Elite trainers occupy a revered status, esteemed by many as the pinnacle of achievement to which countless aspiring trainers aspire.
While pseudo-Elite Trainers may not reach the heights of their elite counterparts, they represent the ultimate goal for most, with some achieving this milestone in their twenties, while others may take until their fifties or sixties to arrive at the same point.
Within the trainer community, there is a significant gender imbalance, with male trainers vastly outnumbering their female counterparts.
Wren, 45 years old, became a pseudo-Elite Trainer at the age of 36, a milestone that fills her with pride.
Although she has only recently joined this battle club, her brash personality has already made her well-known among its members.
"What kind of person dares to challenge a pseudo-Elite now?"
When Wren noticed that Julian was wearing the uniform of Lake No. 1 High School, her disdain for him only deepened, despite his qualification to spar with her.
"A high school student—what level of strength can he possibly have?"
"I hope you maintain that cocky attitude a while later," Julian replied calmly as he made his way to the battlefield.
"You look foolish. Don't come crying to me you lose," Wren scoffed.
A staff member frowned and inquired, "Haven't you looked over the guest information we provided?"
"I glanced at it. It's just some rich kid; I'll take it easy," Wren replied dismissively as she headed toward the arena.
It was clear she had overlooked Julian's background, or her attitude would have been different.
The staff, not particularly fond of Wren himself, hoped she would face some challenges in her match.
"Choose a venue," the announcer called out.
As Julian and Wren positioned themselves at opposite ends of the arena, Julian was given the opportunity to select the venue type.
"This one will do," he said, opting for a standard field without any attribute bonuses.
Most public battlefields are designed this way due to the lower construction and maintenance costs compared to those with added bonuses.
"what a clueless rookie," Wren sneered, looking down on Julian, the wealthy kid who didn't even know how to choose a advantageous battleground.
"Go, Steelix!"
Wren declared, sending out her ace Pokémon to teach Julian a lesson and remind him that challenging a pseudo-Elite is not a decision to be taken lightly.-
Pokémon: Steelix (Steel/Ground)
Level: 65
Qualification: Green
Ability: Rock Head
Item: Hard Stone
Gender: Male
Moves: Thunder Fang, Fire Fang, Ice Fang, Tackle, Harden, Rock Throw, Dragon Breath, Stone Edge, Crunch, Dig, Iron Tail, Tackle
move Discs: Hyper Beam, Giga Impact, Protect, Sandstorm, Earthquake
Genetic Moves: Flail, Defense Curl
-
As he looked, Steelix's stats were impressive at first glance, and its moveset was undeniably exceptional, justifying its status as a pseudo-Elite Trump Card.
Noticing that Julian had yet to release her Pokémon, Wren assumed that her Steelix intimidated him, a wealthy second-generation who had lived a sheltered life.
This thought only intensified the smugness on her face.
Steelix stands out among Pokémon due to its considerable size, typically measuring around 9.2 meters in length.
With Wren's training, it appears to exceed 10 meters.
Pokémon like Steelix and Gyarados can easily dazzle novice trainers who lack experience.
Of course, both of these Pokémon are formidable in their own right.
Just then, a flash of white light revealed a striking Metagross a sleek silver figure boasting a discus-shaped body, thick legs akin to Beldum, and an "X"-shaped golden metal cross adorned on its face.
A different-colored Metagross emerged onto the field.
-
Pokémon: Metagross (Steel/Psychic)
Level: 49
Qualification: Purple
Ability: Light Metal
Props: Metal Coat
Gender: no gender
Moves: Tackle, Steel Beam, Confusion, Metal Claw, Bullet Punch, Flash Cannon, Magnet Rise, Psychic, Scary Face, Brick Break
Disc Moves: Iron Head, Zen Headbutt, Iron Defense, Protect, Light Screen, Psycho Cut, Shadow Ball, Gyro Ball, Psyshock
-
After more than six months of training, boosted by both system and family resources, Metang has finally evolved into Metagross, becoming a true Pseudo-Legendary Pokémon.
Its status has transformed from blue a pseudo-champion to purple a champion.
"Ding"
"Random Mission: Teach her to behave decent and defeat her with brute force."
