Chương 91: There's Something Off About My Pokémon [91]
Typically, the Trainer program requires high academic standards, especially for schools like Modu University and Imperial University, where the admission line rivals even their flagship majors. These universities also offer Pokémon summer camps during vacations, selecting exceptional students for early admissions. Lu Cheng had heard that the head of Jiangnan University's Pokémon Combat Department, Du Zhe, had earned his spot at Imperial University through one of those camps.
On this day, Lu Cheng was jogging in a track suit along West Lake. To keep up with Liu Shengnan's training schedule, he'd been waking up at seven every morning. Thankfully, the system had granted him an additional two points in HP, so he managed to keep up physically.
Mr. Wang, who always had a sharp-eyed Pidgey perched on his arm, gave Lu Cheng a not-so-friendly squawk as the elderly man himself greeted Lu with a smile. Many of the people out for morning exercise had brought their Pokémon along, so it wasn't unusual for Lu to let his Vulpix and Grovyle out to run with him.
"Lu Cheng?"
He looked up at the sound of his name to see Gao Lu, staring at him in surprise. She wore a pink tracksuit, white sneakers with cushioned soles, and a white headband across her forehead, her short hair damp with sweat. Behind her was an odd-looking creature with a garlic-shaped head and blue, sickly skin that looked like it had been soaked in dirty water. Its arms had only three fingers, and its face was even creepier—two dull black-and-white eyes stared blankly under a matted, grayish "hair" that resembled a garlic clove.
Lu Cheng sucked in a sharp breath.
"You're staring!" Gao Lu put her hands on her hips. "What's wrong with my Pokémon?"
Realizing his reaction, Lu took a closer look.
MachopPersonality: Docile
Ability: Pure Power
Moves: Meditate, Focus Energy, Brick Break
Analysis: Skilled in various poses, this Pokémon can launch attacks from all angles. For training, it consumes only one berry a day.
He scratched his chin thoughtfully. Now that's a low-maintenance Pokémon!
Clearing his throat, he smiled, "Oh, nothing. Just impressed it's already mastered Brick Break—I'm about to praise you."
Gao Lu looked at him skeptically. "How did you know my Machop learned Brick Break?"
"I'm around your dad all the time at the gym—there's little I don't know."
Lu Cheng had learned from Gao Minglang, who occasionally worked part-time at another gym, that Gao Lu was indeed his daughter. This realization had left Lu a bit puzzled. What's with this family? Other than the brother, none of them are remotely normal.
The somewhat airheaded athletic girl in front of him pondered Lu's response thoughtfully before nodding. "Do you come here to run often? I don't think I've seen you much."
"Only now that it's summer break," Lu admitted with a wry smile, "I finally have some free time."
She gave him a quick once-over, nodding approvingly. "You could definitely use it. You're too skinny!"
Lu was about to protest that it was simply his clothes making him look slim when Gao Lu suddenly leaned closer, grinning. "Hey, how about joining our dojo to learn karate?"
"…What?"
"It's not that expensive!" She waved her hands in reassurance. "For the whole summer, it's only five thousand. We guarantee you'll learn!"
"Then next time," she teased, "you won't be caught off guard by a little knife!"
Seeing her stand there with her chest puffed out in pride, Lu Cheng could only laugh nervously, giving a noncommittal answer.
"That's settled then!" Her eyes lit up. "It's at Yixin Dojo—don't forget to show up!"
Feeling pleased that she'd secured a new customer for her brother, Gao Lu cheerfully walked off with her Machop, humming a tune.
Originally, Lu Cheng had planned to spend his summer buried in workouts at the gym. He'd only agreed to humor Gao Lu, but at that moment, he heard the familiar chime of the system's notification.
Ding—Mission Detected: 'Karate at Yixin Dojo'
Mission Objective: Complete karate training over summer at Yixin Dojo and earn the approval of the dojo's master.
Mission Rewards: +2 Physical Attack, +2 Speed, Headband of Resolve, Trait "Highest Fist"
Trait Description: Regardless of the enemy, one punch is enough to resolve any issue! Increases the critical hit rate by 10% and boosts the power of all punching moves by 10%. This trait can be shared with the host.
Lu Cheng made his decision right away. It's not even about the rewards. Mostly, I just want to learn karate!
After greeting Gao Minglang at the gym, Lu Cheng casually mentioned that he'd be joining Yixin Dojo to learn martial arts. Gao Minglang paused, his arms crossed, wearing a mischievous grin.
"Hey, let me ask you something." His tone was teasing. "You're not doing this for any other 'reasons,' are you?"
Without a word, Lu Cheng pulled out his phone and transferred five thousand yuan right in front of him.
"No problem!" Gao Minglang's expression changed instantly, flashing an eager thumbs-up.
With a slightly helpless smile, Lu Cheng returned home. Not long after, he received his assignment from the Armed Division.
In a dimly lit park, a scarred man sat engrossed in a handheld game console, his face illuminated by the glow of the screen. Suddenly, the console chimed, and the screen flashed "Game Over." With a sigh, the man put down the device, catching Lu Cheng's surprised look.
"You young folks are all into this, right?" he muttered, as if trying to bridge a generational gap. "Keeping up with the times sure isn't easy!"
Just admit you wanted to play it yourself!
"Alright, enough joking around." Taking off his sunglasses, Guo Zhang reached into his briefcase and pulled out a dark gold ticket. "This is your mission."
Lu Cheng accepted the ticket and inspected it. It was a boarding pass for the Oriental Pearl, a luxury cruise ship traveling from Hangzhou to Shanghai.
"What's this?" Lu Cheng raised an eyebrow. "An all-expenses-paid vacation?"
"Keep dreaming." Rubbing his brow, Guo Zhang sighed. "This is a private luxury cruise exclusively for VIP guests. These tickets aren't available to the public."
According to intelligence gathered by the Investigation Department, it's highly likely that members of Team Galactic will be aboard this ship," he explained.
"The trip from Hangzhou to Shanghai includes an overnight stay on the Huangpu River. Your mission is to assist other Armed Division members in apprehending these criminals."
Other members would be present, meaning Lu Cheng wasn't expected to act alone.
"This operation is extremely confidential," Guo Zhang said gravely. "Including you, there are only three of us on the team. Be cautious about your own safety, and if you identify any members of Team Galactic, do not attempt to engage. The last thing we need is to alert them."
A cold smile flickered across Guo Zhang's face as he added, "And I'll be granting you some special clearance for this."
Lu Cheng raised an eyebrow. "Clearance?"
Without saying a word, Guo Zhang reached into his bag and produced a Poké Ball that gleamed with a metallic sheen.
---
T/N: gaokao means a test of a student's academic skills, used for admission to colleges and universities.
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