Hearing that, the Protector of Hualis revealed a faint smile.
"I really didn't misjudge that boy."
He looked toward the direction of the Hidden Dragon Tower, his eyes filled with quiet relief.
"You were right. Whoever clears the ninth floor of the tower receives a descendant of Zeraora."
A hint of emotion entered his voice.
"That boy really is a monster. Even back then, when the previous guardian was eighteen, he could not defeat that Zeraora."
"Who would have thought that, after so many decades, a junior would surpass him and break the legend that the tower could never be cleared?"
"The younger generation really is something."
There was a trace of loneliness in the guardian's voice, but far more than that, there was relief.
He turned to Cresselia and spoke slowly.
"Dreamy, Crown City won't be peaceful for a while. Keep part of your attention on that boy."
His expression became solemn.
"Don't let anything happen to him."
Cresselia's eyes gradually returned to normal. Hearing the old man's request, she could not help pouting slightly.
"Isn't that boy protected by Darkrai? Why do I need to watch him too?"
The Guardian's face was somewhat pale.
"Darkrai is still sealed, after all. Better safe than sorry. I'll only feel at ease if you personally keep an eye on him."
He gave her an apologetic look.
"Sorry to trouble you, Dreamy."
"Cough, cough, cough..."
After speaking, the Guardian began coughing again.
"All right, all right."
Cresselia looked at him, sadness flashing deep in her eyes.
"As long as he stays in Crown City, he'll be within my psychic range. I'll keep watch over him, so stop worrying yourself sick."
"Thank you, Dreamy."
A faint smile appeared on the old man's face.
...
Hidden Dragon Square.
"Aaron!"
"Aaron!"
The entire crowd was cheering his name.
Aaron was completely startled. He had not expected his return to cause this much of a commotion.
"Holy crap, Aaron. You're seriously insane."
Blaze walked over with Braveon and Liora, then punched Aaron lightly on the shoulder, his face full of excitement.
"You actually cleared the ninth floor of the tower! You really pulled it off."
"Aaron, I knew you were the best!"
Liora looked at him with stars in her eyes, admiration practically overflowing.
Somewhere, a certain Champion was probably crying in a bathroom.
Braveon, meanwhile, looked at Aaron with fighting spirit burning in his eyes. His heart was already blazing.
"A—"
Before Aaron could respond, a figure suddenly appeared in front of him and grabbed both of his shoulders.
The man stared at him with burning eyes.
It was none other than Champion Marcus.
"Aaron, come to Pokémon Elite Defense Academy."
Marcus spoke with barely contained excitement.
"I guarantee you'll receive the highest level of treatment."
"Whatever Hualis National University can give you, my academy can give you too. And whatever they can't offer, I'll find a way to offer it."
His grip tightened slightly.
"As long as you come to Pokémon Elite Defense Academy, everything is negotiable."
The moment those words came out, everyone nearby was filled with envy.
Champion Marcus was famous for being upright, disciplined, and impossible to bribe. No one had expected that, in order to recruit Aaron, he would openly throw out an offer like this in front of the entire square.
The wealthy heirs ground their teeth even harder.
This meant Aaron had gained Champion Marcus's favor.
From now on, anyone who wanted to bully him would first have to think very carefully about Champion Edward and Champion Marcus standing behind him.
Aaron's mouth twitched slightly.
Marcus was putting him in a terrible spot.
If he refused directly in front of everyone, wouldn't that embarrass a Champion?
But he really did not want to go to Pokémon Elite Defense Academy.
He had looked into it before. The academy was famous for strict discipline, mandatory field training, and League defense assignments. Even during summer break, students were often sent out for special training or practical missions.
To put it simply, there was no freedom.
Hualis National University was much more relaxed. As long as students passed their classes, they had far more control over their own time.
That was one of the main reasons Aaron had chosen it.
So Aaron forced a touch of moisture into his eyes and looked at Marcus with an apologetic expression.
"Mr. Marcus, to be honest, I've admired your academy for a long time. It's one of the finest universities in Hualis."
His voice was sincere enough to make people believe him.
"It has trained countless outstanding Trainers who protect our homeland. I truly respect it."
Then his expression became even more earnest.
"But I can't go against my parents' wishes. Their greatest dream has always been for me to enter Hualis National University."
"I chose it to fulfill their dream and make up for their regrets."
Aaron lowered his head slightly.
"I hope you can understand how I feel as their son."
His expression was so sincere, and his eyes so convincingly moist, that even Liora standing nearby was moved.
Dad, Mom... you won't blame me, right?
Aaron felt a little guilty in his heart.
"So that's how it is."
Marcus looked at Aaron's sincere face and believed him.
He had lived for more than sixty years. He could still tell when a young man was speaking from the heart.
Or at least, he thought he could.
Marcus sighed quietly.
In the eyes of an old soldier, filial duty came before personal ambition. He absolutely could not, for his own gain, force Aaron into appearing ungrateful toward his parents.
But Marcus still refused to give up completely.
"In that case, I won't force you."
He paused, then suddenly smiled as if he had thought of something perfectly reasonable.
"But I do have twin granddaughters. They're sophomores this year, only one year ahead of you. Young people your age should have plenty to talk about."
Marcus patted Aaron's shoulder.
"When I get back, I'll introduce you. You can't refuse a simple introduction, can you?"
The moment Marcus said that, the sound of grinding teeth came from the wealthy heirs' side.
They stared at Aaron with jealousy and fury, looking as if they wanted to eat him alive.
Champion Marcus's twin granddaughters were famous beauties at the Defense Academy. Countless rich kids had applied there just for a chance to meet them.
Identical twin sisters.
Who could resist that?
And from the way Marcus was talking, he was not just trying to recruit Aaron into his academy anymore.
He was trying to recruit him into the family.
Worse, he was acting as if your family was very open-minded about marriage arrangements.
One granddaughter?
Two?
Apparently, everything was negotiable.
How were those rich heirs supposed to accept that?
...