Insect Tamer's Ascension
Chapter 157 - 157: Clara Awakens (2)- A new deal of companionship

Theo had a heartful and long conversation with Clara, and he told everything that happened since she was hurt.

Clara listened carefully. Her expression changed quite some times, but Theo could still tell that she was not in her good shape even now.

Her face looked healthy, but her eyes were tired.

When he finally stopped talking—which was after a long time—Clara only looked at him with a warm smile.

"Young master, even while I was gone, you still kept getting into trouble. It's as if you and that forest don't get along."

For the first time, Theo saw her burst out in a little giggle, and it made his heart just melt. He wanted her to be like this.

"I am really glad that you are awake now, Clara. But get fully recovered so that you can get out of this room. I don't like you staying here." Theo spoke after looking at the drip filled with a golden yellow water that was directly connected to Clara's waist.

"How is the temporary attendant doing? Is he completing his duties well?" Clara changed the subject and asked with a smile.

"Yeah, he is doing surprisingly well. Not as good as you but…" Theo was speaking, yet then he realized that she had said 'temporary' instead of 'his attendant for the time being.'

He looked at her for a while. Through the eyes, Theo already knew what she meant. And he started feeling confused.

"Clara… are you seriously thinking of coming back? Even after all this?" he asked with a pained expression.

"This… situation was what made me think that I should stick around more for a longer time, young master. I don't want you to ever get hurt again." She said, and before he could speak anything to her, she continued.

"And I already know that the gap between our levels is less now, but I swear that I will improve my strength every day, young master." Clara spoke in a determined manner.

"This…" Theo looked out the window with perplexed emotions. Knowing Clara, she wasn't going to let go of this. He could see that in her eyes.

'But… what if… I don't want her to return?' Theo asked himself.

The scene of her flying so far by the boar's hit came in front of his eyes, and he shook his head in dismissal. That memory was very painful.

Clara stared at Theo and sighed,

"Please don't worry about me, young master. I know what you're thinking. I always do," she stated with a confident look,

"And this little injury of mine has taught me a lot of things, young master."

"… I don't think mother will be happy about this… or has she already considered this will happen?" Theo stated with a 'Hmmm' sound in thought.

Clara giggled,

"Yeah, I know the Baroness won't agree to this ever. That is why I would like to change my wording a bit." Clara said and adjusted herself to sit upright.

"Young master, would you like me to come back to adventuring with you as a party member?" she asked with excited eyes.

Theo's eyes raised in bewilderment.

'Not as an attendant but a party member?' he thought in surprise. That was a serious downgrade in pay.

And he knew she had no malice in her heart toward him, so whatever she was doing right now, it was only for him and also very tempting.

Theo thought of it for a while, and looking at that expression, Clara already knew to not say anything. He was in deep thought.

After a while, Theo could only come up with one thing.

'I want her to come back again… and not at the same time… Ugghhh this is tough.' Theo scratched the side of his head with a frown. Con-t*e!n*t^ p+r&ese@n^ted by M#V!LE*MPYR$.%

If he thought about it as putting Clara in danger again, he didn't want her to come. But if he left that thought out.

Then it meant that an attendant with some powerful scouting and attacking beasts, and a party member with a very good defensive beast that Theo had full trust in, and a speedy beast that was still in its growth state...

When Theo thought like this, a smile formed on his face. With this proper placement of tamers and beasts, there would be less dangers that could actually break them like the last time.

"This is crazy, I don't think any other heir had done something like this before…" Theo grinned widely, and Clara smiled at the comment. The decision-making was over.

"I will talk to mother and father about this. With my situation as a unique affinity holder and a beast that is 'considered' weak, I don't think anyone is going to object about it." Theo said, making Clara's excited eyes become even more excited.

"Yess!! We will be unstoppable, young master! I will show it to you!" she shouted with all her might, with a grin that matched that of Theo.

When Theo saw her this happy, he couldn't help but shout too.

If his destiny was written to be filled with misfortunes and dangers, then he just needed competent people beside him. That was the start.

"Recover well. I will go talk with Elder Brother Bram now, it's been a while."

"Don't worry about me. I will be discharged in a few hours after a last checkup."

He went to the other side of the bed and scratched the neck of the boar lightly. The boar just huffed with its big nose, and Theo smiled.

He gave yet another piece of the bones to the both of them, and when he was at the door, Theo stopped again.

"Oh, and I haven't touched that stone since you were unconscious. When you get up, we will go and check it for the first time."

Without even hearing her answer, Theo quickly left the infirmary, leaving Clara shocked. He hadn't interacted—much less bothered—with that star stone till now.

Clara only smiled warmly and looked out the window. Their journey was going to resume yet again.