That familiar white light once again drew every eye to it.
"That is... Kakuna evolved!"
Su Qingxue's heart brimmed with joy.
After so many days, Kakuna finally completed its last molting.
"Su-bah!"
Seven or eight minutes later, once the light of evolution dispersed. Before everyone appeared a shiny Beedrill, its size smaller than Guo Yi's Beedrill by quite a bit.
The Beedrill before them looked completely different from any ordinary Beedrill.
Ordinary Beedrill has the body as pale yellow, abdomen marked with several black stripes.
But this one...
Su Qingxue's Beedrill was completely reversed.
Its whole body was pitch-black, with only lightning-shaped yellow streaks across the abdomen.
The twin stingers at its forearms had also turned black.
Like a knight of the night.
"Su-bah!"
Beedrill gave a low cry.
Its wings, thin as cicada's wings, trembled faintly.
And in the air, a crack of electricity flashed—Beedrill appeared right beside Su Qingxue.
Looking closer now, one could see arcs of lightning occasionally dance across those insect wings.
That flash just now had come from there.
"Beedrill, that's wonderful!"
"You've finally evolved!"
At this moment, Su Qingxue's eyes held only her Beedrill.
And Beedrill's evolution also meant her own strength had stepped onto an entirely new tier.
[Beedrill (Shiny) (Poison + Bug)]
[Gender: ♀]
[Level: Lv41 (Ace-Tier)]
[Ability: Sniper]
[Moves: Twinneedle, Pin Missile, Poison Jab, Pursuit, Fell Stinger (commonly used)]
[Tutor Moves: None]
[Egg Moves: None]
[Held Item: Poison Barb (Veteran-Tier)]
[Potential: Champion]
Kakuna, already at Lv38, directly broke through to Lv41 with its evolution.
Which meant—Su Qingxue, before even enrollment had begun, already possessed two Ace-Tier Pokémon.
If she raised yet another Ace-Tier Pokémon, Su Qingxue could practically apply for early graduation from university.
Such strength—among all the freshmen of Shanghai Pokémon University—would likely be in a league of its own.
Off to the side, Hu Yan'er watched Su Qingxue with outright envy.
If her Pikachu were Ace-Tier too, then this Independent Enrollment Exam, she would have long since passed.
At the same time that Beedrill evolved, the system's reward also arrived as promised.
[Ding. Congratulations: Student Su Qingxue's strength has greatly advanced.]
[Special reward: Perfect-Grade Moon Stone x1.]
Oh!
Didn't expect the reward this time would be a [Perfect-Grade Moon Stone].
So the system is thinking about my Nidorino, who still hasn't evolved!
Seeing this reward, a trace of delight showed on Guo Yi's face.
After all, a [Perfect-Grade Moon Stone] sold for 30,000 [Mentor Points] in the system shop.
He hadn't thought the system would be so generous this time.
Originally Guo Yi assumed the reward would be just the same as before: more [Mentor Points].
But thinking carefully, Beedrill's evolution wasn't merely its own combat strength shifting.
For Su Qingxue herself, it was a qualitative leap.
After all—two Ace-Tier Pokémon together, their combined power, was not simply one plus one equals two.
A long-range bombardier like Nidoqueen, paired with a melee striker like Beedrill.
One far, one near.
That power—absolutely one plus one greater than two.
"Beedrill, looks like you'll be busy from now on."
Guo Yi gave a soft laugh to the Beedrill at his side.
Right now, his own Beedrill was undoubtedly the best teacher.
"Su-bah!"
Beedrill nodded.
Toward this junior of its line, Beedrill held high expectations as well.
Only, though Beedrill's evolution was worth celebrating, Su Qingxue's punishment could not be skipped.
"All right, Qingxue."
"You lost the training just now. Next, you have to accept the punishment for losing."
Guo Yi reminded her.
Hearing this, Su Qingxue's smile froze on her face.
Then she protested, unwilling:
"Teacher, your judgment isn't fair!"
Guo Yi immediately chuckled.
"Not fair?"
"Then tell me—where exactly is it not fair?"
Su Qingxue explained:
"Since I could already pinpoint Pikachu's true body, then of course Yan'er could find it at the same time too."
"Which means—I was bound to lose."
In her view, after she had spread that water puddle terrain, Hu Yan'er could just as easily tell real from fake Pikachu.
But Guo Yi shook his head in denial.
"That's where you're mistaken."
"Yan'er found Pikachu's true body not because she used your method."
"And even if Yan'er did rely on your method—"
"That still means you provided her the convenience."
"Because you didn't think of a better way to track Pikachu's true form."
In truth, If you really counted it out, Su Qingxue's advantage was far greater than Hu Yan'er's.
