The next day, Chris, along with two other team members and a new team leader, waited for their flight back to Dragon University.
That's right, there were only four people this time, because Theodore's experimental team had been recalled by Principal Vladimir three days after Theodore entered the spatial rift. They had returned to Dragon University ahead of schedule.
The massive private plane, which could seat more than 20 people and still feel spacious, now carried only four passengers. It felt not empty, but wasteful.
However, the university deemed this extravagance necessary. The plane was transporting two senior breeders and one intermediate breeder.
Thanks to Chris, both Xavier and Kaison survived until the end and secured spots in the top eight of the competition. Kaison advanced from an intermediate to a senior breeder, and Xavier was promoted from a junior to an intermediate breeder.
"Chris, you're trending!" Kaison suddenly exclaimed, breaking the calm as they waited for their plane. He moved to sit beside Chris and handed over his phone.
"Look at this—it's the top trending article."
Chris, resting with his eyes half-closed, lazily took the phone.
The headline read: "A Breeder GeniusSurpassing Theodore Emerges at Dragon University."
Chris frowned. The title was wordy but packed with key phrases: Dragon University, Theodore, breeder genius, and surpassing Theodore—all prime clickbait.
Curious, Chris tapped on the article and skimmed through it. The piece detailed the breeder camp's events and results, explaining why Chris had been awarded the senior breeder qualification.
It highlighted his age: still in his first semester as a freshman, he had already achieved a senior breeder rank. This accomplishment was unprecedented not just at Dragon University but throughout China—and likely the world.
The article included a video of Chris showcasing his breeding skills, presumably filmed by Denver.
Still, Chris was puzzled. Could this really make it to the top trending spot?
He scrolled to the comments, where things became even stranger.
Of the top ten comments, eight were apologies:
"Sorry, Chris. I was blind and believed the lies spread by haters." "Luck is also strength! Chris, I'm guilty. Can I kneel to you in apology?" "Is the senior breeder qualification too low? He should have been awarded master breeder status!" "Defeating over 30 opponents in one go? That's just unfair!"
Chris clicked on older posts to understand what was going on. He finally pieced together the story.
Earlier, there had been a controversial post questioning Chris's qualifications. It claimed the breeder certification exam was only held annually, so how could a freshman even qualify for senior status so early?
The poster accused Chris of riding on Theodore's coattails, suggesting he was merely lucky to find the rare Enigma Berry, which earned him Principal Vladimir's favor. The post implied Chris contributed nothing substantial to Theodore's experimental team.
The post had prompted netizens to bombard the National Breeder Association with demands for an explanation.
However, it seemed that the official recognition of Chris's accomplishments had silenced the critics, as evident in the overwhelming public apologies.
It was once trendy to mention the top five hot searches. And now, the National Breeders Association had made it to the top with a decisive post.
The statement addressed the controversy head-on:
A group of talented breeders from universities across the region participated in the camp. Chris started on equal footing with them, using only his Breeder Pokémon. One month later, he single-handedly defeated more than 30 primary and intermediate breeders in one move.
The live battle video provided undeniable evidence.
The association concluded:
"Now, tell us, is he qualified to be a senior breeder?"
This official post silenced the earlier accusations. The negative voices condemning Chris and the association online swiftly shifted.
Comments morphed into apologies, denial of past statements, and outright praise:
"Sorry, Chris! You're incredible!"
Chris handed the phone back to Kaison.
"Boring," he muttered.
He could already guess who orchestrated this: Denver.
It suddenly made sense why Denver had told him yesterday, "You'll be a celebrity soon. Don't forget to wear a mask when you go out."
Chris even suspected Denver might have been behind the post that sparked last night's heated discussions. Then, with official support, Denver clarified everything today, ensuring it hit the trending list to amplify its impact.
Still, Chris wasn't sure of Denver's ultimate goal.
"Didi…"
Speak of the devil—Denver was calling.
"Did you see the hot search?" Denver asked.
"Yeah, I saw it," Chris replied.
"Any little girls asking for autographs yet?" Denver teased.
"Not yet," Chris said, chuckling. "I'm waiting in the VIP lounge for my flight back. But I'll start practicing my signature."
Fame didn't bother Chris. If anything, it was a necessary step. After all, his goal was to become a Gym Trainer.
An 18- or 19-year-old Gym Trainer was destined to attract attention. Being known as a breeder genius now was just the prelude. When he achieved his goal, he'd see more admiration and less doubt online.
Moreover, with the strength of his level 60 Garchomp and the support of Principal Vladimir, he could handle the fame. It was time to take the next step.
On the other end of the call, Denver chuckled. "Talking to smart people is a pleasure," he said. "There's been some debate in the association about awarding you senior breeder status. I had to make them see sense."
"Thanks," Chris replied, understanding Denver's intentions. Given Theodore's connection, he felt comfortable fostering a deeper relationship with Denver.
Before hanging up, Chris asked some general questions about opening his own breeding hut. Then he ended the call as the private plane arrived.
By the time Chris returned to Dragon City from the outskirts of the Mayan Forest, it was nearly midnight. He was too tired to care whether the main protagonist had arrived in Kalos. Instead, he opted for a quick shower and sleep—lying down on the plane was anything but comfortable.
The next morning, Chris woke early and headed to the suburbs of Dragon City. Before boarding the flight yesterday, he'd arranged to meet someone.