Chapter 34: The Military Order

President Robb was bewildered.

"Research?"

What kind of research could Asher possibly have?

But recalling the crucial help Asher had provided during the butterfly evolution process, President Robb's interest was piqued. "Alright, let's hear it."

"It's like this. After discovering the evolution of the Honeybug, I've developed some personal thoughts on pet evolution. With the help of friends, I've even started researching new evolution paths for pets." Asher began with a bombshell.

President Robb's confusion deepened.

What is this?

Asher, a student with no formal understanding of pet evolution, was self-studying and experimenting, and he claimed to have discovered something?

If it wasn't Asher speaking, President Robb would've thrown him out.

Who's spouting nonsense here!

Discovering a new evolution path for pets isn't something you can achieve just by reading a couple of books. Does he think the millions spent annually on research institutes are a joke?

"Asher, this…" President Robb's favorable impression of Asher plummeted. His face darkened visibly.

Unfazed, Asher pressed on, "Uncle Robb, I'm not joking. Let me put it this way—I've made a new discovery. But please, don't let this leak."

President Robb rolled his eyes, signaling Asher to continue.

He might as well hear what secret discovery this was.

"Affinity," Asher declared solemnly.

"Hmm?" President Robb frowned, his expression shifting slightly. "Affinity? What does that have to do with pet evolution?"

Drawing from the spiel he had used on June, Ivy, and Iris, Asher added refinements, making his reasoning sound even more plausible and polished.

"…So that's the gist of it. I believe the Honeybug's evolution into a Fairy Butterfly was closely linked to the bond—or 'affinity'—between the Beastmaster and the pet. Building on this, I want to explore whether other extraordinary creatures can evolve through a similar method."

Asher's theory sent President Robb into deep thought.

As the president of NY City's Beastmaster Alliance, President Robb wasn't a professional in pet evolution, but his interactions with professors and Beastmasters exposed him to an abundance of related knowledge.

At first glance, Asher's hypothesis seemed plausible and even intriguing.

Had this theory come from Iris or a professor specializing in evolution studies, President Robb might've immediately believed it and allocated resources without hesitation.

But coming from Asher… President Robb hesitated for a few minutes. "Your argument makes sense, but how do you plan to prove it?"

The skepticism in his tone was evident.

It couldn't be helped.

Asher lacked sufficient academic credentials or tangible results.

The Honeybug's evolution seemed like a fluke, so President Robb couldn't base resource allocation on faith alone.

Asher understood President Robb's perspective. Besides, he wasn't looking for resources from the Beastmaster Alliance.

"June's Little Fire Fox is the newest subject of my affinity experiments," Asher revealed. He anticipated the Fire Fox would meet all its evolution requirements within a month, so informing President Robb early was a strategic move.

Fixing President Robb with an earnest gaze, Asher added, "My goal in joining the expedition to the fire-aligned Geomine is to see whether its environment can promote the Fire Fox's evolution or provide it with beneficial herbs."

Asher cleverly redirected Little Raven's potential use of the mine toward the Fire Fox. His reasoning was seamless and unforced.

"I'm not asking for rare resources. All I need is an opportunity to join the exploration, permission for later cultivation in the Geomine, and maybe a few valuable herbs. That's it."

Hmm.

The first two requests were manageable; the last one—valuable herbs—was trickier.

According to the rules governing Forbidden Zones, Beastmasters entering these areas had to pay a deposit. The amount depended on the zone and planned duration of stay. If a Beastmaster failed to return within the stipulated time, exploration teams stationed in the zone would search for them.

Whether or not the Beastmaster was found, the deposit served as payment for the team's efforts.

If rescued, the Beastmaster also had to pay additional compensation.

Most Beastmasters didn't begrudge the cost; their lives mattered more.

If they returned on time, the deposit went to the Alliance. Beastmasters could also take two high-grade resources from the area or a certain weight of mid- to low-grade resources.

Any excess could be purchased at 50% of the market price.

It was a lucrative system.

Many rare herbs and minerals fetched millions on the market, some being priceless.

Taking these resources at half-price meant enormous profits, even if one didn't use them personally.

However, the higher the grade of resources, the more likely powerful beasts lurked nearby. A single misstep could cost a Beastmaster their life.

Opportunity came with risk—fair enough.

What Asher wanted, President Robb could provide within his authority.

Compared to the resources allocated annually to professional professors, Asher's requests were negligible.

After deliberating for a moment, President Robb asked, "I've got one question: how do you quantify this 'affinity' you're talking about?"

Asher mentally applauded President Robb. As expected of NY City's Alliance president—he hit the nail on the head.

"Well…" Inspiration struck Asher under pressure. "This is just a theory, but during interactions, emotional fluctuations between the Beastmaster and their pet might create unique mental waves. Couldn't we capture and quantify these waves with instruments?"

"I think these fluctuations might represent the affinity between a Beastmaster and their pet."

"But as for how to standardize the numerical values…that needs more careful study."

Improvising on the spot, Asher delivered an explanation that sounded reasonable—if only barely.

President Robb saw through his act immediately. "You just made that up, didn't you?"

Asher smiled faintly, saying nothing.

Hey!

"Who said I'd play along?" President Robb rolled his eyes but chuckled, his earlier sternness fading. "At first, I thought you were spouting nonsense. But as I listened, I realized your idea isn't entirely without merit. I just don't trust you enough."

President Robb didn't sugarcoat his words.

Asher nodded. "I get it. Trust takes time to grow. Without seeds, how can a flower of trust bloom?"

"But I hope you'll give me a chance to prove myself."

Ironically, the improvisation that President Robb dismissed made him take Asher's earlier claims more seriously.

After a brief pause, President Robb declared, "Fine, I'll agree to your terms. But you have to give me a military order."

"Prove that extraordinary creatures' evolution is linked to this affinity you mentioned."

"It doesn't even have to be a new evolution path, as long as there are results."

If the Fire Fox evolved into a Flame Fox, that'd suffice.

After all, not every Fire Fox could evolve into a Flame Fox.

As long as Asher proved the connection between affinity and evolution, President Robb would be satisfied.

"If you fail, you'll owe the Beastmaster Alliance and work to repay your debt."

"Don't underestimate me." Asher's confident smile spread. "By the end, you'll be shocked, Uncle Robb."

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