Because Su Qingxue didn't need to care about whether Pikachu was real or fake—she could just launch an attack directly.
But Hu Yan'er could not.
She had to be sure it was Pikachu before giving a command.
Otherwise, she would lose.
So even if Su Qingxue found the real body, she could still feign an attack on the fake one, forcing Hu Yan'er into a foul.
And the result would still be her victory.
It could only be said—Su Qingxue thought of the rules far too simply.
She only thought that if her own attack hit the real Pikachu, then she would win.
She never thought about—changing the way to victory.
And besides, in battle the field itself is a resource shared by both sides.
Since you wanted to use the terrain to achieve your purpose, then you also had to think of a way to keep your opponent from using the terrain you yourself created.
Adding flowers to brocade or drawing feet on a snake—it was often only a matter of a single instant.
"Okay, Teacher."
"I'll accept the punishment..."
After Guo Yi's explanation, Su Qingxue finally admitted that she had indeed lost.
On the side, Hu Yan'er looked a little uneasy.
Because, in a way, Su Qingxue's actions had also been a kind of special training for her.
To punish her like this—Hu Yan'er felt somewhat guilty.
However, before she could even speak, Su Qingxue's fighting spirit flared, and she declared war on her.
"Yan'er, this time counts as your win."
"But next time, I definitely won't lose!"
A mere single defeat—could not break her will.
Su Qingxue started running laps around the track as punishment.
"Nido!"
"Su-bah!"
Nidoqueen and Beedrill glanced at each other, and then, in perfect tacit understanding, followed behind their trainer to run together.
"Yan'er, take Pikachu and rest for a bit."
"You'll continue training later!"
"Mm!"
"Got it, Teacher Guo!"
Hu Yan'er nodded solemnly.
Because she knew—this training was far from over.
Taking advantage of this break, Bai Cai walked up to Guo Yi's side.
"Teacher Guo, watching your training... it seems you place great weight on the bond between trainer and Pokémon."
Guo Yi nodded.
"Pokémon and trainer are one body. To only know how to force out a Pokémon's power, just to make it strong..."
"Such a trainer will never go far. What do you think, Teacher Bai?"
Bai Cai smiled, showing agreement.
"Indeed."
"Only—Teacher Guo, your Beedrill's strength seems unusual. I wonder, who did you learn from?"
Here it comes!
Hearing this, Guo Yi's heart gave a jolt.
He knew very well.
The appearance of his Beedrill would inevitably rouse suspicion among certain people.
And no wonder!
There were many trainers with Beedrill. But trainers with powerful Beedrill, were very few indeed.
And once people checked into Guo Yi's past, most would inevitably start to suspect.
So Guo Yi needed to create for himself a powerful background.
And the "Bug Master" mask from before—was one of the best covers he could have.
This was also why he had never revealed his true identity.
Exposing it openly, versus hiding in the shadows, the oppressive weight that "Bug Master" carried in each case was worlds apart.
So facing Bai Cai's question, Guo Yi gave a light laugh.
"To be honest with Teacher Bai, my Beedrill used to be nothing remarkable."
"But when I lived in the countryside, I met a teacher."
"With his help, not only did Beedrill's strength leap forward, even I benefited greatly."
As expected!
Hearing this, Bai Cai's face showed a knowing look.
She could be certain—the master Guo Yi spoke of, was exactly the "Bug Master" rumored online.
So Bai Cai continued asking:
"Then Teacher Guo, do you think that 'Bug Master' who's been spreading like wildfire on the internet recently—might actually be your teacher?"
"Possibly."
Guo Yi sighed as he spoke.
"After teaching me for a time, my teacher left me many things, and then departed."
"And I never once saw him release a Pokémon, so I can't be sure if that 'Bug Master' is truly him."
"Only—Teacher did once say, he indeed had a Beedrill of overwhelming strength."
"And before leaving, Teacher urged me—if possible, to pass on the knowledge he had taught me."
"So I came here, to Shanghai Pokémon University."
Hearing this, Bai Cai grew instantly solemn and respectful.
"To think that Master possessed such broad-mindedness."
"Only—Teacher Guo, as a teaching assistant, your status might make it difficult to truly spread and explain his path."
"How about this—let me step in, and have the school grant you a full teacher's position."
Given Bai Cai's identity, if she personally intervened, arranging an official teaching position for Guo Yi was hardly difficult.
"Ah!"
Hearing this, Guo Yi quickly waved his hands in refusal.
"No, no, no."
"My assistantship already came through connections."
