Weakest Beast Tamer Gets All SSS Dragons novel Chapter 48

"Why less time?"

"Three days is tradition!" _{frёewebnoѵel.ƈo๓}

Zhao raised a hand to silence the protests, his owl markings shimmering with quiet authority. "As some of you may know, we have a student whose beast has... particular limitations with prolonged exposure to high mana concentration zones."

All eyes turned to Ren. The mushrooms in his hair pulsed weakly, as if confirming the professor’s words. Their usual glow seemed somehow dimmer under the weight of so many stares.

"It’s not fair!" someone protested from the back of the crowd. "Why should we all lose half a day because of the fungus?"

"Yeah, let him stay behind if he can’t handle it!"

Jin’s smile turned malicious, his tiger markings rippling with cruel delight. "Or better yet, let him come and we’ll see how long he really lasts with that useless beast."

"Silence," Zhao’s voice didn’t rise, but the owl in his eyes gleamed with unmistakable authority. "This decision is not open for debate. I prefer a shorter excursion to risking any student’s health."

The protests transformed into resentful murmurs.

Several students shot accusing glares at Ren, as if he had personally stolen those precious hours of exploration from them. The tension in the air was almost palpable.

’If they knew I spent hours in deeper levels with higher mana concentration than the iron ring, it would be even worse,’ Ren thought while adjusting his equipment, the mushrooms in his hair pulsing with irony. Each soft glow seemed to mock their ignorance.

"Safety is our priority," Song added, backing his colleague. His stance made it clear the matter was settled. "Two and a half days are more than sufficient for a first expedition."

Zhao began explaining the expedition details, permitted zones, danger signals, emergency protocols. But Ren could feel the resentful stares burning into him, especially from those who already considered him a burden to the class.

’Doesn’t matter,’ he thought as the mushrooms pulsed softly. ’I have my own objectives to worry about for this expedition.’ The knowledge flowed through his mind, revealing possibilities his classmates couldn’t even imagine. While they worried about half a day lost, he was planning to make every available minute count.

After all, the best opportunities often lay where others saw only limitations.

♢♢♢♢

The student caravan advanced along the path toward the iron ring.

The carts, protected by experienced guards, moved at a steady pace as they left the city behind. The landscape gradually transformed, becoming wilder with each passing mile.

"I can’t believe they took away half a day!" a student complained from the front cart, voice carrying on the wind. "All because of the fungus!"

Ren, seated between Taro and Min in one of the last carts, smiled slightly. The mushrooms in his hair pulsed with the vehicle’s movement, their rhythm somehow matching the cart’s gentle swaying.

"Ignore them," Taro murmured, his beetle’s markings shifting protectively. "They’re just upset because they won’t get to brag about lasting three full days without bathing."

Min let out a giggle, his water snake coiling playfully. "As if half a day less would make any difference in what they can gather."

"Actually," Ren lowered his voice conspiratorially, "it’s better this way. Mana is denser at dusk. They’re doing everyone a favor."

"Really?" Taro leaned in with interest, his beetle’s markings rippling with curiosity. "How do you know that?"

The mushrooms pulsed while Ren considered how much to reveal. Each glow seemed to carry secrets waiting to be shared. "Let’s say I’ve been studying mana patterns."

"The expert has spoken again, write it down!" Min joked, his water snake manifesting playfully around his neck. "Though after the Stone Lurker incident, I’m starting to believe you really do know everything."

From another cart, Jin’s voice carried clearly: "I bet he doesn’t even last the first day! Who wants to take that bet?"