I Acquired The Insect Evolution System

The academy grounds stretched out before Kai Anther like a battlefield waiting to be conquered. The setting sun bathed the towering spires and lush greenery in shades of amber and crimson, but Kai wasn't paying attention to the beauty of his surroundings. His focus lay solely on the path ahead—the path to proving himself.

Kai sat cross-legged in the academy's eastern training grounds, his back leaning against a battered wooden post. Around him, the faint hum of his insects filled the air, their presence a constant source of calm amidst the chaos of his thoughts.

Tiny, his **Fortress Ant**, stood beside him, its armored form gleaming faintly in the fading light. Stinger, his **Blitz Hornet**, darted through the air in lazy arcs, while Glow, his **Luminous Silk Moth**, perched on his shoulder, its golden light dimmed to a soft glow.

He glanced at his system interface, the floating text only visible to him.

---

#### **[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)*

---

Kai frowned, his eyes lingering on the glaring gap between his **Level 7** and the academy's top students. Most of them had already reached **Level 9**, and some, like *her*, were at **Level 10**.

Lila Vermise.

The name popped into his mind unbidden. He shook his head, trying to push the thought away, but her image remained. Her sharp green eyes, her confident smirk, the way she carried herself as though she were untouchable—it all made his blood boil. Not because he hated her, but because he knew she was right.

Right now, she *was* untouchable.

Kai clenched his fists, his jaw tightening.

"Not for long," he muttered under his breath.

---

The training grounds were quiet, most students having left for the day. It was the perfect time for Kai to focus on what mattered most—getting stronger.

"Alright, team," he said, pushing himself to his feet. "Let's get to work."

Tiny clicked its mandibles in agreement, its massive frame shifting into a ready stance. Stinger buzzed down from above, its wings a blur of motion, while Glow fluttered to a nearby post, its light intensifying slightly.

Kai turned to face the training dummies lined up along the far side of the grounds. They were enchanted to withstand even the most powerful attacks, making them ideal for practice.

"Tiny, start us off. Let's see that **Iron Bulwark** in action."

The **Fortress Ant** charged forward, its heavy legs thudding against the ground. As it neared the first dummy, its armor began to shimmer faintly, a metallic sheen spreading across its body. The dummy's enchanted spikes lashed out, but Tiny didn't flinch. The attacks bounced harmlessly off its hardened exoskeleton as it barreled into the dummy, sending it toppling over with a powerful strike.

"Nice!" Kai called out, grinning. "Keep that up, and no one's getting through you."

Tiny clicked its mandibles proudly, retreating back to Kai's side.

"Alright, Stinger, you're up. Let's work on your **Blitz Dive**."

The **Blitz Hornet** shot into the air, its body a blur as it ascended higher and higher. Then, with a sudden burst of speed, it dove toward the second dummy, its stinger glowing faintly with energy. The impact sent a crack rippling through the enchanted wood, and Stinger buzzed back to Kai's shoulder, its wings vibrating with excitement.

"Perfect precision," Kai said, nodding in approval. "But let's try to work on your follow-through. That dive is great for starting a fight, but we need to make sure you can keep up the pressure afterward."

Stinger buzzed in agreement, its wings humming steadily.

"Glow, your turn," Kai said, turning to the **Luminous Silk Moth**.

Glow fluttered forward, its golden light intensifying as it activated its **Luminous Shield**. A faint barrier of light surrounded the moth, shimmering like a protective bubble. Kai stepped forward, tapping the barrier experimentally. It held firm under his touch, its surface warm but unyielding.

"Good," he said, his smile softening. "You're getting stronger, too."

Glow's wings fluttered happily, its light pulsing in response.

---

As the training session continued, Kai's thoughts drifted back to the underground tournament. His victory against Victor had been a turning point, a moment that had earned him a sliver of respect among his peers. But it wasn't enough.

Not yet.

He thought about the academy's hierarchy, the students who stood at the top—the ones like Arden, Victor, and, of course, Lila Vermise.

He thought about their beasts, their power, their confidence.

And he thought about how satisfying it would be to surpass them.

But he wasn't just doing this for himself.

Kai glanced at Tiny, Stinger, and Glow, his expression softening. They had placed their trust in him, and he wasn't going to let them down.

"Alright, team," he said, his voice steady. "We've got a long way to go, but I know we can do this. Together."

Tiny clicked its mandibles, Stinger buzzed, and Glow's light pulsed in unison.