
Just let them talk. That's fine too, right?
Connor rolled his eyes hard at this group of people.
Then Connor turned to look at Taylor.
Facing Taylor's bright and trusting eyes, Connor's heart gave another thump.
"Uh… it's like this. It seems that Professor Asher plans to only give one public lecture this year, so everyone just felt a bit…", Connor appropriately paused.
Although Taylor seemed a little silly, that didn't mean he couldn't think at all.
"Oh!", Taylor revealed an expression of sudden understanding, "I get it! I understand!"
"Everyone thinks Professor Asher is amazing, so of course they hope he could give more classes, to properly learn from him."
Connor nodded repeatedly.
'Yes yes yes! Exactly that.'
Taylor chuckled, "Too bad I have no talent at all in pet beast evolution research. Otherwise, I heard this field is quite popular after graduation…"
The topic had gone off track.
Taylor shook his head, shook away all those messy thoughts, then looked at Connor again.
"But Professor Asher isn't a formal school teacher, right? Isn't that the case?"
Everyone: "…"
Hmm… how should one put it?
That was indeed the truth. But wasn't that…
"Professor Asher is a genius! Compared to teaching classes, of course he prefers his own research," Taylor, with not a hint of malice, said sincerely.
Saying it wasn't enough, Taylor even waved his arms excitedly.
"Maybe Professor Asher is that kind of research maniac?", Taylor carried his luggage and still managed to swing both arms around like a whirlwind.
"Just like those in TV shows and movies?"
Listening to Taylor's words, and watching his vivid gestures, everyone, who had never seen Asher in person, only watched some of his live or recorded lectures, suddenly found the image of Asher in their minds turning increasingly odd.
"Hehehe!"
"When's the public lecture?"
"I want to attend too, is that okay?"
Taylor diverted the thoughts of the others, but he himself did not realize it at all, and continued to look at Connor with those sparkling eyes.
Connor: "..."
Connor's mood was very complicated, he took a deep breath, and with difficulty, he packaged and threw out of his mind those strange things that Taylor had instilled in him.
"The public lecture is the day after tomorrow, and students from all departments can go," Connor answered Taylor's question, "But there should be quite a few people who want to go, so grabbing a seat will definitely be quite difficult then."
"You just have to be mentally prepared."
Taylor, holding his luggage with difficulty, gave a thumbs up, grinned widely and said confidently, "I'm good at grabbing seats!"
"I've been trained since childhood fighting with old men and women in town for discounted goods."
Hearing Taylor's words, at this moment, Connor had not yet realized how powerful this skill really was.
Until two days later.
———
He deliberately got up very early, went out at six thirty, full of the goal of getting a closer seat, and arrived in front of the auditorium.
And then was shocked by the sight of layers upon layers of people inside and outside.
"No way?", Looking at this dense crowd like a swarm of locusts passing through, Connor's face was filled with utter disbelief.
"This many people at this hour?"
"Seriously?"
"Isn't the public lecture supposed to start at nine o'clock!", Connor almost roared out loud.
'The public lecture doesn't start until nine. It's only six thirty and there are already this many people, what are they trying to do?'
'Go to heaven?'
The person standing in front of Connor, hearing Connor's words, turned back and gave him a look of mutual sympathy.
"You are very right, very well said, ten minutes ago I was thinking the same thing."
Don't ask. Asking only leads to despair.
Connor: "..."
It was truly despair.
"Just how many people are there…", Connor muttered to himself, "Can I still manage to squeeze into the auditorium?"
'What if I'm too far away and can't hear anything?'
The more Connor thought about it, the more hopeless he felt.
"Ah! Who wouldn't say so," The person in front sighed, and started chatting with Connor, "The school must have anticipated this situation long ago. If you ask me, the school should've rented one of those stadiums used for concerts for Professor Asher."
"Otherwise there's just no way we can all fit."
Connor froze.
Connor pondered.
After a moment, Connor nodded gravely, "What you said makes a lot of sense."
Connor introduced himself, "Brother, how should I address you?"
"Don't be so polite, Charlie Bieber, who knows, maybe a few hundred years ago we were from the same family," Charlie, who was standing in front of Connor, said with a smile.
Connor nodded, "Indeed!"
Other people nearby who happened to overhear this conversation, "..."
———
"To say there are over ten thousand people is definitely an exaggeration, but if you ask me, three to five thousand is still there, maybe even more," Charlie glanced at the people already in line and then estimated those who hadn't arrived yet.
This number really wasn't exaggerated at all.
But in Connor's ears, it still felt incomprehensible.
"The total number of students in our school's Pet Beast Evolution Research Department over all four grades doesn't even reach this, right?", Connor's voice was filled with confusion.
Normally speaking, for this kind of public lecture, even for students of the same major, it wouldn't have a 100% attendance rate.
Without it being mandatory, even 40-50% would be considered a lot.
And with upper-year students not showing up, logically the auditorium should be able to hold everyone.
Charlie agreed with Connor's words, "But."
Connor paused.
'Knew it, there's always a but.'
"But, the premise is that the person giving the public lecture is not Professor Asher," Charlie continued, turning back to meet Connor's eyes, "You tell me, aren't you interested in Professor Asher's public lecture?"
Connor: "..."
'Ahem! Yes. Of course yes. Definitely yes.'
If it were someone else's public lecture, Connor wouldn't be this enthusiastic.
But who asked it to be Professor Asher's public lecture?
In the field of pet beast evolution research, Asher's name could already be considered half a golden signboard.
And Asher had only been in this field for less than two years.
Only two years.
Tell me, who wouldn't be curious or interested in Professor Asher's public lecture?
Anyone who has no time conflict would want to come and take a look.
"And Professor Asher's public lectures don't restrict by major, he even doesn't mind people from other schools coming to listen," While saying this, Charlie gave Connor a "you know what I mean" look.
Connor: 'Got it, got it!'
Just in Radiant City, there are two top-tier universities.
Not to mention second-tier ones and some vocational colleges.
As long as they want to come, it's not like they can't. Professor Asher's public lectures don't have these restrictions.
Still the same phrase, as long as they want to come, want to listen, want to learn, Asher treats them equally.
The sparkle in Connor's eyes was about to disappear.
"I really think I won't be able to get in today."
Charlie also sighed slightly, "That's not necessarily true, just might need to queue for a while."
"Bluewind University's auditorium is quite large, there's even a second floor, but usually it's not open. The school probably didn't expect this many people and is currently urgently tidying it up."
"We should be able to get in if we wait a bit."
Saying that, Charlie nodded, looking very well-informed.
Just newly arrived at the school, and knowing nothing about the facilities and buildings, Connor showed a relieved expression upon hearing that.
"Waiting is fine! As long as there's a seat, as long as I can hear Professor Asher's lecture voice, these things aren't problems at all!"
Just like Charlie said.
Didn't wait too long.
Twenty-something minutes, nearly half an hour, the line outside the auditorium finally started moving again.
Connor followed the line step by step.
It was almost his turn.
Connor craned his neck and looked inside.
A sea of heads.
All the seats were packed with people. Connor, who had just relaxed a little, couldn't help but feel nervous again.
"Can't be this unlucky, right?"
"Almost our turn and there's no more seats?"
Charlie also took a look, "Shouldn't be."
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