Dragons begin with courage

He handed Nono a long parchment list: "Distribute the basic materials to each lab bench according to this. Lu Mingfei, you assist her. Remember, be precise and careful."

清单上的材料名称古怪而具体：「蒸馏水银（99.999%纯度）100ml」、「精炼硫磺粉末（过200目筛）15g」、「月光苔藓冷冻萃取液3滴」……

Most importantly, each lab bench will receive a small tube—

Professor Mans personally opened a heavy, lead-sealed safe, releasing a blast of cold air. Inside, dozens of crystal tubes, each about the thickness of a finger, were neatly arranged, each containing approximately 10 milliliters of a dark reddish-black, viscous liquid. Even under the constant, cold white light of the laboratory, the liquid seemed to possess an independent life, with tiny specks of gold slowly flowing and settling within, like miniature galaxies and undying embers sealed within.

"This is blood plasma extracted from the heart of that third-generation fire dragon, processed through seven purification procedures and alchemical inertization." The professor's voice suddenly turned heavy and iron-like. "I emphasize again, and for the last time, in a gentle manner: all dragon-like biological materials, no matter how many times they undergo processing, inherently retain 'activity' and 'contamination.' Untrained and unprotected contact can lead to irreversible bloodline contamination, the erosion of the mind by whispers, and even induce physical deformities towards dragon characteristics—that would be the tragic beginning of 'Deadpool.' In this building, safety regulations are not guidelines, but ironclad rules embedded in your survival probability. Violators will, at best, be expelled and have their related memories erased. More often than not, even their sanity will be wiped out."

Nono winked at Lu Mingfei, the meaning was clear: See, I didn't lie to you. The main responsibility of a teaching assistant is to prevent some curious kids or arrogant geniuses from sending themselves and half the lab to their doom.

The two began to distribute the materials in perfect harmony. While skillfully working, Nono lowered her voice and said to Lu Mingfei, "The professor is right. Alchemy, in essence, is like dealing with a tiger for its skin—stealing the power of dragons for our own use. We use their bones to forge swords, their blood to draw talismans, and their hides to make armor. But this process is like walking a tightrope. Every contact, every use, can leave an indelible dragon mark on the soul. Subtly, the user may also be 'contaminated' in reverse, craving more power, gradually sliding towards the edge of madness, and ultimately becoming a monster that only knows killing—Deadpool. That's why Kassel College strictly controls the news; those who leave must have their memories wiped. It's not that we're stingy, but if this secret were to be leaked on a large scale, the resulting panic and disaster could be no less than the awakening of the Dragon King."

Holding a jar of sulfur powder, Lu Mingfei couldn't help but ask, "Then... what if some students, or others, secretly take these things out? Like, a drop or two of dragon's blood or something?"

Upon hearing this, Nono turned her head and gave him a bright, almost radiant smile, but her beautiful eyes held little warmth. "Oh, those kinds of people are usually called 'traitors' or 'smugglers.' Dealing with them, and handling the various 'troubles' that arise from it, falls under the purview of the academy's 'Execution Department.'" She leaned closer, her voice as soft as a whisper. "By the way, your dear senior brother Chu Zihang, although he's only a sophomore, is already the Execution Department's designated ace specialist, nicknamed 'Tiger of the Execution Department.' It's said that his style of handling cases... well, it certainly lives up to the word 'tiger.' So, my dear junior brother, please don't think about it that way."

Lu Mingfei felt a chill run down his neck and quickly shook his head.

As this was the first practical lesson for the freshmen, the difficulty was strictly controlled within a "safe range," similar to learning how to properly dilute concentrated sulfuric acid in high school chemistry class—the steps were clear, the risks were manageable, and as long as the process was strictly followed, there wouldn't be any major problems. Although the process of preparing the "primary dragon's blood activation solvent" was nerve-wracking, no real accidents occurred.

As Lu Mingfei left the alchemy lab building, the setting sun had painted the horizon a warm orange-red, a stark contrast to the perpetually cold white lights inside. He carried a lightweight, temperature-controlled sealed box containing the solvent his group had prepared. As the setting sun shone through the box, it shimmered with a faint amber glow—this was the result of their homework, requiring a detailed lab report.

"Lu Mingfei".

A familiar voice came from the side and behind, calm and still.

Lu Mingfei turned his head and saw Chu Zihang standing at the entrance of the path leading to the training ground. He had changed out of his daytime uniform and was wearing a black training suit that allowed for easy movement. His forehead was slightly damp, and his breathing was steady and long, clearly indicating that he had just finished a high-intensity individual training session. The Japanese sword named "Murasame" was not hanging at his waist, but was casually held in his hand. The scabbard was unassuming, yet inexplicably attracted attention. He stood there, not as if he was waiting, but as if he had simply stopped there during training, his gaze precisely fixed on Lu Mingfei.

"Senior brother." Lu Mingfei jogged over, and a slight sloshing sound came from the box.

"How was the alchemy class?" Chu Zihang asked, his tone as calm and concise as ever, but Lu Mingfei could detect a barely perceptible probing beneath that calmness.

Chu Zihang knew, of course, that Lu Mingfei didn't have any classmates, and perhaps it was a way of showing concern, so Chu Zihang deliberately "bumped into" Lu Mingfei after class.

"It's...unbelievable." Lu Mingfei thought for a moment, trying to summarize the feeling that was a mixture of shock, fear and inexplicable attraction, "It's just...there are still too few things that can be touched personally, it's like we've only just touched the threshold."

He weighed the sealed box in his hand with a hint of regret. At that moment, he was like a child who had accidentally glimpsed a corner of a vast ocean of knowledge, his heart filled with an irrepressible thirst and curiosity. He wanted to know more about the secrets of the dragon race, to understand those complex and exquisite alchemical runes, to access higher-level and more dangerous dragon materials, and to truly comprehend the full meaning behind the words "hybrid." The superficial first lesson only fueled his deeper desire to explore.

Chu Zihang watched him quietly, observing the light that shone in his junior brother's eyes—a light different from his usual timidity and confusion—a pure yearning for power, knowledge, and "truth," even though Lu Mingfei himself might not have fully realized the source and danger of this yearning.

Then, Chu Zihang spoke, his voice still calm and even, as if he were talking about something as ordinary as going to the library on the weekend:

"Okay. If you don't have any other plans this weekend, please make time for it."

He paused, his golden eyes reflecting the shimmering light of the setting sun, clearly showing Lu Mingfei's somewhat astonished face.

"I'll take you... to slay the dragon."