Ever since becoming a member of the Sand Group, Cheng Hong and the others have been forced into a month's training.
What kind of training?
The general content is: [How to become a qualified Quicksand Team Member, how to possess an indomitable will, how to accurately follow superior orders...]
It's essentially a month-long "military training", after which they can choose which leader to follow.
Baimu, as a newcomer, was supposed to participate, but due to the upcoming match against the Evil Dog Team, he was spared. These days, he's been mainly commuting between five locations—
Home, restaurant, Pokémon Center, Underground City Battle Area, and literacy class.
As he appeared more often in the Battle Area, those originally unfriendly gazes gradually vanished. Apart from the big oaf Otsuka, he got to know a few others and maintained a certain cordial relationship.
Their family situation is similar to Otsuka's; their parents are formal members but retired due to injuries, forcibly or voluntarily becoming the pillars of their homes.
After one battle.
Otsuka looked at the slightly panting, seemingly weary Aron, and frowned, "Are you planning to compete with just one Pokémon?"
"It's not what I want, but who told me to become a Trainer and compete right away?"
Baimu helplessly petted Aron.
Cang Zhilang and Ayana both wanted him to compete, yet neither explained the rules, leaving him to figure out the Evil Dog Team match by the next day.
On an official field, it's one-on-one, whoever wins more wins?
How could it be that orderly?
This competition is about throwing thirty boys and girls under eighteen from both teams into a designated outdoor arena.
At the start, each person receives a wristband that can be used to challenge others. Challenges cannot be refused and are limited to one-on-one; group actions and surrender are forbidden.
You can flee during the match; if the distance exceeds thirty meters for more than ten seconds, the challenge is interrupted.
Each person is limited to using no more than three Pokémon.
If all Pokémon cannot fight, you lose. If the Trainer cannot fight, it's the same outcome. Single, double, and triple battles are not mandatory.
The match is timed for six hours; whichever team has more people left wins.
Why so complicated?
The reason is that the match is broadcasted live, watched by many wealthy people in Pyrite Town and Silicon City, like some thrilling reality show to them.
After hearing all this, Baimu didn't know how to express his messed-up feelings.
No wonder it's a product of the Neon People!
And undoubtedly, the live broadcast will bring substantial revenue to the Quicksand Team, with the winning side earning even more, hence they couldn't refuse.
For the participants, this match is equally important.
Not to mention the rewards for beating someone, even surviving till the end is enough to make them satisfied.
Thus Baimu's previous threatening behavior accidentally hit their weak spot.
The high-level attitude of letting them battle on their own is a bit strange, shouldn't there be someone teaching them?
Not afraid of losing?
Well, this isn't a school, nor a Cultivation Sect; teaching is too distant.
Three Pokémon... In just a few days, where would he find three Pokémon? The money in his pocket is far from enough, not to mention getting along with them and building rapport.
Just grab two to make up the numbers?
Whether they'd be a burden or help is a big question mark.
"So poor, can't afford a Pokémon."
Baimu stretched lazily, contemplating whether borrowing money from others, like the guide or Liu Ge who admired him, was feasible.
Cheng Hong and those colleagues are even worse off; all of them combined probably couldn't gather fifty thousand.
Just as he was deep in thought, Otsuka's voice came over.
"I-I can lend you money! No interest!" He seemed to make a huge decision, speaking in a halting manner with his cheeks clenched.
"Huh?" Baimu was taken aback, "You're lending me money? You have that much? And no interest? Are you trying to scam me?"
Even in past lives, borrowing money between even close brothers often had some interest. He only knew Otsuka for a few days and had been hostile before; would he be that kind?
No good deed goes unrewarded, unless it's a trick!
"It's not like that at all!"
Otsuka's face flushed as his voice softened, "I've been saving up! I also want to thank you, about the trade evolution thing..."
He found out that the trade evolution machine was under the main control of the Quicksand Team leader's relatives, requiring money to use.
There were others outside, but they weren't much cheaper. The crucial thing was avoiding offending those people by going elsewhere.
Otsuka spent money to evolve his Graveler into a Golem.
Baimu knew this; he was just surprised at how much Otsuka had changed.
A few days earlier, he had the standard delinquent look; now he's taken on the "Coach, I want to play basketball" attitude of Mitsui Shou?
Baimu looked skeptically at Otsuka, while Otsuka continued, "That day after going home, my sister told me about you."
"About me?"
"Yeah, rescuing four comrades from the mine and returning for your Pokémon. My sister said someone like you wouldn't betray others lightly." Otsuka rubbed Donphan's back.
Donphan, thinking its Trainer was just itching its back, let out a satisfied hum.
"And she said Master Liu Ge admires you, you're bound for great things, so she encouraged me to befriend you if possible..."
Otsuka's words were quite realistic; his improved mindset wasn't due to Baimu's good nature, but more from higher-level admiration.
While Baimu was curious about how these stories of him had spread, he believed most of the words of this big boy.
Acting skills? At his age, having this level of acting would be alarming. Those distinctive adolescent contradictions, being embarrassed yet having to explain, flipping between shy and bold.
With this perspective, the attitude change from the surrounding peers was likely due to this.
"How much can you lend me?"
Baimu stopped overthinking; he really needed the money.
"Well, what kind of Pokémon are you planning to buy? I can directly pay for it once you choose." Otsuka seemed unwilling to reveal how much money he actually had.
"...Alright."
Baimu nodded, "Then I'll head there after my literacy class."
Upon hearing this, Otsuka quickly said, "No, if you want to buy, go now! The neighboring Underground City! It's just the right time!"
"Why is that?"
"Pyrite Town gets new Pokémon every month, and unsold ones are sent away. Today's the exchange day! If you wait until the afternoon, some good ones will be picked by then!"
"Alright, but are you carrying that much cash? You approached me just for this?"
"... Hehehe."
Otsuka's silly laugh left Baimu speechless.
The two retrieved their Pokémon and headed outside. As their previous conversation was soft, others didn't know what they were up to.
When asked, they only replied they were leaving early for food.
——
The Sand Group Dungeon is connected to other dungeons by various tunnels.
Every tunnel, without exception, has Quicksand Team Members with various Pokémon, leaning against motorbikes to guard them.
The two needed to report to the Guardians before heading to the neighboring Neutral Dungeon, with strict return time limits; late returns incur fines.
After finally filling out forms, they looked up to see a motorcycle speeding towards them.
Screech—
"Which one is Baimu?" The man wearing goggles and a helmet, face obscured, shouted.
"I am."
Baimu raised his hand, seeing the man toss a Super Ball over, "The boss said to lend this to you, return it after the competition, so you don't need to buy an extra."
"...Master Liu Ge?"
"Call him boss! Not sure if you're smart or not!" The biker wasted no words, turned the bike around, and left.
Baimu looked at the Super Ball in his hand, quite surprised.
This was undoubtedly a helping hand from Liu Ge, who noticed he was going to buy Pokémon and specifically sent one to help him save money...
"Such a great boss!"
Baimu only internally sighed; Otsuka, with a face full of envy, echoed his thoughts.