Ascending the Demon Realm

"Aaaah—Xi Yao! Save me—" A groundhog's distinctive scream erupted behind me.

Someone... asking me for help?

A slacker capybara becoming a rescuer?

Seriously?

Turning around, I saw another rodent-classmate sprinting toward me.

Our class had three "rodents"—me (capybara), this panicked groundhog, and an even timider hamster.

Though different species, the demon realm lazily categorized us all as "rodents."

Groundhog Tu Sheng had chubby cheeks and tiny ears, his baby-faced features making him resemble an adorable shota boy.

He morphed mid-stride into his true form—a coffee-colored groundhog the size of a minivan! This mammoth rodent came barreling through Qianshu Hall like out-of-control machinery, pursued by a calico-eared girl leaping over obstacles.

Tu Sheng skidded to stop beside me using his belly as brakes. "Safe at last..." he panted, flattening against the floor.

The calico pursuer froze when reaching me. Her heterochromatic eyes narrowed as she straightened her lithe frame, retracting claws. After glaring at Tu Sheng through oversized cat-themed clothes, she hissed, "Faster next time!" before disappearing into the crowd.

I stared impassively at the trembling giant. "You're ten times her size!"

"P-psychological trauma," he stammered, transforming back. "Let me repay you with a ride to class."

Capybaras never refuse transportation offers. I climbed onto his lumpy back as he waddled forward with comically cautious steps.

"Liar..." Sloth-bro suddenly spoke.

Tu Sheng guiltily confessed, "Your aura repels demons. I hid behind you so Sanqi wouldn't catch me."

So my scent became shelter for weaker demons. Not bad.

"Sanqi's bullied me since childhood," he mumbled quickly. "Our families are neighbors. Everyone's nice except her..."

I patted his furry head. "We little demons should stick together~"

"Thank you, Yao-jie!" His ear perked up proudly as he strutted with newfound confidence.

"But you're a Donghuang student! Shouldn't you overcome instinctive fears?"

"Childhood trauma's different..." His voice trailed off miserably.

We soon encountered classmate Zhu Zhu the spider-demon. "Room for one more?" she asked cheerfully.

"Hop on, Sis!" Tu Sheng chirped. Our groundhog-mobile now carried two passengers through the bustling hall.

Students rushed everywhere in Qianshu Hall—every demon here knew their career goals, studying with clear purpose unlike confused human graduates.

A streak of white light zipped past my left. That flying silver braid looked familiar...

"Xi Yao!" A clear male voice called. I turned just as a head shot toward me on elongating neck—his face suddenly inches from mine, white hair streaming behind like comet tails.