I Have a Golden Crow

Du Yu handed in his paper and successfully completed his assessment task. At 3 PM, the school bus carried a group of students back to the worn-out campus gates.

Under the guidance of Teacher Zhang Qing, the students got off the bus one after another. Through the school’s large iron gate, they saw Old Demon Gong standing with his hands behind his back in the center of the playground.

However, while there were 24 participants during the assessment, only 19 returned to campus.

Such a brutal assessment was something the students hadn’t anticipated.

It’s worth mentioning that Wei Feng managed to pass the assessment and wasn’t among those who were reduced in number.

His teammates Lin Shihang, Zhang Qiming, and Sun Beizhi were all disqualified and had to redo the course. Instead, Wei Feng ran away so quickly!

He relied on a Demon Crystal obtained from joining Lin Shihang’s team to escape at the last minute, eventually making it to safety with a smile.

The outcome was truly amusing.

Even more amusing, after Du Yu boarded the school bus, he inevitably saw Wei Feng.

Wei Feng sat in the last row by the window, looking meek and submissive, not daring to meet Du Yu’s gaze, and not even daring to make a peep...

”Eh? Is that who I think it is?” Li Mengnan, who got off the bus, cast a curious glance at the black sedan parked by the roadside and the tall middle-aged man beside it.

”What, do you know him?” Du Yu asked curiously.

Li Mengnan frowned slightly, with a puzzled look on her face, ”I think I saw him in my mom’s wedding photo.”

Du Yu: ”...”

It has to be you, Li Mengnan; no normal person would say such a thing!

The middle-aged man smiled and waved repeatedly after seeing Li Mengnan.

Li Mengnan waved her hand foolishly while following the group.

Until she walked through the big iron gate of the school, she turned her head to look at Du Yu beside her, ”In my memory, he was tall and thin, with lots of hair.”

Clearly, Li Mengnan’s impression of her father was still stuck in fourth grade.

Du Yu glanced back, ”He still has a lot of hair now.”

”What do you know, he used to have long hair, looked like a rock star,” Li Mengnan mumbled under her breath.

”Du Yu!”

”Here!” Du Yu snapped back to his senses and quickly responded.

Gong Cheng looked through the students at Du Yu, ”What’s up, Squad Leader Du? Feeling cocky after the test?”

”No, no.”

”Then why aren’t you organizing the team?”

”Ah!” Du Yu hurriedly stepped out of the crowd, ”Everyone, fall in!”

Gong Cheng: ”Line up in front of the teaching building and wait for the teachers to call your names.”

Du Yu: ”Right away!”

The group of fewer than 20 students quickly gathered in front of the teaching building.

Through the glass door, Du Yu could see Teacher Zhang Qing seated inside, at the central position, with two other teachers beside her. They seemed to be studying something with sheets of paper in their hands.

As soon as the roll call started, the students entered one by one.

When they came back out, most students looked pleased, holding a tactical backpack with the ”Demon Spirit Academy” emblem.

Only a few students, although they also held backpacks when they came out, looked quite disappointed, likely having received a stern talking-to.

The students in line tried to glean some information, but with Old Demon Gong standing nearby, the students who came out rushed straight to the dormitory building without stopping, making Du Yu itch with curiosity.

Du Yu hadn’t expected to be the last one to go in.

”Du Yu, get in there quickly,” said Li Mengnan, who was second to last to enter and jogged out with a backpack, looking very happy. ”The teachers are calling you.”

”Okay.” Du Yu took a deep breath, straightened his back, and walked into the interview room.

Upon seeing Du Yu, Zhang Qing’s smile grew wider as she spoke first, ”Du Yu, you performed very well. The academy’s teachers have a high opinion of you.”

As she spoke, she looked down at the paper with summaries from each teacher’s observations, ”Calm, sharp, decisive, and observant.

Good relationship with your Demon Pet, solid foundation in archery, somewhat creative, occasionally surprising.”

