Practical Battle Instruction

After washing up, Zhang Cheng came out to find that both Pokémon had polished off their food. He picked up Poliwag and Pidgey and settled them on his lap.

With so much going on since school started, he had not had time to give the two Pokémon a proper massage. Tonight, he planned to pamper the little pair.

His future grades were in their hands, after all. He had to spoil these two little darlings.

Using the techniques he had already mastered, Zhang Cheng held one little cutie in each hand and massaged them both.

Poliwag and Pidgey thoroughly enjoyed their Trainer's attention and drifted into a deep sleep after the soothing massage.

Once he finished massaging both Pokémon, Zhang Cheng set his alarm and got ready for bed. He had to get up early for practical battle instruction tomorrow.

The night passed without incident.

Another familiar morning arrived. Sunlight fell across Zhang Cheng's face, and with the ringing of his alarm, a new day began.

After a quick wash, Zhang Cheng headed for the Cafeteria. Breakfast was still a must.

He ran into Ye Tian around breakfast time. The guy had been nowhere to be found last night, so Zhang Cheng was going to ask him exactly what he had been up to.

"Ye Tian, where did you run off to last night? I waited ages outside the Cafeteria, but you never showed up."

"I went to battle some other people yesterday. Someone in our class wanted a practice match with me. I went to your classroom right after class to find you, but you weren't there," Ye Tian said helplessly.

"Our class had a test yesterday. I handed mine in early and left, so I went straight to the Cafeteria entrance to wait for you," Zhang Cheng explained.

"Then I guess there was nothing we could do. But you've got some nerve, handing in your very first test early. Aren't you worried your instructor will come after you when the results are out?" Ye Tian asked worriedly.

"When have you ever seen me scared? Come on, let's eat. Nothing matters more than food." With that, Zhang Cheng headed into the Cafeteria.

After breakfast, the two split up and went to their respective classes' Training Grounds. Both Elite Classes had practical battle instruction that day.

Once he reached the field, Zhang Cheng fulfilled his role as class monitor, getting everyone into neat lines to await their instructor.

A short while later, Bai Yuling arrived at Class One's battle arena.

It was the height of summer, and Bai Yuling wore a light, casual outfit and carried a small white parasol. Her long, straight legs were right there before Zhang Cheng's eyes.

The sight made Zhang Cheng's heart beat a little faster. He might not have been a teenage boy, but he was still a normal man. Who could see that without feeling something?

"Our esteemed class monitor is doing quite a good job," Bai Yuling said when she saw everyone lined up.

"As class monitor, it's my duty, ma'am," Zhang Cheng said, putting on an upright expression.

"Oh, is that so?"

"Well, I'll need an opponent for my demonstration during practical battle instruction. How about we let our esteemed class monitor fill that role? What does everyone think?"

"No problem! We're all for it!"

"Our class monitor is the best!"

His classmates all joined in the teasing.

Zhang Cheng's face darkened. If he had known this would happen, he would not have made a fuss. Bai Yuling was a Gym Leader-level Trainer.

By Zhang Cheng's conservative estimate, Bai Yuling's Pokémon had to be at least level 53. After all, the minimum level required to become a Gym Leader-level Trainer was 51.

"Since no one objects, our class monitor will be my opponent for the demonstration."

I haven't agreed yet, Zhang Cheng thought. Still, whether he agreed hardly seemed to matter.

Bai Yuling continued, "During this morning's practical battle lesson, I'll battle your Pokémon to identify their weaknesses."

"Of course, I won't use my level advantage to bully your Pokémon. I'll do my best to keep my Pokémon's move damage around a level-10 standard."

"If no one has any questions, you can take a break first. Let your Pokémon out and get them ready."

With that, Bai Yuling sat down beneath a nearby tree and took out her phone. He could not tell what she was looking at.

Looking at Bai Yuling beneath the tree, Zhang Cheng fell into a slight daze. It was as though he were looking at a perfect painting.

Under the blazing sun, a young woman with creamy-white hair sat beneath the lush green shade of a tree.

Sensing Zhang Cheng's gaze, Bai Yuling looked up at him. Their eyes met, and she was the first to look away.

Zhang Cheng was a little surprised himself. He had not expected Bai Yuling to look his way.

Just as Zhang Cheng was about to close his eyes and rest, he suddenly saw Bai Yuling looking at him, her slender finger pointing to the spot beside her.

Zhang Cheng was puzzled. Was she asking him to sit over there?

Seeing Bai Yuling's gesture, Zhang Cheng responded with one of his own.

Zhang Cheng pointed at himself, then at Bai Yuling, asking whether she wanted him to come over.

When Bai Yuling nodded in confirmation, Zhang Cheng walked straight over without hesitation and sat beside her.

Seeing Zhang Cheng sit down beside their instructor, the other students began whispering gossip.

"What were you so absorbed in looking at just now, little guy? Why don't you tell your big sister?" Bai Yuling teased, abandoning the stern manner she had used during class.

For a moment, Zhang Cheng did not know whether to tell the truth or lie. If he said the wrong thing, the upcoming lesson might be miserable.

"Your long legs, of course. They're so beautiful, who could resist?" Zhang Cheng decided to be honest. Being glib would get him nowhere.

At his words, Bai Yuling's pretty face reddened. She quickly changed the subject. "Little brother, do you have a dream university in mind?"

"Of course. Sakura University, right here in Jiangcheng," Zhang Cheng answered immediately.

"Why Sakura University? It isn't near the top of the Eight Great Pokémon Universities. You don't strike me as someone without ambition," Bai Yuling asked, puzzled.

"Because I love my hometown. I'm attached to the place where I've lived."

"Is that so? Have you ever considered coming to Modu University? It has the best resources in the Huaxia League."

Although the Eight Great Pokémon Universities had no official ranking, everyone knew how strong each school was. At present, the two strongest universities in the Huaxia League were Kyoto University and Modu University.

Unsure how to answer, Zhang Cheng asked a question of his own. "Are you from Modu University, ma'am?"

"Just call me big sister when we're not in class. I don't like being called ma'am," Bai Yuling said playfully. "That's right. I'm currently a third-year student at Modu University. I didn't want to stay on campus, so someone introduced me to this teaching job."