"Clap, clap!"
A soft round of applause echoed through the room. In the classroom, which had just quieted down moments before, everyone stopped their discussions and focused their attention on the podium at the front.
The person standing at the podium was the homeroom teacher of Class 1. Although she could be somewhat old-fashioned and traditional in her methods, she was highly respected by her students because of her serious and diligent work ethic, as well as her impartial treatment of all students regardless of their backgrounds.
In short, she was a very responsible and genuinely good teacher.
Seeing that most of the students had taken their seats in the classroom, Teacher Li finally began speaking.
"The new semester starts today, and you are all officially third-year students now," she announced clearly.
"Many familiar classmates have chosen to leave the Trainer track, and similarly, we have welcomed many new classmates into our class."
"Everyone sitting here now has chosen to continue with the Pokemon Trainer major. I'm sure you're all well aware of the rigorous requirements for this path. I strongly suggest you put away whatever relaxed mindset you may have carried over the past two years."
"The coming year will be harder and more demanding than you can possibly imagine. If you maintain your old casual attitudes, you will only be hurting yourselves in the long run."
"Over the past two years, you have mostly completed your basic cultural education courses, so this year we will focus primarily on reviewing and consolidating those foundational subjects."
"The newly added Pokemon Battle Training class and the already established Pokemon Knowledge class will be your main focus for the third year. I sincerely hope you can all persevere through the challenges ahead. Understood?"
"Understood!" the entire class replied in unison, their voices ringing out clearly.
"Alright, that's all I have to say for now. Next, students, please welcome your new Battle Training class teacher! Teacher Dominic, please come in!"
With those words, the Teacher turned her head and called toward the door.
Hearing the Teacher's invitation, a figure walked into the classroom amid the polite applause of the entire class.
Upon seeing the new teacher, David's eyebrows raised slightly, a hint of genuine interest appearing on his face.
The person who entered was a young male teacher, appearing to be in his early thirties at most. His expression remained calm and composed, and he wore a casual trench coat over his clothes, dressed very neatly. He gave off an immediate impression of sharp efficiency and professionalism.
However, these were merely superficial observations. Under the enhanced perception granted by David's Aura, he could detect something far more revealing—a faint but unmistakable killing intent hidden beneath the surface, along with a slightly visible Aura tinged with an emotion that felt like sadness or grief.
Interesting. He's probably another person with quite a story behind him, David thought.
This Teacher Bai was most likely either from the special elite Trainer squads established by the military or perhaps a special investigator from the Alliance itself. A regular Professional-level Trainer wouldn't possess such an intense and battle-hardened killing intent.
Based on the subtle feeling emanating from his Aura, David speculated silently.
However, just as David was carefully observing the new teacher, Teacher Dominic seemed to sense something unusual. His vigilant gaze subtly scanned the classroom surroundings and quickly locked onto David's position not far away.
As expected of a battle-hardened Professional Trainer—he discovered the source immediately, David mused, unsurprised. While continuing to applaud politely, he also gave a brief nod, as if offering a respectful greeting.
His mother had told him long ago that people who had undergone specialized military or investigative training possessed exceptionally keen intuition. Being perceived through Aura sensing could easily create an uncomfortable feeling of being watched or spied upon, which would naturally alert them to discover the source.
Upon realizing it was simply one of his students, Teacher Dominic also retracted his wary defensive expression. However, his gaze toward David still held a hint of curiosity and interest. He clearly hadn't expected to encounter such a strong Aura user among his students on his very first day of teaching.
The teacher quickly walked to the podium, looked at the assembled students below, and introduced himself with a calm, measured expression.
"My name is Dominic—spelled D-O-M-I-N-I-C. For the next year, I will serve as your Battle Training class teacher. I hope we can all work hard together and achieve excellent results."
The students below responded politely, clapping enthusiastically once more.
"Well then, Teacher Dominic, if there are no immediate problems, I'll leave the classroom in your capable hands for now. This morning session is scheduled for your Battle Training class anyway. I have other administrative matters to attend to, so I'll be leaving first. Everyone, you must be obedient and listen carefully to Teacher Dominic's instructions!"
Seeing that the transition was proceeding smoothly, the Teacher said her goodbyes and departed, not forgetting to remind the students as she left.
"Now then, let's get to know each other properly. You all know my name now, but I don't know any of yours yet. How about this—let's do a roll call. Where's the class monitor? Please take attendance so I can become familiar with everyone."
Dominic spoke clearly and directly.
Hearing Teacher Dominic's request, Willow stood up from her seat, retrieved the new class roster, and began calling out names one by one in a steady voice.
Students whose names were called stood up one after another in response. Dominic, standing at the podium, quickly familiarized himself with the students throughout the entire classroom. One name after another was called out systematically, and soon enough, it was David's turn.
"David."
"Here!" David responded, standing up from his seat.
Seeing David stand, Dominic looked at him carefully and with clear interest. He had been quite curious about this particular student from the moment they'd made eye contact earlier, and upon hearing the name "David," he suddenly understood everything.
Before arriving at the school, he had already been thoroughly briefed that there were several students in Class 1 who required special attention and guidance. The list included nearly ten individuals such as Luke, Emery, and the class monitor Willow, who had just called attendance.
They were all students who had successfully entered the elimination rounds of the Novice Cup tournament and had performed impressively well. As the actual Champion of the Novice Cup, David's name was naturally ranked first on that priority list.
These students all required special attention and mentorship, and Dominic naturally understood the implicit meaning behind such instructions.
It meant that among Class 1's students, these individuals on the list were considered the most talented and promising young Trainers. They could and should receive additional guidance and training opportunities when appropriate circumstances arose.
Indeed, regardless of which world one lived in, top-performing students always held a somewhat special status and received preferential treatment.
This was precisely why Trainers from ordinary families were repeatedly told that their main objective in the Novice Cup wasn't just winning—it was demonstrating their talent and potential. Only by proving themselves would they receive focused cultivation and substantial support from both the school and the Alliance institutions.
Many names on that priority list, apart from David and a few others from established families, came from ordinary backgrounds. They had earned their places through pure hard work and determination. Both Willow and Jackson were perfect examples of such self-made success.
Class 1 was undeniably the best of the three Pokemon Trainer major classes. This fact could be clearly seen from the reality that Dominic—a specialized battle teacher personally hired by the principal himself—was solely responsible for Class 1's training curriculum.
"Teacher, I'm finished. All students are present and accounted for," Willow reported after completing the roll call.
The attendance process concluded quickly, and Dominic now had a general working impression of the entire class composition and its students.
He glanced down at his wristwatch. It was eight-thirty—almost exactly time for class to officially begin.
"Today marks our first Battle Training class together. A Battle Training class, of course, won't be conducted here in the classroom. Since everyone is present and ready, let's head out to the sports field!"