There are no class bells or timetables in the training at the Demon Spirit Academy.
After lunch in the cafeteria, Du Yu didn't return to his dorm, but instead headed to the sports field with Li Mengnan to look for Instructor Gong.
The gap in talent between people is truly astonishing.
It was already midday, and most students had already started to train their Demon Pets and use Demon Skills, but in the very center of the field, there were still a few students learning the Demon Disciple Contract.
Teacher Gong Cheng just stood there under the scorching sun, his gaze icy as he looked at the students.
"Reporting in!" Du Yu stood at attention and called out.
Gong Cheng turned his head, sizing up Squad Leader Du and his Little Assistant: "The Little Fire Fox has been put away."
Du Yu: "Yes."
"Alright, except during necessary training or meal times, don't disturb it," Gong Cheng pointed to the side, "Go practice with your Demon Soldier here."
Du Yu hesitated for a moment: "Teacher Gong, but the target is over there."
Gong Cheng turned around, pointing off into the distance at the rundown teaching building: "First room on the third floor, see that shattered window?"
Du Yu turned slightly, looked off into the distance, and nodded lightly.
Gong Cheng: "Shoot."
Du Yu: "..."
Gong Cheng suddenly barked, "Don't you understand human speech?"
"Ah." Du Yu was startled. Why are you yelling so loud...?
Grumbling inwardly, he hurriedly took the Demon Soldier Black Wood from his back and immediately drew his bow.
Then a burning Fire Arrow took form, aiming at the shattered window on the third floor of the northern teaching building.
"Stop!" Another order from Gong Cheng.
Du Yu didn't know why, but he didn't dare move at all.
Gong Cheng turned to Li Mengnan: "What is the attribute of your Demon Soldier?"
Li Mengnan quickly replied, "Wind Demon Soldier·Black Wind Sword."
Gong Cheng: "Now I remember, when you were learning the Demon Disciple Contract this morning, you accidentally activated your Demon Soldier."
"Mm-hmm, that was me."
Gong Cheng: "Go find an open space to practice. Make sure every time you draw your sword, it's accompanied by a gust of wind.
Before sundown, I want to see your success rate at 100%."
"Yes, Teacher Gong!" Li Mengnan gripped the Black Wind Sword tightly, full of confidence, and strode toward the southwest corner of the school.
Gong Cheng nodded approvingly, then looked at the remaining students in front of him: "All of you, perk up! Lunch break is almost over!"
The students who were lagging behind were already anxious as it was, and now under Gong Cheng's unending pressure and criticism, life felt more hopeless than ever.
No! This isn't the Life of a Demon Tamer I dreamed of!
Where's that beautiful, colorful life I was promised? Where's my life as a winner?
No wonder the teacher warned us before driving here, telling us we had better just take the next school bus...
"If you can't stand this hardship, look into my eyes and say you give up! If you say it, you can go eat right away. And for the next two days, I won't make any demands of you!"
Gong Cheng walked back and forth with his hands behind his back: "This world is full of useless Demon Tamers, one more of you won't make a difference!"
The weather was already hot, and with the dual blows to their bodies and spirits, the students truly felt battered and bruised.
One of the boys was even on the verge of tears.
Sometimes, it's not that you don't want to give up—it's that you don't dare!
If you've never actually stood before Gong Cheng, stared at that dark, scarred face, and felt that oppressive presence, you can't begin to understand how much courage it takes to say "I give up."
Du Yu on the side was feeling rough too. He even started to wonder if Gong Cheng was really a legitimate teacher, and if maybe this teacher had just forgotten about him altogether...
"Teacher Gong?" Du Yu asked carefully.
"What is it?"
Du Yu: "Can I shoot now? It's been half the day."
Holding the bow drawn for this long, it was even more tiring than standing at attention! Besides, the Black Wood Bow wasn't meant to be used like this.
Even though it was a low-grade item, it was still Du Yu's treasure—he felt really protective of it.
Gong Cheng walked to Du Yu's side, a cold smirk on his face: "Hold that pose. Stay like that."
"But my Black Wood Bow..."
Gong Cheng let out a grunt: "This is a Demon Soldier—it won't break."
Du Yu felt much more at ease, but still meekly asked, "How long do I have to hold this?"
Gong Cheng snorted and said, "Well, that depends on how excellent you are."
Excellent?
Du Yu's eyes lit up: "Like, excellent as in outstanding student kind of excellent?"
Gong Cheng: "Maybe."
Du Yu pursed his lips, shouting in his heart: I want that Demon Soldier! I really need that custom Demon Soldier!
"Wuu~waah!" Just then, loud sobbing came from behind. The whole scene was so sudden, maybe that kid just couldn't take the pressure anymore?
Du Yu didn't have time to worry about anyone else; he focused fully on holding the drawn bow, only to find himself still standing there when the heavy rain began to pour.
June weather, like a girlfriend's face.
At some point, layers of dark clouds swept in from the northwest, blocking out the blazing sun and drenching everything with cool rain.
"Zzz~ zzz~"
Raindrops pattered down onto the pitch-black wooden bow, making a sizzling sound.
Du Yu lowered his eyelids, watching the Fire Arrow, a bit worried that the rain would snuff it out.
And that worry soon became reality with a clap of thunder. The rain grew heavier and heavier...
Whether it was because that boy broke down crying, or the rain was just too much, the so-called "no food until you learn it" Gong Cheng had a rare moment of mercy and let those students go to the dorms to eat.
On the field, only a handful of students remained training, most of them accompanied by Water-type Demon Pets·Wolf Lake Dogs.