Beast Tamer: I Can See Evolution Paths

[T/N: Check a notice at the end]

'The bird is angry!'

'The bird isn't heavy at all!'

'The Beast Tamer don't mind, so why should anyone else mind?

*Huff, huff, fuming with rage!*

After presenting his official Beast Tamer ID card, it was confirmed that all the contracted beasts he carried were registered with the Alliance.

"Mr. Asher, please attach the safety rings to your contracted beasts, and you may proceed."

The staff member handed two small metal rings to Asher with a smile.

Asher glanced at them.

Essentially, it was just a basic device for monitoring whether beasts were releasing energy beyond safe levels.

When placed on an beast, if it released a large amount of energy or entered a combat state, the ring would flash red and emit an alarm.

However, applying these rings usually required the cooperation of the beast.

While it might not be very useful in other scenarios, in a crowded place like an amusement park, where ordinary people and Beast Tamers mingled, it was invaluable.

Ordinary people hearing the alarm could quickly escape, minimizing potential casualties.

Asher placed the rings on Little Raven's leg and Cat-worm's horn.

When leaving the amusement park, the staff at the exit would help unlock and remove them.

Following behind Asher, Professor Hugo also silently released his two contracted beasts: a Charming Fox and a Gale Spirit Cat.

Asher curiously observed these two beasts.

The Charming Fox, one of the evolutionary paths for foxes, belonged to the fairy attribute. With its unique skill that doubled damage against all beasts of the opposite sex, it was a favorite among Beast Tamers.

Moreover, the Charming Fox was visually stunning.

It was about the same size as a Little Fire Fox but had a gradient coat transitioning from pale pink to deep pink. Its round, wide eyes naturally featured a light purple eyeshadow. The tips of its ears and tail were adorned with tufts of white fur, swaying temptingly with every movement.

As soon as the Charming Fox appeared, it lazily sprawled across Professor Hugo's shoulder. Its tail and head wrapped around his neck, resembling a luxurious fox fur scarf at first glance.

The Gale Spirit Cat was the evolved form of the Little Spirit Cat. As a wind attribute creature, it was leopard-sized with a well—proportioned body and muscular limbs, exuding explosive power.

Once it reached the seventh tier or higher, the Gale Spirit Cat could control its size, with a maximum height of two meters, making it a viable riding companion.

Each Gale Spirit Cat had unique features. After evolving, they retained their original fur patterns, with additional cyan stripes appearing randomly.

Professor Hugo's Gale Spirit Cat seemed to have been a "Clouded Snow" type in its earlier stage. After evolution, its four white paws had all turned cyan.

Noticing Asher's gaze, the Gale Spirit Cat swept its sharp, piercing eyes in his direction.

Asher's Little Raven and Cat-worm were not to be outdone, meeting the Gale Spirit Cat's gaze head-on.

Even without looking, Asher could feel the surging battle intent emanating from them.

'What?'

'Looking at a bird/dragon like that?'

'Clearly asking for a fight!'

Asher was amazed to see that, in moments like these, Little Raven and Cat-worm worked exceptionally well together, displaying none of their usual rivalry and petty squabbles.

At any time, in any place, external conflicts united the bird and dragon.

After verifying Professor Hugo's Beast Tamer ID and finding no issues, the staff handed him two safety rings.

Professor Hugo attached them to the forepaws of the Gale Spirit Cat and the Charming Fox.

"Brother Hugo, you're also a Beast Tamer?" Asher asked as they walked into the park with their four beasts.

Unlike cultivators, 90% of breeders were also Beast Tamers. This dual role allowed them to better understand and improve their beast-rearing methods.

However, about 70% of pet evolution professors weren't Beast Tamers.

A sharp mind, solid theoretical knowledge, and bold creativity could help them develop new evolution pathways for beasts without requiring the individual to be a Beast Tamer themselves.

For example, Professor Henry, Professor Marie, and Professor Jorge—whom Asher knew—were not Beast Tamers.

"Haha," Professor Hugo laughed. "That's right!"

"Honestly, I didn't originally plan to become a professor or scholar. I used to think this path wasn't for me."

"When I awakened my Beast Tamer potential at fifteen, I was just a naive teenager, dreaming of defeating advanced Beast Tamers with my fists and crushing elite ones under my feet to become the strongest Beast Tamer."

