Chapter Forty: The Primary Breeder's Examination

With the two of them pushing themselves relentlessly, day and night, an entire month passed swiftly, and Cheng Cheng and Mu Zi finally faced the assessment for the Junior Breeder certification.

On the eve of the exam, their teacher summoned the five students participating in the competition and gave them some important reminders about the assessment.

The assessment would take place within the school, spanning ten days in total. Each theoretical and practical subject had ten test stations set up throughout the campus. Students could choose any station to start with, and it didn’t matter in what order or whether they’d completed all tests—after ten days, the assessment would conclude.

Many wondered if those who went first would have an advantage by seeing the questions ahead of others. But that was a joke—everyone was aware of this, and discussing the questions was allowed, because each set was different. Even if you managed to do a problem someone else had already attempted, you might not remember it correctly, and there were simply too many questions. Even if you got one right, it was only a single question; it was impossible to copy the practical tasks.

This time, participants came not only from their school but from other schools as well. However, only students from Breeder academies were eligible to take part. Outsiders had to first pass a qualifying exam, which was precisely why Cheng Cheng had chosen to attend a Breeder school.

Early the next morning, examinees from all over gathered for the assessment, which reminded Cheng Cheng of the college entrance exams from his previous life.

Soon, the exams began. Cheng Cheng and Mu Zi decided to split up for the assessment, and so Cheng Cheng chose the first test room—the Pokémon Encyclopedia Theory exam.

The Encyclopedia Theory exam mainly tested knowledge of Pokémon traits and abilities. With the help of the system data, Cheng Cheng finished the test quickly.

Since the assessment was held at his own school, Cheng Cheng had a home-field advantage and was able to take the first test early. When he finished and came out, many others were still waiting in line.

He didn’t take any more exams that morning. In the afternoon, he chose another theoretical subject—Pokémon Language.

For this subject, Cheng Cheng needed at least a score of 90, meaning his theory score couldn’t fall below 80, which annoyed him. But by relying on rote memorization, he committed all the content to memory, so he felt confident. Initially, he hadn’t intended to memorize everything, but after developing psychic powers, his memory became much faster, so he simply memorized it all.

That evening, some people continued with their exams, but Cheng Cheng didn’t. Instead, he discussed the day’s assessments with Mu Zi. While they couldn’t exchange answers, they could still share useful information.

The next day, Cheng Cheng resumed his assessments, choosing Pokémon Diseases and Treatment. That morning, he completed both the practical and theoretical portions. For the practical part, he had to observe a Pokémon and diagnose its illness, then provide treatment.

Cheng Cheng happened to encounter a trap set by the examiners. The Pokémon he was given was perfectly healthy, making it impossible to diagnose or treat any illness. However, with the help of the system, Cheng Cheng discovered that the Pokémon had some congenital issues. But to avoid trouble, he stuck to the standard answer. Since he didn’t perform the treatment step, his score wasn’t high, but it was enough, as this subject didn’t require a ninety.

In the afternoon, Cheng Cheng took the Pokémon Daily Management course. He gave it his all and believed he did well.

On the third day, Cheng Cheng faced two important exams: the practicals for Pokémon Language and Pokémon Encyclopedia.

The Pokémon Language exam had the Pokémon observe an object and describe it, and the examinee had to identify it from a selection of over ten items.

Of course, the Pokémon chosen for the test wouldn’t be something like Slowpoke or Psyduck—otherwise, no one would score any points except by guessing.

Cheng Cheng’s luck could be considered both good and bad this time. The item shown to the Pokémon by the examiner wasn’t among Cheng Cheng’s test materials at all. Using his psychic ability to communicate with the Pokémon, he discovered the problem, stated the answer, and shocked the examiner. Cheng Cheng knew he had that subject in the bag.

Then came the Pokémon Encyclopedia practical exam, where Cheng Cheng had to recite information on three Pokémon. With the system’s help, he easily provided more details than even the standard answers required.

On the fourth day, Cheng Cheng took a break from testing, deciding to rest and recover his energy for the upcoming assessments.

“How are you feeling, Cheng Cheng?”

“I’m fine. What about you?”

“I’m doing pretty well, too. I’ve finished three subjects, with four left. I’ve done all right so far—if things continue like this, I should pass.”

“Good luck!”

“Thanks. You too!”

On the fifth day, Cheng Cheng was tested on Pokémon Appearance and Personality Cultivation, which he did only moderately well on. In fact, no one excelled in this subject, since personality and appearance require long-term training—short-term changes are almost meaningless.

That subject took up so much time that he couldn’t take any others that day.

On the sixth day, Cheng Cheng tackled Pokémon Food and Energy Cube Production—a very important subject for him.

The theory exam was a bit tough for Cheng Cheng, as some content wasn’t in the system, so he had to rely on himself, which meant his score wouldn’t be very high. Therefore, he had to make up for it with a strong performance in the practical.

The practical required making either Pokémon food or energy cubes. Cheng Cheng drew energy cube production.

He approached the energy cube machine—a basic model. To score highly, he would need to produce an intermediate-level energy cube.

“Teacher, I’d like to make an intermediate energy cube.”

Everyone stopped and looked at Cheng Cheng.

“Are you sure? Intermediate energy cubes are tested at the intermediate breeder level.”

“I understand. I’d like to give it a try.”

