Insect Tamer's Ascension Chapter 486. Progression isn’t always fast

A few days thereafter, the ant colony boasted two queens that had transcended their basic shardjaw forms. One had achieved metamorphosis into an embermaw ant queen, while the other embraced an aquatic destiny, becoming an aquamandible. However, the benefits of these profound transformations did not manifest immediately.

It was only after Theo commenced providing the colony with an immense volume of provisions that the brood began showing signs of significant growth. It was then that he first attempted to contrast them with the earlier embermaws and aquamandibles, only to arrive at a disheartening realization. The majority of the first generation embermaws and aquamandibles had already perished. They were among the very first to emerge, and a considerable duration had elapsed since their genesis. Meanwhile, Clara and Elias remained conspicuously absent. Their absence prompted Theo to acknowledge a burgeoning attachment, a level of dependence he was reluctant to revisit.

They were vital, as his kin, yet a desire for their constant presence signified a different kind of reliance, one Theo wished to avoid. With the ants undergoing two more substantial evolutions simultaneously, and the Ant Queen steadfastly refusing to initiate further evolutionary cycles until the current ones were finalized, Theo found his days largely devoid of activity beyond his sword practice. Rhys was occupied with various assignments, leaving only the regular knights available for sparring. Their lower cultivation levels, however, rendered these practice sessions largely unproductive.

Another day transpired in a similar fashion, leading Theo to a critical insight—he required more than his current circumstances offered. He felt neither challenged nor sufficiently engaged. Consequently, with a resolve formed independently, Theo sought out the baron to broach a significant topic.

"Father, I wish to enroll in the royal academy," Theo declared.

The baron, absorbed in his writing, barely glanced up from the document before him. "I understand," he replied calmly, his gaze still fixed on the paper. Then, without looking, he inquired, "You cannot join the standard first-year cohort anymore, Theo. The emperor has already informed me that accommodations will be made—and I am well aware of what that implies."

Only at this point did the baron finally raise his eyes. "Given your age, you would typically be progressing into your third year. Yet, in terms of accumulated knowledge, you are still at a first-year level," the baron elaborated. "How do you intend to address this disparity?"

Theo met his father’s gaze, a slight frown creasing his brow. "Did the emperor not assure us that he would handle the arrangements?"

The baron let out a soft sigh, returning to his writing for a moment before setting the paper aside and placing his pen back in its holder. "The emperor will orchestrate your enrollment in such a way that you might find yourself as the sole student in your entire class for a period, Theo. Will you be content with such an arrangement?" the baron asked.

This time, Theo’s response was not immediate. He held his father’s gaze for a beat, then drifted into contemplation. "Every student there will likely still be mere children... yet, forging connections is also crucial..."

"I shall devise a solution, Father. For now, my sole objective is to obtain a proper education, one that elevates my knowledge to the level of an academy graduate," Theo stated.

The baron offered a nod. "Perhaps it is indeed time for you to conclude these current studies. Once you have, there will be numerous matters requiring our attention as a family." He paused briefly before adding, "Your initial outer devil hunt may also transpire sooner than your siblings', considering how frequently the emperor summons you for missions."

At this revelation, Theo’s eyes widened. "Hunting outer devils?"

"Indeed. We shall discuss that at a later juncture. For the present, let us commence with that letter to Rael," the baron proposed, retrieving a fresh sheet of paper and beginning to pen the correspondence. "I understand you have yet to visit the underground library."

"Opportunity has not yet presented itself, Father. However, before I depart for the academy, there are a few matters I must see to." A broad smile spread across Theo’s face, a familiar expression his father recognized. It was a smile that invariably signaled Theo’s confidence in his own plans.

"Even if you dispatch the letter to the emperor this very instant, my admission will not occur until the summer break concludes," Theo added, eliciting a faint smile from the baron. "And what leads you to believe that man will not insist you join during the summer break to expedite your progress alongside your peers?" the baron countered.

Once more, Theo found himself in a quandary, completely taken aback. "...Well, I had thought I'd devised a rather clever plan," Theo mumbled, scratching the back of his head. "You may have only a week to finalize whatever you deem necessary. Following that, your departure for the academy will commence." Theo nodded and exited the room.

Upon his return, when he shared the news with Rhys, the knight made no effort to conceal his displeasure this time. Theo had been leaving home for virtually every endeavor, with the sole exception of his aura cultivation.

"So, you intend to attend classes now, despite your aura still being at such a low level, Young Master?" Rhys questioned directly, causing Theo to press his lips together.

He had evidently not anticipated such a blunt response from Rhys.

"It won't remain weak forever, Sir Knight. I simply require more learning," Theo responded.

Rhys observed him for a short duration before clicking his tongue.

"Then do not return from that place with a duller mind than when you departed. Acquiring knowledge is beneficial, but if your physical strength fails to keep pace, all that learning will serve to bitterly highlight your own frailty."

Theo acknowledged his words with a nod, taking them to heart. This was not a piece of advice he needed to hear again.

Nevertheless, he couldn't suppress his curiosity regarding the numerous inconsistencies he was observing.

On one side, everyone urged him to gain knowledge—specifically, political knowledge.

Yet, on the other, those individuals who possessed true strength appeared to hold such matters in low regard.

Theo aspired to become like the baron... like Rhys... and ultimately surpass them.

And to achieve that, he understood one certainty...

He needed to dedicate himself to training at a level that would demand every ounce of his blood, sweat, and tears simultaneously.