"But then…"

Professor Hugo shook his head mid-sentence. "Life is unpredictable, isn't it?"

Asher: "…"

'Ahem!'

He couldn't help feeling a strange sense of relatability.

In the future… as a Beast Tamer, his goal would definitely be to strive toward becoming the strongest Beast Tamer.

"You only have two contracted beasts?" Asher asked curiously.

Judging by Professor Hugo's age, he should have at least become a first-tier Beast Tamer, even if reaching the second tier might be challenging.

"There's not enough time. A person's energy is limited." Professor Hugo extended his hand, and the Gale Spirit Cat rubbed its head against his palm, purring cooperatively.

"Lily and Grace were my contracted beasts from university. I started college at eighteen, graduated at twenty-two, and took a gap year to travel with them. During that trip, I met my girlfriend."

'Lily and Grace...'

Asher silently cast a disdainful look at Professor Hugo.

"If I had contracted more beasts later, I'd have named them Rose, Luna, Belle, and Victoria without hesitation," Professor Hugo said shamelessly. "Aria and Faith would work too."

Surrounded by beauties—that was the theme.

Asher was utterly defeated.

They continued chatting as they strolled into the park. Professor Hugo handed Asher a park map. "Take a look and see if there's anything you want to try."

Asher spread out the colorful, hand-drawn map, sat on a bench near the entrance, and displayed it to Little Raven and Cat-worm.

What he wanted didn't matter.

The priority was to see what Little Raven and Cat-worm wanted to do.

If it weren't for these two, Asher wouldn't have stepped foot in a place like this.

Not at all.

Little Raven and Cat-worm excitedly jumped down from Asher, each sprawled on one side of the map.

In contrast, Professor Hugo's Charming Fox and Gale Spirit Cat remained composed.

The Charming Fox leisurely licked its paws, glancing at Little Raven and Cat-worm with a subtle air of superiority.

Little Raven and Cat-worm: Completely ignored it, entirely focused.

While Asher and Professor Hugo continued their conversation, the two creatures decided on the rides they wanted to try.

"Alright, let's head out." Asher glanced at the map's typical attractions, grimacing.

Sigh!

He wasn't accompanying a girlfriend to the amusement park but babysitting his "kids."

What could he do?

Spoil them, of course.

There was no other way but to indulge them.

No matter how many times you visit an amusement park, the attractions don't really change.

But the reason this amusement park is so popular is obvious.

Everywhere in the park, beasts replace the usual attractions.

Take the pirate ship ride, for example.

Normally, you'd sit in a machine-operated boat being swung back and forth.

Here, you ride on the back of a giant water snake, experiencing a 360-degree thrill.

Guaranteed excitement.

So thrilling it can't get more thrilling.

Even the most common carousel has been upgraded. Instead of lifeless fake horses, you get real extraordinary horse-like creatures. Riding them feels like galloping through real, uneven terrain.

The park also has special attractions tailored for Beastmasters and their contracted beasts—seasonal role-play scenarios where both can participate.

The park assigns NPCs played by beasts.

They are incredibly into their roles.

Beastmasters and their contracted beasts take on roles in these scenarios.

The more imaginative they are, the more fun they can have.

Whether the Beastmaster enjoys it or not is debatable, but their beasts certainly will.

In short, the park offers endless fun.

Both ordinary kids and those qualified as Beastmasters love it.

This includes Little Raven and Cat-worm.

Asher took the two little ones for a full tour of the park, occasionally joining them in the fun.

He was exhausted.

Completely drained.

And Professor Hugo wasn't faring much better.

Don't be fooled by the initial disinterest of Charming Fox and Gale Spirit Cat; once they got into it, they enjoyed themselves more than anyone else.

Wiping his sweat, Professor Hugo said helplessly, "I'm usually stuck in the lab, so I don't often get to take them out. When I do, it's easy to overdo it."

Asher nodded.

'Uh-huh...'

He believed him.

Definitely not Professor Hugo trying to save face for his two contracted beasts.

Asher smiled at Professor Hugo.

Professor Hugo: "..."

Is this what they call hoisting a rock only to drop it on your own foot?

Professor Hugo understood now; karma was real.

