Insect Tamer's Ascension Chapter 495. Time to process some essence

"Are you excited for your second-year classes, young master?"

Gathered inside their dormitory room, the trio found Theo in front of a mirror, adjusting his hair.

Clara had attempted to style it for him on multiple occasions, but Theo would invariably rise from the chair, telling her to redo it once she was taller than him, leading to frequent bursts of laughter among them.

"It’s fine. Anything is preferable to what I’ve been dealing with for the past three months," Theo remarked as he applied a gel-like substance to his hair, beginning to shape it.

"What troubles me more is how my life has become so hectic that I haven’t evolved a single beast in the last three months. Can you believe it?" he inquired. "My primary ability, the very essence that distinguishes me from everyone else, and I’ve barely utilized it."

Clara merely listened, while Elias remained engrossed in a book, reading with an intense focus.

Theo understood why. The poor fellow had an examination approaching, one notoriously difficult to pass.

"Well, better late than never. I suppose we can start with the beetles after my first classes today," Theo added.

Clara nodded repeatedly from her position.

At times, Theo simply needed a listener to voice his thoughts, and after living with him for so long, Clara grasped those moments perfectly.

Once Theo was prepared, the three departed.

The instant they rounded the first corner, a group of students greeted Theo upon spotting him.

Theo returned their greetings with a nod and a faint smile before proceeding, leaving the group beaming in his wake.

He had become a minor celebrity within the academy. Many noble students were aware of his family’s circumstances and that he was now a Count.

Furthermore, the tournament that the headmaster had permitted Theo to join, despite not having officially commenced his second year, had allowed him to establish a considerable reputation.

Now, the name Theo Merrick held significant influence within the academy.

After leaving the dormitory, Clara and Elias bid him farewell, heading towards their respective classes.

There was no longer any hesitation between them. Both attendants recognized the paramount importance of studies and knowledge if they wished to remain valuable assets to Theo in the future.

Upon reaching the building housing all his classes, Theo noticed a familiar figure approaching from the opposite direction.

The moment she saw Theo, she let out a sigh, even though it was still early morning.

"Sir Misfit, I hope you don’t become a workaholic again this ’year’. Or should we still consider this your first year?" the head of the student body inquired with a smirk, seeming to tease him.

Theo, however, remained entirely unperturbed.

A smirk mirrored hers as it appeared on his face. "Don’t you have anyone else to contend with for this student body position? You strut around as if you're some sort of professor, Selmira."

Selmira’s eyes narrowed. "Remember, my authority is just below that of the professors. One complaint from me, and you’ll face the repercussions immediately, Theo."

Theo clicked his tongue, though a playful glint in his eyes persisted as he moved towards the classroom entrance.

"I’d be interested to see you attempt that. Farewell for now; my class is about to begin."

"Good luck."

The nearby students who witnessed their exchange felt as though they were observing a rivalry between a fourth-year and a second-year student.

What most of them failed to grasp, however, was that the preceding three months had already forged a bond between the two far stronger than that of mere acquaintances.

Theo engaged in banter with her first thing in the morning purely for amusement, and Selmira always played along, a dynamic that both Clara and Elias found immensely entertaining to watch.

By the time Theo entered the classroom, it was already half occupied, and nearly all eyes turned to him initially.

Some quickly resumed their conversations, evidently unaware of his identity, while a few whispered amongst themselves, recognizing him.

Theo selected a seat near the middle by the side window, sighing in relief as he realized he could enjoy the sunlight.

’So much has transformed since I enrolled in this academy,’ he mused internally, ’but one thing remains an issue… these bothersome children still maintain their distance from me.’

Theo had already established numerous connections, yet the peculiar aspect was that most of these were with professors who had developed an affinity for him, not solely as a student, but as an individual.

Some didn't even treat Theo like a child, conversing with him as they would any adult, which only highlighted the unusual individuals present at this academy.

Apart from the professors, there were two others besides his attendants—Selmira and Eryn.

Shortly after, the professor made his entrance, finding every available seat in the lecture hall already filled.

Upon seeing the instructor, Theo let out a small sigh. It was not a familiar face, and the professor was unmistakably an elderly gentleman.

Clad in a green robe, he was identified as a second-year professor.

His countenance was etched with deep wrinkles, giving the impression of a perpetual frown. However, as his gaze swept across the room and a gentle smile appeared, the students could discern his inherently kind nature.

"Good morning, class. I am Dorian Hale, and I will be your professor for Essence Processing and Irregular Beast Materials," the old man announced, his warm smile unwavering.

He then raised his water cup slightly. "Here's to a prosperous year."

A considerable portion of the students responded with nods or smiles.

Theo's attention casually moved throughout the classroom, observing that the majority of the students appeared quite ordinary.

This observation continued until his eyes fell upon a powerfully built youth, seemingly around his own age.

Theo instantly recognized that this young man possessed qualities distinct from those of a typical nobleman.

It was his eyes that provided the definitive clue.