Therefore, pursuing higher education wasn't part of her future plans.
The good thing is that Montis provided significant support to aspiring Beast Masters.
They offering rewards like free tuition for the top-ranked candidates in the exams, along with funding for Spirit Beast cultivation over four years.
However, Ash didn't think she, a poor student who couldn't even afford to contract a Spirit Beast, had a chance of standing out among the many prodigies.
After all, the exams were divided into regions and there's one-fourth of Montis's entire population per region!
It was filled with privileged youths with rare and powerful Spirit Beasts.
How could she possibly compete with them?
The intense competition in her previous life had been enough for her.
Did she need to endure the same struggle in another world too?
She thought not.
Having a second chance at life, Ash only wished for a simple existence.
She didn't need to make a fortune; being able to live comfortably and support herself was enough.
Fortunately, she had her late grandmother's house, so housing wasn't a concern.
As for contracting a Spirit Beast, she would definitely follow the local custom eventually.
However, that would need to wait until she'd saved up a bit of money.
When the time came, she'd find a Spirit Beast that resonated with her and do everything in her power to nurture it.
It didn't need to possess immense strength—she only hoped it would have the ability to get them both to safety in case of danger.
And together, they'd travel around the world, just like in the Pokémon anime.
They'd become the best partners in the world.
They would venture across mountains and rivers, chasing their own adventures and creating unforgettable memories.
Then, when they grew old, they'd sit together by the fire, reminiscing about the beautiful moments captured in photographs and marveling at the daring escapades of their youth.
They would share countless experiences until time inevitably separated them.
This was Ash's dream for her new life.
Simple and ordinary, yet filled with a warmth that could inspire longing.
Of course, a dream was just a dream.
Reality had to be tackled step by step.
Since she had been given another chance at life, Ash was determined not to leave behind any regrets this time.
Returning home, Ash quickly took a shower.
After washing her dirty clothes and hanging them out to dry on the balcony, she grabbed the Spirit Beast Compendium she had borrowed half a month ago and headed out.
High schools on Gaia were quite different from those on Earth—students still had classes on Saturdays and Sundays.
Evening self-study sessions were a privilege reserved for first- and second-year students, while third-year students spent their evenings, weekends, and most of their time at home preparing for the Beast Master Department Practical Exam, which followed the college entrance exams.
This schedule gave Ash some spare time for part-time work and other activities.
Of course, that didn't mean she wasn't studying.
On the contrary, her intense efforts to cram Spirit Beast-related knowledge over the past few weeks had improved her grades significantly, enough to surprise her teachers and classmates.