Why is my Pokémon girl a bit strange?

"This battle is over! The winner is... Qiao Ran's side!"

Seeing the result of the battle, the homeroom teacher announced the final outcome, solidifying Qiao Ran's victory. Not only that, but he also announced another piece of news.

"Also, due to Chang Mengda violating the rules by sending out a Pokémon that did not belong to him, according to the rules, he is completely stripped of his qualification to participate in this competition—therefore, I announce that the final winner of this match is Qiao Ran!"

"Wait... wait, teacher?"

Chang Mengda's eyes widened, looking as if he couldn't believe it, but after the result was announced, his wailing was useless.

Even after sending out a relative's Pokémon, he still lost miserably. Could there be anything more embarrassing than this?

He would probably become a laughingstock from now on.

"Well done, Dianxi."

Qiao Ran crouched down and happily patted Dianxi's head. Dianxi responded with a dignified smile.

"Didi."

Dianxi seemed to like Qiao Ran touching her, but unfortunately, Qiao Ran couldn't understand every word she said yet.

However, after this battle, Qiao Ran could feel a special connection slowly building between him and Dianxi. Qiao Ran subtly glanced at the Evolutionary Stone he was wearing around his neck. He believed that one day, his relationship with Dianxi could advance further, reaching an unprecedented level.

At that time, Dianxi would be able to display a brand new form.

With Qiao Ran's match over, the subsequent matches became boring. Taking advantage of this time, Qiao Ran planned to take his Vulpix to the school infirmary. Although this world didn't have the complete medical system of the Pokémon world, Pokémon could still receive decent treatment when injured.

"Wait."

However, just as Qiao Ran stepped out of the gymnasium, a figure called out to him from behind.

"…?"

Qiao Ran turned back with a face full of questions, only to see a black-haired girl in a school uniform. However, her pretty little face exuded an aura of "do not approach."

Qiao Ran didn't recognize her.

"Is there something you need?"

Qiao Ran couldn't understand the other party's intentions. Could it be a honey trap?

"Take this. You can come by later."

The girl didn't say much, just took out a card and put it into Qiao Ran's hand before leaving directly. Her decisive actions made Qiao Ran slightly stunned.

"Oh right, did you catch that Pokémon in the back mountains?" However, before she left, she asked this question.

"Mm... yes, is there a problem?"

Qiao Ran casually replied while examining the card. He could swear he had just answered casually, and whatever the other party wanted to think had nothing to do with him.

"No problem, I'm leaving."

The girl nodded straightforwardly and then quickened her pace again, leaving Qiao Ran standing in place, looking at the card in his hand.

"Longjiang City Gym Challenge Card (No Appointment Required)"

"A Gym Challenge Card... Is it real?"

Qiao Ran scratched his head. "Could it really be a honey trap?"

Section 7 007 [Qiao Ran's Vow]

A honey trap—a scheme designed to exploit people's greed, used to trick them out of their money, and a tactic Qiao Ran deeply despised.

The Longjiang City Gym, on the other hand, was a household name in the entire Longjiang City and a landmark of the city. Not only was the gym majestic and magnificent, but its roof was also adorned with massive wings resembling a soaring dragon, exuding an inexplicable sense of majesty.

It was not only the largest trainer training base in Longjiang City but also a famous tourist attraction and stadium. Tourists often visited the Longjiang City Gym to watch battles and cheer.

However, precisely because of this, challenging the Longjiang City Gym had always been overcrowded. One had to book at least a week in advance, or they wouldn't even be able to get in line. But if one possessed this no-appointment challenge card, it seemed they could skip these tedious steps and challenge directly.

"...It looks like it's real."

Qiao Ran looked at the card a few more times before putting it into his pocket.

The Longjiang City Gym was not a weak gym. The Gym Leader who guarded it was a master who used Dragon-type Pokémon. Even in the entire Huaxia Alliance, he was a figure certified with the Quasi-Elite Four title.

Although there were still two more major ranks above Quasi-Elite Four—Elite Four and Champion—being able to reach this level made the Longjiang City Gym Leader the pride of the local people, a figure standing at the pinnacle of trainers.

