Beast Tamer: I Can See Evolution Paths

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Boom! Boom! Boom!

Each fireball was nearly half the size of Little Raven's body.

Little Raven rolled and darted, narrowly dodging as each fireball hit the ground, leaving a scorched pit.

The power was obvious.

Just as Little Raven managed to avoid the fireballs, Little Fire Fox launched another attack.

"Fire Blast!"

Little Fire Fox took a confident step forward, lifting its head with pride. Flames surged from its open mouth, sweeping toward Little Raven.

Little Raven, scrambling to evade, had no time to track Little Fire Fox's movements and was soon engulfed in the searing flames.

It couldn't even cry out.

But its painful expression said it all. Finally, Little Raven collapsed, completely exhausted, unable to continue.

The referee made the call without hesitation.

"One side has lost combat capability. Little Fire Fox wins."

As the flames around Little Raven faded, Asher hurried over, gently cupping the weakened Little Raven in his hands. "Little Raven."

In response, Little Raven gave a faint flutter of its wings, weakly patting Asher's palm.

'No need to worry. I'm alive. Just… give me a minute.'

Little Raven lay there, feigning death.

Asher couldn't help but laugh.

After a careful inspection, he was relieved to find that while Little Raven's feathers were slightly singed, there were no serious injuries.

Thank goodness.

On the other side, Little Fire Fox raised its head with pride, letting out a victorious "yip." and strutting back to June with an unmistakable look of "Praise me, please."

"Don't get too cocky " June chuckled, crouching down to give Little Fire Fox's head a rough pat.

Just before Little Fire Fox could protest, June scooped it up and approached Asher.

"Is Little Raven okay? Should we go to the service center to get its injuries treated?" June offered. "Little Raven was amazing. It really put the pressure on Little Fire Fox at the start."

"Yip yip!" Little Fire Fox let out a disgruntled yip, 'Why bring up the embarrassing part?'

'Didn't I win in the end?'

June ruffled Little Fire Fox's head again, not letting it get away with sulking. "Have you looked at your own level? And Little Raven's? Plus, this was Little Raven's first battle. Losing is only natural."

Little Fire Fox, still a little huffy, turned its head away from June, focusing intently on Asher's cupped hands instead.

Ivy stepped forward, gently petting Little Fire Fox's head. "You did amazing, Little Fire Fox. You deserve the praise. But Little Raven was impressive too, wasn't it?"

Little Fire Fox leaned into Ivy's hand, finally letting out a contented sigh.

"Yip yip~"

'Amazing, sure. But still no match for me.'

At that sound, Little Raven, who had been quietly playing dead in Asher's hand, suddenly perked up.

Sensing its movement, Asher quickly enclosed Little Raven a bit tighter in his hands, preventing it from launching itself back at Little Fire Fox for a rematch.

Even with Asher's grip, Little Raven still struggled, flapping its wings insistently.

If only Little Raven could talk, Asher felt sure it'd be spewing all sorts of complaints.

'Say what? What did that big-tailed fox just say?'

Little Raven fixed its intense gaze on Little Fire Fox, its beady eyes gleaming with a serious glint.

Little Fire Fox froze, feeling like it was being stared down by some fierce predator.

June looked down at Little Fire Fox, puzzled.

Asher gently stroked Little Raven, soothing it. "Alright, alright, let's not hold grudges. Let's head to the service center and get patched up, okay?"

Of course, the Battle Center had a treatment station nearby, equipped with the latest medical equipment. Even if a beast was severely injured, the center's technology could bring it back from the brink.

For minor injuries like Little Raven and Little Fire Fox's, recovery would be quick and easy.

After a bit more gentle coaxing, Little Raven finally withdrew its glare, and Little Fire Fox, feeling less threatened, gradually relaxed.

June and Ivy led the way, guiding Asher to the treatment station.

The crowd that had gathered to watch the match looked after them with a mix of surprise, confusion, and an odd sense of disappointment.

It was just so unexpected.

Each twist in the battle had them holding their breath.

First, everyone thought the Oriental Peacock was doomed. But then, it displayed what seemed like a unique mutation.

Then, they thought the Oriental Peacock had the upper hand, only for Little Fire Fox to seize control in a relentless counterattack.

They'd watched, deeply invested in the outcome.

But just as quickly as it ended, the contestants left without a word.

What were they supposed to do now? Were they just… spectators in some couple's bonding time?

"...Alright, show's over. Maybe they're just a pair of lovebirds spicing things up with a friendly battle."

Heartbroken single spectators grew even more heartbroken.

So they'd just been background props for a couple's bonding moment?

———

The treatment process was simple.

It was like putting an pizza in a oven.

Open, place inside, close.

Three minutes later, they emerged fully healed.

Little Raven and Little Fire Fox's injuries were completely gone.

The costs were reasonable as well. Since this was a licensed Battle Center with a standard subsidy, the fee for contracted beasts came to two hundred for Asher and five hundred for June.

"Why did I pay more?" June asked, baffled.

Not that she minded the money.

"Usually, the fee is based on injury severity, right? Little Fire Fox won, so its injuries should be lighter than Little Raven's."

The staff member operating the machine pointed to the display screen above.

"It shows that treating Little Fire Fox used more energy, so it costs slightly more."

As for why the winner's treatment required more energy… don't ask him; he's just an operator.

June looked at Little Raven, who was now standing sulkily in Asher's hand, with a mixture of curiosity and puzzlement.

Asher also felt a bit helpless.

Compared to its minor physical injuries, it was clear that losing had taken a toll on Little Raven's pride.

Especially since Little Raven had such a proud nature.

Asher sighed, lightly patting the tuft on top of Little Raven's head. "You did far better than I'd expected, Little Raven."

Asher said softly.

Thanks to his special ability, Little Raven looked up, its eyes widening in surprise.

It tilted its head, the dark orbs in its eyes glimmering slightly.

'Did… did I really do well? If I were really strong, I wouldn't have lost.'

Somehow, Asher always seemed to understand what it was thinking.

"No, Little Raven. Part of the loss is on me," Asher said with a smile, calmly analyzing the battle. "When you were attacked, I didn't think to tell you to use Guardian Heart right away. That was my mistake."

He felt a twinge of regret.

It turns out real battles were a lot different from games or the theory he'd read.

Unlike turn-based games, real battles didn't have an orderly one move, then the other. An opponent wouldn't stand there, waiting for you to make your move.

In battle, it was all about seizing the advantage.

The moment Little Raven began to lose ground to the fireballs and then fell under the Fire Blast, only about thirty seconds had passed.

In that brief moment, Asher, more of a theory buff than an experienced battler, couldn't react fast enough. June had capitalized on his inexperience, securing her victory.

This battle had revealed Asher's limitations.

His lack of experience in actual combat meant his reactions were a step behind real-time combat demands.

"Will you forgive me, Little Raven?" Asher looked down at it with genuine remorse. "I promise I'll do better next time. I won't let you down again."

Little Raven: 0v0

Little Raven felt like something was off, but then again… maybe it wasn't?

'Well…'

Little Raven hopped up onto Asher's shoulder, nuzzling against the hollow of his collarbone.

Nestle nestle~

'Alright, you're forgiven.'

Next time, let's give it our all and beat that big-tailed fox.

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