Pokemon: I refuse to be a supporting character!

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Noon – Cafeteria.

The meal was courtesy of Qu Sheng, the rich young master.

Originally, he only intended to treat Li Xiang, Song Jie, and a few others, but as more and more people came looking for Li Xiang, hoping to treat him to lunch, the group eventually swelled to over a dozen.

Qu Sheng didn't mind—money wasn't an issue for him.

"After just one morning, cliques have already formed," Song Jie remarked quietly as he ate, his gaze sweeping across the cafeteria. "Loners, groups, students from School No. 1 and No. 2… Everyone has their own circle. I wonder how long it'll last."

Li Xiang was also observing the cafeteria and nodded in agreement. "Yeah, since everyone just came from school, they naturally stick with the classmates they're familiar and close with."

Xiang Yangwei's words had been spot-on—in this training camp, everyone was a competitor.

Two hundred and forty students fighting for twenty spots over the course of a year. Their mindsets were bound to change drastically.

Unlike civil service exams, where thousands compete for a single position and barely interact until the test or interview, or college entrance exams, where examinees are surrounded by strangers, this training camp was different.

They would be here for a long time. And as the numbers dwindled, with those who couldn't keep up getting eliminated, the remaining students would grow increasingly desperate—even hostile.

Underhanded tactics and sabotage were inevitable.

Never overestimate people's moral standards.

Today, they were thanking Li Xiang with snacks. Who knew what might happen in the future?

Of course, this kind of situation mainly stemmed from a lack of confidence in their own abilities. If they were like Li Xiang, they wouldn't be so anxious.

But the world was mostly made up of ordinary people. Without them, geniuses wouldn't stand out.

....

Afternoon – 1:00 PM.

The dreaded school/camp bell—likely to become a psychological trauma—rang outside the dormitory and in the hallways, followed by Xiang Yangwei's low, hoarse voice.

"All students, please dress appropriately within ten minutes and report to your assigned training fields for today's first lesson. Keep your Pokémon inside their Poké Balls—no releasing them during class."

He began listing off one training field after another.

'Wait, they weren't holding class indoors?'

Li Xiang raised an eyebrow. The temperature outside was 39 degrees Celsius (102°F)—was this another power move?

But regardless, they had no choice but to go.

Li Xiang quickly changed, put on a sun hat, recalled Incineroar and the others (who had been playing cards next door), and prepared to head downstairs with Song Jie.

However—

"Sunscreen?"

Song Jie dabbed something resembling moisturizer on Li Xiang's arm.

"You could call it that," Song Jie said, carefully applying it to his own face. "But it also prevents heatstroke."

Li Xiang rubbed some on and found it surprisingly cooling. "What's this stuff made of? Feels nice."

"Pyukumuku mucus and Stunky's essence extract," Song Jie replied with a smirk. "Some things smell awful in high concentrations but turn fragrant when diluted."

Indole—foul at high concentrations, pleasantly floral when diluted.

It was a basic ingredient in perfumes and even used in beverages to enhance fruity flavors.

(Of course, the indole used in food wasn't extracted from waste, but the mental image was strong.)

Li Xiang had always remembered this fact vividly.

Just like people in his past world, the inhabitants of this one had found countless uses for Pokémon byproducts.

Stunky and Pyukumuku were just the tip of the iceberg—there were even rumors of using Tauros horn powder as an aphrodisiac.

'Humans will always be humans.'

The two arrived at Training Field No. 5 as announced.

A good number of students were already present—about a third from Class 1—and many greeted Li Xiang.

Even Yang Tianwang and the others started calling him "Vice Class President."

"Cut it out already!" Li Xiang kicked them lightly, then scanned the area for Fang Xin and Luo Dayou from No. 2 Middle School.

Neither was in his group—one was in the neighboring class, and the other's whereabouts were unclear.

'Intentional?'

It sure felt like it. They probably didn't want one class dominating.

Speaking of which, the division into classes was likely meant to foster competition. Six classes, about forty students each. Hopefully, losing wouldn't mean an entire class getting kicked out.

Before long, everyone had assembled.

The instructor at the front blew a whistle.

"FALL IN—!!"

His booming voice carried an intimidating pressure.

"Line up in eight-person rows, one-meter spacing! Face my position as the center!"

Li Xiang silently took his spot, feeling like this was just military training—all shouting, no substance.

Once everyone was in formation, the instructor introduced himself.

