The Salted Fish Cultivator: My Pet System Awakens

Morning light spilled into the dormitory as Lu Tian groggily opened his eyes, his back protesting the makeshift mattress of cushions and blankets he'd been relegated to after his bed broke.

"Great. Another day to survive," he mumbled, staring blankly at the ceiling.

Across the room, Zhang Wei stretched and yawned loudly, the blanket still tangled around him like a cocoon. "Morning, Brother Lu! Ready for another day of glory at the academy?"

Lu Tian snorted. "If by glory, you mean more chances for humiliation, sure. Why not?"

"Positive vibes only," Zhang Wei said, giving him an exaggerated thumbs-up.

The door creaked open, and Wei Jingyi peeked in. She was holding a scroll, looking more determined than usual. "Are you two coming, or are you planning to waste the morning?"

Lu Tian sighed. "I vote for wasting the morning."

Zhang Wei laughed as he rolled out of bed. "Don't worry, Jingyi. I'll drag him along."

---

The academy buzzed with activity as the trio stepped outside, heading toward the Beast Arena. Students rushed past, their conversations a mix of cultivation techniques, spiritual beasts, and combat strategies.

"Why are we even going to the arena?" Lu Tian complained, shoving his hands into his pockets.

"It's called socializing, Brother Lu," Zhang Wei said cheerfully. "Also, I heard there's a sparring event. Should be fun!"

The arena was massive, its open-air design allowing spectators to witness students and their contracted spiritual beasts display their prowess. A lion-like beast leapt through flaming hoops on command, earning thunderous applause from the crowd.

Wei Jingyi watched silently, her grip tightening on the scroll she carried.

"Thinking of getting a beast of your own?" Lu Tian asked, his tone casual.

She hesitated before shrugging. "Maybe. But they're expensive and hard to manage."

Lu Tian tilted his head, noticing something off in her tone, but before he could press further, a sudden chill ran down his spine.

Out of nowhere, a single dark cloud materialized above him. The sky remained bright and clear everywhere else, but rain began to fall—directly on him.

"Seriously?" Lu Tian muttered, stepping aside. The cloud followed.

Zhang Wei turned, blinking at the spectacle. "Brother Lu… are you cursed?"

"Feels like it."

Wei Jingyi glanced up, trying not to laugh as she covered her mouth. "You look like a cartoon character."

The drizzle intensified, soaking Lu Tian completely as the crowd around them began to point and whisper.

Zhang Wei slapped his thigh, barely able to stand upright from laughing. "Brother Lu, you're literally bringing your own rainstorm!"

"Shut up, Fatty," Lu Tian grumbled, pulling his hood up.

---

After escaping the rain cloud, the trio found themselves in the academy's Combat Strategy lecture. Elder Huo, a stern woman with a no-nonsense demeanor, paced the front of the room.

"Combat isn't just about brute strength," she began, her voice sharp. "Victory demands strategy, foresight, and adaptability. Even the strongest can fall if they lack a plan."

Lu Tian slouched at his desk, half-listening as Elder Huo activated the battlefield simulations on their desks. Miniature figurines representing soldiers and beasts flickered to life in glowing blue.

"Your task is simple," Elder Huo continued. "Defend your fortress from an enemy attack. You have thirty seconds to deploy your forces."

Lu Tian glanced at the simulation, his mind already wandering. He lazily dragged a few figurines to random positions and crossed his arms. "Done."

The simulation began, and the enemy forces charged forward. Within seconds, his fortress was overrun, and the word Defeat flashed on his screen in bold red letters.

The class erupted into laughter.

"Brother Lu!" Zhang Wei wheezed from the next desk over, clutching his stomach. "That has to be the fastest loss in academy history!"

Elder Huo pinched the bridge of her nose, clearly unimpressed. "Lu Tian, if you spent half as much energy planning as you do avoiding work, you might actually improve."

"Effort's overrated," Lu Tian replied, leaning back in his chair.

Elder Huo's sigh was audible as she moved on to the next student.

---

Lunch in the academy's bustling dining hall was as lively as ever. Lu Tian sat with Zhang Wei and Wei Jingyi, poking disinterestedly at his food while Zhang Wei attacked his plate with gusto.

"Do you think Elder Huo will ever give up on you?" Zhang Wei teased between bites.

"I hope so," Lu Tian said. "The less attention I get, the better."

Wei Jingyi stayed quiet, her gaze distant as she absentmindedly stirred her soup.

"You've been quiet today," Lu Tian said, his voice uncharacteristically soft. "What's on your mind?"

Wei Jingyi hesitated, then gave a small shrug. "Nothing important."

Zhang Wei leaned forward, his round face serious for once. "If it's bothering you, it's important."

Wei Jingyi glanced between them before sighing. "It's just… watching everyone else excel at cultivation, summoning beasts, and strategies makes me feel like I don't belong here."

"You're kidding, right?" Zhang Wei said. "You're one of the smartest people I know."

She shook her head. "I'm at the bottom of the class. Even the instructors barely notice me."

Lu Tian frowned. "That's their loss."

Wei Jingyi blinked at him, clearly surprised.

"If they're too blind to see what you're capable of, that's their problem," Lu Tian continued. "You're here for a reason, Jingyi. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise."

For a moment, Wei Jingyi's eyes softened, and a faint smile touched her lips. "Thanks, Lu Tian."

Zhang Wei grinned. "Brother Lu, being all motivational? Are you feeling okay?"

"Don't push it," Lu Tian muttered, though there was a small smile tugging at his lips.

---

The day ended quietly, with Lu Tian lying on his broken bedframe, staring at the ceiling. He could still hear Zhang Wei snoring in the next bed, the sound both annoying and strangely comforting.

"Today was… tolerable," Lu Tian admitted to himself.

In the silence, a faint, otherworldly hum resonated in his mind. It was brief but enough to remind him of the system's presence—a silent reminder that his journey was far from over.