Zhang Tian rode his Pidgeot to No. 3 City Middle School, landing steadily on the school's athletic field.
"A Pidgeot... another rich kid."
"I really want to be a trainer, but my family has no money. We can't afford to raise a Pokémon at all." Several students on the field looked on with envy.
A Pidgey wasn't expensive, costing around 6,000 to 8,000 yuan. But raising it into a Pidgeot required a colossal amount of money, an astronomical sum for an ordinary student. The cost of buying a Pokémon was a drop in the bucket compared to the cost of raising one. That was why many students who could afford a Pokémon never became trainers they simply couldn't afford the upkeep.
It was just like Zhang Tian's situation at the beginning. It had taken him two years of slowly grinding just to evolve his Pidgey into a Pidgeotto. That was the reality of not having money for resources. And the further you went, the longer it took.
After recalling his Pidgeot, Zhang Tian walked toward his classroom: Year 3, Class 6.
There were already about a dozen students inside.
"Yo, Zhang Tian, you struck it rich? I heard you applied for the traveling trainer exam," a skinny boy quipped, walking over. "Don't forget me when you're famous. I used to spot you for internet cafe money all the time."
"Ah Fu, when I become the Champion, I'll treat you to the finest food and drink," Zhang Tian said, clapping his friend, Li Youfu, on the shoulder with a smile.
"If you can become the Champion, then pigs can fly," Li Youfu replied, rolling his eyes in disbelief. He clearly thought his friend was bragging. "Seriously though, Zhang Tian, do you really have an elite-tier Pokémon? Is your family secretly rich?"
"Something like that," Zhang Tian nodded slightly.
"Ah, my heart," Li Youfu clutched his chest dramatically.
"Alright, I'm heading back to my seat. I need to rest up." Zhang Tian patted his friend's shoulder again and went to his desk, closing his eyes to meditate.
"An elite-tier trainer!" Many students in the classroom cast envious glances his way. Elite trainers and ordinary people were in two completely different social classes. An ordinary person was lucky to earn a few thousand yuan a month; an elite trainer could easily make tens of thousands.
"Hmph," Li Youfu sighed, looking at Zhang Tian. Not long ago, they had been the same. But now, a vast chasm separated them. The worlds of an ordinary person and a trainer were as far apart as heaven and earth.
Ding-dong!
After some time, the class bell rang. Zhang Tian opened his eyes. The classroom was now full.
"Good morning, students," a middle-aged man with a receding hairline walked in. It was Yang Hai, Zhang Tian's homeroom teacher. "Those who signed up for the traveling trainer exam, come with me. The rest of you, self-study." His voice was deep and commanding.
Zhang Tian stood up. Only one other student rose with him a teenager dressed in a white suit that looked very expensive. Zhang Tian knew him. His name was Hao Fei, and his father was a wealthy businessman.
"Zhang Tian," Yang Hai said, looking at him with some surprise. He knew Zhang Tian's family situation and was shocked that he had actually managed to become an elite-tier trainer. "Come with me," he said, nodding to the two of them before leading them out.
He took them to the school's soccer field, which had been cleared by staff. This was clearly the examination site.
"Student Zhang Tian, each class has one 'seeded' spot. I plan to give it to Hao Fei. Do you have any objections?" Yang Hai asked with a smile.
"A seeded spot..." Zhang Tian's brow furrowed. If he remembered correctly, the seeded spot came with significant benefits. Seeded students received support from the Daxia Pokémon League, including a 20% discount on all purchases at Pokémon Centers.
"Of course I have an objection," Zhang Tian stated plainly.
"Since you don't have any... wait, what did you say?!" Yang Hai's eyes went wide with disbelief. He never expected Zhang Tian to say that.
"Teacher, don't look at me like that." Zhang Tian's face was an emotionless mask.
"Student Zhang Tian, you know Hao Fei's strength. Why waste time?" Yang Hai's tone turned sour. "It's no trouble for you, and it's no trouble for me."
"I don't think Hao Fei is a match for me," Zhang Tian said coolly. "So the seeded spot should be mine."
A 20% discount at the Pokémon Center was something he wasn't willing to give up. It might not sound like much, but it would save him a fortune. If he spent 10 million, he would save 2 million. That was why Hao Fei had transferred from a top-tier class to Zhang Tian's regular class to compete for this spot. Each class, regardless of its level, was allocated one seeded spot by the Daxia Pokémon League.
"What arrogance. Don't think a little bit of new money means you can compare to me," Hao Fei sneered. "A pariah will always be a pariah. Stupid and beyond saving."
"A piece of trash who relies on his daddy," Zhang Tian retorted coldly. He had no personal grudge against Hao Fei, but for the sake of the seeded spot, he would not back down. Benefits were something to be earned, not begged for. He understood that well.
"Fine. We'll see how I deal with you later," Hao Fei said, his smile turning menacing.
"After school, I'd like you to bring your parents in," Yang Hai said to Zhang Tian, his voice cold.
"Yang Hai, are you sure you want to pick a fight with me?" Zhang Tian's gaze turned icy. "Don't forget, I am an elite trainer. You are just an ordinary teacher. Who do you think you are, threatening me? Are you looking to die?" A terrifying, murderous aura erupted from him.
"You !" Yang Hai's legs gave out, and he collapsed to the ground, a cold sweat breaking out on his forehead. Zhang Tian's killing intent was overwhelming. Yang Hai felt as if he were facing an ancient, ferocious beast, about to be devoured at any second.
"What a heavy killing intent!" Hao Fei's eyes narrowed. The disdain in them vanished, replaced by a grave seriousness. He might be arrogant, but he wasn't an idiot.
Zhang Tian withdrew his aura, noting that Hao Fei had been largely unaffected. As expected, trainers are different from ordinary people. They aren't so easily swayed by killing intent.
"Hah... hah..." Yang Hai was a wreck. He had just wanted to do Hao Fei a favor after all, he had received plenty of "gifts" from Hao Fei's father but he never imagined it would turn out like this.
"Student Zhang Tian, I was just spouting nonsense. Please, don't take it to heart." With that, Yang Hai scrambled to his feet and fled.