Chapter 28

It was none other than Aura Sphere, a move only a handful of special Pokémon could master!

"How is that possible!!!"

After Xiao Bin cried out in shock, his mind felt as though it had been struck by lightning, filled with despair!

He hurriedly shouted:

"Dodge it! Kadabra!"

However, it was too late.

Riolu thrust both hands forward, and the Aura Sphere shot out.

Kadabra, wholly focused on controlling the Psychic Net, could only watch helplessly as the Aura Sphere drew closer and closer!

"Boom—!!!!"

The Aura Sphere exploded, transforming into a massive energy storm that completely engulfed Kadabra.

When the explosion subsided, a huge crater ten meters in radius smoked with black fumes.

A moment later, the dust dispersed, revealing Kadabra in everyone's sight, battered all over and in a Near-Death State.

"Ka... Kadabra has lost its ability to battle. The winners are Riolu and Competitor Roy!"

Psychic-type Pokémon possessed powerful minds but frail bodies.

In other words, Psychic-type Pokémon had very fragile health bars.

Especially Xiao Bin's Kadabra. Its strength had been forcibly boosted by psychic power; its true strength had never really surpassed the Novice-level Pokémon range.

Therefore, even though Fighting-type moves could only deal half damage to Kadabra, it had still been one-hit KO'd.

"I hereby announce that the champion of this Sheng Hai New Star Cup, and the winner of the Chief Recommended Student position, is Competitor Roy!"

As the referee announced the result, the spectators were stunned.

Everything had happened too quickly.

One second ago, Xiao Bin had been laughing wildly about his arithmetic sequence, and everyone thought he had victory in the bag.

The next second, Riolu had unleashed the unreasonable move Aura Sphere and one-hit KO'd Kadabra.

Only after several seconds did the audience come back to their senses and begin discussing it in confusion.

"Wasn't the battle supposed to end instantly... Is that it?"

"Haha, Xiao Bin wasn't wrong. The battle really did end instantly, except he lost."

"Roy made it all the way to the finals and still had Aura Sphere hidden up his sleeve? This kid is terrifying. He must not be allowed to live!"

"Wait, if I remember correctly, Riolu shouldn't be able to learn Aura Sphere at all, right?"

—Aura Sphere.

This was a rare move connected to the legendary 'Aura Power.'

For a time, people had believed that only legendary Pokémon who wielded divine authority could use this move.

Because it was simply too rare.

It was not until the Pokédex gradually became more complete that people learned that fewer than ten kinds of Pokémon—including Lucario, Togekiss, Lucario, Dracovish, and others—could naturally learn Aura Sphere.

...At present, no one had managed to experiment with and derive a training manual for Aura Sphere.

And before evolving into Lucario, Riolu should not have been able to learn Aura Sphere.

Until the award ceremony began, everyone was still discussing the matter heatedly.

After ruling out every possibility, they arrived at one answer.

"This Riolu's talent with aura is astonishing!"

That was the only explanation.

They did not believe that a newcomer like Roy could have experimented with and derived an Aura Sphere manual. Even some breeders and researchers in the industry were currently troubled by this problem; there were simply too few samples of Pokémon capable of learning Aura Sphere.

Nor did they believe Roy had awakened Aura Power.

Because Roy's background did not support the possibility of him awakening and cultivating psychic power.

A Riolu gifted in aura had naturally learned Aura Sphere. That was the only explanation that made sense.

At that moment, some students suddenly remembered the bold claim Roy had once made.

"My Riolu has Champion potential!"

Their expressions immediately turned strange.

No way, no way.

Had Roy not been bragging, but telling the truth?

Judging from its current performance, this Riolu's talent truly surpassed that of his father's ace Pokémon, the strongest Fighting-type Pokémon in Dragon Country under Heavenly King Luo, by far.

Stronger than a Heavenly King's ace Pokémon...

That could only mean a Champion.

This... doesn't seem impossible after all.

That premonition took root in some people's minds and lingered for a very, very long time.

In the previous battles, Riolu had suffered considerable injuries, and Roy had sent it to the healing pod as soon as each match ended.

Yet in the final match, apart from consuming a great deal of stamina, Riolu was completely unharmed and had no need to visit the healing pod at all.

