radicalducati Page 5
Page 5
Just then, the examination hall doors were opened wide, and a large number of candidates poured out, instantly filling the corridor with various sounds.
"It's all over! I got completely fooled by that AI's 'exchange of venues' strategy. I miscalculated the last step, and now I've lost everything!"
"Hahaha! I passed! My Poliwag was just one hit away from death, but thankfully I managed to win by using hypnosis at the last moment!"
"Don't even mention it, my little Geodude is completely countered by the water gun, it's no match at all."
Amidst the cacophony of wails and sighs of relief, a slightly shrill voice, brimming with undisguised arrogance, forced its way into everyone's ears.
"Finally, the exams are over. What a boring exam."
Everyone looked in the direction of the voice and saw that the speaker was none other than the class's top student, who was also a well-known "rich second generation"—Su Zixuan.
He was surrounded by a small group of people, a smug look on his face as he enjoyed being the center of attention.
He raised his chin and, in an almost declarative tone, said loudly:
"My dad has already reserved a Dratini egg for me. Once I get my trainer's license, I can go directly to the breeding center to pick it up!"
Mini Dragon!
This word was like a bomb dropped into a calm lake, instantly freezing the air in the entire corridor for a moment.
The next second, an even more violent eruption occurred.
"Holy crap! Dratini? It's a pseudo-legendary baby!"
"Really? That's Dragonite's initial form! It has the potential to be a Champion-level monster right from the start!"
"Su Zixuan, you're amazing! You've already left us miles behind at the starting line!"
Envy, jealousy, amazement... a wave of emotions mingled together, lifting Su Zixuan high.
He thoroughly enjoyed this feeling, his gaze sweeping across the crowd, finally landing unintentionally on Lin Che, who was being pulled aside by the teacher to talk.
When he saw Lin Che's calm face, a barely perceptible smile appeared on his lips, his disdain undisguised.
In his view, what's the use of getting a good score in a competition?
Without a powerful starter Pokémon supported by a strong family background, and without a continuous influx of resources, the so-called S+ talent is nothing but a joke.
Lin Che seemed oblivious to the piercing gaze.
He simply listened quietly, feeling the warmth of the report card in his hand.
The envious exclamations of the surrounding classmates, Su Zixuan's smug boasting, and Teacher Zhao's heartfelt and realistic advice...
All the sounds and all the images flooded into his mind like a tidal wave.
Teacher Zhao cleared his throat, drowning out the surrounding chatter, and began to announce the subsequent application process and the specific time for receiving the trainer qualification certificate.
Lin Che didn't listen.
His world became incredibly quiet at that moment.
The doubts from the outside world and the weight of reality did not stir up any ripples in his heart; instead, they were like hard whetstones.
They polished, again and again, the seed deep within his heart that was called "the strongest".
His teacher's advice did not sway him.
His classmate's boasting did not break him.
Lin Che gripped the hot report card tightly, his knuckles turning slightly white from the force.
That determination to become the strongest trainer, far from being worn down by the trials of reality, has instead been tempered and strengthened, becoming even more fervent and resolute.
Chapter 6: System Upgrade, A Chance Encounter on the Street Corner!
The June heatwave swept through the entire city, but it couldn't ignite the boiling sea of emotions outside the examination hall.
The bell signaling the end of the college entrance examination is like a floodgate releasing water.
Three years of suppressed youth erupted into a raging torrent at the school gate. Torn books flew through the air like snowflakes, and faces filled with embraces, shouts, and tears of joy created a grand spectacle called "Liberation."
Lin Che did not join the jubilant crowd.
He was alone, his shadow stretched long, standing out from the surrounding noise.
His steps were unhurried, and in his mind, a blueprint for the future was undergoing its final review and simulation. Shanghai Pokémon University, the Ace Trainer Department—that was his only ambition.
Just then, a cold, emotionless mechanical voice precisely cut into his thoughts.
【Ding! 】
[The host has successfully completed the Elf College Entrance Examination, and their potential has been initially confirmed. System energy has been replenished, and privileges have been upgraded...]
