Weakest Beast Tamer Gets All SSS Dragons

Liora nodded, half-understanding the depth behind her grandmother’s words. Ren’s potential to rewrite the rules of cultivation had implications that went far beyond the academy.

The ripples of such knowledge could reshape power dynamics throughout the kingdom, altering hierarchies and traditions.

“By the way,” Liora said, taking advantage of the pause, “the theoretical exams were interesting as well.”

“Oh?” Selphira arched an eyebrow, her interest piqued. “And why were they?”

“Professor Mei’s was particularly interesting,” Liora explained, remembering the tension that had permeated the classroom that day. The air had been charged with ambition, each student more focused than they’d been all semester. “It was a historic record, more than 3 students obtained perfect scores.”

Selphira smiled slightly, as if she could see beyond Liora’s words. Her eyes gleamed with that particular awareness that had made her such a formidable political opponent for decades.

“And did our young beast breeder also achieve perfection?”

“Surprisingly, no,” Liora couldn’t hide a small hint of satisfaction. “He had an incorrect answer about what to do in a contingency, protocol for minors, in case of an abyssal invasion. He got a 99%. The only imperfect score among his 4 grades so far.”

“Interesting,” Selphira murmured, her eyes shining with amusement. “I imagine that has given hope to many who want to defeat him for the honor. Luna among them.”

“Exactly,” Liora confirmed. “Now several believe they can beat him in the final battles and match his grade for the semester honor.”

Selphira nodded thoughtfully, as if rearranging pieces on an invisible board. Her fingers tapped a subtle rhythm against the armrest of her chair.

“And regarding your interest in defeating him…” she began, carefully choosing her words, “I understand you have a new card to play, judging by the confidence with which you move and the way your energy flows.”

Liora tensed slightly. She hadn’t explicitly mentioned anything about this, and the fact that her grandmother intuited it made her nervous. Selphira’s perception had always been uncanny, but this seemed almost supernatural.

“I…” she hesitated, aware that revealing her Bashe would mean compromising Larissa’s secret and possibly revealing more about Ren than would be fair to him without raising suspicions. “I’m not sure if using that possibility would be appropriate.”

Selphira observed Liora with that penetrating gaze that seemed to read all her thoughts. The silence stretched between them, weighted with unspoken understanding.

“That tradition,” she finally said, her voice strangely soft, “is a chain that simply helps us more easily distinguish exceptional women.”

Liora looked at her grandmother with surprise. It was well known that Selphira was the only woman openly recognized as a double tamer, an achievement she had attained midway through her more than 100 years, when it was considered almost heresy and not just a matter of resource efficiency.

“I don’t know how…” Liora began, but interrupted herself, unsure how to proceed. The implications of breaking with tradition, of stepping into the light as a double tamer, seemed both thrilling and terrifying.

“How everyone would react?” Selphira completed, an enigmatic smile forming on her lips. “My dear girl, do you really believe I wouldn’t defend you?”

Liora blushed slightly, suddenly feeling like a small child again. The warmth spread across her cheeks, a rare show of vulnerability that she allowed few to witness.

“I’m not pressuring you,” Selphira continued, her tone becoming more serious. “Each woman must choose her battles. I chose mine long ago, and paid the corresponding price. You will have to choose yours and not depend on other opinions. But you should know that I am here for you.”

A contemplative silence filled the room as Liora assimilated her grandmother’s words.

Liora took a deep breath to undo the knot in her throat and opened her mouth to thank her grandma, but…

“Speaking of the price of decisions,” Selphira said abruptly, changing the subject, “you said you offered Patinder a considerable sum for his cultivation.”

“One and a half million crystals,” Liora confirmed. “It’s fair, considering the real value of the cultivation method if it works up to gold for my will-o’-wisp, which should only reach silver 3.”

Selphira nodded appreciatively, calculating the value against other investments she had seen over her long life.

“A fair sum, indeed. If you need help covering…”

“No,” Liora interrupted with a firmness that surprised them both. “I appreciate your support, grandmother, but… I want to do this on my own.”

The response seemed to please Selphira, whose eyes shone with approval. Pride flickered briefly across her features before being carefully masked again.

“I’m not that far from getting it,” Liora added. “With what I’ve earned at the academy and some things I sold… luxuries I didn’t really need.”

“You sold your jewelry?” Selphira seemed genuinely surprised. “The ones your parents gave you?”

“Only those without enchantments,” Liora quickly clarified. “The stones can be replaced.”

Selphira studied her granddaughter for a long moment, as if seeing her in a new light.

“You know,” she finally said, “there are moments when you remind me of myself at your age. Though I think you are considerably more sensible.”

She rose from her seat with the fluid grace that belied her years. Her movements were precise and economical, the result of decades of discipline.

“I must let you rest,” she declared, smoothing imperceptible wrinkles in her elegant dress. “The most important final exam battles begin tomorrow, and you will need all your concentration.”

As she headed toward the door, she added:

“And Liora… whatever happens tomorrow, remember that sometimes apparent defeat teaches you something that can be the beginning of a greater victory if you know how to take advantage of it. Watch carefully what he does and understand it in depth. Then entertain me.”

Liora nodded, understanding that, as always, her grandmother’s words operated on multiple levels.

“Will you watch me in the tournament?” she asked when Selphira was about to leave. “Or perhaps you won’t have time because of dealing with him…”

The matriarch paused at the threshold, the evening light framing her slender silhouette. The backlight cast her in dramatic relief, highlighting the regal bearing that had intimidated council members for generations.

“And miss the opportunity to see my granddaughter demonstrate why the Ashenways remain a force to be reckoned with?” she responded with a smile that contained centuries of cunning. “I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”

And with those words, Selphira Ashenway disappeared down the hallway, leaving behind the subtle aroma of ambition and ancient secrets. Her footsteps faded gradually, the sound of authority retreating but never truly absent.

Liora remained seated a moment longer, contemplating everything that had and hadn’t been said. The conversation replayed in her mind, each word and gesture carrying layers of meaning that would take time to fully unravel.

With a deep breath, Liora stood up. It was time to prepare for what was to come. Tomorrow would be more than just another exam, it would be her first step toward claiming her own place in the complex game of power her grandmother had navigated so skillfully.