Today was the day for the Skeleton Studies class, and Qian Er happened to have some questions about nurturing the Frost Lord to ask Professor Shi.
The morning class was as dull as ever, but Qian Er persevered and listened intently.
He barely made it to the end of class before rejecting his classmates' invitation to lunch, and hurried to Professor Shi's office.
Knock, knock, knock.
After knocking three times and hearing a "Come in" from inside, Qian Er opened the door.
Because of his large build, Professor Shi Zhong's desk and chair were custom-made. He was hunched over his desk, writing something. Hearing the door open, he turned his head and glanced over. When he saw it was Qian Er, a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes, but it was quickly replaced by a smile.
"You only come around when you need something, kid. Tell me, what's the matter?"
He put down his pen, turned his chair around, crossed his legs, and asked with a smile.
"Teacher, it's like this. When should I start training my Ice Dragon's Special Attack?"
The Ice Dragon's ultimate evolved form, the Skeleton-type Quasi-God Frost Bone Dragon, is undoubtedly a Special Attack specialist. However, before evolving into its final form, both the Ice Dragon and the Frost Lord excel in Physical Attack. This leads to the question of when to start training Special Attack for maximum benefit.
"Ice Dragon? Yes, time flies. You should be thinking about this problem now."
Professor Shi Zhong originally wanted to say, 'Didn't you just get the Ice Dragon a little over a month ago? Why are you thinking about this already?'
But the words were barely out of his mouth when he remembered Qian Er's rapid growth and swallowed them back.
"Ahem, there's no need to rush with the Ice Dragon. After generations of research, we've found that there's not much difference in Special Attack between Frost Bone Dragons that start training Special Attack in their youth and those that start during their Frost Lord phase."
"This characteristic is extremely illogical, which has led many Skeleton-type predecessors to investigate why, but so far, no one has discovered the truth."
Professor Shi Zhong spread his hands, somewhat helplessly. The mainstream speculation in the circle is that the Frost Bone Dragon species has a special trait.
As a Quasi-God species, the Frost Bone Dragon must have something special.
"I see..."
Qian Er nodded, already having a plan in mind.
"Teacher, are there any suitable skills for the Frost Lord to learn?"
Raising his head and looking at Shi Zhong, Qian Er seemed to ask casually.
"Pfft... cough, cough..."
But Shi Zhong's reaction was unexpectedly strong, as if he had choked on his own saliva and coughed violently.
After a long while, he finally caught his breath and looked at Qian Er with a particularly complicated expression. Then, without a word, he took out a space backpack and threw it to Qian Er.
"Once you reach Quasi-King, you need to focus on developing skills. This contains the skill learning machines my Frost Bone Dragon used back in the day and my skill development records. Take them and study them carefully."
As he spoke, he closed the door without waiting for Qian Er to thank him.
Outside the door, Qian Er shrugged, took the space backpack, and turned to leave.
Inside the office, Shi Zhong took out his phone and directly dialed Professor Zheng Xin's number.
"Hey, Sanjin, are you there? I need a favor."
His tone was serious, as if he was entrusting an orphan.
"Hmm?"
On the other end of the phone, Professor Zheng Xin's sleepy voice came through.
"I'm going into seclusion! I won't come out until I break through to True King!"
Professor Shi Zhong said through gritted teeth. He was anxious, because he couldn't let his student, Qian Er, surpass him while he was still only Quasi-King!
"Hmm? You're going into seclusion again this year? When are you coming out?"
Professor Zheng Xin asked, unfazed. Shi Zhong, with his complete Quasi-God, had the highest probability of breaking through to True King among the three of them, but so many years had passed and he still hadn't.
The reason was simply laziness. He went into seclusion eight times a year, and none of them lasted longer than a week.
"This time is different. This time, I'm really being chased by wolves. If I don't break through to True King, my student's strength will surpass mine in the future."
Only then did Professor Zheng Xin realize what had triggered this old codger.
"Alright, alright, I got it. I'll be right over. This time, I'll bury you underground. If you try to run out before breaking through to True King, I'll have the Flesh Demon plant you in the soil."
The two old friends casually exchanged meaningless threats, and soon, the sound of someone getting dressed could be heard on the other end of the phone.
...
"Yo, Brother Qian, I finally see you!"
Qian Er, who had just walked out of the teaching building with the space backpack, heard a cheerful voice. Turning his head, he saw Li Ziming standing with a few classmates, seemingly heading towards the cafeteria. Upon seeing Qian Er, he decisively greeted him.
Unlike the solitary Qian Er, Li Ziming actively befriended everyone. After all, no one at the Imperial Academy should be underestimated, and you never knew when you might need them in the future.
Others were also willing to befriend him, as he was the most talented among the commoner students in this year's class, besides Qian Er.
So, in just a few days, he had become acquainted with most of the people, able to call out the name of every freshman in this year's class.
"You guys go eat first. I have something to say to Brother Qian."
Calling out to Qian Er, Li Ziming immediately turned to his friends and instructed them.
"Okay, then we'll go ahead."
Two of his female friends wanted to get to know Qian Er, but after seeing the look in Qian Er's eyes, they retreated.
In their eyes, Qian Er was probably the "iceberg beauty" type.
"Qian Er, I made a killing following you last time. I've been wanting to thank you these past two days, but you haven't had time. Today, I finally caught a chance. It's on me, Brother Qian, please give me this opportunity."
Li Ziming jogged to Qian Er's side and said with a smile.
"Alright, let's go."
Naturally, Qian Er didn't refuse.
Arriving at the cafeteria, Li Ziming skillfully ordered a large table of dishes, causing Qian Er to shake his head.
They were indeed expensive, but the taste wasn't great. They only looked good, and the cost-performance ratio was shockingly low.
However, since someone else was paying, he didn't say much. As long as it was better than insect cakes, it was fine.
After some eating, Li Ziming suddenly spoke.
"Brother Qian, what are you planning to do about the monthly exam?"
Qian Er paused with his hand reaching for food.
"Monthly exam????"
He never thought he would hear that word at the Imperial Academy.
