Chapter Ninety: The Grounds of the Fire Class, Part One of Three

After the draw ended, the students of the Breeding Class chatted and laughed among themselves, with no sign of any tactical planning at all.

By contrast, the Grass Class, though stronger than the Breeding Class in sheer ability, was noticeably more cautious.

At first, Liu Min did not know who Tong Si was. Only after returning to the Grass Class and hearing his classmates explain did he learn that Tong Si was actually this year’s Best Newcomer.

Of course, there was another voice claiming that Tong Si could not fight with Pokémon at all.

That person was Qi Qi.

Back when Tong Si had been at the Southern Pond, he had used Eevee to challenge and defeat three Voltorbs despite the level gap.

But at the time, Tong Si had been pretending to be inexperienced, playing the fool to outwit the wise.

As a result, Qi Qi had long believed Tong Si’s strength was nothing special.

What was more, after learning that Tong Si was in the Breeding Class, and linking that to the fact that Tong Si’s family ran a breeding house, he came to a conclusion:

Tong Si was not good at Pokémon battles at all.

However, another person looked at Qi Qi as though he were an idiot.

That person was Tong Si’s old rival, Song Xuanyang.

Indeed, Song Xuanyang’s family specialized in Grass-types, so it was only natural that he belonged to the Grass Class.

As the Best Newcomer of the Golden Radiance Club, the moment he entered the Grass Class he became its chosen darling.

Even before the placement exam had begun, many students already looked up to him and were willing to be his underlings.

“Qi Qi, keep your mouth shut. What do you mean Tong Si is weak? He’s not weak. Sure, our Young Master Yang is the strongest, but Tong Si is definitely stronger than you!”

“Exactly. Tong Si got the Best Newcomer title because Young Master Yang let him have it, but that doesn’t mean Tong Si lacks real ability.”

“...”

Several Grass Class students who had just started calling Song Xuanyang boss were all eager to curry favor with him.

But they had all watched the joint Best Newcomer competition.

How could that have been Song Xuanyang “letting” him win?

It was clearly Tong Si crushing Song Xuanyang, kicking Lei Yu aside, and pounding Lin Jintong into the ground before claiming the Best Newcomer title in name and in truth.

Yet in order to keep following Song Xuanyang, they had no choice but to speak against their conscience.

Even so, in their hearts, Tong Si remained a sacred presence that could not be defiled.

When they heard Qi Qi call Tong Si weak, they were the first to object.

Qi Qi was left standing there with a black-face question mark expression.

Was Tong Si really as formidable as they said?

“Cough cough!”

Liu Min cut them off at once.

No matter what, the priority now was to defeat the Breeding Class.

“Song Xuanyang, pick ten contestants. Half an hour from now, I want you to give them a severe lesson.”

Liu Min knew that Song Xuanyang came from a powerful family and was the leader of the Grass Class, so he entrusted him with this important task.

“Don’t worry, Teacher Liu! It’s only Tong Si. I don’t take him seriously.”

Song Xuanyang was half-reclined on a sofa.

Thinking back to the day he had been beaten by Tong Si outside the maid cafe, he ground his teeth in fury.

Fortunately, hardly anyone had seen that battle, and the maids inside the shop had all been intimidated and persuaded into forgetting the matter completely.

Not long after that battle ended, however, law enforcement officers came to investigate his “Nine-Nine Energy Cube Shop.” Because it was suspected of improper dealings, the shop had been temporarily shut down.

In a fit of rage, Song Xuanyang immediately thought of Tong Si. Whether or not Tong Si had reported him, he had decided to pin the blame on Tong Si all the same.

Over the past two days, with help from his family, he had obtained a third Pokémon.

“I hadn’t even come looking for you yet, and you actually came to me on your own? Heh-heh. You really are courting death!”

Song Xuanyang’s smile turned somewhat sinister, and even his followers beside him had no idea what he was smiling about.

Soon, half an hour had passed.

Xia Yan led the students of the Breeding Class to the arena used by the Fire Class, while Liu Min brought the students of the Grass Class over as well.

It had to be said that the battle field of the Fire Class was truly scorching. The main reason was the magma arena; even though it was sealed and not activated, it still affected the temperature indoors.

The battle arena of the Fire Class had four-sided spectator stands, with a total of four or five hundred seats.

It was more than ten times grander than the Breeding Class’s facilities.

At this time, the students of the Fire Class were not undergoing a placement exam. After learning from Teacher Zhu Di that the Breeding Class intended to challenge the Grass Class, they all sat in the stands, preparing to watch the match.

On the surface, of course, they claimed to be there for the Pokémon battle, but in truth that was not the reason at all.

(Just like some people look at study material and are not really looking at study material.)

What Pokémon battle could one not see elsewhere?

But could you simply see the beauties of the Breeding Division whenever you wanted?

The Fire Class students were all here for one reason only: to catch a glimpse of the Breeding Class girls’ stunning faces.

It was common knowledge that while the Breeding Class might not be strong in battle, it more than made up for it in beauty.

After all, the entire department was made up of girls, so every year it produced several beauties.

This year, however, Tong Si was an exception, and the Fire Class students were a little envious because of it.

“Tong Si actually went to the Breeding Division just to pick up girls?”

“I never thought my summer idol Tong Si would ruin his future for the sake of chasing girls and choose the Breeding Class.”

“What do you know? My Brother Tong is the real master of flirting, okay? He even dove straight into the girls’ den just to pick up girls. Brother Tong! I’m your idol! No, wait... you’re my fan! No, that’s not right either! Sorry, I’m losing my mind! Anyway, Brother Tong Si, I admire you so much!”

“That’s insane. Absolutely insane!”

“...”

The Fire Class students were enthusiastic and fiery, welcoming the arrival of the two classes with great fervor.

“That bunch from the Fire Class is really noisy.”

“If it weren’t for type disadvantage, I’d really like to teach them a lesson.”

“What kind of battle field is this? It’s seriously hot!”

“But as long as the heat isn’t aimed at Grass-type Pokémon, isn’t it actually helpful for them?”

“...”

The Grass Class students reacted with annoyance, excitement, complaints, and reason alike.

In any case, everyone was discussing the Fire Class’s venue.

The girls from the Breeding Class, by contrast, looked as calm as seasoned veterans.

They treated the hot shouts from the boys in the stands as if they were hearing nothing at all.

Tong Si, on the other hand, frowned inwardly.

He didn’t have any Fire-type Pokémon. Otherwise, transferring to the Fire Class would have been a pretty good idea too!

At the very least, this Fire Class battle field was truly enormous.

“Teacher Xia Yan, please take your students to the left stands to rest. Teacher Liu Min, please take yours to the right stands.”

Zhu Di cleared out two sections of the spectator seating to serve as rest areas and tactical discussion zones for the two classes.

Xia Yan and Liu Min each led their students to the stands.

At that moment, Tong Si unexpectedly discovered that there were actually two familiar faces in the Grass Class.

Qi Qi, the grandson of the Elder of the Lotus Leaf, and Song Xuanyang, Song Xin’s younger brother!

Who would have thought the two of them were actually in the same class?

...To be continued.