"Task Reward: 500 points and a minor qualification enhancement potion (below cyan)."
Currently, none of Julian's four Pokémon have qualifications lower than cyan, meaning these quests primarily offer him points that are more useful.
Now at level 49, Metagross has attained the Advanced level.
While it hasn't reached the peak of that tier, its presence is more imposing than the pseudo-elite Steelix across the field.
With Metagross's emergence, Julian's previously relaxed demeanor shifted, and his expression darkened slightly.
"Metagross - and it's silver - this pokemon is…"
Wren stared in awe at the Pokémon that every trainer, especially those specializing in Steel and Psychic types, dreams of having.
Initially, she had thought he was just a privileged newcomer; she didn't expect him to be someone who disguises their true identity.
Though she was taken aback, Wren quickly composed herself.
She had encountered pseudo-legendaries before, but Julian's identity took her by surprise.
"It hasn't reached pseudo-elite status yet, so even this Pseudo-Legendary isn't a match for Steelix," Wren mused silently.
She understood that pseudo-legendaries were formidable.
At the same level, she might not want to engage in battle, but right now, the disparity in their levels was significant.
"Steelix, use Iron Tail!"
Wren initiated the attack.
Despite Steelix's massive size, it moved with remarkable agility.
In just the blink of an eye, it spanned the 100-meter field.
With its slender physique, the power of its Iron Tail surpassed that of ordinary Pokémon.
The air was charged with pressure as the Iron Tail swung through, creating explosive sounds, while Metagross showed no intention of dodging.
The system encouraged Julian to pursue the most aggressive tactics.
What does violence mean? For Metagross, it meant pure steel aggression.
"Brick Break!"
As Iron Tail approached, Metagross finally reacted, raising its forearm to intercept the attack with a resonant metallic clash.
When the two moves collided, an immense surge of energy erupted.
Thankfully, the arena had a protective barrier, preventing the energy from spilling out; otherwise, trainers Wren and Julian would have been caught up in it.
"Is that the best you can do?" Julian remarked in disappointment as he surveyed Steelix.
Floating in the arena, Metagross held its ground against Steelix's Iron Tail with its forearm, displaying incredible stability without even a hint of sinking.
It was as though the colossal Iron Tail was no more threatening than a feather duster.
"How is this possible?"
Wren gasped at the sight before her, staring at the Metagross on the field in disbelief.
Her Steelix, in both level and strength, was supposed to be superior to Metagross.
While she felt that it could block the Iron Tail attack, it was the effortless way in which Metagross did so that unsettled her.
"Metagross, throw it out," Julian instructed casually.
"Meta~"
With a dull thud, Metagross's body lowered briefly before it shot forward and struck Steelix's tail using a Take Down move, sending the Steel-type Pokémon flying several dozen meters.
"Steelix, use Fire Fang!" Wren shouted.
Fire-type moves deal double damage to Steel-types.
Steelix quickly grounded itself by tapping its tail against the Earth, countering the recoil from the Take Down, and charged toward Metagross with a fiery, gaping maw.
However, to his surprise, Metagross had vanished from that spot.
Steelix instinctively scanned the area.
"Steelix, behind you! Counter with Fire Fang!" Wren's command rang out just as Steelix felt a rush of wind at its back.
Without time to focus, it turned and instinctively bit behind it.
Metagross's Bullet Punch collided with Steelix's Fire Fang, creating a sharp ringing sound.
Although Steelix's teeth cracked, it managed to clamp down on Metagross's arm.
The fiery energy so close to his throat made Metagross quite uncomfortable.
"Continue with Bullet Punch," Julian ordered.
Impressed with Steelix's capabilities, Julian noted that despite the odds, Steelix succeeded in landing a bite on Metagross.
Their exchange of injuries had now become a battle of resilience.
With four arms, Metagross had the upper hand in that regard, while Steelix had only one mouth.
The Bullet Punch struck Steelix's chin, glowing with a silvery light, leading to a pained release.
"Unleash the Hyper Beam!" Wren commanded fiercely.
Metagross now stood directly in front of Steelix.
At this close range, the accuracy of the attack was guaranteed.
However, the proximity meant that Steelix would also be caught in the blast when it detonated.
