In this world, Pokémon aptitude was divided into six tiers:
Low Grade.
Mid Grade.
High Grade.
Top Grade.
Epic.
Legendary.
Legendary-tier Pokémon were said to exist only in myths.
But Gu Qiu suspected—
Even Legendary had subdivisions.
After all, Pika-Itachi was classified as Primary God-tier.
And that clearly surpassed ordinary Legendary aptitude.
Every year, the academy distributed starter Pokémon.
Most were Low Grade.
A small portion were Mid Grade.
As for High Grade?
The entire school would only receive two or three.
Who got what?
Pure luck.
In this world, even a Mid Grade Pokémon was extremely valuable.
A common Mid Grade Pokémon cost at least 200,000 Poké-dollars.
Rare ones?
Up to 500,000.
High Grade and above?
It wasn't even about money.
It was about whether you could buy one at all.
The moment they appeared on the market—
They were snatched instantly.
Walking into campus with Serena and Gu Xin—
Gu Qiu could feel countless "murderous" gazes stabbing into his back.
He smiled faintly.
Understandable.
His sister was a sophomore beauty—lively and cute.
Serena?
The school goddess.
And rich.
Her family raised Rhyhorn.
Selling a few could make someone wealthy overnight.
In some people's eyes—
Marrying Serena meant skipping life's difficulty settings.
Gu Qiu honestly wondered whether someone might lose control and challenge him on the spot.
Fortunately—
Nothing happened.
They safely reached the building.
At the stairwell, Gu Xin split off toward the third floor.
Seniors occupied the fifth and sixth floors.
Viridian High was massive.
As one of the only two elite Pokémon high schools in Viridian City—
Each grade level had 2,000 students.
Twenty classes per floor.
Fifty students per class.
Competition was brutal.
Class 3–8.
By coincidence—
Gu Qiu and Serena were in the same class.
When they entered together—
The class didn't even react much anymore.
Just the usual:
Envy.
More envy.
And slightly murderous envy.
The homeroom teacher was already there.
"Serena. Gu Qiu. You're the last two."
"Sorry, teacher," Gu Qiu said with a faint smile. "We were delayed."
Gu Xin had insisted on getting soy milk from a corner shop.
He had no choice.
"It's fine. Take your seats."
The teacher looked pleased.
"Today is a special day."
"I won't waste words. I know you've all been waiting."
"Once I call your name, come up and choose your Poké Ball."
Excitement rippled across the room.
"Boss," a chubby boy whispered, sliding over.
Luo Yi.
Gu Qiu's long-time friend.
"Well? What kind of Pokémon are you hoping for?"
Serena also turned slightly, listening.
"Anything is fine," Gu Qiu replied calmly. "As long as it's Mid Grade or above."
Luo Yi grimaced.
"Mid Grade Pokémon aren't many this year. I heard Viridian High underperformed in last year's College Exam."
"Only about twenty Mid Grade starters were approved."
"Twenty?" Serena blinked. "That's barely one per two classes."
"Exactly," Luo Yi sighed. "If you get one, you're already ahead."
Serena wasn't too worried.
Her mother had prepared a starter for her long ago—
A Fennekin.
Mid Grade.
Solid.
"Boss," Luo Yi lowered his voice. "You've had a Pokémon since you were a kid, right?"
"I've always been curious."
He glanced at the small Poké Ball hanging around Gu Qiu's neck.
In normal state, Poké Balls were marble-sized.
They only enlarged when activated.
"What is it?"
Gu Qiu smiled faintly.
"You'll know someday."
He had no intention of revealing Pika-Itachi.
In the entire class—
Only Serena knew.
"Tch. Stingy."
Right then—
"Luo Yi."
"That's me!"
He rushed up dramatically.
"Spirits of heaven and earth, give me something good!"
The class burst into laughter.
Moments later—
He returned holding a Poké Ball.
A Grass-type Turtwig emerged.
Low Grade.
But a starter-class Pokémon.
Still better than most wild options.
His luck wasn't bad.
One by one, names were called.
Then—
"Gu Qiu."
The classroom quieted slightly.
The teacher smiled.
"I'm curious about you."
"You've always been steady."
"Your first Pokémon… should be decent, right?"
"If you perform well this year, you could try the 'Competition Instead of Exam' route."
"Rank high enough and you can enter a top Pokémon university directly."
His tone carried genuine expectation.
Gu Qiu stood up calmly.
All eyes followed him.
For most students—
This moment determined their future.
For Gu Qiu?
This was simply—
Another step in a much larger plan.
He stepped forward.
And reached for a Poké Ball.