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Maximus looked at Jacob with a friendly face and spoke in a kind tone, "Jacob, tell me, why are you here at this time of evening?"
Although Maximus was smiling, Jacob could sense a hint of murderous intent lurking beneath the surface. He quickly explained, "Uh... I'm here to help Teacher Nina with cooking and cleaning."
This had indeed been Jacob's original intention when he first started visiting. However, he wasn't sure when exactly things had gradually changed. Now Nina took the initiative to clean, cook, and wash dishes while he concentrated on training his Pokemon.
Hearing Jacob's answer, Maximus's smile grew wider, but secretly he had already formed the intention to throttle the young man.
This boy thinks I can't see the apron on my daughter and the slippers on his feet, doesn't he? He wants my daughter to serve him like some kind of housewife? I haven't had a meal cooked by my daughter in more than twenty years, but this kid has been enjoying her cooking after only a few months!
Maximus looked at Jacob wearing house slippers while his daughter wore a cooking apron. The more he observed them, the more they resembled a married couple! His anger continued to build with each passing moment.
"Dad, you came home so late and haven't eaten yet. Come sit down and eat with us," Nina suddenly spoke, temporarily extinguishing her father's rising fury.
Jacob was terrified, fearing that Maximus would rush over and strangle him on the spot. When he heard Nina speaking, he quickly added his own explanation, "Dad... No, Master, you should eat first, please eat first."
Damn it! Why had he gotten so nervous that he blurted out "Dad" just like Nina? He had called Maximus "Dad" right alongside her!
Nina was also amused by Jacob's slip of the tongue, and she smiled while explaining on his behalf, "Dad, Jacob usually cooks for me. I've had some free time lately, so I decided to try learning how to cook myself. You should taste it too. Jacob, don't be so nervous."
"Alright," Maximus responded with a smile after listening to his daughter's gentle words. "I'm hungry too. Mmm, it does smell really good. Jacob, go get me a bowl and chopsticks."
"Of course," Jacob hurriedly demonstrated his courtesy, trotting off to serve Maximus some rice.
Throughout the entire meal, Jacob remained extremely nervous. When dinner finally concluded, he immediately stood up and prepared to leave. Maximus rose with a smile and announced that he would personally escort Jacob out of the dormitory complex.
Maximus accompanied Jacob all the way to the security booth at the entrance. He stood next to the booth and watched Jacob walk farther and farther away before turning toward the security guard station.
"Heavenly King Maximus," the elderly guard saw the Heavenly King approaching and quickly stood up to greet him respectfully.
"Uncle, please sit down," Maximus said in a kind tone. "I want to ask you a question. Did you see the young man who just left with me?"
"I did. Isn't that your disciple Jacob?" The old man was perceptive enough to vaguely guess what question the Heavenly King was going to ask based on his tone.
Young people these days...
"Has Jacob ever stayed overnight in the teachers' dormitory?" Maximus looked at the old man and asked directly.
The guard frowned, thought about it seriously, and immediately replied, "No, Jacob always leaves every night. He has never stayed in the dormitory overnight. Heavenly King Maximus, I stand guard here diligently. Don't worry, we are strictly trained. Outsiders like him are our primary focus - how could we allow him to stay in the teachers' dormitory so easily?"
Hearing the old man's answer, Maximus nodded with satisfaction.
Although the guard had answered truthfully, he felt hesitant in his heart. While the two had never spent the night in the dormitory, they had stayed out together all night on several occasions, not returning until six or seven o'clock the next morning.
Should he tell the Heavenly King about this? But the Heavenly King hadn't specifically asked about that...
The old man remembered the cigarettes Jacob brought him every time he visited, and finally decided not to mention it. It seemed likely that Jacob would become the Heavenly King's son-in-law in the future anyway, so he decided not to be the bearer of bad news.
After receiving the guard's affirmative answer, Maximus left with satisfaction. At least the boy wasn't staying overnight.
Back in the house, Maximus looked at Nina with a serious expression and asked, "Nina, what exactly is going on between you and Jacob?"
"What could possibly be going on? He's my student, my junior apprentice," Nina replied with a smile. "Dad, you're overthinking this. You don't actually think I like him, do you? There's an eight or nine-year age difference between us."
Maximus looked at Nina's smile and sighed silently in his heart. How could he not see through the dynamics between the two of them? But were they really suitable for each other?
Since his daughter had denied any romantic involvement, he chose not to press the matter further.
Sunday arrived with great fanfare.
The audience seats on both sides of the Dragon Gym's largest battle arena were completely packed, and even the VIP rooms had been booked well in advance. Everyone wanted to witness this highly anticipated battle.
"There are so many people here! Look, isn't that Mason, the Heavenly King? Is he here to watch the match too?"
"That's Raya over there. The little girl next to her looks just like her - that must be her daughter."
"Richard is here as well. He came to supervise the battle personally. This afternoon's battle in the Dragon Secret Realm is going to be absolutely thrilling."
Jacob changed into a set of custom-made Dragon Secret Realm combat uniform that Nina had ordered for him long ago. The outfit was crafted from special materials with excellent stretchability and flexibility, making it convenient for movement during battle. The fabric was both waterproof and fireproof, and the distinctive emblem of the Capital Dragon Secret Realm was printed on the back.
He stood on the lift platform, quietly waiting for his moment to appear on stage. Nina stood beside him, straightening his collar and adjusting his clothes. "Good luck," she said softly. "You will definitely win."
Ever since that evening when her father had returned home, Nina had acted as if nothing had happened between them. She seemed completely unaffected by the romantic tension they had shared. This made Jacob wonder if he had imagined the entire intimate moment, as if Maximus had never interrupted them at all.
"Don't worry, I will definitely win," Jacob said with confidence.
"Dear audience members, welcome to this spectacular battle hosted by the Capital Dragon Gym!" The announcer was a professional commentator hired by Kindler, his voice passionate and full of energy.
"First, let me introduce the two competitors in today's match. Our first contestant is the civilian Bug King, Jonah!"
A photograph of Jonah was projected onto the massive electronic screen above the arena.
"BOOM!"
As fireworks exploded in brilliant displays, the lift platform on the left slowly rose, revealing Jonah's figure.
"Jonah!" Many fans in the audience began shouting at the top of their lungs for their favorite contestant.
"You must win!"
"Jonah!"
"Victory is yours!"
Jonah stood approximately 5'9" tall. He wore gold-rimmed glasses, had a headset over his ears, and was dressed in a neat business suit. He kept waving and interacting enthusiastically with the crowd.
He was already thrilled to be standing on this prestigious stage as an internet celebrity trainer.
"Now let us welcome today's other protagonist - Jacob!"
As more fireworks bloomed in spectacular fashion, the second lift platform slowly began to rise. Nina walked to the sidelines, waving and cheering for Jacob as she silently watched him ascend from below the stage to the main arena. Her eyes never left his rising form.
"Jacob!"
When Jacob appeared on stage, the entire audience erupted in thunderous cheers.
It was Jacob's first time standing on such a grand stage. The shouts and cheers from thousands of spectators made him feel genuinely excited, and he could feel the blood pumping through his veins with anticipation. This was the stage of youth and dreams!
Young people should give their all, pouring out their passion and sweat without reservation. Let the battle begin!