The setting sun, like a raging wildfire, bled its crimson hues across the horizon, painting the earth in shades of amber and gold.
On the training field, Li Yunjie stood with her guard up, clutching the Pichu egg to her chest as she glared at Qiao Yingzi. Her small mouth was moving, muttering something under her breath that didn't sound particularly welcoming.
Qiao Yingzi couldn't quite make out the words, but she knew Yunjie well enough to know it wasn't a compliment. Ignoring the girl's defensive posturing, she turned to the high-spirited youth before her.
With a playful grin, she said, "Zhao Xuan, Ms. Li Meng told me to give these to you."
She reached into her backpack and pulled out a thick stack of test papers—at least a dozen of them. Zhao Xuan's eyelid twitched uncontrollably at the sight.
"Ms. Li really is a woman of her word," he grumbled.
"That's what happens when you decide to be a jokester," Yingzi teased, clearly enjoying his misfortune. "Who told you to tease her right in front of the Principal?"
"Fine, fine. I guess I'll have to be more careful in the future," Zhao Xuan sighed. Worst case scenario, I'll just tell her Corviknight accidentally ate them.
It wouldn't be the first time. Even if Li Meng knew he was lying, she couldn't exactly interrogate a Pokémon.
"You're terrible, Zhao Xuan," Yingzi laughed, rolling her eyes. "Corviknight is so unlucky to have a Trainer like you. It has to take the fall for everything."
"It's no big deal. It's not like Corviknight can talk back," Zhao Xuan replied dismissively. Then, remembering something, he asked, "By the way, Yingzi, has your Vulpix broken through to the Advanced Rank yet?"
Qiao Yingzi possessed a Pokémon too—a rare Vulpix. She actually loved Pokémon battling, and when she first summoned it, she had dreamed of becoming a Trainer. However, both her mother, Song Qian, and her father, Qiao Weidong, had flatly refused. To them, being a frontline Trainer was a high-risk profession, and they wouldn't dream of letting their daughter face such danger.
Still, that didn't stop her Vulpix from growing. Before Zhao Xuan left for the Secret Realm, her Vulpix was at the peak of the Intermediate Rank. A month had passed; it should have advanced by now.
Of course, a Vulpix raised in a "greenhouse" without facing the baptism of blood and fire would likely lose to a mid-level Pokémon that had survived the Secret Realms. It was the difference between a delicate flower and wild grass. But it was more than enough for self-defense against minor supernatural threats.
"It broke through! My dad said he'd buy me a Fire Stone soon so I can evolve Little Six into a Ninetales," Yingzi said happily.
"Then—" Zhao Xuan started to offer his congratulations, but Li Yunjie's unhappy voice cut him off.
"Brother! Are you two done yet? Grandpa and the others are waiting for us!"
Zhao Xuan looked sheepish. "Yingzi, let's catch up in a couple of days at our 'old spot'."
"Sure, see you there," Yingzi nodded.
The "old spot" was a professional Pokémon Training Ground. Every city had several of these facilities equipped with specialized gear for training. While the high-end ones were expensive, the government provided public lots with basic tools for free.
"Come out, Corviknight!!"
Zhao Xuan waved goodbye to Yingzi and tapped the Ultra Ball at his waist. A flash of red light burst forth, manifesting into the massive, armored form of the raven.
"GAA!!!"
Corviknight let out a resonant cry, drawing the gazes of every student nearby. Seeing its sleek, jet-black frame—significantly larger than a standard Corviknight—the crowd erupted in gasps of awe. In all of Shanghai, few Corviknights could match the sheer scale of Zhao Xuan's partner.
"Little Crow, long time no see!" Li Yunjie chirped, waving at the bird.
"Gaa, gaa..." Corviknight's intimidating crimson eyes softened, and it let out a friendly warble. It had a great deal of affection for the little sister; after all, she was the one who constantly snuck it high-quality treats.
"Alright, Yunjie, let's go. Grandma and Grandpa must be anxious," Zhao Xuan said.
He moved to Yunjie's side, wrapped an arm around her waist, and with a light spring in his step, leaped onto Corviknight's broad back. He gave Yingzi a final wave before signaling the ascent.
"GAA!!"
With a wingspan of nearly seven meters, Corviknight beat its wings once, creating a powerful gust that sent dust billowing. Fortunately, Yingzi had already stepped back, or she would have been covered in grit.
Whoosh!
The massive avian took to the sky, climbing rapidly. With another powerful beat of its wings, it streaked toward the horizon, soon becoming nothing more than a black speck in the twilight.
Qiao Yingzi watched them go, her eyes full of envy. She wished Zhao Xuan could give her a ride too, but her home was so close to school—a mere ten-minute walk—that she felt too embarrassed to ask.
"Wow, I'm so jealous of Li Yunjie. I wish I had a brother like that." "Corviknight is just too cool..."
Listening to the whispers around her, Yingzi smiled, adjusted her bag, and began her walk home. Her mother was waiting, and being late would only trigger another lecture.
High above Shanghai, Li Yunjie sat on Corviknight's back, looking down at the skyscrapers and the people who looked like tiny ants. She let out a joyful cheer.
"Whoa!! Brother, look! The Hongye Building looks so tiny from here!"
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