Suddenly—
The playground fell silent.
Every gaze shifted in the same direction.
Gu Qiu followed their eyes.
And his pupils contracted.
Deep crimson hair tied into a high ponytail.
Golden-rimmed glasses.
A red blouse beneath a black coat and skirt.
Her aura—
Cold.
Elegant.
Unapproachable.
The Ice-Type Heavenly King.
Kona.
No wonder the entire school froze.
A Heavenly King's status was already supreme.
But Kona—
Was a titled Heavenly King.
Only a handful existed in each region.
As she walked forward, students instinctively stepped aside.
And then—
Gu Qiu realized something.
Her direction.
Was toward him.
His heartbeat tightened.
Had she noticed something?
His hand instinctively touched the Poké Ball at his neck.
Pika-Itachi.
This was the first time he had faced a titled Heavenly King at close range.
Not being nervous?
Impossible.
Power Classification in This World
1–10: Beginner Trainer
11–30: Standard Trainer
31–50: Elite Trainer
51–60: Quasi-Heavenly King
61–80: Heavenly King
(The strongest among them earn Titles)
81–90: Champion
91+: Ruler-level
Kona stood at the peak of 61–80.
A monster among monsters.
Kona's eyes flickered.
She noticed where his hand rested.
Another Poké Ball.
Interesting.
So this boy wasn't as simple as he appeared.
She didn't probe further.
Everyone had secrets.
She had merely come—
To extend goodwill.
"You performed very well," she said gently.
Her tone carried no arrogance.
Only calm authority.
Gu Qiu sensed no hostility.
His muscles relaxed slightly.
At this distance—
If she attempted to draw first—
With Shadow-level strength—
He was confident he could move before her Pokémon appeared.
"Thank you," he replied.
Kona adjusted her glasses.
"Your Froakie is Water-type."
"But during battle, I noticed something."
"It awakened that ability."
Gu Qiu's eyes sharpened.
Protean.
She saw through it instantly.
A titled Heavenly King indeed.
Without hesitation—
She produced a Technical Machine.
Gu Qiu didn't even see where it came from.
"Ice Beam."
"You may find it useful."
The TM still carried a faint fragrance.
Ice Beam.
A top-tier Ice-type move.
Worth no less than 200,000 Poké-dollars.
For a first meeting—
This was heavy.
Gu Qiu frowned slightly.
"I can't accept something so valuable."
Gasps erupted around them.
Rejecting a Heavenly King's gift?
Yu Hao nearly coughed blood.
If he had won—
That could have been him.
But he misunderstood.
Even if he had won—
Kona wouldn't have moved.
She acted solely because Gu Qiu impressed her.
Kona smiled faintly.
"When I give something, I don't take it back."
"Consider it… forming a connection."
Then she turned and left.
For someone of her status—
That was already more than generous.
Gu Qiu watched her departing figure.
Expression thoughtful.
"Gu Qiu."
The homeroom teacher called him.
"Come with me."
Office
Only the two of them remained.
"I didn't expect you to receive a gift from Kona," the teacher sighed.
"Luck," Gu Qiu grinned.
The teacher snorted.
"You brat. No respect."
Then his tone grew serious.
"Do you know why Kona returned?"
"Yes," Gu Qiu replied lightly.
"She's a Viridian High graduate. The principal's prized student. You've told that story at least twenty times."
The teacher laughed despite himself.
"This time she's on assignment."
"Listen carefully."
"The League is… complicated."
"With today's performance, some higher-ups may notice you."
"You must protect yourself."
Gu Qiu felt warmth in his chest.
This teacher genuinely cared.
"Now."
The teacher folded his arms.
"What's your plan?"
"Standard Exam?"
"Or Competition Instead of Exam?"
"They start in about a month."
"Don't answer immediately."
"Think it through."