Weakest Beast Tamer Gets All SSS Dragons

The eighth team of group A presented a trio of plant-type beasts, a combination that on paper seemed ideal against the Big Stone Lurker.

Many thought that perhaps this group would set a new record.

The combined vines and roots managed to immobilize and gradually drain the vitality of the rocky monster.

But in the end... Even with this elemental advantage, they needed a full four minutes to obtain victory.

"It's surprising," commented Taro as the auxiliaries prepared the arena for the next combat. "Even with three plant beasts, they couldn't get close to Klein and Luna's time."

"The difference between advantage and execution," Ren responded. "Having the right elemental advantage isn't everything; they won't stand out if they don't know how to maximize it… Also, one water buffing the power of two woods is better output in my opinion."

With each battle, the pattern had consolidated: conventional methods, even those formed with natural advantages, barely managed to finish in an acceptable time. Only those with innovative strategies or exceptional beasts managed to truly withstand out.

And it seemed that the record would remain tied between Klein and Luna...

Exactly two minutes.

It appeared to be a testimony to the power of the great noble families.

Since this test wasn't part of the team or individual battles, there would be no official tiebreaker; they would remain as two first places for the count of final honors if no one did a better one.

And the last team was…

"Team Eight of Group B, prepare to enter," announced Yang.

Min stood up, stretching his arms to relieve tension. "Finally, our turn."

Taro nodded, breathing deeply to calm his nerves. "I still think we should have practiced more..."

"Trust the plan," Ren responded calmly, rising last. "I thought a lot about the simplest way to do it so you wouldn't need to worry."

Ren, Min, and Taro reviewed their strategy one last time.

They looked at each other, a silent understanding passing between them. They had traveled together a path short in time but long in events since their first awkward days as roommates.

"You know what's funny?" Min said suddenly. "Three months ago, I would have been terrified to face a Bronze beast. Now I'm looking forward to it."

Taro laughed. "That's because you're crazy."

"No," Ren intervened, his voice quiet but firm. "It's because you've both grown. More than you realize."

As they advanced toward the arena with only Ren's first beast manifested in his body, they felt the gazes, hundreds of them, following every step of the Gray Wing trio.

These weren't looks of expectation or anticipation; they were looks of morbid curiosity, condescending compassion, and, in some cases, open disdain.

"Is that the mushroom boy?"

"The one with the spore? Is he really going to face that thing?"

"This is going to be painful to watch."

The murmurs weren't subtle. Unlike some adults and part of the students from their class who had witnessed Ren's growth and achievements during the semester, most of the academy only knew the superficial version of the story: an unfortunate child who had received the worst possible beast in the invocation ceremony had entered this prestigious school.

For them, Ren remained the "Rotting Boy," a nickname that had survived for most despite everything.

It couldn't be otherwise...

Rumors about the events during the attacks on the academy had circulated, of course, but as happens with rumors, they had become so distorted in the process that few gave them credibility.

A child with a spore surviving a gold hydra and the attack of a Yino spy? Discovering an ancestral seed under the academy and becoming a double at age 10? A dragon of fungi in disguise?

Absurd stories, obviously exaggerated.

The only thing everyone accepted as true was that, more than a decade ago, someone had last attempted to cultivate the world's weakest beast at this school. The result had been a costly disaster, a useless investment that had become a warning to all tamers.

And now, that boy with the same beast and his Gray Wing companions were entering the arena.

"Look at what he's carrying," someone pointed from the upper stands. "What is that? A homemade spear?"

Indeed, Ren carried a weapon that no one recognized. It didn't have the characteristic style of the expensive noble materials that Larissa or Liora had used, nor did it seem to belong to a particularly powerful monster.

It was a simple spear with a tip that resembled... a long black stake?

"The first-years' last battle," commented a sixth-year student in a bored tone. "It will be a pathetic conclusion to a day with so many teams with potential."

In the center of the arena, Min, Taro, and Ren took positions. Unlike most previous teams, they showed no evident nervousness now, only serene concentration.

"Weapons?" offered the auxiliary, presenting the standard arsenal.

Min and Taro shook their heads; rope or chains wouldn't work against such a heavy creature this time.

Ren simply raised the strange spear he already carried.

"Is that weapon functional?" asked the auxiliary, looking with bewilderment at the unconventional weapon.

Yang approached, briefly examining the spear. "Where did you get this, Patinder?"

"I made it myself," Ren responded simply. "It's the proboscis of a deep assassin."

"Those break easily. Are you sure you don't want a metal one?"

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"I made this one different from those... If you'll allow me, I'd like to use it."

Yang studied the spear a moment longer, then nodded. "Permitted."

That simple approval provoked a wave of surprised murmurs. Did he really want to use that trash?

The new Stone Lurker waited in the center, identical to all the previous ones.

Ren stepped forward, invoking his beast. To the surprise of many, what appeared wasn't the pathetic spore they expected to see, but a completely different creature. A small hydra, still at iron rank, that few knew from books specialized in rare beasts.

With just one head and a short neck, it could hardly be called a hydra yet.

Its body was partially covered by a translucent armor in certain areas, while the rest showed bright blue reptilian scales.

Murmurs of surprise spread through the stands.

"What is that thing?"

"Since when does the mushroom boy have a hydra?"

"Were the rumors about the ruins and being a double tamer now true?"

"Beginning in three, two, one..." Yang counted.

The containment retracted.

The situation was already strange for most, but...

Even more disconcerting was the team's strategy. Min and Taro remained still, without invoking their own beasts. They simply waited, apparently with no intention of participating.

For a full five seconds, no one moved.

The Big Stone Lurker slowly advanced towards them, but the hydra, Ren, Min, and Taro... remained motionless, like pieces on a board waiting for the first move.

Then, Ren gave the order.

"Forward!"

The small hydra ran toward the Big Stone Lurker with surprising agility. The spectators exchanged looks of disbelief.

"Has he gone mad?"

"Is he sending that tiny creature against the Lurker by itself?"

"He must think his hydra is too extraordinary because his fungus was garbage!"

Yes, the hydra was a very rare and difficult to obtain creature that couldn't be found in any random egg. But being rare and being powerful like Luna's wolf were not the same thing.

Not taking that into account... Ren ran after his beast, spear in hand, prepared to attack. His strategy seemed so absurd that some students couldn't contain nervous laughter.