Shanghai City.Magic City University.
This was Owen's second day here. On the first day, he had experienced the university's Haunted House and received personal guidance from the facility's supervisor. Thanks to that, Eevee had fully mastered the Shadow Ball move.
In exchange for that specialized training, they had spent the entire day in one spot, failing to see the rest of the campus. Thus, Owen returned on the second day to complete his tour.
Generally speaking, while the training facilities at Magic City University and Imperial Capital University differed in form, their effectiveness was nearly identical—the variations were mostly due to the cultural differences between the North and South.
One thing that left Owen feeling a bit overwhelmed was that during this second day of exploration, Director Qi from the External Affairs Office personally accompanied him as a guide.
Owen felt a bit conflicted. At Imperial Capital University, they assigned a charming young lady as a guide.
Here, he got a middle-aged man with thinning hair... Owen wanted to complain but couldn't find the words; after all, given Director Qi's status, the fact that he carved out time for a personal tour was a huge sign of respect.
"If you have the chance to apply to Magic City University, which major would you choose?" Director Qi asked as they reached the end of the tour.
The reason he valued Owen so highly wasn't just because of the Young Phoenix King Cup victory. A rookie tournament win doesn't mean everything; many trainers show a spark of talent early on only to vanish into the crowd.
Qi was personally guiding him because Ms. Ghost, the Haunted House supervisor, had given Owen a glowing review. During Gengar's tutoring session, she had conversed extensively with Owen about training, breeding, and battling.
Owen's insights and logical framework impressed her deeply. She believed Owen wasn't just a "flash in the pan" talent, but a trainer with genuine, sustainable ideas.
"Which major? It would probably be Pokémon Research..."
"I figured it would be Pokémon Battling—" Director Qi nodded, but then he froze. "Wait... did you say Research?"
"Yes, the Pokémon Research major," Owen repeated.
"Uh..." Director Qi was completely blindsided.
Owen scratched his head. Compared to battling, he felt he needed a systematic way to learn the methodologies of research.
That was the only way he could fully utilize his "future" knowledge from his past life without raising too many eyebrows. Battle knowledge, on the other hand, could easily be taken as an elective.
Owen's plan was simple: he had already published one paper on Abilities. If he could publish a few more high-value academic papers during university, he could use the school as a springboard to become a Registered Pokémon Researcher.
This would grant him national subsidies, his own laboratory, and the legal right to raise a larger number of Pokémon. Furthermore, researchers working on vital projects could apply for permits to enter Secret Realms.
Yes, entering Secret Realms.
Typically, unexplored Secret Realms are restricted to Professional Trainers. Whether you are an elite university student or a veteran amateur, getting a permit is nearly impossible.
However, researchers are the exception. To study primitive breeding habits, habitats, and origins, they must work on-site.
For example, the researcher who discovered and summarized the laws of "Extra-Dimensional Syndrome" in Secret Realm Pokémon is now a world-renowned Pokémon Professor. His work was monumental for Earth's safety.
Therefore, high-level researchers are granted entry permits, often accompanied by a squad of Professional Trainers for protection. A nation's Pokémon field cannot survive on combat power alone; it needs researchers to thrive.
Owen knew it would take a long time to become a Professional Trainer, but becoming a Registered Researcher? With his "cheats," that would be much easier. It was his ticket to catching rarer, more powerful Pokémon in Secret Realms ahead of schedule.
As the saying goes, a trainer who doesn't want to be a Pokémon Professor isn't a good trainer...
Fortunately, Director Qi couldn't read Owen's mind, or he might have taken off his shoe and swatted him for disrespecting the hard work of actual Pokémon Professors.
"Director Qi, I recall that Magic City University has a special admission policy for students with 'exceptional technical talents,' right?"
Owen had another motive: using his research achievements to get a lower admission score requirement.
His academic grades in standard subjects weren't going to be spectacular, and there was a cap on how many "battle points" could be added to an exam score.
Applying to top schools like Magic City or Imperial Capital was risky.
Owen figured that instead of killing himself trying to master advanced calculus or history, he should just move the goalposts.
"You mean... in the field of research?"
Owen gave a cheeky grin. Why do high schoolers write papers? To get through the Independent Enrollment process and secure a score reduction.
Owen had already taken the first step. The Association believed in him precisely because of that paper on the Anticipation ability.
A few days later, while still wandering around Magic City, Owen received a call from home.
"Going back to the old hometown for the holidays?"
After hanging up, Owen checked the date. Due to a job transition, his parents had lucked into a rare long break. The family planned to spend it at their ancestral home.
Owen didn't dawdle. He packed his bags that day and, with Eevee and Magnemite in tow, boarded the maglev train back to Pingcheng. His journey to Magic City University was over—it was time to head home.
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