Miss Joy

Wang Sheng briefly introduced them to some of the academy's basic arrangements.

Work-study students had to complete the tasks assigned by the academy on time in exchange for a small commission to cover their basic living expenses.

However, Qian Bing was not a work-study student, so he did not need to do any of the academy's assigned work. Naturally, he paid no attention to the matter, letting it go in one ear and out the other.

As for the academic schedule, classes were held every morning, while students cultivated on their own in the afternoon. There were usually two classes in the morning: one on cultural knowledge and one teaching Soul Master knowledge. There was nothing particularly special about them.

After hearing Wang Sheng out, everyone present, at Qian Bing's suggestion, briefly exchanged information about their Martial Souls.

Wang Sheng had the highest Soul Power among the old residents of Seven Dorm. His Martial Soul was Battle Tiger, and he was a ninth-level Battle Soul Master.

Qian Bing, Tang San, and Xiao Wu all had Innate Full Spirit Power. This immediately provoked a chorus of astonished cries from everyone present.

Wang Sheng became even more excited. He shouted that the peasants of Seven Dorm had finally risen up and become masters of their own fate, and that from now on they would no longer have to fear being bullied by students from the other dormitories.

In his excitement, he declared that he would treat the three new students, Qian Bing, Tang San, and Xiao Wu, to lunch. After a token refusal, the three readily accepted his goodwill.

Thus, including Qian Bing, Tang San, and Xiao Wu, the group of twelve left Seven Dorm and, led by Wang Sheng, headed for the cafeteria.

Notting Academy's cafeteria was very large, with two floors in total. The hall on just the first floor had nearly three hundred seats, enough to accommodate six classes and their teachers for a meal.

It was currently the peak dining period, and long lines had formed at several of the cafeteria's windows.

Xiao Wu seemed to be extremely enthusiastic about eating. The moment she entered the cafeteria, she hopped toward the window with the shortest line.

The group behind her had no choice but to follow in the same direction.

"Aren't those the paupers from Wang Sheng's group?"

Qian Bing had just been about to head over to Xiao Wu when an unpleasant voice rang out.

He looked toward the source of the voice and saw a group of upperclassmen standing on the stairs between the first and second floors, looking down at them from above.

The speaker was a handsome male student of around eleven or twelve. Thick disdain showed in his eyes as he wagged a finger at Wang Sheng.

"Paupers are paupers. I'm afraid you'll never be able to eat on the second floor."

Only then did Qian Bing realize that Seven Dorm's situation was truly less than ideal. If I don't teach these arrogant students from the other dormitories a lesson and make an example of them, we'll probably have endless trouble in the future.

He simply darkened his expression and replied coldly:

"What are you supposed to be? Whether we go upstairs or not is none of your damn business. What's so great about it?"

Wang Sheng hurriedly ducked behind him and whispered into his ear:

"Old Qian, the second floor is for ordering individual dishes. The prices are ridiculously high, so we really can't afford to eat there."

The male student at the foot of the stairs had never been spoken to so sharply by anyone from Seven Dorm. Anger immediately appeared on his face, and he moved as if he were about to charge down the stairs.

However, someone from his group suddenly grabbed him and whispered something into his ear. Only then did he stop.

"Kid, you look like you're itching for a beating, talking to me like that. You're lucky today. I'm in a hurry to eat, so I'll let you off this time. I hope you keep your luck going and don't let me run into you again. Otherwise... hmph."

With that, the male student led his group up the stairs to the second floor.

Once they had left, Qian Bing couldn't bring himself to chase after them and discipline a few children. He merely said coldly:

"I wonder who was the lucky one. Whatever. It's the first day, and I can't be bothered to show off. Let's go eat."

Tang San patted him on the shoulder, seemingly quite approving of his actions.

Adults naturally did not think as childishly as children. After being bitten by a dog, they would not cry and insist on biting it back before letting the matter go. With a smile, he said:

"Come on. We can't make Xiao Wu, a girl, stand there and queue for all of us."