Fortunately, by noon, the four contracted beasts had mostly had their fill, giving Asher and Professor Hugo a chance to rest.

"The park has dining areas," Professor Hugo, looking fatigued with his golden hair drooping, quickly suggested. "It's past lunchtime now, so it shouldn't be crowded."

"I also know a shortcut we can take directly there. Convenient and quick."

Asher: "Let's go."

Little Raven and Cat-worm had boundless energy.

———

After playing a half an hour of role-playing scenario, Asher somehow ended up cast as the villainous sorcerer.

Asher: "?"

Who was he? Where was he? What just happened?

How did Little Raven and Cat-worm team up to become a three–legged Golden Crow and Frost Dragon aiming to defeat him?

Asher now knew. He wasn't sure if he was creative, but Little Raven and Cat-worm were definitely creative beasts.

Awkward?

Not at all.

The two little ones got more and more into it.

"But the park's beasts are really gentle," Asher reflected on the creatures in the role-play earlier.

A lame Gale Wind Horse, a one-eyed Bakeneko[1], a slow-moving juvenile Whale Shark, and an undernourished Moonlight Hawk chick—each had its own personality, but none were hostile toward Asher as a stranger.

The Gale Wind Horse and Bakeneko were aloof, ignoring Asher most of the time.

But when the plot required their cooperation, they performed their roles with dedication.

The Whale Shark mostly stayed underwater, only appearing for its scenes.

The Moonlight Hawk chick, however, was different.

Perhaps due to Little Raven, the chick clung to Asher, who enjoyed petting it in return.

It was truly adorable.

Gentle in temperament.

Its feathers were stunning.

Except every time Asher petted the chick, Little Raven would silently glare at him accusingly.

As if saying: 'You heartless traitor! Prepare to die!'

Professor Hugo explained, "It's normal. These beasts in the park were mostly abandoned or rejected due to physical or ability defects. They can't find Beastmasters willing to contract with them, and they can't survive in the wild or forbidden zones.

"The Alliance won't just support them for free, so they work in the park to cover their treatment and food costs."

Essentially, working beasts.

Of course, not all beasts are suitable for this. The Alliance assigns roles based on their personalities.

Asher nodded thoughtfully.

Beasts had intelligence.

To live well, they had to cooperate with humans.

He sighed.

Good or bad, staying alive meant the possibility of new futures and hopes.

Leading the way, Professor Hugo took them onto a quieter path,"This is a staff-only shortcut. A friend of mine used to work here, so I know about it."

"No surveillance here, and it's much faster to reach the dining area or exit."

"I feel like I could eat everything in the restaurant right now."

Asher silently nodded.

'Same here.'

As they walked, they occasionally passed park staff.

Seeing Asher and Professor Hugo clearly looking like visitors, the staff gave them startled looks, as if asking: 'How do these two know this path?'

Asher couldn't help but laugh.

After lunch, they planned to use the same path to leave.

Having played so much in the morning, Little Raven and Cat-worm were tired after eating and didn't plan to continue playing in the afternoon.

Asher held both of them as they strolled leisurely, like they were in a park near home.

The path wasn't crowded, so there was no rush.

Just then, a staff member wearing a baseball cap and hurriedly passing them caught Asher's attention.

"In his arms… isn't that the Bakeneko and Moonlight Hawk chick we saw earlier?" Asher stopped and turned to watch the figure. "Looks like it."

"Where is he taking them?"

"Can staff freely take beasts off-site?"

As they speculated, both Asher and Professor Hugo realized something was wrong.

"Little Raven, stop him!"

Before Asher finished speaking, the man in the cap bolted.

Now anyone with eyes could see he was suspicious.

The safety ring on Little Raven's leg lit up red.

Shrill alarms echoed through the path.

"Charming Fox, use Enchanting Fragrance!"

"Gale Spirit Cat, stop him!"

Two more safety rings lit up red, adding to the cacophony of alarms—a chaotic symphony.

A pink mist surged toward the fleeing figure. No matter how fast he ran, he couldn't outrun the mist and was soon enveloped.

Little Raven and Gale Spirit Cat closed in.

Just as Gale Spirit Cat raised a paw to pin him down, its body paused. The next moment, it turned and swiped at Little Raven instead.