“Are you certain?”

“Yes.”

“All right, I’ll have someone bring one over.”

After waiting ten minutes, an intermediate energy cube machine was delivered. Although Cheng Cheng had never made an intermediate cube before, he was confident.

Half an hour later, Cheng Cheng handed an intermediate energy cube to the examiner, who evaluated it and assigned a score. Although Cheng Cheng didn’t know his exact score yet, he felt sure it would be high.

After another day of rest, Cheng Cheng faced the final assessment: Pokémon Battle.

For the theory test, he tried to answer as closely as possible to the textbook’s standard answers, then moved on to the match itself.

He and Mu Zi had arranged to battle each other, knowing that only by facing one another would they truly go all out.

“Cheng Cheng, let’s have a proper match this time.”

“Absolutely.”

“Will both trainers please select your Pokémon.”

Beside Cheng Cheng were ten Pokéballs. This time, unlike before, the Pokémon’s identities were clearly marked on each ball. Cheng Cheng chose a Psychic-type Pokémon—Gardevoir.

“Trainers, please get ready. Send out your Pokémon.”

“Come out, Gardevoir.”

Pokémon: Gardevoir
Type: Psychic, Fairy
Level: 46
Grade: Pale Green
Rarity: Rare
Ability: Synchronize
Special Ability: Extrasensory
Held Item: None
Moves: Howl, Confusion, Double Team, Teleport, Lucky Chant, Magical Leaf, Heal Pulse, Calm Mind, Illusion, Imprison, Foresight, Charm, Hypnosis.

What a high level! Cheng Cheng was surprised to see Gardevoir at level 46—he didn’t expect the school to provide such a powerful Pokémon. He wondered what Mu Zi’s Pokémon would be.

“Come out, Altaria.”

So it was Altaria, his old rival. Cheng Cheng thought to himself that he should have the advantage this time, since Gardevoir’s Fairy type would render Altaria’s Dragon moves useless. Even though he was already familiar with it, he still checked the information:

Pokémon: Altaria
Type: Dragon, Flying
Level: 45
Grade: Pale Green
Rarity: Rare
Ability: Natural Cure
Special Ability: Weatherless
Held Item: None
Moves: Howl, Peck, Astonish, Sing, Fury Attack, Safeguard, Mist, Round, Natural Gift, Tackle, Refresh, Dragon Dance, Dragon Drain, Cotton Guard.

Level 45—just one below Gardevoir, which wasn’t a significant gap.

“Trainers, get ready. Battle begin!”

“Altaria, Astonish!”

Mu Zi launched the first attack, catching Cheng Cheng off guard, and Gardevoir was startled.

“Altaria, Peck!”

“Caw!”

Altaria swooped down swiftly, striking Gardevoir.

“Gardevoir, Imprison!”

Gardevoir sealed away Peck, so Altaria could no longer use the move.

“Altaria, Fury Attack!”

“Gardevoir, Double Team!”

Gardevoir’s doubles surrounded Altaria, making it impossible for her to tell which was the real one.

“Now’s our chance—Magical Leaf!”

Gardevoir unleashed Magical Leaf, which Altaria couldn’t dodge.

“Altaria, Cotton Guard!”

Altaria’s cotton-like feathers rapidly grew, wrapping her entire body and rendering Magical Leaf ineffective.

“Gardevoir, Heal Pulse!”

Taking advantage of the opportunity, Cheng Cheng had Gardevoir recover her strength.

“Altaria, Dragon Dance!”

After releasing Cotton Guard, Altaria performed Dragon Dance.

“Gardevoir, don’t give her a chance—use Illusion!”

Before Dragon Dance could take full effect, Altaria was trapped by Illusion and completely immobilized.

Cheng Cheng was a bit disappointed with this Gardevoir; he didn’t know what the school had done—aside from the usual moves, she hadn’t learned any extra ones.

“Gardevoir, use Shadow Ball!”

Cheng Cheng decided to give it a try; maybe she could pull it off.

Gardevoir hesitated at first, then tried, but failed to produce a Shadow Ball.

“Altaria, Dragon Drain!”

“Gardevoir, Teleport!”

Gardevoir used Teleport to dodge the attack.

At this point, Cheng Cheng began to communicate with Gardevoir telepathically.

“Gardevoir, focus your power and use your psychic energy to simulate the form of a Shadow Ball. I believe you can do it.”

“Garde~!”

Gardevoir gathered energy and tried to produce a Shadow Ball, but it didn’t work. Cheng Cheng persisted.

“Gardevoir, you can do it, I believe in you! Try again!”

“Altaria, finish it—Dragon Drain!”

“Gardevoir, brace yourself!”

Dragon Drain struck Gardevoir, but Cheng Cheng knew Dragon moves were ineffective against her.

“Gardevoir, come on, I believe in you—use Shadow Ball!”

Gardevoir continued to channel her psychic power, attracting and gathering dark energy, and finally formed a Shadow Ball the size of a soccer ball.

“Just like that—Shadow Ball!”

Altaria, having just used Dragon Drain, couldn’t evade in time and was struck hard.

“Still no effect? How could it be? Psychic types should counter Dragons, shouldn’t they?” Mu Zi was puzzled that Dragon Drain hadn’t worked against Gardevoir.

“Cheng Cheng, I’m going all out now.”

“So am I!”