I Acquired The Insect Evolution System

‎

‎Kai emerged from the shadowy depths of the **Deepwood Grove**, the dense, oppressive forest gradually giving way to the more familiar sights and sounds of the academy's outskirts. The towering walls of **Beast Dominion Academy** loomed on the horizon, their polished stone glinting faintly in the late afternoon sun. The journey back had been long and uneventful—thankfully so, considering the harrowing battles he and his team had endured in the grove.

‎

‎Tiny, now an imposing **Fortress Ant**, marched beside him like a hulking sentinel, its polished metallic exoskeleton gleaming with newfound strength. Stinger, his newly evolved **Blitz Hornet**, buzzed overhead, darting between trees with a speed that left faint distortions in the air. Glow, the ever-steady **Luminous Silk Moth**, perched quietly on Kai's shoulder, its golden light flickering faintly as it rested.

‎

‎"Home sweet home," Kai muttered, adjusting the strap of his satchel and glancing back at his team. "I don't know about you guys, but I'm ready for a hot meal and a soft bed."

‎

‎Tiny clicked its mandibles in agreement, while Stinger buzzed a sharp, affirmative note. Glow shimmered faintly, as if to echo their sentiments. 

‎

‎But even as Kai approached the academy gates, a sense of unease lingered in the back of his mind. The **Verdant Core** and other spoils of his adventure weighed heavily in his satchel, each one a symbol of the dangers he'd faced—and the even greater challenges yet to come. 

‎

‎---

‎

‎

‎The academy's towering gates were as imposing as ever, their intricate carvings of mythical beasts glinting in the sunlight. Two guards stood at their posts, clad in polished armor and armed with gleaming halberds. Upon seeing Kai approach, one of the guards—a grizzled man with a scar running down his cheek—raised an eyebrow.

‎

‎"Back already?" the guard asked, his tone laced with skepticism. "Didn't think we'd see you again so soon, bug boy."

‎

‎Kai smirked, unfazed by the jab. "What can I say? The Wild Zone's full of surprises. Figured I'd bring a few back with me."

‎

‎The second guard, a younger recruit with a nervous disposition, eyed Tiny warily. "Is… is that thing bigger than it was before?" he stammered, his gaze shifting to the massive Fortress Ant.

‎

‎Kai patted Tiny's side, his grin widening. "Oh, you noticed? Tiny's been hitting the gym. You should see what he can do now."

‎

‎The older guard let out a low whistle. "Well, whatever you've been up to out there, you'd better hope the professors don't catch wind of it. You know how they feel about students wandering off into restricted zones."

‎

‎Kai shrugged, slipping past the gates with an air of nonchalance. "What they don't know won't hurt them. Later, fellas."

### **Inside the Academy the familiar hustle and bustle of academy life greeted Kai as he stepped onto the sprawling campus. Students in crisp uniforms milled about, some chatting animatedly in small groups while others practiced with their beasts in the open training fields. The air was filled with the sounds of roaring dragons, chirping griffins, and the occasional thunderous howl of a **Storm Wolf**. 

‎

‎As Kai made his way toward the dormitories, a few passing students turned to stare, their eyes widening as they caught sight of Tiny and Stinger. 

‎

‎"Is that… a Fortress Ant?" one student muttered, his tone incredulous. 

‎"Look at the size of that thing!" another whispered. "And is that a Blitz Hornet? How did he manage to evolve them?" 

‎

‎Kai could feel their gazes boring into him, a mixture of disbelief, curiosity, and—most satisfyingly—a hint of envy. He smirked to himself, his stride gaining a touch of swagger. 

‎

‎"Hey, bug boy!" 

‎

‎The familiar, mocking voice stopped Kai in his tracks. He turned to see **Arden Stormfang**, his self-proclaimed rival, striding toward him with his usual air of arrogance. The tall, broad-shouldered student was flanked by his ever-loyal **Thunder Wolf**, its electric-blue fur crackling faintly with static. 