Roy returned to the contestant lounge. Before long, Professor Xing arrived with several teachers, wearing a smile as warm and enthusiastic as a blooming chrysanthemum. He strode over and gave Roy a bear hug.

"Good kid, you've truly given me an enormous surprise."

Professor Xing released Roy and looked him over with increasing satisfaction, wondering whether he had any female relatives around Roy's age. It would be a terrible waste not to secure such an outstanding prospect...

Unfortunately, after thinking it over, Professor Xing realized that the only unmarried girl in his family was his eight-year-old granddaughter.

He could only regretfully abandon that 'Professor Xing, this is getting more and more like a criminal case' idea.

"Come, go collect your prize with me. You'll also be taking some media interviews."

Professor Xing took Roy by the hand and personally led the way.

"If reporters ask anything you don't want to answer, just smile and remain silent. The school will handle it for you."

"Mm." Roy nodded.

Sheng Hai University might only be a school, but its influence was by no means small.

Even after graduating, Trainers would not cut ties with their alma mater. On the contrary, most of them joined the alumni association. Even Heavenly King Luo was a member, which showed just how deep Sheng Hai University's foundations were.

Even if they directly threw the media out the door, the reporters could only swallow their displeasure and accept it.

Of course, there was no need to do that. Fame and popularity were good things for Trainers.

Turning fame and popularity into profit was one of the major ways Trainers made money.

"Also, after the competition ends, there will definitely be plenty of businesses approaching you for endorsements."

Professor Xing continued, "If you have any questions about endorsement fees, you can call me or ask the school's legal department. We won't let you get shortchanged. However, I wouldn't suggest accepting too many endorsements. Pick one or two at most, or they'll interfere with your studies."

"Between short-term money and your long-term future, I hope you understand which matters more."

"Of course, it all depends on what you want. The school won't force you."

Roy listened carefully, feeling that having people to back you up really is nice.

Following Professor Xing to the awards stage, Roy did not receive any trophy, only a certificate for Chief Recommended Student.

The New Star Cup was essentially an entrance examination. It had merely become livelier and gained more attention over time, so Sheng Hai University had turned it into a public competition.

And, naturally, they could make a little money from ticket sales and advertising fees along the way.

There was no trophy, but the rewards were anything but stingy.

First, as long as Roy retained his Chief Recommended Student status, he could receive a scholarship of three hundred thousand each semester.

One hundred thousand for placing first in the entrance exam.

Another one hundred thousand for retaining first place in the midterm exam.

And the final one hundred thousand if he was still first after the final exam.

Second, Roy received the privilege of visiting Shenghai's official Breeding House once and freely selecting a Pokémon Egg.

It was said that, aside from pseudo-legendary Pokémon, that Breeding House contained nearly every currently known type of Pokémon Egg.

Third, Roy could freely use every floor of the school library, which contained most move manuals available on the market.

For more valuable move manuals, he could also purchase them through internal school channels at internal prices.

He could likewise purchase magical items, expensive Pokémon food, Berries, special Poké Balls, and more at internal prices.

Fourth, while Roy attended the school, all of his Pokémon's food, clothing, housing, and transportation would be covered by the school, which would provide the highest level of treatment.

After hearing all that, Roy felt as though he had not come here to study, but as some young prince on vacation.

So this was the treatment for a Chief Recommended Student?

Loved it.

After collecting his award, Roy began taking media interviews. The first to step forward was Pokémon Daily, operated officially by the Pokémon League...

This was the leader of the media world, a global-level state broadcaster.

Media at this level had no need to chase sensationalism, so their questions were extremely official.

"After overcoming every obstacle and earning the Chief Recommended Student qualification at a prestigious institution like Sheng Hai University, how do you feel right now?"

"Of course I'm very happy," Roy answered honestly. "Here, I must thank my parents for giving me the opportunity to embark on the path of a Trainer. I thank the school for providing me with a platform to develop..."

Following the standard routine and thanking everyone along the way, Roy nearly blurted out, "Thanks to CCTV."

After delivering a three-minute acceptance speech, Roy finally managed to get Pokémon Daily out of the way.