Weakest Beast Tamer Gets All SSS Dragons novel Chapter 279

The eighth team of group A presented a trio of plant-type beasts, a combination that on paper seemed ideal against the Big Stone Lurker.

Many thought that perhaps this group would set a new record.

The combined vines and roots managed to immobilize and gradually drain the vitality of the rocky monster.

But in the end... Even with this elemental advantage, they needed a full four minutes to obtain victory.

"It's surprising," commented Taro as the auxiliaries prepared the arena for the next combat. "Even with three plant beasts, they couldn't get close to Klein and Luna's time."

"The difference between advantage and execution," Ren responded. "Having the right elemental advantage isn't everything; they won't stand out if they don't know how to maximize it… Also, one water buffing the power of two woods is better output in my opinion."

With each battle, the pattern had consolidated: conventional methods, even those formed with natural advantages, barely managed to finish in an acceptable time. Only those with innovative strategies or exceptional beasts managed to truly withstand out.

And it seemed that the record would remain tied between Klein and Luna...

Exactly two minutes.

It appeared to be a testimony to the power of the great noble families.

Since this test wasn't part of the team or individual battles, there would be no official tiebreaker; they would remain as two first places for the count of final honors if no one did a better one.

And the last team was…

"Team Eight of Group B, prepare to enter," announced Yang.

Min stood up, stretching his arms to relieve tension. "Finally, our turn."

Taro nodded, breathing deeply to calm his nerves. "I still think we should have practiced more..."

"Trust the plan," Ren responded calmly, rising last. "I thought a lot about the simplest way to do it so you wouldn't need to worry."

Ren, Min, and Taro reviewed their strategy one last time.

They looked at each other, a silent understanding passing between them. They had traveled together a path short in time but long in events since their first awkward days as roommates.

"You know what's funny?" Min said suddenly. "Three months ago, I would have been terrified to face a Bronze beast. Now I'm looking forward to it."

Taro laughed. "That's because you're crazy."

"No," Ren intervened, his voice quiet but firm. "It's because you've both grown. More than you realize."

As they advanced toward the arena with only Ren's first beast manifested in his body, they felt the gazes, hundreds of them, following every step of the Gray Wing trio.

These weren't looks of expectation or anticipation; they were looks of morbid curiosity, condescending compassion, and, in some cases, open disdain.

"Is that the mushroom boy?"

"The one with the spore? Is he really going to face that thing?"

"This is going to be painful to watch."

The murmurs weren't subtle. Unlike some adults and part of the students from their class who had witnessed Ren's growth and achievements during the semester, most of the academy only knew the superficial version of the story: an unfortunate child who had received the worst possible beast in the invocation ceremony had entered this prestigious school.

For them, Ren remained the "Rotting Boy," a nickname that had survived for most despite everything.

It couldn't be otherwise...

Rumors about the events during the attacks on the academy had circulated, of course, but as happens with rumors, they had become so distorted in the process that few gave them credibility.

A child with a spore surviving a gold hydra and the attack of a Yino spy? Discovering an ancestral seed under the academy and becoming a double at age 10? A dragon of fungi in disguise?

Absurd stories, obviously exaggerated.

The only thing everyone accepted as true was that, more than a decade ago, someone had last attempted to cultivate the world's weakest beast at this school. The result had been a costly disaster, a useless investment that had become a warning to all tamers.

And now, that boy with the same beast and his Gray Wing companions were entering the arena.

"Look at what he's carrying," someone pointed from the upper stands. "What is that? A homemade spear?"