Battling His Mentor

The former was simple: a machine could test it. The latter was even simpler: one battle would tell them all they needed to know.

However, Entry Class assessments were generally the responsibility of Gym Leaders and the major Pokémon universities. Here in Border Town, the only person who could assess Xiao Ran was his mentor, Qiu Yuxuan.

"Are you ready? I won't go easy on you!" Back on the Battlefield, Qiu Yuxuan looked at her student with a smile.

Entry Class assessments weren't particularly strict. The Pokémon Center could test a Pokémon's control over its energy, while the battle assessment only required someone to record their match and send the video back to the university.

"I'm ready. Go, Primarina!" Xiao Ran nodded, and Primarina blew a Water Balloon as it leaped onto the battlefield.

After evolving, Primarina's ability to create Water Balloons had improved enormously. It could even control a Water Balloon to support its body and hover in midair.

"That's a nicely made Water Balloon. Very steady! But winning won't be so easy. Go, Poliwhirl!" Qiu Yuxuan regarded Primarina approvingly, then threw a Poké Ball. Red light flashed, and a blue, bipedal Pokémon appeared before them.

This Pokémon didn't belong to Qiu Yuxuan. It was an assessment Pokémon that had just been transferred over at her request to the university: Poliwhirl, Poliwag's first evolved form.

Both Pokémon were Water-types, so the damage they dealt each other would be greatly reduced. It would come down to whose moves were more varied and offered broader coverage.

"That last battle was wonderful. Why don't we let the rain fall a little longer? Poliwhirl, Rain Dance!" Qiu Yuxuan said with a smile.

Poliwhirl croaked at her command, and dark clouds began gathering overhead once again. An Entry Class Pokémon's control over energy was