If Qiao Ran were to challenge now, he would likely not be able to battle the Gym Leader's ace Pokémon. However, all qualified Gym Leaders would judge the challenger's level and send out appropriate Pokémon. Therefore, Qiao Ran believed he would receive suitable guidance.

This guidance might not be reflected in knowledge of Pokémon or understanding of Pokémon types, as Qiao Ran's own Pokémon knowledge might already surpass most people in this world. What he lacked now was practical combat experience and coping methods. A combat master like the Gym Leader, who was a practical fighter, could surely point him in the right direction.

"...I'll go check out the gym once I get my Adventurer qualification. I have to get the badge anyway."

Qiao Ran thought to himself, feeling a surge of excitement. A real gym battle... how thrilling would it be?

Despite his thoughts, Qiao Ran quickened his pace. His Vulpix needed treatment, and if he didn't hurry, he would miss the time for the next match.

After the high-intensity first battle, the subsequent matches were almost effortless for Qiao Ran. These novice trainers, who had not yet ventured far, all possessed Pokémon that were like small cats and dogs.

Qiao Ran simply sent out his treated Vulpix and directly won these matches. Vulpix's strength wasn't particularly high, but her synergy with Qiao Ran was top-notch. After all, this Vulpix had been by Qiao Ran's side since birth and had never left him.

Of course, to train Dianxi's level, Qiao Ran also let her participate a few times, "fleecing" her heavily... no, grinding for experience.

Unlike other trainers who needed rigorous training to level up, Qiao Ran found that the only way for his Pokémon to increase their level was to win battles.

Winning the match would earn his Pokémon the experience needed to level up. The stronger the opponent, the greater the experience gain.

After this series of battles, his Vulpix had successfully reached level 16, and Dianxi had also reached level 15. Compared to their initial level 5, they looked so much better.

"Tee-tee."

"Awooo."

After every victorious battle, Qiao Ran had to praise the two little ones. If he didn't pat their heads, they would puff up their cheeks and pout at him.

"Who did you guys learn this from?"

Qiao Ran shook his head helplessly. While disobedient Pokémon could give trainers a headache, overly clingy Pokémon could also be a real pain.

"Mas...ter..."

However, as Qiao Ran was comforting Dianxi, he even

heard an incredibly resentful voice coming from his pocket. It was his Rotom Phone, emitting a wail filled with Ghost-type grievances.

Why... why was I the only one left out... Why... did I just have to watch them get praised...

Just watch!

"Sorry... Rotom, just hang in there a little longer. It'll be over soon, I promise."

Qiao Ran had no choice but to try his best to appease it. After all, he was the one who decided to "keep Rotom in his pocket."

Since Qiao Ran didn't want his classmates to know he had such a special item, he always kept the Rotom Phone hidden in his pocket, disguised as a regular phone.

After all, in this world, high-end Pokémon appliances like the Rotom Phone were considered luxury items even in high society. If his classmates saw it, Qiao Ran felt he would likely attract trouble. He had to avoid such things until he had grown stronger.

It was precisely the principle of not flaunting one's wealth.

Once he had sufficient strength, he wouldn't have to fear these things anymore.

Soon, the class competition officially concluded. The elimination tournament that had swept through the entire class had finally determined the top four victors.

"The Adventurer Battle is officially over!"

The homeroom teacher shouted loudly from the stage.

"Congratulations! Four students have won this Adventurer Battle and will receive their Adventurer qualifications from the League! You can now participate in badge-collecting adventures on your own!"

"Their names are! Lan Wenyu! Song Hailiang! Hou Sai! And—Qiao Ran!"

"Let's give them a warm round of applause!"

As the ultimate winner, Qiao Ran undoubtedly earned his Adventurer qualification. However, as part of the ceremony, he was invited onto the stage by the homeroom teacher, perhaps to give a victory speech.

"Um... there's not much to say, really. I just feel that everyone here is..."

Qiao Ran held the microphone, scanning the classmates below the stage who were looking at him with expectant eyes. He then swallowed the two words that were about to slip out.

