Chapter 21: Time to Shine!
Riverstone University, Blaze Campus
Laboratory Building D, Examination Paper Correction Room
"What were these candidates even thinking? One of them claimed Nosepass could learn every single attack move and follow both physical and special attack paths. They think it's some kind of fortress?" A senior grader scoffed, shaking her head.
"Seriously! I had someone say Nosepass could learn Fighting-type moves and even use Quick Attack. Nosepass! The Pokémon that takes a full year to move a single meter! Quick Attack? That's like asking a Slowpoke to sprint," another student chimed in, rolling her eyes. "I doubt they even know what a Nosepass is."
"My brain hurts! I need a break," groaned a third student, rubbing her temples. "Plus, I still have to feed the Nosepasses later."
"Don't remind me. I have a magnetic test to run after this. Looks like I'll be here until midnight," another sighed.
The girls in school uniforms exchanged gripes as they marked exam papers, keeping their voices low. After all, their tutor Scarlett—the youngest professor at Riverstone University, a Master Pokémon Breeder, and the owner of the Dragoncrest Hall—was seated nearby, listening.
"Here's a good one," a student spoke up, eyebrow raised. "This candidate suggests' crushing electromagnetic ore and sprinkling it on Babiri and Chople Berries to feed Nosepass'. Apparently, it's supposed to stimulate evolution using ultra-high-intensity electromagnetic fields. Where do they get this stuff?"
The students burst into laughter.
Scarlett was reclining on the sofa, skimming the latest issue of the Pokémon Ultra Times. But upon hearing "Babiri Berry" and "Ultra-Intensity Magnetic Field," she looked up. "Let me see that paper."
The student laughing the hardest passed it over to her.
As Scarlett scanned the page, her expression gradually sharpened. "This candidate's technical skill is still rough," she mused, "but their second Breeder plan shows some real promise. What score did you give this?"
"Uh… I was just about to ask. It's a bit outside the standard answers," the student admitted.
Scarlett smirked slightly. "They're not trying to show off. They've tailored this plan to make sure even the examiner sees its value. Clever."
The student blinked, intrigued.
"Mark this one carefully, check their ID, and, if they're admitted, invite them to join my team," Scarlett instructed, tossing the paper back.
Since names were concealed on the test, Scarlett couldn't just summon the candidate right away. "With an understanding of Nosepass like that, they shouldn't have any trouble getting in."
"Yes, Professor!" the student replied, then hesitated. "What about the score on the last question?"
"Full marks," Scarlett replied, stroking her chin thoughtfully. "And set up today's lab magnetic field early. Try increasing the intensity by 50%."
With that, she stood and exited the office.
"Yes, Professor."
Once Scarlett left, the students exchanged glances, then quickly gathered around.
"Come on, let's check out that Breeder plan you were clueless about!" one teased.
"Oh, get lost!" the other laughed, playfully pushing her aside.
Riverstone University, Blaze Campus
Battlefield No. 24
"Better bring your A-game! I may admire your Ralts, but I'm not going easy on you!" The senior student's expression was fierce, her eyes gleaming with resolve.
"Ducklett, use Aerial Ace!"
The light blue duckling, with a tiny heart shape on its head, flapped its wings and took to the air, diving down in a precision strike like a hawk on the hunt.
"Impressive speed," John acknowledged, admiring her Ducklett's skill and training.
"Ralts, use Confusion!" he commanded.
"Ralt~~" Ralts raised its delicate hand, pointing at the swooping Ducklett. An invisible wave of psychic energy burst forth, striking Ducklett mid-dive.
Ducklett froze, suspended mid-air, locked in Ralts's Confusion.
With a slight motion of its hand, Ralts sent Ducklett crashing to the ground with a thunderous impact, creating a small crater.
"What a powerful Confusion! Ralts, you're amazing!" The senior's eyes sparkled with excitement, even as her own Pokémon struggled to rise.
Meanwhile, Ducklett seemed to think: 'Wait, am I yours, or is Ralts is?'
"But my Ducklett's tough! Ducklett, Water Gun!" she called, shifting tactics.
But John didn't falter. "One hit isn't enough. Ralts, keep going! Don't let up until Ducklett's done!"
Ralts raised its hand once more, sending another pulse of Confusion. Ducklett, mid-breath, struggled to gather the water in its beak before Ralts lifted it into the air again, slamming it back down with another resounding "boom!"
The pattern continued, Ducklett bouncing off the ground like a ragged punching bag.
"Thud! Thud! Thud!"
Ducklett's durability was almost heroic, but each slam was brutal.
John wiped his brow, beginning to question if his little Ralt fully understood the sheer power she was wielding.
The senior let out a mixture of admiration and horror. "It's adorable and vicious—I love it!"
John shot her a look. Was she serious?
"I knew Ralts would win the moment it hit the field!" she cheered, pointing at Ralts as if trying to convince the referee.
The referee, equally drenched in sweat, thought, 'Lady, please—you're the one who's losing.'
At last, the referee called out, "Ducklett is unable to battle! Ralts wins, and victory goes to John!"
The senior gazed at Ducklett with mixed emotions, as if apologizing for the rollercoaster it had endured.
For its part, Ducklett simply blinked, weary and maybe slightly traumatized, as if to say: 'Next time, find me a gentler opponent.'
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