"I know that you worked here Sean but I didn't think that you would recommend this shop to all your students, family and friends." Priscel looks at him strangely.
"Well, all of my partners comes in this place, so it's not strange that I'm rather fond and biased of this place."
"I heard from Dorothy that you said you're invincible under gold rank." She teases.
Sean was speechless, he knows that she's messing with him but looking at her smiling face, he decided to mess with her too.
"Yes, I'm invincible under gold rank, in fact, how about we spar after this, I'll let you hit me as much as you can."
Priscel footsteps falters, she glares at him menacingly, there's one thing she hates the most and that's people looking down on her strength.
"So after becoming a teacher, your balls has grown bigger, eh?"
"We'll know if I'm joking or not." He winks at her knowing that she's pissed off right now.
Jericho whispers. "Dude, what are you doing, aren't you going to rest for the upcoming competition?"
"Unlike you guys, my vitality is greater than normal rankers and even surpassing large mystique creatures, I don't really need to worry about being injured." He casually said.
With Intermediate Cultivation Technique, the passive abilities of Jade Skin and Titan Body, coupled with his abnormal Instant Regeneration skill, he can grow lost body parts with ease.
Jericho was speechless, he sulks besides him. "Why do you need to remind me that you're better than us?"
"For others, I might be humble but when I'm next to you, I feel like I need to show that I'm a king amongst commoners." He joked.
"Man, fxck you!" Jericho elbows him, the two of them are walking side-by-side laughing.
After a couple of minutes of browsing through the shop, they arrive at a familiar place.
"Ah, finally, we've arrived in this place, this is where I encountered Golden and I might say that he's special." Jericho proudly states.
Sean nods his head in agreement. "His wolf is definitely unique, if not for the fact that I like Wuk more, I might had chosen it."
Everyone looks at Jericho with envy, for Sean to evaluate a mystique creature this high, this meant that it has potential.
"Right! I forgot that you also signed your third pet beast in this place, where's that little turtle anyway?" Jericho recalls Pangaea.
"Right where's that Water Arrow Turtle that you bought!" Asks Priscel.
"He's back home, basking in the sun and is incredibly lazy but because of it, I can cultivate faster." He told the truth and at the same time, didn't.
The two didn't continue asking knowing that turtles are just like that except when they're in water.
"Because of the popularity of the shop increasing, mostly because of you, we're now earning enough money to buy more mystique creatures to sell." Priscel announced proudly.
"Word? I know that a pet shop is lucrative but isn't getting more variety of mystique creatures too much?" He says hesitantly.
"For others, that might be true but this shop belongs to the Evergreen Family, we are quite connected with the Alchemist Association, the Federation and the Evolution Planner Organization."
Sean remembers that the Evergreen Family is one of the unique powers in this city, with their abilities to nurture plants and having their family all raised plant-type mystique creatures, they had proven themselves of deserving the title of an overlord family in this city.
"I didn't think that I would forget this, well, for these past few weeks, my life had changed so much that it feels like years." He mutters to himself.
Jericho besides him stop and says. "With your family becoming Spiritual Tamers, you don't need to hurry anymore, you deserve some down time."
Sean nods his head. "Yeah, I'm already approaching silver rank and with the advent of Wuk's evolution, it probably won't take a long time for me to reach that rank."
"Wait! Wuk's evolving!? Since when!?" This was news for Jericho.
Priscel who was walking besides the two also stops, they want to know more.
"Yes, the day before the exam, I went to Golden Paradise to complete his evolution, his strength is already matching silver rank and with him evolving, he might be able to contend even against me." He thought and shares.
"Man, what the heck!? You're already quite abnormal yourself and now even your pet beasts are too!? Other than your new pet beast, the first two already surpasses those of the same rank in terms of raw power, potential and abilities." Jericho was depressed.
Their other buddies didn't know how strong his partners are but Jericho does as they serve as their sparring partner during their training.
