The words fell, and everyone's expressions were complex.
They thought, "You two big shots have already decided everything, why are you calling us for a meeting? Just issue a notice!"
Director Lin Song, who always played both sides, wouldn't miss such an opportunity to curry favor with his superiors. He clapped his head and said, as if suddenly enlightened, "The leaders' words are profound! Our understanding and awareness are truly insufficient! I agree with the leaders' suggestions; the training trip is urgent!"
The others cast disdainful glances at him. The mentor sitting next to Lin Song unconsciously shifted his body to distance himself from him, not wanting to be associated with him!
"Are the students' lives and safety less important than the academy's honor?!"
Ling Lu slammed the table, glaring at Lin Song, confronting him directly.
This impetuous display didn't strike the assembled crowd as funny or contemptible. Instead, they all silently admired the young female instructor's courage, feeling she had spoken their minds.
Lin Song let out a cold snort and said unhurriedly, "It's true they are students now, but once they graduate, how many dangers await them in the Beast Taming Continent? Does Instructor Ling Lu dare to say she can protect them for their entire lives? To let students remain fragile flowers in a greenhouse forever?"
He looked at Ling Lu with amusement in his eyes. "Enemies in the darkness won't chat with you before attacking. The battles you'll face in society are nothing compared to the annual beast taming competitions."
The implication was clear: don't get arrogant just because your class won the annual beast taming competition. Your student only defeated Chen Lei because he underestimated him; it was pure luck!
Ling Lu was left speechless by his words. The young female instructor had passion but lacked cunning.
After a long silence.
Director of Guidance Lin Zuodong sighed and calmly said, "If the training trip must proceed and the location cannot be changed, I suggest we increase the security detail!"
"I agree."
Several other mentors nodded in agreement. Since the situation couldn't be changed, they would find a solution within the existing framework.
"Indeed, that's also what I was thinking," Lin Yuansheng affirmed Lin Zuodong's suggestion.
He then looked at Zhou Nanfeng, and as their eyes met, Zhou Nanfeng's eyelids twitched.
"Nanfeng, besides being the Vice Dean of our Beast Taming Academy, you are also the Vice President of the Beast Master Association. Therefore, the responsibility of requesting assistance from the Beast Master Association and inviting more professional beast masters to join the security team falls to you."
Zhou Nanfeng's tightly furrowed brow immediately relaxed. He thought, "What's all the fuss about? A matter that can be solved with a bit of money is no matter at all."
"Dean, rest assured, the security matters are on my shoulders! If necessary, I will personally step forward to protect the children!" Zhou Nanfeng readily agreed.
Lin Yuansheng nodded with satisfaction and proceeded to praise Zhou Nanfeng extensively for his selflessness and dedication to the Beast Taming Academy.
Hearing this, Zhou Nanfeng even felt a little proud, a little puffed up, and a little shy...
As the praise continued, Lin Yuansheng changed the subject. "Perhaps everyone doesn't know yet, but Dean Zhou's two children will also be participating in this training trip."
Zhou Nanfeng's face immediately changed, and he looked at Lin Yuansheng in utter confusion. Before he could speak,
Lin Song exclaimed, "Dean Zhou is truly a role model for us!" He stood up and bowed to Zhou Nanfeng, "Dean Zhou, please accept my bow!"
*Screw you...* Zhou Nanfeng cursed internally!
With this, the security work would undoubtedly be foolproof... Lin Zuodong breathed a sigh of relief.
The other mentors also smiled with satisfaction. Although the Hunter organization was notorious for its evil deeds, the professional beast master team from the Beast Master Association was not to be trifled with.
Most importantly, they wouldn't have to put themselves on the front lines for the students' safety...
Seeing that no one else raised any objections, Lin Yuansheng concluded, "Then it's decided. The send-off ceremony will be held as scheduled the day after tomorrow afternoon!"
...
Two days later, at the Beast Taming Arena of Cang Town Beast Taming Academy.
The arena was already bustling with activity. The students participating in this winter break training trip had likely all arrived. From a distance, it was a sea of heads, numbering at least over a hundred.
The students standing in the arena varied in height and attire. The students participating in this training spanned six grade levels, from first to sixth year. Some were already formed teams, fitting the six-person requirement perfectly. Most were dressed in blue team uniforms, looking particularly striking.
Although hundreds of people stood in the arena, it still felt spacious.
In an inconspicuous corner of the crowd stood two girls and three boys. They were the only team from the first year for this winter break training trip.
Ke Xin looked around with a panicked and anxious expression, "What should we do? Yan Yan still hasn't arrived! If we only have five people, we'll be disqualified from the training!"
"It's best if we're disqualified. I just bought a game console, and I haven't had enough playtime yet!" Tang Ao pouted, then slung an arm around Lu Fei, tempting him, "Sixth Brother, how about we go to my place after this is over?"
The nickname "Sixth Brother" was given by Lu Fei to Tang Ao. He found this guy's personality very amusing, and most importantly, they shared similar tastes, making them good friends!
"Sure, it's been a while since I played a game console!" Lu Fei readily agreed.
"Can you guys stop messing around!" Ke Xin was about to cry. She wasn't good at organizing people, but somehow, all the unexpected problems always fell on her.
Just then, her phone rang.
Seeing the caller ID, Ke Xin's eyes lit up, and she happily said, "Yan Yan, where are you?"
A middle-aged woman's voice came from the other end of the line, "Xinxin, Yan Yan had a high fever last night and can't go on the training trip with you."
After a few more apologies, the call ended.
Ke Xin stood there stunned, as if struck by lightning.
Lu Fei stopped teasing Tang Ao and frowned, "What's wrong?"
Ke Xin, as if she had lost her soul, mumbled, "Yan Yan has a high fever and can't come..."
Everyone's expression changed. Even Tang Ao became serious. He had been joking around, but now the joke seemed to be coming true...
"Can we still find someone else?" Lu Fei asked.
Ke Xin shook her head dejectedly, "We're about to depart. It's definitely too late to find someone now."
Seeing Ke Xin's disheartened state, Lu Fei began to take it seriously. The young girl was out of ideas, but he needed to find a solution.
"Tang Ao, what about you?" Lu Fei turned to ask Tang Ao. This guy was usually quite popular and might be able to rope in a few people.
"Me?" Tang Ao pointed to himself, then quickly waved his hand, "My friends, they can go hiking and swimming with young girls, but you want them to participate in training? They'd rather be strangled with a slim rope..."
He was about to launch into a long string of discouraging remarks, but Lu Fei cut him off with a wave.
Lu Fei then looked at the other two. "Sisi, Huanghuang, what about you? Do you know anyone?"
Both of them also shook their heads, stating that time was too tight now to find anyone.
Lu Fei fell into silence. If it really didn't work out, he'd have to call Lin Yuansheng and test the dean's organizational and rallying abilities...
Just as everyone was at a loss,
A cool, aloof voice sounded.
"Hey, do you guys still need a team member?"