Zhang Qing read on carefully, ”The downside is that during collaborative combat with your Demon Pet, the synergy isn’t tight, and the pet’s strengths aren’t fully utilized. Weak in close combat, inexperienced. Needs to improve physical fitness and maintain a proper attitude while executing tasks.”

Du Yu listened carefully, withholding judgment.

Zhang Qing put down the papers, ”Weak in close combat and inexperienced, this is a common issue for all archery students since your high school’s martial arts courses only require stationary shooting. But do you have anything to say about the attitude aspect?”

Du Yu hesitated for a moment and then spoke, ”My attitude is very proper, and I take this assessment very seriously.”

Zhang Qing nodded as if it was only natural, ”That’s what I think too. Maybe during your first attempt to snatch the Demon Crystal with Li Mengnan, some actions seemed a bit whimsical, which didn’t satisfy some teachers.”

Before Du Yu could respond, Zhang Qing continued, moving past the so-called issue, ”Once again, do you have any interest in joining the Demon Spirit Academy?”

Du Yu nodded emphatically, ”Yes!”

”Good, the teachers also think highly of you,” Zhang Qing nodded approvingly. ”Seven teachers have specifically expressed a desire for you to be their unofficial student. That’s quite rare; you should be proud of yourself.”

”Ah?” Du Yu was first delighted, then a bit confused, ”Can unofficial students have mentors too? Isn’t that...”

”No, for young people awakening at your age, most have average talent. Even as unofficial students, they are typically managed uniformly by the Demon Spirit Academy.”

Zhang Qing patiently explained, ”However, some special cases exist, where a few hidden gems might be found among the sand. Some teachers, recognizing talent, want to pre-emptively reserve a student, and the school allows this.

Once the one-year training period is complete, naturally, the student will become part of that teacher’s mentorship. Come over here; there’s a list of teachers you can look at.”

Du Yu stepped forward and took the list.

The handwriting at the top was fairly elegant and pleasing, but unfortunately, Du Yu didn’t recognize any of the teachers’ names!

Zhang Qing: ”These teachers are willing to assist you and guide you through the training year ahead. Keep in mind that while you receive special attention, the mentor will also assign you additional tasks. This is the Demon Spirit Academy’s requirement for special unofficial students like you.

No rush to make a choice. You can make your decision tomorrow when you report to the academy and receive your customized Demon Soldier.”

Du Yu was delighted, ”Am I an outstanding student now?”

Zhang Qing smiled and asked back, ”What else?”

Du Yu nodded repeatedly in thanks: ”Thank you, teacher.”

”No need to thank us.” Zhang Qing waved his hand, ”The choice for outstanding students rests with Instructor Gong Cheng. He already reported your name last night.”

Du Yu was somewhat surprised and puzzled: ”Reported last night? But... but the graduation assessment wasn’t conducted yesterday.”

”It does seem to be against the usual protocol, but Instructor Gong did report ahead of time.” Zhang Qing looked up at Du Yu, ”Maybe, as far as Instructor Gong is concerned, he has already finished the assessment.”

Du Yu opened his mouth, the image of Old Demon Gong’s terrifying scarred face flashed in his mind, and for a moment he didn’t know what to say.

Regaining his composure, he hurriedly looked down at the teacher list in his hand, carefully checking it again, but where was Gong Cheng’s name?

This...

I thought it was mutual affection between the two, but my mentor in mind hasn’t turned around for me?

Du Yu’s emotions were written all over his face, the teachers naturally saw it clearly, so Zhang Qing explained: ”Due to the Thousand Paper Cranes storm, the number of students surged, Instructor Gong was temporarily dispatched to help.

The level of students Instructor Gong brings is too high, all starting from being able to go onto the battlefield, you two are not suitable, the school wouldn’t agree either.”

Du Yu: ”...”

Zhang Qing is still gentle, her words really are tactful.

Not suitable?

