If it had been anyone else, Bai Cai probably wouldn't have mentioned Guo Yi's origins.
But Leng Yue was different.
Not just because of their close relationship, but also because of her grandfather.
Bai Cai knew well—this Ice King was deeply interested in the mysterious "Bug Master" circulating online.
"Guo Yi's teacher is none other than that recently famous 'Bug Master.'"
Bai Cai fixed her gaze on Leng Yue, enunciating every word.
"What?"
Leng Yue was so startled she clapped a hand over her mouth.
Guo Yi was actually the student of the Bug Master?
That explained everything.
With such a mysterious teacher behind him, Guo Yi's dazzling displays suddenly made perfect sense.
Thinking of this, Leng Yue quickly asked again: "Then with Guo Yi's ability, isn't he more than qualified to be a teacher?"
At that, Bai Cai gave a dissatisfied snort.
"You think I didn't try?"
"I told him I could help him get an official teaching credential."
"And do you know what he said to me?"
"What?"
Leng Yue's eyes glittered with gossip; she leaned in immediately.
Bai Cai said, "He actually answered that he didn't want others saying he was eating soft rice."
"And then he said something like, 'Those fated to hear my lessons will hear them.'"
"Tell me—what kind of nonsense is that?"
"That's just him deliberately hiding his edge."
When it came to Guo Yi's true character, Bai Cai saw through it instantly.
"That's why I gave him this chance to give a speech."
"Let's see how he hides this time."
Hearing this, Leng Yue instantly felt Bai Cai had done the right thing.
"Bai Cai-jie, exactly! That's what he deserves."
"Serves him right for hiding his edge, serves him right for not telling me where to find a Vulpix."
She had already suspected that Guo Yi knew where the Ice-type Vulpix was, but just refused to tell her.
Now, learning Guo Yi's background, Leng Yue became even more certain.
"Since you don't want to step into the spotlight, then I'll make sure your name shines."
With that thought, Leng Yue and Bai Cai began conspiring on how to make Guo Yi the talk of the entire university.
...
Meanwhile, the subject of their plotting was sitting miserably at his computer, hammering away at the opening ceremony speech.
"Ugh!"
"How am I supposed to write this speech?"
Even in his previous life, Guo Yi had never touched something like this. He was completely at a loss.
Fortunately…
He couldn't write—but couldn't he copy… no, borrow?
Immediately, Guo Yi began searching on his laptop.
"Excellent speeches."
Enter!
The next second, multiple speeches appeared on screen. Guo Yi quickly started borrowing.
The percentage of "borrowing" wasn't high.
Only about ninety-nine percent.
As for whether people would notice—Guo Yi wasn't worried in the least.
In fact, he almost hoped someone would.
That way, this sort of thing would never be handed to him again.
Soon enough—with the help of this "external plug-in," Guo Yi finished a fine piece in just half an hour.
"Done!"
He looked at the speech he had cobbled together and felt thoroughly satisfied.
Then he glanced outside—it was already getting late.
Guo Yi called out to Liligant: "Liligant, order us dinner!"
Though Liligant couldn't cook, ordering takeout was, of course, no problem for her.
"Skirt!"
Liligant nodded, paused the drama she was watching, and began placing the order on her phone.
The next few days, Guo Yi lived a blissful salted-fish life in the villa.
Ever since he had crossed into this world, he'd been constantly helping his students raise their Pokémon.
He hadn't had a chance to properly rest himself.
Now—this little gap before school began was perfect.
...
Three days passed in a blink.
Soon, the day came.
The day Shanghai Pokémon University officially opened.
September 1st.
The official start of term at Shanghai Pokémon University.
On this day, streams of new and returning students arrived from home.
At the school gates, many parents could be seen carrying luggage, guided by volunteers toward the dorms.
Some parents held their children back, urging them to study hard once inside, so that in the future they might become excellent trainers.
The whole scene was bustling, vibrant.
"Xiaoxue, it's so lively!"
Hu Yan'er, also arriving at school, stared curiously at the sight before her.
So many people, so many Pokémon—this was the first time she had ever witnessed such a scene.
Back in the countryside, she had never seen anything like it.
Pikachu, perched on her shoulder, shared the same wide-eyed amazement.
Su Qingxue chuckled beside her: "Yan'er, this is nothing."
"Wait until the school holds a Pokémon tournament. That's when it's truly packed."
