🎆 Happy New Year! 🎆
Thank you all for the amazing support throughout this year. 💙To celebrate the arrival of the new year, here is a special New Year code:
🎁 Code:NewYear: F3B16
📅 Code validity:
Start: December 30, 2025 at 11:55 p.m.
End: January 2, 2026 at 11:00 p.m.
Enjoy it and let's start this new year strong. 🚀✨Here's to an amazing 2026! 🎉
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Helpless.
His own master was selling him out like that.
Now, even if he wanted to refuse, he no longer could.
With the cheers of his companions all around him...
Cain directly placed one foot on the railing at the side and, with a jump, leapt forward.
Covered by his psychic power...
He slowly descended onto the platform that had been prepared and enhanced for the occasion.
The elderly woman seated in the center, upon seeing Cain's display of powers, let a glimmer appear in her eyes.
She seemed to believe a little more in the words of old Matsuda.
When old Matsuda had come to her, telling her that a seventeen-year-old boy intended to take the Advanced Breeder exam, she had not believed a single word.
That was until old Matsuda showed her the entire process in which Cain had managed to detoxify Drake.
And besides, old Matsuda had guaranteed with his own name that, if it didn't work, well... ahem ahem...
Anyway, considering old Matsuda's face, she waved her hand decisively and ordered the entire Breeders' Guild to take action.
If what old Matsuda said was true, for the Breeders' Guild this was truly an extraordinary event.
If that was the case, better make it grand. After so much time staying discreet, it was time to go out and show off a little.
So all the old men and women who had been immersed in their research were summoned with a single order.
In short: to give presence.
If they were going to do it, they would do it seriously.
That was why this scene had taken place.
Not even old Matsuda had foreseen it.
That showed that, although that old woman was advanced in age, her determination and character were unquestionable.
"Master, respected masters," said Cain, bowing respectfully toward the nine elders.
Many of them didn't even know who Cain was.
The one most familiar with him, aside from old Matsuda, was Old Eizan.
He, as the vice president of the Breeders' Guild, was the one currently handling all the guild's internal affairs.
More than a year ago, upon learning that a sixteen-year-old boy had passed the Intermediate Breeder exam, he had already set his sights on Cain.
In fact, it had been his decision to promote Cain as the representative of the new generation of breeders.
That was why, upon learning that the one being examined today was Cain, after old Matsuda, he was the most interested.
"You are Cain?" asked the elderly woman seated in the center.
Although her hair was already completely white, her face had few wrinkles. In her youth, without a doubt, she would have been an incomparable beauty.
"That's right," replied Cain respectfully, bowing his head.
The old woman nodded.
"When Takashi came to me, I thought he was joking with me. But now it seems you do have something. However, on an occasion like this, if you fail your exam, it won't just be a blow to your master, but also to yourself. Are you prepared?"
Hearing her, Cain reflected for an instant, took a deep breath, and made sure to show a little nervousness.
He had to look nervous, otherwise it would seem fake...
He nodded again, showing that he was ready.
"Look, for your master's sake, we all set aside our occupations. If you fail, your master has committed himself to more than one 'unequal treaty.' I hope you understand what it has cost him and that you won't let him down," continued the old woman, throwing a sidelong glance at old Matsuda, who was seated at one end pretending to be absent.
There was a special undertone in her gaze.
Seeing that look, Cain's expression turned strange.
Could it be that...?
His master had so much influence...?
Could it be that... with the president... there was some kind of relationship?
No wonder he could move about in the Breeders' Guild as if nothing.
"By the way, my name is Sylvia. Some call me Syl, you may call me Grandma Syl," said the old woman.
"Grandma Syl," replied Cain, bowing once more respectfully. That title had to be said. Who knew, perhaps one day she might even become his "political master."
Hearing him, Grandma Syl nodded, and a spark of tenderness appeared in her eyes as she looked at Cain.
The story between her and old Matsuda was far too long to go into detail.
Then Grandma Syl turned her gaze toward Old Eizan.
Old Eizan immediately caught the signal.
"Ahem, we now officially begin the exam. First part: questions of professional knowledge," he announced.
Each of those present, except for old Matsuda, had to pose two questions. In total, sixteen. To pass, he had to answer at least twelve correctly.
Although all of them were Advanced-level Breeders, in truth they had long since surpassed that category. It was just that no higher standard had been established, no defined limit, so they were still recognized as Advanced-level Breeders.
The first question came from President Sylvia: "When an Icecrystal Berry comes into contact with a Spicyvine Flower, what kind of reaction occurs?"
It was a fairly standard question. Grandma Syl had clearly shown some consideration for the relationship with old Matsuda.
But in truth, for Cain it didn't matter what question was asked.
After reflecting for three seconds, he replied calmly and accurately: "If the Icecrystal Berry is in greater proportion, the Spicyvine Flower will freeze instantly, and can be used to treat burns gradually, reducing the formation of scars."
"On the other hand, if the Spicyvine Flower is in greater proportion, the Icecrystal Berry will melt immediately, and can be applied to alleviate internal burns, with very rapid recovery, though there is risk of relapse."
"When both are in equal proportions..."
And so, for two minutes, he explained in detail all the possible effects of that combination.
Hearing his response, several of the elders nodded.
After all, even though they had been dragged out of their research by order of the president, none of them dared to complain.
Who didn't know the president's temperament?
Even so, regarding Cain, they were ready to put him to the test harshly.
They were a group of elderly men and women, but with hearts still mischievous like children's.
However, after hearing such a detailed response, even more precise than the official standard, they began to take interest.
One after another, they fired their questions.
Cain, always after three seconds of reflection, responded with total accuracy.
Sometimes he even gave a more complete answer than what the examiners themselves expected.
The audience, without technical knowledge, at first understood nothing.
But they saw that such complex questions were being answered effortlessly, and they were impressed.
Those with higher cultural education, so as not to remain silent, would simply let out a "wow," three letters that expressed surprise, didn't make them seem dull, and also helped warm up the atmosphere. Three in one, perfect.
It was the first time that examiners, after hearing a response, were left in silence thinking...
Or even showing an expression of sudden comprehension.
Cain had completely captured their interest.
"Smart, huh? Let's see how he answers this one that has me stuck in my research," some thought.
And still, Cain maintained his style: three seconds of reflection, then the exact answer.
Perhaps others didn't notice, but they, as experts, understood well: those answers went far beyond an Advanced-level Breeder exam.
Little by little, the number of questions surpassed the initial sixteen.
But the examiners no longer cared. Each one threw at him the problem that had them stuck in their research.
Each time, more difficult.
And in the exchange, they no longer used a paternalistic tone. They treated him as an equal.
The spectators perhaps didn't understand the content, but they did notice the change in attitude.
At that moment, a simple murmur full of amazement spread through the place: "Amazing!"
(End of chapter)