"Big brother, you're back!"
Just as Gu Qiu expected—his little sister, Gu Xin, was waiting the moment he walked in.
Same as always.
He instantly gained a human accessory hanging off him.
Gu Qiu sighed. There was no point saying anything. If words worked, she'd have changed years ago.
"I missed you so much!"
"Brother, do you know? The whole school is talking about you now. You're amazing!"
"Can I see Milotic? Is it really that beautiful?"
She fired off a barrage of words without pause.
Gu Qiu's head hurt.
Who exactly did this girl take after?
He really wanted to go to his room and fuse Vulpix's template.
"Come out, Milotic."
Milotic appeared excited, thinking it was battle time—
Instead, she found herself in a room, staring at a girl.
"Milotic?" (Master, why did you summon me? Is there food?)
"Wow! So beautiful!"
Gu Xin was instantly captivated.
"Milotic, this is my sister. My real sister. Keep her company for a bit."
Milotic nodded gracefully.
Gu Qiu smiled with relief.
If Pikachu were here, it would probably give Milotic a sympathetic look.
Watching Gu Xin happily fuss over Milotic, Gu Qiu quietly slipped into his room.
"Come out, Vulpix."
Vulpix had just entered the Living Space and was bragging to Eevee about her battle when she was suddenly summoned.
She tilted her head in confusion.
Did Master miss her already?
Life in the Living Space was far better than inside a Poké Ball.
Everyone could play together.
No more loneliness.
"I've got something good for you."
Gu Qiu smiled and took out the three template fragments.
They radiated icy aura.
Vulpix happily jumped into his arms, reaching for them.
"Wait. Let me combine them first."
The fragments were small.
When assembled, they formed a circular disk about the size of a soda can lid.
"Vulpix, eat this and you'll become stronger."
"Vee!"
To her, it just looked like a tasty ice biscuit.
She trusted Gu Qiu completely.
Crunch.
She finished it in moments.
Then—
A strange power surged within her.
"Vee!" (Master… I feel uncomfortable!)
"It's okay. Just rest."
She curled into his arms and closed her eyes.
Cold air leaked from her body.
Only someone as physically reinforced as Gu Qiu could endure it.
Ten minutes later—
The system notification sounded.
[New Template Acquired: Alolan Vulpix]
[Template Character: Esdeath]
[Abilities Unlocked: Absolute Ice Manipulation & Hidden Skill "Ice Storm Commander"]
[Template Challenge Activated – Three Phases]
[Phase One: Participate in the Competitive Entrance Exam and win the preliminary round]
"Esdeath?"
Gu Qiu blinked.
The sadistic ice queen from Akame ga Kill?
That anime where basically everyone died—including the protagonist?
"She's strong, though."
Her Imperial Arm: Demon's Extract.
Even if Vulpix only gained ice manipulation and Ice Storm Commander for now—
The boost was massive.
Absolute ice control meant near-limitless creativity.
"Vee!"
For a brief moment—
Her eyes seemed different.
Sharper.
Colder.
"Please don't turn into a sadistic queen…"
He shook his head.
Overthinking.
The next morning.
Viridian City Stadium.
A massive arena capable of holding tens of thousands.
Gu Xin and Serena accompanied him.
"I'm heading in."
"We'll cheer for you!"
"Be careful!"
Under the jealous gazes of many, Gu Qiu walked into the competitor entrance.
He entered his certification ID.
Result:
Arena 6 – Match 3
Eight arenas operated simultaneously.
Format:
2v2.
Lose once—eliminated.
To protect seeded players, organizers pre-distributed known talents across brackets.
But dark horses?
Unavoidable.
Day 1: 8:30 AM – 10:00 PM
Day 2: 8:00 AM until only Top 8 remain per arena.
Grueling.
Relentless.
Gu Qiu arrived at Arena 6's contestant area.
Mostly unfamiliar faces.
A few looked like classmates from Viridian High.
But to them—
He was different.
"Gu Qiu!"
In their eyes—
He was the championship favorite.
🌟 The story is already written… waiting to be unleashed.
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