I Acquired The Insect Evolution System

‎Kai trudged through the bustling marketplace of the academy, his satchel noticeably lighter after the tournament rewards had been deposited safely inside. The cheers of the arena were still fresh in his ears, but now, reality was setting in. His goal to save up for future upgrades and enhancements had hit a significant snag. That snag? A certain Professor Elara Forgewell and her steep interest rates.

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‎Kai sighed, shaking his head. "Two thousand gold coins… Two thousand! That's half my winnings! She called it 'interest.' I call it daylight robbery."

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‎Tiny, perched on his shoulder in its reduced size, clicked its mandibles sympathetically. Stinger buzzed above his head, clearly amused by Kai's grumbling, while Glow fluttered lazily at his side, its light pulsing faintly like it was chuckling along with Stinger.

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‎"Laugh it up, guys," Kai muttered, glaring at Stinger. "I'm practically broke again, and you're having a party."

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‎As he approached the Crafting Hall, the familiar sight of its grand dome and the ever-present smell of molten metal greeted him. The rhythmic clang of hammers and the hum of arcane machinery filled the air. Inside, students and staff bustled about, crafting, inscribing, and fortifying their beasts' equipment. But Kai had only one goal today: pay his debt and retrieve the Verdant Core that he had so reluctantly handed over as collateral.

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‎Elara Forgewell was, as always, perched behind her counter, her sharp eyes scanning the room like a hawk. The moment she spotted Kai, a sly grin spread across her face.

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‎"Well, well, if it isn't my favorite bug boy," she said, leaning forward and resting her elbows on the polished wood. "Come to settle your little debt, have you?"

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‎Kai's eyebrow twitched. "Little debt? Two thousand coins isn't exactly little, Professor."

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‎Elara chuckled, clearly enjoying his misery. "Oh, don't be so dramatic. You won the tournament, didn't you? Consider it a small price to pay for the upgrades that helped you get there."

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‎Kai groaned, reaching into his satchel and pulling out a hefty pouch of gold coins. The weight of it made his heart ache, but he slammed it onto the counter with as much dignity as he could muster. "There. Two thousand gold coins. Paid in full."

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‎Elara raised an eyebrow, taking the pouch and weighing it in her hand. Satisfied, she nodded and reached beneath the counter, producing a familiar glowing orb—the Verdant Core. She placed it on the counter with a flourish.

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‎"And here's your precious Verdant Core," she said, smirking. "I have to admit, I was tempted to keep it. It's a rare find, you know."

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‎Kai snatched the core and held it tightly, as if afraid she might change her mind. "Yeah, well, it's mine. And I'll make sure it's put to good use."

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‎Elara tilted her head, her grin widening. "Oh, I'm sure you will. But, Kai—"

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‎Kai paused, narrowing his eyes suspiciously. "What?"

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‎"You've got potential, kid. Don't let the gold loss get you down. Keep your head up, and you might just make a name for yourself in this world." For a moment, her tone softened, and the teasing edge disappeared, replaced by a rare sincerity.

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‎Kai blinked, caught off guard. "Uh… thanks, I guess."

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‎Elara leaned back, her smirk returning. "Now go on, bug boy. You've got a long road ahead."

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‎As Kai left the Crafting Hall, he couldn't help but feel a mix of relief and frustration. Relieved that the debt was finally paid and the Verdant Core was back in his possession, but frustrated that his wealth had been cut in half so quickly. He glanced at Tiny, who clicked its mandibles curiously.

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‎"Don't look at me like that," Kai muttered. "We'll make it back. Somehow."

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‎The system chimed softly in his mind, and a faintly sarcastic voice filled his thoughts. **"Poor little tamer, mourning his lost riches. Shall I remind you that money is a material object, easily replaced with effort and strategy?"**

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‎Kai rolled his eyes. "Thanks for the pep talk, system. Real helpful."

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‎**"You're welcome,"** the system replied, its tone smug. **"But if you're done sulking, I suggest you focus on preparing for the next challenge. The Academy Trials is fast approaching, and your reputation will be on the line."**

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‎Kai sighed, nodding. "Yeah, I know. No time to waste."

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‎As Kai made his way back to the dorms, he decided to stop by the training fields to clear his head. The warm afternoon sun bathed the grassy expanse, and a few students were sparring with their beasts, honing their skills in preparation for the upcoming exhibition. Kai found an empty corner and set his satchel down, pulling out the Verdant Core and holding it up to the light.

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‎"Alright, system," he said quietly. "Show me the details of the Verdant Core. I need to know exactly what I'm working with."

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‎The system's interface appeared before him, the glowing text scrolling across his vision.

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‎**[Verdant Core: Detailed Analysis]** 

‎**Type**: Rare Evolution Resource 

‎**Effect**: Unlocks a unique evolution path for a bonded beast. Significantly enhances the beast's attributes and unlocks new abilities. 

‎**Requirements**: Beast must have reached Level 3 or higher. Evolution compatibility must be confirmed. 

‎**Warning**: Evolution process may require external energy or resources depending on the beast's attributes. 

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‎Kai's eyes narrowed as he absorbed the information. "A unique evolution path, huh? This could be a game-changer. But the question is… who gets it?"

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‎He glanced at his team. Tiny stood proudly, its armored frame reflecting the sunlight like a living fortress. Stinger zipped through the air, its movements a blur of speed and precision. Glow perched on his shoulder, its light soft but steady.

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‎"Tiny's already evolved once, and Stinger's speed is nothing to scoff at," Kai muttered, weighing his options. "Glow's still unbonded, but its potential as a support unit is huge. If I use the Verdant Core on it, I might be able to unlock something incredible."

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‎The system chimed again. **"A wise observation. However, I suggest caution. The Trial is an opportunity to showcase your strength, and a new evolution could tip the scales in your favor—but only if executed correctly."**

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‎Kai nodded slowly, tucking the Verdant Core back into his satchel. "I'll think it over. No rush, right?"

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‎**"Correct. But don't wait too long. Opportunity favors the prepared."**

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‎Kai smirked. "Yeah, yeah. I get it."

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‎Later that evening, as Kai returned to his dorm, he couldn't help but feel a renewed sense of determination. The debt was paid, his beasts was stronger than ever, and the Verdant Core was back in his hands. The road ahead was still uncertain, but one thing was clear: he wasn't going to stop until he reached the top.

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‎As he sat on his bed, reviewing the battle he had in the underground arena, a faint buzz filled the air. Stinger landed on his desk, its wings shimmering faintly. Tiny clicked its mandibles from its spot on the floor, while Glow's light pulsed softly in the corner.

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‎Kai grinned, glancing at his team. "Alright, guys. We've got work to do. Let's show them what an insect tamer can really do."

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‎Tiny clicked. Stinger buzzed. Glow shimmered.

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