Chapter 43

I always give notice if the next chapter(s) will be delayed or updated IRREGULARLY. If I don't write the notice as TL's note at the end of the chapter, I write it on the Announcement post. So, I don't want to see another comment asking me where/when the next chapter is.

Unedited chapter

43. Shu Shu Wanted to Pass the Tribulation

Nowadays, the Imperial College required everyone who wanted to be enrolled in any of its divisions and departments to pass the entrance exam. This exam was very tough, and there would be no exam-fixing at all. If you failed the exam, you would not be able to be enrolled in the Imperial College, even if you were a prince.

Of course, taking into account that the children of the richer and more privileged families received better education since childhood, the majority of students in the Imperial College were either noble-born or very rich.

Consider this example. A nobleman who played with a toy mech when he was a child and had his own mech when he was a little older and a commoner who had never touched a mech went to take the entrance exam for the Imperial College's Mech Department together. You did not need to guess to know who would pass the exam in the end.

The richer you were, the more you could have your children receive the best education from childhood. As a result, the Imperial College was overflowing with the rich. Nevertheless, there were also many commoners in it, and they were all geniuses.

Those who were enrolled in the Imperial College were very, very outstanding people. After they graduated, every one of them was naturally an elite.

However, there was actually another category of people in the Imperial College. These people could play and play and play as they attended college; they basically didn’t have to do anything to graduate . . . . They were the sub-beastman students of the Imperial College’s “Bridal Class”.

At the beginning of the Imperial College’s establishment, there was a special division called the Skill Division. Only sub-beastmen could study this subject, and sub-beastman could only study this subject too.

At that time, there were very many sub-beastmen who went to study in the Skill Division. Almost all sub-beastmen who were born into major nobility would go there to study. Inevitably, sub-beastmen who were born into minor nobility didn’t get their turn, so they thought of using any means to force their way in . . . . Anyway, until now, the old Skill Division had only one class called the Skill Class, and the whole class only had twenty or thirty people.

After all, nowadays, there were not many sub-beastmen who were willing to stay at home and do nothing all day long . . . . Even if they could not become mech warriors, they could still learn mech maintenance. In the field of scientific research, literature, and design, sub-beastmen were more gifted than beastmen.

Just like that, the skill class declined . . . . However, there were always some sub-beastmen who were high-born but essentially had no ability and merely wished to marry an outstanding beastman in the future. Only by admitting them did the Imperial College manage to retain the skill class.

As long as the noble-born sub-beastmen could afford the expensive tuition fee, they could be enrolled in the Imperial College’s Skill Class.

As for whether the beastmen who were noble-born but had no ability could be enrolled in the Imperial College or not . . . . The Imperial College expressed that as beastmen, if they actually thought they could get ahead and enter the school without taking an exam, they might as well not go to school!

The skill class in the Imperial College in fact didn’t teach anything important, so that some of the high-status sub-beastmen would rather retake the exam next year or enroll in other schools if they couldn't pass the Imperial College’s entrance exam. They were not willing to enter the skill class because they felt that attending such a class was very shameful. But Shu Shu . . . .

Edgar cast a brief look at Shu Shu. He was aware of the little sub-beastman’s knowledge level. Although the little guy had learned to speak, but he hadn't learned to write. If he was really going to go to school according to his actual level, most probably he could only go to the kindergarten. But, could Edgar let his own sub-beastman go to kindergarten?

The skill class was actually quite good. It did not have an exam, and it would not give the sub-beastmen any pressure. As long as the sub-beastmen’s behaviors did not violate the school rules and regulations, they could do anything as they wished . . . . As a matter of fact, didn’t the class suit Shu Shu perfectly?

There, Shu Shu could also make some friends.

After obtaining Shu Shu’s approval, Edgar immediately helped Shu Shu register and paid the tuition fee. Tomorrow Shu Shu could go to school.

By the way, other classes in the Imperial College did not accept transfer students, but the skill classes was different. As long as you met the conditions, you could transfer class and join the skill class at any time.

