Joyful Pokémon Get Stronger? Then I Won't Be a Trainer Anymore

Clearly, it held a lot of resentment about being dragged out for a morning run so early.

"Pfft..."

Seeing the Squirtle like this, Lin Feng couldn't help but chuckle.

Starter Pokémon weren't exactly rare in this world, but they weren't common either—

only middle-class families could usually afford to buy one.

Lin Feng knew Qin Shu's family situation.

Her father was a trainer at the Gym, and her mother was a nurse at the Pokémon Hospital.

If they scrimped and saved, buying their only daughter a Squirtle was still doable.

"Yeah, not bad. Aside from a bit less sparkle in its eyes, its skin is glossy and its limbs are strong—it's a decent Pokémon. By the way, did you finally pass the Junior Trainer Exam?"

Lin Feng said with some emotion.

After completing nine years of compulsory education, to become an official Trainer, you had to pass the Trainer Exam!

The Junior Trainer Exam was just written theory—

not difficult for most people.

He had passed it back in his first year of high school.

After all, if you didn't even know basic Pokémon knowledge, what was the point of becoming a Trainer?

But this Qin Shu in front of him, as far as Lin Feng knew, had already taken the Junior Trainer Exam three times.

Yeah... failed every time.

Still, she had an extremely lively personality—a pure sporty girl.

Sometimes Lin Feng wondered if she channeled everything she ate into her figure development.

Anyway, she always gave off the impression of not being too bright.

Following her, that Squirtle was probably in for some hardship.

"Hehe..."

"I finally passed last time..."

Qin Shu rubbed her head sheepishly, then suddenly remembering something, quickly asked, "I heard you're not planning to be a Trainer anymore? Why? Your academic scores are so good—why not catch a Pokémon!?"

"Precisely because my academic scores are good, I should become a Breeder instead. I'm not really interested in traveling around for now."

Lin Feng stepped aside to let her in while explaining.

"Ohhh," Qin Shu looked thoughtful, but soon she was completely captivated by the Snivy eating Energy Cubes, her eyes bursting with intense excitement, "Brother Feng, is this your Pokémon? A Snivy! Let's have a Trainer battle!"

Lin Feng: ???

So you didn't listen to a single word I just said...

"Snivy?"

Snivy finished the last Energy Cube, glanced at the panting Squirtle, then looked at Lin Feng, as if asking, Should we fight?

Chapter 8: Snivy vs. Squirtle

[Pokémon: Squirtle] [Gender: Female] [Ability: Torrent] [Qualification: Blue] [Individual Values: HP(18) Attack(20) Sp. Atk(21) Defense(25) Sp. Def(24) Speed(16)] [Strength: Level 5~8] [Moves: Tackle, Tail Whip, Water Gun, Withdraw] [Description: A Squirtle bursting with resentment. It seems to be wondering if it chose the wrong Trainer, and thinking about having to wake up this early every day in the future is driving it crazy...] [Friendship: 20 (You let it rest)] [Joy Value: -15 (The gap between Pokémon and Pokémon is not the same; it envies the current Snivy)]

Looking at this Squirtle's information.

Lin Feng's expression grew even stranger.

Good grief.

He hadn't expected her inner monologue to be so lively...

"Right, right, they're both starter Pokémon. Even though Water is weak to Grass, I believe that with my brilliant commands, my Squirtle can definitely defeat... uh, tie with your Snivy!"

Qin Shu waved her little fist, her face full of confidence.

"Uh... well, alright?"

Lin Feng felt he ought to dampen her spirits a bit.

Both Pokémon were starters, but he needed to make her understand that even among starters, there could be a world of difference.

No way.

A ten-level gap, plus Type Advantage on top of that.

If this Snivy still couldn't win, Lin Feng would have to check if there was something wrong with its body.

The two soon arrived at the Bluestone Path outside.

With both being starter Pokémon, their moves wouldn't cause much damage to the terrain, so any open space would do for a battle.

"Squirtle, this is our very first battle—we have to fight well and show our style, so we can get a good result in the Baby Cup, got it?"

Along the way, Qin Shu kept cheering Squirtle on.

But Squirtle's reaction was pretty amusing.

It kept staring at Snivy, its big, sparkling eyes carrying a hint of seeking.

"Squirtle, squirtle..." (Where'd you find this trainer? They're pretty good, huh? Find me one too?)

Snivy: ...

It hadn't expected this Squirtle to be such a goofball...

It just rolled its eyes and walked aloofly by Lin Feng's side.

Without comparison, you couldn't see the gap.

This human really did seem a bit dense, not too bright.

In contrast, Lin Feng was far better.

Thinking this, Snivy couldn't help but curl its mouth slightly.

On the Bluestone Path, the two took their positions.

"Ready?"

At Qin Shu's earnest, sincere inquiry, Lin Feng gave a slight nod.

"Alright, let's go! Squirtle, use Tackle!"

Squirtle's expression turned serious now. Complaints aside, it still followed its trainer's commands. Upon hearing the order, it charged at Snivy, its smooth, shiny bald head leading the way.

To be fair, after all that running training, Squirtle's speed wasn't bad at all.

If only it would lift its head, that'd be better.

Lin Feng really couldn't figure out why it refused to look up when using Tackle.

Snivy's gaze remained calm and indifferent.

"Hmm... Snivy, go easy on it?"

Seeing Snivy standing there without moving, Lin Feng couldn't help but advise.

"Snivy..." (Whatever you say...)

Snivy spread its little hands, indicating it didn't care.

"Alright then, Snivy, use Vine Whip!"

Lin Feng swept his finger forward, and a surge of boldness stirred in his heart.

Though he'd seen countless Pokémon battles in his daily life, when it came down to the real thing, he couldn't help but feel a bit excited.

"Snivy..."

Snivy's amber eyes flickered. Watching Squirtle charge in without even lifting its head, it felt an inexplicable urge to laugh.

It simply sidestepped slightly, and Squirtle brushed past it, not even realizing it was getting farther and farther from its target...

By the time the two vines landed at its feet, it finally reacted, trying to dodge.