Mythical Pokémon Era: Global Ascension Chapter 38

"Squirtle, don't give up." Roy encouraged it. "Didn't you want everyone to see what makes you special? Don't you want Principal Fang and your father, Blastoise, to see that one day, we can go farther than they ever did?"

As he spoke, Roy shook another Willpower Bell. In a daze, he seemed to hear Might Guy shouting about youth again.

Under the effects of this double dose of motivational soup, Squirtle pulled itself together, ate an Energy Cube, and rapidly replenished the energy its cells had lost.

Five minutes later, Squirtle resumed its training of continuously using moves.

Again and again.

Over the course of the morning, Squirtle had depleted its energy twelve times, while Riolu had only done so three times.

At the same time, it had consumed twice as many Energy Cubes as Riolu.

The higher a Pokémon's level and the greater the training intensity, the more Energy Cubes it needed. His points were burning away faster and faster.

Even with more than two million points as a cushion, Roy clicked his tongue inwardly.

At this rate, those two million points would probably only last four or five months.

Fortunately, Squirtle's memes had gradually started catching on online.

Compared to making a splash in a competition, this method of earning Popularity Points was slower, but it had the advantage of being lasting and continuous.

As I get more Pokémon, and as they grow stronger, daily expenses will become the real point sink.

Only buy necessary items and Move Disks.

In the future, I need to develop more sources of sustainable income like this.

At lunchtime.

Roy let Riolu and Squirtle rest and eat in the Training Room while he headed to the cafeteria to meet Mu Xixi and Mu Tianyang.

Although the three of them were no longer in the same class, they had agreed to meet every day during lunch.

Before they had taken more than a few bites, Mu Tianyang brought up Sheng Hai University's school team.

"The school team is finally expanding its recruitment?"

Roy's eyes lit up.

Pokémon Universities encouraged students to establish clubs and hold club activities, providing funding and venues for those activities. For clubs that achieved results, the school would also distribute considerable scholarships.

Recently, quite a few clubs—psychology research clubs, Fighting Enthusiasts, the Tactics Discussion Department, Pokémon Farming Club, and so on—had extended olive branches to Roy, the Chief Recommended Student. He had turned them all down.

...The purpose of these clubs was obvious from their names. They were dedicated to studying how Pokémon power could be applied to civilian life, academics, sociology, and other fields.

—Battling was not everything to Pokémon.

Of course, everyone had to admit that battling would always be the most important part.

Therefore, no matter which Pokémon University it was, and no matter how many clubs the school had, there was always only one club that was the most important and most dazzling.

—The Pokémon Competition Club.

The Sheng Hai University school team's full name was the "Sheng Hai University Pokémon Competition Club Representative Team."

Only official members of the school team could participate in one of the most prestigious Pokémon competitions among young people.

—The National University League.

"The school team's recruitment period varies every year. But generally, it's before the midterm exams." Roy raised a brow. "When is the school team planning to start recruiting this year?"

As a man whose family had money, who was sociable, had plenty of free time, was somewhat handsome, yet had no luck with women, Mu Tianyang could chat with anyone and knew all sorts of gossip. He could basically be considered a know-it-all.

"The same time as before, before the midterms two months from now." Mu Tianyang smiled teasingly. "Why are you in such a hurry? Don't tell me you want to become an official school team member and compete in the National University League?"

After saying that, he studied Roy's noncommittal reaction and immediately froze.

"You're not seriously thinking that, are you?" Mu Tianyang said, caught between laughter and tears. "Bro, can we at least be reasonable?"

Mu Tianyang's exaggerated reaction was understandable.

Generally speaking, becoming an official school team member in one's third year and having two chances to participate in the National University League was the most common scenario.

The Chief Recommended Students of Sheng Hai University's previous years had generally only become official school team members in their second year.

Those were all people the world called geniuses.

This was not unique to Sheng Hai University. Even at the two top institutions, Jinghua University and Jing University, it was the same.

In fact, their situations were even harsher. Many first-year Chief Recommended Students could not become official members even by their second year.

After all, the stronger the school team, the higher the standard required for official members.

A first-year student wanting to become an official school team member?

You had to be dreaming of defying the heavens.

Only some weaker schools might have "first-year official members." Since the overall student level was lower, a genius could easily dominate the field.

"Everyone needs dreams." Roy shrugged. "There's no loss in giving it a try."

Mu Xixi propped up her fair chin and exposed him. "Your expression looks like you're planning far more than just giving it a try."

