Weakest Beast Tamer Gets All SSS Dragons novel Chapter 144

"The crystal needs exactly 10 minutes," Ren repeated. "Plus it must be sealed with bronze rank aquatic plant root extract and..."

As Ren explained the method's details, Lin felt something she hadn't experienced in years: true hope for her beast's future.

"Why a thousand days?" she asked when Ren finished his explanation. "The traditional methods..."

"Traditional methods are incomplete," Ren interrupted gently. "As you saw today, there's much that those who wrote those books don't properly understand. The problem is they have to experiment blindly..."

Lin observed her crane's markings, thinking of all the times she had wished she could push her beast beyond its current limitations. The feather patterns shifted beneath her skin, as if sensing her renewed hope.

"The intermediate maturation isn't like ranking up, that's why it requires 10 times more energy... There's a final maturation later, but let's finish this one first."

"A thousand days," she murmured. "Without missing a single one."

"You'll need a bronze rank 1 speed rune at the end," Ren added. "But I'm sure that's not too costly for you and worth the investment."

"And you really believe it will work?" The question came out more vulnerable than Lin intended.

Ren smiled while his mushrooms pulsed with confidence. "As sure as I was about Taro's Living Tunnel."

Lin stood, her decision made. "Then I'll start tomorrow at dawn."

"Does this mean I get a day off from training?" Ren asked hopefully.

Lin's laughter echoed across the training field. "Nice try. Now, back to that kick series you were doing wrong."

As they resumed training, Lin couldn't help but smile. For the first time in years, her crane's future seemed bright.

And all thanks to the student with the academy's supposed "weakest beast."

♢♢♢♢

Yang's training class was normally a spectacle of concentration and effort.

Today, however...

"Cass! That's the third time you've tripped on the same exercise!" Yang shook his head while his behemoth resonated with frustration. "And Feng! Since when does your cobra attack in the wrong direction?"

The students barely listened. Their eyes constantly followed Ren, who tried to concentrate on his exercises while ignoring the stares. Even Jin's group couldn't maintain their usual disdainful distance, stealing glances when they thought no one was looking.

It wasn't a pleasant sensation. The constant attention made him uncomfortable, as if each movement was being analyzed and judged.

But then he remembered Wei's face crumbling before the living crystal, Jin and Klein's expressions as they watched their influence dissolve...

A small smile formed on his lips. His mushrooms pulsed with satisfaction.

"Han! Your web just tangled with your own feet!" Yang rubbed his temples. "Is anyone paying attention today?"

Lin, for her part, practically glowed with joy while enthusiastically correcting postures.

"Excellent form, Ren," she commented in passing, winking. "At least someone maintains their concentration."

♢♢♢♢

In Mei's class, the situation didn't improve.

"...and that's how economic cycles affect crystal prices," Mei drew graphs on the board, her voice increasingly irritated. "Is anyone even listening?"

A paper ball flew through the air, intended to catch Ren's attention. Mei's vine intercepted it with a sharp movement.