"I didn't, I wouldn't, I'm innocent!"
Li Miao protested her innocence, "It really bumped into it by itself!"
Chen Bin was skeptical.
What kind of battle pet is dumb enough to get hurt like this?
Falling off the bed yesterday was one thing, but bumping its head today too?
If it really did that, then this battle pet...
Isn't it just an idiot?
Chen Bin gave the husky a pitying glance.
"Fine, set your battle pet down. I'll heal it."
"Oh, okay."
Li Miao placed the husky on the ground and casually tucked its lolling tongue back into its mouth.
A green glow flashed again, and the husky's injured little head healed. Soon after, it regained consciousness, looking dazed and utterly confused.
"Hey, husky?"
Li Miao poked its cheek, her face full of worry, "You didn't bump yourself stupid, did you?"
The husky lay motionless on the ground, then opened its mouth and let out a defiant whine.
*You're the stupid one! You're the idiot! Stupid Master! Hmph!*
Hearing this, Li Miao's eyes lit up.
"Seems like you've got plenty of spirit left, even know how to curse now. Good."
"Let's go, time to get up and train."
The husky started to rise, but upon hearing "train," it flopped back down.
"Woof-woof~"
*Husky no good, husky head hurt, husky gonna die.*
It stuck its tongue out and played dead.
Li Miao was both exasperated and amused. She'd never seen a dog so shameless—it was even worse than in her past life.
But did it really think she couldn't handle it?
"Sigh, I was gonna buy you some treats..."
The husky's ears perked up.
"But this behavior of yours? Too disappointing!"
Li Miao clutched her chest dramatically. "So I've decided—no snacks for you."
The husky side-eyed her, its furry face practically oozing skepticism.
Somehow, Li Miao could *see* the thought on that face:
*Yeah right. Like you were ever gonna buy them in the first place.*
For a second, Li Miao actually felt guilty—but just as quickly, she doubled down.
"And as punishment for slacking off, tonight we're taking *at least* ten sets of photos!"
The husky's jaw dropped.
"ARF ARF ARF!" (*You're shameless!*)
"All's fair in war~"
The husky let out a long, suffering sigh, then grudgingly got up and barked at Li Miao.
*Stupid Master! Just you wait! When I get strong, I'll make* you *wear the frilly dresses! Hmph!*
With that, it turned tail and bolted toward Blackie.
Li Miao, a *ten-year veteran pet owner*, smirked in triumph.
"Thought I couldn't handle you? *Pfft.*"
Chen Bin, watching their exchange: "..."
*Well. That settles it.*
Turns out the husky really *is* an idiot.
He opened his mouth like he wanted to say something to Li Miao, but in the end, all he muttered was,
"Don't bully your battle pet *too* much."
Chen Bin added, more earnestly, "It's kinda pitiful."
Li Miao blinked, baffled.
*Pitiful?* The *husky?*
*You've got to be kidding.*
*The truly pitiful one here is* me.
Ever since this battle pet moved in, not only has her family ranking dropped below the dog's, but she's also had to monitor its meals, bathroom breaks, baths, *and* wipe its butt—basically a 24/7 personal butler.
A *payless butler* who even *loses* money on the job.
Just thinking about it made Li Miao's chest ache.
*Poor. So very poor.*
Including the allowance from her parents, she didn't even have 30,000 to her name.
How was she supposed to afford rare treasures with *that* kind of pocket change?
Li Miao sighed.
"I *really* need to level this dog up fast..."
Once it hits level 10, they can start treasure hunting.
The thought revitalized her.
As for the husky's threat? *Pfft.*
Did it honestly think she'd care about wearing a cute skirt as much as *it* did?
Meanwhile, the oblivious husky "happily" trained away.
Despite its reluctance, once the session started, the husky became the most focused battle pet in the group.
A full week of intense drills later, it had adapted to the routine, and Li Miao had finally mastered entering a meditative state *on command.*
But that wasn't enough.
To her, meditation was just the *starting point.*
Unfortunately, after seven days, Chen Bin abruptly ended meditation training and switched to battle drills.
Battle training focused on combat techniques, skill utilization, and coordination between pet and master.
Li Miao expected it to be brutal—blood, violence, and ferocity, just like in the dramas.
Instead, reality served:
*You pounce.
I pounce.
We roll around together.*
Or:
*You bark.
I bark.
We both bark loudly.*
Or, worst of all:
*You whimper.
I whimper.
We cry for our master!*
Li Miao inhaled sharply as she surveyed the chaotic "battles" unfolding before her.
*Battle pets.* What *fascinating* creatures.
Mythical beings capable of wielding skills, fighting, looking *cool as hell*...
Yet somehow, they were completely *clueless* about it.
Another shattered illusion.
She crouched down and tilted her head at the husky, who was *adamantly* refusing to participate.
Noticing her gaze, the husky tilted its head back and let out a confused "*Arf?*" Its tail wagged faintly.
"Hey, husky. *You* wouldn't embarrass me, right?"
Li Miao patted its head.
The husky immediately sensed danger.
Sure enough, the next second:
"Go fight!"
"Even if you have to *bite* when you're losing,*curse* when you can't bite, and *cry for me* when words fail—*I'm fine with that.* *Honest.*"
The husky's fur stood on end.
It could *feel* it—if it actually did any of that, Li Miao would have a knife at its throat *before* it finished whining.
Grudgingly, the husky stood up and took *one step forward, three glances back*—hoping its sheer adorableness might soften its master's heart.
Alas, Li Miao remained as unyielding as steel.
*Whimper.*
*Master doesn't love me anymore.*
Ears flattened, the husky trudged onto the arena, radiating defeat.
"Woof! Woof!"
Blackie bounded over, tail wagging excitedly.
*Let's play!*
The husky gave it a deadpan stare.
Undeterred, Blackie tried again: *"Woof!"* (*Come on!*)
No reaction.
Blackie couldn't resist—it padded closer on soft paws, playfully nudging its head into the husky's chest.
The husky instinctively bared its teeth and jerked back—
Then suddenly *remembered something* and leaned forward—
Then executed its signature move: **Paw Smash!**
One **epic slap** later, Blackie went *airborne*, tail over head, before crashing to the ground.
The *force!* The *speed!*
The bystanders who caught a glimpse erupted.
"*HOLY—*"
"*ONE HIT?!*"
"That husky just *wiped* its opponent in *one move*! *Insane!*"
Even the other instructors gathered around, impressed.
One nudged Chen Bin. "That girl's battle pet isn't half bad. Wasn't that the basic skill **Paw Smash** just now?"
"Yep, a **Paw Smash**—barely intermediate level, but still head and shoulders above others at this stage."
Another added, "Good genetics, clearly. What's the girl's name?"
Chen Bin couldn't hide his pride. "Oh, *that's* nothing. Just a **Paw Smash**, really—hardly a rare skill."
"Ah, her name's Li Miao. Total veteran in the squad—even *I* get sassed by her."
"Still, *her* talent's nothing compared to the prodigies *your* teams have. Heard you've got a few gems too—care to share?"
The other instructors: *"..."*
*Wow. Chen Bin, you absolute master of backhanded compliments.