"Good afternoon, students! My name is Zhong Qizhi! You may call me Instructor Zhong! From today onward, I will be responsible for your training and discipline! If you have questions or need help, come to me!"

The moment he finished, several people spoke up, but Zhong Qizhi ignored them.

"No speaking out of turn during training! If you have a question, shout 'Report'! You speak only when I permit it!"

His voice remained thunderous, his eyes blazing like fire.

The students who had questions suddenly didn't have any anymore.

Zhong Qizhi continued.

"Today is our first meeting! I want each of you to introduce yourselves—LOUDLY, so everyone can hear! Understood?!"

The response was scattered and weak.

"Did none of you eat lunch!?"

"YES, SIR!!"

This time, the volume improved slightly.

Zhong Qizhi nodded in satisfaction and pointed at the first student in the front row.

"Starting with you! School and name!"

The selected student hesitated before speaking softly.

"I can't hear you! LOUDER! Let EVERYONE hear you!" Zhong Qizhi barked.

The student raised their voice slightly.

"LOUDER! Don't mumble like a girl! Are you a man or not!?"

Zhong Qizhi mockingly imitated the student's timid posture before roaring:

"Show some backbone!"

Laughter erupted around them. The student's face reddened as they finally shouted their introduction.

Li Xiang, standing further back, sighed internally.

'This is literally just military training. Same routine every year in elementary, middle, high school, and college. Can't believe I can't escape it even in another world.'

When it was his turn, to avoid being singled out, Li Xiang bellowed his introduction—shouting at the top of his lungs—drawing stares and praise from Zhong Qizhi.

"Excellent! THAT'S the spirit! You call that a trainer's voice!? Your Pokémon wouldn't even hear you!"

After the last student finished, Zhong Qizhi announced:

"To better manage this group, I need an assistant. Out of these thirty-eight students, I will select a class president. Who volunteers!?"

The moment he finished, several voices shouted, "Report!"

"Speak!"

"I nominate Li Xiang as class president!"

The others echoed similar sentiments.

Li Xiang frowned. The nominators were either from his old class or school—probably well-intentioned.

But he had zero interest in being class president, acting as an errand boy and messenger.

"Report!"

He firmly (but politely) declined.

Zhong Qizhi seemed ready to force the role on him—until Song Jie suddenly called out.

"Report!"

"Speak!"

"I volunteer as class president!"

With someone else stepping up and Li Xiang refusing, forcing the issue would look bad, besides, Zhong Qizhi recalled that this was one of the students the camp director had mentioned.

'Fine. For now, it's him.'

He appointed Song Jie as class president.

Li Xiang frowned again and whispered, "Was that necessary? There's definitely a catch. That guy kept glancing at me when he mentioned the class president role."

Song Jie whispered back, "If someone has to do it, might as well be me. I've never been a class representative before."

Then he fell silent.

Li Xiang could only sigh.

After introductions and the class president selection, Zhong Qizhi led the group—still in formation—on a "tour" of the camp.

Under the scorching sun, sweat poured within minutes.

An hour later, everyone's clothes were drenched, as if they'd been fished out of water.

'This "orientation" is brutal.'

When Zhong Qizhi finally led them toward the academic building, Li Xiang guessed the first day's hazing was over.

....

Afternoon – Regular Classes.

The teachers were no longer the ones from their schools but professional Great Ball Tier 1 trainers, all with extensive teaching experience.

Their lessons were nothing like school lectures—these trainers had real battle experience, even sharing their own match footage.

Their understanding of certain Pokémon far surpassed that of regular schoolteachers.

After just one class, Li Xiang felt he'd learned a lot.

After class, Song Jie murmured thoughtfully, as if realizing something.

"Just as I thought. The camp's hidden rule is: the fewer the students, the better the teachers."

"Hm?"

"Right now, we have Great Ball Tier 1 instructors. But as the numbers drop, they'll likely be replaced by Ultra Ball Tier 5, then Tier 4, all the way up to Tier 1."

Song Jie looked at Li Xiang. "You know I've been taking extra lessons. Well, my tutor recently told me she's also part of the camp's teaching roster."

"Your tutor is…"

Song Jie said calmly, "Ultra Ball Tier 1. So I'm betting that as the camp size shrinks, the instructors will keep improving."

'...Now that's impressive.'

Li Xiang found himself looking forward to learning from an Ultra Ball Tier 1 trainer.

This training camp was getting more and more interesting.