"Zen Headbutt, smash it!" Julian responded boldly.
If it weren't for the system's requirement for brute forcing against the opponent, Julian might have opted to have Metagross use a defensive maneuver instead.
Despite Metagross being a pseudo-legendary Pokémon, Julian was confident in Steelix's toughness due to the intense pressure it had endured underground.
As the two Pokémon clashed again, their powers collided, resulting in a massive explosion that showered the arena with smoke and fire.
The energy shields rippled with the force of the blast.
Steelix was hurled backward, landing heavily several meters away from Julian.
In the chaos and smoke, neither Julian nor Wren could see their respective Pokémon or gauge Steelix's condition.
With visibility obstructed, Wren couldn't determine Steelix's position and was unable to issue precise commands.
"Steelix, use Defense Curl!"
Although she couldn't visually track Steelix, Wren was aware that Julian was equally in the dark about Metagross's whereabouts, so it was wise to bolster Steelix's defenses until visibility returned.
"What a fortunate trainer," she thought, eyeing the distant Metagross with envy.
Julian seemed to be prepared to wait for the smoke to clear before engaging again.
However, she underestimated him.
A typical trainer might have chosen to do that, but Julian was no ordinary trainer.
In situations where visibility is compromised due to haze, smoke, or terrain, standard protocol advises against fighting.
Yet, Julian possessed the ability to sense aura, allowing him to locate Metagross through the smoke.
"Metagross it's at three o'clock—fire Hyper Beam!" Julian shouted.
Wren was taken aback. How did he know Metagross's location? It felt impossible.
As she watched Metagross begin to charge its attack, Wren quickly called out,
"Steelix, dig!"
Uncertain if Metagross would actually strike Steelix, she wasn't willing to take the risk.
The hyper beam cut through the smoke, scattering it, and in that moment, she caught a glimpse of Steelix's tail disappearing into the ground.
'How could he have sensed Metagross despite the smoke?'
Cold sweat trickled down Wren's forehead.
If she had hesitated before ordering Steelix to dig, the attack would have connected mercilessly.
What a narrow escape.
"Earthquake!" Julian commanded.
"No, Steelix, come back up!"
Wren's expression shifted dramatically.
As a pseudo-Elite Trainer, she had commanded Steelix to use Dig.
On the opposing side stood the son of the Walker family, who certainly wouldn't let Metagross go without learning Earthquake.
It's important to remember that when Pokémon are underground, the damage dealt by Earthquake is doubled compared to when on solid ground.
Metagross floated like a normal Body Slam, its powerful limbs crashing down onto the ground, causing the entire arena to tremble violently and fissures to appear across the surface.
Julian and Wren quickly grabbed the handrail nearby.
Although the venue was protected by an energy shield, it wouldn't block the seismic effects traveling through the ground.
In standard matches, certain moves are banned, including Earthquake and Draco Meteor, due to their large area of effect and difficulty in control.
A pseudo-Elite Pokémon unleashing Earthquake at full power could potentially devastate an entire town.
This battle club, being the premier venue in Lake City, allowed the use of Earthquake when most clubs would prohibit it.
Just one use of Earthquake could render the battleground unplayable.
Fortunately, Metagross maintained some control over its Earthquake's power; otherwise, it wouldn't just be the arena suffering devastation.
After unleashing a powerful Earthquake, Steelix remained buried beneath the ground for an unusually long time.
"Dig it out," Julian instructed.
Metagross descended into the hole created by Steelix, and after a moment, emerged with the unconscious Steelix in tow.
"Winner: Metagross!" shouted the referee.
As the referee's voice echoed in the arena,
Julian simultaneously heard a notification in his mind from the system, confirming that his reward had been added to his system space.
With his current points totaling 25,078, and the bonus from the recent mission, he finally surpassed the 25,000 mark.
His attention was drawn to a particular item in the system mall.
Golden Legend Fragments: Collect ten pieces to obtain a complete golden legend that can upgrade Purple aptitude to Golden aptitude.
Pokémon Trainers with Purple aptitude can achieve Champion status, while those with Golden aptitude can become Battle Legends.
Currently, the pinnacle of Trainers is the Champion; there are no Battle Legends in existence, though all nations acknowledge that Champions embody the essence of Battle Legends.
