After checking the results, some felt joy and others felt sorrow, but all of that was in the past. Everyone prepared to return. Professor Kant went to find an old friend; reportedly, he had made a bet with a friend—the principal of this very breeding school—regarding the final rankings. They had wagered their Pokéblock recipes. Whoever's student ranked higher would win the other's recipe.
Eichi finally understood why Professor Kant was so happy. However, he couldn't help but feel this plot felt like something out of a novel. Two side characters make a bet on whether the protagonist or someone else wins, with treasures or pills as the stakes. In the end, the side that bets on the protagonist always wins. The routine was so familiar that Eichi never expected it would happen to him one day.
At that moment, Tyler and Akanishi walked over. Upon seeing Eichi, Tyler said, "Junior Eichi, congratulations on getting first place."
Akanishi also spoke sincerely, "Junior Eichi, congratulations."
The surrounding Silver Academy students all offered their congratulations in unison, "Congratulations, Junior Eichi!"
Except for a few who failed, almost all the Silver Academy students had passed the Junior Breeder assessment. Consequently, everyone looked relaxed. Furthermore, since the top scorer of the assessment was from their own academy, they felt a sense of pride and glory.
The noise suddenly attracted the attention of others. This was the first time Eichi had faced such a situation, but he quickly regained his composure and replied, "I also congratulate all the seniors for passing the assessment."
Afterward, everyone began to disperse, but another person approached.
"Eichi."
Hearing someone call his name, Eichi turned around and immediately knew who it was. He said, "You must be Yui."
Yui smiled pleasantly and replied, "My aunt went to find your teacher and other friends, so I wanted to come over and get to know you."
"I suppose we know each other now," Eichi remarked.
Before he could finish, two more people walked over. Eichi recognized them; they were the twin brothers, Kurokawa and Koike, who ranked third and seventh. The red-haired boy leading the way was likely the older brother, Kurokawa. Upon seeing Eichi, he said directly, "Eichi, you are very impressive. I didn't come for any other reason than to see you. I wanted to see what kind of person could achieve a 4S."
"Do you know now?" Eichi asked.
Kurokawa suddenly laughed, "No, not yet, but this is enough." Then, Kurokawa turned to Yui and added, "You must be Yui. You and Eichi will be my future goals."
Yui replied calmly, "Then you better work hard."
As soon as she spoke, a youth approached from the left, and three others came from the right. They were the youth brought by Moriguchi and the people from Sugisaki's company.
A teenager nearby remarked, "This is too exciting. The entire top ten are actually right here. What a legendary moment."
Clearly, they had all come to meet Eichi.
The Junior Breeder assessment had officially ended, and Eichi had reaped a bountiful harvest. Not only did he take first place, but he also met several breeding geniuses. Since everything was over, it was time to head back. To let everyone relax that afternoon, Professor Kant and the teachers organized a trip to the Pokéathlon Dome to watch the events.
It was essentially a Pokémon sports meet and was quite interesting. Everyone had been very tense for the past two days because of the assessment, so this relaxation made everyone very happy.
That night, Eichi stood by the open window, feeling the evening breeze and looking out at the skyscrapers of Goldenrod City. He thought to himself: Goodbye, Goldenrod City.
Now that the Junior Breeder assessment was behind him, the next focus was the exchange match between the two academies. Eichi looked at the Pokémon inside his three Poké Balls; they must be itching for a fight.
Three days later, the quiet and peaceful Silver Academy was suddenly interrupted by the sound of vibrating engines. Several buses drove into the academy and parked in the square. After the buses stopped, the people on board disembarked one by one.
Eichi stepped off the bus with his backpack and took a deep breath. Ah! Still that familiar scent.
When Professor Kant finally stepped off as the last one, he gathered several teachers and said, "Everyone, go back and have a good day's rest. Formal classes will resume tomorrow."
With that, everyone headed back to their respective dormitories. Eichi bid farewell to Professor Kant, "I'm leaving now, Professor Kant."
"Go on," Kant replied.
Eichi waved to some of his classmates. Over the past few days, he had become quite famous and had gotten to know them better by being together every day, especially Diao Kato, who could now be considered a friend.
In the afternoon, Eichi gave his class a surprise. Everyone was actually very curious about what he had been up to, leaving as soon as he had returned. They asked Tetsu, but Tetsu had promised Eichi not to say anything. So, as soon as Eichi returned, they came to ask him.
Eichi smiled mysteriously and said, "It's a secret and cannot be told. You might find out in a while."
This made everyone even more curious, but since Eichi refused to speak, there was nothing they could do.
On the other side, as soon as Professor Kant returned, many things were waiting for him to handle. Once he finished the tasks at hand, he immediately went to see someone. In a room, a horizontal sign above the door read: Director's Office.
Inside, Director Yanagi brewed a pot of fine tea for Professor Kant and poured it into a teacup. Professor Kant did not stand on ceremony; he picked up the cup, blew on it twice, and took a small sip.
He closed his eyes, savoring it for a moment, and said, "Besides Pokéblock research, drinking tea is my only hobby. Director Yanagi, how could you bear to brew such a fine pot of tea for me today?"
Director Yanagi replied irritably, "Can't I invite you for tea if there's nothing wrong?"
Professor Kant continued drinking his tea without a word, as if silently agreeing.
Director Yanagi said, "I already know the results of your Junior Breeder assessment. This Eichi really gave me a big surprise. In the Johto region's history, only two people have ever achieved a 4S, but now we have to add another. He can be considered famous now."
Director Yanagi took a sip of tea himself and continued, "Fortunately, this was only the Junior Breeder assessment. If it were the Intermediate Breeder assessment, the entire Johto region would truly know him. Now, the League's gaze has already begun to focus on Eichi. I don't know if it's a blessing or a curse."
Kant replied calmly, "Oh? You're worried about Eichi's safety. You're overthinking it. He hasn't reached the level where those organizations would take him seriously yet."
Director Yanagi argued, "Not now doesn't mean not in the future. And with Eichi's talent, he will reach that step sooner or later."
Professor Kant said, "For now, he stays in the academy, which is very safe for him."