Trainer Titles

Whenever the last bell rang before a break, it always sounded especially sweet.

After class, Zhang Cheng had dinner with Ye Tian as usual, and they discussed continuing their sparring practice that evening.

"Don't run off after dinner. Let's have another match. My Butterfree feels close to level 12, so I need more battles lately to build up its experience," Ye Tian said excitedly.

"That fast? My Poliwag is still level 10, though it should be close to level 11," Zhang Cheng said in surprise.

"I only have one Pokémon right now, so I have more time to train it. Besides, it's normal for Bug-type Pokémon to level up a little faster."

With their evening practice settled, the two tucked into their food.

"Oh, right! I almost forgot something. Good thing I remembered," Ye Tian suddenly said.

"What is it? You startled me, getting all worked up out of nowhere."

"Our class instructor said that once a Pokémon reaches level 10, you can take an assessment for a Trainer title," Ye Tian said, rubbing his hands together.

"You mean the Beginner Trainer assessment?" Zhang Cheng asked thoughtfully.

"Exactly. All you need to qualify for the Beginner Trainer assessment is one level 10 Pokémon. I was going to ask you to come take it with me tomorrow," Ye Tian said between bites.

"I don't have anything to do tomorrow, so we might as well go check it out together. But why are you suddenly interested in this?"

Knowing Ye Tian, Zhang Cheng was sure he would never bother with anything that offered him no benefit.

"Hehe, you get a reward of twenty thousand Pokémon Coins for earning a Trainer title. It's an official League incentive and subsidy for Trainers," Ye Tian explained, his mind firmly on the money.

"So that's it. Let's go together tomorrow, then. We'd be idiots to pass up money," Zhang Cheng agreed.

"Sounds good. Let's cancel tonight's practice, then. I want Butterfree to rest and stay in good shape so I can secure the Beginner Trainer title tomorrow."

Once they had settled their plans for tomorrow, the two went their separate ways to handle their own affairs.

That was one of the things Zhang Cheng liked about having Ye Tian as a friend. They helped each other when something came up and left each other alone when nothing did. Perhaps that was the ideal friendship.

With nothing to do after dinner, Zhang Cheng lay idly on his bed while his two Pokémon ate their dinner beside him.

As Zhang Cheng's thoughts wandered, a message suddenly arrived on his phone. He guessed it was from Bai Yuling.

He opened it, and sure enough, Bai Yuling had asked, "Got any plans for your day off tomorrow, little brother?"

"I've arranged to go take the Beginner Trainer assessment with a friend."

"Oh, I was going to ask you to come shopping with me. Next time, then."

At the mention of shopping, Zhang Cheng's legs immediately felt a little weak. Going shopping with a woman was a test of stamina.

"Sure, no problem," Zhang Cheng replied.

"I heard from the school that this year's college entrance exam will be different. To qualify for the Trainer entrance exam, you'll have to earn the Ordinary Trainer title before the exam."

"The League is probably doing this to weed out some Trainers who lack talent or don't work hard."

"Yes. More and more people are becoming Trainers now, so the entry requirements will rise accordingly."

To earn the Ordinary Trainer title, he would need at least one Pokémon at Level 21 or above.

Accomplishing that before the college entrance exam would likely be difficult for a small number of Trainers.

Zhang Cheng, however, felt little pressure. If he kept raising Poliwag and Pidgey his own way, he was confident he could get into one of the eight prestigious universities.

"You've probably taken all these assessments before, right, sis? Any information you can give your little brother in advance?"

Since Bai Yuling was already a Gym-level Trainer, Zhang Cheng figured she must have taken the Beginner and Ordinary Trainer assessments before and would know how they worked.

"The Beginner Trainer assessment is fairly simple. As long as your Pokémon is above Level 10, you'll most likely pass," Bai Yuling continued.

"It's a one-on-one battle on a standard battlefield. Your opponent will use a level 10 Pokémon that doesn't have a type advantage over yours."

After hearing Bai Yuling's explanation, Zhang Cheng agreed that it did not sound particularly difficult. Having the opponent deliberately avoid a type advantage undoubtedly gave Trainers plenty of room to work with.

"The Ordinary Trainer assessment is somewhat harder. The battlefield is chosen at random."

"There are four types of battlefield: ice, grass, water, and rock. Lots are drawn before the battle to determine which one you'll use."

"Each side uses two Pokémon, and your opponent's Pokémon are Level 21. Your only advantage is that your opponent isn't allowed to switch Pokémon."

The Ordinary Trainer assessment was indeed much harder. After all, it represented a dividing line. Only after reaching the Ordinary rank could someone be considered a true Trainer.

"Thanks for telling me so much, sis."

"Haha, why are you being so polite, little brother? As an instructor, helping my own students is only natural (＞＜)☆."

"Then why don't you take the assessment for me tomorrow too, sis? Might as well help me all the way (ω)."

"→_→"

His conversation with Bai Yuling had given Zhang Cheng plenty of information, allowing him to prepare thoroughly for the assessments ahead.

Next, Zhang Cheng sent Ye Tian the information Bai Yuling had shared in a text message, so Ye Tian could learn a little about what to expect and be ready for tomorrow's battle.

Once that was done, Zhang Cheng pulled the covers over his head and went to sleep, hoping to face tomorrow's assessment well rested.

The next morning.

Since Zhang Cheng had gone to bed early the night before, he woke before his alarm rang. After quickly getting ready, he headed out to the Cafeteria.

The two had agreed to eat breakfast in the Cafeteria before going to take the Trainer title assessment together.

"Did you see the information I sent you?" Zhang Cheng asked as Ye Tian approached.

"I did. Where did you get such detailed information?" Ye Tian asked, puzzled.

"I asked our instructor last night. She told me," Zhang Cheng explained.

"Oh, I see. Knowing what to expect beforehand should help with the assessment," Ye Tian said with a nod.

"Come on, let's eat first. We need a full stomach to have the energy for the assessment," Zhang Cheng said, waving him along.

"I couldn't agree more." With that, Ye Tian headed straight into the Cafeteria.