Seeded contestants

The fourth match.

"Xiao Wu, use Dragon Tail and finish this!"

A vicious Dragon Tail sent the opponent's Pokémon flying. Once again, it collapsed unconscious on the ground, unable to battle. Every fight over the past three days had been at this level. The Monster Handler License qualifiers really were far too easy.

Chu Xin sighed helplessly, unable to stop himself from grumbling inwardly.

How did Dad lose fights at this level? He couldn't even get his Monster Handler License. Just how untalented was he?

Oh well. Now that I've passed, I might as well take a photo and brag to Dad.

After stepping off the arena, Chu Xin casually took a photo of himself and posted it to his social feed. He didn't have many contacts, but quite a few people still replied.

"No way, you actually passed? Is the Monster Handler exam really that easy?"

He didn't even need to check who had posted the comment to know it was his dad.

"The Monster Handler assessment is the easiest assessment there is. Anyone who takes training seriously can pass, but congratulations all the same. Speaking of which, Chu Lian, did you fail the assessment?"

Lei Xiao congratulated Chu Xin beneath his post, then casually hit his dad with a soul-searching question. His dad was so startled that he immediately went offline.

"I was a little against it when Chu Lian agreed back then. Perhaps he's the only one who thinks the Monster Handler assessment is difficult. Still, since Xin has made up his mind, I can't object as his mother. Come home sometime and let me see your Monster Handler License."

Seeing his mother's reply, Chu Xin smiled and promised he would. As for when he would go back, however, that was another matter. He really couldn't handle his mother's boisterous personality. If she latched onto him again, getting away would be difficult.

Aier also saw Chu Xin's post right away and offered a simple "Congratulations." That was just like her, though. With such a cold personality, she really wasn't suited to being a maid!

"Ha, you're so slow! You're hardly worthy of being my opponent! If you enter a tournament, you have to win. I'll be disappointed if I don't see you in the finals, but Growlithe and I will definitely be the champions!"

Huh? When did I add that brat Lei Jing? A glance at his phone confirmed that Lei Jing really was on his contact list.

What a big mouth! I'll block him first.

Chu Xin deftly blocked Lei Jing. He was better off not listening to that brat's melodramatic declarations. He would let his strength do the talking in the arena. Xiao Wu and I will definitely be the champions!

Finally, I can get some proper rest!

Chu Xin stretched. He hadn't slept well for three days while adjusting his schedule to prepare for the matches. Now he had a day off before the main tournament began, so he could finally get some proper rest.

Just as Chu Xin was about to leave the tournament venue, a referee suddenly stopped him.

"Are you contestant number 666? Could you come with us?"

"Huh?"

Chu Xin followed the referee, puzzled the whole way. He had no idea what this was about, but if they had come looking for him, there had to be a reason.

"All right, this is the room. Someone inside will explain the situation to all of you."

All of us? Was I not the only one brought here?

Puzzled, Chu Xin pushed the door open. The instant he did, countless camera flashes shone in his face, dazzling him so badly he couldn't open his eyes.

"Is this the eighth seeded contestant? Could you tell us your name and age?"

"Hey, I was here first! How can you cut in line? Referee, someone's breaking the rules! Drag him out!"

"Move, move! Get your hand off my waistband!"

By the time Chu Xin recovered, countless excited reporters had their cameras aimed at him, thrusting microphones and voice recorders in front of his face.

Even the normally fearless Xiao Wu was startled by the scene and ducked into the Poké Ball.

What? What was going on? A seeded contestant? Me?

"All right, all right, everyone, give him some room. Let the boy come over first. Once I've explained the situation to the children, you'll have a chance to interview them."

A little old man with a walking stick approached Chu Xin and looked at him kindly.

"Your name is Chu Xin, isn't it? Contestant number 666?"

Somewhat at a loss, Chu Xin nodded.

"Good boy." He looked a little clueless. Perhaps I could trick him into joining Jindu Academy.

The little old man was Zhuo Yuan. Since he was overseeing the tournament, the selection of seeded contestants naturally had to go through him. These contestants would also be admitted to Jindu Academy as promising talents.

Unfortunately, most of the seeded contestants already had their sights set elsewhere. Either their families had made arrangements, as Lei Jing's had, or they had already decided which academy to join. Jindu Academy wasn't among their choices. Only one of them genuinely intended to join Jindu Academy, and she was his own granddaughter.

Zhuo Yuan's purpose in overseeing this tournament was to recruit more talent for Jindu Academy. Naturally, when he saw an innocent child like Chu Xin, he had to find a way to lure him into the academy.

"Good boy, come with me. I'll introduce you to your companions. They're seeded contestants just like you!"

Still at a loss, Chu Xin let old Zhuo Yuan pull him farther into the room. Sure enough, there were seven other people around his age inside.

No wonder they called me the eighth contestant.

At a glance, every face was unfamiliar, apart from one annoying fellow.

"Ha, you came after all! As my formidable rival, I would've been disappointed if you hadn't become a seeded contestant!"

Lei Jing stood before Chu Xin with his hands on his hips, delivering his painfully melodramatic lines under everyone's gaze. Beside him, Growlithe bobbed its head and showed off just like its owner.

Thanks to Lei Jing's interruption, everyone's attention shifted to the two of them. Being stared at by so many people felt awful, but Lei Jing clearly didn't feel that way.

"Ha, are you nervous? Don't worry, I'll let you lose with dignity!"

Was this guy some kind of social butterfly? Did he really feel no shame?

How could he say lines that cringeworthy?

I really didn't want to see this guy!

After Lei Jing's little performance, merely feeling everyone's eyes on him made Chu Xin so embarrassed that he wanted to crawl into a crack in the floor.

Being onstage and feeling everyone's attention on him could be wonderful, but not like this!

He really wanted to duck into a Poké Ball like Xiao Wu. Then he wouldn't have to deal with this awkward situation.

"Haha, so you two know each other! That's wonderful. Sit together, then. Let's wait for the others. Once everyone's here, I'll explain."

And so Zhuo Yuan seated Chu Xin beside Lei Jing. In despair, Chu Xin raised his head and felt the strange looks the other seeded contestants were giving him.

It was over. My image was completely ruined!