When Bai Yanzhou arrived at the school, the setting sun was lazily resting on the roof of the teaching building.
He found Bai Xuan in the teacher’s office, head lowered, furiously twisting the hem of his shirt.
On the desk next to the little guy sat a tightly closed cardboard box.
The homeroom teacher, Ms. Li, was a young woman with a gentle temperament, but right now, her face held a look of baffled confusion.
“Mr. Bai, you’re finally here.” Ms. Li stood up quickly and pointed to the box. “There was a little incident in art class. While Bai Xuan was molding clay, the red clay in his hand somehow stuck to the clay of the student next to him. It was also trembling slightly and felt hot. The children were stunned.”
Bai Yanzhou’s expression remained normal. He walked to Bai Xuan first and gently patted his back. “It’s okay. Big Brother is here.”
Bai Xuan looked up, his big eyes watery, his voice small and aggrieved. “Brother… I didn’t mean to… They just suddenly stuck together… and got warm…”
“I know.” Bai Yanzhou ruffled his soft hair before turning to look at the cardboard box.
He opened the lid.
Inside was a lump of exceptionally bright red clay. It looked moister than regular clay, and if one looked closely, one could sense a faint heat radiating from it.
Bai Yanzhou’s fingers brushed lightly over the clay, sending a trace of demonic energy inside to probe.
He understood immediately.
This wasn’t the clay coming to life; it was Bai Xuan accidentally leaking demonic energy, which reacted strangely with the minerals in the clay.
It caused the clay’s temperature to rise, its stickiness to increase, and it even attracted similar materials nearby.
This was an affinity for specific substances. It wasn’t a big deal, but it definitely needed watching.
“Ms. Li, I’m really sorry for the trouble.” Bai Yanzhou gave an apologetic smile. “It’s a bit peculiar, but Little Xuan has a special constitution. He’s naturally very sensitive to certain mineral materials. Since he was young, we noticed that when he touches certain clays or metals, he occasionally causes their temperature to change or attracts things like a magnet. The doctor said it’s a rare bio-electric field anomaly. We’ve always been careful, but I didn’t expect it to flare up at school today.”
He spoke sincerely, packaging the unusual event as a scientifically explainable “special condition,” which sounded much more reassuring.
Ms. Li visibly relaxed. “So it’s a special constitution! That makes sense. Kids these days do have all sorts of unique physical reactions. Then this clay…”
“Leave it to me.” Bai Yanzhou calmly closed the box. “Clay in this state is unstable. I’ll take it back to the clinic to handle it.”
As he left the office, Bai Yanzhou discreetly cast a small spell to ensure that Ms. Li and the children who witnessed the event would only retain a vague impression of “Bai Xuan has a special constitution” and wouldn’t overthink it.
On the way home, Bai Xuan recounted the details. “I wanted to mold the bird to look really pretty, so I was super, super focused… Then I felt my palm get warm, and the red clay got really soft, and it sucked Little Pang’s yellow clay over…”
Bai Yanzhou understood.
As a bird demon, when Bai Xuan focused intensely, he inadvertently triggered an affinity for minerals.
This ability might be useful later, but for now, he had to learn to control it.
Back at the clinic, they were greeted by an anxious Bai Jimu and a Ming Shu who looked casual but was clearly paying attention.
Coal Ball sat high on the counter, his golden eyes shifting between Bai Xuan and the cardboard box.
After hearing Bai Yanzhou’s explanation, Bai Jimu had a realization. “So Little Xuan is sensitive to minerals! No wonder the pendant on the collar I put by the bed always gets hot for no reason!”
Ming Shu raised an elegant eyebrow. “So, is that how you find all the hidden snacks?”
“No! That’s just my super nose!” Bai Jimu retorted immediately.
Ignoring their bickering, Bai Yanzhou opened the box to inspect the clay.
It was still slightly warm, its surface gleaming with an abnormal wet sheen.
“How long will this state last?” Ming Shu asked.
“Usually, it resolves itself in a few hours,” Bai Yanzhou said. “But just to be safe…”
Before he could finish, Coal Ball suddenly jumped off the counter, walked slowly to the box, sniffed the clay curiously, and then reached out a paw to tap it gently.
Strangely, after his touch, the temperature of the clay seemed to drop, and the abnormal sheen on the surface faded significantly.
“Looks like Coal Ball wants to help too,” Bai Jimu giggled.
Bai Yanzhou gave Coal Ball a long look.
This black cat always managed to do surprising little things inadvertently.
