Chu Xin had not expected to run into that Growlithe again so soon. Remembering how he had lost his very first battle to him left him fuming.
"Lei Xiao, where are you headed?"
"Hmph, to take the Monster Tamer Exam in two months, of course. Do you dare come? This time, I'll show you just how strong my Growlithe is all over again!"
Lei Jing stepped forward, a huge bump on his head, and gave Chu Xin a defiant look. But before he could enjoy his moment for long, Lei Xiao's fist came down on his head again.
"My nephew doesn't know any better. Please don't take it personally."
Lei Xiao looked at Chu Xin awkwardly. She knew that beating his newborn Pokémon with her Growlithe had hardly been a fair victory. Now Lei Jing was actually using it to show off to others. How could she put up with that? If word got out, people would say she was bullying a child!
"It's all right, Lei Xiao. But what's the Monster Handler Exam? Could you tell me about it?"
"Well, it doesn't really concern you yet, but since you want to know, I'll explain."
With a smile, Lei Xiao took a magazine out of her bag. It contained a detailed introduction to the Monster Handler Exam.
"The Monster Tamer Exam is a professional examination organized by the higher-ups. Passing it earns you a Monster Handler Professional Certificate, which comes with lots of benefits. Monster Handlers with a Monster Certificate can take their monsters out on the streets. If you get an 'Ace Monster Handler' certificate, you can also challenge Gyms and set off on the Elite Four Path."
Chu Xin studied the magazine Lei Xiao handed him intently. So the Monster Handler Exam was essentially a Trainer assessment. Only after becoming an Ace Trainer could you start challenging Gyms.
But hadn't he just received the Jindu Gym's Gym Badge from Chen Huan?
Was that really all right?
Lei Xiao smiled and patted Chu Xin's hair.
"This sort of exam is still too early for you. Your Xiao Wu is still a baby. Although a Dragon-type monster has plenty of potential, he can't handle an exam this demanding yet. Xiao Wu needs more training first."
"What a shame. Aunt Lei Xiao even said your monster was really strong. I was hoping to settle things with you in the exam, but now it looks like there won't be a single opponent in this competition worth getting excited about. My Growlithe really is invincible."
Gritting her teeth, Lei Xiao said goodbye to Chu Xin, then grabbed Lei Jing by the collar and hauled him away. Lei Jing still waved at Chu Xin nonchalantly, utterly unaware of the miserable fate awaiting him.
"A Monster Handler assessment, huh? Aier, do you think I'm strong enough to take this exam?"
Aier nodded.
"The training over the past few days has made Xiao Wu much stronger. Miss Lei Xiao underestimated how much he's grown. Xiao Wu is perfectly capable of taking this exam now, but getting a good result will still be difficult. As for beating that Growlithe..."
Aier did not finish, but Chu Xin understood exactly what she meant.
The Growlithe raised by Lei Xiao was absurdly strong. After all, Growlithe were standard partners for police officers. As a police officer, Lei Xiao had a systematic method for raising Growlithe, and that was precisely why Lei Jing was so cocky.
But I still can't give up on this challenge!
Chu Xin's hand trembled around the magazine. Although he tried hard to keep his expression under control, Aier could see her young master's excitement at a glance.
The stronger the opponent, the more reason there is to beat them!
I have to avenge the humiliation of my first defeat myself!
Chu Xin tossed the magazine into a nearby trash can and walked ahead without looking back.
"We're heading home, Aier. Xiao Wu and I are starting Hell Training. This time, we won't lose again!"
Back at the villa, Xiao Wu had finally gotten a chance to rest and naturally intended to enjoy it to the fullest. But he had barely begun relaxing before Chu Xin returned and dragged him out.
"Wu!" (Didn't you say we were resting today? You have to keep your word!)
"I ran into Lei Xiao today."
"Wu?" (Who was Lei Xiao again?)
Xiao Wu's retort left Chu Xin momentarily at a loss for words.
But looking at Xiao Wu's puzzled face, it seemed he really had forgotten Lei Xiao.
"She's the auntie who bullied you with Growlithe, then stole your shed skin."
To jog Xiao Wu's memory, Chu Xin could only embellish the story a little. Sure enough, Xiao Wu remembered.
"Wu!" (That bad woman! Where is she? I definitely won't lose this time! I'm going to teach her a lesson!)
Xiao Wu's drowsiness vanished at once. He glared fiercely at Chu Xin, clearly unwilling to accept his defeat.
"Let's leave Aunt Lei Xiao aside for now. We haven't found an opportunity yet. But that Growlithe is about to enter a competition. Are you confident you can beat him?"
Lei Xiao was a police officer, after all. Who knew what other powerful Pokémon she had? Even the Growlithe she had raised merely to train her nephew was already that formidable. Xiao Wu had no chance of beating her right now, but with some hard work, defeating Lei Jing's Growlithe might be possible.
"Wu!" (Fine, then. I'll let that bad woman off for now. But I'm definitely going to give that bad dog a good beating!)
Seeing Xiao Wu all fired up, Chu Xin secretly rejoiced. Reverse psychology really worked.
"But that Growlithe is really strong. You have no chance of beating him right now, Xiao Wu. Let's just forget about this competition."
Chu Xin waved a hand with a regretful expression, sneaking a glance at Xiao Wu. Sure enough, Xiao Wu pouted indignantly.
"Wu!"
(No way! I'm definitely going to beat him! Chu Xin, you have to help me!)
Xiao Wu coiled around Chu Xin's arm and rested his little face on his shoulder, gazing at him with big, watery eyes.
No, that expression is just unfair!
I almost ruined my own plan!
The training he was preparing next would be on an entirely different level from before. Chu Xin seriously doubted whether Xiao Wu could stick with it. Although he could order Xiao Wu to train, it would be best if Xiao Wu did so willingly.
So for the Hell Training ahead, I can't go soft now!
Chu Xin sighed helplessly and reached out to rub Xiao Wu's head.
"Well, I do have a way to help you beat that Growlithe, but... let's just forget it."
"Wu!" (Please, help me!)
"But if you want to beat that Growlithe, the training ahead will be really tough. I really don't want you to suffer like that."
Chu Xin looked at Xiao Wu with concern, acting as though he had only Xiao Wu's best interests at heart.
"Wu!"
(I'm not scared! As long as I can beat that bad dog, I'll do any training!)
After hearing that, Chu Xin pressed the stop button on the recorder with the hand he had kept in his pocket.
Done!
Before you continue