Roy chuckled and stopped denying it.

The girl silently sighed, thinking that it was just as she had expected.

When Mu Xixi first heard that the school team was expanding recruitment, she had already vaguely guessed how Roy would react.

This guy had seemed like a completely different person lately. He had suddenly become extraordinarily talented and confident in Pokémon battles... If not for some of his habits and personality remaining the same, she might have suspected that some Ditto was impersonating Roy.

"I heard this year's University League will be different from previous years."

Mu Xixi spoke as if casually.

"Because of the upset at the Asian Championship, the authorities have decided to increase their support for Trainers. Besides the usual prizes, this year's University League champions will receive one opportunity to enter the Crown Tundra and capture Pokémon..."

"What?!"

Roy looked shocked, while Mu Tianyang's reaction was even more dramatic. He jumped straight up from his seat.

Crown Tundra was the name of a "spirit realm."

It was the most special spirit realm. The current Pokémon League headquarters had been built at the entrance to the Crown Tundra.

Rumors claimed that more than five Legendary Pokémon lived in the Crown Tundra long-term.

Of course, Legendary Pokémon were too distant to be realistic. What truly excited countless Trainers was another highly credible rumor.

The Crown Tundra was home to pseudo-legendary Pokémon clans from every major region.

Legend had it that Dragon Country Champion Lin Wuya's Dragonite had been captured in the Crown Tundra.

If word got out that the National University League champions would receive one chance to enter the Crown Tundra spirit realm and capture a Pokémon, every student on every school team would empty their savings—or even risk their lives—to win!

"Is the news reliable?" Mu Tianyang hurriedly asked.

"Probably." Mu Xixi glanced at Roy. "Senior Lin Qing told me."

"If it came from Senior Lin Qing, then it's probably true. My god, this is huge news..."

Mu Tianyang muttered to himself.

Roy, meanwhile, asked curiously:

"How do you have Senior Lin Qing's contact information?"

"After I captured Vulpix, Senior Lin Qing added me herself. She cares a lot about how Vulpix is doing and taught me many little things about raising Vulpix." Mu Xixi clearly had a favorable impression of the senior, and the corners of her lips rose into a slight smile.

"Senior Lin Qing had no choice but to leave Vulpix with the school."

"But she already has six main Pokémon. She no longer has the time, energy, or resources to raise Vulpix. Rather than letting it languish in her hands, she thought it would be better to find a Trainer who could treat Vulpix well, while also contributing something to the school..."

This world did not limit the number of Pokémon one could own. If you had money and the qualifications, you could raise hundreds of them.

But for Trainers, raising six main Pokémon was the most scientific and reasonable number when considering all factors.

The Pokémon League also officially advocated the configuration of "six main Pokémon."

After chatting for a while about Senior Lin Qing, Mu Xixi brought up the school team again.

The National University League was the highest-level competition university students could participate in.

At the university stage, Trainers were generally veteran Trainers.

The standard for a veteran Trainer was having three Pokémon reach a C-rank Overall Evaluation.

Therefore, the National University League used a 3v3 format, which was best suited for veteran Trainers.

Since the school team's goal was to compete in the University League, its standards were naturally similar.

"To become an official member of Sheng Hai University's school team, you must have three Pokémon with an average level of at least B+..."

As she said this, Mu Xixi looked at the backpack Roy never let out of his hands. She knew there was a Pokémon Egg inside.

"You aren't counting that little one that hasn't even been born as one of your competing Pokémon, are you?"

Mu Xixi looked at him as though he were some heartless capitalist exploiting child labor.

There were only two short months left before the school team tryouts. No one knew when this Pokémon Egg would hatch. Even optimistically, it would probably only have a month and a half...

If they were unlucky, it might have to take the field on the very day it was born.

"We'll take it one step at a time." Roy explained, "It's not like I can't capture new Pokémon during this time."

No matter what, he was determined to try participating in the National University League.

As the saying went, young people were the future of the nation...

Although the National University League was far inferior to the Professional-level League and the Elite Four ranking competition in terms of strength and spectacle, it attracted nationwide attention in terms of popularity and was in no way inferior to the other two.

Once a contestant performed outstandingly in the league, they would immediately become famous across the country and receive investments from countless corporations.

If they won the championship, they would receive strong official support as well.

The National University League was filled with outstanding talents and hidden experts.

Roy did not think that entering meant he would definitely win the championship, but earning some Popularity Points and tempering his Pokémon through the competition could only be a good thing.