A single Pecha Berry cost 500 yuan. Lu Cheng bought just ten of them, and his freshly acquired 5,000 yuan was gone in no time. For a Pokémon trainer, raising a Pokémon often involves expenses that run into tens of thousands; otherwise, the Pokémon can't reach its full potential. Whether it's berries or Pokéblocks, they provide essential nutrients and promote growth—it's all a necessary investment.
Even though it hurt to spend the money, Lu Cheng reluctantly hit the purchase button. He turned to look at the little fox, which had finished eating and was now dozing off, realizing that he urgently needed to figure out a way to make more money. Otherwise, this small amount of money would never be enough to feed Vulpix!
Vulpix was wrapped up warmly in its own tail, happily sleeping on the soft cushion. Young Pokémon need plenty of nutrition and rest, but their development cycle is short; in about one to two weeks, they can begin training. Bug-type Pokémon are even more astonishing, evolving to their final forms in as little as three to four days or up to a month.
However, evolving too early can drain a Pokémon's potential, so Lu Cheng wasn't planning on letting Vulpix evolve until it mastered the necessary skills. Besides, he couldn't afford a Fire Stone anyway! A Fire Stone costs about seven to eight hundred thousand yuan—enough to buy a small house in a rural town. The path of a Pokémon trainer is indeed long and challenging!
Lu Cheng let out a long sigh, but as he looked at Vulpix peacefully sleeping, he couldn't help but smile with a fatherly expression. Being a Pokémon trainer—it's truly a joy!
---
"Lu Cheng, Lu Cheng, my Wingull has hatched!" Early in the morning, the chubby A Le came rushing into the classroom, grabbing Lu Cheng's arm with a voice full of excitement.
"I get that you're excited, but could you let go of me first?" Lu Cheng shuddered as he felt the greasy hand gripping him.
"Sorry, sorry! Let me show you its photo!" A Le looked around to make sure their ever-elusive homeroom teacher wasn't about to appear out of nowhere, then handed his phone to Lu Cheng.
On the screen was a photo of a freshly hatched chick, its body raw and bloody, with a sharp beak and fierce eyes, viciously tearing into a piece of raw meat.
"Uh—"
"Isn't it cute?" A Le's eyes lit up with pride. "It's just like a little angel."
"Y-Yeah, hahaha..." Lu Cheng awkwardly laughed, understanding A Le's feelings. After all, one's own Pokémon always looks adorable no matter what. Besides, given Lu Cheng's unusual sense of aesthetics, he wasn't really in a position to say much.
"Tsk, tsk, tsk, you think that's worth showing off?" A sharp voice suddenly interrupted their conversation. Hu Sheng, the class troublemaker, leaned over to glance at the phone, a sneer spreading across his face.
"A cheap Pokémon like that will only ever be good for low-level work," Hu Sheng said, crossing his arms with a smug expression.
As soon as he said that, the morning study session fell silent, and many students' faces turned sour. This high school was a prestigious one, and most of the students had worked hard to get in, many of them from average families with no plans to become Pokémon trainers. Although Wingull's evolved form, Pelipper, is often a valuable asset in rain teams, without the financial backing, it's more commonly seen as just a transport Pokémon.
Hu Sheng's voice was loud enough for everyone to hear, but no one dared to speak up against him. The room returned to its quiet reading, but with a noticeable tension in the air.
A Le's face turned bright red, and he struggled to come up with a response. With his head held low, he muttered, "I think Wingull is just fine."
"Hah, you're really clueless, aren't you?" Hu Sheng mocked loudly, ensuring everyone could hear. "My starter Pokémon is a Charmander, and you don't see me bragging. So who do you think you are, showing off, you chubby loser?"
"I-I wasn't showing off..." A Le stammered. He wasn't the type to argue with people, preferring to play video games at home, so when faced with a bully like Hu Sheng, he was at a loss for words.
When Hu Sheng mentioned his Charmander, the classroom fell silent again. The market value of a Charmander was as high as 700,000 yuan, not to mention its immense potential. With Hu Sheng's family's wealth, raising it into a Charizard was just a matter of time. After all, Charizard is a symbol of elite trainers in the Pokémon League promotional videos!
Hu Sheng reveled in everyone's reaction, looking at A Le with a smug expression. He had just received his Charmander yesterday and was eager to let everyone know. By putting A Le down, he was basking in the glory of his superior position.
Just then, a calm voice rang out. Lu Cheng, with a smile, said, "Hu Sheng, this is the morning study period, so please keep it down. You're disturbing my concentration." He pointed to his ear with an apologetic look, adding, "Your voice is like a buzzing Yanma right next to my ear."
"Pffft!" A girl couldn't help but burst into laughter at the amusing comparison.