Asher: "?"

Professor Hugo: "?"

The two exchanged shocked glances.

"Gale Spirit Cat, fall back!" Professor Hugo shouted, but the cat ignored him, continuing its attacks on Little Raven.

Professor Hugo clenched his teeth, trying to recall Gale Spirit Cat to its Beast Space, but it was impossible during combat.

"Cat-worm, can you sneak in and retrieve the Bakeneko and Moonlight Hawk chick from his arms?"

Asher lightly patted Cat-worm's back.

"Chirp chirp!"

'The dragon can do it!'

'Dragons are amazing!!'

'Particularly this dragon, here!'

"Shadow Stealth."

Asher placed the Catworm on the ground.

The next second, the Catworm disappeared into its own shadow.

What surprised Asher was that the safety ring on the Catworm's head didn't light up red, nor did it emit any piercing alarm sound. Silently, it approached the man in the baseball cap through the shadows.

Though Asher wasn't sure how the man managed it, he somehow made the Gale Spirit Cat disobey Professor Hugo's orders and fight with Little Raven instead.

Even so, he couldn't escape successfully.

The Charming Fox's skill was still active, continuously releasing its bewitching fragrance.

Under its influence, the man periodically fell into illusions and lay on the ground, completely immobilized.

If it weren't for the mismatch in gender, Asher and Professor Hugo would have been affected too.

Together, they approached and subdued the man.

"Security personnel from the amusement park should be here soon," Professor Hugo said with professional confidence. "Triggering three alarms at once... they must be in a complete panic right now."

Of course!

In the amusement park security room, the team went into chaos when three safety rings sounded their alarms simultaneously.

What was going on?

Was it a rampaging beast brought in by some Beast Master?

Watching the surveillance monitors, showing crowds of people outside each ride and long lines forming, cold sweat began to drip from their foreheads.

If anyone got hurt… The Beast Master might face penalties, but the park itself might not survive.

At the very least, it would have to close for three months for rectification.

"Deploy the security team immediately!"

"And what about those Beast Masters we've hired? Get them out there now! All of them!"

"Ensure the safety of all visitors!"

As they scrambled to respond, a staff member noticed something strange,"Wait… why does everything on the screens look so calm?"

Three beasts had released a massive amount of energy… yet there wasn't any visible conflict?

That couldn't be right.

Quickly, they checked the locations of the three beasts. The energy clusters on the map indicated they were very close together and actively engaging.

So… was this happening in an unmonitored blind spot?

A wave of sweat trickled down the security chief's forehead.

If that were the case, the situation could be even more serious.

Now, all they could do was pray fervently that no one got hurt.

If there were no injuries, they might manage to explain the lack of surveillance.

But if anyone was hurt… it wouldn't just be about rectifying issues.

The park might have to shut down permanently.

———

Upon checking the location, Lara immediately activated sprint mode.

"I'll head there first; the rest of you, follow quickly!" She spoke without looking back, darting away like the wind.

Despite the heavy foot traffic in the amusement park, Lara maneuvered effortlessly through the crowd, heading straight for the scene.

"I can't believe a Beast Master is causing trouble in the park… I have to see who it is!" she said with excitement.

Capture them all!

Every one of them would add to her performance review—and her paycheck.

Then…

Lara saw someone familiar.

"Asher?"

Hearing the familiar voice, Asher turned and saw Lara. With her fluffy ears atop her head and her swaying tail, she looked a bit guilty in her amusement park uniform.

"You work here," Asher said, noting her uniform with the park's emblem.

He then pointed to a humanoid figure lying in a cloud of pink mist nearby. "That seems to be one of your park employees. He secretly took a Bakeneko and a juvenile Moonlight Eagle."

As he spoke, Asher held up the Bakeneko and Moonlight Eagle that the Catworm had retrieved.

"I tried talking to him, but as soon as he heard my voice, he bolted. I couldn't be sure if he was a good guy or not, so I figured it was safer to catch him first."

Asher briefly explained the situation to Lara.

"I see… but I don't really know much about the specific operations here…" Lara frowned, looking troubled.

Whether the man on the ground was stealing supernatural creatures or just following protocol as an employee, she couldn't say.