The next day, the dawn sky was still dark when Shu Shu woke up. After waking up, he did not want to sleep any more.

He was going to go to school!

He had had many owners before. Among them, there were some junior high school students. Many of them didn't like to study. Even though their grades were quite good, they would also complain that they were too tired to study. Every day, they looked forward to have a holiday.

Shu Shu was quite envious of them though. After all, he couldn’t even change into a human form at that time. Going to school was simply impossible.

At that time, when he wanted to learn things, he could only self-study secretly. Using claws to practice writing characters on the bottom of the cage was certainly arduous. The most tragic thing was that all he had painstakingly learned was actually of no use now.

Shu Shu had always thought that he would not have another chance to go to school in his lifetime. He hadn’t expected that he could actually be enrolled in such a good school now . . . .

Compared with the Imperial College, Harvard, Stanford, Cambridge, and Oxford were nothing, ah! These universities were just ones of the best schools on one planet, but the Imperial College . . . . Its students came from more than a hundred different planets!

Shu Shu was very excited but also couldn't help feeling unsettled. He knew what his own level was. If he entered this kind of school, he probably wouldn’t be able to understand anything, would he?

Thinking about this, Shu Shu had no appetite when eating breakfast, and his food intake was surprisingly only twice as much as that of an ordinary sub-beastman.

"Why do you eat so little?" Edgar was a little worried.

"I’m afraid that I won’t be able to keep up with school work . . . . What’s to be done if the teachers want to call the parents?" Shu Shu sighed.

"They won’t." Edgar said. The teachers of the Imperial College would absolutely not call the parents, and it would not matter one bit to them if you couldn’t keep up with the skill class . . . . Anyway, he really should try to explain the situation to Shu Shu now. "You go to the skill class. It doesn’t matter if you don’t want to attend the class. Just learning as much as you can is also fine.”

Such things could also be done? The management of this class was too relaxed, right? Shu Shu was somewhat puzzled by it. "What exactly do I study?"

"Painting, for example." Edgar answered, a little guiltily. The Imperial College had its own Fine Arts Division, and the painting skill learned in the skill class could not be compared with that in the Fine Arts Division.

"So it’s studying art!" Shu Shu actually knew about studying art and also had confidence in doing it. Although he didn't particularly understand art, so much so that he couldn’t make head nor tail of it, but his memory was good, ah! He surely would be able to learn it quick. Moreover, abstract painting and what-nots, weren’t they paintings he could paint according to his wishes?

Shu Shu finally set his heart at rest and was even more eager to go to school. "When will I go to school? How do I get there?"

"I’ll send you there." Edgar said. In the following days, he would send Shu Shu to school first, and then he would go to the military department. After he got off work from the military department, he would go back to the school to pick up Shu Shu. Once Shu Shu graduated, they could get married!

The Imperial Palace’s area was already very, very big, but the Imperial College’s area was even bigger.

The college was located on the coast; half of it was built on the land, and the other half was on the sea. Not to mention how beautiful the scenery here was, you could also see all kinds of different landscapes and the world at the bottom of the ocean. A hundred years ago, all the students even enjoyed a tsunami together, watching the seawater swallow up the entire school with their own eyes . . . .

Of course, because the college turned on the protective cover, there was no injured student from beginning to end.

"It's so beautiful here!" When Shu Shu looked down at the school from the sky, he thought the place was very beautiful. As per the instruction sign, Edgar parked the aircraft under a big tree. After they got off the vehicle, Shu Shu was further surprised by the surrounding scenery that was more beautiful than he could imagine.

"The skill class is in front. I’ll take you there." Edgar said. Showing Shu Shu the way, they soon arrived in front of a castle surrounded by green trees. "All students of the skill class go to class here. There’re lounge and game room for student use, and there’s also an independent dining hall. If you want to go out, you can use the navigation on the secondary communication device to give you directions."