Hu Yan'er nodded instinctively, then suddenly asked: "Xiaoxue, we really don't need to wait for teacher?"
Originally, she had planned to come with Guo Yi.
But Su Qingxue had dragged her along directly.
"It's fine!"
"Teacher's an assistant instructor—he's not like us."
Su Qingxue explained.
Just then, two upperclassmen with friendly smiles walked over.
"Junior sisters, are you from the Medical Department, or the Breeding Department?"
Shanghai Pokémon University, being Dragon Country's top institution, naturally didn't only recruit trainers.
Breeders, medics, geological surveyors, civil engineers—all kinds of professions were included.
The difference lay only between hot and cold majors, and the ways they cultivated Pokémon.
Seeing Su Qingxue and Hu Yan'er—beautiful faces, slender figures—the two seniors naturally assumed they were from Breeding or Medical.
After all, those two majors had the most female students.
"Senior brothers, we're in the Battle Department," Hu Yan'er answered honestly.
The Battle Department—that was the umbrella term for adventurers, explorers, trainers.
Students of this track focused on Pokémon battles.
It was also the most popular program in every university.
Pokémon battles—always one of the eternal main streams of this world.
The two upperclassmen, upon hearing they were from the Battle Department, immediately lost some of their earlier enthusiasm.
At Shanghai Pokémon University, there was an old saying:
Better face a tigress from Breeding or Medical than tangle with a cutie from Battle.
Even a "little cutie" from the Battle Department packs far more punch than a tigress from the other tracks.
"Junior sisters, the Battle Department check-in is over there."
"We've got other things to do, so we won't bother you."
"Let's go!"
The two seniors pointed toward the registration point not far away, then hurried off.
Hu Yan'er, watching this, was baffled.
"Xiaoxue, what's with them?"
"Weren't they all warm and enthusiastic a second ago? Why the sudden face change?"
Su Qingxue, who knew exactly why, only let out two cold laughs. "Heh. Men."
Of course she knew what those two seniors were after.
They simply didn't dare keep going once they learned the two of them were in the Battle Department.
Under Hu Yan'er's puzzled gaze, Su Qingxue tugged her toward the check-in desk.
After all, Shanghai Pokémon University had reported something like this before:
A male student dumped a girl from the Battle Department.
She blocked his dorm entrance for half a month.
In the end, the student council had to step in to settle it.
So—if your spine isn't steel, do not provoke a Battle Department girl.
Or your end will be very, very miserable.
…
While Su Qingxue and Hu Yan'er were signing in at the desk—Guo Yi had likewise arrived at the T.A. office.
"Mm?"
"So few people?"
"Didn't the security guy say there were twenty or thirty T.A.s on campus?"
Guo Yi looked at the empty office, confusion written in his eyes.
"Classmate, do you need something here?"
Just as he was thinking, a voice sounded behind him.
He turned his head.
A tall man stood there, eyes full of puzzlement.
Guo Yi hurried to explain: "Hello, I'm a new assistant instructor."
"My name is Guo Yi."
Guo Yi!
At that name, a flicker of surprise crossed the man's gaze.
Then he replied, "Hello, I'm Zhou Yue."
"I'm a T.A. as well."
"Forgive me asking so bluntly, Teacher Guo—are you the teacher of the Azure Dragon Society's young miss?"
Guo Yi froze for a beat at that.
He asked at once, "Teacher Zhou, you know me?"
As for the person in front of him—Guo Yi was sure he had no impression at all.
How did the other party know who he was?
Though Guo Yi hadn't answered head-on, Zhou Yue had already gotten the answer he wanted.
He grew a little excited. "Didn't expect—you really are that Teacher Guo!"
"I heard about what you did in the black market that day."
"An Elite Four Ninetails!"
"Say, Teacher Guo, with skills like yours, why be a T.A.?"
"Even a Special-Grade Teacher would be more than fitting, in my eyes."
After all—judging purely by strength, even a Special-Grade Teacher might not necessarily own a Pokémon at Elite Four level.
Guo Yi smiled slightly; he hadn't expected to run into a fan on the first day.
As expected—powerful Pokémon are always irresistible.
"It's nothing. Being a T.A. just feels more relaxed."
As he spoke, he pointed at the empty office and asked Zhou Yue, "By the way, isn't today the first day of term?"
"Why is there no one else in here?"
Zhou Yue spread his hands helplessly. "Teacher Guo, you know how T.A.s are."
