“A beginner’s qualification is equivalent to having two badges, while an advanced one is roughly equivalent to having four badges. Graduates, even if they don’t travel around challenging Gyms for badges, can directly participate in the Indigo Plateau Conference.”
“Although that person is also a beginner, he’s too old, so no one is willing to use the ‘Whip of Love’ on him.”
Xiao Chun heard Ash’s question and explained the differences between the various levels to him. Of course, the main point was that graduating was equivalent to having challenged eight Gyms.
“So, to be able to rival those who have obtained eight badges just like that is too much of a joke. If someone who has traveled other regions or is super abnormal comes along, wouldn’t they be beaten like a baby?”
Yu Feng naturally looked down on those who only studied theoretical knowledge and paid no attention to practical combat. Of course, this might be because he grew up in the forest since childhood, and without practical combat, he wouldn't have survived (this is a lie).
“Yu Feng, you shouldn’t say that. By the way, do your teachers acknowledge this ‘love’ special training of yours?”
Xiao Xia told Yu Feng not to speak carelessly, as they were in someone else’s school. However, Xiao Xia then looked at Xiao Chun curiously, wondering if the teachers knew about this matter.
“They don’t acknowledge it. Even if they knew, they would pretend not to.”
Xiao Chun understood the teachers’ thoughts clearly. After all, whether students advanced or not didn’t concern them much, and they might not dare to offend these students.
“Whether you call it special training or the ‘Whip of Love,’ it’s clearly just an excuse to bully the weak.”
Ash sometimes had very accurate intuitions, but sometimes, even if you saw through such things, there was no way to resolve them. What could you do when someone just said, “I’m doing this for your own good”?
“Who is the leader of your special training?”
But Ash was a man of action. In his opinion, instead of passively accepting it, it was better to have a good talk (physically) with these bullies.
Hearing Ash’s words, Xiao Chun took out a photo from his pocket. The photo showed a girl with long black hair, but a somewhat disappointing figure.
“She’s just so-so. Not as good as my… sister.”
Yu Feng glanced back at Shiny Gardevoir. Hmm, after confirming with his eyes, his Gardevoir was still bigger.
“It’s a girl!”
Xiao Xia was a bit surprised that the person who came up with such a tormenting method was actually a girl.
“And she’s so cute!”
“She’ll be a great beauty in eight years.”
Although Xiao Xia had no reaction, the other two boys were different. The girl in the photo even made Ash, that straight-laced guy, blush profusely.
Brock, even more infatuated, declared that this girl would definitely be a great beauty in eight years.
“Wait a minute, why are you carrying a photo of this girl who bullies people?”
Xiao Xia was very puzzled by Xiao Chun carrying a photo of such a bullying girl. After all, normally, one would stick pins in a voodoo doll.
“What does it matter? As long as she’s cute, a bad temper is fine, just like that blue-haired girl next to you.”
Xiao Chun pointed at Yu Feng, implying that as long as someone was cute and good-looking, what did a bad temper matter?
“???”
Yu Feng was a bit surprised. Hadn’t he just spoken? Why did they still think he was a girl?
“Yes, many women not only have bad tempers, but they also can’t compare to men.”
Ash, in a state of enchantment, dared to say anything, hitting Xiao Xia’s Outrage precisely.
“Alright, you say I can’t compare to Yu Feng, I’ll tolerate that. But you actually say I can’t compare to this girl?”
Xiao Xia immediately erupted, wanting to go and have a good talk with this honor student.
Zooming out, Team Rockets stood on a hillside, watching Ash and the others’ every move through binoculars.
“I don’t want to go to that place.”
Musashi’s tone was softer than usual, as if she had thought of something unpleasant.
“I don’t want to go either. The dark past pains me.”
Kojiro also became a melancholic handsome man, recalling his unbearable past.
“What’s a dark past? Don’t mention it, Meowth.”
Meowth didn’t want to listen to their long-winded stories and pasts. He was just a cat; what did these things have to do with him?
“Do you know about falling cherry blossoms?”
Musashi suddenly leaned close to Kojiro, her voice very gentle, completely unlike her usual self.
“Don’t say it, it will make me sad.”
Kojiro became a bit dejected. He knew very well what Musashi was talking about, as he had also experienced such things.
“Cherry blossoms bloom when you pass the entrance exam.”
“Cherry blossoms fall when you fail the exam.”
Musashi and Kojiro recalled the scene from back then, one sentence each.
“Both of us used to attend the Pokémon Trainer’s class!”
Finally, the two clasped their hands together, their expressions becoming pitiful as they spoke of their past.
“Your cherry blossoms have scattered, Meowth.”
Although it was a question, Meowth said it with certainty. After all, looking at the two of them, he knew they must have failed. If they had passed, they wouldn't be partners with him.
“You want to know the details so badly?”
Musashi and Kojiro still maintained their pitiful expressions, looking at Meowth.
“I’m very polite, I don’t ask about sad things, Meowth.”
Meowth didn’t care about their affairs, but since they were companions, it was better to symbolically comfort them a bit.
Then he was picked up by the two, caught in a double embrace, as they rubbed his furry cheeks, saying sweet words: “You are so gentle, so cute.”
‘These two guys’ facades are too strange. I need to reconsider.’
Meowth, caught between the two, broke out in a cold sweat. He regretted not asking, as anything that could make these two like this must be something fun… “Yu Teng Sheng Dai, she usually practices here.”
Xiao Chun opened a computer room and led Ash and his group inside.
Shiny Gardevoir, due to its enormous size, was temporarily recalled into its Poké Ball. Indeedee, who always took care of Yu Feng’s daily life, followed by his side.
“If you want to negotiate with her, it’s useless unless you defeat her.”
“The tradition of the research class is to only look at a Pokémon Trainer’s strength.”
Before entering, Xiao Chun reminded Ash and his group again that only strength mattered here, otherwise, no one would listen to what they said.
“I couldn’t ask for more! Look, I have two badges!”
Upon hearing this, Ash exclaimed, “What’s the big deal? It’s just about strength!” He took two badges from his clothes and held them in his hand.
“But Yu Teng Sheng Dai is the top student among the beginners. Her strength surpasses someone with three badges. For example, even though my grades aren’t great, I have the strength of someone who has obtained more than two badges.”
Xiao Chun’s confidence was baffling, claiming to surpass someone with two badges. It was a good thing Yu Feng was too lazy to argue with them right now, otherwise, he had the ability to level this place.
