Weakest Beast Tamer Gets All SSS Dragons novel Chapter 194

After signing in, the group continued their descent into the depths.

"There are more students than usual," Min observed as they sidestepped another group climbing up laden with crystals. Picks clinked against the stone walls and earth beasts were the norm here, the sound of mining echoing through the tunnels.

"It’s the semester’s final stretch," one of the noble girls’ ’student’ escorts explained. "Many upperclassmen try to increase their productivity around this time to pass the gathering unit."

As they crossed below 150 meters, the mana density began affecting the group. Beasts started manifesting in preparation for any lesser worms, Taro’s living tunnel creating patterns across his skin and Luna’s wolf projecting denser shadows that seemed to crawl along the walls were some examples.

Only Liora and Larissa kept their beasts completely hidden, though the tension in their postures suggested they too felt the pressure of uncertainty.

They could have entered through Ren’s ex secret tunnel, Liora and the escorts already knew about it and had expanded it... but with adults still investigating the seed from outside, Ren had decided to write it off.

Ren’s mushrooms pulsed softly, detecting several lesser worms nearby. They weren’t a real threat to the group, but their presence indicated they were entering more dangerous territory.

Before they could cross to the next level, the sound of approaching voices and footsteps made them halt. A new group of six older students was climbing up.

Ren immediately recognized one of them, they were fifth-year students, and among them was Leopold, the same one who had demanded special attention from Finch at the bank. Ren lowered his gaze, hoping to avoid any confrontation, but...

"Well, well," Leopold’s voice shattered the silence between both groups. "If it isn’t the ’mushroom magnate.’"

The group stopped. Leopold stepped forward, his golden robes gleaming even in the dim light.

"Don’t think you’ll surpass me just with luck," he continued, his tone dripping with disdain. "Don’t expect another miracle just because you wander around here. I’ve investigated everything about the hydra and the gifts you received from the prince. But that’s not enough to stand out. You need to shine in many areas, and with a miserable spore..."

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One of his companions suddenly leaned in, whispering something in his ear. Leopold’s expression shifted subtly.

"Noble candidates?" he murmured, loud enough for everyone to hear. "These first-year children?"

Liora and Larissa exchanged glances, their fingers touching their chins in identical gestures of contemplation.

’I wonder who leaked that information,’ Larissa mused internally.

’Grandmother might have spread it... she has a peculiar sense of humor,’ Liora pondered.

’Julius enjoys these political games,’ Larissa finally inferred.

’Even the Director could be involved,’ Liora continued thinking. ’What better way to make the academy stand out among the other two schools than boasting about having such young double tamers?’

Ren’s mushrooms pulsed with what seemed like resignation. The secret apparently wasn’t so secret anymore.

"They’re just Iron students!" Leopold spat, though his voice had lost some of its initial arrogance. "If you could find a miracle, I’ll find one too. I won’t let some novices surpass me."

"No one’s trying to surpass you," Ren finally spoke. "We’re just working on our own path."

"Your own path?" Leopold laughed, but there was tension in his laughter. "Don’t you understand? If you aim upward, you aim at me..."

"Leopold," one of his companions interrupted. "We still have several things to process to get the crystals from..."

"Fine," Leopold turned sharply. "Let’s go. But this isn’t over, ’minor magnate’."

As the fifth-year group moved away, Mira approached Ren.