Beast Taming: I Can Add Points

2:00 PM, at the Flying Shadow Alliance’s member training center.

Selena walked up to the lectern and cleared her throat.

”Class is in session.”

”Good afternoooon, teaaacher—”

Unlike high school desks and benches, the classroom layout at the member training center was more like a university lecture hall. The automatically retracting seats made it a bit awkward for many as they stood up.

”Alright, everyone, please be seated.”

Selena put her hands in her pockets, watching the campers take their seats one by one, and casually broke a piece of chalk in her hand.

”You don’t have to pay close attention. I’m just going to talk casually. This is mainly to give you an overview of the schedule for the next few days. There won’t be any real substance.”

”I’ll just say a few things, chat a bit, and run out the clock until class ends. You can do me the favor of listening for a bit since I’m so good-looking. Or don’t. I don’t really care.”

Selena’s deadpan joke amused many of the students. That, combined with the fact that a ”Cold and Refined Beauty” really hit their niche, meant most of them were still listening quite attentively.

Su Zhi was the exception, his head down the entire time as he scrolled through research papers.

To him, Captain Sai was attractive, but that was about it... After all, he spent every day with Shao Ya. It was hard for any woman to capture his attention with looks alone anymore.

Yu Bao poked Su Zhi. ”Woof.”

Su Zhi glanced behind him out of the corner of his eye, his expression unchanged. ”Ignore him.”

Yu Bao nodded thoughtfully.

...

When Xu Jianzhi saw Su Zhi give him nothing more than a careless glance before turning away, his fists clenched.

Xu Jianzhi had thought his plan to humiliate Su Zhi that morning was foolproof. He never expected Su Zhi to have some sort of connection with the navigator, a female Alliance Member, which left him completely rebuffed.

Xu Jianzhi grew even more indignant after Su Zhi returned.

’On what grounds does that country bumpkin from Huai City get to hook up with a female Alliance Member?’

’So what if he’s a little more handsome, looks a bit more energetic, and dresses a little neater? Is he stronger than me when it comes to ability?’

Before, Xu Jianzhi just wanted to get even for his brother. But now, he despised Su Zhi from the bottom of his heart.

’He’s just a pretty boy who sold his dignity to latch onto a rich woman. I could take on ten of him!’

As the end of class drew near, Xu Jianzhi gave a sinister smile.

’This time, Su Zhi definitely won’t escape. I’ll challenge him to a Pet Beast Battle in front of all the campers from the Flying Shadow Alliance’s summer camp. Not even Captain Sai can protect him!’

He wasn’t afraid of any repercussions, like being secretly targeted.

’After all, Su Zhi isn’t some heaven-sent genius; he’s got nothing but his good looks. Captain Sai is probably just toying with him. She wouldn’t actually pay any price for a little boy toy.’

’And as for me, if I can demonstrate a certain level of skill, I might even win Captain Sai’s admiration!’

’Excellent.’

Xu Jianzhi clenched his fists.

’I’ll show you who the real clown is!’

”DING~ DING~ DONG~ DONG~”

Just as Selena finished recounting how she had rejected the twelfth guy who pursued her, the bell to dismiss class rang.

”Alright, class dismissed.”

Selena let out a sigh of relief.

’Finally, class is f*cking over.’

’I have no idea what Alliance Leader Qiao is thinking, sending me on these kinds of assignments every day. It’s either being a guest on TV or babysitting.’

’Disaster relief missions are much more my style...’ she thought.

”Captain Sai! Wait!”

Just as everyone was packing up to leave, a boy suddenly stood up from the back row and strode toward Selena.

His voice was so loud that everyone in the classroom noticed him.

’Class is over, what kind of trouble is he stirring up now...’ Selena did her best to hide her impatience. ”Is there something you need?”

”Reporting, Captain Sai! The Pet Beast Battle is a fine tradition of the summer camp, and an effective way to deepen our mutual understanding. I’m sure this year’s camp has a similar activity planned.”

Xu Jianzhi pointed at Su Zhi, who was sitting in the second-to-last row by the window.

”Therefore, I’d like to get things started. I hereby challenge Su Zhi to a Pet Beast Battle!”

’But I want to go home...’ Selena masked her exasperation with a smile.

”The Pet Beast Battle is indeed a summer camp tradition, but it’s only the first day. It would be better to wait until you’ve all had some time to settle in. There are many ways to get to know each other, not just through Pet Beast Battles. You could have a meal together for a preliminary introduction, then have deeper exchanges later...”

”You’re right, but I stand by my opinion.” Xu Jianzhi showed no sign of backing down.

’Before coming here, his teacher had specifically reminded him: There will be many seniors there who will use their superior authority to question and advise you, but they’re actually observing you in secret to see if you are resolute.’

’In moments like these, you must not easily change your stance or your actions.’

’The big shots know what they’re doing; they won’t really hold it against a rookie. But if you’re wishy-washy, you’ll just leave a bad impression.’

’I have to see my words and actions through to the very end!’

”I insist on challenging my fellow student Su Zhi to a Pet Beast Battle!” Xu Jianzhi said, his voice firm and resonant.

Su Zhi finally looked up. ”Um, who are you again?”

Yu Bao also raised its head, feigning ignorance and flashing a ”nice to meet you” smile: ⌓‿⌓

”...” Xu Jianzhi’s mouth twitched.

His fists clenched!

At that moment, Selena quickly glanced over Xu Jianzhi’s Pet Beast and battle records.

She fell silent for a moment, then walked over to Xu Jianzhi. She coughed twice and tried to hint with her eyes, ”Having a proactive attitude toward sparring is a good thing. But as we often say, one must act within their own capabilities...”

Low EQ: Don’t be stubborn, you can’t beat him...

”Student Su Zhi, there’s no point in beating around the bush. If you’re afraid of the disgrace of losing, you can refuse this Pet Beast Battle.”

Xu Jianzhi no longer hid his intentions, casting a contemptuous gaze at Su Zhi in front of everyone.

Su Zhi kept his head down, scrolling through his papers without paying him any mind...

”After all, your Pet Beast is nothing to write home about. I can understand.”

Only at this sentence did Su Zhi’s movements halt. He looked up.

A flicker of joy ignited in Xu Jianzhi’s heart. He thought Su Zhi had taken the bait, but then he saw that Su Zhi’s gaze was terrifyingly calm, like the edge of a blade.