Friday, November 14.
The day of the gym assessment that Paldea's Top Champion, Geeta, had announced in advance had finally arrived.
Early that morning, Qingyu and Nemona sat in the gym, waiting.
"I'm so nervous..."
Nemona clenched her hands together, her gaze drifting toward the tightly shut doors every so often. She was clearly on edge.
Seeing her so flustered, Qingyu couldn't help chuckling.
"I'm the one taking the assessment. Why are you this nervous?"
"But if you don't pass, Sunshine Gym won't be able to stay open!"
Nemona's expression was utterly serious.
Although she had known Qingyu for less than ten days, she genuinely respected this older boy who was practically her teacher.
Whether as a Gym Leader or a Trainer, he was almost a model example.
Without realizing it, Nemona seemed to have made him the benchmark she aspired to reach.
If I could learn even half of Mr. Qingyu's skills, becoming a Champion wouldn't be a problem!
"Relax. It's just a formality. If all we're aiming for is a passing grade, the League probably won't make it too difficult."
Qingyu answered calmly.
He had been pretty nervous at first too, but once he thought things through, his perspective broadened.
The problem was serious, but panicking wouldn't help.
Besides...
According to the information the system had provided, his opponent was indeed Rika of the Paldea Elite Four, but it hadn't said he had to beat her!
From the very beginning, his ultimate goal had only been to defeat one of Rika's Pokémon if possible.
Qingyu suspected that was probably the requirement for passing this gym assessment.
As for the Eight Gyms and all that, those weren't things a rookie still raising two babies needed to consider.
Not failing counts as success!
So he had made thorough preparations for