Qian Bing nodded and headed toward the line where Xiao Wu was waiting.

Before long, everyone from Seven Dorm had finished eating. Whether it was Qian Bing or Xiao Wu, who had been especially eager for the meal, they all showed good sense. Each person ordered only one serving of Minced Pork with Cabbage, then washed it down with a large bowl of rice and the cafeteria's free, watery Tomato and Egg Soup.

During the meal, they happened to run into the master, Yu Xiaogang, who had come to eat at the cafeteria as well. He nodded at Qian Bing and Tang San in greeting.

Then, after Wang Sheng asked about him curiously, the two heard many more of the master's "glorious achievements" from Wang Sheng.

For example, he had always eaten for free at the academy, and despite being over fifty, he was only a level-twenty-nine Great Soul Master. He had proposed a pile of absurd theories, yet would most likely never be able to break through again in his lifetime...

Tang San heard other people belittle Yu Xiaogang again and again. By now, he had essentially classified him in his heart as someone he absolutely needed to keep away from.

Seeing this, Qian Bing became even more delighted. He quickly got up, found the shop, and spent three Silver Soul Coins on three sets of bedding. He gave two of them to Tang San and Xiao Wu, further deepening Tang San's favorable impression of him.

Afterward, the group returned to the dormitory in grand fashion.

Today was the first day of registration, and no classes would have been scheduled that afternoon anyway. At first, everyone chatted idly, each person adding a few words here and there.

Before long, however, they all returned to their own beds and began cultivating their Soul Power in positions resembling meditation.

Soon, only Qian Bing, Tang San, and Xiao Wu remained idle.

Qian Bing was still completely unaware of how to cultivate Soul Power. Tang San's Mysterious Heaven Skill had already reached its limit before he obtained a Soul Ring, while Xiao Wu simply had no need to cultivate.

The three looked at one another, and the atmosphere grew somewhat awkward.

At that moment, Xiao Wu seemed to think of something and suddenly invited Tang San to go outside. Thus, Qian Bing became the only idle person left.

Seeing that everyone had their own matters to attend to, he simply spread out his bedding and prepared to climb into bed for a pleasant afternoon nap.

With the arrival of the sleep god, he returned to the Pokémon World.

Ever since Qian Bing had taken out a Newbie Love Loan at the Pokémon Care Center, he had spent the following three months working tirelessly to repay it.

Fortunately, the Pokémon Center would occasionally release some tasks. After diligently completing a great many of them, he had finally saved up the enormous sum of nearly 100,000 Alliance Coins.

As soon as he returned to the Pokémon World, he hurried as usual toward the Pokémon Center in Viridian City.

The Pokémon Center was unusually quiet today. Apart from two Trainers browsing around the Pokémon Store on the right, the only other person there was an old man sitting in the lobby, enjoying the cool air.

Nurse Joy had nothing else to do. The moment she saw Qian Bing push open the door, she smiled and greeted him.

"Little Trainer Bing, are you here to collect a new task again today?"

"Miss Joy, you look especially radiant today. Yes, I was wondering if there are any new tasks suitable for me lately?"

Flattery never failed. Every time Qian Bing saw her, he changed his approach and offered a few words of praise, hoping to win her favor.

After all, Nurse Joy was practically the most important NPC to Trainers in the Pokémon World. If he accidentally angered her and lost access to having his Pokemon healed by her, the consequences would be far more terrifying than offending a homeroom teacher.

Nurse Joy had long since grown used to Xiao Bing's attitude. She giggled and happily said:

"There have indeed been a few tasks recently that are more suitable for novice Trainers. However, they may still be a little difficult for you."

Qian Bing's face lit up, and he said:

"Really? Every time I come to see you, I feel as if I've been blessed by the goddess of beauty and filled with good luck. You really are my goddess of luck!"