He closed the box. “Let’s leave it for now. It should be normal by tomorrow.”
The next day, just as Bai Yanzhou expected, neighbors started beating around the bush to ask about “Bai Xuan’s special constitution.”
But thanks to his prepared explanation and the small spell, the rumors stayed at the level of “this kid has a special body type” and didn’t get too outrageous.
However, on Sunday afternoon, the arrival of an uninvited guest broke the superficial calm.
It was Auntie Wang from two streets over, dragging her ten-year-old grandson, Xiao Jun.
As soon as she entered, she shouted, “Dr. Bai, quick, take a look at my Xiao Jun! Ever since he sat next to your Bai Xuan in art class the day before yesterday, he keeps saying his hands feel hot and he sees strange lights!”
Xiao Jun timidly held out his hand, and his palm was indeed a bit red.
After a careful examination, Bai Yanzhou understood.
The boy had been lightly affected by the demonic energy Bai Xuan accidentally leaked.
Although not serious, it was a warning.
“Don’t worry, Auntie Wang.” Bai Yanzhou unhurriedly mixed a packet of heat-clearing and calming herbal tea. “Xiao Jun was just frightened by the accident in class that day. Plus, the weather is hot, so he has a bit of internal heat. Drink this for two days, and he’ll be fine.”
While mixing the medicine, he secretly infused a trace of purifying demonic energy into the herbs, enough to eliminate the residual effects.
After sending off the still-skeptical Auntie Wang, Bai Yanzhou went into the back room and looked seriously at Bai Xuan, who was practicing calligraphy.
“Little Xuan, starting tomorrow, you need to learn how to control your power with Sister Ming Shu.”
Bai Xuan looked up, his small face full of seriousness. “I-I will work hard to learn, Brother.”
Ming Shu flicked her tail elegantly. “Don’t worry. I’m the best at concealing auras.”
Bai Jimu leaned in. “What about me? Can I learn?”
“Learn not to knock over herbs first,” Ming Shu said bluntly.
Coal Ball silently jumped onto the windowsill, looking outside.
Although this small storm had passed, it reminded everyone.
In this human-dominated world, any abnormality could bring trouble.
The next morning, Ming Shu began her duties as a teacher.
She found a quiet corner in the backyard and had Bai Xuan sit on a small stool.
“The first step to controlling power is learning to feel it.” Ming Shu’s voice was unusually patient. “Close your eyes. Imagine your power is like a warm stream flowing slowly through your body.”
Bai Xuan closed his eyes earnestly, his brow furrowed slightly.
Bai Jimu peeked curiously from the door but was glared at by Ming Shu.
“Can you feel it?” Ming Shu asked softly.
“It’s… a little hot…” Bai Xuan whispered. “H-Here in my chest…”
“Good. Now try to calm this heat down, like slowing the stream.”
Bai Xuan tried hard, his small face turning red with effort.
Suddenly, a small pebble near his hand jumped lightly.
A hint of approval flashed in Ming Shu’s eyes. “Very talented. But remember, control is harder than release.”
Just then, Bai Yanzhou walked over with two cups of water. “Take a break. Learning to control power takes time. No need to rush.”
Bai Jimu seized the chance to slip in. “Little Xuan is amazing! He can make pebbles dance!”
“It… it moved by itself…” Bai Xuan lowered his head shyly.
Coal Ball had come to the backyard at some point, sitting quietly on top of the wall, watching.
When Bai Xuan tried again, he let out a soft “meow.”
Strangely, that sound seemed to have a special soothing power.
The restless energy around Bai Xuan immediately stabilized significantly.
Bai Yanzhou looked at Coal Ball thoughtfully.
This cat seemed to constantly reveal an extraordinary side when least expected.
The afternoon sun shone warmly on the yard as Bai Xuan continued practicing under Ming Shu’s guidance.
Just when everything seemed to be going smoothly, a hurried knock came from the front yard, accompanied by an anxious, unfamiliar voice:
“Is Dr. Bai in? Is Dr. Bai here?”
Bai Jimu reacted first, pricking up his ears. “Bro, someone’s looking for you. They sound urgent.”
Bai Yanzhou frowned slightly.
Who could it be at this time?
He signaled Ming Shu to continue guiding Bai Xuan and turned to walk toward the front yard.
Coal Ball also jumped down from the wall, following silently behind him.
A trace of vigilance flashed in his golden eyes, hard to detect.
The knocking sounded again, even more urgent than before.