The Chuunibyo Youth, Qian Kaile

"You've got to be kidding me. Your Pokémon is a Weedle, right?" Lin Zeng asked Shu Tong again for confirmation.

"Yes. Why?"

"What do you mean, why? Look at you, all innocent and naive. If you had a strength-based Pokémon, like a Machop or something, I wouldn't be reacting like this. But a Weedle? A Weedle! If Graveler fell on it, wouldn't it crush it to death on the spot?" Lin Zeng sprayed Shu Tong's face with spittle.

"I just want Weedle to use String Shot to drag Graveler along," Shu Tong said.

This would not only test the toughness and weight capacity of the String Shot, but also improve Weedle's physical condition. It was killing several birds with one stone.

"Wishful thinking, pure wishful thinking. A Graveler weighs over four hundred pounds. Is that something a Weedle can pull?" Lin Zeng said.

"I have faith in my Weedle," Shu Tong said.

Seeing how stubborn Shu Tong was, Lin Zeng gave up. He waved a hand and said, "Suit yourself, but I'll remind you that there are no refunds."

"I understand the rules," Shu Tong said.

"Fine, I don't have time to deal with you." Seeing people gradually arriving behind him, Lin Zeng directly arranged for a staff member to fetch Graveler's Poké Ball.

Shu Tong entered the weighted training grounds and released Weedle.

The staff member arrived soon afterward, releasing Graveler. After giving it a few instructions, he stepped aside with a face full of disdain, as if waiting to watch a joke unfold.

"Rumble, rumble, rumble."

"Chirp."

Weedle and Graveler stared at each other. Shu Tong had no idea what Graveler was saying, but Weedle's reply roughly meant: I'm not here for weighted training. I'm just a stone porter.

"Holy crap." A loud, excitable voice made Shu Tong's scalp prickle.

Shu Tong turned his head and saw a burly young man entering the weighted training grounds. He was Qian Kaile, one of Shu Tong's classmates.

Qian Kaile's family owned several chain malls, hotels, and real estate properties. He was a genuine rich second-generation heir.

His Pokémon was a Fighting-type Makuhita. Qian Kaile himself was obsessed with working out, a true muscle man, though his personality was rather bizarre and gave people the impression that he was all brawn and no brains.

Qian Kaile had placed third in the previous month-end assessment. His strength was not much inferior to Wu Hongzhen's, and with his ability, becoming one of the school's designated stars for on-campus special training should have been a sure thing. Yet Qian Kaile stubbornly refused to go, claiming that he hated the teachers and the school.

Although the school had approached Qian Kaile's parents several times, they had been unable to do anything about him.

Of course, the facts proved that he did have some talent. He had consistently remained in the top five.

"Isn't this Shu Tong? This is the first time I've seen you here. What's your Weedle doing? Having a staring contest with Graveler?" Qian Kaile said with a laugh.

Shu Tong shot Qian Kaile a glance. "Are you that bored?"

But Qian Kaile was famously thick-skinned. Shu Tong's coldness would not change anything, and he still sidled closer. "I heard that bastard Wu Hongzhen bullied you, right? How about I help you get revenge?"

"No need," Shu Tong said.

"Geez, why are you so stubborn? You're really boring." Qian Kaile started chattering away.

Just then, the staff member came over with the four Geodude Qian Kaile had requested.

"Weedle, tie up Graveler. Prepare for weighted training." Taking advantage of Qian Kaile going to check on the Geodude and enjoying a little peace, Shu Tong quickly gave Weedle its order.

A thread shot from Weedle.

Shu Tong immediately gasped in amazement.

Whether in the speed at which it was fired or the speed at which it flew through the air, String Shot was more than two or three times faster than before.

"As expected, it's improved tremendously. It even..." Shu Tong wore a satisfied smile.

Because it had absorbed a large amount of Bug-type energy last night, all of its String Shot was now infused with Bug-type energy.

It was precisely under the stimulation of that Bug-type energy that String Shot had undergone such a huge change.

Before long, Weedle had completely bound up Graveler.

"What's your Weedle trying to do?" Qian Kaile had come over again.

"Drag Graveler for weighted training." As soon as Shu Tong finished speaking, he saw Qian Kaile about to make another comment, so he hurriedly added, "I answered you already. Can you quiet down for a while now?"

"Hahaha!" Ignoring Shu Tong's sarcasm, Qian Kaile burst into laughter.

He turned to three or four old acquaintances who had just entered and said, "It's him, it's really him. He actually said he wants to use a Weedle to drag Graveler for weighted training."

The three or four people behind him also began laughing after hearing that, as if they had heard the joke of the century.

"Are you guys here to perform comedy?"

"Do you even know how heavy Graveler is? Four hundred pounds—at least four hundred pounds!"

Qian Kaile said, "My Makuhita is a pure Fighting type, and strength is what it's best at. Even now, it can only do weighted training with four Geodude. Your Weedle wants to drag Graveler? If your Weedle can pull it, then I'll..."

"Then what?" Shu Tong asked.

"I'll treat you to a meal," Qian Kaile said.

"No need. Just stay away from me," Shu Tong said.

"Fine. Like I care."

Qian Kaile said with a disdainful expression.

Shu Tong knew Qian Kaile fairly well. Though he was somewhat arrogant and chuunibyo, he never bullied the weak with his strength. Instead, he liked standing up for others. And with his family's wealth, even someone like Wu Hongzhen would not dare do much to him.

"Hey, why haven't you started yet?" Lin Zeng shouted from the window outside.

Shu Tong had never expected his Weedle to draw so much attention.

"Weedle."

Shu Tong called out firmly. Understanding, Weedle tugged on the threads and pulled backward.

Graveler did not budge.

"Haha, see? I told you so." Qian Kaile was the first to laugh.

"That's not right." Lin Zeng cried out in surprise.

Energy surged throughout Weedle's body. Life Energy maintained its vitality, Poison-type energy erupted with immense power, and Bug-type energy ensured the toughness of the threads.

In that instant, Graveler moved.

"What?" Qian Kaile was so shocked that his jaw nearly dropped.

"That's impossible. Graveler must be using Rollout itself. I don't believe it," Qian Kaile said stubbornly.

"Can't you see that Graveler's feet and all four hands are exposed? How could it roll? Why don't you demonstrate?" Shu Tong said.

"You..." Qian Kaile puffed up in anger.

It was as though his brain had short-circuited. For the moment, he simply could not accept this sudden turn of events.

However, Weedle's goal was not merely to make it move. Its energy continued flowing as Weedle began dragging Graveler backward.

Weedle's weighted training had begun.