Evolved Kirlia was undoubtedly far stronger.
She also learned a new move — Psychic.
As for Charmeleon, it had reached Level 23.
Their rate of growth
was without a doubt
extremely fast!
If it fought the same Machop from before now, it could take it down in just two punches!
The seven-day National Day holiday passed in the blink of an eye.
Aside from the school team members, students — like overworked part-time "office workers" — had no choice but to return to school and resume their 8 a.m. classes.
Lin Yu,
received an official letter…
From Zhongqing University.
Lin Yu knew of this university. It housed its own S-rank Secret Realm and was one of the best universities in China.
It had abundant educational resources and poured everything into training its students.
Shuimu Third High rarely sent more than a few students into Zhongqing University through the national college entrance exam each year.
But Lin Yu had been offered early admission.
There was just one condition.
Within one year, he had to qualify for the Provincial High School Tournament
and advance to the top 16.
This condition was far harder than simply passing the entrance exam.
But if he succeeded through early admission, the university would shower him with even more resources.
In the school office.
"Understand?"
Looking at the handsome young man in front of her, Qin Feng handed him the invitation letter.
"I understand."
Lin Yu nodded seriously.
Qin Feng added, "This is an opportunity the school fought for you — but you earned it with your own skill."
City Tournament champion.
That alone gave him the right to compete in the Provincial High School Tournament.
But unlike the Shuimu City tournament,
the provincial and even national high school tournaments had no grade restrictions.
Any high school student who met the requirements could join.
That meant…
everyone who entered was among the top trainers from every city and province.
Each one was stronger than the last.
All carefully selected elites.
As for the final National High School Tournament…
the champions there were practically on par with mid-tier professional trainers!
But it was no problem for Lin Yu.
He had plenty of time.
In one year, he should at least get one chance to roll the yearly Entry, right?
If he pulled a golden Entry then…
he'd skyrocket in power overnight!
"Alright, you may go. Oh, and start thinking about your third Pokémon."
"Got it."
Leaving the office, Lin Yu began to think.
For his third Pokémon, he wanted a Water-type — Greninja, more than anything.
Rasengan + Greninja + Double Team!
The vibe was perfect!
Who could understand?!
Too bad Froakie, like Ralts and Charmeleon, was an extremely rare Pokémon.
They weren't easy to come by.
Add talent requirements on top of that,
and they were priceless even if you had the money.
After thinking it over, Lin Yu had no quick solution.
But it was a new week. First, he'd check this week's Entry.
A blue light flashed!
Lin Yu's eyes lit up. His luck had been great lately.
He'd rolled several green Entries from daily refreshes, and now a blue one from the weekly roll.
Truly good fortune.
[Blue Entry (Encounter):
Once equipped, a wish of your heart will be fulfilled within 1 day to 1 month.
Cooldown resets after completion.]
This Entry
sounded impressive,
but it was basically luck-based. After thinking for a moment, he equipped it on himself.
Then he wished with all his heart:
Let a Champion-tier Froakie appear soon!
The wind blew gently…
October wind was already cool, quickly killing his fantasy.
Luck-based stuff couldn't be trusted!
Shuimu City Villa District.
Ever since he learned Lin Yu had survived and Butler Chen had appeared on Shuimu City's most-wanted news,
Qing Fei had been terrified of Lin Yu.
He told his father everything.
Naturally, he got a huge scolding.
Because this Charmeleon was the highest-potential offspring from an egg laid by a Master-tier Charizard.
Qing Yunyu…
he was not just a mid-tier professional trainer in China.
He was also a cadre of Team Magma.
A decisive, ruthless man.
He specially returned to Shuimu City over this matter.
"A Charmeleon with Fairy Wings…"
He glanced once more at his useless son.
Team Magma was in the middle of infiltrating China.
Nothing could go wrong now.
But how could this nobody boy raise two Pokémon to such strength in such a short time…
Qing Yunyu asked, "Has anything strange happened at school lately?"
"Strange… just him. Oh, and a really pretty girl. Her Pokémon are Dratini and Beldum…
and she seems pretty close to Lin Yu."
Qing Fei remembered the freshman trial.
"Dratini? Beldum?!"
Qing Yunyu frowned. He quickly found videos of the High School Tournament.
"The Ye Clan… no wonder."
After watching, he understood instantly.
What kind of Pokémon was Dratini?
Among all the Secret Realms that had appeared so far,
only Dragon Island had a wild population.
In other realms, Dratini was practically extinct.
And Dragon Island only allied itself with the Ye Clan — one of China's greatest Pokémon families.
As for Beldum…
its evolved form, Metagross,
was one of the strongest pseudo-legendaries.
So Ye Qingxue's identity was easy to guess.
She must be a direct descendant of the Ye Clan.
And Qing Fei said she was close to this boy, even like a couple.
He spoke earnestly to his son:
"Drop this matter. That Charmeleon's talent may not even be that great.
Don't go to school for a while. I'll find a place for you to train your Pokémon.
The City Tournament is temporary.
I want you to shine in the Provincial — even National — High School Tournament.
The National Tournament is where real geniuses gather.
The first-place prize is even a pseudo-legendary Pokémon…"
As a father, he knew how dangerous the path he'd chosen was.
That was why he hid his identity from Qing Fei, only saying he was a professional trainer who often explored Secret Realms.
If possible, he wanted Qing Fei to walk the straight path, step by step.
If he was caught someday…
it wouldn't drag Qing Yu down with him.
He could struggle in the mud,
but his child would not be trapped there because of him!
"...Yes, Dad."
Qing Fei stared at the video of Lin Yu dominating the High School Tournament, still unwilling.
That Charmeleon was supposed to be his!
"Take this stone slab… with it, your Pokémon's talent will rise greatly…"
"Achoo!"
Back home,
Lin Yu sneezed and wondered who was talking about him.
He pulled out his phone and checked when the Provincial High School Tournament would be held.
It was held twice a year: September, and March in the spring.
September's tournament was already over.
That meant he could only enter the Provincial High School Tournament next March.
After thinking it over,
he signed up immediately for the provincial tournament next spring!