Mythical Pokémon Era: Global Ascension, Part 5

The two had only managed to exchange greetings when Professor Xing, dressed in a suit, walked in and clapped to signal everyone to sit down.

"I trust you've all received your starter Pokémon. To make management easier, when I call your name, please come up to the stage, show your starter Pokémon, and collect your entry pass for the Newcomer Representative Battle one week from now."

"Yes!"

Hearing the spirited response below, Professor Xing nodded in satisfaction and began calling names.

Common Pokémon such as Pidgey, Raticate, and Nidoran made up the majority. Roy even spotted several Pikachu.

However, without Pikachu's protagonist aura in this world, Pikachu was an utterly commonplace Pokémon.

"Mu Xixi."

"Here."

The girl rose to her feet and walked toward the podium amid unusually enthusiastic applause from her classmates... especially the male students.

She threw out a Poké Ball, and a flash of white light appeared.

A fox-like Pokémon emerged, with red fur, lively amber-like eyes, and six fluffy curled tails.

"Ahhh~~!" Several girls couldn't help squealing, wanting to rush over and hug the adorable creature.

"Vulpix... It should be a descendant of Senior Lin Qing's Ninetales, right?"

"That girl's impressive."

"Those foxes are all obsessed with looks. Nothing strange about that."

"Looks aside, Vulpix are very intelligent Pokémon. You can't win one over without some real ability."

The students began discussing among themselves.

Teachers all favored outstanding students, and Professor Xing was no exception. Smiling, he said, "Before evolving into Ninetales, Vulpix generally don't possess much combat ability. But you absolutely must not rush their evolution. The focus at this stage is building a solid foundation. A Pokémon's childhood is just like a human child's—it is an extremely important period."

"For example, after evolving into Ninetales, this little one will gain many Psychic moves. If she doesn't lay the groundwork for Psychic moves while she is still a Vulpix, she will have great difficulty mastering them after evolving."

Mu Xixi nodded politely. "Thank you for your guidance, Professor."

"It's only my duty." Professor Xing stroked his beard. "When you want this little one to evolve, remember to purchase a Fire Stone through the school's channels. It'll be cheaper... though even the cheapest one will still cost five hundred thousand. Keep that in mind."

"Yes."

Hearing that price, Roy clicked his tongue inwardly.

It took at least five hundred thousand just to buy an Evolution Stone, and that was through the internal channels of a key university...

Being a Trainer really was an expensive profession.

After Mu Xixi returned to her seat, Professor Xing called the next name.

"Lin Shixian."

"Here!"

An ordinary-looking, dark-skinned boy stood up.

Yet no one in the classroom dared underestimate him. Instead, everyone wore expectant expressions, including Professor Xing.

During the earlier roll call, even those who had not known Lin Shixian had been informed by the people around them.

Besides paying enough in League donations and meeting the college entrance examination requirements, there was another way to enter Pokémon University.

—Recommended admission students.

Elites recommended and guaranteed by Trainers above the Professional-level, admitted directly to the university.

And the person who had recommended Lin Shixian was no ordinary Professional-level Trainer, but one of Shenghai's three local Gym Leaders.

Lin Shixian silently walked onto the stage and summoned his starter Pokémon.

"Bulba! Bulba!"

Before the white light had even faded, the Pokémon's cry rang out.

Roy immediately recognized that as the cry of Bulbasaur...

Sure enough, one of the famous Starter Pokémon, Bulbasaur, appeared.

"It's actually Bulbasaur..."

"One of our **Starter Pokémon!"

"As expected of someone favored by a Gym Leader. I heard he's even a personal disciple. He managed to get a Starter Pokémon..."

"Tch. If I had the money and connections to buy Venusaur nutrient solution, I could get a Bulbasaur too."

This world also had the concept of Starter Pokémon.

Pokémon rated as Starter Pokémon had their own distinct traits and strengths at every stage of evolution. Their combat ability and potential were both exceptional.

Most importantly, Starter Pokémon were not easily phased out.

Starter Pokémon like Caterpie and Raticate, due to their lower potential and growth potential, could easily be dropped from the main lineup...

In the Professional-level Championship, Starter Pokémon also had the highest appearance rate.

Every generation had its strongest Pokémon, but Starter Pokémon remained strong in every generation. Even ordinary people knew their reputation as evergreen fixtures of the competitive scene.

