Teacher Wei, I Need to Ask for a Leave

The First Year, Class A-1 classroom was spacious and bright, with widely spaced seats to ensure enough room for each pet.

"Everyone, please take your seats," Wei Xiuyu said from the podium. "I'll briefly go over the curriculum."

"Although the Principal just mentioned giving you maximum freedom, that doesn't mean you won't have any classes," she said, pulling up the course schedule and projecting it onto the screen.

"Every morning, fixed courses include Pet Energy Control, Various Pet Morphological Features, and Pet Skill Trait Recognition. Whether you want to pursue combat in the future, enter the ranks of performance shows, or even become a breeder, you first need to understand as much as possible about pets."

"There are also classes in the afternoon, ranging from pet breeding to tactical analysis, but they are not mandatory. You can go to the training grounds or simulated environment zones to train, read in the library, or even learn to cultivate tree fruits in the school's plantation."

"There is only one strict requirement: you must challenge the Tower of Trials at least once a week," Wei Xiuyu said sternly. "Regardless of the outcome, you just need to challenge it."

Liu Yi took note of all this information.

Wei Xiuyu scanned the classroom, her gaze lingering on Liu Yi and Ziyue for a moment, then she added, "If any students wish to join the School Team for the National High School League, they will need to clear the tenth floor of the Tower of Trials."

"Alright, for the rest of today, you are free to arrange your time as you wish. You can familiarize yourselves with the campus, or go straight home or to your dorms," Wei Xiuyu concluded. "Classes officially begin tomorrow, so be in the classroom before eight."

"Dismissed."

Everyone left the classroom in small groups. Some went to tour the campus together, while others headed directly for the Tower of Trials.

Liu Yi packed her things and, with Ziyue, immediately caught up to Wei Xiuyu.

Wei Xiuyu glanced at Liu Yi, who had followed her. "To the office first."

Liu Yi nodded and followed Wei Xiuyu into the teachers' office.

Wei Xiuyu sat down at her desk, placed the items in her hand on the table, glanced at Ziyue, and then spoke, "Speak."

Liu Yi said, "Teacher Wei, I need to ask for a leave."

Wei Xiuyu asked, "How many days?"

Liu Yi replied, "Seven days."

Wei Xiuyu said, "Alright."

With that, Wei Xiuyu began registering Liu Yi's leave information.

Liu Yi was silent. She knew Tianqi was lenient, but she hadn't expected asking for leave to be this simple.

No prior application was needed, no reason was asked, and it was approved directly.

Wei Xiuyu said, "It's all registered. You may go."

Liu Yi bowed slightly and said, "Alright, thank you, Teacher Wei."

"Beibei, to the Principal's office," Wei Xiuyu said after Liu Yi and Ziyue had left.

"Paradox."

A voice came from the air to Wei Xiuyu's right, and then she vanished from the office.

...

The Principal's office.

Shen Zhuwen stood by the window and suddenly said, "She asked for leave, didn't she?"

Wei Xiuyu, who had appeared in the middle of the Principal's office, also walked to the window, looking down at Liu Yi and Ziyue walking towards the school gate. "Yes."

She added, "This child has cultivated a completely new evolved form for the Ice Fox."

Shen Zhuwen nodded. "A very talented child."

Wei Xiuyu narrowed her eyes. "Shouldn't we tell her about the pets in the Myriad Realm Secret Realm so she can choose one to contract?"

Shen Zhuwen smiled. "Xiuyu, you must understand that for children like her, who are favored, everything unknown is an opportunity."

"There's no need to interfere with her choices. No matter what pet she chooses, I believe she has the ability to cultivate it well."

Shen Zhuwen then changed the subject. "Speaking of which, you, a perfectly good Master rank Beast Tamer, why did you come back to teach at my small high school this year?"

"Tired of competing on the Nickerich Continent?"

"Even if you don't want to continue competing, with your abilities, becoming a university teacher would be more than enough."

Wei Xiuyu's tone remained unchanged. "No particular reason. I just wanted to return and repay your kindness for recognizing my talent."

Seeing that Wei Xiuyu didn't want to elaborate, Shen Zhuwen didn't press further.

After a moment of silence, Wei Xiuyu spoke, "Can I be the head coach for this year's high school league School Team?"

Shen Zhuwen smiled and patted her head. "Having a Master rank Beast Tamer as our head coach is truly a blessing we couldn't ask for more."

On the top floor of the Longwu Beast Tamer Association's main building, the elevator doors slid open silently.

Liu Yi and Ziyue stepped out of the elevator, facing a massive floor-to-ceiling window, beyond which lay thick clouds.

The entire top floor was so quiet you could hear the hum of the central air conditioning.

"Please present your access credentials," a mechanical voice came from the ceiling. A cylindrical scanning terminal emerged from the corner of the wall, with a red light blinking on its top.

Liu Yi took out her Myriad Realm Secret Realm entry pass from her backpack's inner compartment.

The terminal's red light scanned the card's patterns. "Verification passed."

The door on the right slowly opened, and a staff member in a light gray uniform stepped out. "Please follow me."

The nameplate on his chest reflected a faint glow: 【Myriad Realm Secret Realm Guide · Gu Zheng】.

Gu Zheng led Liu Yi through a long corridor, saying as they walked, "I'll go over the important points for the Myriad Realm Secret Realm with you here."

Liu Yi nodded.

"First, the Myriad Realm Secret Realm has entrances in various regions of the Yan Country. It's normal to encounter Beast Tamers from other regions who are qualified and have recently chosen to enter the Myriad Realm Secret Realm. Beast Tamers are not allowed to harm each other within the Myriad Realm Secret Realm, so you don't need to be overly concerned about that."

Gu Zheng pushed open a heavy metal door. "Second, you are not permitted to forcibly contract pets inside. A connection must be established voluntarily by both parties."

Behind the door was a circular hall. In the center, a massive blue light screen floated, with a single chair placed directly in front of it.

"This is the entrance to the Myriad Realm Secret Realm in the Longwu Region," Gu Zheng said, gesturing for Liu Yi to sit in the chair. "Third, you will have seven days after entering the Myriad Realm Secret Realm. Regardless of whether you contract a pet, you will be teleported out once the time is up."

"Finally, after you come out, please do not spread specific information about the Secret Realm online," Gu Zheng added.

Liu Yi said, "Understood."

Gu Zheng handed her a silver bracelet. "Wear this. If you successfully contract a pet you like early, or if you unfortunately encounter danger, you can press the button to be teleported out immediately."

Liu Yi fastened the bracelet onto her right wrist. It felt cold to the touch, but quickly adjusted to her body temperature.

"Do you have any other questions?" Gu Zheng asked.

Liu Yi shook her head.

Gu Zheng smiled. "Then prepare to enter. Please hold your pet securely."

Ziyue jumped onto the chair, settled down in Liu Yi's arms, and rested her head on Liu Yi's shoulder.

Liu Yi stroked Ziyue's head. The chair began to automatically adjust, partially enveloping her.

The blue light screen before her grew increasingly bright, until it filled her entire vision.

A sense of weightlessness washed over her, and Liu Yi instinctively hugged Ziyue tightly.