"Regarding the recent discussions about me in the forum, I'd like to offer a few clarifications."
"First, my belief that Riolu has Champion potential is my personal opinion. I believe in my partner's capabilities. Everyone has the right to express their views—this is beyond reproach."
"Second, please refrain from malicious arguments. I don't look down on recommended students. The recommendation system exists for good reason. From what I've observed, the recommended students in each class have excellent qualifications, and very few fall short. Everyone deserves respect."
"Third, I will win the freshman tournament next week."
Roy posted this statement directly on the university forum. To verify his identity, he even included a photo of his student ID.
Immediately, the forum—already filled with heated debates—exploded with activity as the person at the center of the controversy finally spoke.
The statement was brief. At first glance, Roy appeared somewhat subdued and humble, but the final sentence completely undermined that impression.
Everyone is excellent, the recommended students are excellent... but you're better than all of them?
Reading between the lines, Roy was expressing one clear message:
—I'm not targeting anyone specifically; I'm simply saying that everyone here is beneath me!
"This guy's completely lost it!"
"Don't worry, junior. Senior will teach him a lesson."
"Senior, relax. This kid won't last the week. Even an Elite Trainer couldn't save him at this point!"
"@World's #1 Psychic, what does the top recommended student think? Isn't this practically asking for trouble?"
As soon as the tag appeared, dozens more students followed suit.
Most people's screen names remained anonymous unless they chose to reveal themselves.
However, the username "World's #1 Psychic" had become famous the moment its owner enrolled, even appearing in Capital's local newspaper.
For good reason.
The account belonged to a true Elite Trainer's son.
Cade was the only son of Psychic Elite Carter of the China Elite Four.
As the sole heir to the Psychic Elite's legacy, he had undoubtedly been groomed for greatness since childhood. His pedigree far surpassed that of ordinary trainer families. Countless people regarded him as the rising star of Capital University's current generation.
Prompted by public pressure, he finally responded.
World's #1 Psychic: "Just another clown seeking attention. In a week, actions will speak louder than words."
This concise reply indicated that the top recommended student had accepted the challenge, instantly igniting everyone's emotions.
Commenters flooded the thread, demanding Cade teach Roy a lesson without mercy. Others believed Cade wouldn't even need to intervene—Roy would likely lose to any recommended student he faced.
Amid the overwhelming cynicism, however...
"Roy is so handsome~~"
"Yeah, he's a bit proud, but I don't mind confident guys."
"If he'd entered school a year earlier, my roommate and I might not still be single?"
"Most of these boys are probably just jealous because they're not as good-looking."
Due to the exposure of his student ID photo, a significant number of female students suddenly began supporting Roy.
It's worth noting how much student ID photos typically detract from someone's appearance.
Yet somehow, Roy's ID photo looked like a professional headshot.
This further irritated the already annoyed male students, who responded with endless comments about "fangirls," "shallow fans," and "appearance-obsessed simpletons."
However, even among Roy's supporters, no one genuinely believed he would win.
On one side was a student from an ordinary family; on the other, the son of an Elite Trainer... the gap was simply too wide.
This had little to do with innate talent. Comparing someone from a modest background to the son of the region's most powerful trainer was like comparing a middle-class family to a billionaire dynasty. Their starting points weren't even on the same level.
—
The more intense the criticism, the faster Roy's popularity rose!
Roy hadn't yet reached the age where he could remain indifferent to praise or criticism. Seeing so many people attack him, even though he had essentially invited this response, still left him somewhat dejected.
This discomfort only made him focus more intensely on training.
Become stronger.
The world of Pokémon trainers operated on a simple principle: power supremacy.
As long as he won the freshman tournament next week, everything would change.
From 7:00 AM to 11:00 AM, Roy and Riolu conducted physical conditioning together. Energy Cube consumption: 3, Spirit Bell: used once.
From noon to 3:00 PM, Riolu utilized the Lightning Rod, developing the Electric Body Conditioning technique, while Roy studied trainer knowledge online. Energy Cube consumption: 3, MooMoo Milk consumption: 2, Spirit Bell: used twice.
From 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM, Riolu practiced all its moves to improve activation speed and control. Roy practiced Calm Mind using his system's guidance. Energy Cube consumption: 3, spent 5,000 points to acquire Calm Mind, Spirit Bell: used once.
After dinner and a thirty-minute rest, Roy and Riolu resumed physical training until bedtime. They avoided heavy evening meals, consuming just one Energy Cube.
By day's end, exactly ten Energy Cubes had been consumed.
Before sleeping, Roy and Riolu would lean against pillows watching videos of various competitive battles, with Roy explaining what he understood to Riolu.
This routine continued.
Finally, on the fourth day, Riolu gave Roy a tremendous surprise.
"Ri!"
Riolu folded its paws at its waist and generated a visible Spark.
The electricity flowed throughout its body from its paws, creating wave-like arcs of energy in the air.
Electric Body Conditioning: mastered!
Thanks to his system-enhanced perception, Roy could immediately assess Riolu's progress through its movements.
The current Electric Body Conditioning wasn't at optimal frequency yet, but it was already successfully stimulating cellular activity.
At this point, the Lightning Rod item finally demonstrated its greatest value.
Without this item, Riolu would need to stop and rest after at most 15 minutes of Electric Body Conditioning. During those 15 minutes, the effects of physical training would be dramatically enhanced—like entering an expressway of accelerated improvement.
—For most trainers, those fifteen minutes of enhanced training were the most appealing aspect of Electric Body Conditioning.
But after this "high-speed" training, one needed to rest for a considerable period (depending on physical condition) before attempting another session, or risk permanent damage.
For Riolu with the Lightning Rod, however, the negative side effects were completely neutralized.
While performing physical exercises, Riolu could maintain the Electric Body Conditioning enhancement continuously.
It was like staying on the expressway indefinitely!
Moreover, this accelerated training consumed enormous energy. Without the nourishment from Energy Cubes, Riolu's body would have collapsed from exhaustion.
Roy, not coming from a Breeder family, didn't fully comprehend how extraordinary the Energy Cubes were. Using ten Energy Cubes daily was equivalent to spending hundreds of thousands of PokéDollars on food expenses every day.
At Capital University, how many families could sustain such daily expenditures?
He was certainly matching Elite Trainers' heirs when it came to resource investment.
And the system's special items like the Lightning Rod and Weighted Bracelet... not even Elite Trainers themselves had access to such equipment.
...A dragon with limitless potential was hidden in plain sight, just waiting for its moment to soar!