Insect Tamer's Ascension Chapter 500. 4 members

"Form groups of five students, then you may commence."

Upon hearing the instructor's words, Theo swiftly scanned the crowd, tallying the number of students present.

There were precisely one hundred students in the class, with no one absent.

As he shifted his gaze to his right, students were already rapidly coalescing into groups of five. Within the first minute, numerous formations had already solidified.

Theo opted to observe, curious to see who would be left without a team. In under five minutes, nearly every student had successfully joined a group.

Now, a mere ten students remained, milling about and seeking partners.

It was peculiar to witness them being overlooked, particularly since most had observed the preceding tournament. Yet, in the end, camaraderie and a sense of comfort among peers seemed to outweigh actual aptitude, determining group affiliation.

Theo finally initiated his move, approaching the first individual he spotted—a slender young man adorned with glasses.

With purpose, Theo moved towards the fellow.

The instant the boy looked up and recognized Theo, his posture instantly became more erect, his expression tightening.

"Would you care to join my group?" Theo inquired.

The boy deliberated only briefly before nodding immediately, prompting a reciprocal nod from Theo as he turned to seek his next recruit.

A strikingly fit young woman stood slightly apart, arms crossed, one leg subtly advanced.

The moment she perceived Theo's approach, a distinct frown creased her brow.

"Would you like to join our group?" Theo asked, a smile gracing his lips.

The young woman simply shook her head.

"I have no desire to join any group," she responded with a sharp tone.

Theo offered a calm, acknowledging nod.

"Fair enough."

Without pressing the matter further, he turned away, resuming his search for another potential member and moving onward.

The young woman observed Theo's receding figure, biting her lip in vexation before returning to her solitary position.

Theo extended a single invitation to each person, and within a mere two minutes, his group was complete.

Following brief introductions and an exchange of names, Theo's gaze swept over the sparse area where no one else remained.

There, individuals were engaged in simple conversation.

"Welcome to the group, Sir Orrin, Miss Kaela, Sir Mikel, and Miss Lysa. We shall begin by brainstorming an adequate shelter design, then proceed with its swift construction," Theo announced as they formed a circle.

Orrin, the bespectacled youth, nodded in agreement. He possessed the appearance of an intellectual, but now, integrated into a group, his demeanor was considerably more composed.

"We'll require a campfire to start," Orrin stated. "Without one, our progress will be severely hampered."

Theo nodded and gestured towards a nearby section of terrain.

"I observe ample fallen branches and dry leaves in that direction. Let's secure that location before anyone else claims it."

Upon receiving a nod of assent from all present, Theo moved forward without delay.

His current objective was not to forge friendships or establish deep connections; he perceived little immediate value in doing so.

Upon reaching the designated area, Theo gathered several branches, a slight smile playing on his lips.

"These are all quite dry. The professor certainly knows his craft."

Theo then approached a nearby tree, initiating the process of snapping larger branches into smaller, more manageable pieces for firewood.

"Does anyone possess a beast capable of assisting in breaking these branches into smaller portions?" Theo inquired.

Mikel raised his hand, as did Lysa.

They glanced to the side, then back at Theo.

"However, the professor did not mention that we are permitted to utilize our beasts, Sir Theo," Kaela stated tentatively.

Theo's expression grew serious.

"Miss Kaela, we are Beast Tamers. Our beasts represent our most significant advantage. We shall employ them, and if the professor objects, he may address us directly."

Despite his firm stance, Theo maintained a calm tone, careful to avoid sounding overly imperious.

Kaela slowly nodded, and a soft white luminescence emanated beside her.

Shortly thereafter, a small, rodent-like beast materialized on the ground, its nose twitching as it curiously surveyed its surroundings.

"I-It may seem insignificant, but it can easily break those branches, Sir Theo," Kaela explained, a hint of nervousness in her voice.

Theo let out a soft chuckle.

"Miss Kaela, no beast is inherently useless. More often than not, it is the tamer's inability to utilize them effectively that proves the limitation."

Kaela nodded once more, her perception of Theo shifting significantly.

"Should I summon my beast as well, Sir Theo?" Lysa inquired, her expression characteristically impassive.

Theo responded with a nod, maintaining his serious demeanor.

He found satisfaction in their natural acceptance of his leadership and their inclination to seek confirmation before acting. This approach granted Theo a sense of complete strategic autonomy within the group.

Lysa's forehead shimmered, and soon, an ordinary-looking grey wolf appeared before the assembled group.

She conveyed a mental command to the wolf, which then moved purposefully towards one of the fallen branches on the ground.

Theo's attention was immediately drawn to its claws—the very first element in the entire scenario to exhibit a distinct metallic sheen.The wolf’s claw slashed through the center of the branch, bisecting it cleanly. Theo applauded the display of skill. Casting a glance at a nearby tree, he then shifted his gaze back to the various groups who had already begun to find their places. "Building a campfire is a given for everyone, but our true distinction will come from what we accomplish afterward," Theo declared. "Therefore, our immediate focus is on the campfire itself. If you already possess the knowledge to start one, please hold off for a short while. Resources are quite limited in this compact forest, so we must delay in lighting it." He then gestured towards the professor, standing some distance away. "I intend to speak with the professor to ascertain whether we have permission to cut down trees." With his declaration made, he proceeded forward. "Cut down trees? Is he out of his mind?" Orrin mumbled, shaking his head. His entire demeanor shifted the instant Theo departed.