The special class at Imperial Capital University admits only thirty students each year.
Those who make it into this class are exceptional, having achieved outstanding results during high school.
Ashborn was not only the top student in both team and individual competitions of the Denver state High School League.
But he had also awakened advanced aura powers and intermediate Psychic abilities.
However, only his closest allies knew about the latter.
In this special recruitment class, others possessed unique abilities as well—like Stephanie, who had awakened Heart powers, and those with the Dragon heart ability.
There were also champions of various state high school leagues and students who had challenged city-level gyms, participated in state-level tournaments, and placed in the top three.
Others were national champions, having excelled in the regular college entrance exams.
Everyone here had proven their genius, and geniuses are notoriously proud.
In a place like this, no one wants to be second best.
They all aspire to be the top, and for many, Ashborn was just another competitor.
Ashborn's student number was 202201, making him not only the first student in the special recruitment class but also the first student admitted to Imperial College this year.
This drew the attention of many in the class.
Some eyed him with suspicion, others with jealousy.
They didn't believe Ashborn was inherently better than them, despite his family background.
None of the students in the special recruitment class came from humble backgrounds.
Most were wealthy or came from influential families, just like Ashborn.
So, why should he be considered better? Was it simply because his grandfather was an Elite?
"Looks like a lot of people are upset with you," Stephanie whispered as she sat beside him.
In terms of strength, she was near the bottom of the class and wouldn't have qualified without her awakened heart and mind powers.
Sitting next to Ashborn had also drawn her some unwanted attention from those who resented him.
"Your position as chief doesn't seem very secure," she added, a mischievous smile on her face.
Stephanie didn't particularly like Ashborn either, but she knew she couldn't defeat him.
If someone else challenged him and won, she would gladly cheer them on.
"It seems like you want to join them," Ashborn said casually.
"No way! I'm on your side," Stephanie quickly replied, though the guilt on her face was obvious.
She stole a glance at Ashborn and wondered if he had mind-reading powers.
"Could he see right through me?"
Ashborn didn't need mind-reading powers. He could sense her intent easily enough.
At that moment, the sound of footsteps echoed from the hallway.
A tall, burly man in his thirties walked into the room.
Scanning the class and seeing that all thirty students were present, he said, "I'm your head teacher, Rohan. I'm also an Elite Trainer."
In Xortros, there are hundreds of millions of registered Trainers, but only around 500 Elite Trainers.
Each Elite is a symbol of the nation's strength and serves as a critical protector of the country.
Ashborn had encountered pseudo-Elites before, and even defeated one, but this was only the third true Elite he had met, the other two being his father and grandfather.
Rohan being their head teacher was a testament to the special treatment the special recruit class received.
Rohan wasn't just any Elite Trainer either.
He was well-known among Elites for his strength and reputation.
Of the six Elite Trainers at Imperial University, Rohan was second only to the Dean of the Trainer Academy.
"As special class students, you will be challenged by ordinary class students once a month," Rohan continued.
"If you lose, you will be demoted to the ordinary class, and if they win, they will take your place in the special class."
Everyone already knew this, but no one in the room thought they would lose to an ordinary student.
They were the best, the children of powerful families. How could they lose?
Arrogance and pride were common traits among the students of the special class.
"We'll choose a class monitor first," Rohan said.
"Ashborn, as the chief student, you can be the monitor.
The monitor receives 1,000 credits per month."
Ashborn had been about to refuse, but hearing about the credits made him reconsider.
Credits were the currency of the university, used to purchase Pokémon, items, treasures, skill CDs, and more.
They could even be used to request one-on-one lessons from a special instructor.
Additionally, certain rare books on the fifth floor of the library—written by pseudo-Elite or Elite Trainers—required credits to access.
While Ashborn didn't lack Pokémon, treasures, or access to Elite training (thanks to his family), those books still intrigued him. So, he nodded in agreement.
Seeing Rohan appoint Ashborn as monitor without their input, several students couldn't remain silent any longer.
"Teacher Rohan, I don't agree," one student stood up, clearly upset.
"I don't agree either," another added. "The class monitor should be the strongest in the special class."
"I want to be the class monitor too!" a third chimed in.
In total, six students stood up in opposition to Ashborn's appointment. The rest of the class remained seated, waiting to see how things would unfold.
"What do you think, Ashborn?" Rohan asked.
"If you don't want to be the monitor, I can choose someone else."
He was putting the ball in Ashborn's court.
As the chief student, Ashborn had to prove his strength, or he'd soon lose his position.
Competition was essential in the world of Trainers—it pushed them to grow stronger, faster.
"Let's take this to the battlefield," Ashborn said calmly as he stood and walked out of the classroom.
It didn't matter whether he became the class monitor or not.
This battle was inevitable. As the chief, he knew that the other students were targeting him, not because they wanted the position of monitor, but because they wanted to challenge his rank.
Ashborn welcomed it. If they didn't accept him, he would simply beat them into submission.
Better to deal with it now than have them continuously challenge him.
Rohan smiled slightly. Ashborn's confidence pleased him.
---
Adios