A week later.
Central region of the Donghuang Alliance, on the outskirts of a primeval forest.
At the main entrance of Donghuang Academy.
"Mom, you really don't need to walk me in," Ethan said, looking up at the academy gates before turning to his mother.
"I'll go in together with my cousin."
"Alright then."
As she spoke, Anna Stone took out a black card and handed it to him.
"This is your bank card.
I've put ten million in it for you."
"At school, remember to get along well with your classmates and teachers.
If there's ever a place where money needs to be spent, don't be stingy.
And if it's not enough, just call me—I'll transfer more."
Ethan accepted the card and nodded.
"Don't worry, Mom. You know how I do things."
Then he grinned.
"Alright, Mom, I won't keep chatting.
Come on, Cousin—we're heading in."
With that, Ethan got out of the car alongside Emily Stone, and the two walked side by side toward Donghuang Academy.
Watching her son's tall figure disappear into the campus, Anna Stone couldn't help but smile softly.
"My little Ethan… he really has grown up before I even noticed."
"I wonder, by the end of this semester…"
"…will he bring me a daughter-in-law?"
Donghuang Academy was enormous.
According to Emily, nearly a quarter of the surrounding primeval forest belonged to the academy itself—
though most of it was designated as Pokémon habitat zones.
The actual teaching buildings were located along the forest's outer edge.
"Ethan, this is the teaching complex," Emily said, stopping in front of a large building.
"My dorm is in Zone B-1. If you have time, feel free to come by."
"And if you run into any trouble, just message me."
"Got it, Cousin," Ethan replied with a smile, flashing an OK gesture.
"Alright then, I won't keep you," Emily said lightly.
"You go report to your classroom. I just got back myself—I still need to check in with my instructor."
After waving goodbye, the two went their separate ways.
Ethan was just about to enter the building when a familiar voice rang out behind him.
"Ethan?"
He turned around and saw a fashionably dressed young man in trendy streetwear.
"Geng Zhi?"
"You're here too?"
Geng Zhi—Ethan's middle school classmate.
They had been close back then, but after attending different high schools, they gradually lost touch.
Seeing him here now genuinely surprised Ethan.
"Damn, man, you're impressive!" Geng Zhi laughed.
"It's only been a few years and you've gotten taller, more handsome, and even made it into Donghuang Academy!"
"You're basically asking me to be jealous."
"Not really," Ethan replied modestly.
"Just got lucky. Besides, you're here too, aren't you?"
Geng Zhi pursed his lips.
"You know my level. There's no way I could've gotten in on my own."
Ethan paused. "Then how did you—?"
Geng Zhi grinned proudly.
"My dad donated a building to the academy.
I'm here as a sponsored student."
Ethan's mouth twitched.
…Alright. Fair enough.
After a brief moment of adjustment, he accepted it calmly. Things like this weren't exactly rare.
"Hey, long time no see," Geng Zhi continued.
"How about lunch later? My treat."
Geng Zhi came from a wealthy family—his father ran a construction materials company with annual profits in the billions.
Ethan, despite being the son of a Champion, had always lived low-key.
Simple clothes, no flaunting wealth.
Even close friends like Geng Zhi had no idea about his background.
Geng Zhi liked Ethan simply because they got along well—nothing more.
With someone offering to treat him, Ethan naturally didn't refuse.
"No problem," he said with a grin.
"Just don't regret it when I order."
Geng Zhi dramatically flicked his hair.
"Tch—
If you don't order big, I'll be disappointed.
That'd mean you don't treat me like a real brother."
Laughing and chatting, the two walked into the teaching building together.
Donghuang Academy might be the top school in the alliance, but its enrollment was extremely limited.
Battle Department: ~200 students
Breeding & Research Departments: under 100 each
Total yearly intake: fewer than 500 students.
The teaching building was massive, but even so, the orientation classroom was packed.
"Damn, that's a lot of people," Geng Zhi whispered.
"No wonder they're all top students—everyone's so quiet."
Ethan chuckled. "You just jinxed it."
Geng Zhi grinned back. "True."
They found two empty seats and sat down.
The classroom remained silent for several minutes.
Then a girl walked in.
She was plainly dressed, with delicate features—but nothing flashy.
Because of her clothes and demeanor, she didn't immediately stand out.
There were very few empty seats left.
Ethan happened to be sitting near the door, with one seat beside him still vacant.
The girl hesitated, then asked softly,
"Um… excuse me. Is this seat taken?"
"No," Ethan replied warmly.
"You can sit here."
"Thank you."
She sat down quietly, looking a little shy.
Ethan, naturally friendly, spoke up.
"Hi, I'm Ethan. This is my friend, Geng Zhi.
Since we're classmates, want to get to know each other?"
The girl froze for a moment, clearly nervous.
But realizing it would be rude to stay silent, she gathered her courage and spoke softly.
"Hello…
My name is Qin Yingying."
Ethan's eyes widened slightly.
Qin Yingying?
Wasn't that the name of this year's top scorer in the Donghuang College Entrance Exam?
So the girl sitting beside him was that Qin Yingying?
Before he could react further, crisp footsteps echoed through the classroom.
A young woman walked in, tall and striking, her presence immediately commanding attention.
Her sharp eyes swept across the room.
"Looks like everyone's here."
"My name is Lou Yixiao," she said calmly.
"From today onward, I'll be your counselor."
"Since you've all arrived," she continued,
"please gather downstairs in front of the teaching building."
"We'll begin your entrance assessment."
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