Chapter 25: Personal Attack

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Little Raven perked up, brimming with energy again. Perched on Asher's shoulder, it nestled near his cheek, looking at Little Fire Fox with a spark of determination in its gaze.

It lost this time, but next time, it would not be the one to fall.

It would grow stronger, and its Beastmaster would grow stronger, too.

Little Raven absolutely adored its gentle, comforting Beastmaster.

Next to them, June and Ivy exchanged strange looks as they observed Asher.

'So, this is the real Asher?'

June wanted to say, "Don't spoil your pet too much, or it'll get out of hand."

'And there he is, taking all the blame on himself…'

For some reason, an image of Asher comforting a girlfriend popped into June's mind. She shook her head.

'No, no, no. This single guy surely didn't have a girlfriend—it must be my imagination.'

Just then, she glanced down and noticed Little Fire Fox in her arms, whining softly.

"Yip… yip yip…"

With big, pleading eyes, Little Fire Fox seemed to be asking, 'Why can't you be gentle with me, like him?'

June immediately cast aside her previous thoughts and began bickering with Little Fire Fox.

"If I pampered you like that, you'd probably end up floating up into the sky."

Before, June had never given it much thought. She wasn't big on structured training; she preferred letting her pet have fun and relax. When her little fox evolved into Little Fire Fox, she assumed it was just a natural process due to its potential.

It wasn't until recently, during this past half-month, that June started truly grasping her Little Fire Fox's personality while working together.

It loved snacks, enjoyed playtime, and disliked training.

Its battle strategy? Relying entirely on natural talent.

If she pampered it even more, she'd soon be the poster child for 'spoiling your pet too much.'

Unintentionally, June had become stricter with Little Fire Fox. Both she and the fox were struggling to adjust to this change. They were finally entering a real phase of trial and error, where they needed to find their new balance.

As they bantered, Asher led Ivy and June toward the exit.

"Do you want to battle too, Ivy?" he asked Ivy, who had been mostly silent.

Ivy considered this. "Maybe next time. I'm still practicing skill coordination with Nene, and I'd like to improve a bit more before our match." She blushed slightly, looking at Asher.

Asher nodded, 'no problem with that', while Little Raven seemed thrilled at the thought of another battle.

Of course, Asher didn't understand the complex, grand ideas swirling around in Little Raven's head. He was still casually chatting with Ivy.

Beside them, June and Little Fire Fox were still squabbling.

Their three figures together painted a harmonious scene.

That's when an oily, smug voice sounded behind them.

"June, don't tell me you turned down my invitation for someone like him?"

Asher's steps halted.

'Hmm?'

'Is someone throwing shade at me?'

He looked up and saw a young man about their age standing ahead, dressed in designer brands, with a carefully styled hairdo that must've taken time to perfect.

But… maybe a little too flashy.

With all the glitter on his clothes, pants, and shoes, he was practically a walking disco ball. Nobody dared approach within a meter of him, as his entire demeanor screamed, "I'm rich and untouchable."

In stark contrast to Asher, who was just wearing a simple white T-shirt, jeans, and sneakers, blending into any crowd.

While Asher studied this newcomer, the young man was sizing him up in return.

Upon seeing Little Raven on Asher's shoulder, a look of disgust crossed his face.

"What's it to you, Don?" June, who had just been arguing with her fox, ended the spat in an instant, clutching Little Fire Fox in one arm and putting her other hand on her hip.

Anger flashed across her face. "What was that look for, huh? Asher and Ivy are my friends. Who I hang out with is none of your business. Who do you think you are?"

The fact that June hadn't even told anyone about today's plans only made her angrier.

"Did you follow me here, Don? Are you some kind of creep?"

Don folded his arms. "Oh, so you still know my name, huh? I'm not a creep; this is just a coincidence."

He spread his hands, an exaggerated expression of "Prove it if you can" on his face.

"Anyway, I have no issue with Ivy. But this guy…" His gaze swept over Asher, full of disdain.

"A mutated Oriental Peacock? Don't tell me this is the so-called genius you said could help evolve your Little Fire Fox?"

By the end, his tone had turned mocking and sarcastic.

"Hah! He looks like a poor nobody who can't even afford to raise a mutant pet. June, don't tell me you've fallen for some scam?"

"I told you, if you just stuck with me, I'd guarantee your Little Fire Fox would evolve. I could even offer you choices far beyond what this nobody could manage."

'Hmm?'

'New choices?'

Asher's interest piqued.

From the look of things, this guy—Don—clearly liked June.

And, yeah, he seemed to have a personal issue with Asher.

Well, Asher could understand that.

Even if he didn't have any particular interest in June, he was a good-looking guy and thus a natural threat to any love-struck competitor.

As for jealousy, rivalries, and the whole bickering over a girl thing, Asher wasn't interested in that drama.

He'd rather spend time sunbathing with Little Raven.

'But…'

'What does he mean by new choices?'

Lost in thought, Asher found himself wondering.

'New choices? Is he talking about another possible evolution for Little Fire Fox?'

That didn't seem entirely unlikely.

Evolution research had been booming for the last two centuries, leading to opportunities like the League's rewards and resources offered to him for his discovery of Nene's evolution path.

If there were other scholars investigating a new evolutionary route for Little Fire Fox, that would be pretty normal.

It sounded like Don's hinting that a new path might be near completion?

Still mulling it over, Asher turned to leave.

It was getting a little too noisy here.

"A guy who harasses girls has zero class."

He tossed out the comment over his shoulder and didn't look back.

He wasn't interested in other people's relationship issues. Better to go sunbathe with Little Raven.

June shouted after him, "Hey, Asher."

"Where are you going?" she called as she chased after him, her voice loud and annoyed.

Don moved to block her, but Asher's words froze him in his tracks.

'Tch! Who's the classless one here?'

Before he realized it, June and Ivy had already disappeared.

———

Outside, the sun was a bit too strong.

June and Ivy had both taken out parasols.

Meanwhile, Asher strolled ahead with Little Raven, unbothered by the scorching heat above.

"Asher, don't… don't be mad." June stammered, trying to find the right words. "Don is just… a jerk. He never says anything decent. Don't let it get to you…"

Asher turned to her, surprised. "Hmm?"

"Mad? No, I'm not mad."

June looked skeptical. "But you said that thing and then just left. Isn't that because you're mad?"

Ivy nodded, clearly on the same page. She also thought Asher had left in anger.

Reading their expressions, Asher chuckled, speaking in a calm, lighthearted tone. "I'm really not mad."

"Why get mad over someone who doesn't even know how to speak like a decent person, right?"

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