The opening ceremony was mainly attended by freshmen and sophomores, but the older students—juniors and seniors—were not required to attend, as their courses were more rexed, though they still had tasks to plete.

  In the auditorium, the ceremony began with the president's speech. Iingly, the president of Imperial College wasn't a professional trainer, but a well-known Pokémon schor.

  He had taught many outstanding students, and Julian's aunt was one of his proudest.

  After the president offered words of encement, it was time for the teacher representative to speak. This year, it was Julian's head teacher, Frank. After him, a sophomore seniave a speech as the student representative.

  Finally, it was Julian's turn as the freshman representative. As the top student in his css, it was only natural that he would be chosen.

  Most freshman representatives came from the Trainer Academy, though a few were from the Breeder Academy, the Pokémon School of Medie, or the Pokémon Researstitute.

  Almost all the speakers were tied to Pokémon, as it was tral to the world they lived in, with tless professioed to it.

  Julian walked up to the podium with Metagross by his side. Even in front of tens of thousands of people, he showed no signs of stage fright.

  "Silver Metagross, wow! That's so cool," someone in the crowd whispered.

  "I think Walker Elite is the coolest! Do you think Julian could get me an autograph?"

  "He's not super handsome, but there's something about him. Like no one could be more handsome."

  "Maybe you just think his Metagross is good-looking"

  Whether it was because he was Walker Elite's grandson or because of his rare silver Metagross, Julian had drawn everyone's attention. Even though most people hadn't seen him before, they'd heard about him, especially after his participation in the Yale Provincial High School League.

  Clips of his battles had been all over social media.

  Now, even those unfamiliar with him knew from the crowd's reas who this impressive freshman was.

  "Look at my bro up there, Walker's looking great! Definitely school heartthrob material," Luis said with pride, as if Julian was his real brother.

  "In terms of looks, he's not as handsome as me"

  Ian added, toug his face proudly.

  Though he couldn't match Julian in battle, he was determio win in the looks department. This little victory infted his fidence, aood up straighter.

  "e on, you're not evehousandth as handsome as Walker! Shameless," Luis scoffed.

  Ian: You are more shameless, lig up to him like that.

  "Hey, Walter, settle this for us! Who's more handsome, Julian or me?"

  Ian asked, hoping Walter, the simple and ho looking guy, would give a fair answer.

  "Julian, of course"

  Walter said without a moment's hesitation.

  "See? Even Walter agrees!" Luis gloated.

  Ian looked at Walter in disbelief. He hadn't expected such a betrayal.

  But then again, this was the same guy who, when challenged by Julian, had suggested using a level 20 Pokémon.

  Walter had always been uable. This experience made Ian realize what it meant to not judge a book it's cover.

  Ten mier, Julian finished his speech. The school had provided the script, so all he had to do was memorize ae it.

  If he hadn't memorized it, he could've done like Teacher Frank and read directly from the paper.

  As appuse filled the auditorium, Julian stepped down from the stage.

  The ceremony ed up soon after.

  "Here, Brother Walker, have some water!"

  Luis rushed up with a bottle of ice-cold water.

  "Thanks," Julian said, taking it.

  "o thank me, Brother Walker!" Luis waved his hands, almost embarrassed.

  Julian didn't say much. He khat if he spoke, Luis would unto a teence monologue. Luis was even chattier than Will.

  "Brother Walker, the clubs are recruiting new members this afternoon. Are you going?" Luis asked.

  The opening ceremony took p the m, and the afternoon was reserved for club recruitment. Most udents would either join a club or start one of their own.

  "Not ied," Julian shook his head.

  Clubs were great for those looking tthen themselves, but for Julian, they would be a waste of time.

  "If you're not going, then I'm not goiher," Luis said.

  He had already received an invitation from the Ice Club at the Trainer Academy, one of several clubs focused on specifion types. There might even be more than one club for the same type.

  petitioween clubs for strong new members was fierce.

  Julian had already been invited by three Steel-type clubs, but he had turhem all down.

  Without Julian participating, Luis saw no reason to joiher. For students from their background, joining clubs was more about appearahan y.

  "I don't know why you're not ied! I think clubs are fun. I joihe Fighting Club! Most of those trainers are martial artists. I'm going to knock them out one by oh my Bajiquan!"

  Shen, always the fighter, waved her fists iement.

  Shen was a Fighting-type traihrough and through. Even her brain seemed to be made of muscle.

  "Hey, Brother Walker, why don't we start our own club? We could get Ian, Walter, Hugo, and the others together and form a team to explore the secret realms!" Luis suggested.

  Imperial Uy had two high-level secret realms and over a dozen intermediate ohough there were no primary secret realms. The students were too advanced for those.

  Most coulder the high-level secret realms without tributing signifitly to the uy, but intermediate ones were open to anyone who had enough credits.

  Students could even stay in the secret realms for extended periods if they wanted.

  "Not for now."

  Julian wasn't ied.

  "I'm heading back."

  He was more ed about his Pokémon tearing down the house, so he left in a hurry.

  "Why is Brother Walker in such a rush? It's like his house is on fire," Luis muttered.

  "Maybe he's got a date"

  Hugo, who had been silent until now, suggested with a mischievous grin.

  All eyes turo Hugo, who quickly added, "I was just kidding!"

  Luis ughed. "Walker, on a date? That guy's going to be single for life!"

  "Seems like you're holding a grudge from when he beat you yesterday," Ian teased Hugo.

  "Hey, But isn't what Luis said more extreme!"

  "Yeah, right. Brother Walker and I are tight. He wouldn't hold it against me," Luis said fidently.