They watched the door close gently.
"Click."
Fan Yumei turned back and sat upright, obediently watching Principal Renshu and Commander Qian, waiting for them to speak.
"Miss Fan, thank you for taking the time to speak with us. This is regarding your mythical beast's transport license and upcoming deployment," Commander Qian explained.
Fan Yumei said, "Understood."
"They'll come through the guild system and the school. Field work. Long-distance hauls. Special delivery missions. All cleared through the Federation."
"You'll still receive school credit," Principal Renshu added. "Mission merit, ranking points—everything counts toward your advancement."
"But you'll need to pass your license exam," Commander Qian said. "Transport handler certification. It's tied to your profile."
"Not just you—your beast needs to pass on her own as well."
"Without it, the system won't recognize your student status," Renshu said. "You'll start getting flagged for high-risk freelance jobs. Dangerous requests. No filters."
"With the license, your board profile stays locked to Federation channels only," Commander Qian continued.
"You'll only get assignments you're actually qualified for."
"You'll be paid well. Covered under guild and school insurance. And partnered with ranked operators when needed," Renshu said.
"You'll be taken care of," Commander Qian confirmed. "We're not sending you out to fend for yourself."
Fan Yumei didn't react outwardly. "When?"
"You can take the test later today, but I recommend studying a few days with your beast," Principal Renshu replied. "Here's the test packet. Mystic must be present for all aerial segments—and she needs to pass on her own."
Fan Yumei nodded once. "What do I need to be tested on?"
"Field navigation, long-haul route syncing, and skyborne load stabilization," Commander Qian listed. "You two will be evaluated together."
"Once you pass, the Transport-Class ID will be added to your badge," Renshu said. "And Mystic will officially be listed as an Authorized Sky Hauler—legally recognized in every city zone."
Fan Yumei said, "Understandable." She nodded, thinking for a moment.
This definitely worked in her favor. She often worried about Mystic's appearances in the city—especially when people didn't know her size or how much bigger she was going to get.
"Thank you," she said, expressing her appreciation with a slight bow.
Commander Qian gave a short nod. "Good. Come down to the guild later, and I'll get you all set up. Dismissed."
"Instructor Luo and Instructor Pei will escort you and your fellow students to your designated departments."
Fan Yumei stood up and bowed to her principal and Commander Qian. "Thank you for your time," she said, bidding farewell and leaving with the two instructors following close behind.
They exited, closing the door softly behind them.
Fan Yumei looked around the hall, spotting her foodie little friend Jin Minhe sitting in a chair next to the receptionist's desk.
"Yom," Jin Minhe waved, cheeks puffed with food and crumbs covering his glossy lips.
"Hom dem if gof?" he asked lazily, his mouth still full.
(How did it go?)
He looked adorable. Fan Yumei couldn't help but walk up and pinch his cheeks. He only glanced at her, then happily kept chewing.
"I'm not cheap. I charge 100 pounds of rice and pastries for pinching," he grumbled, taking another bite of the strange-looking pastry.
"What is that you're eating?" she asked with genuine curiosity, pointing at it.
"Foop dum. Waf elpf madpic gees?!" Jin Minhe waved her off, trying to hide his food.
(Food, duh. What else—magic beans?!)
"It doesn't look edible… or even human. Are you sure you didn't pick up another mystery snack from some shady vendor again?" Fan Yumei tried to reach for it, but he dodged her hands.
"Haha, I don't want any. I just want to see what you're eating," she coaxed the little hedgehog—still fiercely guarding his food.
"Ahem—"
The two forgotten instructors cleared their throats, snapping both their attention back.
Fan Yumei froze. Jin Minhe huffed and turned away, stuffing the rest of his food in his mouth.
"Uh—" Instructor Luo started to introduce himself again—
But Jin Minhe cut him off.
He turned, glancing back at them with a look of suspicion.
"Um dof hmv hny foop heft fw sfar, om gif or ome! Dof nef hnyfun no er kif stif er stufdets snafs eppcely wif ne foor feak af dufensleus!" he cried, bolting to the other side of the room and ducking behind a chair.
(I don't have any food left to share, so get your own! Don't let anyone know you tried to steal your student's snacks—especially when he's poor, weak, and defenseless!)
Instructor Luo and Instructor Pei stood speechless. They hadn't wanted food at all! They were only trying to introduce themselves and make conversation!
How did this become a food heist accusation?
"Pfft."
Fan Yumei's straight face almost cracked—just the faintest hint of a smile tugging at her lips.
"Mhm Im umfurshad Juf weff unuff er af enr pufming auganf mf! Af mf foop!" Jin Minhe called out, cheeks still plump with food, pointing at the three with an accusing tone.
(Mhm, I understand just well enough—you all are plotting against me! And my food!)
"Don't talk with your mouth full. You'll choke—then you won't have to worry about anyone stealing your food, because you'd be a hungry ghost. The dead can't eat. They can only stay hungry forever and ever. Watching others enjoy what you wish you could eat."
Fan Yumei teased Jin Minhe, her voice taking on a creepy tone.
Jin Minhe shivered, feeling a chill go up his spine.
He jumped up and paled over.
"I'll be damned to be hungry forever?! Like—not even a bite?!" he looked at her in horror, eyes wide, mouth gaping like a fish out of water.
"I don't want to be a hungry ghost—only wanting, never eating. That's torture!"
The young boy ran over to Fan Yumei, eyes glossing over in unleashed tears as he looked at her and the two instructors for answers to his questions.
"Hahaha," Fan Yumei, Instructor Luo, and Pei couldn't help but laugh.
What a silly kid, they all thought—sharing the same exact thought without needing to say it.
They calmed down, and the instructors got down to business.
"Let's go, Student Fan, Student Jin. We have a lot to discuss on the way. Our department is vastly different from the normal academy rules, procedures, and protocols," Instructor Pei said, gesturing with one arm toward the door.
Fan Yumei and Jin Minhe followed them out.
They led the way, speaking as they exited the building.
"We are both your homeroom and training instructors. I am Luo Tingzi, the instructor for the elite classes, and this is Pei Wutong, the instructor of the special advancement class," Instructor Luo said formally.
Jin Minhe and Fan Yumei both turned and saluted the instructors.
"I greet Teacher Luo and Teacher Pei."
"Haha! Good children, good children. Let's get you all settled for your new classes and schedules," Instructor Luo laughed, slapping his leg at how promising this generation of students truly was.