Traveling from the Fourth Ring of the Magic City, the pedestrians along the way hurried about their day.
Most were commuters rushing to their early shifts or elderly folks returning from morning exercises.
Occasionally, young Trainers with their Pokémon cast curious glances, but it didn’t cause much of a stir.
However, the moment he stepped into the highly modern, glass-walled building of the Magic City Breeder Association, the air seemed to ignite instantly.
Even the cool breeze from the central air conditioning couldn’t suppress the sudden surge of heat in the lobby.
The concentration of Breeders here was at its peak, and the vast majority of them had seen the video that broke the internet last night, “Dinner Time at Forest Song 01.”
The moment Shane appeared with Whimsicott in his arms, it was like a drop of water hitting boiling oil.
Whispers and suppressed gasps immediately spread throughout the spacious, brightly lit lobby.
“It’s Shane!
The guy from the video!”
“He looks even better in person…”
“Oh my god, that’s the Whimsicott from the video in his arms.
It’s raised so well, so cute!”
“He’s at the association…
Is he really here for the Advanced exam?
Isn’t he only twenty-one?”
“The youngest Intermediate Breeder in Donghuang, and now he’s going for Advanced?
What a monster…”
Those gazes held pure adoration, marveling at his handsome features and the gentle way he interacted with Whimsicott.
Some held professional curiosity, focusing on the exam he might be taking.
They were also mixed with undisguised awe and a trace of subtle, complex emotions.
This was a genius who, at such a young age, stood at a height many of them might never reach despite years of hard work.
It seemed all they could do was look up to him.
Shane paused slightly, holding the Whimsicott in his arms a little tighter.
The little guy clearly felt the intense stares coming from all directions.
Its previously relaxed fluff puffed up slightly, and its ears perked up in alert.
“El?”
Shane looked down and soothingly rubbed the softest fluff on top of Whimsicott’s head with his thumb.
“It’s okay,” he whispered.
He had already made an appointment on his phone.
Checking the queuing system, he saw it would be another half hour before his turn.
Unbothered, Shane carried Whimsicott to the waiting area and found a relatively quiet corner to sit down.
The cold metal seat sent a slight chill through his thin shorts.
He adjusted his posture so Whimsicott could curl up comfortably on his lap.
The little guy immediately shifted its cotton-ball-like body, finding the coziest angle to nestle in, its tail tip casually brushing against Shane’s wrist.
Just a few minutes after he sat down, a girl who looked about eighteen or nineteen, wearing a clean and neat dress, walked over with hesitant steps.
Her face was filled with obvious nervousness and excitement.
She tightly clutched a brand-new notebook bearing the emblem of the Magic City University’s Breeding Department.
“Um…
Senior Shane?” the girl’s voice trembled slightly, her cheeks flushed.
My name is Piper, and I’m here today for the Junior Breeder exam…
I…
I really admire you!
Could you please give me your autograph?”
Gathering her courage, she held the notebook and a pen out to Shane.
Shane paused for a moment before offering a gentle smile.
This feeling of being idolized was still somewhat foreign yet familiar to him, but the girl’s sincerity made it impossible to refuse.
“Of course,” Shane said, taking the notebook and pen.
“Good luck with your exam.”
He opened the notebook to the title page, fluidly signing his name and leaving a short message of good luck.
“Thank you, Senior!” Piper excitedly took back the signed notebook.
Looking at the quiet Whimsicott on Shane’s lap, she couldn’t help but ask, “Senior, um…
the video was absolutely amazing!
By the way, Senior, do you know the legendary Breeder?
You know, Champion Green from Kanto?”
“The Breeder?” Shane’s pen paused as he looked up in confusion.
He certainly knew the title.
It belonged exclusively to Green, the legendary figure from Kanto who possessed unmatched breeding skills and had reached the pinnacle of Champion at a young age.
But he and that big shot all the way in Kanto were from two completely different worlds.
“I don’t know Champion Green,” Shane answered truthfully.
Piper looked surprised.
“How could you not know him?
Champion Green left a comment on the video you posted last night!
It’s right below Professor Doran’s pinned comment!”
Shane’s heart suddenly skipped a beat.
He immediately pulled out his phone and opened the YouTube app.
He had already set the exploding background notifications to “Do Not Disturb,” so he went straight to the comment section of his video.
Sure enough, the pinned comment was a message full of high expectations from his mentor, Professor Doran.
Scrolling down quickly past a few screens—
An ID with the verified [The Breeder] badge caught his eye:
[Green]: Solid breeding fundamentals, a gentle way of interacting, and a harmonious slice-of-life atmosphere.
A very unique approach to breeding.
Your Whimsicott loves you very much.
Shane held his breath instantly, almost able to hear the rushing of blood ringing in his ears.
Green…
the Kanto Champion, the one hailed as “The Breeder,” had actually seen his video and left a review!
And it was a highly positive review at that!
In disbelief, Shane double-checked the ID and the system verification badge.
It was actually him!
At this moment, the video’s like count was approaching twenty million, and the number was still rapidly ticking up at a visible rate.
The likes on Green’s comment had also long surpassed a million, pushing it to the most prominent spot.
“So…
that’s how it is,” Shane murmured.
He looked up at the girl in front of him, flashing a much more genuine smile.
“Thank you for telling me, otherwise I might not have even noticed.”
Having received her idol’s autograph and response, Piper was completely satisfied.
Knowing when to take her leave, she quickly waved her hands.
“You’re welcome, you’re welcome!
You must be busy, Senior, so I won’t bother you anymore!
Good luck with your exam!”
With that, she hugged her notebook and skipped away happily.
Shane glanced at the video again.
He had been so busy this morning that he forgot to reply to Professor Doran.
Right, he needed to like and reply to the comment to show his gratitude.
As for Green.
Just as Shane was about to reply, the onlookers around him began to gather, forcing him to stop.
The girl’s departure seemed to open the floodgates.
Her success in getting an autograph immediately ignited the enthusiasm of the other onlookers.
This was especially true for the young Breeder students and Junior Breeders who were also waiting for their exams.
“Senior Shane, can we take a picture together?”
“Shane!
I’m a huge fan!
Can I get an autograph too?
Sign my Poké Ball!”
“How exactly did you make those Pokéblocks in the video using an AZ200?
Please teach me!”
“Does Senior Shane have a girlfriend?
I…”
The crowd instantly swarmed him, all talking over each other as phone cameras, autograph books, and even Poké Balls were shoved in his face.
Some were purely admiring fans asking for autographs and photos, some had academic questions they wanted to discuss, and there were even bold confessions of love.
A myriad of emotions intertwined.
Excitement, eagerness, curiosity, admiration, and even a trace of imperceptible jealousy.
Surrounded by this sudden burst of enthusiasm, Shane was overwhelmed for a moment.
He instinctively shielded the Whimsicott on his lap closer to his chest and leaned back slightly, trying to create some distance.
Maintaining a polite but slightly distant smile, he responded as gently as possible.
“Sorry, my exam is about to start…
Thank you for your support, but taking photos isn’t very convenient right now…
As for the Pokéblocks, that involves my personal breeding methods, so I can’t share it…
I don’t have a girlfriend, and I’m not considering one at the moment, thank you…”