These were all personal choices, and the authorities never forced anyone. After all, some people preferred a simple, peaceful life, with their families safe and sound.
Others, even after becoming Pokémon Trainers, would give up the profession after surviving a single brutal Secret Realm.
Seeing her best friend's expression, Nori spoke up to comfort her.
"Lyra, don't worry. Kael will be fine. Senior Lin and the others went into low-level Secret Realms—Kael went into a mid-level one. It's normal for him to come back later."
Though meant as reassurance, Nori's words were also logical. Most low-level Secret Realms were located closer to Magic City.
The higher the level of the Secret Realm, the farther it tended to be from the city. These locations had been planned back when the nation was first established.
Of course, there were exceptions—such as the sudden appearance of brand-new Secret Realms. These could emerge anywhere in the world, even in the middle of a city.
As for the Secret Realm Kael had entered, it had existed since the founding of Xin Yanxia—or even earlier.
"That's true. Cousin definitely won't be in trouble. He even said he'd bring me a surprise this time," Lyra said, nodding as if encouraging herself.
She and Kael had grown up together. Kael doted on her endlessly—her dependence on him was even stronger than on her own parents.
She couldn't bear the thought of anything happening to him.
"Gah—! Gah—!"
Suddenly, a sharp, distinctive cry tore through the air like a blade, instantly echoing across the vast training field.
The cry was like a thunderclap. Teachers and students alike instinctively looked up toward the source of the sound.
There, they saw an enormous, ferocious bird Pokémon hurtling toward the training field at astonishing speed. Its wings were wide and powerful, like fighter jets roaring through the sky, whipping up fierce gusts that made the surrounding trees rustle violently.
Its entire body was covered in black-and-blue feathers as hard as steel. Under the blazing sunlight, those feathers gleamed with a cold, chilling sheen.
Its talons were razor-sharp, gleaming brightly, as though they could tear apart anything in their path. And its blood-red eyes brimmed with authority and pressure—one glance was enough to make fear well up unconsciously.
Compared to this beast, Bren's Fearow looked like a juvenile.
In the rest area, Bren saw this and smiled wryly.
"People really can't be compared. Kael's Corviknight just keeps getting bigger—and stronger."
"Hey, your Fearow is already great. At least you can ride it," another boy nearby complained. "My Swellow can only grab me with its claws to fly."
As soon as he said that, Bren and the other three burst out laughing.
It wasn't just the five in the rest area who were astonished. All around the field, teachers and students began discussing animatedly, their faces filled with curiosity and envy—and, of course, some jealousy.
After all, Kael wasn't money. It was impossible for everyone to like him.
And even money wasn't liked by everyone.
Drake, for instance, wore a deeply jealous expression—especially when he saw the joyful looks on Aria and Elayne's faces in the distance. His expression darkened even further.
But Kael knew none of this.
High in the air, he looked down at the crowd below. Thinking of his cousin Lyra and of Aria, he smiled faintly, then patted Corviknight's back.
"Corviknight, descend."
"Gah!!!"
With that piercing, resounding cry, Corviknight descended from the sky like a colossal black steel beast. Its armor-like feathers gleamed coldly in the sunlight, making it hard to look at directly.
"Whooo—!!!"
As its massive wings beat powerfully, a fierce gale swept across the field.
Dust and gravel were torn from the ground, forming rolling clouds of yellow sand. Compared to Fearow's landing earlier, this was on an entirely different level.
People standing nearby staggered backward under the onslaught of wind. Some were nearly blown off their feet.
Yet despite the raging turbulence, Corviknight remained perfectly steady, gradually lowering itself until it landed at the center of the training field.
Once it touched down, it folded its enormous wings and stood there like an immovable mountain.
Kael, clad in camouflage gear, leapt down from Corviknight's broad back.
Even with its wings folded, Corviknight still stood nearly three meters tall. Beside it, Kael looked like a child standing next to a small mountain.
As Kael landed, Director Hawke hurried over with several teachers.
At his side was a cold and elegant woman—Kael's homeroom teacher, Professor Alderon. Although Kael was a Pokémon Trainer, he still needed to study other subjects, which was why he and Aria were in the same class.
Of course, his main focus was still Pokémon training—academic knowledge merely served as support, helping him better nurture his Pokémon.
"Hahaha! Kael, you're finally back! I thought you'd gone straight home again this time," Director Hawke laughed loudly before he even reached him.
Hearing this, Kael showed an awkward expression. Last time, he really had gone straight home after leaving the Secret Realm. The old man still remembered—how petty.
Of course, he only complained about it in his heart.
"Principal, didn't I have something urgent last time?" Kael said with a smile.
"Teacher Professor Alderon, long time no see. Hello, teachers," he added politely, greeting Professor Alderon and the others.
"You brat…" Director Hawke scolded with a laugh, then looked Kael over carefully. Seeing that only his arm was injured, he finally relaxed.
Professor Alderon felt the same. Kael could be considered the soul of her class. Though he could be a headache at times, she truly cared about him.
At such a young age, he was already bearing such heavy responsibility.
Every time Kael entered a Secret Realm, Professor Alderon's heart was on edge, afraid he might never return.
"What, Teacher Professor Alderon—don't recognize me anymore?" Kael joked when he saw her spacing out.
"Kael, what nonsense are you talking about?" Professor Alderon rolled her eyes. "I was just thinking about how much homework to assign you after you've been gone for a month."
Hearing that, Kael cried out in mock horror.
"Teacher Professor Alderon, are you a devil? That's ruthless! If I'd known, I wouldn't have come back!"
As he spoke, he even pretended to climb back onto Corviknight, as if preparing to flee.
Seeing this, Director Hawke and the others burst into laughter.
After laughing for a while, Director Hawke said,
"Go catch up with Bren and the others. The school rewards will be handed out once everyone has returned."
"Alright, Principal," Kael replied, nodding.
He took out a Poké Ball, recalled Corviknight, and walked toward Bren's group.
Seeing this, Director Hawke instructed the teachers to dismiss the students. The remaining Trainers would take at least another two hours to return, so there was no need to wait.
After all, massive traffic jams today were all but guaranteed.