"Can I see him when he completes his evolution?" Asks Priscel.
"Sure, after all, you can visit my house anytime you want." He casually said.
There weren't no new mystique creature in the free range area.
It seems that the Evergreen Family is still choosing which mystique creatures are suitable to sell.
They can't sell metal-type mystique creatures in large variety because of the Gold Family's existence and they don't want to share their plant-type mystique creatures either.
There are only a couple metal types in the shop and most of them are quite common like the Ironback Boar, Iron Monkey, Copperspine Wolf and Bronze Apes.
Still, seeing so many mystique creatures, their buddies are flushing with excitement.
Sean chuckles. "What are you guys excited for? You aren't even martial artists yet."
"Yeah but we do know that all the people you trained turned into one, as long as we grit our teeth, we'll definitely become martial artists!" Said the fat one amongst them.
"Sure, I'll turn you idiots into martial artists but be warned, because of our relationship, I'm going to treat you differently compared to the rest." He chuckles together with Jericho causing the trio to feel a chill running down their spine.
Suddenly, one of the city guards approach him. "Are you young master Sean?"
They asks, Sean was now wearing a disguise, if it weren't for Jericho, they wouldn't even ask him.
Sean was a bit surprised but he still nods.
The eyes of the city guards lights up. "The city lord wants to meet you."
Sean frowns, after what happened to the Federation, he no longer trusts the city lord that much.
"I must apologized but because of the school competition, schedule has been tight but if the city lord doesn't mind, I can meet him together with the principal, once again, I'm sorry but I have prior duties." He humbly states.
The principal told him that she's the strongest person in this city and this fact has been cemented after she took down three gold rankers on her own.
With Fabuki, the current strongest power would be the school, unless the city lord controls the power of the Federation branch of this city, he's no match against the principal.
The city guard was stunned, so were Sean's buddies, this is the first time a civilian actually dares to not accept the invitation of the city lord.
Leaving the city guard who was still trying to process Sean's answer, their group went to their usual hangout place.
"You guys order as much as you want, Jericho will pay." Sean generously said.
Jericho who was trying to order freezes.
"The fxck!?" Their group laughs at his reaction but still, he decided to pay amidst his reluctant gaze.
"By the way, what's the fastest way to earn money as a martial artist?" Asks the smart one of the group.
"There are many ways but if you don't belong to any group and is independent, then hunting mystique creatures is the fastest way to earn."
"But most people would hunt in groups rather than solo as the mystique creatures at the Outside is generally stronger than the ones we raised inside the city."
Jericho nods his head. "You should had seen the video pertaining our exams, don't think that those mystique creatures we hunted are weak, if it weren't for the fact that we humans are smarter than low tier mystique creatures, we wouldn't stand a chance."
"Yes, the grades of mystique creatures would also determine their strength, excellent grade can fight against human geniuses and superior grade are equal or even stronger than human prodigies and this isn't even equating their bloodlines." Sean shares to them.
They listen carefully before the lanky one amongst them asks. "Had you ever fought against excellent grade mystique creatures at the same rank?"
"Yes, I even fought those at the silver rank, multiple of them all at once." The four were shocked to hear this, they then look at him with admiration.
"What about superior grade? Had you fought one at bronze rank?"
He shakes his head. "Superior grade has a restriction and that is, only at silver rank can you reach that grade and no, I hadn't even encountered one at that rank either, they don't even stay at that rank for a long time."
Everyone was dumbfounded by this information, this wasn't thought in their school.
"Mystique creatures has grades not only this determines their strength but also their potential."
"Common grades wouldn't be able to rank up and would stay at their rank in their lifetime."
"Rare grade has a twenty five percent chance of be able to rank up but this only applies at bronze and silver rank."
"Excellent grade has a fifty percent chance of ranking up, twenty five percent chance in reaching gold rank."
