Insect Tamer's Ascension Chapter 501. Bad team!

As Theo made his way toward the professor, who stood observing everyone from the sidelines, a nearby group abruptly ceased their conversation the moment he entered their earshot.

Theo merely shrugged it off and continued onward. His competitive drive was high at the moment, but not enough for him to concern himself with their whispers.

When Professor Velra noticed Theo approaching, those characteristically intense eyes fixed upon him.

"What is it you require, student?" the man inquired, prompting a respectful nod from Theo.

"Professor Velra, are we permitted to fell trees?" Theo inquired.

A smile immediately bloomed on the professor's face.

"And by what means will you accomplish this? I haven't provided you with any tools for such a task," the professor responded, although a discernible eagerness and curiosity remained etched on his features.

Theo offered a slight smile and gestured towards the hilt of the sword secured at his waist.

The professor's intense gaze intensified, and he slowly nodded, causing Theo to once again feel a sense of unease about the man's peculiar nature.

"No more than two trees per group, however. The specialists will require a month to restore them," he stipulated.

This time, it was Theo's turn to display surprise, but he wasted no further moments, departing after offering a respectful bow.

Nevertheless, he could sense the professor's continued scrutiny, his gaze filled with anticipation for Theo's next move.

_____

Upon Theo's return, an immediate shift in the atmosphere was palpable.

The group's collective mood had demonstrably changed since his departure.

Orrin was the first to greet him with a smile, though it seemed to be the extent of his warmth.

"I've received the professor's approval. We can commence now. Does anyone among you possess a beast capable of bearing significant weight? Something roughly the size of that tree?" Theo inquired.

Kaela shook her head, a subtle hesitation betraying her eyes. Lysa mirrored her response.

This time, Mikel spoke, but his expression carried a hint of doubt that Theo found unsettling.

That doubt was clearly visible in his eyes, a stark contrast to the unwavering certainty he displayed earlier when following orders.

'Something occurred while I was away.'

For the first time since the camp activities began, Theo felt a flicker of genuine excitement, anticipating a challenge.

This particular camp exercise was exceedingly basic, hardly enough to provoke the intense reactions seen in other classes.

However, a new problem had emerged, one he resolved to address.

"I have a red bear as my beast, Sir Theo," Mikel stated.

In the subsequent moment, a white luminescence materialized on Mikel's forehead, delineating the form of a colossal creature.

The light dissipated, revealing a seven-foot-tall bear that promptly settled itself, lazily indulging in an abdominal scratch.

"Excellent. I need you to command it to push the tree in that direction once it's felled. Do you believe it can manage that?" Theo questioned.

Mikel offered a simple nod.

At this juncture, Orrin, Kaela, and Lysa remained on the periphery, observing in silence.

Theo advanced towards the tree, drawing the attention of everyone present, including the watchful professor.

The instant he drew his blade from its sheath, Orrin was the first to react with a frown, as if Theo's action was profoundly offensive.

But just as doubt began to creep in about Theo's seemingly absurd approach, an aura enveloped the blade, stunning everyone present.

"SWORD AURA!" Lysa exclaimed in astonishment before instantaneously covering her mouth.

Theo wasted no further time, assuming his stance before executing a horizontal swing towards the tree trunk.

The blade severed the wood as if it were mere air, eliciting a sigh of relief from Theo. The tree possessed no significant sturdiness; it felt akin to a particularly frail species.

Observing that Mikel had yet to direct his bear, Theo urgently commanded, "NOW!"

The bear registered the falling trunk, which was veering off course from the intended direction, yet it remained inert.

Frustration surged within Theo. He unleashed the full extent of his intimidating presence, refraining from holding anything back.

Within seconds, the bear recognized the pressure emanating from him.

However, it responded with a defiant snarl.

A vein throbbed on Theo's forehead. The surrounding aura dissipated as he lowered his sword to the ground.

He then stepped forward and delivered a powerful, full-force punch to the side of the tree.

All eyes watched as the veins on Theo's arms and face bulged, his ears visibly reddening.

Before anyone could fully comprehend, the tree's trajectory altered. Instead of colliding with multiple other trees, which would have complicated the subsequent cutting and processing, it came to rest against a single tree near the clearing.

The other students' curiosity was finally ignited, and a ripple of excited chatter spread throughout the campsite.

As the tree impacted the ground with a resounding thud, Theo finally drew a deep breath and fixed Mikel with a stern, frowning gaze.

Mikel averted his gaze, though he couldn't ignore Theo's deliberate approach.

"Does your beast not heed your commands?" Theo inquired coldly. Had the tree fallen in its natural path, their workload would have doubled.

An enraged roar erupted from the bear as it witnessed Theo's disrespect towards its human companion. It lumbered to its feet, inexplicably directing its advance towards Theo.

Concurrently, an irresistible itch gnawed at the mantis from within.

It burst forth from the beast space, materializing directly before the bear. The ursine creature halted instantly, its gaze locked with the mantis's, paralyzing it on the spot.

The mantis delicately rested a foreleg upon the bear's limb. Yet, the bear felt the terrifying sharpness of its bladed appendage, a cold dread coursing through its being.

The other three students nearby also stood frozen, this being their initial encounter with the mantis.

Just as Theo prepared to instruct the mantis to retreat into the beast space and hold back—

He perceived a presence entering his spatial awareness.

"Scoundrel!"

The professor materialized directly before the assembled group, his gaze fanatical as he bellowed at Theo. Theo regarded the man, anticipating an imminent outburst.

"??"