September 13th.
The Goddess of Luck smiled on Lin Yu once again. An ordinary daily word entry actually yielded a green one.
[Green Upgradable Entry (Life Steal) — Each instance of physical damage dealt absorbs 10% of the damage dealt as HP and energy.]
An upgradable entry.
This was the first time Lin Yu had seen an entry like this, but the effect was undeniably good.
As long as physical damage was dealt, it would absorb HP. In a battle, this was essentially an entry that maxed out sustainability.
Although the life steal percentage was still a bit low right now.
Since the system said it could be upgraded, the effect would surely get better over time.
These past few days,
To simulate the selection process for the high school league, the coach had gone to great lengths, somehow obtaining information on some outstanding sophomore players from other schools.
He'd also given them some psychological counseling before the league.
Telling them that during the matches, they just needed to do their best.
And the little Charmander hadn't become arrogant or complacent after defeating Growlithe.
It continued training with Ralts as usual.
Speaking of which, this was worth mentioning.
The little one wearing the Spirit Headband had improved significantly and had even learned a new move.
Substitute.
This was a move learned naturally as its level increased.
Through practice bouts, the Substitute constructed from its life energy was indistinguishable from its real body.
Its strength had also increased dramatically.
Its matches against the little Charmander had become much more intense and closely contested.
Although it still lost more than it won.
Moreover, Lin Yu had a feeling that the little Charmander was close to evolving, perhaps right during this league.
The day before the competition.
Old Qin summoned Lin Yu.
When he arrived at the office, Lin Yu was momentarily stunned, then a slight smile tugged at his lips.
A bright and clear childhood friend could always lift one's spirits.
It wasn't just Old Qin in the office; Ye Qingxue was there too.
"You're both here. How strange, a freshman homeroom teacher like me worrying about the sophomore and senior high school leagues."
Old Qin chuckled with emotion, then handed out two forms. "These are the participation info forms. Fill them out. It's mainly about your Pokémon. Once filled, they can't be changed."
Despite his words,
He couldn't help but feel proud of them.
When had there ever been a freshman participating in the high school league before?
What's more, both of them, in their respective grade-level competitions, actually had a chance to place.
Especially this girl.
A near-certain first place!
She definitely had a powerful background.
And this boy, he'd heard he came from an orphanage.
To have come this far from such humble beginnings, there must have been no shortage of hard work!
Third year?
Lin Yu was startled for a moment, then looked at the girl beside him. She gave him a playful smile, then winked, looking lively and cute.
"Okay, teacher~"
Ye Qingxue responded obediently, then filled out the form.
Lin Yu leaned over to take a look.
Two Pokémon.
One Dratini, and one... Beldum.
These weren't just Pokémon; they were two walking powerhouses.
Although pseudo-legendaries had the reputation of being "late bloomers."
But that was only relative.
Their growth rate might be a bit slower than the faster-maturing starter Pokémon.
But once they matured, they were absolutely any trainer's trump card.
And as for that slight "shortcoming" in growth speed... Would a family with two pseudo-legendaries lack the early-stage resources?
Lin Yu smiled wryly to himself.
Just what kind of background did this girl have?
He filled out his form in a daze. After they walked out, the girl naturally linked her arm through his.
"Bro, you seem so busy, you don't even come to school much anymore."
Her tone was affectionate.
Ye Qingxue had her hair tied up in a cute bun, her delicate features relaxed and natural.
Lin Yu asked curiously, "Do you come to school every day, then?"
Logically, since she was participating in the senior high school league, she should have the same right to skip classes as he did.
The girl pouted. "Yeah, it's boring otherwise."
Lin Yu suddenly became interested. "Then guess what I've been doing?"
"Let me think... probably training with your Pokémon?"
She guessed it in one go.
"Correct, but no prize."
Lin Yu couldn't help but tap her nose. It had become an unspoken ritual between them.
When they were kids, whenever she cried over little things, Lin Yu loved to tap her nose.
She frowned, seeming a bit indignant that Lin Yu was treating her like the snot-nosed kid she used to be.
She let go of his arm, quickened her pace, and stood charmingly in front of him.
A little hesitantly, but sincerely, she said, "Actually, bro, if you need anything at all, you can totally ask me."
A Charmander.
A Ralts.
While he was observing her Pokémon, wasn't she also paying attention to his?
A major issue was the cost of the energy blocks his Pokémon ate daily.
That required a considerable amount of money.
When they were little, he was always the one standing in front.
When they did something wrong and got scolded by Granny at the orphanage, he would gently pat her head and say he was the one who led her into it.
When she was playful and wandered into the Safari Zone and ran into some Rattata, he was the one who stood in front, luring the Rattata towards a Meowth's territory so they could escape.
Now, she wanted to stand in front for him.
"Like money. You have two Pokémon now. When training them, good quality energy blocks are absolutely essential.
Being able to participate in the league now means your Pokémon must have great talent.
She fiddled with her fingers, muttering.
"Top-tier energy blocks on the market cost a few thousand per box, but those aren't even the best.
If you want, bro, you could even let me take you to see some top breeders to create custom energy blocks."
Lin Yu listened calmly, moved by her words.
Then he asked, "What makes you think your bro can't afford to support his Pokémon?"
"...That rental room of yours. It looks so small, and there's barely any furniture..."
Lin Yu was immediately surprised by her attentiveness. She could pick up on his past difficulties from such small details.
But in this area, he also had his pride. "Little miss, how do you know your bro hasn't made any progress in these three years?
I'm a Breeder now~"
He said this quite casually.
And he even pulled out the Intermediate Breeder certification he'd conveniently obtained.
It clearly bore his name, along with a handsome, distinct photo.
The girl was visibly stunned.
The difficulty of obtaining even a Beginner Breeder certification was considerable.
To put it in perspective.
It might be similar to the difficulty of getting into a top-tier university on Blue Star.
And the Intermediate Breeder exam required practical demonstrations.
Bro is amazing!
Ye Qingxue looked at him with admiration.