"Okay." Shu Shu nodded. He now had an identity chip, and not only that, but Edgar also allocated him a latest model communication device.

The Beastman Empire's communication device had the same function as that of a mobile phone, but its main function was to inspect and verify a person’s identity. After all, a person’s identity chip was installed inside it. And so, the communication device was usually divided into two parts. One was the main communication device, which contained the identity chip and was bound to the bank account. It was small in size and generally designed to be carried on one’s person like a wrist watch, a necklace, a ring, or such an accessory. The other one was the secondary communication device, and its size depended on personal preference. It could be the size of a mobile phone on Earth, or it could also be the size of a tablet, and it could be used to communicate with people, to connect to the star network, and so on. In short, it had all the same functions as a mobile phone.

Shu Shu had a new model communication device. The main communication device was made into the shape of a wrist watch, and a space button was installed on it. Even though the space button’s space was not big, but it had several cubicles. When the secondary communication device was not in use, it could be put inside the space button, and so could some food and clothes.

Although the level of science and technology here was very high, but most of the household goods were easy to operate. In any case, Shu Shu was a hamster spirit who had seen his owners play with their mobile phones on Earth, so he could also use a mobile phone correctly.

He could even study in a magnificent castle . . . .

Glancing at that beautiful castle, Shu Shu was even more excited. Right at this moment, he saw someone coming out of the castle.

"Mr. Jones?" Shu Shu stared at Jones, a sub-beastman he was very familiar with.

"Shu Shu," Jones saw Shu Shu and smiled. "I’ll be one of your teachers in the future."

Seeing Jones appear here, Edgar was a little surprised but soon recovered. "I entrust Shu Shu to you."

"Rest assured, I’ll definitely take care of Shu Shu well." Jones smiled.

Edgar nodded and then left. Afterwards, Jones took Shu Shu into the office and registered Shu Shu. He gave Shu Shu the electronic textbook and the class schedule and also explained the details of the skill class.

For example, the skill class generally started at nine o'clock. Shu Shu was sent to school by Edgar before eight o'clock, which was an hour too early. Other details were how to have a meal, how to go to class, and so on.

"Teacher Jones, what do you teach? Medical skills?" Shu Shu asked. He remembered that Jones was a very brilliant doctor?

"No, I teach . . . how to understand and pacify beastmen." Jones said while regarding Shu Shu with a smile, the eyes behind the lenses narrowing.

To understand beastmen? This subject was very suitable for him to learn! Shu Shu nodded and immediately expressed that he would definitely study hard.

It was still early, so Shu Shu went back to the classroom and began to study his own schedule.

The arranged course was very light. There were only two classes in the morning and two classes in the afternoon, and each class was fifty minutes long. Among these classes, there were "understanding beastmen" taught by Jones, painting appreciation, history, humanities, cooking, gardening, and many others.

Although the course seemed very light, but there were so many things to learn! It was said that all university students had to rely on self-study. Apparently, it was real. Later on, he should go to school early in the morning every day to prepare for the lessons. He should make use of the long break time at noon and the intervals between classes as well.

The electronic textbook was a B5 paper-sized tablet. It contained all the textbooks and also had a notebook app and so on that could be called up and used at any time. After Shu Shu called up the notebook app, he realized that it was very much impossible for him to type, so he chose the voice input and decided to give himself a daily study plan.

After that, he opened a book and began to read.

He couldn't read many of the words, but he could use the text-to-speech beside the picture to read out all the words above. Shu Shu quickly read a textbook all the way through and memorized the words and their pronunciation.

These textbooks were quite short, and the information inside was really not much. However, the texts mentioned many reference books that could be looked upon as extended reading. Those books were also available in electronic format. If he had time, he had to check them out.

Shu Shu finished reading and was ready to study hard. Presently, it was finally close to the class time.

But . . . the class was about to start, how come nobody was coming?

Waiting until it was nine o'clock, Shu Shu finally saw ten sub-beastman coming in from the outside. These sub-beastmen were all very pretty/handsome and dressed in luxurious clothes, and their every movement was full of character.

