This was the undeniable advantage of owning a flying Pokémon: convenience. However, flying within city limits wasn't a free-for-all. It required a "Flight License"—not just for the trainer, but for the Pokémon as well.
Given the density of skyscrapers, the authorities couldn't risk accidents. Without proper certification, urban flight was strictly prohibited to ensure public safety.
After Principal Guo dismissed the assembly, a wave of students tried to swarm the rest area to get a closer look at the "heroes," but they were quickly intercepted by teachers. Aside from it being class time, the school wanted to ensure Zhao Xuan and the others weren't disturbed; after a month of life-and-death struggle in a Secret Realm, they desperately needed rest.
There was, however, one notable exception: Li Yunjie.
In Spring Autumn Middle School, everyone knew she was Zhao Xuan's sister. After a quick word with her teacher, she was allowed to skip away toward the training field's lounge. He Lu watched her go with a face full of envy, wishing she, too, had a brother like Zhao Xuan.
In the Grade 11, Class 1 line, Qiao Yingzi felt a weight lift from her heart seeing Zhao Xuan back in one piece. She had wanted to run to him, but with Ms. Li Meng ordering everyone back to the classroom, her hands were tied. She couldn't make her feelings too obvious—if her mother ever found out, the ensuing "volcanic eruption" would be catastrophic.
"Yingzi, look. Is that Yunjie?" Huang Zhitao whispered, nudging her.
Yingzi glanced back and saw the girl's skipping figure. A look of weary resignation crossed her face. "Who else could it be? She's practically glued to Zhao Xuan. Now that he's back, she's naturally the first one there."
"Hehe, Yingzi, with a sister that clingy, you're going to have a tough time in the future," Zhitao teased with a giggle. It was common knowledge that girls like Yunjie often had a "brother complex," standing guard against any female "intruders" who might steal their brother away.
"If I had a brother that handsome and strong, I wouldn't let other girls near him either," a pretty girl nearby chimed in.
This was Wang Yidi.
Qiao Yingzi sighed. Both Zhitao and Yidi were right—Li Yunjie guarded Zhao Xuan like a hawk guarding its nest. The "battles of wits" between Yingzi and Yunjie were already legendary in their small circle. The thought of dealing with such a protective "sister-in-law" in the future gave her a genuine headache.
"Tch, what's the big deal? It's not like he's the only one with a Pokémon," an unwelcome voice cut through their conversation.
The three girls frowned and turned to see the speaker. While Yingzi and Zhitao merely looked annoyed, Wang Yidi didn't hold back.
"Oh, sure, everyone has Pokémon," Yidi sneered. "But some people pushed their own Pokémon into a death trap just to save their own skin, then crawled back in shame. I'm surprised you even have the face to speak."
"Wang Yidi!!! Shut your mouth! That was an accident!" Fang Yifan roared, his face flushing with humiliated rage. "I'm warning you! Don't talk trash, or don't blame me for being impolite!"
Wang Yidi didn't flinch. "Hah, I'd love to see how 'impolite' you can be. I might not be a frontline Trainer, but we Contest Coordinators aren't pushovers you can bully, you coward." She lightly tossed her Pokéball in her hand for emphasis.
Fang Yifan sputtered, his face turning a deep shade of purple, unable to form a coherent retort.
"What are you all doing? If you have this much energy, use it on your studies! Get back to class!" Ms. Li Meng's sharp voice cut through the tension. The four students jumped. Wang Yidi gave Fang Yifan a final, disdainful huff before strutting away on her long legs. Yingzi and Zhitao followed suit, ignoring Fang Yifan entirely as he stood there, teeth clenched in silent fury.
The Lounge: Spoils of War
Inside the lounge, Zhao Xuan was huddled with Lin Zhi and the other four Trainers, exchanging stories and tallying their gains.
"I'm telling you guys," one boy exclaimed, "I found a Fire Stone in that Low-level Realm! Once I sell it, I'm buying a 'Twister' TM for my Swellow. If it learns a strong Flying-type move like that, my rank is definitely going up."
The others looked on with naked envy.
"Damn, you lucky bastard. A Fire Stone in a Low-level Realm?" "Right? I went to a Low-level one too, and all I got were a few Oran Berries." "Be glad you got anything. I didn't even find a stray feather."
Lin Zhi chuckled at the complaints, then turned to Zhao Xuan, who had been listening quietly with a smirk. "Zhao Xuan, what about you? You were in a Mid-level Realm. You must have hit the jackpot."
The room went quiet as everyone looked at him.
"It was alright," Zhao Xuan said casually. "I only managed to get three Pokémon Eggs."
"Only?! 'It was alright'?! God, you're the king of humble-bragging!" one student cried. "Even a common-tier egg like a Caterpie goes for 500,000 to 600,000 these days. Anything better is astronomical. And you got three?"
"And they're from a Mid-level Realm," another added. "Their potential is probably Intermediate or High-tier at the very least."
Lin Zhi's eyes sharpened. "Zhao Xuan, what species are they?"
"A Pichu, a Pidgey, and a Shinx," Zhao Xuan replied. He saw no reason to hide it; with his Elite-rank strength, he wasn't afraid of being bullied, and in the Yanhuwa Republic, stealing someone's Pokémon was a severe felony.
"A Shinx!" someone gasped. "Man, Luxray is one of the coolest-looking Pokémon out there once it fully evolves."
"Zhao Xuan, are you selling the Shinx?" Lin Zhi asked immediately.
"Forget it," Zhao Xuan shot back. "I'm raising the Shinx myself, and the Pichu isn't for sale either. But I'll part with the Pidgey egg if you're interested. It's the offspring of an Elite-rank Pidgeot, so its potential is guaranteed."
Lin Zhi's interest piqued. His family had some capital, and an egg with guaranteed Elite-parentage was a solid investment. But Zhao Xuan knew the real treasure was the Shinx—the offspring of a Dominant (Alpha) Luxray. It likely had Pseudo-Heavenly King potential and might even inherit its parent's "Dominant Physique," making it rarer than many Pseudo-Legendaries. There was no price high enough to make him sell that.
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