But hearing that he ran as soon as he was approached, she couldn't help but feel he was suspicious.

Not to mention he somehow made the Gale Spirit Cat and Little Raven fight.

The possibility of wrongdoing seemed high.

Before Lara could apprehend the man, other Beast Masters working security arrived on the scene.

They immediately surrounded Asher and Professor Hugo.

"Have your beasts stop attacking!" the leader, accompanied by a Steel-Tailed Tiger, shouted at them sternly.

Faced with about ten people, Asher remained unfazed.

"Catch that man first. He seems to have a special power to control supernatural creatures, making them obey his commands and attack," Asher said, holding up the Bakeneko and Moonlight Eagle again as he repeated the situation.

The leader frowned and scrutinized Asher and Professor Hugo but saw no signs of hostility from them. Turning his gaze toward the man in the mist, he finally spoke.

"Have your beasts cease attacking. We'll apprehend him. But we can't just take your word for it. We'll need to investigate thoroughly, so you two can't leave just yet. Is that a problem?"

Asher shook his head but couldn't help feeling helpless.

'Ah!'

'Would this count as bad luck?'

Still, ignoring the suspicious man entirely was something Asher couldn't bring himself to do.

A bit of trouble was better than turning a blind eye.

Turning to Lara, he said with a wry smile, "I think there's something wrong with the energy between us. Why is it that every time I run into you, I end up in some sort of accident?"

Lara: "?"

"Me?" Lara pointed to herself, incredulous. "Hey, don't push everything onto me. I was about to say the same about you. Boss, be fair!"

Asher shrugged.

Fair?

He was being fair.

That's why he truly believed there was something peculiar about their interactions.

Lara: "..."

She was speechless.

Seeing that Asher still hadn't changed his mind, Lara: "..."

Speechless. That perfectly described her current mood.

On the other side, the little Charming Fox stopped releasing its fragrant attack.

The pink smoke gradually dispersed.

The Steel-Tailed Tiger, striding forward with its strong and majestic steps, successfully picked up the dazed man lying on the ground.

Meanwhile, in the battle between the Little Raven and the Gale Spirit Cat, the Spirit Cat had gained absolutely no advantage.

It couldn't fly.

It wasn't faster than the Little Raven.

It could only attack instinctively.

Even without Asher's commands, the Little Raven effortlessly toyed with it, making it run in circles.

But the Gale Spirit Cat was undeniably resilient. It relentlessly pounced at the Black Crow, failed, and pounced again.

It was as if it were chasing after a favorite cat toy.

"The Gale Spirit Cat is acting on instinct," Professor Hugo, observing from not far away, couldn't help but chuckle as he softly remarked to Asher beside him. "Before it evolved, Gale Spirit Cats were particularly fond of one specific toy—a little fluffy bird."

"The kind made with realistic feathers."

"Unfortunately, after my Gale Spirit Cat evolved, it played that toy to pieces. Later, I bought it similar toys, but it always acted aloof."

"I thought it had matured after evolving and no longer liked those toys. Who knew..."

Asher: "...The Gale Spirit Cat might be enjoying itself, but my Little Raven is getting mad."

And that was indeed the case.

The Little Raven was growing visibly impatient.

How much longer was this cat planning to keep pouncing?

The Little Raven was just shy of outright complaining loudly to Asher.

Wasn't this just taking advantage of the fact that it couldn't talk?

Fine, it decided. It might as well knock the Cat.

Solve the problem once and for all.

Fortunately, as the pouncing continued, the Gale Spirit Cat's movements gradually slowed down. Its big feline head wobbled slightly, and its eyes looked a bit confused.

"Meow—?"

The Gale Spirit Cat finally returned to normal. Its round eyes, now full of aggression, stared in the Little Raven's direction.

'What happened?'

'Why were you attacking the cat?'

The Little Raven: "..."

(〃＞皿＜)

'You were the one who attacked the bird first!'

"Meow!"

'Impossible!'

'Absolutely impossible!'

The Gale Spirit Cat shook its head seriously, refusing to admit that it had attacked first.

What?

Cats attacking birds?

Sure, this bird might be fluffy enough to stir a cat's hunting instincts, but no self-respecting cat would do something so undignified.

A mature cat would never.

Toys?

No, no, no.