"Superior grade mystique creatures are born at silver rank and once they reach adulthood, they would become gold ranker."
The smart one asks. "That means that if you have an excellent grade mystique creature at iron rank, then, they would be set for silver rank."
Sean shakes his head. "Yes and no, most excellent grade would reach silver rank but if you have one at iron rank and it didn't evolve after reaching bronze rank, their grade would actually decrease."
"So an excellent grade iron rank mystique creature would only be a rare grade bronze rank mystique creatures?"
Sean nods his head. "The chances of a excellent grade iron rank mystique creature reaching bronze rank is 99%."
Unbeknownst to them, the other customers inside the restaurant were listening carefully on their discussion.
"There are only two reason for a mystique creature to have excellent grade in the iron rank, first, their bloodlines comes from a powerful lineage but quite impure that's why they're born at a lower rank or second, they undergo variancy." The trio turns to look at Jericho with envy.
"If you can activate their bloodlines during their rank up, they can stay at their current grade even after rank up but if you can evolve them during their or before ranking up, their overall abilities and strength would reach another level after they reach the next rank even if their grade stays the same."
"This is also the reason why evolution planners are considered as a nobles, after all, the stronger your contracted mystique creature is, the greater the feedback you receive, the stronger your foundation and stronger your potential."
"Evolution Planner, I want to become one!" Said the smart one amongst the group, Sean looks at him strangely.
"The only way for you to achieve that is to become an apprentice to one or apply to the Federation, the former is difficult because only the strong and rich has connection to them."
"What about the latter?" Jericho asks, clearly tempted too.
"That's near impossible, you need to design an evolution plan that can not only be used by you but also by others."
Sean then points at himself. "Take me for example, both my first and second partners evolved into a new species but I never did apply to the Federation nor was contacted by the Evolution Planner Organization."
"Do you know why?" He asks while smiling.
"Is it because their form or evolution is only unique to themselves and can't be replicated by others through normal means?" The smart one asks.
"Ding! Ding! Ding! You're correct! They're unique, that's why I'm a great human partner but to be a evolution planner, you need more." Sean chuckles.
He points at Jericho. "If his wolf evolves, it won't also be replicated because variancy is unique to each individual, even if they have the same typing and structure of skills, unless they also have the same soul, mind and being, they would never be the same."
"I am studying the law of variancy, at first I thought that it was because of the environment they're living but that's adaptation and evolution." He chuckles.
Suddenly, one person arrives near them, it was an old man, without even asking them, he sits in front of Sean, causing the three to be pushed to the side.
"What the fxck, old man!?" Screams the lanky one, he's the person at the side of the wall.
"I was taken aback when I heard that a young fellow of the bronze rank actually dares to disagree with the a gold ranker's request but after hearing your thoughts, I can't help but feel your entitled to." The old man chuckles.
Sean's expression was extremely serious, this person in front of him radiates intense aura that even he feels overwhelmed.
A gold ranker but he's confused, this old man is clearly at silver ranker, unless.
Sean bows to him. "Greetings to esteemed sir, may I ask what you want from this poor person?"
The old man raises his eyebrow, he waves his hand and the trio was captured by a large man wearing a suit and sunglasses.
Jericho quickly reacts but Sean raises his hand to stop him.
"I know you're strong, old man, but, do you really think you can survive against me?" The old man chuckles.
"Oh? You think that you can kill this old man?" He asks teasingly.
"I can't deny that your pet beast is strong enough to crush me, a gold rank mystique creature, not only that but also a high grade one too but."
Sean's killing intent suddenly surges out of his body and locks at the old man.
"You're only at silver rank, I might not be able to defeat a gold ranker but no silver ranker can defeat me."
The old man suddenly laughs out loud. "I believe that! Kazam told me that he feels a sense of danger from you, it seems that you can really kill me with our current distance."
Sean doesn't sense any hostility from the old man and he doesn't exude any sensation he felt from gold rankers and martial artists.