A group of handsome guys! Although they were not the man of steel type that he liked, but every one of them was absolutely the white and tender teen idol type . . . . Shu Shu stared at them and then, after encouraging himself, stepped forward and greeted them: "Hello all."

These people looked briefly at Shu Shu, and the one in the lead asked: "Are you the new transfer student? The one called Susu?"

"Yeah." Shu Shu nodded, showing a big smile. He did not know what he should say now, but he really hoped that these people would talk to him.

However, these people did not talk to him at all. Instead, they all sat in their seats and took out their mirrors to inspect their own faces.

"I started late today. I didn’t do my eyebrows well.”

“Damn it, I have a pimple!”

“XX’s newly launched foundation is really good. Not only it’s breathable, but it’s also effective for keeping your skin in good repair. I’ve used it for several days, and my face is much whiter now."

. . . . . .

These people just chatted with each other, and then one of them turned his head and looked at Shu Shu. "Your skin looks really good, very natural . . . . What do you use?"

Listening to their words, Shu Shu was mystified. Among his successive owners, some would also put on makeup, but the way people putting on makeup on Earth was completely different from the way here. At least, he had not seen how these people put on makeup.

He didn't understand how to put on makeup, and he had never heard of those cosmetics. How could he join the current conversation?

Seeing that Shu Shu did not speak, the man thought that Shu Shu was keeping it a secret and not willing to talk about it. He snorted and turned his head.

Shu Shu sat back on his chosen seat, all along thinking that everything was so bizarre.

Although the sub-beastmen here assumed the responsibility of giving birth, but most of them were not womanish. Why did they even put on makeup?

Shu Shu was just thinking about this when several sub-beastmen came in. Some of them came alone, and some were sent by the beastmen. Nevertheless, after entering the classroom, every one of them looked very bored and idle. Even if those faces were not an eyesore, they also did not provide some entertainment for him.

Not only that, but . . . these people were not feminine at all. Shu Shu was just sighing with regret when he suddenly saw a very, very feminine sub-beastman walk in.

Even if the other sub-beastmen put on makeup, they still didn’t look feminine. In Shu Shu's eyes, they were about the same as some male celebrities on Earth. After all, didn’t male celebrities also put on makeup?

But the one who came in now . . . .

It was a sub-beastman who simply looked better than a woman!

He looked better than a woman, so delicate, and his build was also short and small. When he walked, he walked one step at a time, his hands making the orchid fingers . . . . To tell the truth, when Shu Shu just caught sight of this sub-beastman, he thought he was looking at a woman.

Even if the clothes worn by this sub-beastman were men's clothes and not skirt, he still looked like a woman . . . . Shu Shu’s mind came out with the word "pseudo-female".

Shu Shu was momentarily stunned before coming back to himself. Then he discovered that the sub-beastmen in the class seemed to be unfriendly to this pseudo-female classmate. Some of them even directly turned over to give him a supercilious look. This pseudo-female classmate unexpectedly didn’t care at all. He walked all the way to the back and sat alone in the corner.

"Hello!" Shu Shu turned his head and greeted this sub-beastman. He was initially very surprised seeing a pseudo-female all of a sudden, but soon, he felt that it was nothing. There were many transgender people on Earth; what was a pseudo-female?

Moreover, this sub-beastman was really good-looking! Of course, it was the kind of womanly good look.

"Hello." The man greeted Shu Shu back and glanced at Shu Shu shyly. Seriously, that was such a coy look.

Shu Shu felt that it was really difficult for him to consider this classmate as a man!

"My name is Shu Shu. What’s your name?" Shu Shu asked.

"My name is Synthia." The man replied and then asked in a low voice, "Are you a new student?"

"Yeah, today’s my first day of coming to school." Shu Shu answered.

"The teacher spoke of you yesterday." Synthia showed a shy expression.