Passive detection function is now officially launched!
Lin Che's feet were rooted to the spot.
His blood seemed to rush to his head in that instant, causing a slight booming sound in his ears.
[Function Description: Automatically detects Pokémon targets with "Elite" or higher potential within a 500-meter radius of the host.]
His pupils suddenly contracted.
Automatic detection radar!
This is no longer a simple auxiliary tool; it is a treasure-hunting compass tailored for him, a magical artifact that allows him to pan for gold from sand!
Suppressing the fervor surging through his chest, he immediately changed his route home and turned to blend into the bustling commercial street.
His gaze was no longer a casual glance, but transformed into the most precise scanner.
In the clothing store window, there's a cat with glossy, shiny fur, responsible for attracting customers.
On the shoulder of the ice cream shop owner, there was Bobo, flapping its wings listlessly.
A nimble lada followed a passerby.
His gaze swept across the scene, his mind highly focused, carefully discerning any possible anomalies in his mind.
However, only one minute.
five minutes.
Ten minutes passed.
The system notification he had been eagerly anticipating remained silent, like a stubborn rock sunk into the deep sea.
Lin Che stopped and looked at the endless stream of people and elves on the street. The burning feeling of newly acquired treasure in his heart was gradually replaced by a sense of calm.
"It seems that elite-level potential Pokémon are not so easy to encounter."
He understood the situation perfectly and was not disappointed.
This world is ultimately realistic. Gifted elves are one in a million. If they were everywhere, the word "elite" would lose its weight.
Having figured this out, he stopped wasting time in the bustling commercial district and instead headed to the old neighborhood where his home was located.
Compared to the glamorous commercial streets, this place seems like another side of the city. The walls are mottled, the streets are narrow, and the air is filled with the aroma of food and the hum of old air conditioner units.
The pace of life here is slowed down infinitely, and everything seems lazy and real.
As Lin Che walked through the familiar alleys, his tense nerves gradually relaxed.
Just as he turned a corner piled with clutter, preparing to take a shortcut home—
Without warning, a faint yet incredibly clear electronic voice rang out from the depths of that lifeless mind!
【drop! 】
[Target matching the criteria spotted 200 meters northeast!]
coming!
Lin Che's body tensed instantly, his heart clenched, and a powerful electric current surged from his spine to his brain.
He immediately suppressed the urge to lose control of his expression, his eyes quickly scanning his surroundings to make sure no one noticed his unusual behavior.
He didn't run, but rather moved at a pace almost like race walking, his heart pounding wildly in his chest, each step precisely following the direction indicated by the system.
Two hundred meters has never felt so long.
His mind was racing.
What kind of spirit could it be?
Is it a domesticated companion hidden in a residential house, or a prized possession in a hidden shop?
As we passed through the last narrow alley, the light suddenly dimmed, and the air was filled with a complex smell of dampness mixed with garbage.
The system's guidance eventually led him to the deepest part of the alley, next to a dilapidated cardboard box that had been abandoned.
His journey finally came to an end here.
Lin Che's gaze was focused on the cardboard box.
Inside the box, a dirty, furry little creature was curled up in the corner, its whole body trembling uncontrollably.
Its orange striped fur was dull and covered in dust and stains, and its thin body was curled up in a ball, conveying a sense of helplessness and despair of being abandoned by the world.
It was a young Growlithe.
Lin Che's heart felt as if it were being squeezed tightly by an invisible hand.
Without the slightest hesitation, he immediately focused his attention on the poor little guy inside the cardboard box.
The Eye of Truth, open!
In an instant, a pale blue, semi-transparent panel, visible only to him, silently unfolded above Growlithe's head.
Lines of data, like the most intricate runes, were clearly imprinted on his retina.
[Pokémon: Growlithe]
[Attribute: Fire]
[Level: LV.1 (New Student)]
Seeing this, Lin Che's breathing became steady; everything was as expected. Newborn cubs are normally at level 1.
【Ability: Righteous Heart (Hidden Ability: Attack is increased when attacked by Dark-type moves)】
Hidden features!