His killing intent recedes.
"From your words, it seems that you're the one that asks for my presence in the city lord mansion."
"Yes! I want to study that fox of yours, together with that monkey of yours, I wanted to know what makes them so different, how can mystique creatures that belongs to the common grade and weaker strength explodes in strength in just a matter of one month!"
"You wish to research my partners? Do you want to replicate their success? No, that's not the emotion I'm feeling from you, curiosity? An unrelenting one at that, ah!" Sean's narrowed eyes widens as he realizes the identity of the person in front of him.
"You're an evolution planner! No wonder your pet beast is at gold rank while you're still at silver rank." The old man was stunned.
He laughs out loud once again. "You're quite perceptive, young man! Yes, as you assessed, I'm an evolution planner!"
Everyone inside the restaurant was shocked by this, just as they want to approach, multiple people in black suits stands around the seat Sean and the old man were sitting upon, in fact, the entire restaurant is now guarded by men and women wearing black suits.
"I apologize, old man, but I can't join you in your quest for knowledge, my partners are not just tools for me to grow stronger but family members that I cherishes, also, I don't want their condition to worsen now that the competition is approaching."
The old man becomes silent, he can see that Sean truly cares for his pet beasts and such person wouldn't agree to any activities involving the well-being of his family if the return isn't worth it or their safety isn't assured.
"How presumptive of me but pray tell, what does your study tells you about the law of variancy?" He asks slightly.
"Before you interrupted me, I was about to explain it to Richard (the smart one), why don't you let him sit next to you while I continue?" He asks.
The old man agrees and Richard was let go, he fixes his clothes and glasses and sits nervously next to the old man.
"This is just my conjecture, I don't really know if they are true or not." The old man nods his head.
"Right now, I have two theories regarding variancy, first is the born variant, as you know, mystique creatures can breed with different species and race." Everyone nods their heads.
"The inborn variant experienced such changes because of the bloodlines either clashing, causing a drastic change of appearance and abilities." The old man listens while frowning.
"Then, there's a bloodline aviation, there are cases that supposedly common grade mystique creature being born at excellent or even superior grade, this is bloodline aviation, their ancestors might be high grade mystique creatures and they won the luck in the lottery of genetics by inheriting their ancestor's bloodline."
"What a good theory! I suggest that you publish such books, don't worry, I'll vouch for you and since your a student from that little girl's school, then, she'll definitely protect you!" The old man slaps the table crushing it.
"I am actually both a student and a teacher of our school."
"That's even better! You now have a leg to stand on!" The old man was pleased.
"Then, what about those that becomes a variant when they're adult or growing up?" Asks the old man.
"I call them true variants, compared to inborn ones that aren't even considered a variancy more so genetically mutated by their bloodlines, true variancy comes from the mystique creatures soul and environment!"
The old man was startled, this is too farfetched from his idea.
"How can you say so?" The old man asks.
"Because, I picked all my partners based on their personality and by training them based on this, they evolve or even turn into variants!"
The old man was listening with shining eyes, this might be better than he first thought, after all, he asked for Sean because of the existence of his two pet beasts.
"The ones that become variant are all intelligent mystique creatures because if they're not, then, they would become monsters! Variants and monsters are the same coin but only at opposite sides!"
BOOM! It's like an explosion appears on the mind of everyone that were listening.
"Oh my goodness! You're right! Why didn't I found this much earlier, I'm so stupid to ignore such an obvious sign, in all my life as a researcher and evolution planner I never encountered a variant that isn't intelligent!"
Sean nods his head, he actually got this theory from Jasmine's own trait.
"Once they become monster, they would transform spiritual energy into demonic energy, one that corrupts the spiritual energy and absorbs vitality quickly."
The old man becomes silent, with a solemn and serious expression, completely different from earlier, he asks. "Had you also started studying monsters?"
