As Qiao Yingzi stepped out of the classroom, she saw a massive bird of prey sweep across the sky above the teaching building, leaving a gargantuan shadow in the wake of the setting sun.
It was a creature with orange plumage, though the mid-sections and tips of its wings were a creamy off-white. A jagged red crest sat atop its head, and its beak was long and tapering—sharp as a dagger. Its neck was slender, contrasting with the messy, coarse feathers on its chest, and four brown tail feathers trailed behind it. With wide wings and pale pink talons—three toes facing forward, one back—it cut a terrifying figure.
This was a Fearow, its body measuring nearly four meters in length. On its back sat the silhouette of a rider.
"Whoa! Our school's Trainers are back!" "Is that Senior Lin's Fearow? It's so cool!" "I wish I could be a Trainer too..." "I heard all the Trainers from our school went into the Secret Realm this time. I wonder if there were any casualties." "Stop talking nonsense and let's get to the training field!"
Listening to her classmates, Qiao Yingzi's eyes clouded with worry. Her hand instinctively reached into her pocket, fingering the smooth surface of a Pokéball.
"Yingzi, what are you daydreaming for? Let's hurry up!" Huang Zhitao's voice snapped her back to reality.
With such a commotion outside, the students in the classroom were well aware of the situation. Everyone streamed out, including Huang Zhitao and Fang Yifan.
Fang Yifan looked disgruntled and envious, but neither Yingzi nor Zhitao spared him a glance as they followed the tide of students toward the training field. At this moment, the attention of every teacher and student was focused there. After all, the returning Trainers were heroes and the pride of the school.
The Junior High Section
Meanwhile, over at the Spring Autumn Middle School Junior High building, in Grade 9, Class 1, two fifteen-year-old girls watched the Fearow streak across the sky. One bubbly, cute girl exclaimed happily, "Yunjie! Senior Lin is back! Does that mean Brother Xuan is coming back too?"
The girl called Yunjie was strikingly pretty, her hair tied in a single ponytail, exuding a spirited and heroic aura. This was Zhao Xuan's cousin, Li Yunjie.
"He'll definitely be back! He Lu, let's get to the training field quickly, or we won't be able to squeeze in!" Li Yunjie's face was full of pleasant surprise as she pulled He Lu toward the field.
Suddenly, a voice crackled over the school speakers.
"Attention students! Attention students! All students please proceed to the training field! Assemble by grade and class! Prepare to welcome our heroes!"
The announcement repeated several times. Teachers and deans from every grade rushed to maintain discipline. The principal of Spring Autumn Middle School, Guo Guangping, had already gathered the department heads and several teachers at the training field to wait.
The Fearow plummeted from the sky like a falling star. Its massive body cut through the air, creating a localized gale that kicked up a swirling cloud of dust. People instinctively raised their hands to shield their faces from the grit.
As the dust settled, a figure leaped agilely from the Fearow's broad back, landing steadily on the ground.
It was a youth of about seventeen or eighteen, tall and clean-cut. However, his camouflage field gear was in a sorry state—jagged tears ran through the fabric, revealing layers of bandages wrapped tightly beneath. Shallow scars marked his face, giving him a weary, battered appearance.
Principal Guo rushed forward, concerned. "Lin Zhi, are you alright?"
"I'm fine, Principal. Just some light injuries," Lin Zhi replied, shaking his head.
Though he looked a mess, with his enhanced physique, he would be mostly recovered within a week. He had been in a Low-level Secret Realm and had been lucky enough to return alive. He had seen fellow Trainers torn to shreds by Magic Beasts with his own eyes; being able to stand here again was a triumph.
"As long as you're safe. You've all done a wonderful job," Guo said, patting the boy's shoulder. It pained him to see such young people bearing the weight of life and death, and he offered a word of praise.
"It is our responsibility," Lin Zhi said. When he chose to become a Trainer, he accepted the consequences. Of course, the state didn't let them go unrewarded. Trainers enjoyed the highest status and benefits; they could exchange merit points for rare items and powerful gear on the official Pokémon network.
"Go and get some rest," the Principal nodded. Lin Zhi recalled his Fearow into its Pokéball and left with a teacher.
The Anxiety of the Crowd
Ten minutes passed. Those with flying Pokémon returned one by one. Those without had to wait for the armored transports.
In Spring Autumn Middle School, there weren't many Trainers with flying mounts—only six including Zhao Xuan. In this world, people didn't catch Pokémon haphazardly. Most focused entirely on their Starter. A single powerful Pokémon was far more useful than a dozen weak ones, so people poured every resource into one partner.
In the Grade 11, Class 1 lineup, Qiao Yingzi watched the arrivals. As the stream of people slowed and Zhao Xuan was still nowhere to be seen, her face grew pale with anxiety.
"Don't worry, Yingzi. Zhao Xuan is the strongest in our school. He'll be fine," Huang Zhitao whispered, sensing her friend's distress.
Zhitao knew all about Yingzi's feelings for Zhao Xuan. But she had her own secret thoughts—she, too, admired him. After all, heroes attract admirers, and in this world, Trainers were the ultimate heroes.
Qiao Yingzi nodded, but the worry didn't fade. Over in the Junior High section, Li Yunjie's joyful expression had also turned to dread. Everyone knew the dangers of the Secret Realms. Many parents refused to let their children become Trainers for this very reason; one mistake, and they would never come home.
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