Julian had no iion of teag the influencer a lesson. Their statuses weren't even on the same level. If she hadn't been so persistent and disruptive to the other diners, he wouldn't have bothered with her at all.

  Meanwhile, viewers in the live stream had already been paying attention to Julian. Some had found his side profile oddly familiar, but now that his face was fully visible, reition hit them like a thunderbolt. If they couldn't figure out who he was at this point, they'd truly fail as izens.

  The influencer, however, was still clueless. Hearing the restaurant manager respectfully address the "scruffy man" as 'Young Master' left her stunned.

  "Young Master? What Young Master?" she asked bnkly.

  Julian had been all over the i retly due to his victory over Artio and his involvement in the Pokémon Riot i. However, not everyone knew who he was.

  Some had heard the couldn't ect it to a face, and even those who had reized him earlier might have let the memory fade now that his viral moment had passed.

  The eion of the live stream exploded with activity.

  A flood of "helpful" viewers eagerly educated the influencer about Julian's background.

  From 'his grandfather being the top Steel-type Elite', 'his uncle being a director of the Walker Group', and 'his father owning a national-level gym', to 'his aunt being the you Arceus Award recipient in history', the ents painted a vivid picture of his extraordinary lineage.

  And as if that wasn't enough, they emphasized that 'Julian himself was a monstrous trainer'

  His identity had long been publiowledge. Hardcore fans even knew details about his extended family—everything from his maternal grandfather's role in govero his uncle's iional ventures.

  The more the influencer, Little Aihrough the barrage of ents, the paler her face became.

  Each detail spelled out one undeniable fact;

  'Messing with Julian was a death sentence.'

  "Big brother!!!"

  She suddenly wailed, tears streaming down her face as she desperately sought help from her top supporter.

  But wheurned back to her s, she saw that her top supporter had vanished without a trace.

  "Big Brother ran like he was taking a train and even bought a standing ticket!"

  "You're here to funt in a fancy restaurant for clout; he's just having di his own pce"

  The eion quickly turned against her, mog her earlier smugness. Ironically, many of the same viewers had egged her on moments ago.

  --

  As for the influencer, Julian didn't give her ahought.

  He had already arrived at Gardevoir Suite No. 1, equivalent to a presidential suite in his previous life but far rger and more luxurious.

  He released all his Pokémon into the spacious room. Even his Steelix could hold its head high fortably.

  The suite was equipped with every amenity, including a Pokémon transfer system.

  Julian pced Alex's Pokémon, including the three Elite-level ones, into the devid carefully ehe coordinates.

  Soon all these Poké Balls were sent to his grandfather by him.

  Ohe Pokémon's dinner repared, Julian finally stepped into the bathroom, eager for a rexing shower.

  Gastly, however, was in no rush to eat. Born in the Secret Realm, everything in human society seemed magical to it.

  The showerhead, for instance—why did it spray water? And why was the water warm? Its trainer looked particurly happy, whily piqued Gastly's curiosity further.

  "Maybe wait until I'm done before ing in?"

  Julian's expression froze as he noticed the curious Gastly h ihroom. It wasly natural to feel fortable with a ghost-type Pokémon staring at you mid-shower.

  'At least it's male'

  Julian thought wryly.

  "In pces like this, don't just barge in, uand?" Julian Warned.

  Gastly's ability to phase through walls and doors was both a blessing and a curse. The st thing Julian wanted was for it to actally wander into a women's restroom or bathhouse—it would be Julian, not Gastly, who'd pay the price.

  The rest of the night passed ufully.

  The m, Julia in until the sun was high in the sky. Slowking had taken it upon itself to feed the other Pokémon breakfast, ensuring they didn't disturb their trainer.

  After a leisurely brun the hotel, Julian prepared to leave.

  As he exited the lobby, yesterday's influencer, Little Ain, suddenly appeared, blog his path.

  "Mr. Walker, I'm so sorry about yesterday! I didn't know it was you"

  After speaking, the influencer looked at Julian nervously.

  After learning about Julian's background, Little Ain had spent a sleepless night, terrified of the sequences. Following a private message from her top fan advisio apologize, she had waited outside the hotel all m.

  Against all odds, her patience paid off.

  Julian gave her a brief g didn't reply. Without saying a word, he walked past her.

  Little Ai out a heavy sigh of relief.

  Her top fan had been right—people like Julian wouldn't bother to hold a grudge against someone like her. Her apology wasn't about avoiding punishment but rather an attempt to improve Julian's impression of her.

  'If only I could get his tafo…' she mused. 'Or even—'

  Watg Julian's retreating figure, little Ain sighed again, cuttihoughts short.

  'Better foaking tonight's stream a hit instead'

  ---

  Back at School;

  Upourning to campus, Julian's first stop was his homeroom teacher's office to notify of his return.

  Taking a month off as a freshman was no small feat. If not for being part of the Special Recruit Css, such a request would've been nearly impossible in a regur css.

  "Boss Julian, you're back!"

  Just as Julian reached the door of his vil, aed voice came from behind.

  "Dalton? What are you doing here?" Julian asked.

  Dalton, the css leader of the Fighting css, had started addressing Julian as 'Boss Julian' after losing to him during military training.

  "I'm in your ow, Boss Julian!, I moved into the vil area this month. The Special css really is a whole different world pared tur csses," Dalton said, beaming.

  The Special css was exclusive, with only thirty students. It operated on a strict elimination system, where the lowest-raudent at the end of each month faced a challenger from the regur csses.

  If the lowest-raudent won, they could remain in the css. If they lost, they were demoted tur css.

  So, even after joining the Special css, if your strength wasn't up to par, you could still be eliminated due to the rules.

  It was because of this, that Dalton had his ce to join.

  "Did you defeat Shen?"

  That was Julian's first rea. He immediately assumed Dalton had beateo secure his spot in the Special css.

  Shen's p the css was solely due to her awakening a special ability called "Heart's Eye." However, her overall strength ra the bottom among the thirty students in the css.

  Moreover, her "Heart's Eye" ability had only retly awakened, making it weak and short-lived.

  Beied wasn't surprising.

  Julian didn't give it much thought. The world of trainers was straightforward—survival of the fittest. Even if you were exceptional, there would always be someoer.

  "No, she wasn't defeated by me. She's the sed to st. But now that I'm in, she's ra. month, her spot might be in danger," Dalton expined.

  Dalton's strength was already enough to qualify for the Special css. If Shen hadn't suddenly awakened her "Heart's Eye," the spot would have been his from the start.

  "Got it."

  Julian nodded slightly before heading into the vil.

  Dalton stood there, stunned. He had expected Julian to invite him in for a chat, but instead, he was ignored.