The cat rejected that notion entirely.

The Little Raven: *Rage level UP*

'Don't hold back the bird!'

'The bird is taking this cat down today!'

'How could such an infuriating cat exist in this world?'

"Gale Spirit Cat, return," Professor Hugo finally called out.

Previously, no amount of calling had gotten the Cat's attention. Who knew what the man had done? Thankfully, the Gale Spirit Cat had snapped back to its senses.

From the earlier exchange, it was clear to Professor Hugo that without Asher giving the Little Raven any direct attack commands, the crow could have effortlessly knocked the Gale Spirit Cat to the ground.

Asher had held back, taking into consideration the Cat's unusual condition.

But now that the Cat was back to normal, if it kept provoking the Little Raven…

Well.

If it got beaten up, Professor Hugo, as its beast master, wouldn't be able to save face.

It was better to obediently return.

The Gale Spirit Cat locked eyes with Professor Hugo.

The mutual understanding between beast and master allowed the Cat to instantly grasp his meaning.

The Gale Spirit Cat: "Meow! Meow meow meow—!"

'Look at that beast master!'

'All the cat wanted was a toy...'

The Gale Spirit Cat clamped its mouth shut.

It slunk back to Professor Hugo with its tail tucked between its legs, not daring to look back at the Little Raven.

Feigning nonchalance, it licked its paws and groomed its fur.

'What?'

'What toy?'

'The cat said nothing!'

The jet-black feline, with its cyan-colored paws, looked guilty as sin, avoiding the Little Raven's gaze at all costs.

When it lowered its head...it accidentally locked eyes with the chaos-filled gaze of the Cat-Dragon.

The Gale Spirit Cat froze instantly.

'Oh no... This cat that doesn't look like a cat—it seems to be that bird's companion?'

The Gale Spirit Cat couldn't help but mentally grumble.

'Could a cat and a bird really be friends?'

'Wouldn't the cat see the bird as a toy?'

The Cat-Dragon: "Chirp!"

'Absolutely not!'

'I'm a dragon, not a cat!'

'Dragons have no interest in bird toys!'

The Cat-Dragon puffed out its chest proudly, as if declaring its dragonhood once again.

'A magnificent dragon!'

'Let's see if the beast master dares to call me a cat again!'

It wasn't one.

Asher glanced at the fuming Little Raven, then at the smugly triumphant Cat-Dragon. His face showed a helpless smile.

This was...

"Don't be mad anymore. Come here, Little Raven," Asher beckoned.

The Little Raven flapped its wings, flying over the heads of the people and extraordinary beasts, landing precisely in Asher's arms. Its chest heaved violently, clearly still enraged.

Asher patted its back reassuringly. "It's okay, don't be mad. You were amazing today."

Under Asher's constant soothing, the Little Raven finally calmed down a little.

(╭(╯^╰)╮)

'The bird wasn't going to argue with that big, fluffy, brainless cat!'

'The bird was magnanimous!'

Turning around, Asher picked up the smug Cat-Dragon, lightly tapping its head. "And you too, stop fanning the flames. Be careful, or the Little Raven will teach you a lesson."

The Cat-Dragon: 'Hehe~'

"Chirp chirp!"

"Chirp!"

'The dragon was standing up for Big Sis!'

'Helping Big Sis take revenge on that cat!'

'Trust the dragon!'

The Cat-Dragon looked at Asher with big, innocent eyes.

[1] Bakeneko: The bakeneko (化け猫, "changed cat") is a type of Japanese yōkai, or supernatural entity; more specifically, it is a kaibyō, or supernatural cat. It is often confused with the nekomata, another cat-like yōkai. The distinction between them is often ambiguous, but the largest difference is that the nekomata has two tails, while the bakeneko has only one.

[T/N: Guys, Test Novel 1 is out now in my Patreon. You don't have to pay or stuff, it's free, just give your opinion. If you like the novel comment 'More' and I will officially start translating it. If you think it's not worthy enough to be read by you, comment 'Meh'

So, I always get confused when choosing novels to translate. Will the guys like it? So I thought let's ask you all. I will be releasing a few more novels tomorrow to test which of them you all like. The ones you all like will be done officially and the ones you don't will be dumped into graveyard of novels.]

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