I Acquired The Insect Evolution System

The academy's atmosphere had shifted. Kai could feel it in the way people looked at him now—not with derision, but with curiosity, and for some, outright hostility. His victory over Darius had placed him in the spotlight, a position he wasn't entirely comfortable with.

But then again, comfort had never been part of his journey.

"Hey, Anther!"

Kai paused mid-step, turning toward the source of the voice. A group of students stood clustered near the training grounds, their uniforms unbuttoned and their smirks wide with mockery.

"You think beating Darius makes you special?" one of them sneered, his arms crossed.

Another chimed in, "Yeah, don't get too full of yourself, bug boy. You're still bottom-tier trash to the rest of us."

Kai glanced at them, his expression calm. Tiny stood beside him, its massive frame casting a shadow across the ground, while Stinger hovered above, its wings humming faintly. Glow perched on Kai's shoulder, its golden light pulsing softly.

"Funny," Kai said, his voice even. "I don't remember seeing any of you in the arena."

The lead student's face twisted in anger, but before he could say anything, another voice interrupted.

"Enough."

The group immediately fell silent and parted as Ander Slate stepped forward, his presence commanding. He was tall and broad-shouldered, his dark hair swept back in a way that gave him an air of effortless confidence. His black-and-violet uniform was pristine, the insignia of the academy's elite etched onto his sleeve.

Kai's gaze flicked to the creature at Ander's side—a **Shadowfang Drake**, its sleek black scales shimmering faintly in the sunlight. The beast's violet eyes locked onto Kai with predatory intensity, and its forked tongue flicked out, tasting the air.

Ander's smirk was small but sharp as a blade. "So, you're the one everyone's talking about. The insect tamer who beat Darius. Gotta admit, I'm impressed."

Kai crossed his arms, meeting Ander's gaze without flinching. "And you are?"

The students around Ander gasped, clearly shocked by Kai's lack of reverence. Ander chuckled, his smirk widening. "I'm Ander Slate. But you probably already knew that."

Kai shrugged. "Can't say I did. Should I?"

The crowd murmured, a few students exchanging incredulous looks. Ander's expression didn't falter, but there was a flicker of something cold in his eyes.

"You've got guts, I'll give you that," Ander said, stepping closer. "But let me give you some advice, bug boy. The higher you climb, the harder you fall. And if you keep running that mouth of yours, someone's gonna knock you back down where you belong."

Kai's jaw tightened, but he forced himself to stay calm. "Funny. Lila said something similar. Is that the standard pep talk for you elites, or am I just special?"

Ander's smirk vanished, replaced by a faint scowl. His Shadowfang Drake growled lowly, its violet eyes narrowing.

"Careful, Anther," Ander said, his voice dropping to a dangerous tone. "You don't want to make enemies you can't handle."

Kai's lips curled into a small, defiant grin. "Maybe. But you don't want to underestimate what I can handle."

The tension in the air was palpable, the crowd holding its breath as the two tamers stared each other down. Finally, Ander stepped back, his smirk returning.

"We'll see," he said, turning to leave. "Enjoy your little moment in the spotlight, bug boy. It won't last."

Kai watched him go, his fists clenched at his sides. Tiny clicked its mandibles softly, as if sensing his frustration.

"We'll see," Kai muttered under his breath. "Yeah, we will."

---

The days that followed were a blur of training and preparation. Kai pushed himself and his team harder than ever, knowing that Ander's challenge was inevitable.

Tiny practiced strengthening its **Iron Bulwark**, enduring heavier and faster strikes each time. Stinger honed its precision, diving through narrow gaps and landing pinpoint strikes on moving targets. Glow worked on maintaining its **Luminous Shield** for longer periods, its golden barrier growing brighter and more resilient with each session.

But it wasn't just about improving their individual skills. Kai focused on their teamwork, running drills that forced them to rely on each other in new and creative ways. He knew that Ander's Shadowfang Drake was a powerhouse, and brute strength alone wouldn't be enough to win.

"We're going to need strategy," Kai murmured to himself as he watched his team train. "Speed, precision, and timing. That's how we'll beat him."

---

The day of the confrontation came sooner than expected.

Word had spread quickly through the academy—Ander Slate had called out Kai Anther. The challenge had been issued, the arena reserved, and the student body was abuzz with anticipation.

Kai stood in the waiting area, taking deep breaths to steady his nerves. His insects were restless, their movements sharp and jittery as they sensed the tension in the air.

"We've got this," Kai said quietly, more to himself than to his team. "We've come this far. We're not stopping now."

The door to the arena creaked open, and the roar of the crowd hit him like a wave. Kai stepped forward, his team following close behind.

The arena was packed, the tiered seating filled with students, instructors, and even a few high-ranking academy officials. At the far end of the arena, Ander Slate stood with his Shadowfang Drake, the beast's violet eyes glowing ominously as it stared Kai down.

"You showed up," Ander called, his voice carrying easily over the noise. "I was starting to think you'd chickened out."

Kai smirked, his earlier nerves melting away as his adrenaline kicked in. "Wouldn't miss it for the world."

The referee stepped forward, raising a hand to signal the start of the match.

"Tamers, ready your beasts!"

Kai took one last look at his team, his determination hardening into resolve. "Alright, team. This is it. Stay sharp, work together, and trust each other. We've got this."

Tiny clicked its mandibles, Stinger buzzed, and Glow pulsed with light.

The referee's hand dropped. "Begin!"

Ander grinned, his voice sharp and commanding. "Shadowfang, **Night Shroud**!"

The **Shadowfang Drake** let out a deafening roar, and a wave of dark energy erupted from its body, spreading across the arena like a creeping fog. The arena lights dimmed, and Kai's vision was swallowed by shadows.

"Glow, light us up!" Kai shouted.

Glow flared to life, its golden light piercing through the darkness and illuminating the battlefield.

But Ander was already moving. "Shadowfang, **Phantom Strike**!"

The drake disappeared into the shadows, reappearing behind Tiny in an instant. Its claws slashed forward, but Tiny activated its **Iron Bulwark** just in time, the metallic sheen of its armor deflecting the blow.

"Stinger, counterattack! Glow, shield Tiny!"

Stinger darted forward, its stinger glowing with venom as it struck at the drake's flank. Glow cast its **Luminous Shield** around Tiny, its golden barrier absorbing the next strike from the drake.

Ander's grin widened. "Not bad. But let's see how long you can keep up!"

The battle had only just begun.