This revelation was uncovered in a certain ruin, located on the high seas.
Upon its discovery, several powerful nations dispatched teams to investigate.
This information subsequently became public knowledge, though it remains confidential among most Trainers.
According to Pokémon scholars from Drakoria, a Pokémon with Golden aptitude, if nurtured properly, could rival first-level legendaries.
Presently, the first-level legendaries that have emerged from ruins or confidential realms possess extraordinary powers that even Champions cannot contend with;
if faced directly, it is certain that Champions would not survive.
Fortunately, the known first-level legendaries are mainly elusive and not inclined to destruction.
Otherwise, a powerful legendary could easily obliterate an entire nation.
In countries like Babath Kingdom, a single Draco Meteor from Rayquaza could reduce it to rubble.
Currently, ordinary legendaries, including legendaries like Moltres and Latias, are considered to have at most Purple aptitude.
There's no existing method to elevate a Pokémon with Purple aptitude to Golden;
such an upgrade seems limited to first-level legendaries, which is a consensus among nations.
Thus, a country possessing a Golden-qualified Pokémon that successfully matures could potentially become the strongest nation in the world.
All nations are constantly researching ways to enhance Purple aptitude to Golden aptitude, but only they are privy to their progress.
However, rumors occasionally surface about a nation developing a potion to enhance aptitude.
Such news is met with great excitement.
If a Champion-level Trainer is likened to a nuclear weapon, forming the backbone of national strength, then possessing a legendary-level Trainer marks the moment when a nation no longer fears first-level legendaries and asserts its dominance on the planet.
The prospect of the Golden Legend gives Julian the opportunity to elevate Metagross's aptitude to Golden.
At 25,000 points for one fragment, and 250,000 for ten, it represents a remarkable deal for acquiring a Golden-qualified Pokémon.
After purchasing, the points were deducted, and he held the Golden Legend fragment in his possession.
However, upon viewing the cost of the second fragment, he couldn't help but curse: "F***!"
This caused Wren, who was about to apologize to Julian, to freeze momentarily, her face draining of color, unsure if she was the target of his ire.
If she offended Julian, the sole heir of the Walker family, even as a pseudo-Elite, she feared she would find it difficult to navigate life in Drakoria.
"I'm not upset with you; just recalling some unpleasant experiences," Julian clarified, noticing her expression.
The price tag of the second Golden Legend fragment wasn't 25,000, but 100,000 points—four times that of the first.
With additional fragments beyond that, the accumulating costs were projected to exceed even the price of a Mewtwo.
As expected, things were not as favorable as they had seemed.
"Ah well, it's still a beautiful day. Let's just wash up and sleep. Everything else can wait until the dream," he mused.
"The system return the item," Julian grumbled.
He wasn't keen on leaving the fragment in the system's inventory; they were useful only when ten were collected, leaving the remaining fragment effectively worthless.
In response to his frustration, the system displayed:
"Once sold, non-refundable."
"F**ker" Julian swore again, feeling he had learned a valuable lesson from the system.
Despite months of diligent point accumulation, he regretted wasting them on what felt like an unworthy investment.
He seriously suspected that the system had lured him into acquiring the Golden Legend fragment just to strip him of his precious points.
Wren, meanwhile, had a nagging suspicion that Julian was venting frustration at her but lacked proof.
Even if she did, she wouldn't dare confront him.
Regardless of her status as a pseudo-Elite, Julian's advanced capabilities made any competition futile, especially with his pseudo-legendary Metagross.
"What else do you want?" Julian prompted, noticing her hesitation.
"Master Walker, how is your Metagross so strong? Even as a pseudo-legendary, it shouldn't have been able to defeat my Steelix so easily," she asked.
Looking at Metagross, still nursing some injuries from the battle, she observed that they had nearly healed at an astonishing rate.
"Do you have a 1 billion?" Julian replied suddenly.
"What?" Wren was taken aback, confused by the abrupt change in topic.
"You could invest one billion into Steelix, and it would become incredibly powerful," he explained.
Wren: (⊙_⊙)
Staff: (⊙_⊙)
What is unseen is not part of human nature.
