Chapter 73: My Name Is Xiao Zhang—Zhang as in Arrogant!

"Uh... Who's this guy?"

Su Bai frowned, clearly annoyed, glancing at Pei Jingguo.

This random person's sudden appearance had completely disrupted his teaching rhythm.

And that irritated him.

Today was supposed to be his last day as a full-time professor!

"You don't recognize him, Su Bai?" Pei Jingguo looked surprised.

"That's Xiao Zhang—the eternal number two…"

"He went off on a training journey a while back. I guess he made some progress and came back to challenge me again."

Beside him, Liu Yunlan had a look of amusement on her face.

She teased Su Bai, "Well, Professor Su Bai, how about stepping in and teaching him a lesson yourself?"

Su Bai finally recalled.

Ah—Xiao Zhang.

He had heard the name before.

A talented fighter from Haicheng No.1 High School, always ranked second.

But because he could never beat Pei Jingguo, people called him "The Eternal Number Two."

Su Bai hadn't paid much attention to those things before.

At the time, he hadn't even awakened yet, and had been too busy with side jobs to make ends meet.

He hadn't expected their first meeting would be like this…

Since Xiao Zhang didn't know what had happened in Haicheng while he was away, he also had no idea the young man in front of him was now a guest professor at Haicheng No.1 High School.

If Su Bai were to take him on directly, it would feel like bullying.

So, he casually waved his hand at Pei Jingguo and said, "He's here for you. Go on."

Pei Jingguo sighed and stepped forward. "Xiao Zhang… we're in the middle of class. Mind the setting, will you?"

Xiao Zhang scratched his head, confused.

"Class? Here? Swordsmanship or combat training? Where's the teacher?"

"And why are so many people carrying Contract beast? Aren't they worried about them losing control?"

"Also, don't you hate Contract beast the most? Why do you have one now?"

He had been away training and had missed several major events:

The grand opening of the Pokémon pet shop.

The terrifying Death Beast siege of Haicheng.

He had rushed back upon hearing Haicheng was under attack, but was relieved to find it still standing.

That's when the urge to challenge Pei Jingguo surged again.

The Pokémon around them, who had already grown familiar with what it meant to be a "partner," were now glaring at Xiao Zhang.

How dare he compare them to Death Beasts?

Pei Jingguo's Pawniard—his Koma-Blade—raised its blade-like arms and began gesturing at Xiao Zhang angrily.

"This isn't some contract beast," Pei Jingguo said, patting Koma-Blade's shoulder.

"These are Pokémon—partners to Awakened ones like us."

"And this isn't a swordsmanship or physical training class."

"It's a Pokémon Studies class."

"And this—" Pei Jingguo stepped aside, revealing Su Bai, who stood silently watching—

"This is our Pokémon instructor. Haicheng No.1 High School's youngest guest professor—Su Bai."

"Oh… he's the teacher?"

Xiao Zhang blinked, then bowed instinctively. "Nice to meet you, Professor!"

Then he froze.

"Wait a second! Pei Jingguo, are you messing with me?"

"Where do you find a teacher that young?!"

He pointed accusingly at Su Bai, growing animated.

"You just don't want to fight me!"

"What's this Pokémon thing? I've never even heard of it!"

"I'm not that easy to fool!"

"I'm Xiao Zhang! Zhang as in Arrogant Zhang!"

Watching Xiao Zhang flail about like a stage comedian, Su Bai couldn't help but develop a stress headache.

This yellow-haired guy was unexpectedly... respectful to teachers?

That bow just now felt like pure muscle memory.

But he was clearly a bit dense.

Su Bai looked to Liu Yunlan and asked, "Um… is he always like this?"

She giggled behind her hand. "Funny, isn't he? That's just how he is."

"He's loud, brash, and yes, pretty arrogant—but he really does respect his teachers."

"All the staff at school know his temper, but he's actually well-liked."

Su Bai nodded, the tension on his face easing.

His earlier frustration faded with every over-the-top antic Xiao Zhang performed.

After all, who could stay mad at a hot-headed kid who bowed to his teacher by reflex?

Xiao Zhang's face flushed slightly from all the teasing.

"Who said I'm slow? I'm not always second place!"

"Quit interrupting!"

Ignoring everything else, he turned back to Pei Jingguo and struck a stance.

"Let's do this! Let's settle our destined battle!"

"I'll have you know—I learned a lot from an A-Rank professional team!"

"This time, I refuse to be second!"

Meanwhile, deep in a distant forest—

An A-Rank squad of professionals was resting by a campfire.

A shirtless brawny man suddenly sneezed loudly, scratching his head in confusion.

Beside him, a strange-looking crocodile Pokémon gave him a curious look.

Berserker Ji Wei laughed loudly, pointing at his teammate.

"Serves you right for showing off and refusing to wear a shirt! An A-Rank fighter catching a cold? Hilarious!"

"Interrupt me again and I'm not sharing my story!"

"Just the way Groudon showed up—once you see it, you'll never forget…"

Back on campus, Liu Yunlan wrinkled her nose and glanced at Xiao Zhang.

"His mentor is in the same A-Rank squad as my sister."

She smiled as she watched Xiao Zhang posture and yell.

"He's not annoying, honestly."

No, he really wasn't.

He was even kind of endearing…

But Su Bai was in the middle of class!

He and Pei Jingguo exchanged looks of mutual helplessness.

Then, Su Bai's eyes lit up.

"Alright then. Pei Jingguo, accept his challenge."

"But you won't fight—your Pokémon will."

He gestured toward the nearby Pawniard, who was still waving its bladed arms at Xiao Zhang.

"Well? Feeling confident?"

Su Bai knew these Pokémon well—after all, he personally helped raise them.

Pawniard had been around for as long as Eevee and Fletchling, but its experience during the Death Beast siege had far surpassed theirs.

Alongside Pei Jingguo—the strongest sword-user in Haicheng—Pawniard had taken down countless Death Beasts.

In terms of power, it might already be on par with some B-Rank Awakened fighters!

And besides, no one had yet witnessed a battle between a Pokémon and a human Awakened fighter.

This clownish yellow-haired guy had shown up at the perfect time!

Pei Jingguo and Pawniard's eyes lit up.

"If even you, our teacher, approve," Pei Jingguo grinned, "then I'll gladly accept!"

Laughing heartily, he led Pawniard to the center of the training field and beckoned Xiao Zhang over.

"Come, Xiao Zhang!"

The students quickly moved aside, forming a ring around the field.

They were very familiar with this routine.

It was time for a good show.

Meanwhile, Xiao Zhang stood frozen, dumbfounded.

"You want me to fight your… your Pokémon?!"

"Are you kidding me?!"

"I'm Xiao Zhang!"

"Zhang—as in arrogant Zhang!"