At the check-in area, the two of them each drew their number cards.

Both were around number 300, right in the middle range.

"So, should we just wait here?"

Wu Guinan looked at Li Pu.

"It's not a bad idea."

Li Pu wasn't entirely without things to do.

During the wait, he could sort out his deck and work on his card-making tasks.

After all, as his collection of cards grew, the combinations from merging them also increased.

Just previewing them was a massive project.

Even if he skipped the useless routes, it still took a lot of time.

"Do you have a tent?"

So, he asked Wu Guinan.

Everyone had a tent, and if they were just standing there without one, it seemed a bit awkward.

"No, I can just sleep in the shell of my Egg Turtle at night."

Wu Guinan shrugged.

Rolling Turtle: [Roll!]

Egg Turtle: [Egg!]

"...Wait, it has that function?"

Li Pu felt something was off.

But he didn't have a tent either, so he might just sleep with the scarecrow at night.

Scarecrow: [Grass!]

"You two are a bit late."

Just then, Qian Shanshan walked over.

"All the good spots are taken; you'd have to pitch your tent at the edge now."

She teased them with a smile.

Pitching tents for the monthly test had become a kind of tradition at Imperial University.

Many students saw the opportunity as a camping experience.

"And who is this...?"

Li Pu greeted Qian Shanshan and noticed a tall, burly boy with prominent eyebrows following her.

"He's one of the top ten in our year."

Qian Shanshan stepped aside to make room for the boy.

"Hello, I'm Gu Zhe."

"An exchange student from Western Capital. I've been hearing your names a lot lately, Li Pu, Wu Guinan (sidekick), and I wanted to meet you."

The boy extended his hand to greet them.

"You think I can't hear that part in parentheses?"

Wu Guinan seemed to possess cross-dimensional hearing.

"Hello."

Li Pu felt the boy's handshake was strong.

"Gu Zhe is a rather special Summoner, and he's been eager to meet you. He's been bugging me lately."

After the introductions, Qian Shanshan continued.

"In what way is he special...?"

Li Pu sensed something peculiar, so he stuttered a bit.

"Haha, well, you see..."

Gu Zhe seemed honest and scratched his head.

Seeing his embarrassment, Qian Shanshan explained on his behalf.

Due to personal interests and his summoned beast,

he followed a path as a physical prowess-focused Summoner, using himself as the main combat force.

Somewhat similar to those possessive Summoners in the Magic City, but his beast couldn't merge with him; instead, it provided various boosts.

Along with learning some related Summoner skills and regular training, Gu Zhe's personal combat ability was quite strong.

"I heard you managed to single-handedly defeat the senior on the initial test platform."

"So I'd like to spar with you."

Gu Zhe explained his eagerness to meet Li Pu.

Since their types were similar, he often sparred with Senior Quan Shuren.

To put it bluntly, they fought a lot.

Despite being a second-year, Quan Shuren often ended up even with him.

Through the first and second years combined, only a handful could spar with Gu Zhe, with Quan Shuren being his most formidable opponent.

But over time, it became a bit tedious.

So he wanted a new opponent for fresh insights.

Of course, given that he tied with Quan Shuren, Gu Zhe didn't expect to beat Li Pu.

He'd heard Quan Shuren lost decisively and that Li Pu won easily.

"No problem."

Li Pu didn't refuse.

Their approach felt courteous and sincere, so he was happy to oblige.

"Do you have some kind of aura? Every monthly test, someone wants to challenge you."

Wu Guinan quietly quipped.

To avoid disturbing others, the group moved to a secluded area outside the tent zone.

Li Pu and Gu Zhe faced each other, getting ready for the duel.

"There are only two spectators here; isn't that a bit dull?"

Wu Guinan looked around and found no one else.

It felt a bit dull to him.

"..."

Meanwhile, Qian Shanshan held her tongue.

Since she was also one of the top ten, and after weeks of psychological torment, she wanted to see Li Pu beat Gu Zhe.

She had a clear understanding of both their strengths.

But she was afraid saying anything might jinx Li Pu.

"Li, you don't mind if I take the first move?"

The spar was about to begin, and Gu Zhe had already put on a serious face.

Seeing Li Pu nod, he sent out his summoned beast.

Gu Zhe's summoned beast was quite peculiar; his first looked like an old television set.

Two V antennas, a square screen, and four wooden legs as a stand.

If it weren't for the face on the screen, Li Pu would've thought it was just a broken TV.

"What kind of summoned beast is that? Or is it a summoned object?"

Wu Guinan looked at Qian Shanshan in confusion.

Qian Shanshan kept her mouth tightly shut, replying only with her eyes.

Qian Shanshan: Don't underestimate his summoned beast; have you heard of a Dance Machine?

Qian Shanshan: It's a beast that can boost its Summoner's capabilities in all aspects by performing various dances.