Julian's Metagross, despite being only at level 49, possesses an inherent advantage due to its classification as a pseudo-legendary Pokémon,
but this makes the leveling process significantly slower than that of ordinary Pokémon.
Even at this level, Metagross is formidable enough to contend with pseudo-Elite Pokémon, including Wren's, who stands at the pinnacle of that category.
Julian has invested more resources and energy into Metagross than into his other Pokémon—Lucario, Meltan, and Dragonair—because he envisions Metagross as his ultimate Trump Card.
In the realm of trainers, having six main Pokémon means that a superior Contest Condition is not solely based on uniform strength, but rather a balance of diversity.
An absolute Trump Card can take on multiple Pokémon of equal strength.
This is evident in examples such as Ash's Pikachu, Red's Charizard, Steven's Metagross, and Cynthia's Garchomp, all recognized as their respective trainers' Trump Card Pokémon.
Metagross is Julian's starter Pokémon, reflecting the tradition of the Walker family, who have always relied on Metagross as their Trump Card—Julian is no exception.
In return, Metagross has risen to meet Julian's expectations through its own hard work.
Gently, Julian pressed his hand against the cross on Metagross's forehead, channeling Aura energy.
The Pokémon appeared relaxed.
Julian then advised, "Since Steelix is your primary Trump Card, it's best to allocate more than half of your resources to it. That's how you can truly make progress."
If you have six Pokémon and 10 million in cash, distributing that cash across all six will generally only elevate them to a standard level.
However, if you invest all 10 million in a single Pokémon, that Pokémon will achieve Advanced status.
Although Advanced-level Pokémon are only one tier above normal/ordinary-level Pokémon, the difference in their battle capabilities is significant.
Therefore, with limited resources, it's more advantageous to concentrate your efforts on the best Pokémon to develop them into your trump card.
While this approach may seem unfair to your other Pokémon, life is inherently unequal, and your primary goal should be to become stronger.
"You have no reason to feel wronged for losing to my Metagross," Julian remarked casually.
His Metagross boasted outstanding base stats that far exceeded those of a typical Metagross, and not even two Steelix would change that outcome.
Watching the Metagross hovering serenely behind Julian, Wren nodded in envy, commenting;
"It's incredibly strong."
"Hahaha, I did put a lot of effort into raising it," Julian replied, pleased.
Metagross is his partner, and Julian feels joy when it receives praise, much like when someone compliments him on his looks.
Metagross squinted contentedly, not from Wren's praise but from the comforting aura of Julian's massage.
-
Yale Province has twelve cities, including Lake City, with only three teams from each city qualifying for the competition.
In the Yale Provincial High School League, the structure involves city preliminaries, where each city selects its three best teams.
Lake City, as the provincial capital, hosts fifteen high schools, which means fifteen teams compete for just three spots in the silver-white high school league.
The fifteen teams are divided into three groups labeled A, B, and C, with five teams in each group.
The best teams from each group will represent their respective schools and Lake City in the league.
Lake No. 1 Middle School is in Group A alongside other four.
The five teams will draw lots to determine their opponents, and those who receive a bye will automatically proceed to the next round.
"I hope to draw a bye!" Will said enthusiastically.
Julian remained silent, seemingly uninterested, while Shen, another member of the group, commented, "I hope you get lucky; otherwise, it could get boring."
As the acknowledged top team in Lake City, Lake No. 1 Middle School consistently secures one of the slots.
This year, with a powerhouse like Julian, they are even more confident.
Their team is led by head teacher Sam Nott.
"I heard you recently faced off against Wren," Sam remarked.
"Yeah, I played a match at the club," Julian replied.
Sam's expression shifted; he was surprised by what he knew about that match.
Notably, Julian had used his Advanced-level Metagross to defeat Wren's trump card Pokémon, although he did sustain some minor injuries.
This remarkable event quickly spread among the upper echelons of Lake City.
Even Sam watched the video of the encounter.
Despite both being pseudo elite-level trainers, defeating Wren's Steelix wouldn't be difficult for Sam, but he knew defeating Julian's Metagross would be a challenge, no matter the toll on his pride.
It was evident to anyone with a discerning eye just how well-trained Julian's Metagross was, excelling in speed, defense, and attack compared to others at the same level.
