Weakest Beast Tamer Gets All SSS Dragons

Chapter 211 - Taming the Finals (Unit 1) - 2

The caravan advanced at a steady pace, raising clouds of dust that shimmered golden under the mid-morning sun. The wheels creaked rhythmically against the packed earth, providing a constant backdrop to the conversations within.

Students had naturally distributed themselves among the different vehicles, grouping according to affinities and alliances.

In one of the carriages, Klein Goldcrest observed with a somber expression. The landscape passed before his eyes without him really seeing it, his mind trapped in a cycle of frustration and resentment that tightened his jaw and furrowed his brow.

”Still thinking about your brother?” Astor asked in a low voice, seated across from him.

Klein barely deigned to respond with a grunt. His lion briefly manifested in his hair and mouth, reflecting his internal agitation.

”You shouldnʼt worry so much,” Feng intervened, adjusting his posture on the uncomfortable seat. ”Iʼm sure that Harold will eventually turn up.”

”Itʼs not just that,” Klein finally spoke, his voice tense. ”Itʼs... everything.”

His gaze instinctively turned toward one of the forward carriages, where laughter and animated conversations could be heard even at a distance, the sound carried on the breeze like a taunt.

”The fungus kid?” Astor correctly guessed, following Kleinʼs gaze.

”Did you see what he was carrying?” Klein spat with disdain. ”Weapons! Like any peasant! In a prestigious school where weʼre supposed to cultivate powerful beasts, and he shows up with a bow and spear as if we were in some poor plebeianʼs school.”

Jin, seated nearby with Cass and Kai, nodded vehemently. ”Itʼs ridiculous. And everyone acts like heʼs some kind of genius... Though I suppose itʼs logical he needs those things with such a miserable beast.”

”Well,” Astor commented cautiously, ”his methods may be... unconventional, but his results are undeniable.”

The look Klein shot him could have melted metal. ”Now you too?”

”Iʼm just pointing out facts,” Astor defended himself, raising his hands slightly. ”I didnʼt say I liked him.”

”The problem isnʼt him,” Feng intervened. ”The problem is that we arenʼt progressing as quickly as we should.”

Klein couldnʼt deny it, though it pained him to admit it. He was close to reaching Bronze rank, yes, but the pace was too slow for Goldcrest standards. Especially with Kassian breathing down his neck, waiting for any mistake to remind him of his inadequacy.

”At least Astor has already evolved... Thatʼs something.”

Jin, Kai, and Cass exchanged uncomfortable glances. None of the three had advanced significantly in their cultivation in the last few days. Not since...

”I still think we should try it,” Cass murmured, her fingers nervously braiding a loose thread from her sleeve.

”Try what?” Jin asked, though by Kaiʼs expression, he already suspected the answer.

”Move up to Bronze,” Cass responded, confirming his suspicions. ”Even though the fungus said we were cultivating wrong, are we going to listen to him?”

”No, heʼs definitely just jealous of our beasts!” Jin snapped, though his tone betrayed his insecurity. ”Heʼs just trying to confuse us.”

”If youʼre not going to listen to him... Then explain why youʼve paused your tigerʼs cultivation for days,” Feng challenged. ”Youʼre suffering here because of a commonerʼs words... Meanwhile, look at them.”

They all looked toward the forward carriage, where a new wave of laughter resonated. It was as if they were on a completely different journey.

♢♢♢♢

”...and then my father said it was the first time heʼd seen anyone use a turtle shell as an improvised dress!” Min concluded his story, prompting another round of laughter that echoed against the carriage walls.

”That canʼt be true!” Mira exclaimed between laughs, her eyes shining with contained tears.

”I swear on my snake,” Min solemnly raised his hand, his water serpent lowering its head in sadness as its tamer used it as collateral. ”Ask Ren, he knows how to distinguish the truth.”

All eyes turned to Ren, who was calmly carving a small piece of chitinous skeleton with his new dagger, the fine shavings collecting in a neat pile at his feet.

”Itʼs true,” he confirmed, his mushrooms pulsing with amusement. ”Though the turtle probably wasnʼt very happy.”

Another wave of laughter shook the carriage, making it seem to vibrate with their mirth.

”What are you making?” Han asked, observing Renʼs meticulous work, leaning in for a better view.

”A copy of Zhaoʼs feathers,” Ren responded. ”To have options in case I donʼt learn to use my arrows in time.”

”Always working,” Larissa commented with a playful smile. ”Arenʼt you going to enjoy the journey?”

”This is enjoyable too,” Ren responded simply, his mushrooms pulsing peacefully. ”Iʼve already lived my whole life with a direct view of the outskirts, plus... I like creating useful things.”

”Speaking of useful things,” Taro intervened, ”did anyone else notice how quiet Kleinʼs group is today?”

”Hard not to notice,” Luna commented, trying to appear cool although her smile betrayed her childish joy. ”Usually Jin doesnʼt miss an opportunity to mock someone.”

”They have more important things to worry about,” Liora observed softly. ”I heard from the director that Kassian has been applying a lot of pressure lately.”

”Kassian?” Min asked, tilting his head in curiosity.

”Kleinʼs older brother. A real charmer,” Larissa responded with evident sarcasm. ”Imagine Klein, but with twice the size, arrogance, and no sense of humor.”

”Sounds terrible,” Han grimaced, his shoulders tensing at the mere description.

”He is,” Larissa confirmed. ”Plus, Klein has to gather enough materials to uphold his familyʼs reputation. The Goldcrests donʼt accept mediocrity.”

”No noble family does,” Liora murmured, almost to herself, her fingers tracing an invisible pattern on her knee.

There was a moment of silence as everyone processed the comment, the weight of unspoken expectations hanging in the air.

”Well,” Taro finally intervened, ”at least we have the gathering expert.” He pointed toward Ren with a smile. ”Right, Ren?”

”Iʼm not an expert,” Ren modestly denied. ”Iʼm just... observant.”

”Observant?” Min burst out laughing. ”Last time you identified more veins in an hour than the rest of us did all day.”

”Very observant...”

”Look,” Lin intervened from her seat at the front. ”Weʼre almost there.”

The carriage began to slow down as they approached a small rest station, the wooden structure appearing on the horizon.

”Remember,” Lin added with an enigmatic smile, ”pay attention to everything Ren shows you. You might learn something valuable.”

”Even you admit to learning from him?” Larissa asked with feigned surprise, her eyebrows arching dramatically.

”A good teacher knows when to become a student,” Lin responded simply, though her eyes shone with something akin to pride as she looked at Ren.