Chapter 18: Proficiency

Elemental advantages were common knowledge, and Chen Tongtong was well aware of that.


However, it was true that he had never battled with a Fire-type pet beast. In their entire school, there were only two daredevils who had contracted a Fire-type pet beast right from the start. Both of them were sophomores, and there wasn't a single one in their freshman class.


Is the elemental disadvantage this significant? Chen Tongtong felt dejected.


After mechanically transferring the money, he was so absent-minded that he didn't even notice when the other person left. It wasn't until Jiang Liu patted his shoulder that he snapped out of it.


"Why didn't you ask for her contact information and transfer the money later? That way, you could have shared her contact with me," Jiang Liu suggested.


Chen Tongtong replied, "Get lost!"


...


After Qiao Sang had her third battle, her mother called.


"Why haven't you come home yet?"


Qiao Sang checked the time; it was 6:17 PM.


Wencheng Middle School's dismissal time was precisely at 5:00 PM, and their home was close to the school. Taking a bus for about ten minutes would get her home by at most 5:30 PM, even if she took her time.


"I'm training with the Fire Tooth Dog," Qiao Sang replied.


There was a moment of silence on the other end of the phone, and then her mother said, "Come home earlier; dinner is getting cold."


"I understand," Qiao Sang replied.


She hung up the phone and tore off the piece of paper stuck to her backpack.


She was dissatisfied with today's results. The peak time after school was so short, and by the time she finished three battles, most people had already left. The efficiency was too low.


Qiao Sang felt that waiting at someone else's school like this was not a viable strategy.


She pondered for a moment and accessed her Beast Tamer's Manual.


【Name: Fire Tooth Dog】


【Attribute: Fire】


【Level: Novice (115/1000)+】


【Skills: Bite (Entry 74/100)+, Charge (Proficient 138/500)+, Fire Fang (Novice 5/100)+, Ember (Novice 5/100)+】


【Skill Points: 55】


The values of all the skills had increased to some extent, but she wondered why the skill points were not multiples of three. Could it be that defeating different pet beasts awarded different amounts of points?


She had battled three times until now, against a Little Fat Dove, a Cottonbug, and a White Sands Fox, all of which were novice-level pet beasts. The only difference was that, except for the Cottonbug, all the other battles lasted several rounds.


Did the Cottonbug somehow lower the skill points?


Qiao Sang stared at the data in front of her and suddenly had a realization.


"Fire Tooth Dog, use Fire Fang," Qiao Sang said suddenly.


"Tooth."


Although the Fire Tooth Dog didn't understand Qiao Sang's intentions, it obediently used Fire Fang. Since there was no target to attack, Fire Fang was quickly retracted.


Qiao Sang checked the Beast Tamer's Manual again.


【Name: Fire Tooth Dog】


【Attribute: Fire】


【Level: Novice (115/1000)+】


【Skills: Bite (Novice 73/100)+, Charge (Proficient 135/500)+, Fire Fang (Novice 6/100)+, Ember (Novice 3/100)+】


【Skill Points: 55】


The value of Fire Fang had increased!


Does this mean that self-practice could increase skill proficiency without attacking a target?


She had initially misunderstood. Skill proficiency could be increased even without a target to attack.


But if simply using a skill could increase proficiency, wouldn't everyone's pet beasts have mastered skills beyond imagination?


Qiao Sang didn't know about the proficiency levels of others, but for her, it seemed that using a skill once did increase proficiency.


To confirm her thoughts, Qiao Sang had the Fire Tooth Dog use Fire Fang once more.


After the Fire Tooth Dog cast the skill, the value of Fire Fang increased from 6 to 7, just as she expected.


Qiao Sang fell into silence for a moment and then exited the Beast Tamer's Manual. She immediately instructed the Fire Tooth Dog to use Fire Fang 100 times.


The Fire Tooth Dog nodded, looking like it was up for the challenge.


However, reality was harsh. After the Fire Tooth Dog had consecutively used Fire Fang for the fourth time, it suddenly became limp and lethargic.


The value of Fire Fang remained at 10.


Using skills also required energy and stamina, and it was clear that the Fire Tooth Dog could only cast Fire Fang a few times in its current state. The Fire Tooth Dog had already fought three battles continuously, depleting both its energy and stamina.


Qiao Sang assessed the situation and concluded that if it were in peak condition, it could probably cast Fire Fang ten times in a row without any problems.


By casting it ten times in the morning and ten times in the evening, her proficiency in Fire Fang would reach the "Proficient" level in just five days!


Could pet beasts' skills be mastered so quickly?


Qiao Sang recalled her limited knowledge of Beast Taming.


No, even for low-level skills, it took nearly a month of daily practice to go from "Novice" to "Proficient." Achieving the next stage, "Perfection," which increased the skill's power several times, would take at least half a year.


Fire Fang was a mid-level skill, so even going from "Novice" to "Proficient" should take 5-7 months.


Yet, the Fire Tooth Dog could do it in just five days.


This was undoubtedly the power of a golden finger!


With this golden finger, was she still worried about not becoming the top recruit at Shengshui High School? When the time came, with all her skills at the "Proficient" level, what could they do against her?


When that time comes...


"tooth!"


The Fire Tooth Dog's bark brought Qiao Sang back from her daydream.


Qiao Sang snapped back to reality and noticed that some people were looking at her with strange expressions. She adjusted her facial expression unconsciously.


The corners of her mouth drooped slightly, and her facial muscles twitched, leaving a slightly sour feeling.


Qiao Sang realized she had been smiling...


"Cough, let's go home," Qiao Sang said, picking up the Fire Tooth Dog.


"tooth!"


The Fire Tooth Dog pointed its small paw in the direction of a barbecue stall in the distance.


Qiao Sang glanced over and realized she was hungry too. Otherwise, how could she smell the wafting scent of cumin from so far away?


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


"Fang~" The Fire Tooth Dog lifted its head and gazed at Qiao Sang with its moist eyes.


This little guy was actually acting cute...


"You can only have two skewers," Qiao Sang compromised.


The Fire Tooth Dog nodded happily.


At the barbecue stall:


"Hey there, you haven't gone home yet, student," Auntie, who was running the barbecue stall, recognized Qiao Sang.


"Yeah," Qiao Sang replied. She smelled the barbecue's aroma and said, "Auntie, give me 20 skewers of lamb."


In the end, Qiao Sang ate five skewers, while the Fire Tooth Dog devoured fifteen.


On the way back, Qiao Sang spoke earnestly, "When you have dinner later, make sure to pretend you're not full and finish your meal, okay?"


"Tooth."


The Fire Tooth Dog agreed and let out a satisfied burp.


Qiao Sang: "..."


Qiao Sang consoled herself, thinking that it would take more than half an hour for her to take Bus 66 from the nearby bus stop to get home. By then, her pet should have digested the food...


Pet beasts could eat human food regularly, but to ensure good development and nutrition, they needed specially made food with energy.


The food for the pet beasts at home was prepared separately by her mother, and it took quite some time. If the Fire Tooth Dog couldn't eat it later because it was already full from the lamb skewers...


Qiao Sang shook her head, not daring to think further.


From here to her home, it would take just over half an hour by subway, but for the sake of the Fire Tooth Dog, Qiao Sang chose to take the bus.


On Bus 66, perhaps due to expending energy and then eating heartily, the Fire Tooth Dog, for once, lay quietly by the window, gazing at the passing scenery.


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