Sam couldn't help but wonder how Julian had managed to raise such an exceptional Metagross at a young age.
"How do you feel about your performance?" Sam inquired.
"Ordinary," Julian responded.
This answer made Sam's mouth twitch in disbelief.
He couldn't accuse Julian of being boastful; the video clearly showed Wren being soundly defeated.
But if a pseudo-elite could be described as ordinary, what did that say about Sam's own standing?
'Never mind, I won't ask questions that might hurt my own feelings,' Sam thought to himself.
"Yeah, my luck really is top-notch," Will cheered, drawing Sam's attention.
Will had just drawn a table tennis ball marked with the number three.
Number three signified a bye; the remaining matches paired number one against number five and number two against number four.
The representatives from the other four high schools visibly relaxed upon seeing Lake No. 1's bye.
Despite Lake No. 1 Middle School accounting for 99% chance to get the qualifying spot in Group A, no one wanted to face them in the first round and be eliminated immediately.
At least securing a second-place finish in Group A would give them some credibility.
Once the fierce battles concluded, the final victors emerged: Lake No. 6 Middle School and Dice Middle School, alongside the automatically advancing Lake No. 1 Middle School, which meant the three teams would have to draw lots again.
Will took his turn at the stage and, whether by luck or something else, Lake No. 1 Middle School received yet another bye.
In the clash between Lake No. 6 Middle School and Dice Middle School, Lake No. 6 triumphed.
Ultimately, the showdown would be between Lake No. 1 and Lake No. 6 Middle Schools.
As their team leader Sam observed, he gained insight into the five main Pokémon that Lake No. 6 had selected: one Electric-type, two Fire-types, one Water-type, and one Grass-type.
The electric Pokémon should be among the strongest in their lineup.
After two rounds of combat, the Pokémon belonging to the five trainers from Lake No. 6 had sustained varying levels of injury.
However, they still had at least one Pokémon in pristine condition.
It's uncertain whether this Pokémon would be the primary contender in the battles ahead.
"Chase, Chris, Zack, Han and Julian, you five will compete," Sam announced.
While he initially wanted the three substitute candidates to face Lake No. 6 Middle School, he decided to include Julian as an insurance policy; as long as Julian remained in the mix, they could withstand any losses among the first four.
Chase and the other two candidates were surprised to be called up for this opening match. Aware of their status as substitutes, they understood that unless the main force faltered, their chances to play would be slim.
By allowing the three to participate, Sam aimed not only to train them but also to conceal the true strength of his primary team.
Julian's inclusion had significant implications.
Following the revelation of his lineage as the heir to the Walker family, his background had become widely known among influential factions, and he decided to no longer hide it.
"Got it!" they replied with enthusiasm.
The respective team leaders began organizing their players, and after more than an hour of action, the match concluded.
Chase managed to defeat one Pokémon from Lake No. 6 Middle School, while the other two candidates faced defeat.
(TL/n: their will be many fights later so i guess the author just skipped preliminaries.)
However, Han showcased impressive skill by sending Blastoise into the arena, leading to four consecutive victories.
As such, Julian remained on the sidelines.
After Lake No. 1 Middle School triumphed over Lake No. 6 Middle School, they secured the top position in Group A and claimed one of the three spots to represent Lake City in the Yale Provincial University League.
The competitions in the other two groups are still ongoing but approaching their conclusion.
A little over half an hour later, the top teams for Groups B and C were decided:
Group B: Lake Senior Research Middle School
Group C: Blue Steel Middle School
Blue Steel Middle School is a prestigious private institution.
While its name may seem ordinary, it boasts a century-long history, with Julian's great-grandfather as one of its founding principals.
The "steel" in Blue Steel signifies the legacy of the Walker family, with Julian's father, Jake, currently serving as an honorary principal.
Julian opted not to attend this school, as he wished to avoid mingling with the offspring of trainers, wealthy families, and officials.
Instead, he chose Lake No. 1 Middle School, regarded as the top public institution in Lake City, and was admitted on merit.
"Tomorrow is a day off. The day after that, when teams from various cities arrive in Lake City, the Yale Provincial High School League will officially commence," someone announced.