Hu Sheng glared at Lu Cheng, anger flaring in his eyes. To him, Lu Cheng was just a bookworm obsessed with getting into a prestigious university. An arrogant guy like Hu Sheng wouldn't tolerate anyone interrupting his moment of showing off! Enraged, Hu Sheng was about to grab Lu Cheng by the collar.
But just then, a red light flashed from Lu Cheng's backpack. The small figure of Vulpix appeared on the desk, and in an instant, it aimed an "Ember" at Hu Sheng, who was trying to harm its trainer.
"Ahhh! My eyebrows! My eyebrows!" The so-called "Ember" was really just a few sparks, but since they hit Hu Sheng's face, they managed to ignite his eyebrows, causing him to jump around in panic.
"Water, water! My eyebrows are on fire!" Though Hu Sheng's situation was pitiful, most of the students felt a bit of satisfaction watching him jump around like that, given his usual behavior. Finally, a kind-hearted girl handed him a bottle of water, and Hu Sheng quickly poured it over his head, looking like a soaking wet cat with singed eyebrows.
A Le looked at Hu Sheng's half-burned eyebrows and couldn't hold back his laughter, letting out a snicker. The entire class burst into laughter. Hu Sheng shot a venomous glare at A Le before turning to Lu Cheng and shouting, "Lu Cheng, you just wait!"
"What's all this noise about!" At that moment, the homeroom teacher walked in, looking at Hu Sheng with a puzzled expression. "Hu Sheng, what happened to your eyebrows?"
Another wave of laughter rippled through the classroom.
Hu Sheng yelled, "Teacher, Lu Cheng ordered his Pokémon to attack me!"
This accusation was no small matter. In a Pokémon-centered society, incidents of people using Pokémon to harm others were taken very seriously, with strict rules from the Pokémon Association. Violating these rules could lead to severe consequences.
A Le, panicking, shouted, "That's not true! Hu Sheng tried to attack first, and Lu Cheng's Pokémon jumped out of its Pokéball on its own to protect him!"
While it was true that Pokémon sometimes emerged from their Pokéballs to defend their trainers, that usually only happened when there was a deep bond between them. How could that be the case with a newly hatched Pokémon?
The homeroom teacher's expression turned serious as he said, "Lu Cheng, Hu Sheng, step outside with me."
Hu Sheng was the first to storm out, glaring at Lu Cheng and muttering coldly, "You're finished!"
Lu Cheng gave A Le a reassuring look, then returned Vulpix to its Pokéball and followed the homeroom teacher out of the classroom.
---
10+ Advanced Chapters [P@treon.com/WiseTL]
"What exactly happened?" the homeroom teacher asked, looking at both of them. Deep down, he leaned toward Lu Cheng. After all, Lu Cheng was a promising student with hopes of getting into Jiangnan University, but at the same time, he couldn't afford to offend Hu Sheng.
"Lu Cheng instructed his Vulpix to attack me!" Hu Sheng gritted his teeth, growling.
"Why would it attack you for no reason?" the homeroom teacher frowned.
"He's jealous that my family is rich and that my starter Pokémon is better than his!" Hu Sheng retorted.
The homeroom teacher secretly shook his head. While Hu Sheng's family was indeed wealthy, it had clearly spoiled their only son. Hu Sheng often bullied his classmates, acting arrogant and domineering. His personality left much to be desired.
"Lu Cheng, tell me your side of the story," the homeroom teacher said.
"Hu Sheng mocked A Le, saying he wasn't worthy of becoming a trainer. Since it was during morning study, I asked Hu Sheng to return to his seat to focus, but he tried to hit me. My Vulpix stepped in to protect me," Lu Cheng explained concisely.
His explanation was short and straightforward, and the homeroom teacher nodded slightly. Considering Hu Sheng's reputation as a school bully, it wasn't surprising that he'd resort to violence. And as for raising a Charmander, given Hu Sheng's temperament, it'd be a miracle if he could evolve it into a Charmeleon.
The key question was whether Vulpix had voluntarily come out of its Pokéball, as that would determine whether Lu Cheng had intentionally ordered an attack or if it was simply self-defense.
"Did the Pokémon come out of its Pokéball on its own?" the homeroom teacher asked.
"The surveillance footage and my classmates can confirm it," Lu Cheng responded calmly.
Hu Sheng's face twisted with resentment, while the homeroom teacher seemed to have a clearer picture of what had happened. "Hu Sheng, don't worry. I'll ensure this matter is dealt with fairly."
"Why don't you head back to class? I need to speak with Lu Cheng," he added.
Hu Sheng shot a smug glance at Lu Cheng, thinking to himself, See? Even the teacher won't dare cross me. Witnesses or not, this guy's done for.
Lu Cheng watched Hu Sheng leave with a hint of exasperation. Then, he turned his attention back to the homeroom teacher, who let out a sigh and said, "Lu Cheng, the college entrance exams are coming up. You're one of our top students with a real chance of getting into a prestigious university. Don't let this incident affect your focus."
