I Acquired The Insect Evolution System

The roar of the crowd still echoed in Kai's ears as he stood in the center of the arena, sweat dripping from his brow and his chest heaving from exertion. Despite the overwhelming noise, the only thing he could focus on was his team—Tiny, Stinger, and Glow—all gathered around him, their movements synchronized with his own breath.

Tiny clicked its mandibles proudly, standing tall despite the cracks on its exoskeleton. Stinger buzzed in sharp, celebratory arcs, its wings vibrating with energy, while Glow hovered closer to Kai, its golden light pulsing in a soft, steady rhythm.

The moment felt surreal. Just days ago, he'd been treated as a walking joke—a tamer with nothing but "bugs." And now, he'd beaten Darius, a Level 8 tamer with a beast that had dominated dozens of matches before this one.

The weight of what he'd accomplished started to sink in.

"You… you actually did it," Darius muttered, his voice barely audible over the noise. His Steelclaw Panther lay slumped on the ground behind him, still conscious but unable to move, its energy drained from the fight. Darius knelt beside his beast, his expression a mixture of disbelief and frustration.

Kai glanced at him, his grin returning. "Told you not to underestimate us."

Darius's mouth opened as if to retort, but he closed it again, shaking his head. Instead, he stood up, brushing the dust off his uniform. He extended a hand toward Kai.

"You earned it," he admitted grudgingly. "Good fight."

Kai blinked, surprised by the gesture. For a moment, he hesitated, then clasped Darius's hand firmly. "Thanks. You're tough as hell too."

The crowd's cheers began to die down as the next match was announced, but the murmurs and whispers continued. Kai could feel the weight of dozens of eyes on him as he walked out of the arena with his team.

For the first time, he wasn't being ignored or ridiculed. They were watching him. They were *noticing* him.

---

Back in the waiting area, Kai leaned against the cool stone wall, letting out a long sigh. His body still ached from the intensity of the battle, but the adrenaline coursing through his veins made it hard to relax.

"Not bad," a familiar voice said, cutting through his thoughts.

Kai's eyes snapped open, and he turned to see Lila Vermise standing a few feet away. She was as poised and composed as ever, her emerald-green uniform immaculate and her silver hair shimmering under the soft lighting. Aetheris, her **Celestial Sky Serpent**, hovered behind her like a silent sentinel, its golden eyes watching him intently.

Kai straightened, forcing himself to meet her gaze. "Lila."

She smirked faintly, crossing her arms. "You've caused quite a stir. Beating Darius like that—it's impressive. I almost didn't believe it when I heard."

Kai shrugged, trying to appear nonchalant. "We got lucky."

"Hmm." Lila tilted her head, her piercing green eyes narrowing slightly. "Luck had nothing to do with it. You're better than I thought, Kai. Smarter, too. But don't let it go to your head."

Kai raised an eyebrow. "And why's that?"

"Because the higher you climb," she said, her tone cool but deliberate, "the harder the fall."

Kai's fists clenched at his sides, but he forced himself to stay calm. "Guess I'll just have to make sure I don't fall, then."

Lila's smirk widened slightly, as if she found his defiance amusing. "We'll see. Keep it up, and you might even earn a spot in the Dominion Trials. But don't get too comfortable—there are plenty of people here who'd love to knock you back down."

With that, she turned and walked away, Aetheris gliding silently behind her.

Kai watched her go, his jaw tightening. Her words weren't a threat exactly, but they carried a weight that lingered in the air long after she was gone.

---

Later that evening, Kai sat on the edge of his bed in the dorms, staring at the system interface hovering in front of him.

---

#### **[System Interface – Kai Anther]**

**Name**: Kai Anther

**Title**: Challenger of Titans, Insect Tamer (Beginner)

**Level**: 7 (EXP: 2,100/4,000)

**Beast Taming Points (BTP)**: 1,200

**Gold Coins**: 2,500

---

The battle against Darius had earned him a significant amount of experience and rewards, but it wasn't enough. Not yet.

He knew that this victory had painted a target on his back. Other students would come for him now—those who wanted to test their strength, those who wanted to prove that his win had been a fluke, and perhaps even those who simply didn't like the idea of an "insect tamer" rising through the ranks.

And then there was Lila.

Kai had no illusions about where he stood compared to her. She was still miles ahead of him in terms of power, skill, and reputation. But for the first time, he felt like their gap wasn't insurmountable.

"We're getting there," he said quietly, glancing at Tiny, Stinger, and Glow. "Step by step."

Tiny clicked its mandibles softly, as if in agreement. Stinger buzzed in short, sharp bursts, and Glow pulsed faintly, its golden light casting a warm glow over the room.

Kai smiled, his determination hardening into resolve.

---

Over the next few days, the academy buzzed with talk of Kai's victory. His name was mentioned in hushed whispers and casual conversations, his reputation growing with each passing day.

But not everyone was pleased.

On the outskirts of the training grounds, Ander Slate leaned against a tree, his arms crossed as he watched Kai from a distance. His dark eyes glinted with something between curiosity and disdain, and the faintest of smirks played on his lips.

"So the bug boy thinks he's hot stuff now," Ander muttered to himself.

Beside him, his **Shadowfang Drake** growled lowly, its sleek, black-scaled body coiled tightly like a spring ready to snap. Its violet eyes glowed faintly in the dim light, and its forked tongue flicked out to taste the air.

Ander pushed off the tree, his smirk widening. "Guess it's time to remind him how far he's got to go."

---

The stage was being set for Kai's next challenge, the murmurs of confrontation growing louder with each passing day. Ander Slate, one of the academy's most notorious tamers, had taken notice of the rising "bug tamer."

And unlike Darius, Ander wasn't just looking to win. He was looking to make a statement.