Ascending the Demon Realm

Three months for appeal procedures.  

By then the exchange conference would've ended.  

With that complaint on his record, both Immortal Academy and our Demon Realm would reject his visa application.  

"I refuse to file complaints!" Mingjin suddenly declared, chin lifted with the defiant arrogance of a rockstar rapper.  

My screen-frozen brain short-circuited. Since when was this an option?  

Yanye squinted at the demon prince, fiery eyes narrowing in suspicion.  

"Humph." Mingjin sneered before suddenly pointing at my screen. "Listen here, chubby capybara! I'll reclaim my lost dignity through real combat! Only weaklings hide behind paperwork. Bring it on if you dare!"  

...  

Kaboom.  

I swear I heard my internal rage bomb detonate.  

Fine. Fine.  

You all care about saving face? Go duel then.  

My intervention was clearly unnecessary.  

Today proved Mingjin's dual personas - fan-service idol vs mission partner.  

Understandable. Celebrities need maintained images.  

Just... get used to it.  

Though his wild side seemed to attract more demon fans.  

Exactly! Principal Qingniu was right - who doesn't love multifaceted idols?  

"Capybara?" The immortal duo blinked, their murderous aura dissipating into suppressed snickers.  

Mingjin dropped his hand, addressing Yanye with CEO-level dominance: "No complaints. I'll be waiting at the conference."  

Yanye's demeanor shifted, eyes blazing with competitive fire: "This conference's main event will be crushing you!"  

Their bromantic tension unfolded while I sat numb behind screens.  

Every. Damn. Time.  

"HAHAHA!" Panda Chief's booming laughter shook the control room.  

I froze as his massive paw approached my back in screen reflection.  

"Brilliant!" Thunderous claps hammered my spine.  

Stop!  

I'm human!  

No demonic resilience!  

This will fracture organs!  

His furry arm engulfed my shoulders. "You're handling Sichang's immigration today."  

Heart racing, I maintained professional calm.  

First day intern handling border control?  

The envy radiating from colleagues' starry eyes said everything.  

Normally, newcomers spend half-semester touring the Interdimensional Bureau's labyrinthine departments. Actual work begins second term - coffee runs, photocopying, errands.  

Sister Mei intervened: "Chief, she's just—"  

"Bullshit!" The panda waved dismissively. "Opportunity favors prepared demons! She just proved regulatory mastery. Hell, even I can't memorize those damn clauses!"  

...  

Classic old-gen demons versus new bureaucracy.  

"Which of you stepped up earlier?" His black-rimmed eyes swept the room. "Pushed problems onto interns! Disgraceful! Kid, your name?"  

"Xiyao. Capybara demon." Sister Mei answered hastily.  

"Ah! Capybaras!" His eyes lit up. "No wonder every department wants you! Natural diplomats like humans!"  

My pulse stuttered.  

Wait - do demons and humans have different rhetoric styles?  

"Spent fortunes sending you for human 'verbal sparring' training!" Panda Chief roared. "Wasted resources!"  

What?!  

Special human-world rhetoric courses exist?!  

Missed opportunity! Should've restrained myself to qualify!  

"Xiyao," the panda whispered conspiratorially, bending his striped face close. "Today's 100 training credits are yours. Impress me, and I'll keep padding your scores..."  

He winked like a shady mentor.  

I nodded.  

Understood.  

Even top scores meant nothing if some aristocrat's cub wanted my position.  

New Demon Realm preaches equality, but ancient hierarchies persist.  

At least common demons now get opportunities.  

Previously? None.  

If replaced, compliance might secure alternative positions.  

Rebellion? Permanent expulsion.