CHAPTER 6: Passed The Test

Liu Xian was sleeping.

At least, he thought he was.

His dreams were the usual—shadows pressing against him, whispers in the dark, lightning flashing behind his eyelids. The same old nightmares he had learned to ignore.

But then…

Something changed.

This time there was a feeling. A presence.

A gaze.

His entire body tensed.

That wasn't normal.

Dreams didn't come with the sensation of someone watching you.

Slowly, cautiously, he cracked open one eye.

And froze.

There was a dog on his bed.

The dog.

The same stray he had dropped off at the vet was now lying beside him, head resting on his pillow, staring at him like this was the most normal thing in the world.

Liu Xian's entire soul left his body.

"What the fuck?!"

His body reacted before his brain could catch up. He jerked away so hard, he rolled off the bed and crashed onto the floor.

Pain shot up his back, but that was the least of his concerns. His heart was pounding, his breath ragged as he stared up at the intruder, half-expecting it to sprout wings or something.

But the dog?

The dog just sighed.

Sighed!!??!

"Oh, don't be a drama queen," it scoffed, resting its chin on its paws. "First time seeing a dog on your bed, huh, kid?"

Liu Xian's brain broke.

Because—

Because—

The dog just talked.

Liu Xian stared at it. The dog stared back.

"…What?" the dog deadpanned. "Cat got your tongue?"

Silence.

Liu Xian sat there, stunned, his brain desperately trying to put together something logical. But the only thing that came out of his mouth was:

"Yup. I've finally lost my mind."

Then, out of sheer mental exhaustion, he laughed.

It wasn't a normal laugh. It was that hysterical, slightly unhinged kind that people had before completely losing it.

His breath hitched, his hands gripping his face as his body shook with a laughter that didn't reach his eyes.

"What the fuck am I seeing right now?" he choked out, running a hand through his hair, half-expecting to wake up at any second.

"A talking dog," the mutt replied dryly. "Boo-hoo. Jeez, that's why I hate recruiting newcomers."

Liu Xian barely heard him. He was too busy trying to convince himself this wasn't real.

Maybe his father had finally snapped and poisoned his dinner. Maybe he was hallucinating from sheer exhaustion. Maybe—

Before Liu Xian could processing anything, the dog was already hopping off the bed, shaking itself off like this was just a regular Tuesday.

"Listen," it said, turning to him. "You passed the test, so come with me."

Liu Xian just blinked.

"…What test?" he asked blankly.

"The Educationalist will explain everything to you," the dog said, sounding beyond done. He lifted a paw. "Now, just place your hand on my paw and let's get this over with."

Liu Xian didn't move.

"Yeah, no. I'm not coming with you."

The dog's expression twitched.

"Listen! I don't have time for chitchat!" The creature's voice took on a desperate edge. "The only way I can get out of this fucking dog body is by recruiting you, and I don't want you to fucking waste my time!"

Liu Xian blinked, taken aback by the statement.

"…So you're not actually a dog?"

"No!" the creature snapped.

Liu Xian rubbed his temples. This was too much. Way too much.

And yet, for some reason, despite everything completely defying logic—he wasn't freaking out as much as he should be.

Maybe because this wasn't the craziest thing to happen to him.

People had been calling him a monster his whole life. He had been treated like some cursed, supernatural freak for as long as he could remember.

So, really…

Was it that surprising that a talking dog had shown up in his bed?

"…Still not coming," he said finally, shaking his head.

The dog's golden eyes narrowed.

Then—

"Fuck! I hate this shit!"

Liu Xian almost laughed.

That was the most human-sounding frustration he had ever heard come out of an animal.

The dog started pacing, muttering under its breath. "Stupid kid. Of course I had to get stuck with the stubborn one. Why couldn't I have gotten someone eager? Nooo, it has to be this guy."

Liu Xian sighed, dragging a hand down his face. "Just tell me what's going on."

The dog stopped.

For a second, it didn't say anything.

Then it took a deep breath, like it was physically restraining itself from exploding. "Fine," the mutt gritted out. "Here's the deal. You've been chosen."

Liu Xian stared. "…For what?"

The dog's ears flicked back. "To join the Academy."

Liu Xian almost laughed again. "What Academy?"

"The Academy of Arcane Forces," the dog said. "It's where people like you go."

People like me.

The words made something tighten in Liu Xian's chest.

He wasn't sure why.

But before he could question it, the dog continued.

"You're special, kid. Whether you like it or not."

Liu Xian snorted. "Yeah, real special. People love me." he mumbled sarcastically.

The dog gave him a long, unimpressed look. "You can control lightning," he blurted out.

Liu Xian flinched.

He hated hearing that out loud.

"You think you're cursed?" It tilted its head. "Then what do you think I am?"

Liu Xian hesitated.

The way it spoke, the way it carried itself, the almost human-like exhaustion in its golden eyes…

This wasn't some stray.

He swallowed. "What… happened to you?"

The dog's tail flicked.

Then, he let's out a humorless smirk, "I'm being punished," he grumbled.

Liu Xian didn't know what to say to that.

"I'm giving you a chance," the dog said quietly. "You can come with me, learn how to control what you are, and stop being terrified of yourself."

Liu Xian's fingers twitched.

He should say no.

Every instinct screamed at him to reject it.

But for some reason…

He didn't.

"What about my father?"

"Who gives a shit about that piece of crap?! Does it look like I give a fuck?!" He blurted out visibly irritated. "Yes or No?!"