Weakest Beast Tamer Gets All SSS Dragons novel Chapter 294

Taro returned to the stands amid cheers and applause from his companions. Min was the first to pounce on him, putting his arm around his neck and messing up his hair. Ren followed with a more restrained but equally sincere congratulation; he was proud of his friend.

What was surprising wasn't just the congratulations from his roommates, but the small reception committee that had formed spontaneously. Roran and his group approached.

"That was incredible!" exclaimed Trent, shaking Taro's hand enthusiastically. "We insect tamers glimpse a new era with you. Also Kai looked like he was going to explode with rage!"

Han's team had also approached, though Han himself maintained a certain distance, observing from a few meters back with an unfathomable expression. Jun and Sora, however, showed no such reserve.

"Good job," commented Jun simply, though the gleam of admiration in his eyes said more than his words.

"It's going to be difficult to overcome that new defense style," added Sora with a smile.

Jun sighed dramatically, looking at Ren. "Though I suppose it doesn't matter much what we do against it, considering we have to face you tomorrow in the team semifinals." He shook his head with feigned resignation. "It's the end of the line for us, so we just ask for some mercy, oh powerful lord of mushrooms."

"Hey, I'm part of the team too!" Min jumped in, feeling ignored.

The joke drew laughter from the group.

"It will be an interesting combat," Ren responded, with anticipation rather than arrogance.

For an instant, his eyes met Han's. Ren's smile remained, but his eyes contained a different depth when looking at the distant boy.

The moment passed as quickly as it had come, interrupted by the announcement of the next individual combat.

The matches continued at a good pace. Min faced a tamer with a fire beast, winning easily thanks to a 'brilliant' combination of invisibility and elemental advantage.

Upon returning, he expected the same praise as Taro, but everyone looked at him with narrowed eyes because his confrontation had been too easy thanks to the elemental affinity.

Finally, the turn that many had been waiting for arrived.

"Liora Ashenway against Feng Zhao," announced Yang, his voice resonating throughout the stadium. "Present yourselves in the arena in three minutes."

A murmur of anticipation ran through the stands. Feng, as Klein's close companion and high-level noble, had a considerable reputation. His red cobra, now at Bronze 1 rank, had shown impressive capabilities in previous combats. But facing an Ashenway, especially after the demonstration of power that Liora and Larissa had offered in the team combats, was another level of challenge.

"This is going to be interesting," commented Taro, still excited from his own victory. "Feng has attacks with a lot of range, but Liora..."

"Has that annoying ability to jump through space," completed Min. "Not to mention that will-o'-wisp that seems to have a mind of its own and the same or greater range."

Ren observed attentively as both competitors entered the arena. Liora walked with the natural grace characteristic of the Ashenways, her expression serene but alert. Feng advanced with aggressiveness.

"Feng's cobra is stronger and more resistant now, besides giving better enhancements," observed Ren. "His control over its venom is much more refined as well."

Indeed, when Feng invoked his beast, the difference was immediately apparent. The red cobra, now almost two meters in length, presented more elaborate markings on its extended hood. Its fangs, visible when it opened its jaws in an intimidating display, dripped a liquid that seemed to slightly corrode the ground where it fell.

Liora, for her part, kept her will-o'-wisp partially materialized, small blue flames dancing around her fingers as she studied her opponent.

"Begin," indicated Yang, stepping back to give space to the combatants.