Isn’t it just saying I’m not worthy!

Zhang Qing’s name isn’t on the teacher list either, so... not worthy*2?

”Get your equipment, check the items according to the list.”

Du Yu took the tactical backpack handed by Zhang Qing, looking at the list of items pasted on the backpack, all were outdoor survival supplies.

Until Du Yu indicated the inspection was accurate, Zhang Qing also took out a certificate and a phone.

The palm-sized black folder opened vertically, with quite the feel of an officer’s badge.

Curious, Du Yu opened it and saw a delicate card, below his avatar were a few simple pieces of information:

Du Yu

Ancient Pine Tower City Demon Spirit Academy

Unregistered Student

ID number: 531163941

”With this certificate, you can enter the Earth-level Demon Spirit Realm.” Zhang Qing watched Du Yu eagerly accept it, her heart secretly happy for him too.

It might be considered witnessing firsthand the turnaround of a poor kid.

Thinking about that heterochromatic Little Fire Fox picked from her, Zhang Qing felt a small sense of involvement.

Unlike dealing with other students, Zhang Qing carefully explained: ”Be sure to keep this certificate safe, it’s your ticket to the experiences. If lost, it will cost money to replace it.”

Hearing this, Du Yu nodded repeatedly: ”Definitely, I’ll surely keep it well.”

Zhang Qing then handed the phone to Du Yu: ”This phone is school-issued, configured with the Newbie Level Demon Spirit Atlas, your account is your student ID number, password is 1~6.

The atlas records a vast amount of information on demon beasts, demonic plants, rare fruits, etc.

You can use the atlas scanning method to identify all beings you encounter in the Demon Spirit Realm, and understand their basic information.”

Du Yu nodded repeatedly, the large phone screen seemed rather fragile.

Zhang Qing: ”Especially with rare fruits, when you encounter unfamiliar fruits, you must scan and identify them beforehand, avoid eating them indiscriminately to prevent harm to yourself and your demon pet.”

”Yes!”

Zhang Qing: ”Alright, hurry back to the dorm and pack your things, the school bus will soon take you back to the city.”

Under Zhang Qing’s urging, Du Yu could only repeatedly thank her and leave.

”Hah.” Walking out of the school building’s door, Du Yu exhaled deeply, gazing at the waiting school bus beyond the iron gate, feeling a profound sense of emotion.

Three days ago, this very school bus brought him with a heart full of anticipation to the training base.

Three days later, this same school bus would take him back, but this time returning to society, he was already a legitimate Demon Tamer.

Proficient in Demon Soldier, solidified the contract, trained demon skills, evolved heterochromatic Demon Pet, assembled Demon Breath Battle Robe, and underwent a perilous practical assessment.

Thinking about these three days’ experiences, Du Yu felt a strong sense of achievement.

”Du Yu, Du Yu.”

”Hmm?”

”Awesome, we will become more powerful~”

”Woo~!” Xiaoyan appeared quietly under the contract connection, jumping onto Du Yu’s shoulder, similarly proud and full of spring spirit, looking up to give a fox cry.

Du Yu’s mood lifted even more, humans influencing pets, pets influencing humans, a very interesting positive cycle.

Sigh~

Just as Du Yu was quietly enjoying the moment, a surge of hot Fire Demon Breath suddenly rose and began to spread gradually.

Du Yu quickly turned his head to look.

”Woo~” Xiaoyan raised her head, a small proud figure full of vigor, the scene beautifully intense.

Gong Cheng stood alone on the playground, watching the students with bundles and bags leave school and board the bus.

Hearing the familiar and beautiful fox cry, he turned his head to look, seeing the spirited Du Yu, and also saw the waves of air spreading around the Little Fire Fox.

Very rarely, Gong Cheng’s cold face revealed a slight smile.

Heterochromatic Little Fire Fox, Mortal Level·Minor Achievement?

Hmm, it does seem like a good ending.