There's Something Off About My Pokémon [99]

"Next candidate for the evaluation: Wang Yingjie," announced the cold, electronic voice over the speakers.

A crowd turned to look at Wang Yingjie, dressed all in black, his right hand still wrapped in thick bandages. Their gazes held sneers, scorn, and above all, derision. A fisherman's son, sitting here with us?

Most of Team Galactic's recruits were trainers from decent backgrounds, so Wang Yingjie had become the automatic outcast, the butt of every joke from the moment he arrived. Worse, Ren Li was relentless in his veiled attempts to target Wang Yingjie, making his days at Team Galactic even more unbearable.

"Someone like that thinks he can handle the Elite assessment?"

"Each officer only has three Elite slots. No way it'll go to him."

"A fisherman's kid—bet he can't even remember the type matchup chart."

Ignoring the murmurs around him, Wang Yingjie silently stepped onto the battle platform. Meanwhile, in the seats overlooking the ring, a group of officers was engaged in their own discussion.

"He's one of your subordinates, isn't he, Ren Li?" The voice, silken and disdainful, came from a man with purple-lined eyes, who was filing his nails without even glancing at Wang Yingjie.

Ren Li, wearing a beret, narrowed his eyes at Wang Yingjie and replied, "Yes."

A woman dressed in fiery red, wearing oversized sunglasses and with lips painted a matching crimson, leaned back. Her vibrant orange hair cascaded over her chest. "I hear Wu Ye has been rather impressed with him."

"Tch." The man scoffed, putting down his nail file. "Last time, he failed such a simple mission. Even Miao Bai got captured, and he still had the nerve to come back."

"Last time, there was an error in the intel. We hadn't expected the Criminal Investigation Department to be there." The woman frowned, her tone tightening. "We sent two officers for that assignment…"

Ren Li cut her off, chuckling. "Wang Yingjie's opponent seems to be one of your men, isn't he, Pei Qi?"

Pei Qi gave the man in the ring a fleeting glance, looking unaffected but unable to hide his pride. "Yes, a high achiever from Sichuan Province—I recruited him."

The red-haired woman picked up the documents in front of her, nodding as she scanned through them. "A student from Sichuan University with a Bagon that recently evolved into a Shelgon. He certainly has potential."

Ren Li's eyes gleamed with a trace of greed as he gazed at the Pokéball in the young man's hand. With a yawn, he said, "Nothing to see here. A Dragon-type's power is hardly something this commoner—"

His words were cut short as the battle ended abruptly.

In the shocked silence of the stadium, Wang Yingjie's Wartortle delivered an Ice Punch that left a deep dent in Shelgon's prized armor, knocking it out cold in a single, staggering blow. Wartortle then withdrew its fist and booted Shelgon off the stage with one powerful kick.

Wang Yingjie didn't even glance at his opponent as he stood there, staring coldly up at the audience.

Pei Qi dropped his eyeshadow case in shock, while Ren Li ground his teeth.

The red-haired woman's lips curled into a smirk.

"Very impressive," she said. "Congratulations, you've advanced." Her gaze slid over the other two beside her, and she turned to Wang Yingjie with an enticing smile. "Needless to say, you'll be coming to join me, right?"

Wang Yingjie gave a silent nod.

"I'm Xiang Dong," she said, her voice laced with interest. "I'm very intrigued by you, little one."

Pei Qi and Ren Li looked at Xiang Dong, astonishment on their faces, as she continued, "Head to the logistics department and pick out a new Pokémon on my account—a small welcome gift."

Surprise flickered in Wang Yingjie's eyes for a moment before he nodded, murmuring, "Thank you."

"With that, we're done for the morning." As Wang Yingjie left, Xiang Dong stretched her arms languidly. "So, about that project in Shanghai—who's in charge?"

"That would be me," Ren Li replied, "along with a few newly promoted Elites."

"Oh, the Oriental Pearl?" Xiang Dong raised a brow, feigning disappointment. "Such a shame—I was hoping to see a luxury cruise liner up close."

Ren Li shrugged as he made his way to the exit.

Wang Yingjie.

Ren Li repeated the name silently, a vicious glint in his eye. After what happened at the West Lake Guild Hall, I'm going to make sure he's never able to speak of it.

---

Today was Lu Cheng's last day at the Isshin Dojo. In just a month, the dojo had been revived like a miracle. Even Gao Chi's Machop had evolved into Machoke during his sparring match with Grovyle, leaving the observing students in awe. Telling anyone that all of this was thanks to Lu Cheng might be hard for them to believe.

And this month of training had brought a new energy to Lu Cheng.

Ding! Congratulations, Host! You've acquired the skill 'Karate'!Karate LV1: Your skill level is about the same as a black belt expert, providing a decent level of self-defense.

The system's skills could be improved through consistent training, meaning this skill had significant room for growth. At that moment, Lu Cheng was inspecting the headband-shaped badge in his hand. Under the sunlight, the badge shimmered with a metallic luster.

Isshin Badge (Inactive): Increases move critical hit rate by 5%.

Although it would only be activated once Gao Minglang completed the dojo assessment, it was Lu Cheng's first official badge. Carefully, he tucked the badge away into his pocket and looked back. The entrance to the Isshin Dojo was empty.

"Wasn't someone supposed to see me off…?" Lu Cheng murmured, feeling a bit awkward. "Did they ditch me?"

Meanwhile, in Gao Lu's room.

"Are you ready, Lu'er? Lu Cheng's getting impatient!" came Gao Minglang's booming voice, thumping on the door.

"Almost!" Gao Lu hurriedly clipped on a hairpin, standing nervously in front of her full-length mirror. A beige dress, white knee-high socks, and a butterfly clip parting her short hair neatly, lending her a touch of cuteness. Staring at her reflection, Gao Lu looked a bit lost.

"What am I even doing…" she muttered. After a quick shake of her head, she removed the hairpin and changed into her usual tracksuit. Looking at her sporty self in the mirror, Gao Lu sighed, her cheeks still flushed a soft pink.

Head down, she walked out of her room with a dejected air. Seeing his daughter looking inexplicably downcast, Gao Minglang scratched his chin. "He's leaving today, you know. Maybe dress up a little?"

Gao Lu turned to him with a glare so intense it startled him.

"M-maybe he's into the sporty look?" Gao Minglang chuckled, rubbing his face nervously.

A moment later, a blood-curdling scream echoed through the dojo.

Lu Cheng wiped a bead of sweat from his forehead. "What is with this family…" he muttered.

---

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