"Very good." Professor Xing smiled. "When it comes to Grass-type Pokémon, you won't need my guidance either. You may go back."

After Lin Shixian returned to his seat, Roy finally heard his own name.

No Trainer had emerged among Roy's relatives for three generations, and he was not anyone famous. Professor Xing did not hold any particular expectations for him, and the applause from below was sparse. Only the girls applauded with a little more enthusiasm.

However, when he threw out his Poké Ball, the classroom suddenly fell completely silent.

That silence lasted a full three seconds. Then, a clamor filled with every kind of emotion erupted!

"Ri...olu?"

"Is that the Riolu? The Child of the Heavenly Kings?"

"Obviously! There's only one Riolu in the courtyard! This Pokémon doesn't have any habitat in our ** at all. It's an invasive species! Even in its native habitat, it's exceptionally rare. It was once even regarded as one of the mythical beasts!"

"This... I heard that several fourth-year seniors preparing for the Professional-level assessment failed to gain Riolu's approval. Why would this unknown freshman be worthy of it?"

"Has no one chosen it for too long, so this Riolu has given up on itself?"

"Normal. Not every Child of the Heavenly Kings can reach their parents' achievements. Most descendants of Elite Four-level Pokémon simply fade into obscurity."

"I thought long ago that this Riolu had a bad personality! It's too withdrawn!"

Surprise, envy, suspicion, jealousy—every kind of gaze fell upon Roy and Riolu.

The air was thick with sour jealousy.

Riolu coldly glanced at those people. Without making a sound, it stood protectively in front of its Trainer, arms crossed, carrying itself with the air of Why should we explain ourselves to the likes of you?

Roy did not care about their doubts. If he had been among the students below, he would have reacted similarly.

What he cared about more was the steadily rising Popularity Points on Riolu's status panel.

Though they had only increased by a tiny amount, it undoubtedly confirmed one of Roy's guesses.

These students already knew about "Riolu," yet they could still provide Popularity Points.

In other words, it was not simply better for more people to know Riolu. How much people discussed Riolu was also an important factor affecting Popularity Points!

If Roy wanted more Popularity Points, he not only had to expand Riolu's fame, but also needed to...

Create hype! Make memes!

Chapter 6: My Son Has the Potential of an Emperor

Riolu's appearance had also caught Professor Xing by surprise. He studied Roy in astonishment, but aside from being slightly more handsome than Professor Xing had been in his youth, he could not find anything particularly extraordinary about him.

However, the various disparaging remarks below soon made Professor Xing frown. He slammed the table and shouted:

"Quiet! Quiet!"

"What kind of behavior is all this noise and commotion? When a classmate performs exceptionally, why is your first reaction slander and doubt? Why not think? Why not learn?"

"An outstanding Trainer always carries the heart of an apprentice!"

"That is our school's motto!"

"Arrogant and conceited Trainers will never go far!"

"..."

Professor Xing looked as though he hated iron for not becoming steel. He was only a step away from saying, "You are the worst class I've ever taught."

The students below were filled with shame. Even those who remained unconvinced did not dare challenge a teacher's authority openly, and each lowered their heads to admit their mistakes.

In the awkward atmosphere, Roy suddenly smiled and said:

"Professor, please don't be angry. I can understand everyone's thoughts. When people encounter something they don't understand, their first reaction is to deny it and criticize it. If it were me, I would be the same."

Professor Xing's eyes showed approval. This student was giving everyone a way out—he had high emotional intelligence.

However, just as words of praise reached Professor Xing's lips, Roy suddenly changed the subject.

"But there is one thing I need to correct!"

"The descendants of Elite Four-level Pokémon all possess tremendous potential. Even so, very few can achieve what their parents did."

"However, my Riolu is different!"

"Its talent cannot be described merely as that of a 'Child of the Heavenly Kings.' Why did Riolu choose me? Because aside from me, no one else discovered its talent, its potential, its uniqueness!!"

"At first glance, I saw through its loneliness. That was the loneliness belonging only to a genius!"

"As for its talent, I can even say without hesitation..."

Roy braced both hands against the podium and declared solemnly:

"My Riolu has Champion potential!!"

"..."

"..."

Professor Xing and the students stared dumbfoundedly at the handsome young man making such outrageous claims.

Even Mu Xixi wore a blank expression.

Was Roy... really such a high-profile person?