This Beast-Tamer is a Little Strange

Thankfully, the day that the students' re-ranking tournament ended on a Thursday so that the students had the weekend to rest.

However, Kain didn't get to relax after entering the Enchanted Spring. He was summoned to a meeting with Professor Gregory Lume, one of the newer Assistant Professors at Dark Moon College, in his office. Although he wasn't responsible for any planner courses that Kain would be taking this term.

However, despite not having any classes with him, Kain was called upon because he happened to be assigned the duty of acting as an authenticator for Kain's Lumifin evolution patent by the NEPA—the National Evolutionary Planners' Association. The governing body for all official planners in the Empire.

They are responsible for managing patents, enforcing patent rights, investigating instances of Evolutionary Planner misconduct, and more.

As Kain walked through the empty halls of the college, he couldn't help but feel a wave of anxiety wash over him as he approached Professor Lume's office. Authenticators usually just test the evolutionary plan for themselves and visit the researcher in their place of work to look at their own experimental results in person.

They don't usually request for the researcher being evaluated to meet with them beyond these instances in different locations.

He knocked lightly on the door, and a voice called out, "Come in!"

Kain opened the door to find a tidy office filled with bookshelves crammed with volumes on evolutionary theory and spiritual creature studies. The room was well-lit, with sunlight filtering through the window, casting a warm glow over the polished wooden desk where Professor Lume sat. He was a man who appeared to be in his early thirties.

He had a stern and rigid appearance, but it was softened by the slight smile at the corner of his mouth.

"Ah, Kain! I'm glad you could make it," Professor Lume said, motioning for Kain to take a seat. "I know you've been quite busy lately—the first re-ranking for you first years was recently finished, wasn't it? I appreciate you taking the time to meet with me."

Professor Lume cleared his throat, shuffling some papers before focusing his attention on Kain. "First, I'd like to congratulate you on your Lumifin evolution patent. Your findings are quite remarkable, and they've garnered significant interest from those within NEPA.

Those within the more organization that like to take a more mathematic approach to their evolutionary plans were especially thrilled by your paper. To think that the sequence of numbers you identified can be seen within nature in so many ways. Just how does your mind work?"

"Although technically the process of your authentication is still supposed to be ongoing, but between you and me I can assure you that it's already been accepted. Your results have been independently verified several times, not to mention it has tremendous research value in that it opened the minds of several researchers to exploring what unusual factors may be impacting evolution."

"By the end of this week, it should be made official and there will be a public announcement detailing some of the details of the newly discovered evolutionary form to stimulate interest. Of course, though, the specific details and skill information will only be available with the purchase of your plan." Experience more tales at m vl-em|p-yr

'Sweet! The beer business is a constant money pit, I could use a new influx of cash.'

Once the patent is approved, Kain would be entitled to 70% of the income produced from that pattern, while the remaining 30% went to the NEPA.

Considering that Kain did all of the work on his own, one would think that he should be entitled to even more than 70% of the income. However, the 30% NEPA uses is to fund their activities as the ones responsible for enforcing the patent such as cracking down on people attempting to re-sell the plan for a profit and charging them huge penalties.

Kain felt a burst of pride at the notification that he'd succeeded, and his previous nervousness began to disappear "Thank you, if you don't mind my asking, why was I called here then?"

Professor Lume cleared his throat and leaned forward. "In light of your achievements and the unique gift you possess for identifying unique conditions for evolutionary forms, the school has decided to reward you with your own personal laboratory."

Kain couldn't help but flinch at the mention of his "gift." Apparently the college had noticed the large influx of people attempting to contact him for his services as a planner specializing in unusual cases. But once, he fully processed what was said, Kain's eyes widened in disbelief. "A lab? For me?"

"Yes," Professor Lume confirmed, a proud look on his face. "The school would like to invest in your clear potential as a planner. You will receive a set amount of research funds, equipment, and staff support to aid you in your studies. The funding can increase based on your research outcomes. This level of support has never been granted to a first-year student before."

Kain's heart raced as the implications of the offer sank in. "But… what if I don't meet expectations?"

"Every researcher faces challenges," Professor Lume said kindly. "But you've already shown extraordinary talent. The last student that could be considered a genius close to your level raised by our planning department, now Professor Virell, discovered a new evolutionary form in his third year and was awarded his own lab after completing his third year.

He then went on to find another form in his fourth year and made several more contributions to the field since. You, however, have shown remarkable results in your first year, which is why we believe you deserve this opportunity."

The weight of the professor's words settled on Kain, but it was a welcome pressure. "Thank you," he finally said, feeling a rush of gratitude. "This means a lot to me."

'Especially since future experiments outside of the System won't need to occur in a makeshift pond or rickety old shack.'

"Good," Professor Lume said, a satisfied smile on his face. "I'll arrange for the necessary paperwork and details about the lab to be sent to you shortly. If you have any questions or need guidance, don't hesitate to reach out."

As the meeting concluded, Kain felt a whirlwind of emotions—some pressure, but mostly excitement.