Chapter Ten: The Relationship Between Humans and Digimon

Since the authorities have abolished this evolutionary path, it means they had conducted numerous experiments, all of which ended with the erroneous evolution of Tyrannosaurusmon. From this, it’s clear how formidable the official organization is; to suppress a zombie Tyrannosaurusmon born from a botched evolution, they must wield powerful Digimon themselves. Perhaps they even possess ultimate evolutions that have yet to be disclosed to the public.

Of course, these are just Zhao Jie’s own immature guesses. He has neither the qualification nor the knowledge to understand the specifics. After all, he’s only an apprentice Digimon Tamer who has just acquired his first Digimon; such secrets are reserved for those at the top.

“Let’s check out Agumon’s evolutionary path,” he thought. The route to Tyrannosaurusmon is still distant for him; his immediate priority is to evolve his Koromon into Agumon and strive to enter a better university.

“My Bukamon can evolve into Betamon or Gomamon. Jie, which path do you think is better?” Liu Cheng asked, having returned sometime during Zhao Jie’s contemplation and now sidled up beside him.

“Betamon,” Zhao Jie replied without turning his head. In terms of potential, Betamon far surpasses Gomamon. Betamon can evolve into Seadramon, and its ultimate form, MetalSeadramon, is much stronger than Gomamon’s ultimate form, Zudomon.

Of course, Zudomon, as a member of the protagonist group in the anime, is quite capable. But if Zhao Jie had to choose, the evolutionary line of Betamon is more appealing to him.

The only difficulty may be that Betamon’s evolution requirements are tougher than Gomamon’s, but for Liu Cheng, that’s not a problem at all. After all, the crispy noodle brand “Little Raccoon” is his family’s business, and their annual sales could circle the globe five times. Otherwise, why do you think Liu Cheng is so fond of Little Raccoon?

He’s a hidden rich second-generation, a complete opposite to Peng Wei, the son of a real estate tycoon—one is ostentatious and extravagant, the other modest and low-key.

“Hehe, I like Betamon’s evolution too. It can evolve into a dragon-type Digimon, and your Koromon’s evolution is also dragon-type, right?”

Zhao Jie glanced at his best friend. Indeed, his Koromon is a dragon-type Digimon, but it would later become a dragon-type nemesis.

Oh, boy, you probably don’t know how many of the Dark Four Lords were defeated by the dinosaur nemesis.

“All right, students, you may now go to the practical classroom on the first floor. Teacher Li is waiting for you there,” said Teacher Yu after checking his phone, addressing the students in the classroom.

The practical classroom was a vast, empty space with soft sandy soil—this would become the Digimon classroom for Zhao Jie and his peers.

When Zhao Jie and the others arrived, their eyes were immediately drawn to a green-skinned monster, the size of an adult man, wielding an enormous club.

A deafening roar issued from the creature, accompanied by vigorous swings of its club—a clear display of intimidation.

Is this Ogremon? Zhao Jie looked curiously at the green-skinned monster before him. Its appearance and club were just like the experience-pack Ogremon from the anime.

“All right, Ogremon, these will be your students from now on, try to be gentle,” Li Ping’s voice rang out, shifting the students’ attention from the monster to him.

It truly was Ogremon! Hearing Li Ping call it by name, Zhao Jie felt a sudden realization.

“Roar, understood,” Ogremon said, withdrawing its club, eyes wide as it silently regarded Zhao Jie and the others.

“Come on over, everyone, this is my Digimon, Ogremon,” Li Ping beckoned, his expression helpless as he looked at the children, frozen as if under a spell.

Is my Ogremon really that scary?

“Ogremon, take these Digimon to play on the other side!”

Soon, under Ogremon’s “intimidation” with its club, the forty baby-stage Digimon in the class were led to the opposite side.

“All right, as I mentioned earlier regarding Digimon spirits, you must have planned your Digimon’s evolutionary paths by now.

Every evolution from now onwards is a new transcendence in their lives. So, what role do we humans play in this process?”

What role do humans play? Some dismissed the question, others pondered deeply.

“Peng Wei, let’s hear from you,” Li Ping said, scanning the students. From their expressions, he could already sense their attitudes.

“Teacher Li, I believe humans are beast tamers. By training Digimon, we make them fight for us and defeat our enemies.”

Peng Wei responded confidently, presenting his theory.

Beast tamer? Li Ping’s expression remained unchanged upon hearing this, neither agreeing nor disagreeing. He then looked at Zhao Jie, whose brow was furrowed.

“Zhao Jie, tell us—what role do humans play?”

He sensed that Zhao Jie had a different perspective.

“I think Digimon and we are partners,” Zhao Jie stated succinctly. Whether in the anime from his previous life or in his current bond with Koromon, he felt Digimon were living beings, not mere tools as Peng Wei suggested.

“Partners? Could you elaborate?” Li Ping smiled, intrigued, and encouraged Zhao Jie to continue.

Indeed, the debate over whether Digimon are partners or tools has existed ever since humans could form contracts with Digimon. Neither side is entirely right or wrong; both have their own rationale, sounding convincing. Li Ping, however, firmly supports the partner theory.

Now, to hear the word “partner” from someone unversed in Digimon theory piqued his interest. Why did this student hold such a view?

“Teacher, I’m sorry, I don’t know how to explain,” Zhao Jie replied apologetically. Some things are hard to put into words, especially since his view is somewhat idealistic.

He could hardly say that Digimon resonate with humans and can evolve beyond their limits, could he? If he said that, he’d either be deemed crazy or locked up in a lab.

So, it was better left unsaid.

“Hmph,” Peng Wei snorted in displeasure from nearby, clearly annoyed.

PS: Internet was down today. Typing on my phone was agonizing. Sorry for the late update.