School Begins

Today was Su Hao's first day of school.

It also meant that from today onward, he was a third-year student preparing for the College Entrance Exam.

Over the entire month and a half of winter break, he had grown from a clueless rookie who had just received his Starter Pokémon to his current level. Su Hao himself was quite satisfied with that progress.

After greeting several acquaintances from other classes on the way, he arrived at his classroom—Class 1, Third Year Grade.

Upon entering, he found that the layout had not changed at all from before the break. About half the seats in the class were already occupied.

Nearly every student's desk or chair had one or two Pokémon beside it.

Since Su Hao and the others were students of the Pokémon Studies Department, their classroom was especially spacious.

It could accommodate all but large Pokémon such as Onix, Rhyperior, and Aggron.

However, most of the students' Pokémon were currently in their first or second stage of evolution and were not particularly large.

When Su Hao entered the classroom, quite a few classmates who were close to him came over with their Pokémon to greet him.

While exchanging greetings, he roughly scanned them with the system. Most of the Pokémon in the class were around Level 15 to Level 20.

A few might have been one or two levels higher, but there were not many.

Reaching his seat by the window in the second-to-last row, Su Hao took out the wet wipes he had prepared and wiped away all the accumulated dust from his desk and chair.

After feeling around with his hand and confirming that no dust remained, Su Hao released Carbink and Incineroar from their Poké Balls.

Though the desk was not large, it could still hold Carbink and Incineroar.

The girls gathered nearby all brightened when they saw Carbink on Su Hao's desk.

"Wow, Su Hao, your Carbink is so pretty!"

"Yeah, yeah! Can we touch the diamond on her head?"

The girls who had gathered around were all very interested in the diamonds on Carbink's body, which carried a faint pink tint.

The somewhat handsome boy seated in front of him, on the other hand, was very interested in Incineroar.

"Damn, that's one of the Starters, Incineroar, right? It looks so strong!"

The boy in front was called He Xu and had a pretty good relationship with Su Hao. After Su Hao nodded in confirmation, he said to the girls gathered beside him, "I don't mind, but Carbink has to agree."

After receiving Su Hao's approval, the girls took out various small and adorable trinkets from their bags and held them out before Carbink.

Carbink was also delighted to receive the gifts. She nodded reservedly, agreeing to the girls' request.

Ten minutes later, Li Hua and Jiang Chengcheng also arrived in the classroom.

Li Hua wore glasses, a shirt, and casual trousers. A Blue Raven perched on his left shoulder, while a small, adorable Swablu stood on his right, making him look just like an old man who took birds out for walks in the park.

Jiang Chengcheng was still dressed in the martial arts uniform that made it obvious at a glance that she was a practitioner. Besides Machop, there was now another Pokémon beside her.

It was a Pangoro. Compared to the steady Machop at Jiang Chengcheng's side, Pangoro immediately began hopping around the classroom, teasing everything in sight. It looked exceptionally lively.

Since the three of them kept in touch regularly, there was not much for them to huddle together and discuss. After exchanging greetings, they each returned to their seats.

Not long afterward, the moment their homeroom teacher, Ms. Liang, entered the classroom, Class 1, Third Year Grade instantly fell silent due to her long-established authority.

The students who had hurried back to their seats also reined in their Pokémon, making sure they did not make any noise.

Holding a thermos filled with flower tea, Ms. Liang slowly walked up to the podium.

After clearing her throat, Ms. Liang said, "Starting today, you are all third-year students preparing for the College Entrance Exam."

"Before the break, everyone received their own Starter Pokémon. Aside from those students who do not intend to pursue the path of a Trainer, Pokémon Battles will be the most important component of the College Entrance Exam."

"The results of everyone's training during the break will be reflected in this Grade Tournament at the start of the semester."

"At the same time, I must remind you that your academic grades are also important. I hope none of you slacked off during the break."

"Next, I will go over the matters requiring attention for this Grade Tournament."

"All third-year students must participate in this Grade Tournament. It is also connected to the school's evaluation of you, as well as your eligibility to participate in the Divine Land Alliance's High School League, which will be held before the end of this semester."

"This tournament will use two Pokémon per participant and follow an elimination format."

"The students who reach the Top Eight will join the top eight contestants from other high schools in Yang City to represent Yang City in the qualifying tournament for the High School League!"

After explaining the grade competition, Ms. Liang led the entire class to the School Auditorium for the Opening Ceremony.

Opening Ceremonies were usually all the same—nothing but repetitive motivational speeches, with little of interest.

Su Hao was practically falling asleep on his feet before the school leaders onstage finally finished speaking and announced the dismissal.

The moment they heard they were dismissed, the drowsy students below instantly perked up. Suppressing their excitement, they filed out of the auditorium in an orderly manner.

On the field, the homeroom teacher did not say much either. She merely announced that school would let out early today and classes would resume as normal tomorrow, then dismissed Su Hao and the others.

School had ended in the morning, and they had plenty of time to spare anyway.

After thinking it over, Su Hao decided to invite Li Hua and Jiang Chengcheng to Rising Sun Gym to register for Ranked Matches.

Aside from certain players who deliberately preyed on weaker opponents, most Trainers in the Poké Ball Tier were at the Normal Level. Elite Level Trainers were rarely seen there.

Based on the data Su Hao had seen after scanning Li Hua and Jiang Chengcheng's Pokémon, there would be no problem for them to participate.

Upon hearing Su Hao's suggestion, Li Hua said he did not mind and could go anywhere, while Jiang Chengcheng seemed eager to give it a try.

Seeing that they were all in agreement, Su Hao immediately took out his phone and called a Corviknight Taxi.

Su Hao boarded the taxi while holding Incineroar, and Li Hua beside him was a little envious.

Ever since his Carbink had evolved into Blue Raven, it had become rather aloof. It was still willing to obey him, but he always felt a little lonely.

How adorable Carbink had been when it was little, chirping and fluttering around him all day! That was all gone now!

Swablu was cute too, but this one also had some personality issues. It was far too fond of cleanliness.

If he merely touched Swablu's cottony wings, Swablu would practically want to take a bath immediately.

Look how obedient and well-behaved Incineroar was. It let Su Hao pet it, hold it, and kiss it. It looked strong too, so its Combat Power had to be impressive.

Li Hua was now ninety percent jealous. His best friend's Pokémon were simply far too lovable.