Shu Shu could see that Synthia's every move was very natural and not feigned at all. He reckoned that it was a habit from childhood.

With this in mind, Shu Shu was more relaxed and unaffected when facing Synthia and no longer thought about the fact that a man should not be so feminine like this . . . . In fact, whether it was a sub-beastman or a beastman, they all were different from the men on Earth.

Shu Shu felt like having a conversation with his new friend, but the teacher came at this moment, so he immediately turned his head and began to attend the class.

Their first lesson was about cooking.

"Although beastmen eat so much, but we sub-beastmen don't need to personally prepare their entire meals. Just occasionally cooking them some food can also make the beastmen very happy . . . "

The above-mentioned was what the teacher lectured. Shu Shu had been listening properly but always felt that it was a little wrong.

Cooking was cooking, right? Why was it always linked with the beastmen?

Also, he had been worried that he would not be able to understand what the teacher said, but now . . . . Being unable to understand meant what, ah. Most of the students in this class were not listening to the lecture!

Looking at the classmates who were doing their own things, Shu Shu was a bit stupefied—totally not listening to the lecture like this was really fine?

The second class today was gardening lesson. The teacher’s words were about the same as those of the previous teacher. "Now we come to talk about it, for sub-beastmen, having life inclinations and interests is very important, and planting some plants at home will make sub-beastmen look cultured. Although beastmen are generally carefree, but some small green objects at home will make them more relaxed . . .”

Once again, it was linked with the beastmen!

After finishing two classes, Shu Shu faintly felt that something was wrong. At this moment, quite a lot of beastmen gathered together outside their classroom.

"How come there’re so many beastmen suddenly?" Shu Shu was surprised.

"They’re all the lovers or pursuers of our classmates." A soft voice answered. Shu Shu turned his head and saw Synthia smile to him.

"Do you have a lover?" Shu Shu asked.

Synthia sighed and shook his head: "No."

"Then . . . let's go eat together?" Shu Shu said. He did not dare to eat on the sly when attending the class, so he was hungry to the max now.

"Okay." Synthia replied with a smile, revealing a row of tiny teeth; his face was flushed red from excitement.

There was a dedicated small dining hall in this castle, but there were not many sub-beastmen who ate here. After eating, they went to other places, while Shu Shu and Synthia returned to the classroom.

"Why don't you go out to play?" Shu Shu asked.

"They don't like me." Synthia said, forcing a smile. Both his hand were gripping and twisting the strap on his clothes. "They all said that I was weird."

It turned out that in the Beastman Empire, being too feminine was also weird? Indeed, the sub-beastmen he had seen before, even if they looked delicate, but their behavior and bearings were not completely feminine . . . .

Shu Shu had some sympathy for Synthia, so he immediately said: "You’re not weird at all. I think you’re very good."

Synthia looked at Shu Shu with sparkling eyes. "Thank you. You’re really nice."

Synthia was truly good-looking, and Shu Shu was blinded by him. At the same time, he suddenly thought that even if he passed through the inner demon tribulation and became a beastman, it was possible that he would not be strong enough. When the moment came, he really didn’t wish to look for a sub-beastman who were taller and more powerful than himself. But if it was Synthia . . . .

Shu Shu tried to remember and abruptly realized that Synthia was shorter and thinner than himself!

Although these points in a man were no good, but they might be able to cultivate some feelings . . . . Thinking so, Shu Shu asked: "Would you like to sit with me?"

Synthia was ecstatic, sitting directly beside Shu Shu. Because his behavior and bearing were considered weird, while the beastmen tolerated him, the sub-beastmen basically ignored him, and so he had never had friends. He was extremely happy that Shu Shu was willing to acknowledge him.

"Synthia, why does everyone not listen to what the teacher lectures?" Shu Shu suddenly recalled everything he had questioned before.

