Throughout the meal, Wu Jin and Liu Yi were incredibly enthusiastic toward Hu Bin, piling food onto his and Vulpix's plates.
Everyone thoroughly enjoyed the meal!
During his afternoon class, Hu Bin listened to the teacher talk about Pokémon Evolution History, but his mind had already wandered elsewhere.
"Hu Bin! Hu Bin! What are you daydreaming about? Stand up and answer the question!" A middle-aged teacher with a bald crown looked at Hu Bin in displeasure and called on him.
The students around him gloated when they saw Hu Bin get called on, with Wu Jin and Liu Yi laughing the loudest.
Hu Bin stood up without the slightest panic and said calmly, "Eevee has many possible evolutions, and we still can't be sure exactly how many there are. The ones discovered so far are Flareon, Vaporeon, Jolteon, Espeon, Leafeon, Umbreon, Glaceon, and Sylveon."
After answering the question, Hu Bin calmly sat back down.
Many of his classmates were surprised that Hu Bin could give such a complete answer. You never used to be like this!
"Very good. That was an excellent answer. It seems you've been studying seriously, Hu Bin. But please don't daydream in class." The balding middle-aged teacher paused in surprise before speaking.
Hu Bin smiled as well. "Of course, sir."
With that, Hu Bin shot Wu Jin and Liu Yi a challenging look. Please. My high school knowledge has been enhanced by the system. How could questions like these stump me? You boys aren't on my level!
When the bell rang, Hu Bin sprang to his feet and caught Wu Jin and Liu Yi as they tried to escape. Hooking his arms around their necks, he said menacingly, "You two were having a great laugh just now, weren't you?"
Wu Jin and Liu Yi could only laugh sheepishly. "Brother Bin, we were just kidding! You're sooo amazing, how could you possibly get it wrong? We were laughing at the teacher for underestimating you!"
"Exactly, exactly!"
Only then did Hu Bin release their necks. "I'll forgive you two this time."
School soon let out. After saying goodbye to Wu Jin and Liu Yi, an impatient Hu Bin slung on his backpack and hurried home, leaving the two of them baffled. "School's only just finished. Why's he rushing home already? Aren't we supposed to hang out and chat before leaving?"
On his way home, Hu Bin bought everything he needed for dinner. He hurried back to cook, planning to take Vulpix out for intensive training after the meal to prepare for the competition!
What pleased Hu Bin most was that final-year high school students in this Pokémon world had no homework, leaving them more time to review. That was a huge relief.
Once home, Hu Bin let Vulpix out to watch television for a while, then went into the kitchen and quickly started cooking. Before long, Yi Nanzi arrived with Cyndaquil. Vulpix, sitting on the sofa, raised a little paw to greet them.
Upon seeing his big sister, Cyndaquil jumped down from Yi Nanzi's shoulder and went to play with Vulpix.
Yi Nanzi came into the kitchen too. Watching the busy Hu Bin, he asked, "Bro, is there anything I can help with?"
Hu Bin shot him a sideways glance. "Can you chop vegetables?"
"Uh, no!"
"Can you stir-fry?"
Yi Nanzi answered sheepishly, "Not that either!"
Hu Bin rolled his eyes. "Well, there you go. Clear the dining table and get ready to eat. You're washing the dishes afterward."
Yi Nanzi saluted. "Yes, Brother Bin! Your little brother is on it!"
Soon, wonderfully fragrant curry rice was served, leaving Yi Nanzi, Vulpix, and Cyndaquil practically drooling!
Without another word, they dug in. As they ate, Yi Nanzi said, "Bro, you've heard about the Spring City Rookie Tournament, right?"
Hu Bin answered between bites, "Yeah. Our teacher told us about it at school today."
Yi Nanzi was a little excited too. "If we do well in the Spring City Rookie Tournament, we could definitely skip the college entrance exam and get straight into a top university."
"That's exactly why we need to train harder and get stronger," Hu Bin said. "Who knows how strong the other competitors will be!"
Yi Nanzi wholeheartedly agreed. "Enough said, Brother Bin. Let's go for it! Then we could even attend the same university!"
Hu Bin smiled. "Then we'd better train hard. For now, let's win the marathon and the school competition first!"
Yi Nanzi was fully on board. "Brother Bin, Vulpix, Cyndaquil, let's all do our best!"
Vulpix and Cyndaquil lifted their heads from their food and responded, brimming with fighting spirit.
"Vul!"
"Cynda!"
After dinner, Yi Nanzi obediently cleared the table and took the dishes into the kitchen to wash. Meanwhile, Hu Bin worked out that day's training plan with Vulpix and Cyndaquil.
"Today's training is simple. We'll mainly work on speed and move proficiency. Vulpix will come with me to train in the Snowfield, while Cyndaquil will go with Yi Nanzi to the Volcano. That will improve the power of your type-based moves and your control over energy!"
By the time he finished planning, Yi Nanzi had finished washing the dishes. The group charged toward the Training Hall, ready to begin their evening training.
That day's training went very smoothly. Vulpix was full of fighting spirit and trained with great dedication.
Yi Nanzi and Cyndaquil's training proceeded steadily as well. With a goal to work toward, both of them were much more determined this time.
After training, Hu Bin once again massaged Vulpix and Cyndaquil to prevent any exercise-related injuries.
Yi Nanzi watched the massage techniques carefully, learning from him.
Once they were done, Hu Bin and Yi Nanzi said goodbye and headed home to rest. After all, they and their Pokémon still had to continue preparing for the marathon at five the next morning.
After a full day of training, Vulpix gave an adorable yawn upon returning home, jumped straight onto Hu Bin's bed, curled into a ball, and drifted off to sleep.
Lying on the bed, Hu Bin gazed tenderly at the soundly sleeping Vulpix. These past few days had really worn the little one out.
Hu Bin lowered his head and gently kissed Vulpix's forehead. "Thank you, Vulpix, for always training so seriously and helping me," he whispered. "Once all this is over, I'll take you out to have some proper fun."
After Hu Bin's kiss, Vulpix smiled as though she had achieved something incredible in her dreams.
"Vul," she murmured.
In her dream, little Vulpix had evolved into a powerful, beautiful Ninetales and stood alongside Hu Bin as champions of the World League Championship. The dreaming Ninetales and Hu Bin looked at each other and smiled.
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