What should I do if my pet loves watching anime?

The opening ceremony on Monday was held in the auditorium of Elf University.

The principal delivered a passionate speech, encouraging the new students to pursue truth and strive for excellence.

Then came the most exciting part—announcing the top ten students in this year's preparatory class based on their overall scores.

Gu Beiri unsurprisingly ranked first, with a total score fifteen points higher than the second-place finisher.

When he went on stage to receive the certificate, enthusiastic applause erupted from the audience.

Zhou Mingxuan ranked ninth, and his expression wasn't very good when he went on stage.

After the ceremony, there was a meeting with the mentors.

More than twenty professors set up a consultation desk in the hall, where new students could freely chat and learn about the professors' research directions and admission requirements.

Gu Beiri went directly to the consultation desk of researcher Wang Zhenhua.

Wang Zhenhua was talking with several students when he saw Gu Beiri and waved with a smile.

"Bei Ri, come here."

"Director Wang."

"How about it, are you ready for the challenge?" Wang Zhenhua patted him on the shoulder. "The preparatory class is much more intense than the summer class, and the competition is much fiercer."

"I will try my best."

"I believe you." Wang Zhenhua nodded, then suddenly lowered his voice, "By the way, Professor Li asked me to tell you that he has applied for preliminary funding for that project. Once you're settled, you can go to his office to discuss it in detail."

The project refers to follow-up research on electrostatic enrichment feed for sheep.

Gu Beiri felt a warmth in his heart: "Thank you, Director Wang, thank you, Professor Li."

"Work hard and don't let us down."

After leaving Wang Zhenhua's consultation desk, Gu Beiri visited Professor Li Zhengqing.

Professor Li was explaining something to a student when he saw Gu Beiri and gestured for him to wait a moment.

A few minutes later, the student left, and Professor Li looked at Gu Beiri.

"You're here? Have a seat."

Gu Beiri sat down in the chair in front of the information desk.

"How were the training results during the summer vacation?" Professor Li asked.

"Mareep has learned to use the Grass and Power Gem, and his Electric Field has also improved."

"Not bad." Professor Li nodded approvingly. "Learning cross-attribute skills is very difficult. The fact that you were able to get Mare the Sheep to master two in such a short time shows that it has a great talent for energy adaptability."

He paused, his expression turning serious: "But I must remind you, don't bite off more than you can chew."

Skills are valued for their quality, not quantity. Rather than pursuing a large number of skills, it's better to hone the few you already have to the highest level.

Don't waste your energy on things that aren't necessary.

"I see."

…………

The acclimatization training from Tuesday to Thursday is extremely intense.

I get up at five in the morning and start physical training at five-thirty—weighted running, obstacle course, and reaction test.

The morning session consists of theoretical courses, which are several times more in-depth than the summer course, covering advanced theories of elven energy science, complex experimental designs, and cutting-edge research developments.

The afternoon session consisted of practical training, including Pokémon battles, emergency response, and wilderness survival simulations.

There are also self-study sessions and group discussions in the evenings.

After three days, many freshmen complained bitterly.

Gu Beiri adapted very well—this intensity was already commonplace for him.

Physical training? The work he does on the farm every day is no easier than this.

Theoretical courses?

He was eager to learn more new knowledge.

Live-fire training?

Compared to the experience of being struck by lightning at the mountain, the simulation training at the school was like playing house.

What pleased him even more was the performance of Mare the Sheep.

During live-fire training, Mare the Sheep's Electric Terrain and Counter Shield caused quite a stir.

In particular, during a team battle training session, Mareep used its Speed ​​Boost to maneuver around a Ground-type Geodude, and finally used Power Gem to accurately hit the opponent's weak point, winning a standing ovation.

"That Mare the sheep... is so strong!"

"Electrical field properties, and it can even generate Power Gems? What kind of setup is this?"

"I heard that Gu Beiri, who got first place in the written exam, is tutoring them. They really are insane..."

Amid the discussions, Gu Beiri's popularity quietly rose.

But Zhou Mingxuan's expression grew increasingly grim.

His Eevee performed adequately in training. Although his skill proficiency was good, he lacked any highlights, let alone being able to defeat opponents with different attributes like Mareep.

On Friday morning, the mentor assignment ceremony finally arrived.

All the new students in the preparatory class gathered in the lecture hall, anxiously awaiting the results.

"Who do you think I'll be assigned to?" Chen Hao muttered softly, sitting next to Gu Beiri. "I hope I'll be assigned to Professor Li. He's an authority on elf behavior, and I've wanted to study that since I was a kid..."

