Weakest Beast Tamer Gets All SSS Dragons novel Chapter 347

The force wasn’t violent, but it was utterly unstoppable. Like a tide that gently yet firmly rejects an intruder, the mushroom’s presence pushed Selphira’s mana out of Ren’s body.

Selphira collapsed to her knees, the mental exhaustion hitting her like a hammer. Her serpent instantly loosened its grip on Ren while she struggled to catch her breath. Blood continued to drip from her face, staining the polished floor.

The ancient Ashenway, who had faced abyssal horrors, who had stood in the presence of the King in his full splendor, who had survived battles that would have destroyed most beings, trembled slightly as she gathered herself.

"I’m sorry… Forgive me for frightening you," she finally said, her voice unsteady as she wiped away the blood with hands that used the water control of her turtle beast. "I wanted to give you an important lesson. You’re keeping secrets that could determine our city’s fate, and I thought you needed to understand the gravity of... Telling just anyone."

She leaned on her serpent for support, rising slowly as it left Ren side to provide balance. The creature wrapped around her, its scales shimmering with healing light. Gradually, she regained her composure, though the weariness remained evident in the slight slump of her shoulders.

"But it seems I’ve received a lesson as well." A wry smile crossed her bloodstained lips. "How something that appears small... can be so vast in reality."

Selphira shook her head in genuine amazement, her eyes reflecting newfound respect. "There’s no way to extract the ring from your beast. Not me, and I’m certain not even with Sirius’s help could we manage it. The attempt would likely injure us severely, and perhaps you as well."

She approached Ren, who was still recovering from the shock of the invasion. "But that won’t stop someone with dark intentions from trying." Her tone grew grave, her eyes boring into his with an intensity that conveyed the seriousness of her warning.

"Your luck has been remarkable so far, but I’ll repeat it... trusting indiscriminately could be your downfall. Not everyone who smiles means you well, and not everyone who seems interested in your gifts has benign intentions."

Ren nodded slowly, the lesson clearly received. The mushrooms in his hair dimmed slightly as he processed her words. "I understand, Lady Ashenway. And... I accept your apology."

Selphira smiled, a genuine gesture that momentarily erased years from her weathered features. "I now understand why it would be nearly impossible to describe the purification process. The complexity of what I witnessed..." She paused, searching for adequate words to convey the incomprehensible. "It’s like trying to explain the ocean in exquisite detail to someone who has only ever seen a glass of water."

"It will be impossible to replicate or use as an ultimate weapon, especially if your reach is limited to Silver rank," she continued, her mind already calculating possibilities and limitations. "But the fact that you can purify anything at all... that in itself is extraordinary."

She settled into the chair opposite him, fatigue still visible in her features. "Cultivate your abilities, Ren. You should know that I’ve made a deposit in your name for Liora’s debt. As long as you remain ’by her side’... or under her protection... you have my support."

Her eyes gleamed with renewed determination, a fire kindling behind them. "And listen carefully: I will do whatever necessary to prevent this war. Our city needs time for talents like yours to grow. The future cannot afford to lose what we’ve barely begun to understand."

In her mind, the decision was made. War must be avoided for a few more years at least, even at the cost of bowing their heads and damaging their honor. This boy, with his seemingly divine mushroom and impossible secrets, represented something they couldn’t afford to lose.

Whatever Ren truly harbored, Selphira had felt its immense energy, a power transcending the ordinary that, fortunately, was pure and required protection until it could fully manifest.

"Now go," she said finally, gesturing toward the door with elegant finality. "And remember what you’ve learned today. Trust is a precious gift. Don’t waste it on those who haven’t earned it."

♢♢♢♢

Selphira strode through the corridors with purposeful steps, her mind processing what she had just witnessed.

’We cannot let it advance too quickly,’ she thought while heading toward Wei’s office. ’If war erupts now, we’ll lose the boy’s enormous potential.’

Wei was reviewing documents when Selphira entered without announcement. The professor looked up, surprised but not offended, few people in the academy had the privilege of bursting into others’ offices without ceremony.

His expression shifted quickly from mild annoyance to attentive respect when he recognized his visitor.

"Lady Ashenway," he greeted, standing immediately. "To what do I owe this honor?"