I Acquired The Insect Evolution System

‎

‎The afternoon sun bathed the sprawling campus of Beast Dominion Academy in a warm golden glow. Kai trudged along the cobblestone pathway leading to his next class, his satchel slung lazily over one shoulder. Tiny crawled beside him, its armored body clicking softly against the stones, while Stinger buzzed in lazy circles above his head. Glow perched on his shoulder, its light dimmed to a faint shimmer, almost comforting in its warmth.

‎

‎Kai sighed, his thoughts still lingering on the morning's lecture. Professor Duskshade's words echoed in his mind, sharp and unyielding: *"Actions always have consequences."* 

‎

‎"Yeah, yeah, I get it," he muttered under his breath. "But it's not like I had much of a choice, did I?" 

‎

‎Forced evolution had saved him in the underground tournament, but the cost of his decision weighed heavily on him. He'd sacrificed his own progress for Tiny's transformation, and although it had paid off, the stigma of using such a controversial technique gnawed at him. It wasn't just about the academy's rules—it was about the judgment of his peers, the whispers behind his back, the doubt in his own heart. 

‎

‎Tiny clicked its mandibles, a soft, rhythmic sound that almost seemed reassuring. Kai glanced down at his partner, a small smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "You're not worried, are you? Guess I should take a page out of your book, huh?" 

‎

‎Tiny didn't respond, of course, but its steady presence was enough to calm Kai's restless thoughts. 

‎

‎---

‎

‎The lecture hall for his next class was tucked away in one of the older wings of the academy, its stone walls covered in climbing ivy and its tall windows casting long shadows across the polished wooden floors. The room was already filling up when Kai arrived, and he quickly sought out a seat near the back, where he could avoid drawing too much attention. 

‎

‎The subject this time was *Tactical Beast Deployment*, a far cry from the dry ethics lecture earlier that morning. Professor Reeve Ironclaw, a burly man with a booming voice and the demeanor of a battle-hardened general, stood at the front of the room, his arms crossed over his broad chest. 

‎

‎"Alright, listen up!" Reeve barked, his voice cutting through the chatter like a whip. "Today, we're talking about battlefield positioning and resource management. You can have the most powerful beast in the world, but if you don't know how to use it effectively, you might as well be throwing rocks at your enemies." 

‎

‎Kai straightened in his seat, his interest piqued. This was more his speed. Strategy, tactics, outsmarting opponents—these were things he excelled at. It wasn't about raw power; it was about making the right moves at the right time. 

‎

‎Professor Reeve gestured to a large map projected onto the wall behind him. It depicted a sprawling battlefield, complete with forests, rivers, and rocky outcroppings. "Let's say you're up against a team of heavy-hitters—beasts with overwhelming strength and durability. What's your play? Do you charge in head-on and hope for the best? Or do you use the terrain to your advantage, wear them down, and strike when the time is right?" 

‎

‎Kai leaned forward, his mind already working through the scenario. He could almost hear the system's voice chiming in with sarcastic commentary, but for once, it stayed silent, letting him focus. 

‎

‎The professor's gaze swept across the room, landing on Kai. A grin tugged at the corner of his lips as he pointed a finger at him. "Mr. Anther! You've been awfully quiet back there. Care to enlighten us?" 

‎

‎Kai blinked, taken off guard. He could feel the eyes of his classmates turning toward him, some curious, others amused. Arden, seated a few rows ahead, smirked and leaned back in his chair, clearly enjoying the show. 

‎

‎Kai cleared his throat, sitting up straighter. "Well, it depends on what you're working with," he began, his voice steady despite the attention. "If you've got fast, agile beasts, you'd want to use hit-and-run tactics. Draw the enemy into uneven terrain where their size and strength work against them. But if you're working with ranged or support beasts, you'd want to control the high ground and force the enemy to come to you." 

‎

‎Professor Reeve nodded, his expression thoughtful. "And what if your beasts are neither fast nor ranged? What if you're stuck with, say, a bunch of ants?" 

‎

‎A ripple of laughter passed through the room, and Kai felt his cheeks flush. He forced a grin, leaning back in his chair. "Then you get creative. Ants work best in numbers, so you'd want to use swarm tactics. Surround the enemy, cut off their escape routes, and overwhelm them with sheer coordination. It's not about strength—it's about strategy." 

‎

‎The professor's grin widened. "Not bad, bug boy. Not bad at all." 

‎

‎Kai relaxed, the tension in his shoulders easing. The laughter had died down, replaced by a few murmurs of approval. Even Arden's smirk had faded, replaced by a faint frown. 

‎

‎---

‎

‎As the class continued, Kai found himself growing more engaged. Professor Reeve's lessons were practical, his examples drawn from real battles and scenarios. It wasn't just theory—it was the kind of knowledge that could mean the difference between victory and defeat in the field. 

‎

‎By the time the lecture ended, Kai felt a renewed sense of purpose. He might be an underdog, but he had something his rivals didn't—a system that rewarded creativity, adaptability, and determination. 

‎

‎As he packed up his things, Lila Vermise approached him, her expression unreadable. The academy's top student rarely interacted with him, but when she did, it was usually to deliver some kind of cutting remark. 

‎

‎"So," she said, crossing her arms. "Swarm tactics, huh? I guess that explains how you managed to beat Victor in the tournament." 

‎

‎Kai shrugged, slinging his satchel over his shoulder. "What can I say? Bugs get the job done." 

‎

‎Lila's lips twitched, as if she was trying not to smile. "Don't get cocky, Anther. You're still a long way from the top." 

‎

‎Kai chuckled, his confidence returning. "Maybe. But I'm closer than you think." 

‎

‎---

‎

‎As he left the lecture hall, Kai's thoughts turned to Glow. The Luminous Silk Moth fluttered beside him, its light brightening slightly in response to his attention. It wasn't just a companion—it was a symbol of his potential, his ability to take the smallest, most overlooked creatures and turn them into something extraordinary. 

‎

‎He paused, glancing down at Tiny, who clicked its mandibles in quiet support. Stinger buzzed around him, its energy infectious. 

‎

‎"Alright, team," Kai said, a grin spreading across his face. "Let's show them what we're made of." 

‎

‎

‎No matter what the academy threw at him, he'd face it head-on—and he'd come out stronger. 

‎

‎