New Recruit Joins the Team

Chapter 8: New Recruit Joins the Team

On the way to the Pokémon Main Store, Lu Ze asked Lu Ba somewhat doubtfully.

"But why was it that before the National College Entrance Examination, whether it was teachers, relatives, friends, or even people online, everyone recommended focusing on raising just one Pokémon?"

"People who knew about this wouldn't go around telling everyone. I only told you because, based on how you battled me this morning, there's a good chance you'll get into Shangqing, so I let you know."

"As for why it isn't discussed online, if someone raised two Pokémon at once but ultimately failed the exam because their training fell short, then telling them this would have ruined their future. So within the Top Ten Universities, everyone tacitly followed this unwritten rule. Of course, they had their own selfish motives too. They would tell people they knew who could get in. If no one told you about this, then you'd end up like I did back then."

"Of course, even if someone tells you, you still have to consider whether you can handle raising two Pokémon at once and still pass the National College Entrance Examination."

Lu Ba rubbed Lu Ze's head as he spoke.

"You have your own improved Energy Cube formula, something many Breeders can't achieve. That's why I believe you can raise two Pokémon well at the same time, and why I brought you here to pick your second one."

"I get it now. So you can battle at the Top Ten Universities and even get rare resources."

"That's right. Some companies and shops also hold Pokémon battles when they advertise, and the prizes can range from good to bad. Didn't you watch those battles all the time when you were little?"

"So that's why I'm so good at commanding Pokémon. I've been watching since I was a kid."

"Haha, brat."

The journey passed quickly amid their cheerful conversation. Standing at the entrance of the Pokémon Main Store, Lu Ze looked up at the sign that read "Love Pokémon Store" and sighed.

"If Mom could open a Pokémon Store this big someday, she'd probably be over the moon."

Lu Ba froze for a moment, then laughed. "That's true. Looks like your dad needs to work harder."

The two entered the Pokémon Store while chatting and spoke to the girl at the front desk.

"We spoke with your manager already. We're here this afternoon to look at Pokémon Eggs."

"Alright. This way, please follow me. The manager is inside."

The receptionist came out and led Lu Ze and Lu Ba farther inside.

When they reached the door, it was open. The receptionist knocked, and inside stood a man in a suit directing the staff as they arranged Pokémon Eggs. Hearing the knock, he turned around, and his eyes lit up when he saw Lu Ba.

With a fawning smile, he walked over, extended both hands, and shook Lu Ba's hand.

"Dr. Lu, your presence truly honors our humble store! Why didn't you call ahead? I could have welcomed you at the entrance."

Lu Ba shook his hand and smiled lightly.

"No need to be so polite. I heard you had a batch of Pokémon Eggs from high-Aptitude Pokémon, so I came today to take a look. My son is in his third year of high school, and we wanted to pick a Pokémon with better Aptitude for him."

"No problem. Those are the ones they're moving in now. They'll be finished soon, so you can take a look at the ones already set out and choose one you like. As for the price, because..."

"The price isn't a problem, as long as we find a suitable one," Lu Ba interrupted before he could finish.

"Dr. Lu is certainly generous. Please, feel free."

The manager gave Lu Ba a thumbs-up in praise, then gestured for them to look around as they pleased.

Lu Ze followed Lu Ba, with the manager behind them, and the three walked toward the Pokémon Egg crates.

There were not many crates, though—only eight or nine, with just five Pokémon Eggs in each. There were far fewer than in Lu Ma's store.

The manager took the initiative to explain.

"There aren't many high-Aptitude Pokémon at our farm either. These are all the Pokémon Eggs laid by the offspring of high-Aptitude Pokémon over the past half year."

The two nodded and looked into the crates. When Lu Ze saw the first one, Information Datafication activated automatically, and the Pokémon's information appeared before his eyes.

