Ascending the Demon Realm

"I support Dongda's approach. We're cultivating the future elite of the demon realm here. As pioneers building our world, sacrifices are inevitable. We must develop stronger resolve than ordinary demons."

"Can't we balance career and love?"

"Of course. But that deer girl isn't seeking balance - she's using suicide as emotional blackmail. Don't you see she's forcing Mingjin to reciprocate?"

"Wait, let me clarify - I don't know this Mingjin you all worship. But objectively speaking, doesn't he bear some responsibility? If he never led her on, why would she go this far?"

"Miss, that's slanderous. Without evidence, we can't casually accuse Mingjin of stringing her along."

"Fair point. I should phrase that more carefully..."

The deer girl incident unexpectedly evolved into a formal debate.

Students passionately argued about the event's implications, social impact, and underlying causes. Swords crossed in verbal duels, sparks flying across the lecture hall.

Through this clash of ideas, participants gradually familiarized themselves with each other's spiritual signatures - crucial for demonkind's trust-building rituals.

When the bell rang, flushed faces still glowed with intellectual fervor. Even Mingjin's staunchest fans had rationally considered opposing viewpoints.

Only then did Sloth Brother finally pull out his phone, having Slowpony add his contact.

As crowds dispersed, I hoisted the sluggish demon onto my back again towards the teleportation hub - Thousand Pivot Hall.

"I know you..." His head lolled against my shoulder.

"Obviously." I deadpanned. Typical sloth timing - mentioning this after orientation ended.

"Knew you...before." He drawled.

"Huh?"

"Carried my cousin...in high school."

"What?!" Genuine shock this time.

Wait, why surprised? Post-metamorphosis sloths become exponentially lazier. Their birth rates plummet - too indolent even for reproduction. Spotting one sloth demon means their whole clan's nearby.

"Cousin wanted...to congratulate...your Dongda admission..."

"Why didn't she come?"

"Too...lazy..."

"..." Should've seen that coming.

"Wanted to thank...for carrying her...three years..."

"Friends don't..."

"Too...lazy...to thank..."

"......"

"Made you...gift..."

"Too lazy to deliver?"

"Gave...to me..."

I eagerly extended my palm. "Hand it over."

"Too...lazy...to carry..."

"Get off!" I halted at the shimmering portal. He oozed down in slow motion, morphing into humanoid form. "Will...try...tomorrow..."

My expectations flatlined. 

He began glacial claw extensions towards the activation panel. Losing patience, I snatched his school badge and slapped it against the sensor. The portal hissed open, revealing a minimalist male dorm.

"Thanks..." The molasses-paced gratitude came as a meaty tentacle with eyeball-palm scooped him inside. "Young Master's home~"

Still processing this sloth-butler dynamic, I activated my own portal. 

Demons without flight either buy transport gates (luxury) or demon-cars (budget). My adoptive otter parents could only afford the latter. 

Crossing the threshold into my quarters, the day's pent-up fury erupted:

"That damn Mingjin! Arrogant phoenix bastard! Self-important dragon prick! Think you're hot shit? If I had powers, I'd—"

[Expletives redacted]

Panting post-tirade, I grabbed my stress-relief otter plushie (knitted from baby brother's molted fur) and summoned the dining interface. 

"Feast fit for an empress!" I declared. The hologram displayed Dongda's legendary culinary spread - until seeing credit prices. "I thought meals were free!"

"Basic nutrition bars are complimentary. Gourmet selections require academic merits." The badge AI explained. My measly 100 credits bought lamb noodles. 

As I slurped, Sloth's revelation ping-ponged in my mind. His cousin...that perpetually drowsy girl I'd carried through high school corridors? Demons and their labyrinthine family trees.

Post-meal calm came through nail art therapy. Glitter gels and gem adhesives aligned my chi until...

"Visitor detected." The door chimed.

Surprise! Snow  stood there, crystalline eyes narrowing at Mingjin's holographic concert behind me. "You...enjoy his music?"

"Lyrics are cringe, but the choreography..." I shrugged, switching to classical melodies. "Better?"

His snow-leopard tail flicked approval. We sat cross-legged as I painted chrysanthemum patterns. "How'd you find me?"

"Your scent trail." He inhaled deeply. "Intertwined with Jade Rabbit's musk."