As she spoke, Freya spread her hands, clearly expressing her emotions. This matter, really, it's hard to just overcome.
"And if it weren't for my brother going easy, and also doing it to better comprehend flame, the fight might have ended even quicker."
Asher: "..."
Little Raven lying in the medical pod: "..."
'That hurts, girl.'
'Fine.'
Otherwise, a normal battle wouldn't drag on for a whole hour.
On one hand, it was Little Raven gradually adapting to Flame Emperor's displayed strength, and on the other hand, Flame Emperor didn't fully show his power.
That's what gave both Little Raven and Flame Emperor the chance to keep circling each other.
But every single battle still ended with Little Raven collapsing to the ground.
"Take it slow, I'm not in a rush," Asher looked at Little Raven lying in the medical pod, a faint smile at the corner of his mouth as he spoke.
"I can't beat him now, but I believe if you give me a few more years…", As he spoke, Asher's voice grew softer and softer, and he didn't continue.
But Freya had already understood Asher's meaning on her own.
Give him a few more years, so what? Give him a few more years, does Asher think he can push that pet beast called Little Raven to breakthrough to the Tier 9?
Freya really wanted to tell Asher, that's absolutely impossible.
Pet beasts become harder and harder to improve the stronger they get.
Stuck at peak Tier 6, Tier 7, and Tier 8, it's perfectly normal to be stuck there for three, five, even ten years.
But…
At this moment, Freya's brain finally started to spin. She remembered, 'Professor Asher is only 20 years old this year.'
Whether it's becoming a pet beast professor or a Beast Tamer, the time taken was shockingly short.
But Asher's achievements shown before everyone… Freya looked down at herself, then looked up at Asher, starting to question her life.
'What?'
'Why?'
Why is someone good at this and good at that? Fortunately, Freya only thought this in her heart, and quickly tossed the matter to the back of her mind.
'Forget it.'
'It's not like there aren't people better than me.'
Like her brother. Though Freya was reluctant to admit it rationally, it was still a fact.
Or those people with ordinary family backgrounds who also became Tier 7 Beast Tamers around the same time as her.
Lucy counts as one.
And others.
They're also really impressive.
Freya never thought she wasn't good, but she also knew that her excellence and rapid growth were made of countless resources plus a bit of talent.
Those without her ridiculous level of resources? They really are relying purely on talent.
Such people might grow slower in the early stages.
But once the resources catch up, they'll improve rapidly, and chase from behind.
That's why Freya never dared to slack off for a moment.
"Alright!", Thinking of this, Freya clenched her fist, "Continue training!"
Strive to help Jaeger regain control of the energy in his body as soon as possible.
With a goal and drive, the day passed quickly.
The new day was the day Asher had agreed to let Asuka Media come for an interview.
Asher didn't feel much about it.
Just an interview. He had done 100-person classes, 1,000-person lectures, 10,000-person talks, what was a little interview to him? It's nothing but something in the palm of his hand.
The difference was…
———
"Nervous!"
"Extremely nervous!"
Rookie Trevor came to the company early in the morning.
Usually, everyone shows up together right at 9:00. Today, Trevor specially arrived at 7:30.
He thought he'd be the first one.
Unexpectedly… as he pushed the door open, the place was already full of senior staff.
Only his workstation was still empty.
Trevor: "?"
'What?'
'Did the seniors plan this? Why am I, Trevor, the only one left out?'
"Senior, you guys…", Trevor looked hesitantly at his seniors.
"Ahem, I came early to organize today's interview draft," Lee Lee said righteously.
Seeing Lee Lee speak up, the others quickly chimed in.
"Yes, yes, I came to help him!"
"Lee Lee messaged us last night!"
"Sigh! We're just united and loving colleagues!"
Lee Lee: "..."
'I really believed your nonsense!'
But seeing how tactful and well-behaved they were today, and no one called him by his nickname, Lee Lee reluctantly let it go.
Still the same thing.
On such an important day, who wouldn't feel a little anxious inside?
As long as they prepared Asher Professor's interview draft well, they'd gain a huge amount, whether in traffic or other benefits.
To Asuka, this was basically like a meat pie falling from the sky.
The question was whether they could catch it.
That's why the usually-last-minute crowd was so tense today—each arriving earlier than the last.
Trevor: "..."
'Fine, let's just say I, Trevor, don't understand social niceties and pretend to believe you all.'
"Senior, take a look for me, does my outfit look off today? Do you think I should change?", Trevor walked to his desk and put down his backpack.
Then he spread his arms and spun around on the spot to show off his specially planned outfit to Lee Lee next to him.
"Looks good," Lee Lee nodded, but before Trevor could look pleased, he heard Lee Lee continue, "You look like an insurance salesman."
"And one of those elite insurance salesmen."
Trevor fell silent.
To show his seriousness for this interview, he wore a suit set he hadn't touched in 800 years, expensive and hard to maintain.
He even buttoned the vest underneath.
Unexpectedly…
Trevor couldn't help pulling out his phone to look at himself.
He hadn't noticed when he left home this morning, but after hearing that… alright, the more he looked, the more he felt he really did look like he sold insurance.
"No! I need to go back and change!", Trevor said loudly.
This was his first time meeting Professor Asher, he absolutely couldn't leave a bad impression.
Before his seniors could stop him, Trevor dashed out of the office with a swoosh.
"Eh?"
"Eh eh eh?"
The boss had just walked in and was nearly blown around in circles by the gust of wind. His frail body almost spun twice in place.
Thankfully, the boss held steady.
Then, upon seeing so many people in the office, the boss was momentarily stunned.
But unlike Trevor, the boss's face quickly revealed an understanding expression.
