-084- The Beginning of the School Year (1/3)

"A common-grade aptitude elf egg—let's price it at twenty thousand Alliance credits, with a complimentary elf ball." Tong Si placed the ten elf eggs on the far right shelf, marking them as common-grade. On the market, common-grade elf eggs typically sell for around twenty thousand Alliance credits; only slightly rarer elves are priced higher. Moreover, they don’t come with hatching service or a complimentary elf ball—these extras were unique to Tong Si’s offering.

JOJO Breeding House made a modest profit selling ordinary-grade elf eggs, but selling common-grade eggs was more an act of charity than business.

The next day, the grandmother returned to Tong Si’s breeding house and purchased a common-grade Meow-Meow egg. Tong Si placed the egg in the elf hatching machine and began the incubation process.

“Looks like it’ll soon be time for a trip to the elf egg wholesale market,” Tong Si murmured to himself.

JOJO Breeding House offered common-grade, ordinary-grade, and gym-leader-grade elf eggs. It currently lacked any high-quality-grade eggs. A reputable breeding house was expected to stock a variety of egg grades. However, even the best breeding houses only carried gym-leader-grade eggs. Champion-grade eggs were only obtainable through the Elf Association, and pseudo-legendary-grade eggs were something most people had only heard of.

Of course, in Tong Si’s backpack, there was a pseudo-legendary-grade elf egg. If word got out, JOJO Breeding House would likely be overrun by thieves overnight, never knowing peace again.

Tong Si was also gaining an understanding of the grading system for breeding houses in this world. Breeding houses were assigned star ratings. The current JOJO Breeding House was a zero-star establishment. Only by selling four different grades of elf eggs and having the owner reach the level of an elite trainer could the breeding house be upgraded to one star. There were many higher star ratings as well. The most powerful breeding house in Hua Long Country was a five-star establishment; abroad, there were even six-star breeding houses.

Of course, this required the breeding house to be strong in its own right. If the owner was weak, even a house stocked entirely with gym-leader-grade eggs would be emptied by thieves. Strength was paramount. To raise the star rating of a breeding house, the owner must first improve their own abilities. Behind every high-star breeding house was a powerful owner.

...

A new day dawned.

Tong Si was awakened early by the sound of Harpo in the courtyard. Truth be told, when five Lotus Child elves all called out together, even the thickest earplugs couldn’t keep you asleep.

Eevee was so annoyed it could gnash its teeth. Hating the elf ball as it did, it retreated inside to sleep, at least enjoying the soundproofing it provided.

Seeing this, Tong Si resolved to call a contractor over the weekend to install soundproofing panels in the house. Otherwise, being jolted awake so early every day would be unbearable. As the saying goes, “Wake up early and be muddle-headed all day; wake up early every day, be muddle-headed every day.”

After washing up, Tong Si fed the elves in the courtyard and prepared for school.

Indeed, today was the opening day at Jiahua University. Tong Si had been eagerly anticipating this day. He placed the pseudo-legendary-grade elf egg in a small pouch and carried it with him. After so long, the egg had shown no signs of movement— even the system’s scanning eye was blocked. Tong Si was genuinely curious to know what sort of elf was inside, and when the egg would finally hatch.

He hailed a Doduo Fast cab to the university gates. With a guaranteed daily income of ten thousand Alliance credits, Tong Si no longer bothered with the bus; for commuting, Doduo Fast was his choice.

At the gates of Jiahua University, the massive gold-bordered letters spelled out “Jiahua University.” Tong Si saw crowds streaming in; on the first day, no one wanted to be late.

Inside, he found a large garden plaza in front of the academic building, filled with all sorts of grass-type elves basking in the sun. Around the academic building was an enormous pond, home to several water-type elves—though only small ones; ferocious creatures like Gyarados weren’t allowed.

Behind the academic building stood the battle hall. To the left of the battle hall stretched a rocky wasteland, clearly a training ground for rock-type elves. Beyond the battle hall was the cafeteria, enormous and spanning three levels, each offering different cuisine. North of the cafeteria was the sports field, with not only basketball courts but also football pitches. Past the sports field lay the staff and student residences; Tong Si, not living on campus, didn’t bother going there.

Interestingly, east of the residential area was a small forest. Tong Si had no idea why it existed or what purpose it served.

Returning to the academic building, Tong Si headed to his classroom. In fact, he’d been to Jiahua University a week earlier for registration, but hadn’t explored the campus much. Still, he knew where the elf breeding department’s classroom was.

Tong Si climbed to the fourth floor. The classroom at the stairwell’s corner was Breeding Class One, the only class in the department due to low enrollment. The battle department, by contrast, had nearly ten classes.

Entering the class, Tong Si was surprised to find the entire class comprised of girls.

Homeroom teacher Xia Yan sat at the podium, waiting for Tong Si’s arrival. Despite feeling he had arrived early, he was actually the last to enter the classroom.

“It’s Tong Si…”

“It’s really Tong Si himself; I can’t believe he’s my classmate!”

“The only male student in the breeding department—Tong Si will be our department’s heartthrob.”

“‘Heartthrob’ sounds so tacky—he should be our department’s treasure.”

…

The moment he entered, Tong Si heard the girls talking excitedly about him.

“Tong Si, just pick any seat. We’ll begin the exam soon,” Xia Yan said, her eyes still bleary from sleep.

“Alright…” Tong Si glanced around; the front rows were all taken, so he headed toward the back.

“Tong Si, over here!” As he walked, a familiar voice called out.

“It’s you!” Tong Si was surprised to see Chu Xuanxuan. He knew she’d enrolled in the same university, but hadn’t expected they’d share the same major.

“There’s an empty seat here. Sit with me,” Chu Xuanxuan pointed to the spot beside her.

Without a word, Tong Si turned and sat at an empty seat next to another girl. The girl blushed bright red as Tong Si took the seat beside her.

Chu Xuanxuan stared at Tong Si in disappointment and indignation.

… (To be continued)