🎄 Christmas Special Discount 🎄From December 23 to December 25, there will be a public 50% discount on the following tiers:Intermediate Trainers, Advanced Trainers, Elite Trainers, Elite Four Trainers, Champion Trainers, and Legendary Trainers.
🎆 New Year Discount 🎆There will also be a 50% discount, but it won't be public. On December 31, the discount code will be published inside the chapters, so stay tuned 👀✨
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February 10.
That day was the start date for the new university students.
That's why the entire campus seemed to come alive at that moment.
When Ethan Black and Kyle Miller arrived at the teaching building, it was already packed with people.
Although the requirement to enter the university's Intermediate Campus was to be an intermediate-level trainer, since there was no age restriction, there were still many veteran students who, that year, had finally managed to reach that level.
Therefore, the number of newcomers entering the Intermediate Campus this time was not small.
"Is all of this a classroom?" asked Ethan Black, a bit astonished to see the enormous lecture hall that could hold more than a thousand students at once.
"That's right, so from now on we'll all be classmates, easier to interact!" said Kyle Miller with a chuckle as he headed toward one of the four classroom doors.
"Ethan Black?"
"Who's that Ethan Black?"
Ethan Black had barely approached the door when he heard murmurs from inside the classroom; the subject of conversation, without a doubt, was him.
"What's going on?" Ethan Black was surprised, and quickly pushed his way in.
Looking up, he saw on the huge blackboard —which looked more like a movie screen— a list of names; to his surprise, the one at the very top was his.
Below his name appeared Lucas Silver, Marcus Foster, Jasper Reid, Alex Baxter, and Kyle Miller, all members of the university team.
"Ethan, you're number one!" said Kyle Miller, surprised at the projection on the screen.
"I'm first? And so what?" asked Ethan Black, puzzled after his initial shock.
"Ethan, that ranking is based on the annual evaluation," Kyle Miller explained in a low voice. "The sixth to tenth places are the ones who managed to get into the university team in the annual evaluation. The first five are those who were admitted early into the reserve team."
"Also, if you're first, it's very likely you'll be the captain of this generation's reserve team."
Ethan Black was bewildered. Him, captain of the reserve team?
"Ethan, long time no see."
At that moment, Lucas Silver and Marcus Foster entered the classroom. After greeting him, their gazes went straight to the screen.
Their pupils contracted when they saw the ranking, especially when noticing Ethan Black's position. Lucas Silver even frowned slightly.
Until now, Lucas Silver had always acted as captain, and everyone, even Ethan Black, took it for granted. But with this list, Ethan Black was directly placed in that position. No one expected it.
"Ethan, you arrived early."
Another old acquaintance, Jasper Reid, appeared. It was the first time they had seen each other since their last farewell.
In that Secret Kingdom exploration, the three had gained great benefits. Ethan Black was the one who profited the most: a Meltan and a Trapinch, as well as a large amount of resources.
Alex Baxter had captured a Klink and obtained the chance to stay at the Pokémon Researchers Guild's base inside the Sky Secret Kingdom.
As for Jasper Reid, since the Secret Kingdom appeared in an abandoned mine owned by his family, the League paid to confine that area, which brought them a great fortune; plus, he captured an Aron, so his harvest was also remarkable.
With the reserve team members gathered, they naturally formed a small group.
It was worth noting that tenth place on the list was Kyle Miller; the other four hadn't appeared yet, but according to Kyle Miller, they were veterans who had only reached the intermediate level this year.
"Patrick Mills, Claire Dawson, Jonathan Turner, and Brandon Cole," murmured Ethan Black just as four boys entered the classroom together.
As soon as they entered, a wave of exclamations was heard; it was evident that they were already well-known figures in the beginner's area.
"They're the other four from the university team," commented Kyle Miller upon recognizing them.
"Hmph, they took several years to reach the Intermediate Campus, and now they act all high and mighty?" said Marcus Foster with disdain.
"Don't underestimate them," Lucas Silver intervened. "Rumor has it they'd already been at the intermediate level for a while, but in the previous generation, Captain Brooks and the others outshined everyone. Since they couldn't secure a spot on the team, they held back for a year, and when Captain Brooks and his group advanced to the Advanced Campus, they moved up to the Intermediate Campus."
"Those four, and also some outside the top 10, are clearly aiming for the reserve team spots."
These guys had had an extra year to grow stronger, and before facing them, no one dared to underestimate them.
The tension in the atmosphere grew, until a soft cough was heard: a middle-aged professor walked in with a book under his arm, accompanied by a sturdy Blaziken.
With just one glance from the Blaziken, the students felt a chill down their spines.
"What a terrifying Blaziken..."
Everyone immediately fell silent and quickly sat down, not daring to make a sound.
The professor, seeing that the classroom was quiet, nodded and, without saying a word, went to the computer, turned off the ranking, and after a few operations, put on a video.
The classroom, with its huge screen, looked very much like a movie theater, and as the video began, many really felt like they were watching a movie.
"What is this...?"
"A Secret Kingdom exploration video!"
The image showed a Pokémon Hunter exploring a Secret Kingdom. The unique landscapes, his powerful Pokémon, and the techniques for handling wild dangers completely captivated everyone's attention.
(End of chapter)