Chapter 281: The Capital of Arrogance
"Sorry, the energy value exceeded the maximum readable limit..."
Just as everyone was eagerly anticipating the final energy value of this massive pile of Changchun Fruits, Rotom's voice dashed their hopes. Many inwardly cursed, but they still got a rough idea of the colossal worth of this pile.
The record-keeping senior stood there, hand frozen mid-air, not sure how to document this. He looked helplessly at the nearby teacher for guidance.
The teacher pondered a moment before speaking: "Just record the readable portion of the energy value, then note how many 150-year-old Changchun Fruits there are. The previous stats alone are enough to ensure they top this year's freshman training."
Hikaru was intrigued.
"Teacher, what's the reward for coming in first?"
The teacher answered casually, "A batch of energy cubes I personally made. They enhance various stats for Pokémon. Quite effective."
Hikaru's excitement ebbed.
Energy cubes...
For others, they were no doubt a priceless treasure, especially if crafted by a master breeder. Judging by the reactions of those around them, it was clearly a rare privilege.
"The energy cubes made by Master Feng are at least top-tier, if not of expert level! A super generous reward this year!"
"Even Elite-level trainers would struggle to get hold of these cubes. So envious..."
But for Hikaru, these energy cubes were optional at best.
After all, he could now produce master-level cubes himself – effectively making him a master breeder.
Still, outwardly he nodded in agreement without making a fuss.
After wrapping up the formalities, Hikaru and Sakura packed up their harvest into their space backpacks and sauntered off, leaving the crowd dazed.
Over in the queue for the upperclassmen, Shawn Quinn stood there watching, his mind a blank. Some of his peers nudged him for answers.
"Hey, that's your space backpack, right? Did that freshman really take it from you?"
Shawn could only nod bitterly.
"Yeah..."
This left the seniors around him utterly speechless. A fourth-year senior, boasting several Master-level Pokémon, had been robbed by a couple of freshmen? It sounded unthinkable.
As Shawn stood there, recollections of his former pride swirled about. He realized perhaps he simply never had the strength to justify such arrogance in the first place.
---
Outside the Changchun Secret Realm
Upon exiting, Hikaru immediately pulled out his phone and checked the school's official website. He wanted to see if there were ways to enter the Changchun Secret Realm again.
> [Changchun Secret Realm: Only open during the designated annual event. Off-limits to students at all other times.]
He frowned but soon devised a plan. Turning to Sakura, who was still gleaming with happiness, he said,
"Let's go, Sakura."
"Got it, big brother~"
With two backpacks stuffed with fruits, she looked like a little miser who'd just struck it rich. Her smile was so bright that her eyes nearly turned into crescents.
"You go on first; I'll sit in the back."
Hikaru nodded and hopped onto Latias. The next moment, Sakura climbed on and wrapped her arms around his waist. Latias, confirming both were secure, soared into the sky.
---
In the Administrative Office
An elderly man lifted a steaming cup of tea, ready for a sip. This was Kei yoji, the headmaster of Central Youth University.
He was checking the energy-value data from the Changchun Secret Realm's training event, a routine process: after the Metagross re-verified the results, they would be sent to the Education Department.
But as Kei yoji glanced at the screen, he paused before he could drink.
"Huh? These freshmen... have done really well this year. The total value is double what it was last year?"
He stared at the figures, looking genuinely surprised. After the initial shock, he felt proud. Freshmen usually gathered large amounts of C-grade Changchun Fruits because they were more common.
High-quality fruits over a hundred years old were typically guarded by formidable Pokémon, many at the King level.
Yet the numbers he was seeing didn't just double last year's – they kept climbing steadily, which made Kei yoji frown.
"This surge doesn't make sense... The total volume has more than doubled, and it's still going up?"
Confused, he dove into the details. Upon filtering, he noticed two names popping up repeatedly: Hikaru and Sakura.
Kei yoji raised an eyebrow, his curiosity piqued.
"Those two? What on earth did they do in there?"
He decided to investigate more thoroughly. As headmaster, he needed to confirm whether everything was legitimate. If these two had indeed had a groundbreaking performance, they deserved recognition. If not... there might be further action.
Just then, his phone rang. He answered, hearing a familiar voice belonging to the Breeding Department's Master Feng.
"Headmaster Kei, you won't believe what these two freshmen pulled off. One of them apparently made energy cubes so potent that a King-level Ninetales willingly parted with a 150-year-old Changchun Fruit in exchange!"
Kei yoji's eyes brightened.
"Oh? That's certainly interesting. Bring them to my office."
"Understood."
Once he ended the call, Kei yoji couldn't help smiling to himself.
"It looks like this year's cohort really does have some surprises..."
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