Chapter 18: Proficiency

Attribute suppression is common knowledge, and Chen Tongtong was certainly aware of it.

However, it was true that he had never fought a fire-type pet beast before. There were only two people in their entire school who dared to contract a fire-type pet beast as their first.

Both of these two were in their second year of high school, and there wasn't a single one in their year.

Is attribute suppression really that strong? Chen Tongtong felt depressed.

He was so distracted that he didn't even notice when the other person left after he paid. It wasn't until Jiang Liu patted his shoulder.

"Why didn't you add her contact information and transfer the money? That way, you could also share her contact with me."

Chen Tongtong: "… Get lost!"

...

After Qiao Sang's third battle, her mother called.

"Why haven't you come home yet?"

Qiao Sang checked the time: 18:17.

Wencheng Junior High School's dismissal time was 17:00, and since her home was close to the school, it only took about ten minutes by bus. Normally, even if she dragged her feet, she would arrive by 17:30.

"I'm training with Firefang." Qiao Sang replied.

There was a moment of silence on the other end of the line, then: "Come back soon, the food is getting cold."

"I know."

After hanging up, Qiao Sang tore off the paper stuck to her backpack.

Today's results were unsatisfactory. The peak time for students leaving school was limited, and by the time she finished her third battle, most people had already left.

The efficiency was too slow.

Qiao Sang felt that waiting at another school wasn't a good method.

She thought for a moment and entered the Beast Codex.

【Name: Firefang】

【Attribute: Fire】

【Level: Beginner (115/1000) +】

【Skills: Bite (Beginner 74/100) +, Tackle (Advanced 138/500) +, Fire Fang (Beginner 5/100) +, Ember (Beginner 5/100) +】

【Points: 55】

All the skill values had increased slightly, but why weren't the points a multiple of three? Could it be that defeating different pet beasts awarded different points?

She had battled three times today: a Fat Pigeon, a Cotton Worm, and a White Sand Fox, all of which were beginner-level pet beasts. The only difference was that the Cotton Worm was defeated in one hit, while the others took several rounds.

Was it the Cotton Worm that lowered the points?

Qiao Sang looked at the data in front of her and suddenly had an idea.

"Firefang, use Fire Fang," Qiao Sang said suddenly.

" Fang."

Although Firefang didn't understand Qiao Sang's intention, it obediently used Fire Fang. Without a target, the skill quickly retracted.

Qiao Sang checked the Beast Codex again.

【Name: Firefang】

【Attribute: Fire】

【Level: Beginner (115/1000) +】

【Skills: Bite (Beginner 73/100) +, Tackle (Advanced 135/500) +, Fire Fang (Beginner 6/100) +, Ember (Beginner 3/100) +】

【Points: 55】

The value for Fire Fang had increased!

Does that mean practicing on your own can increase skill proficiency without a target?

She had been mistaken. Skill proficiency is gained through practice, and it doesn't necessarily require a target to increase.

But if releasing a skill once could increase proficiency, wouldn't everyone's pet beasts reach mastery in no time?

Qiao Sang didn't know about others' skill proficiency, but hers seemed to increase with each use.

To verify her idea, Qiao Sang had Firefang use Fire Fang again.

After Firefang used it, the value for Fire Fang indeed increased from 6 to 7.

Qiao Sang paused for a moment, then exited the Beast Codex and had Firefang use Fire Fang 100 times.

Firefang nodded, ready to comply.

But reality was cruel. After using Fire Fang four times in a row, Firefang became... exhausted.

The value for Fire Fang stopped at 10.

Using skills requires energy and stamina, and clearly, Firefang could only use Fire Fang a few times.

Firefang had already fought three consecutive battles, consuming a lot of energy and stamina.

Qiao Sang estimated that under full mental and physical condition, Firefang could use Fire Fang about ten times in a row.

Using it ten times in the morning and ten times in the evening, in five days, Fire Fang's proficiency would reach Advanced!

Could a pet beast's skills advance from Beginner to Advanced so quickly?

Qiao Sang reviewed her limited knowledge of pet beasts.

No.

Even for low-level skills, it would take nearly a month of daily practice to advance from Beginner to Advanced. The next stage, Minor Mastery, would increase the skill's power several times and would take at least half a year.

Fire Fang is a mid-level skill, and advancing from Beginner to Advanced would take 5-7 months.

But Firefang could do it in five days.

This was clearly the power of a golden finger!

With this golden finger, how could she not be the top candidate for the special admission to Sacred Water High School? By then, with all her skills at the Advanced level, how could anyone beat her?

When that time comes...

" Fang!"

Firefang's cry snapped Qiao Sang out of her reverie.

Qiao Sang came to her senses and noticed that some people were looking at her strangely. She instinctively adjusted her facial expression.

Her cheeks felt sore from smiling so much.

Qiao Sang realized she had been grinning uncontrollably...

"Cough, let's go home," Qiao Sang said, picking up Firefang.

" Fang!"

Firefang pointed with its small paw at a nearby barbecue stand.

Qiao Sang looked and realized she was also hungry, as she could smell the cumin from a distance.

"No, we already have food at home," Qiao Sang turned away, resisting the temptation.

" Fang~" Firefang looked up at Qiao Sang with its wet, pleading eyes.

This little guy was actually pouting...

"Only two skewers," Qiao Sang conceded.

Firefang nodded happily.

At the barbecue stand.

"Student, you haven't gone home yet?" The aunt running the stand recognized Qiao Sang.

"Yes," Qiao Sang replied, sniffing the barbecue. "Aunt, twenty lamb skewers, please."

In the end, Qiao Sang ate five skewers, and Firefang ate fifteen.

On the way back, Qiao Sang said earnestly, "When we eat dinner, you have to pretend you're still hungry and finish your meal, okay?"

" Fang."

Firefang responded, then let out a belch.

Qiao Sang: "..."

Qiao Sang consoled herself that it would take over half an hour to get home from the bus stop near the 37th Beast High School, and by then, it should be digested...

Pet beasts can eat human food, but for proper development and nutrition, they need special energy-rich food.

The pet beast food at home was made by her mother, which took a lot of time. If Firefang got full from the lamb skewers and couldn't eat the food her mother made...

Qiao Sang shook her head, not daring to think about it.

It would only take about ten minutes by subway, but for Firefang's sake, Qiao Sang chose to take the bus.

On the No. 66 bus, Firefang, probably exhausted and full, lay quietly by the window, watching the scenery outside.