"Expecting them to clock in on time? Impossible."
"You'll be lucky to see them by noon."
…Right.
No wonder Director Tang had been so strict with his attitude before.
The T.A. work style had gone completely rotten!
"Teacher Guo, I'll take you to find a desk."
"Come this way, Teacher Guo."
With that—Zhou Yue led the way.
Soon—the two reached a corner of the office.
"Teacher Guo, this is the only open spot left."
Then Zhou Yue pointed at his own desk. "If you don't like it, we can swap."
Guo Yi waved both hands. "No, no."
"I think this spot is great."
The farthest corner of the office—a perfect place to slack off.
Guo Yi set his office supplies down on the desk.
"Teacher Zhou, thanks."
"Let me treat you to a meal later."
He said it heartily.
After all, the guy had helped him out—and was a fan to boot.
By feeling and reason both, he should treat him.
Only, Zhou Yue shook his head and declined.
"Teacher Guo, no need for a meal."
"It's just—there's a request. I don't know if you'd agree."
…So that's how it is. I got excited for nothing—there was an objective.
"Go on—what request?"
Guo Yi didn't love this do-a-favor-then-name-a-price style.
But, a favor's a favor. If he wanted to ask, he could ask.
As long as it wasn't over the line.
Zhou Yue knew his way was a bit off, too.
He could only chuckle dryly to cover the awkwardness,
then stated his request.
"My Ninetales has been stuck at Ace tier for a while now."
"I was hoping Teacher Guo could give us some pointers."
"Please!"
Zhou Yue pressed his palms together and bowed his head.
If you're asking for help, you need the posture for it.
"Alright."
Seeing his sincerity, Guo Yi chose to agree in the end.
For someone with the [Data Eye], this wasn't exactly a big problem.
"Send out your Ninetales."
He urged Zhou Yue.
"O-okay."
Zhou Yue hadn't expected Guo Yi to agree so readily.
He immediately took a Poké Ball from his belt and released Ninetales.
[Ninetales (Fire/Psychic)]
[Level: 50]
[Potential: Gym Leader]
[Breeding Plan]
"Your level is one step short of Gym Leader."
"And the potential's there."
"Looks like it's a training issue."
Studying the data on the Ninetales before him, Guo Yi analyzed.
If the potential were lacking,
then he wouldn't have many good options.
Sure, he had ways to raise potential—but he and Zhou Yue weren't kin. Why burn his own resources to boost someone else's Pokémon?
But if the problem lay in the breeding plan, then he could help.
Guo Yi tapped open the [Breeding Plan] to check.
[Problem: Sneaked too many Fire-type Pokéblocks, causing energy blockage and preventing advancement.]
[Solution: Fast for three days and it will resolve.]
Seeing the crux of it, Guo Yi gave Ninetales a teasing look.
Big guy, you're not a husky—you actually have a habit of sneaking food?
If your kind finds out about this, how are you going to hold your head up?
Everyone knows—in ordinary eyes, Ninetales is the very image of elegance and grace.
If word got out that a Ninetales had a habit of stealing Pokéblocks…
its whole persona would collapse on the spot.
Guo Yi then said to Zhou Yue, "Nothing major—just overate."
"Fast for three days and it'll be fine."
Hearing it would be starved for three days, the Ninetales that had been lounging lazily on the floor instantly sprang to life, baring its teeth at Guo Yi.
[Villain! You'd cut down my rations!]
"Ninetales, mind your manners!"
Seeing his Ninetales dare to bare its teeth at Guo Yi, Zhou Yue rushed forward and clamped its muzzle with both hands.
At the same time, he grumbled inwardly, He's only saying it—why get so worked up? If you really tick him off, he'll string you up by your tails, believe it or not.
Having restrained Ninetales, Zhou Yue continued, "Teacher Guo, my Ninetales's meals are all set to breeder standards."
"How could it possibly be overfed?"
If Zhou Yue knew what had happened in the black market a few days ago,
that meant his family background wasn't exactly low.
And since Ninetales was his main battler, of course it had a dedicated breeder.
Hearing this, Guo Yi spread his hands helplessly.
"That's a question for your Ninetales."
"Figure out how it managed to sneak food and keep it from you, its Trainer."
"Sneaking food?"
Zhou Yue exclaimed.
He stared straight at his Ninetales, trying to confirm if it was true.
Under its Trainer's gaze, Ninetales immediately ducked its head, guilty.