Insect Tamer's Ascension Chapter 503. Solo work and perfect guidance

Theo glanced back at their starting point and let out an exhausted sigh. They had arrived seeking assistance, yet his smokers required completion, and he was resolved to see his current tasks through, regardless of the outcome.

Cassie observed Theo, her expression reflecting the same uncertainty as before, while the others behind her repeatedly shifted their gazes between his hut and the smoker.

This made Theo reluctant to outright refuse them before even hearing their request. He wasn't inherently unkind, and maintaining positive connections could prove beneficial later on.

Unable to ignore them any longer, Theo sighed once more and inquired calmly, "What favor do you need?"

The young woman visibly relaxed upon hearing his willingness to listen and quickly explained, "We're struggling to stabilize the roof, young master. The branches keep slipping, and our campfire setup is quite disorganized. I know it’s a shameless request, but could you offer some guidance?"

Theo surveyed their camp and then the group assembled behind her. There were five individuals, and at first glance, none appeared entirely incompetent.

However, appearances often proved misleading once actual labor commenced.

His thoughts briefly turned to individuals like Kaelor and Lysara, and even Garrick, all of whom were exceptional in their respective domains.

"I will not complete the work for you," Theo stated, causing the girl's hopeful expression to falter.

"But I can point out where you are going wrong."

Her eyes immediately lit up at his subsequent words.

Theo accompanied them to their unfinished camp, pausing before it. The branches were not secured in any balanced fashion, and the stones surrounding the campfire were scattered too widely.

Initiating a fire there, he surmised, would likely result in it spreading outward rather than remaining contained—a significant oversight Theo recognized instantly.

"The foundation is incorrect," Theo declared, gesturing downwards. "You are attempting to construct the roof before adequately reinforcing the lower supports. Rectify this first, then secure the upper sections."

The students listened intently, and Cassie nodded in agreement.

Theo crouched down, indicating the stones near the campfire. "And these are too far apart. For a fire to be effective and controlled, the stones should be close enough to trap heat but spaced adequately to allow airflow."

They absorbed his advice as if he were a seasoned survival expert, not merely a fellow student. Theo straightened up, casting another swift glance over their entire camp.

"Furthermore, keep dry leaves away from the immediate vicinity of the fire. In a genuine survival scenario, your camp could easily become the first to be engulfed if the flames spread."

Cassie bit her lip, a flush of embarrassment rising on her cheeks. "Thank you, young master Theo. We will correct it immediately."

Theo stepped back without further comment, offering them a brief, reassuring smile.

Compared to the structures he and his group had already erected within the Gates, this was a minor undertaking. Moreover, he still had his own smoker to finish.

The longer he remained there, the more he understood that this class was not about who possessed the most formidable beast or the sharpest blade.

It was fundamentally about demonstrating practical knowledge gained from real-world experience.

And Theo could readily perceive that many of these students had likely never endured a single day of hardship in the wild.

He returned to his own campsite, refocusing his attention on the smoker.

The frame itself was sturdy, but the lower opening required improved airflow for proper smoke circulation. Theo knelt and meticulously adjusted the stones beneath it.

Suddenly, a loud shout echoed through the forest-like training grounds.

Theo looked towards the professor, noticing the man’s already intense eyes now gleamed with even greater fervor.

"HALF AN HOUR REMAINING!" Velra bellowed, a wide grin splitting his face. "If your camp still looks like a disaster, it will be recorded as such!" he added, his gaze as wild as ever.

Theo had already concluded that the man possessed a certain madness, but his added taunts revealed an entirely new dimension to his eccentricity.

The students, already on edge, became even more agitated by the professor’s words.

Theo, however, remained unperturbed by the mounting pressure, instead scanning his surroundings with a curious gaze.

The group led by the muscular young man was still performing admirably, ahead of many others. Their camp exhibited a cohesive structure, a well-made fire pit, and a strategically advantageous location near the trees, yet sufficiently distant.

Theo couldn't help but offer an internal nod of approval.

"That guy clearly has some experience..." he mused, his attention subsequently shifting back to Orrin's group.

They had, at long last, managed to construct something that bore a resemblance to a functional camp.

Yet, Theo immediately identified a significant issue: the complete lack of organization. It appeared as though each member had acted independently before collectively deciding it constituted teamwork.

Theo let out another sigh and returned to his own tasks.

With only ten minutes left on the clock, Professor Velra's voice once again cut through the air.

"CEASE FABRICATING NEW STRUCTURES! Rectify existing deficiencies and ensure no part of your creation spontaneously collapses. My expectation is to witness only completed encampments when the allotted time expires!"

In that instant, Theo ceased reinforcing the smoker and instead completed a final circuit around his constructed camp.

The small dwelling stood firm, its roof provided adequate shelter, the smoker, though rudimentary, functioned sufficiently, and the designated campfire area was properly contained.

Furthermore, ample open space was allocated, allowing occupants to gather without experiencing a sense of confinement.

Theo offered a nod of approval. While not flawless, it undeniably ranked among the superior campsites established.

The sole drawback was his inability to inhabit this created haven, only to receive evaluations and critiques for his efforts.

Presently, the professor elevated his hand, and a resonant, horn-like sound permeated the training grounds.

"TIME HAS EXPIRED!" his voice boomed.

A multitude of students emitted sighs of relief, while others appeared on the verge of tears.

For Theo, the experience felt routine, yet for some, this single session already constituted the year's most demanding class, and it was merely the inaugural one.

Professor Velra advanced, hands clasped behind his back, surveying the entire area with evident contentment.

"Commendable," he declared with a faint smile. "Now, you shall all finally confront the extent of your deficiencies in genuine survival."

No one found humor in his statement. Not after witnessing the stark realities firsthand throughout the day.

Velra continued his perambulation, his voice projecting clearly to all present.

"Tomorrow, I shall personally assess each encampment. My judgment will encompass construction integrity, functional utility, fire safety protocols, strategic placement, ingenuity, the integration of allied beasts, and overall practicality."

"Your evaluations will be disseminated tomorrow, thereby establishing your initial standing within my course. Should your camp be found wanting, I expect you to comprehend the reasons by dawn."

Theo found this pedagogical approach quite agreeable. It eschewed protracted lectures and fabricated reassurances, focusing instead on the impending outcomes they were destined to await irrespective of teaching methods.

"Now, leave all constructions undisturbed and proceed to your subsequent classes. Any student caught vandalizing another group's work out of envy will receive an immediate failing grade."