Among them, Fang Yuan was familiar with quite a few people, such as Xu Lan from the Winter Dojo.
The grandson of a famous Flying-type Master of Magic City, Shi Yiming.
Shen Shiyu, the recognized beauty of the Combat Series.
As well as Qi Yue, Lv Liang, Lin Sen, and others.
Ten people, seven males and three females, all have strengths ranked within the top 20 among the freshmen at the Battle Society, making them elites among the new students at Demon Capital University.
There were actually a few others who were quite capable as well, but for various reasons, they left school early and didn't have time to participate in this exchange competition.
Then there were those like Liu Le, whose abilities didn't meet the standard, who, even if they wanted to go and earn credits, couldn't squeeze into the exchange team and were at the opposite extreme of Fang Yuan.
As for the teachers leading the exchange activity, there were two, one male and one female: Tang Sheng, the advisor of the Battle Society, and Zhou Hongxiu, a female teacher from the Cultivation Series, responsible for the Pokémon status of the ten exchange students.
...
This time, the exchange activity was said to last three days. During this period, Imperial University had arranged accommodations for the exchange team from Demon Capital University, but once they arrived in the Imperial Capital, Fang Yuan slipped away to find Liu Le, who had arrived in the Imperial Capital ahead of him.
"Is it okay for you to sneak out like this?" Liu Le asked, surprised.
"The exchange battle is tomorrow, and today is just a casual stroll around Emperor Capital University. Didn't you tell me before that you'd eaten at a particularly nice restaurant in the Imperial Capital? Take me there to try it out," Fang Yuan said with a smile. Though the canteen at Emperor Capital University was good, Fang Yuan was more interested in the Pokémon-themed restaurant that Liu Le had mentioned, where the average cost was around ten thousand yuan per person.
If it were just for people, it wouldn't be that expensive; a thousand yuan would be the max. What made this restaurant expensive was the Pokémon food, all of which were expertly custom-prepared on the spot by Breeders for specific Pokémon, an enjoyment of epic proportions. Fang Yuan planned to treat himself and his Eevees.
It's too low to eat at a canteen when one is on a rare visit to the Imperial Capital.
"Sure... Let's go. My treat, consider it a pre-celebration for us winning the doubles match championship," perked up Liu Le at the mention of food.
The only pity was that the restaurant refused to allow Crabby inside, so he could only bring Pot-Pot or another Pokémon to enjoy the meal.
"Little Ka Bi~ it's not that I don't love you, nor am I worried about the money, it's just that your appetite is so big that even the Breeders are scared of you," Liu Le felt a pang of guilt.
...
Fang Yuan was also someone with a sweet tooth; otherwise, he wouldn't have sneaked sips of Eevee's Moomoo Milk.
With Eevee perched on his shoulder, Fang Yuan followed Liu Le, already excited about this Pokémon-themed restaurant.
And Liu Le, like an experienced driver, walked down this gourmet street, able to critique even a small roadside stall, making Fang Yuan think that perhaps after becoming a Professional Trainer, he should aim to be a "Gourmet Trainer." Perhaps one day, he might find new fantasy ingredients in a Secret Location that would make him famous worldwide, of course, there's also the possibility he could get arrested and put in jail for illegally consuming Pokémon.
As Fang Yuan mused darkly, they arrived at the Pokémon-themed restaurant Liu Le had been talking about, a towering luxury hotel marked with the glittering golden sign "Star of Veil."
"Let's go," Liu Le said, and they walked in. They hadn't gone two steps when a waiter in a suit bowed with one hand and welcomed them: "Welcome."
"Hello, I'm Liu Le, the one who made a reservation," Liu Le immediately said, taking out his cellphone to show his registration information as proof.
The waiter in formal attire checked the information and smiled gently, "You're Mr. Liu Le, who reserved two spots, right? I've been awaiting your arrival for quite some time. This way, please."
As the conversation ended, the waiter began leading Fang Yuan and his companion inside. However, while walking, Fang Yuan caught sight of a poster and asked with curiosity, "Excuse me, are you holding a promotion?"
"Oh, you mean that?" The waiter noticed the poster Fang Yuan was pointing at and explained with a smile, "Our restaurant is recognized by the Trainer Association as a battle restaurant. We often hold various events, and since it's the holiday season now, we've launched a 51% discount battle event for college student Trainers."
"I remember Mr. Liu Le was informed about this event when he made the reservation; it seemed he had no intention to participate."
Liu Le heaved a sigh and said to Fang Yuan, "It's just a meal... What's the point of battling? Way too troublesome."
"Bwoo, Bwoo!" Before Fang Yuan could respond, his Eevee perched on his shoulder immediately widened its eyes; with a 51% discount, they could save several thousand yuan.
Eevee now regretted not spending the 100w Yuan that Fang Yuan had given it immediately.
Ever since it learned Future Sight, Eevee had been experiencing nightmares that one day Fang Yuan would embezzle its remaining several hundred thousand savings...
What was most troubling was that it dared not spend money frivolously any longer, fearing that Fang Yuan would genuinely take notice of it.
"You never know the cost of living until you run a house..." Fang Yuan muttered, then asked the waiter, "It should be fine as long as one person battles, right?"
The waiter was startled and replied, "Indeed, if one person at the table battles and wins, the entire table is eligible for the 51% discount."
"I'll do it, to save you some money," Fang Yuan said to Liu Le.
Liu Le narrowed his eyes, showing an unconcerned attitude. Since Fang Yuan wanted to battle, then let the battle commence.
"This... Please wait a moment while I make the arrangements," said the waiter with an embarrassed expression. Fang Yuan's confident demeanor made him feel uneasy.
Although their restaurant offered this promotion, enjoying the discount wasn't so easy... If Fang Yuan lost, things would become awkward.
Meanwhile, in order to arrange the battle event for Fang Yuan and his companion, the waiter first escorted them to a waiting room, where they were provided with snacks and drinks before he hurriedly left.
...
Three minutes later, the waiter returned with a female Trainer who sported an airy fringe.
The girl presented a refreshing and natural smile and said, "It wouldn't hurt to battle once in a while, right?"
The waiter gave a bitter smile. Though somewhat helpless, he had no other choice. The designated battle Trainers in their "Star of Veil Restaurant" were usually responsible for skirmishing with customers. However, this particular girl was the daughter of the "Star of Veil Restaurant" owner. Theoretically, it wasn't according to the restaurant's rules for her to step in, but since she insisted, he couldn't refute.
"Don't worry~ If my opponent is a college student, I won't lose easily. After all, I'm a main member of the Imperial University Pokémon Competitions Society," Du Yishan said confidently.
She rarely visited her family's restaurant, but today, coming in by chance, she naturally wanted some fun. As a freshman at Imperial University and also a main member of the Imperial University Pokémon Competitions Society, mentored by a Master Level Trainer, Du Yishan didn't believe she would lose unless she faced someone from the Imperial University Team.