Gu Beiri didn't speak, but just quietly looked at the podium.

The vice principal walked up to the podium and cleared his throat.

"Students, after a week of observation and evaluation, and taking into account your preferences and the opinions of your mentors, the mentor assignments for this year's preparatory class for researchers have been finalized."

He took out a list.

"Students whose names I am about to call, please report to your respective instructors."

"Zhang Wei, Supervisor: Researcher Wang Zhenhua".

A boy stood up excitedly and walked towards where Wang Zhenhua was.

"Li Na, mentor: Professor Li Zhengqing."

……

As names were read out one by one, the atmosphere in the classroom grew increasingly tense.

Chen Hao was assigned to work under an associate professor at the Elf University, where his research focused on Elf energy metabolism. Although it wasn't exactly what he wanted, it was still a good fit.

"Zhou Mingxuan, Supervisor: Researcher Liu Wentao"

Zhou Mingxuan stood up expressionlessly and walked towards a slightly plump middle-aged researcher.

Liu Wentao is a well-known expert in elf food research in Linhai City and has business dealings with the Zhou family, so this distribution result was expected.

Finally, it was Gu Beiri's turn.

The vice principal glanced at the list, then at Gu Beiri, his expression complex.

"Gu Beiri..."

He paused.

"Mentor: Special Advisor - Zhao Wumian"

The entire audience erupted in uproar!

Special Advisor? Zhao Wumian?

Aren't those people from the Alliance's Special Investigations Department? How come they're working as instructors at the Elf University?

Zhou Mingxuan suddenly turned his head and stared intently at Gu Beiri, his eyes filled with undisguised jealousy and anger.

Why? Why was this country bumpkin chosen by the special advisor?

Gu Beiri was also stunned.

Zhao Wumian?

The Special Investigations Bureau agent who warned him at the auction?

"Please have Gu Beiri report to Advisor Zhao," the vice principal repeated.

Gu Beiri took a deep breath and stood up.

In the corner at the back of the classroom, a man dressed in black casual clothes stood up.

It was Zhao Wumian.

He wasn't wearing a suit today, but rather a simple black training uniform, and the thin scar at the corner of his left eye was particularly noticeable under the light.

He glanced at Gu Beiri, nodded slightly, and then turned and walked out of the classroom.

Gu Beiri followed.

The two left one after the other, leaving behind a classroom full of murmurs.

…………

Zhao Wumian's office is not in any teaching building or laboratory building, but in a separate old brick building in the northwest corner of the campus.

Covered in lush ivy, the building is far removed from the hustle and bustle of the main campus, exuding a tranquil seclusion.

Pushing open the door, the office's layout was so simple it was almost cold and austere.

A large solid wood desk, with nothing on its surface except an old-fashioned computer, a pen holder, and a few documents.

The bookshelves against the wall are neatly arranged with file boxes and books, but most of the titles have been deliberately covered up or removed.

The most eye-catching decoration in the entire room is a calligraphy scroll hanging on the wall behind the desk:

"Knowledgeable and discerning"

The strokes are strong and vigorous, like iron hooks and silver lines.

"Sit down." Zhao Wumian pointed to the chair opposite the desk, and then went around to sit down behind the desk.

Without exchanging pleasantries, he opened a thin folder and pushed it in front of Gu Beiri.

Gu Beiri looked down and his heart skipped a beat.

The first page of the folder contained a summary of his personal information, which was far more detailed than his school records.

Name: Gu Beiri

Age: 16 years old

Place of origin: Qingzhu Town, Linhai City

Family background: The parents run a small sheep farm. The family was poor and had debts, which have recently been paid off.

Education: Graduated from a regular high school in Qingzhu Town with average grades.

Trainer aptitude test: Tactical thinking D-, reaction speed D+, Pokémon affinity B+.

Special event log:

1. Three months ago, I came into contact with Su Wenya, a mid-level researcher. On the same day, an electromagnetic anomaly occurred, and her Mare Sheep awakening characteristics were observed.

2. A month and a half ago, a feed research report was submitted and approved by researcher Wang Zhenhua, resulting in a patent.

3. Recently, I went to Lightning Strike Mountain for training and obtained a piece of century-old lightning-struck wood, which enabled me to create the Counterattack Shield skill.

The document ends here; there are no conclusions or evaluations, only an objective listing.

But Gu Beiri's back was already soaked with cold sweat.