Pokémon: Corsola

Gender: Male

Type: Water type, Rock type

Ability: Hustle (increases its Attack, but lowers its accuracy)

Aptitude: Blue Aptitude

Basic Moves: Harden, Tackle

Egg Moves: Water Pulse, Confuse Ray

Lu Ze glanced at the manager and thought, Looks like I can't completely trust what this manager says either. The very first one is a Corsola. Its Aptitude is one thing, but Corsola can't evolve. If I chose it, I'd have to work even harder during the National College Entrance Examination.

It seems that even offspring born from high-Aptitude Pokémon aren't guaranteed to have high Aptitude. The odds are just better, that's all.

Lu Ze continued to the second one.

Pokémon: Shroomish

Gender: Male

Type: Grass type

Ability: Poison Heal (when Poisoned, its stamina does not decrease and instead recovers)

Aptitude: Purple Aptitude

Basic Moves: Absorb, Tackle

Egg Moves: Seed Bomb, Rest

"Hmm, this one's pretty good. A Poison Heal Shroomish. I'll put it on the shortlist and keep looking."

The third, fourth, fifth, then the next crate...

After looking through these two crates, only the Shroomish and Burmy were decent. The others either had poor prospects or were Grass-type. Lu Ze did not really want to pick a Grass-type among his first few Pokémon, since they were relatively weak early on and had long evolution cycles.

The third crate.

Pokémon: Skorupi

Gender: Female

Type: Poison type, Bug type

Ability: Sniper (when it lands a critical hit, its power becomes stronger)

Aptitude: Orange Aptitude

Basic Moves: Poison Sting, Leer

Egg Moves: Venoshock, Slash, Crunch, Toxic Spikes

"This Skorupi is great. Both its Ability and Aptitude are excellent."

When Lu Ze saw this Pokémon Egg, his eyes lit up.

Seeing Lu Ze's expression, the manager came over and introduced it.

"This is a Skorupi Pokémon Egg. Its father is a Golisopod, so there's a high chance it inherited Golisopod's Slash move."

"Alright. I'll keep looking."

Lu Ze suppressed the delighted expression on his face as he spoke.

Unfortunately, he already had a Poison-type Zubat. This one could only be placed on the shortlist for now, since Lu Ze had no plans to specialize in a single type.

After finishing the third crate, they moved on to the fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth.

After looking through them all, Lu Ze still could not make up his mind.

There were only five on the shortlist now: a Purple Aptitude Poison Heal Shroomish, an Orange Aptitude Skorupi, a Purple Aptitude Intimidate Sandile, a Blue Aptitude Torchic, and a Purple Aptitude Flash Fire Houndour.

There was not a single Pokémon Egg on the shortlist that Lu Ze could choose without hesitation.

The manager noticed Lu Ze's hesitation and took the initiative to step forward.

"If Young Master Lu isn't in a hurry, there are still two crates that will be brought in soon. You can wait and look through those before deciding."

"Alright, then let's wait a bit. What do you think, Dad?"

Lu Ze looked at Lu Ba and asked.

"You decide. This is the Pokémon you're choosing."

"Alright, then let's wait."

Before long, the staff carried over two crates.

The first Pokémon Egg.

Pokémon: Whismur

Gender: Female

Ability: Rattled (after being hit by Dark-type, Ghost-type, or Bug-type moves, it becomes frightened and its Speed rises)

Aptitude: Purple Aptitude

Basic Moves: Astonish, Pound

Egg Moves: Rest, Snore, Psycho Boost, Arm Hammer

"This one works too. Unfortunately, Exploud's Scrappy Ability after evolution isn't as useful as Whismur's Rattled Ability."

Lu Ze shook his head and continued looking down.

The second Pokémon Egg.

Lu Ze's eyes suddenly widened!

"This... this Pokémon Egg?"

"Dad, I've made my choice. This one. I feel a connection with it—I liked it the moment I saw it."

"Alright, Manager, we'll take this one." Lu Ba nodded without hesitation.

"Alright, I'll take you to settle the bill right away."