"It actually has a D-level evaluation."
Roy was slightly surprised.
For any student interested in becoming a Trainer, the Pokémon rating system was essential knowledge.
E-, E, E+, D-... all the way up to A, A+.
From bottom to top, these grades represented a Pokémon's strength.
A Pokémon that hadn't received any training and was only two years old with a D-level evaluation—this reflected significant potential in this Riolu.
Many first-year college students ended their final exam with Pokémon that only reached D+ rating.
Of course, an A+ grade was far from the pinnacle of achievement.
When a Pokémon's rating reached A+, it had merely crossed the threshold of [Professional Level].
Becoming a regular Trainer only required money. Roy, having just entered school, could already call himself a Trainer.
But Roy could only be considered an ordinary Trainer at this point.
Ordinary Trainers and Professional Trainers existed in two completely different worlds.
For one thing, ordinary Trainers had to cover all their own expenses. Once someone became a [Professional Trainer], their registered Pokémon would receive state-funded breeding care and gain access to many precious resources unavailable in the private sector.
Numerous laws and policies illustrated the elevated status of Professional Trainers—they were truly the masters of their craft.
Being able to achieve Professional Trainer status during the four years of college meant you were nothing short of a genius.
But more than all that, Roy was most satisfied with Riolu's Popularity value of 12,000, and he immediately formulated a plan.
"It seems you've been training hard," Roy smiled and patted the Pokémon's head.
"Rio!" Riolu raised his head proudly, looked stunned for a moment, then quickly swatted Roy's hand away with a cold expression.
...Strange, why did this human feel so familiar?
Roy recognized the Pokémon's cold personality and wasn't bothered by it. He took out a food container from his backpack, which he had originally prepared for Vulpix.
Unlike Serena's approach, Roy hadn't brought expensive Sun Berries, but rather beef cubes—a versatile food that appealed to a wide range of Pokémon.
Basically, any Pokémon with fur enjoyed eating them.
And they were slightly cheaper than Sun Berries.
Roy sat cross-legged in front of Riolu, placed a few pieces of meat in his palm, extended his hand and said, "Here, eat."
Riolu's nose twitched slightly. Though still a young Pokémon, its eyes unconsciously fixated on the beef cubes, but it resisted the temptation.
"Ri, o lu!" (I won't eat food from you!)
Roy could guess what Riolu meant and smiled. "Isn't it normal for me to feed my Pokémon?"
"Riolu?" (Since when did I become your Pokémon?)
"It's destiny. You're meant to be my Pokémon."
"?"
Riolu's questioning look clearly said: The problem isn't with me—it's with you.
Roy shook his head and asked mysteriously: "Riolu, have you heard of... Aura?"
Riolu nodded seriously.
As one of the very few Pokémon who could harness Aura power, and essentially the embodiment of Aura itself, how could it not know?
Its father, the Trump Card of the Fighting Elite, could skillfully wield the power of Aura.
Rumor had it that some humans could also master Aura, but they were exceedingly rare—not even its father's powerful Elite Trainer had mastered this power.
"I have awakened the power of Aura."
"!!!?"
Riolu's shocked expression was almost comical.
"Those with Aura are naturally drawn to each other." Roy smiled slightly and continued solemnly: "You can feel a connection with me, and I feel the same with you. Riolu, this is proof!"
Seeing that Riolu seemed to believe him, Roy continued his persuasion: "We're at the same school, we've both mastered Aura, and I even share a surname with that Fighting Elite. You've rejected countless people, so no one has chosen you recently. Only me..."
"All this shows that this is the choice of destiny!"
"(???)!"
Riolu's eyes glowed with interest. It was almost convinced.
It quickly responded:
"Ri-ri!" (Then show me quickly!)
"Don't rush, be patient. Aura is complex and involves many interests—you can't grasp it all at once," Roy pressed his advantage. "My secret can't be revealed casually. Wait until you become my Pokémon, and I'll show you the full extent of it."