"It doesn't matter if they don't listen. We go out and attend school not to listen to the lectures but to find a beastman to marry, don’t we? They all have targets, so it doesn't matter if they don't listen . . . . Once they’ve confirmed their relationships with the beastmen, they’ll accept the beastmen's beast bead. I reckon they won’t come to class after that." Synthia explained, feeling a bit depressed afterwards. "Unfortunately, I’m unappealing and also can't talk. No beastman has ever chased after me. I don't know how long I must attend classes here."

"How could this be?!" Shu Shu was shocked. They attended school just to marry a beastman?

"Why not? Isn’t it the purpose of the bridal class?" Synthia blinked, looking at Shu Shu with confusion.

"Bridal class?" Shu Shu asked in reply.

"You didn’t know? Our skill class is also called the bridal class. You can look it up on the Internet." Synthia said.

Shu Shu took out his communication device and connected to the star network to check.

The circumstances of the skill class was easy to check. Shu Shu soon knew what exactly was going on. At the same time, he also saw some beastmen or sub-beastmen evaluating the skill class.

"Aren’t the sub-beastmen of the skill class just a group of leeches? If it’s me, even if I can't take the exam for attending the Imperial College, I won't go to this kind of class."

"If you’re looking for a sub-beastman, you’d better not look for him in the skill classes. They’re not worth mentioning."

"Previous poster, who are you sour with? You speak like that because you can't find a sub-beastman, right? I like the sub-beastmen of the skill class! Those sub-beastmen, they’re gentle and soft and good at taking care of the house. Some sub-beastmen are too busy working and not willing to give birth to children. The sub-beastmen of the skill class won’t be like this."

. . . . . . .

Shu Shu was dumbstruck.

Sub-beastmen who went to other colleges seemed to particularly look down on the skill class. For the most part, the beastmen had no bad impressions on the skill class, but sub-beastmen of the skill class were apparently just good wives and loving mothers in their eyes.

Moreover, the skill class had a specific name, which was called the bridal class.

He actually studied in the so-called bridal class!

He was absolutely not a sub-beastman; he was a beastman, ah! Edgar actually sent him to attend the bridal class!

“You can rest assured, Shu Shu, although many people don’t like our skill class, but we, the sub-beastmen of the skill class, all marry well. You’re so cute; I believe that you’ll definitely have many beastmen chasing after you!” Synthia, seeing how unpleasant Shu Shu look, comforted him.

Beastmen chasing after me? Shu Shu wanted to explode imagining such an event. Could it be that his disciple wanted to marry him off?

No way, he definitely wouldn’t marry!

Shu Shu urgently wished to become a beastman.

Regarding the matter of passing through the inner demon tribulation, Shu Shu was a little scared, so he had been deliberately ignoring it. His mouth said he wanted to pass through the tribulation, but in fact, he had been dragging it out and was satisfied just to get through . . . .

He did not want to face all kinds of vipers, so he was not willing to go through the inner demon tribulation. But at this moment, he suddenly wanted to pass through the tribulation.

He did not want to be a good wife and a loving mother, and he did not want to be pursued by men!

Thinking of this, Shu Shu poked the red bead within his body with the spiritual power: "When can I go through the inner demon tribulation?"

The red bead quickly sent back a simple information. Shu Shu faintly knew, so long as he was ready, he could go through the inner demon tribulation at any time.

Of course, if he did not pass . . . he might likely be beaten back to his original shape.

TL’s notes:

才艺 (cái yì) = talent

For the name of the class, I chose to translate it as skill because talent is “an inborn and the special ability of a person to do something” while skill is “an expertise, which is acquired by the person by learning”. Since the bridal class actually teaches skills like cooking, gardening, painting, etc., so it’s a skill class, not talent class.

伪娘 (wěi niáng) = false; fake; forged; bogus | mother; young lady; (coll.) effeminate

According to Chinese Wikipedia, the characters don’t mean a transexual or an intersex, and not really a cross-dresser too. In Japanese, it’s otokonoko, and their version is actually a male cross-dresser. Translating the characters as girly-boy or ladyboy is rather derogatory, so I just translated them as pseudo-female.