After eating the breakfast prepared by Ning Ya, Jiang Chen headed over to Ling Wanqiu's house. They had agreed to go to the Tianhai Pokémon Academy together.
After chatting with Ling Wanqiu's mother, Chen Qin, for a while, they arrived at the academy.
"By the way, how many badges have you collected so far?" Ling Wanqiu asked him.
"I've got seven. Just one more to go. I'm planning to head to the Imperial Capital tomorrow to challenge the Imperial Capital Gym."
Jiang Chen didn't hide anything from her; he even shared his specific plans for the next day.
"You're going to the Imperial Capital tomorrow?"
A flicker passed through Ling Wanqiu's eyes. Looking at him with a sudden brightness, she asked, "Can I come with you?" She was absolutely certain that if Jiang Chen went to the capital, he would definitely see Xiao Luoxue. She couldn't feel at ease leaving the two of them alone.
What if Xiao Luoxue swooped in and stole him away? That was why she wanted to tag along.
"You're coming too?"
"Is that a problem? Do you not want me there?" Ling Wanqiu stared at him intently.
"No, of course you can come. I'm leaving at eight tomorrow morning. You can just come by my house."
Jiang Chen knew that even if he refused, Ling Wanqiu would probably just go on her own anyway. However, bringing her along would likely make Xiao Luoxue unhappy.
"What about you? How many do you have?"
"I've already collected all eight."
Ling Wanqiu had been quite proactive in challenging Gyms, so she already had her full set. However, none of the ones she challenged were particularly top-tier powerhouses.
Her Garchomp had already reached Elite Four Stage 1, but since she only had that one Pokémon at that level, she couldn't overcome a powerhouse like the Tianhai Gym.
She hadn't even managed to beat the Luojiang Gym. That Gym Leader was simply a cut above, and after being defeated three times, she was forced to switch to a different Gym.
"Xiao Luoxue has already gotten eight badges as well. You probably didn't know that, did you?"
"She didn't tell me, and I didn't ask."
Jiang Chen really hadn't known. He hadn't realized that Ling Wanqiu and Xiao Luoxue were on such close speaking terms.
"I didn't expect you two to be faster than me."
"That's only because you haven't been trying. If you actually focused on the challenges, you'd probably have all eight in less than three days."
Before they knew it, they had reached the school gate.
"Well, look at that! If it isn't the perfect Golden Couple," Wang Xin teased, a playful look on her face.
Ling Wanqiu blushed slightly, though she wasn't as shy as she used to be.
"Are you here specifically to welcome us?" Jiang Chen asked.
"We haven't seen each other in so long. Shouldn't you be complimenting me on how pretty I am the moment we meet?"
"I can't bring myself to lie against my conscience."
Jiang Chen maintained that he was an honest man who wouldn't speak untruths.
"Drop dead! Come on, Wanqiu, let's go. Don't pay him any mind."
Wang Xin was fuming at his words and immediately pulled Ling Wanqiu away from him. In reality, she wasn't truly angry; it was just their way of joking after not seeing each other for a while.
The two girls walked ahead, whispering to each other. Jiang Chen could have heard them if he really tried, but he didn't have a habit of eavesdropping.
"So, Wanqiu, how's it going? Have you bagged Jiang Chen yet?" Wang Xin whispered urgently in her ear.
"Why are you still such a gossip?" Ling Wanqiu looked at her, speechless.
"Oh man, you're cooked. It looks like you still haven't made your move," Wang Xin said, slapping her own forehead in exasperation. "If I were you, I would've been his girlfriend ages ago."
"Do you have any idea? Ever since Jiang Chen won the New Trainer Competition, tons of people have been asking me about him. If you don't stake your claim now, your rivals are only going to multiply."
"Here, let me teach you some strategies. If you follow my lead, I guarantee you'll win him over."
Despite being a total novice in romance herself, Wang Xin spoke with the bold confidence of a grandmaster. Ling Wanqiu, knowing exactly how unreliable her former seatmate was, simply ignored her.
"Instead of talking about that, shouldn't you be worried about whether you'll pass the graduation assessment?"
"Hey, are you looking down on me? There's no way I won't pass. I'm at least in the top three geniuses in the whole school now!" Wang Xin patted her chest proudly.
