MTLNOVEL Chapter 37: Chapter 36:A Glow of Potential
The classroom was a buzz of energy—quite literally in Kai's case, as Stinger hovered above him, its wings emitting a faint hum that matched Kai's restless thoughts. Glow, his **tamed but unbonded** Luminous Silk Moth, perched quietly on the edge of the desk, its golden light dimmed to avoid drawing unwanted attention. Tiny, now a formidable **Fortress Ant**, stood at Kai's feet, its heavy armored frame occasionally clicking against the wooden floor.
Kai leaned back, crossing his arms as Professor Lira Duskshade began her lecture. He didn't much care for the topic this morning (*Beast Taming Ethics and Responsibilities*—ugh), but he wasn't about to skip class for the third time and risk drawing the wrong kind of attention. It was already hard enough keeping his extracurricular activities under wraps.
He let his thoughts wander, his mind replaying the events of the underground tournament. The forced evolution of Tiny still weighed heavily on him. Sacrificing two of his own levels to push his partner to its limits had been a gamble—a costly one. Now he was stuck at **Level 7**, while others who had started at the same time as him were likely pushing **Level 9** or beyond. But the payoff had been worth it. Tiny's transformation into a Fortress Ant had turned the tide of the fight, allowing him to claw his way to victory against overwhelming odds.
Still, that gap in levels gnawed at him. It wasn't just about power—it was about the respect, the recognition that came with being a high-level tamer. And in a school like Beast Dominion Academy, where status was everything, being behind wasn't just a disadvantage—it was practically a death sentence.
The system chimed faintly in his mind, pulling him from his thoughts.
---
### **[System Interface – Kai Anther]**
**Name**: Kai Anther
**Title**: Challenger of Titans, Insect Tamer (Beginner)
**Level**: 7 (EXP: 600/4,000)
**Beast Taming Points (BTP)**: 900
**Gold Coins**: 2,000
---
#### **Skills:**
1. **Swarm Commander (Passive)** – Boosts coordination and effectiveness of all bonded beasts in battle. (+10% speed, damage, and defensive response when commanding multiple insects.)
2. **Luminous Shield (Active)** – Creates a glowing barrier of light that absorbs damage for a short time. *(Cooldown: 5 minutes)*
3. **Pack Tactics (Passive)** – Enhances teamwork among bonded beasts, increasing their synergy and effectiveness during coordinated attacks.
4. **Radiant Flare (Active)** – Releases a blinding flash of light, disorienting nearby enemies and improving visibility in dark environments. *(Cooldown: 3 minutes)*
5. **Iron Resolve (Passive)** – Increases the durability and stamina of all bonded beasts during extended battles.
6. **Beast Synchronization (Passive)** – Allows temporary synchronization between the tamer and bonded beasts, enabling enhanced coordination and shared instincts during battle. *(Cooldown: 1 hour)*
7. **Tactical Coordination (Passive)** – Grants a small boost to reaction time for both tamer and bonded beasts during combat.
8. **Predator's Insight (Active)** – Temporarily reveals the weakness of a targeted enemy beast. *(Cooldown: 10 minutes)*
---
#### **Bonded Beasts:**
1. **Fortress Ant (Tiny)**
- **Level**: 4
- **Condition**: Restored (Armor integrity: 100%)
- **Skills**:
- **Iron Bulwark (Level 1)** – Temporarily grants immunity to all physical attacks for 15 seconds. *(Cooldown: 5 minutes)*
- **Harden (Level 2)** – Temporarily increases durability, reducing incoming damage. *(Cooldown: Ready)*
- **Mandible Strike (Level 1)** – A powerful melee attack using its razor-sharp mandibles. *(Cooldown: Ready)*
- **Acid Spit (Level 2)** – A ranged corrosive attack that melts armor and flesh. *(Cooldown: Ready)*
2. **Blitz Hornet (Stinger)**
- **Level**: 3
- **Condition**: Fully Restored (Speed and stamina at peak)
- **Skills**:
- **Blitz Dive (Level 2)** – A high-speed attack that deals critical damage to a single target. *(Cooldown: 20 seconds)*
- **Poison Sting (Level 2)** – A venomous projectile that weakens enemies over time. *(Cooldown: 10 seconds)*
- **Aerial Dash (Level 2)** – Increases speed and evasion in midair. *(Passive)*
---
#### **Tamed Beasts (Unbonded):**
1. **Luminous Silk Moth (Glow)**
- **Level**: 2
- **Condition**: Fully Restored
- **Skills**:
- **Radiant Flare** – Releases a blinding flash of light, disorienting nearby enemies. *(Cooldown: Ready)*
- **Luminous Shield** – Creates a glowing protective barrier around an ally. *(Cooldown: Ready)*
---
Kai glanced at Glow, its soft golden luminescence a stark contrast to the harsh fluorescent lights of the classroom. It was still unbonded, a tamed creature rather than a true partner. The potential was there—he could feel it—but bonding with Glow would take more than just a command. It required trust, understanding, and a shared purpose. And right now, Kai wasn't sure if he was ready to take that step.
The professor's voice cut through his thoughts like a whip. "Mr. Anther."
Kai snapped to attention, his heart skipping a beat. The entire class had turned to look at him, their expressions ranging from curiosity to outright amusement.
"Yes, Professor?" he said, trying to sound casual.
Professor Duskshade raised an eyebrow, her sharp gaze boring into him. "Perhaps you'd like to share your thoughts on the ethical considerations of forced evolution? Since you seem so engrossed in your own world, I assume you're an expert on the topic."
Kai's stomach dropped. He could practically feel the weight of Tiny's mandibles clicking in disapproval at his feet. Forced evolution was a touchy subject in the Beast Taming Society—a necessary evil in some cases, but one that came with significant risks and moral implications. And considering he had *just* done it during the underground tournament, he wasn't exactly eager to share his experience.
"Well," Kai began, choosing his words carefully, "forced evolution is… a double-edged sword. It can give a tamer the edge they need in a critical moment, but it also puts a lot of strain on the beast. If you're not careful, you could end up doing more harm than good."
Professor Duskshade nodded, her expression unreadable. "A textbook answer. But tell me, Mr. Anther—have you ever used forced evolution yourself?"
The room fell silent. Kai could feel the weight of the question pressing down on him, the eyes of his classmates boring into his back. Lila Vermise, the academy's top student, smirked from her seat near the front, clearly enjoying the spectacle.
"No," Kai lied, forcing a calm smile. "I've never had to."
The professor's gaze lingered on him for a moment longer before she finally turned away. "Very well. But remember, Mr. Anther—actions always have consequences. And those who take shortcuts rarely reach the top."
Kai exhaled slowly, his shoulders relaxing as the tension in the room dissipated. But her words stuck with him, echoing in his mind long after the lecture had moved on.
---
As the class ended and the students filed out, Kai lingered behind, his thoughts racing. He glanced down at Tiny, who clicked its mandibles softly, as if reassuring him. Stinger buzzed above, its movements quick and restless, while Glow's light pulsed faintly, casting soft shadows against the desk.
"Consequences, huh?" Kai muttered, standing up and slinging his satchel over his shoulder. "Guess I've got a lot to think about."
He paused, his gaze lingering on Glow. The unbonded moth had been with him for a while now, its light a constant presence in his life. Maybe it was time to take the next step. Maybe it was time to trust.
"Come on, Glow," he said, his voice soft. "Let's see what we can do together."
Glow's wings fluttered, its light growing brighter as it followed him out of the classroom.