The exam

"No problem. Go ahead and ask, teacher," Zhang Cheng said calmly.

"How many evolved forms does Scyther have, and what conditions are required for each evolution?" Bai Yuling asked in a clear, bright voice.

"Scyther has two evolved forms."

The students were bewildered by their class monitor's answer. Didn't Scyther only evolve into Scizor?

Bai Yuling was a little surprised by Zhang Cheng's answer, then nodded. "Go on."

"Scyther's first evolved form is Scizor. It requires a Metal Coat to evolve, and there's no level requirement."

The students nodded at that. It all sounded right, but they were curious about the second evolved form Zhang Cheng had mentioned.

Zhang Cheng continued, "Scyther's second evolved form is Kleavor. It requires black augurite to evolve. The currently known way to obtain black augurite is from Golem."

Zhang Cheng had originally intended to mention Scizor's Mega Evolution, but then remembered that the Pokémon League had yet to discover how Mega Evolution worked, so he swallowed the words before they left his mouth.

The other students found his mention of Kleavor incredible. None of them had ever heard of such a thing.

Bai Yuling was inwardly stunned by Zhang Cheng's answer. Kleavor was a newly discovered evolved form, and knowledge about it had yet to be widely circulated.

How did Zhang Cheng know about Pokémon information that hadn't even been made public?

Bai Yuling was deeply curious and wanted to ask Zhang Cheng how he had learned about Kleavor.

But class was still in session, and she couldn't disrupt it.

After a moment's thought, Bai Yuling said, "That's correct. I'll let this incident slide, but don't let it happen again."

Bai Yuling wouldn't go back on her word. Since she had made Zhang Cheng a promise, she had to keep it.

When their teacher confirmed that Zhang Cheng's answer was correct, the students all looked at him in surprise. They clearly hadn't expected their class monitor to have such an impressive grasp of theory.

Bai Yuling continued explaining various aspects of Pokémon knowledge for the rest of the lesson, while the students gave her their full attention and took notes.

Being in the Elite Class came with immense pressure. If their results in the end-of-term assessment were so poor that a student from the Regular Class took their place, it would be an utter disgrace.

Everyone therefore worked hard, hoping to achieve better results, carefully noting down and memorizing every point.

None of this Pokémon knowledge posed any difficulty for Zhang Cheng, though. Once the questioning was over, he leaned back beside the window and pondered life.

After making it through to the lunch break, Zhang Cheng sighed in relief. He could finally go out and stretch his legs.

He called over Ye Tian from the neighboring class, and the two went to the Cafeteria for lunch.

"Zhang Cheng, did Class One start lessons today?" Ye Tian asked indistinctly as he shoveled food into his mouth.

"We did. We're studying Pokémon theory. Our two classes should have the same courses," Zhang Cheng replied.

"Yeah, we started theory lessons today too. They covered a whole pile of material in one morning. My head's spinning," Ye Tian complained miserably.

"Take your time learning it. Theory accounts for a pretty sizable portion of the college entrance exam, after all," Zhang Cheng said encouragingly.

"Why do I get the feeling you're not under any pressure at all? I remember you used to be hopeless at theory too," Ye Tian asked in confusion.

"You can't rush learning. Take it one step at a time. Pressure isn't necessarily a good thing, either. Stay calm and work through it," Zhang Cheng said with the air of someone who had plenty of experience.

"True. Worrying won't help now. I've still got a year to study, so my grades are bound to improve," Ye Tian agreed.

If Ye Tian knew that Zhang Cheng had already mastered the Pokémon theory covered in the college entrance exam, Zhang Cheng wondered whether he would lose his mind.

After lunch, the two parted ways and returned to their respective classrooms.

The bell rang, marking the start of the afternoon lessons.

Rather than continue teaching theory that afternoon, Bai Yuling handed everyone a test paper.

Having an exam on the very first day of school surprised Zhang Cheng a little, but it was a good thing.

At my speed, I can finish this in less than half an hour. Then I can hand it in early and go out for some fresh air. Doesn't that sound great?

As he entertained those thoughts, the papers were handed out. Zhang Cheng opened his and found that most of the questions were very basic.

The first was a multiple-choice question:

1. What is Bulbasaur's type? ( )

A: Grass-type

B: Poison-type

C: Water-type

D: Grass-type + Poison-type

Zhang Cheng glanced at it and immediately chose D. This question simply tested their knowledge of Pokémon details. Some students might think Bulbasaur was purely a Grass-type.

Zhang Cheng then finished all the multiple-choice questions in three minutes.

Next came some fill-in-the-blank questions. They posed no difficulty whatsoever for Zhang Cheng, and he polished them all off in no time.

"Teacher, I'm finished." Zhang Cheng stood up and addressed Bai Yuling. "Can I hand my paper in early?"

The students working on their papers all looked up. Their class monitor was really something; they had to admire him. He just kept stirring things up without a moment's pause.

Bai Yuling, who had been reading at the teacher's desk, looked up too and discovered that the speaker was Zhang Cheng.

Can't this boy behave himself for a little while? He's such a headache, Bai Yuling thought glumly. I don't even know whether coming here to teach was the right choice.

"You finished that quickly? You're not trying to fool me by handing in a blank paper, are you?" Bai Yuling teased.

"Teacher, I really have finished everything. You can check it for any problems," Zhang Cheng said as he picked up his paper and walked toward the teacher's desk.

Bai Yuling took the paper he handed her and gave it a quick scan. There really didn't seem to be any problems.

Rolling her eyes, she said, "All right, but don't leave the school. You can't just wander wherever you please during class."

"Okay. Thank you, teacher," Zhang Cheng said with a smile. Then he headed out of the classroom without looking back.

He didn't want Bai Yuling to change her mind a moment later and leave him stuck sitting at his desk with nothing to do.

Watching Zhang Cheng leave, Bai Yuling felt that teaching here wasn't quite what she had imagined. What she had expected to be a dull, monotonous life seemed to be getting interesting.