34: teacher

The slovenly Old man picked up his wine flask and tipped it back forcefully into his mouth. He then peeked through the opening to double-check, and only after confirming that not a single drop remained did he tuck the flask into his robes with a look of slight reluctance.

He then leaned back comfortably against the chair's backrest and tilted his head back, only to find Xiao Xu and Su Ze both staring at him.

As if only just realizing that Xiao Xu was talking about him, he pointed at his own bulbous, red nose in great surprise and said, "Be his teacher? Me?!"

"Principal Xiao, haven't you made some kind of mistake? Our school has so many good teachers who are skilled at education, beast breeding, or even mounted combat."

"I'm just a part-timer who feeds the pigs and cleans up around the school. How can I teach anyone? This won't do, it absolutely won't do."

In fact, Su Ze was thinking the exact same thing.

Every teacher he had seen along the way, including the people responsible for admissions at the gate, had been dressed impeccably and carried themselves with dignity.

Only this Old man before him looked filthy, not to mention he seemed to be an alcoholic; he appeared completely unreliable.

Besides, he had just enrolled and already possessed dual spirit beasts—one Gold-rank and the other a diamond rank.

This kind of talent was incredibly rare, hard to find even if one searched with a lantern.

Xiao Xu, as the principal, seemed to value him so little that he would find this kind of person to be his mentor.

This made Su Ze suspect: could it really be because he hadn't greeted him earlier?

Could he really be that petty?

Even if that were the case, he should have at least consulted with the Old man beforehand and had him change out of his janitor clothes.

"The way he looks now, he doesn't resemble a teacher at all. He's trying to fool me like I'm an idiot..." Su Ze couldn't help but complain in his heart.

However, Xiao Xu continued with a smile, "Teacher Lin Xi is too modest. Come to think of it, your name is quite worth pondering. When the characters are combined, they form the word 'Dream.' I hadn't noticed that before."

The drunkard Old man rubbed his red nose nonchalantly and said, "I'm just someone who sweeps the sheds and feeds the livestock in the school. It's normal for the principal not to notice me."

Su Ze glanced at the Old man named Lin Xi, feeling that such a name was somewhat wasted when paired with his current appearance.

Then, Xiao Xu changed the subject: "You were right just now; the faculty at our Azure Dragon Beast Taming University is indeed formidable. However, I'm sure you're very clear about this child's situation. Aside from you and me, there really aren't many people in the school qualified to guide him."

This sentence caused Su Ze's eyes to widen in surprise.

What did that mean?

Did the principal's words imply that the Old man was a figure on the same level as himself?

"Could it be... he's a figure like a 'Hidden Master' janitor?" Su Ze speculated inwardly.

The drunkard Old man continued, "Principal, you flatter me too much. How could I compare to you? Besides, I'm retiring in another year. This university lasts four years in total; I can't teach this kid."

Xiao Xu continued to smile and said, "Rest assured, Old Lin. This kid already met the most difficult level requirement for graduation when he entered the school. As for cultural classes, a Beast Tamer doesn't place much importance on them anyway. If he works hard and finishes them within a year, it won't delay your retirement."

Beast Taming Universities, like ordinary universities, have a four-year system that can be extended to six years at most. In addition to completing basic credits, one must also meet the hard requirement of being level twenty to graduate.

Those who do not meet the graduation requirements within six years can only receive a certificate of completion. Many official organizations related to Beast Tamers do not recognize this, leaving them to compete with ordinary people for jobs.

Those who graduate successfully can join official organizations and continue their studies to increase their level.

The drunkard Old man wanted to say more, but Xiao Xu added, "By the way, Old Lin, I just remembered something. I'm very fond of a student with extraordinary talent like Su Ze, so I looked into him carefully."

"It turns out his parents were once teachers here as well. It's just a pity that an accident occurred before I took office... Sigh, I wonder if you knew them, Old Lin?"

Xiao Xu sighed and continued, "What will a poor child do without parents to rely on? You should know that it's not just outsiders who have their eyes on this Diamond-rank Demonic Beast, but many of our own people as well!"

This sentence startled Su Ze; it sounded like he was being targeted by many people.

It made sense. Xiao Sheng, who had also contracted a Diamond-rank Spirit Beast in his youth,

had grown up only after withstanding wave after wave of assassinations from other countries. There was no reason Su Ze would be allowed to develop peacefully.

But what did he mean by being targeted by 'our own people'?

Su Ze stole a glance at Xiao Xu, remembering how he was the only one who had been obsessed with the Golden Feather Phoenix Bird that day.

"But he probably isn't referring to himself. Could it be... that someone else has their eyes on me?" Su Ze thought to himself.

Lin Xi's expression finally changed. His dazed, drunken state vanished for a moment as he stared intently at the smiling Xiao Xu.

Finally, he reverted to his drunkard persona, slumped back in the chair, and said, "Since the principal isn't afraid of me misleading the student, what do I have to fear? However, if I'm to be a mentor, I'll be working two jobs. It wouldn't be too much to ask for a raise, would it?"

Xiao Xu remained all smiles. "No problem. While keeping your original salary unchanged, I will add the salary of a mentor on top of it."

"Good, straightforward! Since that's the case, I have no issues. Follow me, kid. Let's head to my place to report in first." Lin Xi stood up unsteadily from the chair and waved to Su Ze, who was frowning in thought behind him.

Su Ze was snapped out of his contemplation and said, "Ah... okay!"

The conversation between the two hadn't been hidden from him, and Su Ze had picked up on some hidden meanings.

The reason the drunkard Old man Lin Xi had changed his attitude and agreed to be his mentor was because Xiao Xu mentioned his parents.

Su Ze had clearly felt the change in Lin Xi's emotions at that moment. Could it be... that this seemingly unreliable Old man knew something about his parents' disappearance?

At this thought, Su Ze's heart could not remain calm. One major reason he was determined to get into Azure Dragon Beast Taming University was to uncover the truth of the past, find the reason for his parents' disappearance, and ideally, find them and bring them back.

It seemed like a good omen that a lead had presented itself on his first day of reporting.

Looking at the back of the Old man swaying ahead of him, Su Ze was just about to ask what he knew.

He saw the Old man step out of the principal's office and immediately double over less than two meters from the door. Accompanied by a violent sound of vomiting, the smell of cheap alcohol instantly filled the entire hallway.

"Ah... as expected, I feel much better after throwing up. This fake liquor really goes to your head... Once I get that double salary, I'll have the money to buy the good stuff."

"Kid, this is all thanks to you." As he spoke, he tried to lean against Su Ze.

Smelling the heavy stench of alcohol and seeing the stains on his chest and his filthy clothes, Su Ze couldn't help but take a step back to avoid him.

The Old man glanced at him with dissatisfaction. "I'm going to be your master from now on. Can't you even give me a hand?"

He then strode toward the elevator. Whether it was because he had vomited out the alcohol or because he had been faking it before, there wasn't a hint of swaying in the Old man's current stride.

Su Ze hurriedly followed. In the same elevator, he pinched his nose to endure the smell of alcohol and the sour stench as they slowly descended.

They left behind a cleaning lady who happened to be passing by, cursing loudly at the puddle of filth on the floor.