Varsity Team Tryouts

After leaving Professor Carolina's temporary office, Su Bai stopped outside the training grounds before heading to class.

Besides battle training, the battling program also included physical conditioning for trainers themselves. Eighty percent of their daily classes took place on the training grounds.

"Su Bai, what brings you here?"

"Take this!"

Seeing Wang Dalin run over, drenched in sweat, with Togepi in his arms and Drowzee following behind, Su Bai handed him a small glass jar containing roughly thirty pink intermediate-grade Pokéblocks.

Wang Dalin hurriedly took it, opened the lid, and gave it a sniff. The pure, sweet aroma immediately drew him in.

"Su Bai, did you make these?"

"Yeah. Togepi's still little, so I used Pecha Berries as the main ingredient, paired with Rootweed Berries, which increase friendship and lower physical attack. They'll help Togepi grow closer to you."

Rootweed Berries had the fewest off-flavors among the Berries that increased friendship, so a little one like Togepi could eat them without worry. Besides, once Togepi evolved into Togekiss, it would be a Special Attack user anyway. Physical attack would be useless.

"This is one batch, enough for a week. I'll give you more next week."

"Su Bai, this is too expensive a gift. Hold on, let me pay you!"

Wang Dalin immediately reached into his bag for money. Although these were only intermediate-grade Pokéblocks, a batch cost a four-figure sum. He really couldn't accept them for free.

Su Bai appreciated Wang Dalin's gesture, so he only charged him for the Berries and a hundred for the labor.

At first, Wang Dalin firmly refused, but Su Bai reminded him that he had promised to help raise Togepi.

Besides, Togepi was eating intermediate-grade Pokéblocks now, and Wang Dalin wanted to pay for them. Once Su Bai started making Premium Pokéblocks, would Wang Dalin still be able to afford them?

Wang Dalin simply chuckled and said nothing more.

Su Bai was right. Although Wang Dalin's family was well-off, Premium Pokéblocks really were beyond his means.

One reason Su Bai didn't give Togepi Premium Pokéblocks was to avoid exposing his abilities. Another was to put Wang Dalin at ease.

Besides, Togepi was too young to eat premium-grade Pokéblocks yet.

Su Bai glanced at the Z-Ring hidden beneath his clothes. Togepi was his little lucky star, after all. He ought to put some care into raising it.

In any case, these intermediate-grade Pokéblocks were merely rejects from making Premium Pokéblocks.

If he got the chance, he would have to visit the Alola Region, take part in the Island Challenge there, and obtain some Z-Crystals.

However, this world was still somewhat different from the anime. He would ask around later to see whether Z-Crystals could be found in the parts of southern Dragon Nation with climates similar to the Alola Islands.

Back in the classroom, they had Berry theory again that morning.

Before class began, however, Director Li posted a file in the Pokémon Department's main group chat.

It was a notice about forming J University's varsity team.

[Ding! A change in the host's circumstances has been detected. System mission issued: join the varsity team.]

[Rewards: accumulated random draws +5, Super Potion ×5]

The rewards weren't particularly generous, which was enough to show that joining the varsity team was no longer much of a challenge for Su Bai at his current strength.

Still, even a tiny reward was worth taking.

Besides, even without a system mission, Su Bai would have entered the Open Selection and joined the varsity team.

Joining the varsity team earned him academic credits.

During class, Su Bai secretly used his phone to look over the basic details of the varsity team.

University varsity teams generally had two duties.

The first was to participate in all kinds of external events and competitions, showcasing their university's strength.

The second was rather more prestigious: remaining ready to respond to emergencies at any time, assisting official security agencies in combating relatively low-risk criminal activity, or helping the authorities protect the city during major natural disasters.

They also received salaries and rewards.

Last year, for instance, heavy rain had prompted the deployment of the varsity teams from J University, J Pokémon Institute, J Normal University, and J University of Technology in J City to assist with flood relief. J University's team captain had even been sent to Central Province on a mission.

J University's varsity team had nine slots: one captain, one vice-captain, four regular members, and three reserves.

The three reserve slots were the ones open to third-year students.

Competitions generally consisted of team battles and individual battles. In team battles, six members each sent out one Pokémon, simulating a full-team battle between official trainers.

These were usually team elimination matches, with the first side to lose all six Pokémon losing the match.

Thus, getting onto the varsity team depended not only on strength, but also on whether one's Pokémon suited the team's lineup.

J University's varsity team had two lineups, a rain team and a sandstorm team, which served as alternatives to each other.

If he trained Pikachu to use Thunder later, he could fit into J University's varsity lineup.

Still, that would only be for securing a place on the team.

When it came to an actual battle, he could simply sweep all six opponents.

After class, Su Bai grabbed a quick bite at the cafeteria, then went to the gymnasium to sign up.

As luck would have it, the varsity coach was Director Li, who was also the deputy team supervisor.

The team supervisor was Qi Shijun, but he was essentially hands-off. He spent less time with the varsity team than he did livestreaming.

"Li Rui, I'm here to sign up."

"Call me Director Li in public!"

Li Rui smiled and gave Su Bai a light pat, then pointed at two fourth-year male students in the corner.

"They're the examiners for this Open Selection. You can only advance to the elimination rounds if you last ten minutes against them."

"Understood."

Su Bai walked over. He was just about to pick one of them at random when a voice came from nearby.

"Wait."

Everyone turned toward the voice and saw a girl approaching. She was smartly dressed and carried herself with poise, a smile never leaving her face.

Director Li knew her. She was Hua Silai, class president of the fourth-year Battling Class One and captain of the varsity team.

"Silai, is something the matter?"

"Sorry, Ms. Li. There's something I'd like to say."

Hua Silai bowed to Director Li with a hint of apology, then looked at Su Bai and smiled faintly.

"I know you. Su Bai, a third-year student. You just won an amateur tournament trophy for the university. A fairly respectable achievement."

"Hello, senior. What would you like to say?"

Su Bai looked at her without the slightest nervousness.

I've met plenty of important people. Who do you think you are? Trying to put me in my place?

Hua Silai waved a hand.

"I'd like to give you a chance. Hey, you two, come here!"

Hearing Hua Silai, the two boys hurried over.

"Captain!" both called.

The two boys were very obedient. Hua Silai probably ruled the varsity team with an iron fist.

Director Li said nothing. Although she was a teacher and the varsity coach, there were many occasions when she still needed to respect the captain's judgment.

"You two, go get your Pokémon healed up."

After Hua Silai spoke, the two boys exchanged a glance, then acknowledged the order and turned to leave.

Once the two boys had left, Hua Silai looked at Su Bai.

"Beat their four Pokémon with your one Pikachu, and I'll make you a regular member instead of a reserve. How about it?"