Insect Tamer's Ascension-Chapter 413. Entry of the Scholar

When Theo and the others reached the castle, the same usual routine followed. They first registered all the beasts they had hunted, and because they had killed more than twenty apes along with five Blazewing Eagles, Theo was summoned to the baron’s office.

By the time they were done with the discussion, Theo stepped out of the study feeling exhausted. There had been so many things to report that he had almost regretted doing so much.

The baron was a little grumpy about not being able to join them on the journey, yet he was also pleased, though deep in thought, after hearing about Theo’s current strength.

Theo spent the next day training his Hive Link. It was time for a breakthrough.

He moved close to the ant to establish the best possible connection before diving in.

Even now, the ant queen had to keep him away from many of the minds in the hive, but things were improving with every level-up and deeper understanding.

For now, Theo’s best record was staying inside for ten minutes, which only showed just how much he still needed to level up and train himself.

The mantis was given an entire ape to devour, while another was being cooked for it to enjoy.

It was living its best life.

Meanwhile, Clara focused on creating a few prototypes using the silk produced by the silkworms.

With each passing day, Theo raised his sword aura ability’s percentage as he practiced the methods Rhys had introduced him to generate more aura.

Eventually, Theo managed to last inside the Hive Link for a whole thirty minutes, which was a huge improvement, but after that, he hit a wall.

The Hive Link training was far more taxing on the brain, like usual, and prolonged use often left Theo wanting to simply sleep the entire day.

Yet it was his insatiable drive for self-improvement that refused to let him stop the training.

He even tried finding hobbies to distract himself, but it was all for naught. At the moment, he needed none.

A few days later, a surprise arrived from the emperor, completely without notice.

Theo was left shocked too, while the baron became even more grumpy. The baroness had to calm him down, reminding him that the visitor was important for Theo.

It was none other than the Space Affinity scholar, sent to help Theo.

But before Theo could meet him, the baron reached a conclusion.

"The scholar might not be here simply to help you, Theo," he said. "It’s more likely he came to study you. Understand? So tread carefully with him. Reveal as little as you can."

Theo liked the idea of receiving guidance from an actual scholar. At the same time, he was sure that the emperor probably had seen most of what he was capable of.

"I am Scolar Seradin Vale, but you may call me Scholar Vale, young Theo."

The man clad in a grey robe said in the calmest and most composed voice Theo had ever heard.

Yet for some reason, Theo couldn’t help but feel like the man didn’t have much of a brain (common sense).

Both the baron and the baroness were standing right in front of him, yet the first person he greeted was Theo and not them.

"We are glad you have come here, Scholar Vale," the baroness said with a casual smile on her face, as if she was used to such antics.

"Please, I cannot dare let you call me that, Lady Seraphina Merrick," the man replied in the same calm tone, placing a hand over his chest in greeting.

"You can call me Seradin."

"Hm. Then we will call you that," the baron said grumpily, making the man take a glance at him.

"I see you are exactly as the rumors state, Baron Aldric." This time, the scholar bowed low.

"I am glad to be in your presence."

A vein popped on the baron’s forehead, but he merely responded with a curt nod.

"This butler here will show you where you will be staying. Please follow him," the baron said before turning and walking away.

The baroness nodded at Theo before leaving as well.

Theo looked back at the scholar.

The light-brown-haired man with glasses wore a gentle smile. His facial features were sharp and well-defined, giving him a feeling like the man had never faced a trouble his whole life.

"So, young Theo," he said, smiling with his eyes, "shall we get started right away?"

"Wouldn’t you like to have some rest first, Scholar Vale?" Theo asked. "It must have been a long trip from the royal capital."

"Oh, it was nothing," the scholar replied lightly. "My passion for the spatial affinity surpasses such trivial fatigue, young Theo. If possible, I would like to start right away."

His eyes suddenly opened wider as his gaze shifted down to Theo’s legs.

"Could you kindly walk for me, young Theo?"

Theo felt confused but complied.

He walked a little, and the man made a few thoughtful and playful sounds.

"Your imbalance is hard to notice, very subtle, but it is there," the scholar said, his calm, almost creepy smile never fading as he continued. "But that’s not something that should happen to someone like you at all."

He then tilted his head slightly.

"Is it possible that you possess a spatial affinity as well, young Theo? The emperor mentioned nothing about that."

Theo hesitated.

He didn’t know how much he should reveal or what he should reveal in the first place, so he decided to play it safe for the time being.

"It’s a rather long story, Scholar Vale. Would you like to sit down for some tea so that I can explain it to you patiently?"

The scholar’s eyes lit up with excitement, and he quickly agreed.

The head butler led them to a newer part of the manor Theo had never visited before. When the door opened, Theo realize that the baron had prepared a special room to for him to study in.

From that moment on, Theo began explaining the scholar bits and pieces.

Of how his affinity was strange and how he had obtained this opportunity somewhat randomly.

However, he avoided telling him anything about how he evolved things, though the scholar seemed extremely interested in that possibility.

But what fascinated the man more than that was the spatial affinity talk.

And that was when Theo realized something important.

Scholar Vale possessed knowledge he desperately needed.

And from that point onwards, Theo entered full study mode.