Insect Tamer's Ascension-Chapter 49 - . Partial Evolution

Theo could understand where she was coming from, yet at his age, his energy levels were incredibly high. To the point that he was experiencing deep sleep and days filled with energy.

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There were moments like this when he was tired, but a little afternoon sleep didn't hurt his schedule.

After an hour, the ores arrived, delivered by a laborer. Clara took them out of the small sack, and that was when Theo realized just how otherworldly they looked.

It was a pitch-black ore with grayish hues scattered across it.

"They are all in great shape, Young Master. It seems Head Butler Alfred picked them out himself," Clara stated and picked one up. After analyzing it, she offered the ore to Theo, who took it and marveled at nature's creation with awe.

"It's beautiful…" Theo muttered.

"This is not an ore that you can come across in a market, Young Master. This is military-grade ore that only the elites can have due to how expensive it is."

"How expensive are we talking?" Theo asked curiously.

"About 10,000 gold coins for 500 grams was the rate a few years ago—it would definitely be higher now."

"Ohh… 10,000 gold seems very expensive," he stated to maintain composure. But honestly, he didn't know much about the world's currency.

Whatever he needed was always in front of him within an hour or a few days.

"It's nothing for the Merrick Barony, but from the background I come from, it's two years' worth of minimum income, Young Master," Clara spoke with a laugh.

Theo's eyes widened in shock. He looked at the kilo of ore with newfound appreciation.

"I never asked you this, but how is your family, Clara?" Theo asked. It was the first time her family had come up in conversation.

"They are good, Young Master. They live right in the town."

"That's great. Do you get to meet them?" Theo asked, feeling like it was a dumb question. He had never seen Clara leave his side for as long as he remembered.

"I met them a few times when they came near the castle this year," she said with a genuine smile that pained Theo's heart.

"You don't miss them?"

Clara was thoughtful for a moment before another warm smile spread across her face. "I miss them, but my career and duties here are important."

"That's not good, Clara. You have to meet them every week." He stated with a frown before continuing, "I have decided—after this gathering is over, you will have a day off every week," Theo said, his tone firmer than usual.

"N-No, Young Master! Something like this is unheard of," she said in shock. It seemed that getting a holiday was not normal in this world.

"Well, I take care of my people. And aside from my family, you're the first of MY people here, Clara. Taking care of you is also my duty," Theo said seriously while also looking at the ores.

Clara remained frozen for a few seconds, surprise written all over her face, but then her ears turned redder by the second until a blush spread to her cheeks.

"I-I don't know what to say, Young Master… Thank you," she said, avoiding eye contact.

Theo looked at her and smiled. He knew she was happy. But now was not the time to dwell on it.

"Well, I'll bring the mantis now."

With that, Theo left to get the mantis while Clara kept fidgeting her fingers anxiously.

When Theo brought the mantis out of the terrarium and near the ores, it hopped almost instantly without needing a command.

"Such a brat," Theo muttered with a sigh but observed the situation intently.

The mantis landed on a piece of ore on the ground. It moved its antennas over the ores for a few seconds as if assessing them.

Then, suddenly, it lowered its face and bit into the ore aggressively.

CRACK!

Under its bite, small fragments and a lot of powder scattered onto the ground.

The mantis quickly picked up one of the small pieces with its forelegs and, under Theo and Clara's focused gaze, placed the piece in its mouth.

The sound of stone grinding filled the air, unsettling Theo slightly. The last time he heard this sound was when the mantis was eating the moss slime's cores.

Theo narrowed his eyes, watching the mantis continue grinding down the ore, its mandibles working with precision. Each bite released more of the fine, strange powder onto the floor, while small shards crumbled under the relentless chewing.

At one point, Theo could tell that the mantis was really enjoying the food.

"This is a very strange way to eat an ore, Young Master. Even my beast eats ore, but not like this."

"They do?" Theo asked curiously.

"Yes, good-quality ores can help strengthen the body of metallic beasts."

"Well, my mantis isn't normal to begin with. But if eating ores can make it stronger, I should have done this sooner," Theo said with amusement, crossing his arms.

The mantis kept breaking off small pieces and devouring them rapidly, as if it was racing against time.

TING!

A notification popped up, and Theo's heartbeat accelerated.

[Partial Evolution detected!]

He quickly opened the mantis's status and checked the evolution section at the bottom.

=====

Evolution Potential - Partially Detected

Evolution Information:

Partial Evolution detected

Requirements:

Absorb 400 grams of the same ore for 10 days (0/10)

Evolution Traits:

Hardened exoskeleton Sharper forelegs Increase in size

=====

"Oh my god, it's here!!" Theo exclaimed, jumping up frantically, making Clara flinch in surprise.

Seeing Theo's excited and happy face, Clara quickly realized what had just happened.

"Will it go through evolution again, Young Master?!" she joined in the excitement, standing up abruptly.

"It will be a partial evolution, but still! It means it can evolve again after going through it once!!" Theo shouted with pure excitement.

It felt as though all of his mental exhaustion had completely disappeared. The mantis was still eating the ores as if it's life was on the line.