Imperial City University is a bit larger than Demon Capital University, and as Imperial Capital is an international hub, many prestigious foreign universities choose to exchange with Hua Nation through Imperial City University.
Therefore, the activity apartments at Imperial City University are clustered together like an independent community, and Fang Yuan, having wandered off upon arrival at Imperial Capital, didn't stay with the main group, which is why it's no surprise he couldn't find the place.
...
"Damn!"
About ten minutes later, after asking Lin Sen for directions, Fang Yuan finally found the apartment where they were staying.
The apartment was fully equipped, and after he returned, Fang Yuan went next door to retrieve his suitcase from Lin Sen.
Having gotten his luggage back, Fang Yuan started to take a shower.
Even though it was winter, he was covered in the scent of food and felt the need to clean himself up...
That evening, Teacher Tang Sheng came to visit Fang Yuan again, more as a reminder than just a visit.
"The exchange event tomorrow morning, with the number of people likely to come and watch from Imperial City University, we are definitely at a disadvantage in terms of spectacle, so do you have any ideas?"
"Teacher Tang, you're making it quite clear," Fang Yuan said, sitting across from Old Tang, puzzled, "Isn't that not good?"
"What's not good?" Tang Sheng was surprised.
"It's an exchange event after all, shouldn't it be friendship first, competition second? If I sweep all the freshmen of Imperial City University, I won't be able to leave the university's gates, right..." Fang Yuan said sheepishly.
...
In the end, Fang Yuan was lectured by Tang Sheng.
Fang Yuan felt rather wronged; he was just joking, but Old Tang took it seriously. Fang Yuan always considered himself a very prudent Trainer.
A Trainer who is exceptionally strong yet extremely cautious... that's a positive trait, right?
However, Old Tang's visit also meant Fang Yuan got a lot of information about the exchange competition, and after sending him off, Fang Yuan instructed his three Pokémon in some matters, then he began to rest with a clear conscience.
A quiet night passed.
...
The next day, while the exchange students from Demon Capital University might still have been asleep, the freshmen of Imperial City University Athletic Society had already gathered at Emperor Capital University's Pokémon Arena.
There were 71 freshmen in the Imperial City University Athletic Society, with 65 present and 6 on leave.
The advantage of playing at home was immediately apparent.
As Old Tang had suggested, the format could be more open on the first day of the exchange, trying to ensure that everyone and every Pokémon got a chance to participate.
As for whether there would be doubles or team battles later on, that would depend on the subsequent arrangements. Regardless, the first day would certainly reveal the strengths of both sides, and Fang Yuan's role was to dominate the field and boost the morale for Demon Capital University.
Inside the Arena.
Teacher Hu Guanxiong of the Imperial City University Athletic Society, with a booming voice, directed the 65 present to do warm-up exercises, starting by running a lap around the Arena.
While the freshmen jogged slowly, he turned to look at a senior female student beside him.
The female student was slightly shorter than the average college girl, with dyed brown hair and a ponytail, giving off a refreshingly clean vibe.
She was the president of Imperial City University Spirit Competitive Society, co-responsible with the instructor for this freshman exchange event.
"Demon Capital University suggested having free battles on the first day, and I agreed..." Old Hu said.
"Free battles?" Yan Xiaoyun was surprised.
A free battle meant the teachers wouldn't interfere, and students could choose their own opponents, battling to their heart's content if they were able, mainly focusing on exchange.
"Then they're in for a hard time," Yan Xiaoyun shook her head. Demon Capital University only had 10 people, while Imperial City University had dozens; the Athletic Society's students certainly all hoped to participate. This situation could create a "many wolves, little meat" challenge.
Could Demon Capital University hold up?
"Actually, it's not a bad thing," Teacher Hu said. "If we were to arrange all the battles for the three days of exchange, surely some students would feel upset. As long as there's no trouble, letting them freely battle on the first day isn't a problem."
Today's freshmen had at least two Pokémon each, and it was normal for the Trainers who had joined the college's battling clubs to have three Pokémon. One day was enough for these people to have many battles.
At this time, the freshmen from the Imperial City University Athletic Society had also finished warming up, and Hu Guanxiong began to explain the precautions for today's free battles.
In private, the Athletic Society's freshmen had divided into several small groups, discussing among themselves.
"My cousin studies at Mo Da; I heard that this year's freshmen at Demon Capital aren't particularly strong."
"Your cousin is at Mo Da? Why haven't you mentioned that before?"
"Eh, he's studying philosophy, better not to mention it."
"Then why bring it up? A layman doesn't understand a Fur Ball."
The freshmen from Imperial City University were curious about the exchange students from Mo Da. Last year's national competition between Imperial City University and Demon Capital University was incredibly exciting, indicating that a strong varsity team meant Mo Da's freshmen must be decent too! By now, the freshmen Trainers from Imperial City were already boiling with excitement.
"Xiao Bai, why do you look so pale? Did you have a bad breakfast?" The relatively strong Trainers of the Imperial City University Pokémon Competitions Society naturally formed their own circle. They were the main force among the Athletics Society's freshmen and potential candidates to be selected for the varsity team.