Chapter 22: Jin Mu’s Scheme
In fact, in this world, not all Pokémon are born with inherited skills, nor do all Pokémon learn skills when they level up.
Pokémon with average qualifications might only learn one or two skills after each major stage breakthrough, while only those truly exceptionally talented Pokémon will comprehend skills when leveling up minor levels.
For example, the Pidgey that Jin Huang mentioned—with two skills in the novice stage, its qualifications are already quite good for a commoner.
In fact, the vast majority of Pokémon don’t even have skills in the novice stage; among the first batch eliminated this morning, there were two unlucky ones in that situation.
“Lu Li, how did your match go?” Jin Huang asked curiously.
Lu Li said in a flat tone, “More or less the same; most rookie trainers’ strength is underwhelming.”
The two opponents he matched with this morning were both one-shot kills.
Pokémon born in the Pokémon Secret Realm clearly have superior talent compared to those from the wilderness.
“I thought so.”
Jin Huang nodded.
“Looks like the school’s first and second places are between us two.” Jin Huang looked at Lu Li with blazing fighting spirit.
“Not necessarily.”
Lu Li smiled and shook his head, then explained, “Class Three has a trainer whose starter Pokémon is an Ekans, and it has mastered Poison Sting and Poison Fang—that’s also a pretty good opponent.”
First High School’s senior year this term has a total of ten classes, each with about 40 people, though the elite class has only 20.
Class Three’s overall level is above average, and Lu Li hadn’t expected Class Three to produce a “dragon.”
Mastering Poison Sting and Poison Fang in the newborn stage—if Poison Fang is inherited, that means the Ekans’s talent is at least elite level to start, or possibly gym level.
Hearing this, Jin Huang was stunned for a moment, then smiled confidently.
Seeing Jin Huang’s reaction, Lu Li immediately understood.
From Jin Huang’s reaction, his Corphish is probably not simple either—likely inherited at least two skills.
If his guess is correct, then Jin Huang’s Corphish has at least gym level potential.
“By the way, how many from our class advanced?” Lu Li asked curiously.
Jin Huang smiled and said, “16; four unlucky ones matched against disadvantageous attribute opponents.”
Lu Li nodded, then picked up a book from his desk and started reading.
When the afternoon matches began, Lu Li reluctantly put down the book in his hand.
Bringing his Poké Ball to the gymnasium, Lu Li followed the teacher’s guidance to the sixth field.
Lu Li’s opponent was a Nidoran trainer.
The Nidoran trainer said confidently, “First High School’s first place? Your myth might end here.”
“Go! Nidoran!”
A Pokémon that was entirely purple with deep purple patches, large ears with a cyan interior, and a poison horn on its head appeared on the battle field.
Nidoran! Its final evolution is Nidoking with a base stat total of 505—a true all-around attacker.
Lu Li chuckled lightly, then released Tropius.
As soon as Tropius appeared, it overwhelmed the opposing Nidoran in presence alone.
Tropius was two meters tall and long, while Nidoran was less than 0.5 meters tall; just the size difference brought immense sense of oppression to the opponent.
“My opponent is… a purple furry rat?” Tropius disdainfully glanced at Nidoran.
With two consecutive victories, Tropius was starting to look down on all Pokémon.
Hearing Tropius’s mockery, Nidoran’s eyes instantly turned red.
Without waiting for the trainer’s command, Nidoran charged straight at Tropius.
“Tackle?”
A flash of surprise crossed Lu Li’s face, but he still commanded, “Tropius, fly.”
In the newborn stage, a flying Pokémon like Tropius actually holds a huge advantage in battle.
Tropius flapped its wings and flew up; Nidoran missed completely, and unable to stop, it charged right out of the field.
“Match over! The winner is Lu Li from the elite class and his Tropius!” The referee teacher nearby declared loudly.
Faced with such a dramatic defeat, the Nidoran trainer was dumbfounded.
If Tropius had beaten Nidoran head-on, he could accept it, but Tropius hadn’t even used a skill—or actively attacked—and he still lost.
“This… this, you… I… sigh!”
The Nidoran trainer sighed dejectedly, then recalled his Nidoran that was still poised to attack.
So embarrassing, too embarrassing!
Face flushed red—whether from anger or shame—the Nidoran trainer gripped the red-and-white Poké Ball tightly.
Lu Li kindly reminded, “You should train your Pokémon’s skill proficiency; newborn Pokémon can’t control their power in all-out attacks like that.”
“Got it.”
Leaving those words behind, the Nidoran trainer left the gymnasium without looking back.
“Still too young.” Lu Li sincerely remarked.
An all-out Tackle has great power, but if it doesn’t hit the opponent, it’s very awkward—just like Nidoran earlier.
Nidoran’s Tackle still had power.
Moreover, Tackle was clearly Nidoran’s inherited skill; a Nidoran with at least one inherited skill will be at least elite level in the future.
Not far away, watching the match, Jin Hua said disdainfully, “Boring; I thought you’d reveal your true strength in this match.”
Lu Li, who had recalled Tropius, plopped down next to Jin Huang.
Lu Li answered irrelevantly, “You should be up soon, right?”
Jin Huang nodded glumly: “Yeah! Opponent’s Pokémon is a Machop.”
Hearing that Jin Huang’s opponent was a Machop, Lu Li gave him a pitying glance.
Corphish is four times weak to fighting; Jin Huang had met his match.
Soon, Jin Huang went up.
Lu Li looked puzzled at Jin Huang’s back; Jin Huang matching such an opponent here seemed strange to Lu Li.
Given the homeroom teacher’s status and connections at school, Jin Huang shouldn’t have matched against a Machop-type Pokémon.
This was clearly someone not wanting Jin Huang to advance.
“Did the homeroom teacher offend someone? But who at First High School has that authority? The dean of students or the principal?” Lu Li wondered curiously in his heart.
On the second-floor corridor of the gymnasium.
Jin Cuilian stared intently at Jin Huang on the field, silently praying in her heart, “Son, can you soar into the sky? Today depends on whether you can catch that lord’s eye.”
The reason Jin Huang matched against Machop was all due to this mother’s behind-the-scenes maneuvering.
This wasn’t because she wanted her son to lose—quite the opposite; Jin Cuilian wanted Jin Huang to win, and win impressively.
Dou Guomin teasingly asked nearby, “Aren’t you afraid your son will lose?”
“My son may not match Lu Li, but he’s not inferior! I believe he won’t disappoint me.” Jin Cuilian’s words were full of trust and hope for her son.
“First Machop, then Sandshrew—you really don’t want your son to miss a chance to show his excellence!” Dou Guomin remarked.
Jin Cuilian sighed, “If First High School hadn’t produced a Lu Li, that lord probably would never come to this small place in a lifetime; this is A-Jin’s only hope, and even if there’s just a sliver of possibility, I want to help him seize it!”
Dou Guomin smiled; pity the hearts of parents worldwide.
As a father himself, Dou Guomin could well understand Jin Cuilian’s feelings.
