Chris, with an envious gaze, picked up the Poké Ball containing Totem Bulbasaur.
He released it in public.
"Bulba!" Totem Bulbasaur appeared.
Its turquoise body supported an emerald-green seed, unusually large and twice the size of a typical Bulbasaur. Chris speculated that when it evolved into Venusaur, a tree might truly grow on its back.
What captured Chris's attention most were its eyes. When observing both people and Pokémon, Chris believed eyes revealed everything.
Bright and full of spirit!
That was Chris's first impression of Bulbasaur's gaze. Its eyes spoke of countless battles and focus, filled with anticipation and hope for the world outside.
Just from its eyes, Chris could tell this Bulbasaur's potential and qualifications were exceptional.
"Good," Chris said, stroking Bulbasaur's head.
As the Totem Pokémon who had been the focus of contention, Bulbasaur had witnessed the entire battle. Seeing Chris dominate all rivals effortlessly, it felt nothing but admiration—bordering on worship. It even rubbed its head against Chris's hand affectionately.
Chris retrieved the Poké Ball and returned Bulbasaur inside. Turning towards the registration door, he left everyone with a commanding, "powerful" silhouette.
Many bystanders were already inquiring about Chris's background. To possess such strength as a student was no ordinary feat. Whether to remain cautious or make alliances, the elites of top universities knew they needed to pay attention to him.
On his way back to his room, Chris calculated his plans. With three days left before the protagonist reached Fortree City, Chris wanted to make the most of his time. He still needed to farm items, gather Berries, and complete other pressing tasks that evening.
Just a few steps away from the battlefield, he spotted two figures waiting under the streetlamp.
Theodore stood alongside an unfamiliar young man.
"Hello! I'm Theodore's cousin and the person in charge of this breeding camp," the young man greeted Chris enthusiastically.
Chris glanced at Theodore, who remained silent but didn't deny the claim, confirming the man's identity.
Cousin? Head of the camp?
Chris suddenly realized that Theodore's achievements weren't random.
"Hello, I'm Chris, a freshman at Dragon University," he introduced himself.
"I know, I know! I just asked Theodore about you," the young man replied, his tone eager. "We all saw your battle earlier—it was incredible! If you're this strong as a freshman, I can only imagine how far you'll go by graduation. You're bound to become an Elite Trainer, no doubt!"
Before Chris could feel embarrassed by the flattery, Theodore interjected, "Ignore him. He's used to this social nicety routine."
"Still," Theodore continued, "if you need anything regarding breeding in the future, especially concerning your Bulbasaur, feel free to consult him. He caught that Bulbasaur himself."
"Thanks," Chris responded, adding that he had just asked staff about Bulbasaur's origin. Unlike his Tyranitar, Bulbasaur was captured in the wild. Knowing where it came from meant that even if its Totem aura diminished in battle, it could be replenished.
"Here, let's add each other on Flying Letter," the young man suggested warmly. "If you need anything, come find me at the Chinese Breeders Association. We can chat over tea anytime."
Chris took out his phone and added the man as a contact. Though Theodore and his cousin shared a familial connection, their personalities couldn't have been more different. One was a focused scholar, the other a polished socialite.
"All right, we're friends now! I have some errands to run. See you later, Chris! I look forward to your performance at the breeding camp~" The young man waved energetically and hurried off.
As his cousin disappeared into the distance, Theodore turned to Chris.
"The red Gyarados—did you breed it yourself or catch it in the wild?"
"I caught it in the wild," Chris answered.
Theodore nodded. The Gyarados, capable of defeating a Gym Leader-level wild Pokémon, indicated that Chris already possessed at least the strength required for a Gym Leader's Pokémon.
Having four Pokémon at the Gym Leader level was typically sufficient to meet the requirements of being a Gym Leader. Chris already had two strong contenders, and Theodore doubted the rest of his Pokémon were just for show. The Combusken from the freshman party had left a lasting impression.
Chris seemed to be just one step away from becoming a true Gym Leader. That was Theodore's assessment of his strength.
He suggested, "With your current strength, you should consider challenging the Gym."
"Becoming a Gym Leader brings numerous benefits—fame, status, resources—all of which can significantly accelerate your growth!"
Chris agreed with Theodore's assessment. The advantages of becoming a Gym Leader were clear. The state provided a regular supply of high-value Pokémon items, and most Gyms came with their own Pokémon Ranch. In addition, they often had specialized industries, and a portion of the city's income typically went to the local Gym Leader.
Beyond these benefits, certain dangerous areas were only accessible to trainers at or above the Gym Leader level.
However...
"Challenging a Gym requires a certain threshold," Chris mused. "There don't seem to be any major tournaments happening right now." He had considered this a few days ago while resting. With a Level 70 Dusknoir and a red Gyarados on his team, achieving the strength of a Gym Leader wasn't difficult. The lack of ongoing major competitions was the only barrier to qualifying.
Chris had no choice but to wait.
"Don't worry about that," Theodore said with a slight shake of his head.
"I heard Denver mention that the Gym Leader of Green Valley Province is about to retire. When that happens, there will be a battle for the Gym. Unlike challenging an established Gym, these battles don't require honors earned in large-scale competitions. If you have the strength, both I and the principal would be willing to recommend you."
Theodore paused before adding, "There's no need to rush into a decision. The retirement of the Gym Leader in Green Valley is expected early next year. That gives you plenty of time to prepare and decide if you want to participate."