Lucas froze beside Arthur, eyes widening as he watched the superior-ranked beast obey without hesitation.
'He's tamed a superior-ranked beast?' Lucas thought, genuinely shocked. 'How?'
The surprise wasn't about power—Lucas could destroy Formicia if needed. But the rarity and difficulty of finding such creatures, let alone binding them to one's will...
Ash finally noticed them, his eyes sliding right past Lucas as if his older brother didn't exist.
His attention locked onto Arthur instead.
"Is that your pet beast?" Ash asked, pushing off the pillar.
No greeting. No introduction. Pure Ash Ashencroft style.
"She is," Arthur replied calmly.
Ash circled Formicia, studying her with expert eyes. His S-Rank talent might be Explosions, but like all top-tier students, he knew his monsters.
"Superior-ranked Spider Queen," he said, letting out a low whistle. "Didn't think I would see one in the academy, tamed too."
"She's registered," Arthur replied.