"You know the kind of family Hu Sheng comes from. His father has donated a substantial amount to the school. It might be best to avoid him in the future," the teacher advised.
Lu Cheng nodded. Even though he had the system to back him up, his priority now was to develop his own strength. While Hu Sheng might have the support of a Charmander and his family's wealth, a trainer who didn't put in the effort could never raise a truly powerful Pokémon.
The homeroom teacher observed Lu Cheng deep in thought, recalling his own youthful dreams of becoming a Pokémon trainer. Reality, however, had led him to a different path, and now he was a teacher, guiding the next generation.
In this class, including Hu Sheng, only three students had chosen the path of a trainer. Nowadays, kids were more practical, knowing that pursuing such dreams came at a steep price.
The teacher shook his head and said, "I can't cover up for Hu Sheng on this one. I'll have to escalate the matter to the principal, but I'll do my best to make sure the truth gets out. You should head back to class now."
Lu Cheng nodded, understanding the teacher's position. As he walked back to class, the homeroom teacher couldn't help but smile bitterly.
---
"Principal, this is the detailed report on the conflict between Lu Cheng and Hu Sheng. Please take a look," the homeroom teacher said, handing over the report.
The principal had already heard about the incident and knew that Hu Sheng's father was furious. The clear and concise report was the homeroom teacher's attempt to advocate for Lu Cheng.
"Just leave it there," the principal said, adjusting his tight suit with a slightly uncomfortable expression. Seeing that it was the homeroom teacher, he relaxed a little.
"Chen, there's a high-profile visitor coming today. Let's put this trivial matter aside for now," the principal added.
"But it involves Hu Biao's son…" the homeroom teacher began.
"Even if Hu Biao himself showed up today, he'd be trivial compared to our visitor!" the principal said sharply.
Just then, a tall figure appeared in the doorway. The man had a robust build but moved with the silent grace of a predator. His face bore a long scar, adding to his intimidating presence.
"You're here!" The principal immediately brightened and ordered, "Chen, go fetch some water!"
Before the homeroom teacher could move, the man waved his hand. "No need. I'm here to deliver a message. You've heard about the U20 tournament, haven't you?"
The principal nodded eagerly, while the homeroom teacher, still puzzled, followed suit.
"All trainers under 20 in Jiang City are eligible for this U20 Youth Trainer Tournament. Since your school is a key institution, you'd better ensure you put forward strong candidates," the man said, his smile not reaching his cold eyes, which sent a shiver down the homeroom teacher's spine.
"Of course, we'll select the best students for the competition. It's just that the college entrance exams are near, so for the seniors…" the principal began.
The man cut him off with a dismissive wave. "The top three winners of the tournament will receive automatic admission to Jiangnan University."
"That's excellent news!" The principal's earlier worries evaporated, replaced by excitement at the thought of the prestige this could bring to the school.
The man placed a folder on the desk. As he glanced at the homeroom teacher's report, he asked, "What's this?"
"It's just a minor issue, nothing to bother you with," the principal quickly replied.
"A Vulpix coming out of its Pokéball on its own to protect its trainer? Interesting." The man's eyes narrowed as he read Lu Cheng's name. His gaze sharpened.
"When did this Lu Cheng acquire his Vulpix?" he asked.
The principal looked to the homeroom teacher, who replied, "I believe he just turned 18 recently, so his registration is likely about a week old."
The man muttered to himself, "A week ago, surname Lu, and a Vulpix… Ha, it all adds up!"
He burst into laughter, slamming the desk and startling both the principal and the homeroom teacher.
"This student—no matter how this situation is handled, if he's treated unfairly, I guarantee that the Armed Forces' Pokémon will be at your school's gates the next day. Understand?"
The principal was stunned. He had no idea why this man valued Lu Cheng so highly. Based on Lu Cheng's records, he seemed like an ordinary student. Nevertheless, the principal nodded emphatically.
"Rest assured, the school will handle this matter properly."
The man gave a wry smile. "Don't look so worried. I'll take care of Hu Biao. After all, we still need him to fund the tournament."
The principal let out a sigh of relief as the man turned to leave.
The homeroom teacher asked curiously, "Principal, who is that man? He seemed quite powerful."
The principal wiped the sweat from his brow. "I'm not entirely sure, but he's connected to the Armed Forces. That's not a group you want to mess with. By the way, does Lu Cheng's family have any military background?"
The homeroom teacher shook his head. "No, none that I know of."
"How peculiar," the principal murmured, rubbing his chin. "Then why would they care so much about him?"
"So, what should we do about Hu Sheng's case?" the homeroom teacher asked.
"Let's not worry about it for now," the principal said dismissively. "We need to tread carefully here. Just give Hu Sheng a small punishment and let's move on."
The homeroom teacher nodded thoughtfully and left the office.
---
10+ Advanced Chapters [P@treon.com/WiseTL]
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