"Students, through your outstanding performance and your Pokémon's tireless efforts, you've made it into the top hundred freshmen!"
"First, congratulations to every one of you!"
"In a moment, we'll board the airship for Chang'an, where we'll take part in this year's worldwide Freshman Competition!"
"Students, tell me—are you confident?"
Li Lun stood before the hundred freshmen and addressed them.
"Yes!"
The students were easy to rally. As soon as Li Lun finished, they roared in unison.
Their strength had grown at a staggering pace lately!
Magic City Academy really had spared no expense this time.
With resources poured into their training, the students naturally worked twice as hard. Their confidence in the competition had soared, too!
Why had the academy invested so heavily in them, letting them use precious resources like Energy Stones and Evolution Stones so freely?
For its own benefit, of course!
Every major academy was doing the same, showering its freshmen with resources to secure a high placing in the upcoming competition.
This year's results would determine how resources were divided between the Eastern Lands and Western Europe!
The higher the placing, the larger the share!
But why decide something so important through a Freshman Competition?
Because everyone had their eyes on this generation of freshmen!
It also gave the less-favored academies a chance to join the ranks of the elite.
The world was fair. In an age overflowing with talent, those in charge had to redistribute resources sensibly and give gifted youngsters from humble backgrounds a proper chance.
But enough of that. Once Li Lun finished his pep talk, Xu Mu stepped forward.
"Hold on a moment, everyone."
Xu Mu stopped the students just as they were about to board the airship and spoke with a swagger.
Li Lun froze.
*What, did this kid have something