Since Jiang Chen and Ling Wanqiu had graduated early, Wang Xin had naturally moved up into the top three. It was essentially a fringe benefit of their early departure.
On the other side, Jiang Chen was chatting with a few of his closer classmates. His former seatmate, Zhao Qian, was busy bragging.
"Sigh, ever since you graduated, I just haven't been able to find a worthy opponent."
"Give it a rest, Old Zhao. You're still bragging? You're practically at the bottom of the class," another student chimed in, giving Zhao Qian a playful shove.
"Wow, cut me some slack. Can't you just let me act tough in front of Jiang Chen for once?"
"It's fine, let him keep going. I won't believe a word of it anyway," Jiang Chen said with a laugh.
He wondered if the kid had really fallen that far. He used to be near the top of the class; was he really at the bottom now?
Zhao Qian looked dejected for a moment, then turned his gaze toward Gardevoir.
"Back then, Gardevoir wouldn't even acknowledge me. To think she hasn't changed at all—she still won't give me the time of day."
Watching Gardevoir follow behind Jiang Chen like a loyal little maid, Zhao Qian was filled with intense envy. Back when Jiang Chen was still in school, he had desperately wanted a Gardevoir, a dream that had yet to come true.
With his grades being so poor, he didn't have the heart to ask his father to get him one.
Besides, Gardevoir weren't easy to come by. They were very rare Pokémon. In the wild, Ralts were incredibly timid; the moment they sensed a human, they would use Teleport to vanish.
After catching up with his friends, Jiang Chen went to check in on his homeroom teacher, Old Zhang, and pay a visit to the Principal.
He felt it was necessary to pay his respects to the Principal, especially since his Hydreigon had been obtained through him.
"That guy's hostility toward me is as heavy as ever," Jiang Chen noted, glancing at Xu Jie. The other boy was glaring at him with eyes full of enmity.
"That guy is determined to defeat you," Wang Xin said, leaning in close. "That's what happens when you steal someone's secret crush."
Many people in the school knew that Xu Jie had a crush on Ling Wanqiu. Back when they had first received their Pokémon, Xu Jie couldn't wait to challenge Jiang Chen to a battle, hoping to prove himself to her by winning.
"Women are nothing but trouble. They only slow down the speed at which I throw my Poké Balls," Zhao Qian interjected suddenly, instantly drawing hostile glares from both Wang Xin and Ling Wanqiu.
"Are you planning on staying single for the rest of your life?" Wang Xin snapped.
"Jiang Chen, don't you dare learn from him," Ling Wanqiu whispered in his ear.
"Don't worry. I don't have Zhao Qian's guts. I have no desire to be single forever."
Jiang Chen gave Zhao Qian a thumbs-up. With so many women around, the guy dared to say something like that? Was he really going to commit to being a bachelor until the end?
Jiang Chen admired the kid's courage, but there was no way he was going to follow in his footsteps.
"Being single is great! Women are too much of a distraction," Zhao Qian insisted.
"Heh, you're a single dog right now, and I don't see you being particularly amazing," Wang Xin scoffed.
"That's just because I don't feel like showing off normally," Zhao Qian said, trying to save face. Even though he might have regretted the words the moment they left his mouth, he had to double down now.
Wang Xin couldn't help but laugh, seeing right through his bluff. "Oh? Then when exactly are you planning to show off? How about I give you a chance right now? Let's have a Pokémon battle."
"I'll give you a chance to prove yourself."
Zhao Qian's expression changed instantly. This woman might not have much of a figure, but her Pokémon were legitimately strong. If they actually fought, a bottom-tier student like him would stand no chance.
"I... I don't like bullying women. Ahem, look at the time, it's my turn for the assessment. I should go take my graduation exam; that's the most important thing right now."
With that, Zhao Qian scurried away. He was lucky he moved fast; if Wang Xin had caught him, she definitely wouldn't have let him off easily.
Knowing Wang Xin's personality, if she had grabbed him, she would have made sure he was thoroughly embarrassed.
The graduation assessment at Tianhai Pokémon Academy was relatively simple. As long as one could defeat an Elite Level Stage 5 Pokémon, they would pass. Almost anyone who wasn't a total failure could make the cut.
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