"Yes and no, I really didn't study in such in-depth as I'm too busy planning the evolution of my partners." The old man's expression eases up.
"Monsters are taboo creatures of our world, you might not know this but once they reach innate realm, they would gain intelligence but still, this wouldn't change their nature.
Sean was shocked but quickly found that it wasn't as surprising as he thought it would be if he really thinks about it.
Innate Realm is intimately connected to spiritual energy and considering that demonic energy is actually the opposite of it while still closely tied to its existence, he was no longer surprised.
"Would they develop cunningness or just obtain intelligence?" He asks, this is a very important question.
"Yes, they develop a cunning and insidious mind, don't mind the monsters, the most terrifying enemies that human faces is against the undead." The old man sighs.
Sean shakes his head. "That's too far of a future for me, we should return to our topic."
"Evolution through desires, this is true variancy, they evolve through what they experience and what they sought after, this type of variancy is unique to them but also largely affected by the resources available and the abundant element around them, just like in this city, most variancy adds metal element on their typing."
The old man agrees with his words, many variant of this city becomes metal types or add a secondary typing within them.
"Using their types, personality, desire or bloodline, you can cause them to evolve as long as you meet certain condition."
"As expected of the prodigy of our city, your mind is quite different from those of your age, if you don't mind, you can come to the Evolution Planner Organization, you can use my name to enter." The old man then gives him a card.
"I might had not seen your pet beasts but your theories inspired me, if you want, you can ask a resource from me!" The old man wants to invest in Sean's path to evolution planner.
Sean hesitates before stating. "Transformation Grass, I want them, as many as you are willing to give me."
The old man was surprised, then a flicker of interest appears in his eyes, he knows that Sean's two pet beasts are already high grade and doesn't need Transformation Grass.
"Sure, I'll give a hundred to you." Sean can't help but be stunned.
He quickly shakes his head. "No, that's too many, I can't take too much of your money."
The old man chuckles. "Eh! That might be true for you martial folks but I'm an evolution planner, a gold rank one at that, such paltry number of Transformation Grass wouldn't bother me."
Sean becomes silent before sighing. "For a short while there, I can't help but think of pursuing such a path but I remember that I'm still young, if I'm not passionate and hot-blooded what's the point of being young."
The old man was stunned before laughing out loud. "Yeah, that's right! You're still young! Go experience the world first and tell me about all you discovered! Who knows, you might even surprise me."
Sean looks at this person who gives him so much so casually and drops a bomb on him.
"Wuk, my first partner, a variant of Iron Monkey, Jasmine, my second partner, a Spirit Fox, had all evolved, both are now at bronze rank and their grades are both Pseudo Superior, if I have some time tomorrow, I'll visit you and show them to you."
The old man sits there dumbfounded while Sean and his group left.
Jericho can't help but say. "It only took a couple of minutes for someone with such status to actually find us."
He was depressed by this, Sean pats his shoulder.
"We are in a city, as long as we're in here, not many actions can be hidden from the Federation and the city lord is the direct subordinate of the Federation, appointed to manage this city."
He looks towards the Outside. "This is the reason why the major powers are scrambling to create their territory in the wilderness because it would truly belong to them and not the Federation."
In their city, the strongest individuals are gold rankers and there's more than one, they aren't content at being under the Federation all the time.
Every single one of them has an ambition to create a power that they can truly control.
Sean thinks about this and he can't help but realize something.
'Why don't the principal and Fabuki also do this?'
The two has enough strength to contend but realizing their primary responsibility is to nurture students, no place is safer in this world for humans than in their own city.
Sean was deep in thought that he didn't realize he was walking back home.
Their plan to hangout was ended prematurely because of what they just experienced.
This was an unconscious action, for him, home is where he can unwind his thoughts and relax.
"I'm home!" Casually announcing, he enters and was about to go back to his room when he freezes.
His face was frozen, he just realized what he did, his foot is already in the staircase.