"If I relied on you to get a teacher's seat—if outsiders found out, wouldn't they think I was just eating soft rice? And besides, as the saying goes, 'the Way cannot be lightly spread.' If there is fate, students will naturally hear my lessons; if there is no fate, I won't force it."
"This... Well, since Teacher Guo already has his thoughts, I won't press further..."
Bai Cai hesitated, but in the end chose to respect Guo Yi's choice.
Hearing this, Guo Yi inwardly let out a breath of relief.
What a joke!
A full teacher's class load was double that of an assistant's.
He'd have to be crazy to choose that.
Teaching a class here and there, showing up now and then, that kind of life suited him just fine.
[Ding. Su Qingxue's Power of Viridian has grown. Host receives tenfold feedback.]
The system's chime rang out again.
Feeling the [Power of Viridian] inside him expand, Guo Yi couldn't help but smile.
Since his [Power of Viridian] came from Su Qingxue, the stronger hers grew, the stronger his as her teacher would become.
Before, Guo Yi's focus had all been on cultivating Pokémon.
Now—it was time to start cultivating his students' own abilities.
"Huff... huff..."
"Teacher, I finished running!"
Su Qingxue, drenched in sweat, returned before Guo Yi.
Guo Yi nodded slightly.
"Then go rest over there."
"Eh?"
Su Qingxue froze for a moment, then asked:
"Teacher, is there no more soda?"
As expected.
That feeling of instant recovery—it could get addictive.
Guo Yi put on a stern face.
"That soda can only be drunk once a day. Any more, and it'll harm the body."
"Oh."
Hearing the reason, Su Qingxue replied softly, then went to rest on a bench at the side.
After that, Guo Yi continued Hu Yan'er's and Pikachu's special training.
They trained straight into evening, before finally packing up to go home.
And the next day, Hu Yan'er and Pikachu again spent the whole day in high-intensity training.
This continued on for the rest of the days.
...
At the entrance of Shanghai University's stadium.
The examiner who had battled Hu Yan'er before was there, waiting eagerly.
"Teacher Lin, the Independent Enrollment Exam should be finished by now, right?"
"Why are you still here?"
Tang Ming, stepping out from the stadium, saw Teacher Lin at the gates and asked.
Teacher Lin nodded.
"Director Tang, there are indeed no more candidates inside."
"Only—the exam as a whole won't be completely finished until later, so I wanted to wait a while longer."
"Oh?"
Tang Ming perked up at that.
"Teacher Lin, are you waiting for a particular student?"
Teacher Lin smiled.
"Yes."
"A few days ago, one candidate, with only a Pikachu, nearly defeated my Raichu."
"If possible, I'd like to take her as my disciple."
Tang Ming showed some surprise.
"Pikachu against Raichu, and nearly succeeded?"
"Seems this student really does have talent."
"But... why hasn't she shown up yet?"
Tang Ming knew a bit about Teacher Lin's Raichu.
Not exactly top-level.
But facing a Pikachu of the same tier...
in theory, winning should be easy.
Yet the outcome had been unexpected.
That alone showed—this student's talent was no small thing.
Faced with Tang Ming's question, Teacher Lin gave a wry smile.
"Perhaps, in the end, that candidate chose not to use the [Thunder Stone] to evolve Pikachu."
Truthfully, seeing Hu Yan'er still not come, Teacher Lin had already guessed.
But thinking of her talent, he had decided to wait a little longer.
Vroom, vroom, vroom!
At that moment, the roar of an engine came suddenly.
A luxury car, sped toward the stadium at full speed.
Screech~~
With a shriek of tires, the car braked right before them.
"Good thing we didn't come too late."
Guo Yi sighed as he stepped out of the car.
But seeing that familiar face, Tang Ming's expression darkened at once.
"Guo Yi, how can you drag race inside school grounds!"
"What did I tell you the other day—have you forgotten already?"
Originally Tang Ming had thought, from Guo Yi's attitude a few days ago, that he truly wanted to come and teach.
But now, seemed he had judged him wrong.
Faced with Tang Ming's scolding, Guo Yi spread his hands helplessly.
"Director Tang, I wasn't racing."
"I was just giving a student a ride."
The words had barely left his mouth when Hu Yan'er hopped out from the passenger seat.
"Mister Examiner, I'm sorry I came late."
"Can I still take the exam now?"
She rushed to Teacher Lin, bowing deeply.
Seeing the Pikachu on her shoulder, Teacher Lin let out a long sigh.
"The exam time hasn't passed yet."
"Come with me."
The instant he saw Pikachu, he already knew the choice she had made.
Though he felt it was a pity, it was her decision, and he had no right to interfere.
So—
Hu Yan'er followed Teacher Lin's steps.
Into the stadium, for her final exam.