Sometimes, being too sharp-tongued wasn't a good thing.

Fortunately, Qiao Ran's reaction was quick enough.

"...everyone here is... my friends. This is also my starting point, my alma mater. Right now, it seems I have nothing, with only my three Pokémon partners by my side. But I believe that when I return here again..."

As Qiao Ran spoke, he silently raised a fist, and a brilliant flame ignited in his eyes.

It was the flame of the future, the sacred fire of burning ambition.

"I—will become the champion!"

"The one and only champion in this world!!"

Section 8 008 [No, I'm not, I didn't (Requesting Votes!)]

Qiao Ran had no experience giving public speeches and had never spoken in front of a crowd before.

However, as he stood on the stage, he inexplicably knew what he should say.

Not empty platitudes or grand, empty promises, but what he—Qiao Ran—truly wanted to say.

Facing his classmates, facing the school he was about to leave and might not return to for a long time, Qiao Ran felt that speaking his mind was the best way to express himself, and making a vow was also a form of self-discipline.

Becoming the champion had always been his goal.

As a gamer, from the Kanto region where the winds of the beginning blew, to the traditional and mysterious Johto; from the complex environments of Hoenn, to the majestic myths of Sinnoh; from the diverse fusion of Unova, to the new evolution of Kalos; from the simple customs of Alola, to the competitive cries of Galar...

No matter which region he visited, what kind of partners he met, or what rivals he encountered, Qiao Ran's goal remained unchanged: to become the champion.

The one and only champion.

He had been like this even in the game. Now that he had entered the real world, Qiao Ran had no reason not to strive even harder for this goal. His declaration and speech this time were merely a complete expression of his thoughts.

"Oh my god..."

"This Qiao Ran... he actually dares to say something like that..."

"Become the champion? Is it that easy to become the champion?"

Qiao Ran's speech caused a stir among the classmates below the stage. Some looked at him with admiration, but more looked with doubt and disbelief. Some even felt his speech was too presumptuous.

"Yeah! What makes you think you can say something like that!"

Several classmates Qiao Ran had defeated earlier were mixed in the crowd, stirring up sentiment against him. The voices condemning Qiao Ran grew louder.

However, at this very moment, someone stepped forward to help Qiao Ran out of his predicament.

"Alright, classmate Qiao Ran has said it very well. Everyone, please stop arguing. Adventurers should strive to become champions. If you don't aim to be a champion, then you also won't have the possibility of becoming one. The Gym Leader of our Longjiang City Gym also embarked on their journey with the thought and goal of becoming a champion."

As he spoke, he patted Qiao Ran's shoulder, letting him know not to worry.

Looking at his homeroom teacher's gaze, Qiao Ran suddenly snapped back to reality. Perhaps he was also a good teacher who cared about his students.

Although he could be a bit biased at times, he could still step up when it mattered most.

Qiao Ran couldn't help but think of another teacher at the school. In his memory, that female teacher was not only the one who took the best care of him in class back then, but she was also the one who helped him hatch the Ice Vulpix from its egg.

Unfortunately, a year ago, that teacher had already resigned from the school, reportedly returning to her hometown in the north.

'I wonder if I'll be able to meet her again once I start my journey?' Qiao Ran thought to himself.

Qiao Ran actually missed her quite a bit.

After completing the procedures to become an Adventurer at the school and receiving the magnetic card that recorded his identity, the first thing Qiao Ran did was head straight home. He not only wanted to share the good news but also pack his luggage. After all, how could he travel without bringing any clothes?

"Mom! I got my Adventurer qualification!"

"Really?"

Upon hearing the news Qiao Ran brought back, Qiao Ran's mother couldn't help but show a look of joy. However, she quickly came to her senses.

"Son, you're not lying to me, are you?"

"Really, here, look at this if you don't believe me."

Qiao Ran tossed the magnetic card directly to his mother. Upon seeing the card, her hands trembled slightly.

However, Qiao Ran didn't say much more afterward, simply rushing back to his room.