Chapter 56: The Start of the New Term

In early March, the Digital Class finally welcomed their long-delayed start to the term. By mid-June, the decisive exams that would determine their academic futures were fast approaching, leaving them with barely more than three months.

“Ah Jie, your Agumon is incredible—it actually became the rookie champion of our Hunan province.”

Although the event was officially called the Shashi Rookie Cup, most people regarded it as the provincial rookie tournament, so naming the winner as Hunan’s rookie king was hardly an exaggeration.

Liu Cheng glanced at his own Bitmon, then at Agumon, whose phone hung about its neck. Both had been raised for less than a year, yet the difference between them was immense.

“The rookie king is nothing special, really,” Zhao Jie replied indifferently. For someone like him, at least thirty such rookie champions emerged nationwide every year. It was neither rare nor a cause for pride.

“By the way, I heard that Mr. Li Ping won’t be teaching us this semester. We’ll have to rely on ourselves now,” Liu Cheng said suddenly, seated at his desk.

“Mhm.” Zhao Jie had known this for some time. The supplies purchased with digital points had to be collected from the Digital Association; a few days ago, when he went to fetch his items, he’d also visited his mentor.

“Everything he needed to teach was covered last semester. The kind of university we get into will depend on how we cultivate our digital monsters. He can’t help us further in that regard.”

“How’s your Bitmon’s training coming along?”

Bitmon, who had been lazily resting with eyes closed, snapped awake at Zhao Jie’s question, gazing at his digital partner.

“Pretty well, actually. I’ve been following your advice on training, and now Bitmon has a much better grasp of its special moves than before.” Liu Cheng scratched his head and chuckled.

As the two chatted, their homeroom teacher, Mr. Yu, appeared in the classroom.

“All right, everyone, I’m glad to see you all again. We have just over three months before the big exam. I hope you’ll continue working hard during this time, striving to get into a good university!”

Clap, clap!

The students, who hadn’t seen Mr. Yu in some time, responded with enthusiastic applause.

“All right, everyone, let’s hold the applause,” Mr. Yu said, his face blooming with irrepressible joy. “Now, I have a piece of good news to announce!”

Good news?

What good news?

His words piqued everyone’s curiosity, and they looked up at Mr. Yu on the podium.

“Over the recent holiday, the Education Bureau and the Digital Association negotiated and decided to host the inaugural Campus Cup in Wuling City, with our First High and Second High competing against each other.”

“The tournament will be held in a month. It’s a rare opportunity and serves as a rehearsal for the big exam. I hope you all will participate enthusiastically. Moreover, the top sixteen in the Campus Cup will receive a mysterious reward.”

As Mr. Yu spoke, his gaze fell on Zhao Jie. In truth, much of the reason the Campus Cup came to be was thanks to Zhao Jie. Had he not clinched the championship at the Shashi Rookie Cup, the Education Bureau would not have agreed so readily. Wuling City had always lagged behind in nurturing digital tamers, but Zhao Jie’s victory had sparked some hope.

Thus, the first Campus Cup was born.

“A mysterious reward? Mr. Yu, can you give us a hint?”

“Yeah, tell us, Mr. Yu!”

Many were intrigued by the promise of mysterious prizes, clamoring for more details.

“Sorry, I don’t know what the reward is either. If you make it to the top sixteen and learn what it is, be sure to come back and tell me so I can broaden my horizons.” Mr. Yu shook his head gently. The prizes offered by the Digital Association were beyond his purview. Not even the principal likely knew what they were.

“All right, now that that’s settled, just like last semester, mornings are for academic classes, afternoons for digital studies. But I want to remind you all again: Don’t think that just because you’re digital tamers you can neglect your academic subjects. Many reputable universities require good scores in both. Don’t let yourself pass the digital exam only to be blocked by poor grades in academics, missing out on your dream school.”

Mr. Yu’s words struck a warning note for many; Zhao Jie noticed that Liu Cheng, beside him, had grown noticeably more serious.

“Zhao Jie, come here for a moment.”

The morning passed quickly, and Zhao Jie, somewhat puzzled, was called into Mr. Yu’s office.

“Mr. Yu, is something the matter?”

He calmed Agumon, who was eager to move about, and looked at his teacher.

“Well, Zhao Jie, you can’t participate in this Campus Cup.”

Mr. Yu cleared his throat, prepared to guide Zhao Jie through the disappointment, but was met only with a quiet “Oh” from Zhao Jie.

Why aren’t you upset? Why don’t you ask why?

Mr. Yu, who had been preparing to counsel Zhao Jie, felt a little weary.

You really don’t play by the rules!

“Don’t you want to know why?” Mr. Yu asked, unwilling to let his carefully prepared speech go unused.

“Why bother? Obviously, it’s because Agumon and I are too strong. If we entered, first place would be a foregone conclusion—no suspense left in the competition. Even if you hadn’t said so, I wouldn’t have participated anyway.”

Well then.

Hearing Zhao Jie’s explanation, Mr. Yu felt relieved, though a faint sense of loss lingered, as if his punch had landed on cotton.

So powerless.

“Oh, and one more thing. During class today, I noticed that digital monsters and tamers together are disrupting the order. Our academy has hired two digital teachers with their own monsters, but they won’t arrive until April.”

“Zhao Jie, could you let Agumon take the other digital monsters to the training room downstairs until the teachers arrive? With Agumon’s strength, it should be able to keep them in line, right?”

Mr. Yu looked at Zhao Jie expectantly.

“Mr. Yu, isn’t that… a bit much?” Zhao Jie glanced at Agumon, whose eyes lit up at the suggestion. He couldn’t help but feel this matter warranted further discussion.

“What’s wrong with it? I’ve watched your competitions, and you’re helping your classmates. I trust Agumon won’t let me down.” Mr. Yu waved his hand, smiling at Agumon.

“Agumon, are you willing to help your classmates?”

Of course! I’m more than willing!

Agumon nodded eagerly.

With everything said, Zhao Jie found it hard to refuse Mr. Yu’s request—he only hoped the two digital teachers would arrive a little earlier.

He’d learned that the incoming teachers would not be like last semester’s short-term instructors from the Digital Association, but would stay on long-term, becoming fully integrated into the school’s faculty. For Wuling First High, this was good news.

PS: Please recommend!