There were visitors inside the house, they were all looking at him, with stunned expressions.
Just as he was about to escape once again, Hina shouts at him. "Freeze!"
Just like a deer about to crash into a car, he freezes.
"Come on, let's be mature about this and talk things through." Hina cautiously said.
Sean starts moving again and he's running away.
He doesn't know what to say and he decided to use the age of his current body to escape.
Just as he nearing the door, it was opened by another person, it was the principal, he's about to crash into her.
"Care to tell me what are you doing?" The principal asks.
A barrier appears in front of her, blocking him from touching her.
"Catch him, principal Maki!" Shouts Hina, without hesitation, she captures Sean and brings him to the girls.
He was now sitting at their table, like a convict in trial.
"I never thought that you would return home in just one day but seeing your face earlier, it seems that you're deep in thought." Hina teases but she's actually fidgeting underneath the table.
She knows that after what she did last night, their relationship will no longer be the same.
Sean wants to say something but nothing comes out from his mouth, he opens and closes them from time to time, lowering his head.
Only after a couple of minutes passed by did he finally starts speaking.
"I don't know what to say, I'm flattered, overjoyed even, I never thought that someone would fall for me, especially someone as beautiful as you." His words are full of sincerity but they made all of the girls dumbfounded and speechless.
"What do you mean that you think no one will fall for you!?" Asks Yana in a loud voice.
Sean's mentality might had changed after he transmigrated in this world but he still carries some of his mindset.
Like believing someone like him is hopeless in regards of relationship.
The value of love in his former life is quite cheap, many people cheat, there's no longer passion, only convenience and sex.
With his appearance, his introverted personally, together with his lack of confidence, he thought that love is too exhausting and unrewarding for someone like him so he closed off his heart.
The principal rubs her forehead, Fabuki, who arrives together with her also looks at Sean with a strange expression.
"You really had no idea how much charm you have!" She shouts in which everyone agrees with her words.
Sean's confused, he only told them what he truly feels, does it really need to illicit such reaction?
*Sigh* "I know you're pretty smart but to think that you're also really stupid."
Sean frowns and asks. "I'm not that stupid! I know that I had become handsome."
He's confident with this, Charm increases his attractiveness, this was written in the description of the ability.
"Really? Then, do you know how handsome you are?" She asks.
Everyone focuses on Sean.
"Very handsome, I can be considered as a celebrity if I decided to stream." He proudly said.
Each girl slaps their forehead with his answer, the principal then glares at Tsu.
"Look at how you raised him! He's clearly unaware of his own situation inside the city!" Tsu can't refute her words.
"Hey, don't shout at aunt Tsu like that, she tried her best to raise us!" He immediately defended her.
Tsu feels guilty, the more he tries to protect her, the guiltier she felt, did she really tried her best? For her, yes, but is her best enough?
"Sean, I think you should start streaming and interacting with more people." Yana suggested in which Ganko immediately steps in.
"I can introduce you to some of our friends, they are famous in the streaming service, only outclassed by the both of us because of your existence."
Sean shakes his head. "No, I need to train in order to grow stronger quickly."
He also needs to hunt to gain more resources.
"I agree with the two girls, you need to spend your time wisely, how about this, You hunt for three days, train for two days and give your body and mind three days to rest?" The principal suggests.
Sean was about to disagree but suddenly holds his tongue, hunting is efficient in gaining combat strength but if he wants to earn enough money for his future, he needs another method to earn money.
The fastest way for him right now is trying the path of evolution planner but he needs to learn more knowledge regarding this world, mystique creatures and humans.
"Hmm, I think your suggestion is quite good and I can let Wuk and Jasmine hunts in the inner core after the competition."
"How about this? I'll stream but only at night, I'll use my time at the day to train and also train you guys."
Everyone nods their head, happy that he listens to suggestions.
"Yana, the two of us should start studying if we want to become evolution planner." Sean turns to his little sister.