"Riolu, you know me. I'm not a liar!"
"And even if I were lying, you could always report me to the school, right?"
Under Roy's persuasive argument, Riolu finally reached out to take the beef cubes and began eating.
This was as good as a promise!
Perfect!
[Alert! Starter Pokémon Acquired!]
[Permission granted. Convert Popularity value to Shop Points?]
Roy immediately selected [Yes], then switched to the Shop interface and purchased the item he'd identified earlier.
[Alert! Deducting 10,000 points. Aura Power Ability Seed acquired. Remaining points: 2,549]
In an instant, the world before Roy's eyes became clearer.
While nothing in his surroundings had visibly changed, the whole world seemed to have gained a filter, making everything appear more beautiful and harmonious.
Not only that, but he could also faintly sense Riolu's joy, expectation, and trust.
The Pokémon's innocent belief made Roy, a scheming adult, feel a twinge of guilt.
But he quickly reassured himself that the wool came from the sheep, and ultimately, he wasn't deceiving Riolu.
"Riolu, watch this—this is Aura!"
Roy held his palms upward, concentrating on channeling some invisible force.
One second, two seconds, three seconds... Just when Roy was beginning to doubt himself, a blue light suddenly emerged from his hands, emitting a warm glow.
Since this ability had just been awakened, it was still weak, and soon, the Aura light dissipated.
But Roy had undoubtedly proven himself, and the way Riolu now looked at him was filled with admiration.
"Ahem." Roy pretended to remain calm, though he couldn't hide his joy.
Obtaining both Riolu and Aura power simultaneously fulfilled a childhood dream.
From today onward, he too was an Aura Guardian.
...
Meanwhile, in another part of Capital University's Pokémon Ranch...
"Hey, sis, why are you alone?" Reece looked around in surprise. "Where's Roy? Wasn't his target also Vulpix?"
"..."
Accustomed to his sister's typical aloofness, Reece wasn't embarrassed by her silence. He noticed the Poké Ball on Serena's belt and said with a smile, "Looks like you succeeded in winning it over. You truly are the Mu family's talented daughter."
"...Well." Serena gave him a cold glance, her voice as frigid as a glacier meeting sunlight. "He suddenly changed his goal and applied for the Trainer major. Even his target starter Pokémon changed. It's quite a shift. Did something happen that you know about?"
"Uh." Reece rubbed his chin with a confused expression. "There shouldn't have been anything significant recently."
"Wait! A few days ago, he saw Mr. Frances lose that match. He was pretty shocked and upset about it."
"That guy has always been a fan of Mr. Frances. Maybe he was inspired and wants to fight for national glory?"
Reece speculated.
"You... still dare to bring up that day?" The girl lowered her eyes and gave him an emotionless stare.
Reece shrank back, quickly lowering his head. "I was wrong! Sister, you're my sister. I really won't do it again next time."
Some time ago, when Reece learned that Roy wanted him to match-make with his sister, Reece had scoffed repeatedly.
...You still expect me to help you match with her?
...If my sister treated me with even one-tenth of the kindness she shows you, would I be in this position?
...Whatever you choose, if you'd just take the initiative, I'd have been an uncle long ago!
Reece had dutifully reported this matter to his sister and immediately received her approval.
However, cunning as he was, Reece had seized the opportunity to ask Roy to buy him a Gunpla model.
Originally, this wasn't a big deal—just showing respect to his potential brother-in-law.
But then Roy suddenly changed his mind and no longer needed Reece's help.
Now Reece's scheme to enrich himself had been exposed, and he had not only suffered silent treatment from his sister when he returned home but also endured scolding from both his parents.
Just as Reece was caught between these two pressures and was about to leave, the campus announcement system saved him.
"Ding dong!"
"Time is up. All students, please proceed to the nearest exit and leave the ranch in an orderly manner."
"Any students who fail to exit within fifteen minutes will be considered in violation of rules and will face severe penalties!"