"Alright."
"I know you're all nervous, just work hard."
"After today's interview ends… hmm, no, after we've edited the interview video and finished writing the article, this Friday, let's all do a team-building outing."
"We'll have dinner, and since the next day is Saturday and Sunday, you can rest well."
Today just happened to be Wednesday.
If they could finish by then…
"Yes, boss! Got it, boss! Today and tomorrow, we'll definitely work overtime!"
'Grind hard! Write drafts, edit video!'
'Strive to finish everything before Friday!'
Boss: Plan complete √
———
Finally, at 8:30, Trevor came back to the office with a new outfit. Unlike earlier when he was calm and confident, this time he came running in panting heavily.
"Haha!", Trevor panted and laughed, "I was worried the seniors would leave without me."
Lee Lee gave him a "you fool" kind of look, "Our appointment with Professor Asher is at ten. Driving from here takes less than twenty minutes."
Leave now?
They could be early, but they couldn't make Professor Asher adjust his time for them.
Trevor gave a thumbs up, "Makes sense! Senior really is a senior. Thinks of more than I do."
Trevor took note.
For important interviews, being early is fine, but you mustn't mess up the interviewee's time, especially not a super important one.
So, they cut it close, afraid of really cutting it too close, time control was down to the second.
They managed to arrive at Asher's lab at exactly 9:50.
Trevor helped carry the camera, Lee Lee stood by to take notes, and the boss personally led the interview.
What? Work?
Took leave.
If this job gets done, they could cover the company's employee salaries for the rest of the year.
A little attendance bonus? Who cares!
"Professor Asher, hello," The boss smiled broadly when he saw Asher. Enthusiastic but not flattering, instantly leaving a good impression.
Asher smiled and shook hands with the boss.
Trevor watched and nodded crazily.
'Oh oh oh! Learned something learned something.'
'No wonder the boss is the boss.'
'That smile alone is worth him practicing a thousand times back home.'
'No worries! He could do it.'
'Just a smile.'
'No big deal for me, Trevor.'
Asher: "?"
Lee Lee elbowed the overly excited Trevor and gave him a look, 'Calm down! Tone it down!'
Trevor: Huh?
Lee Lee: "..."
The boss also noticed the interaction between Trevor and Lee Lee.
Unlike Lee Lee's exasperated look and Trevor's goofy excitement, the boss appeared completely natural.
As if the two "walking light bulbs" behind him had nothing to do with him.
"Excuse us, Professor Asher," The boss naturally shook Asher's hand, then let go and smiled.
"We at Asuka New Media all really admire you, Professor Asher."
"We didn't expect you to agree to our interview, everyone is extremely excited."
"Please forgive us."
Amid the routine were unmistakable, overflowing sincerity.
Asher was even a bit embarrassed from the flattery.
"No worries, no worries," Asher waved it off.
"Come in and talk. No point standing here," He stepped aside and led the three inside.
Still the usual place.
A semi-open small lounge, basically Asher's meeting room.
Seeing the venue, the three from Asuka New Media were a little surprised.
'Hmm? Not using a closed space?'
'No concern about being overheard?'
Asher seemed to read their expressions and smiled, "It's not a big deal. I'm accepting your interview, being overheard by staff is not a big deal either."
"Besides, once your interview is released, they'll see it anyway."
The boss shook his head internally.
Still not quite the same.
To prevent malicious edits, a private space gives more control.
But since Asher said so… the boss figured they'd definitely get good content from this interview.
"No matter what, we're truly grateful to you, Professor Asher."
"It's a huge honor for us to interview you."
Trevor and Lee Lee, seated beside the boss, nodded repeatedly, echoing the sentiment.
'Exactly!'
They thought so too.
Asher rubbed his nose, "Just call me Asher. No need for honorifics."
"Otherwise I feel kind of awkward."
The boss opened his mouth but eventually complied with Asher's request.
With cooperation on both sides, the whole interview went very smoothly.
Except… for the boss, Lee Lee, and Trevor, some answers were different from what they imagined.
For example, the family topic.
According to the usual script, it was a chance to inject some emotional steroid.
Asher: 'I refuse.'?'
Asked if being an orphan had any negative impact on his growth, he said no. He was happy, cheerful, and satisfied.
"Painful past and childhood?"
"None."
"Thoughts on future family?"
"None."
"Being single is great."
'Single is happiness.'
He could devote all his time and energy to himself, do what he wanted. Couldn't be happier.
Wealthy.
Willful.
Asuka New Media trio: "..."
'Feels like if this goes out… it might not align with core social values.'
"This is just the truth, isn't it?", Asher didn't think it was a problem, "You can decide what to do, I'm just giving my honest answers."
Lying is never gonna happen.
He, Asher, upright and selfless, never lies.
Looking at the righteous Asher, the boss nodded seriously, "We'll definitely do a great job producing this interview."
"We won't let you down, Professor Asher."
They would show the public a real, selfless Professor Asher.
"Lastly, Professor Asher, do you have any plans for the future?", The boss wrapped up with a standard question.
Still the same thing.
A routine.
All those "continue exploring pet beast evolution," "create a better future for Beast Tamers" etc.
Asher: "Yes."
"My contracted pet beast lineup is nearly complete, I'm considering entering next year's National Beast Tamer Tournament."
Asuka New Media trio: "?"
The National Beast Tamer Tournament.
Totally different from the previous South Soren regional university league.
Not to mention that the word "national" has been added in front.
Beast Tamer Competition.
There is no restrictive prefix at all, which precisely indicates that this competition is aimed at the broad group of Beast Tamers, and that there are no restrictions at all on the age or strength of the Beast Tamers.
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