‎

‎Arden's smirk widened as he approached, his piercing green eyes locking onto Kai. "What'd you do this time? Finally evolve that ant of yours into something halfway useful?" 

‎

‎Kai crossed his arms, meeting Arden's gaze with an unbothered expression. "Halfway useful? Tiny here could take on your overgrown mutt any day of the week." 

‎

‎The Thunder Wolf growled lowly, sparks dancing across its fur, but Arden held up a hand, silencing it. "Big talk, bug boy. But let's see how far that confidence gets you in the next trial." 

‎

‎Kai raised an eyebrow. "Next trial? What are you talking about?" 

‎

‎Arden's smirk deepened. "You really haven't been keeping up, have you? The academy's hosting a special **Beast Taming Exhibition** tomorrow. Top-tier students from every division will be competing to show off their skills. Perfect chance for someone like me to remind everyone why I'm the best." 

‎

‎Kai rubbed his chin thoughtfully, a slow grin spreading across his face. "A chance to show off, huh? Sounds like fun. Guess I'll have to crash the party." 

‎

‎Arden laughed, a sharp, derisive sound. "You? Compete with the elites? Don't make me laugh. Insects don't belong in the spotlight." 

‎

‎Kai's grin didn't falter. "We'll see about that. I'll make sure to save you a front-row seat—so you can watch Tiny and Stinger wipe the floor with your wolf." 

‎

‎Arden's smirk faltered for a split second, but he quickly recovered, his tone dripping with sarcasm. "Good luck, bug boy. You'll need it." With that, he turned on his heel and strode away, his Thunder Wolf following closely behind. 

‎

‎Kai watched him go, his fists clenching in determination. "A Beast Taming Exhibition, huh?" he muttered to himself. "Sounds like the perfect stage to show everyone just how strong we've gotten."

‎

‎As kai reached the dormatory he pushed open the door to his dorm room, the familiar, slightly cluttered space greeting him like an old friend. He dropped his satchel onto the desk, sighing in relief as he sank into the creaky wooden chair. 

‎

‎Tiny settled into a corner of the room, its massive frame somehow managing to look both intimidating and relaxed. Stinger perched on the windowsill, its wings folding neatly as it rested. Glow, still perched on Kai's shoulder, fluttered down to land on the desk, its golden light casting a warm glow over the room. 

‎

‎Kai opened his satchel, carefully removing the **Verdant Core**, **Shadowstalker Carapace**, and other spoils from his adventure. Each item seemed to hum faintly with energy, a testament to the challenges he'd overcome to claim them. 

‎

‎The system interface appeared once more, its glowing panels filling Kai's vision. 

‎

‎---

‎

‎**[Inventory Updated:]** 

‎- **Verdant Core**: A rare core infused with the essence of the Verdant Reaper Queen. Can be used to unlock advanced evolution options or craft high-tier equipment. 

‎- **Shadowstalker Carapace (x2)**: A durable material resistant to magic. Ideal for crafting armor or weapons. 

‎- **Silkfang Silk (x3)**: A lightweight, flexible material. Can be used to create traps or lightweight gear. 

‎

‎---

‎

‎Kai's eyes lingered on the **Verdant Core**, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "This is going to come in handy. Just need to figure out how to use it." 

‎

‎The system chimed softly. 

‎

‎---

‎

‎[New Quest Available: Prepare for the Exhibition]

‎**Objective:

‎- Enhance your bonded beasts using the materials collected in the Wild Zone. 

‎- Train for the upcoming Beast Taming Exhibition. 

‎

‎**Rewards:** 

‎- 500 Beast Taming Points (BTP) 

‎- New Skill: Tactical Coordination 

‎

‎[Tip: Visit the academy's crafting hall to unlock new equipment and upgrades for your beasts.]

‎

‎---

‎

‎Kai stretched, his determination renewed. "Looks like we've got some work to do, team. Let's gear up and make sure we're ready to steal the show tomorrow."

‎

‎Tiny clicked its mandibles, Stinger buzzed excitedly, and Glow shimmered with quiet confidence.