The Fungi sensed that Paimon was displeased, so they earnestly apologized to her.
"Hello, Paimon. I can't yet judge a creature's intelligence from its appearance. I only knew you could speak when you opened your mouth."
That made Paimon feel a little embarrassed.
"Y-you don't have to answer me so seriously."
The exchange between Paimon and the Fungi brought a knowing smile to everyone's faces.
"Do I really look that stupid? Like I can't even talk?"
The Fungi's words even made Paimon doubt herself a little.
"You misunderstand, Paimon. The mouth is an organ with more important functions than speaking, such as eating and breathing.
Having a mouth doesn't necessarily mean you can speak. You're a creature I've never seen before, so I can't make assumptions.
Although you look quite similar to a human, just like Fungi and Slimes, similar appearances don't mean you're the same inside."
Paimon was left speechless by the Fungi and grumbled, "Did this Fungi study at the Akademiya? It's even better at talking than I am."
At the Akademiya Branch in Heaven Dou City, Xiao Wu asked Tighnari, "Teacher Tighnari, can Soul Beasts study at the Akademiya too?"
"Why do you ask? Aren't you one yourself?"
"I've already taken human form. Would the Akademiya accept Soul Beasts that haven't?"
"Hmm... That's a rather complicated question. To study, you first need clear intelligence. Among Soul Beasts, it takes ten thousand years for intelligence to awaken, and fifty thousand years for it to become fairly complete.
"That rules out most Soul Beasts. Then there's the question of whether Soul Beasts themselves want to receive an education and conduct academic research.
"From what I know, they don't. Most Soul Beasts still abide by the laws of nature.
"Of course, if a Soul Beast met the requirements, the Akademiya