Type advantages were common knowledge—Chen Tongtong obviously knew that.
But he really hadn't faced a fire-type pet before. In their entire school, there were only two seniors daring enough to contract a fire-type as their first pet.
Both of them were in the second year. This batch had none.
Was type advantage really this strong? Chen Tongtong felt dejected.
He was so distracted after handing over the money that he didn't even notice when Qiao Sang left—until Jiang Liu tapped him on the shoulder.
"Why didn't you exchange contact info before transferring the money? That way you could've given her info to me too."
Chen Tongtong: "…Go away!"
…
After Qiao Sang's third battle, her mother called.
"Why aren't you home yet?"
Qiao Sang checked the time: 18:17.
Wencheng Middle School let out at 17:00. Her home was close—just a ten-minute bus ride away. Normally, even leaving slowly, she could make it by 17:30.
"I went to train Firefang Dog," she replied.
There was a brief silence on the other end. "Come home soon, the food's cold."
"I know."
After hanging up, Qiao Sang tore the paper off her backpack.
She wasn't satisfied with today's results. The after-school rush only gave her a small window, and by the time she finished three battles, most of the students had already left.
Too inefficient.
Waiting at other schools like this clearly wasn't enough.
She paused, then accessed the Beast Codex.
[Name: Firefang Dog]
[Type: Fire]
[Level: Beginner (115/1000)+]
[Skills: Bite (Novice 74/100)+, Charge (Proficient 138/500)+, Fire Fang (Novice 5/100)+, Fire Spark (Novice 5/100)+]
[Points: 55]
All the skill numbers had increased slightly. But why wasn't her total points a multiple of three? Could the points gained differ depending on which pet she defeated?
She had battled three pets today: Small Fat Pigeon, Cotton Caterpillar, and White Sand Fox—all beginner-level. The only difference was that the Cotton Caterpillar was knocked out in a single hit, while the others lasted multiple turns.
Did the Cotton Caterpillar lower her points?
Qiao Sang stared at the data, suddenly realizing something.
"Firefang Dog, use Fire Fang," she commanded.
"Ya."
Firefang Dog didn't understand her intention, but obediently executed the skill. There was no target, so the attack quickly returned.
Qiao Sang checked the Beast Codex again.
[Name: Firefang Dog]
[Type: Fire]
[Level: Beginner (115/1000)+]
[Skills: Bite (Novice 73/100)+, Charge (Proficient 135/500)+, Fire Fang (Novice 6/100)+, Fire Spark (Novice 3/100)+]
[Points: 55]
The number for Fire Fang had increased!
So that meant even practicing a skill without a target could raise its proficiency.
She had been thinking it wrong—skill proficiency could increase simply by using it; an actual attack wasn't necessary.
But if each use increased proficiency, wouldn't every pet's skills eventually reach mastery immediately?
Qiao Sang didn't know how others' pets progressed, but hers did seem to increase just by casting.
To test her theory, she had Firefang Dog use Fire Fang again.
As expected, the value increased from 6 to 7.
Qiao Sang went silent for a moment, then decided to have Firefang Dog cast Fire Fang 100 times.
Firefang Dog nodded, looking ready to handle it. Reality, however, was harsh. After just the fourth repetition, it started to droop…
Fire Fang's number stopped at 10.
Skill use consumed energy and stamina. Firefang Dog had already fought three battles today, using up a lot of both.
Qiao Sang estimated that if Firefang Dog were fully rested, casting Fire Fang 10 times in a row should be manageable.
Ten casts in the morning, ten in the evening—for five days, Fire Fang would reach proficiency!
Could a pet's skill go from novice to proficient this fast?
According to her limited knowledge, no. Even low-level skills usually took about a month to go from novice to proficient. After that, the next stage, "intermediate," would take roughly half a year and would multiply the skill's power several times.
Fire Fang was a mid-level skill. Normally, it would take 5–7 months to reach proficiency.
But Firefang Dog could do it in five days.
Clearly, this was the power of her goldfinger!
With this ability, why would she fear failing to achieve first place in St. Water Academy's special admission exam? By the time her skills were all proficient, what could anyone use to challenge her?
By then…
"Ya!"
Firefang Dog's call snapped Qiao Sang out of her daydream.
She noticed some onlookers staring strangely, and instinctively adjusted her expression.
Her lips twitched painfully. She realized her face had actually gone numb from smiling…
"Ahem, let's head home," Qiao Sang said, picking up Firefang Dog.
"Ya!"
Firefang Dog used its tiny paws to point toward the distant barbecue stall.
Qiao Sang glanced and realized she was hungry too. No wonder the scent of cumin had carried so far.
"Nope, the meal at home is already ready," she said, turning her head to resist temptation.
"Ya~" Firefang Dog looked up with its big watery eyes.
This little guy was actually acting cute…
"Okay, just two skewers," Qiao Sang compromised.
Firefang Dog happily nodded.
At the stall:
"Student, haven't you gone home yet?" the aunt recognized Qiao Sang.
"Yes," she replied, sniffing the aroma. "Auntie, 20 lamb skewers, please."
In the end, Qiao Sang ate five skewers; Firefang Dog ate fifteen.
On the way home, Qiao Sang reminded, "When we eat dinner, make sure to pretend you're still hungry and finish your food, okay?"
"Ya."
Firefang Dog responded, then let out a satisfied burp.
Qiao Sang: "…"
She comforted herself—taking the nearby bus from St. 37 Beast Tamer High would take just over half an hour, so the fullness would likely pass by then…
Pets could eat human food, but proper growth and nutrition required specially prepared, energy-rich meals.
Her mother always made Firefang Dog's meals, which took time to prepare. If Firefang Dog ate too much barbecue and couldn't eat her mother's food…
Qiao Sang shook her head, unwilling to think further.
Even though the subway would get them home in just a few minutes, she chose the bus for Firefang Dog's sake.
On bus 66, perhaps from exertion and a full belly, Firefang Dog unusually stayed quiet, resting by the window and watching the passing scenery.
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