"Gather at the Lake Conference venue at nine o'clock the day after tomorrow," came the instruction.
The Yale Provincial High School League is held in Lake city, the provincial capital.
Teams from other cities are expected to arrive tomorrow, allowing the three teams from Lake City a day to rest.
Julian and his friends nodded in agreement.
"Just a reminder, avoid battling with Pokémon tomorrow, especially in wild matches. If anyone gets injured, it could affect our performance the day after tomorrow," warned Sam, casting a pointed look at Will.
Sam's warning made Will reconsider his plans for a jungle trip, recognizing the need to keep his main Pokémon safe ahead of the upcoming competition.
Wild matches, which are highly unregulated, closely resemble feral battles with minimal restrictions on trainers and Pokémon.
While trainers can technically allow their Pokémon to attack other trainers, it's generally discouraged unless there's no risk of serious injury or harm.
Despite the dangers, wild matches offer substantial rewards and the chance for trainers and Pokémon to develop rapidly—provided they emerge unscathed.
Although many have been injured in such matches, the lack of formal regulation stems from the benefits they provide in terms of growth.
As Julian and his teammates exited the arena, he waved goodbye to Will before departing.
"Shen, do you have any plans?" Will asked as he approached classmate Shen.
"Going for dinner," she replied, tossing her ponytail and walking confidently from him.
"Mind if I join?" Will teased.
"Of course I do," she responded dismissively.
Will chuckled,
"Honestly, I appreciate your straightforwardness."
His friend Han nudged him, saying,
"Shen doesn't think highly of you; she could take you down with one punch."
Recalling Shen's formidable fighting skills, Will exclaimed,
"What kind of martial arts does her family practice?"
Zosh chimed in, "In martial art families, if you don't have some fighting skills, you're not cut out to be a trainer!"
In environments such as the wild, secret realms, and ruins, Fighting Trainers often find it easier to survive.
Most possess solid martial arts abilities, making it feasible for them to take on multiple opponents without difficulty.
Shen is not only recognized as a beauty at Lake No. 1 Middle School but is also famed for her combat skills.
Julian and Will had witnessed her single-handedly defeat a group of bullies who had been harassing female students, an event that left a lasting impression on Will.
-
Located on West Street, Lake City's black market thrives only on the final day of the week.
For the other six days, it serves as a venue for wild competitions.
At this moment, Julian arrived, his plain student appearance starkly contrasting with the rough and aggressive individuals around him.
He seemed out of place in such a chaotic environment.
The wild matches run 24 hours a day, open to anyone brave enough to compete, even inexperienced trainers.
"Young Master Walker, glad to see you here," greeted a man in his forties with an eager smile as Julian entered.
Though wild matches operate without official oversight, a special administrator manages them privately, acting under covert governmental directives.
Julian nodded and asked, "Is there a spot?"
"There are a few," the man replied.
Without delay, he led Julian to an empty arena that was already surrounded by around three to four hundred spectators.
"Young Master Walker is here," someone remarked.
"Looks like we have a good show on our hands," another voice chimed in.
"I've heard this young man is quite good," someone else said.
Julian was no stranger to this scene; those who frequented the area knew well the name of the eldest son of the Walker family.
As he stepped into the battle arena, Julian reached into his pocket, subtly retrieving something from the system space.
"A qualification potion—this can enhance the abilities of Pokémon ranked below cyan, including pseudo-Elite and Elite Trainer peaks," he thought, holding the small vial of potion he had acquired earlier.
The wild matches weren't typically like this, but Julian's reputation made others wary; they feared injuring him would provoke his father, an Elite, or his grandfather, who was a pseudo-champion.
As a result, no one dared to challenge Julian.
Defeating him would bring no benefit, and winning would only create unnecessary trouble, so why engage him in battle?
In light of this predicament, each time he arrived for wild matches, Julian would offer items that held little value to him as incentives for opponents willing to fight.
Previously, he had given away fragments of evolution stones, money, and various items, but today was the first time he had pulled out an aptitude potion.
This potion was far more enticing than anything he had previously offered, and he could see the crowd's reactions clearly—hearts racing and eyes lighting up with excitement as he displayed the potion.