005 – Champion-Qualification Riolu, Conquer
"Okay, everyone."
Jiang Nian cleared his throat, and the room immediately fell into silence.
"Pokémon are important, yes but if you aim to become a truly powerful individual, the Trainer's own strength, willpower, and conviction are equally crucial!" His words echoed the philosophy often emphasized in the Pokémon Adventures manga, where human resolve is shown to amplify a Pokémon's potential.
As the vice president of the Alliance, Jiang Nian's power was already at the level of a top-tier leader. Within the entire Dragon Kingdom, he was regarded as one of the elite a Trainer whose authority and achievements could rival the high-ranking characters depicted throughout the manga.
After reminding the teachers of this fundamental truth, Jiang Nian turned toward the technician seated beneath the main electronic screen. "How is the situation? How many students have entered Riolu's designated area?"
By now, several hours had passed since the students ventured into Earl Dervish Forest. Although Jiang Nian had no expectation that Riolu would be captured easily given its temperament and the formidable wave aura it inherited—his curiosity was undeniable. For this reason, he had ordered Riolu's feed to be displayed in the center section of the massive screen, much to the excitement of the teachers and supervisors gathered here.
"Vice President Jiang," the monitoring technician replied, fingers quickly tapping across the virtual keyboard, "currently, 169 students have entered Riolu's region. Among them, the student closest to Riolu is…"
He opened a new feed, and the camera zoomed in on a cautious figure moving between the trees.
"Pokémon Experimental Middle School, Class led by Teacher Lu Feng student name: Xu Jing. His academic performance in general courses is good. In basic Pokémon knowledge and practical command evaluations… he is ranked third in Star City!"
The moment his information was read aloud, all eyes in the communication room turned instinctively toward Lu Feng.
This was because Xu Jing judging from the surveillance feed was now the most likely student to encounter Riolu first. Not to mention, every teacher present already knew his name. Ranking third in the city in Pokémon fundamentals and battle command was no small feat.
Lu Feng's heart abruptly tightened.
He hadn't expected Xu Jing to be this fortunate.fortunate enough to possibly become the first student to stand before Riolu.
"Xu Jing, Xu Jing… you've never disappointed me," Lu Feng thought silently, a warm flicker of pride rising in his chest. "It's only your family background that's ordinary. If you could tame Riolu… your future path would become far smoother"
Then he caught himself.
What was he thinking?
Even though Riolu had been placed into Earl Dervish Forest, there was no way it would allow itself to be taken easily. It was almost certainly part of the president's larger plan most likely meant to inspire the rookies and elevate the reputation of Star City's Pokémon Alliance, much like how certain special Pokémon were used in the manga to ignite public interest.
Even if Xu Jing was exceptional…
Riolu still had to choose him.
Talent alone was not enough.
A Riolu's acceptance depended on mutual recognition just as in the manga, where aura-sensitive Pokémon only bonded with those whose hearts resonated with their own.
"Hmph… Regardless, Xu Jing at least has the chance."
Lu Feng exhaled slowly, steadying his thoughts.
Ten minutes passed.
Everyone watching the surveillance feed could clearly see it now Xu Jing was extremely close to Riolu!
"This kid really reached Riolu first…" Jiang Nian leaned forward slightly, his eyes narrowing with curious anticipation. Even for someone of his rank, seeing a Rookie's first reaction to encountering Riolu a species known in the Pokémon Adventures manga for sensing aura and instantly reading emotions was worth observing closely.
Xu Jing, however, had no interest in the surveillance cameras perched in the nearby branches. He had already noticed one embedded in a hollow log, but brushed it off. After all, the guide marking a high-quality Pokémon was flashing urgently in front of him.
[6 meters directly ahead]
"Right ahead… behind this big tree!"
Xu Jing's heartbeat thudded like a drum.
My Earl Dervish Pokémon partner… I'm coming!
He inhaled deeply, scanned the area to ensure no wild Pokémon were lurking in ambush just like the tactics taught in earlier chapters and often emphasized in the manga for safe forest navigation and then stepped forward.
He approached the large tree with caution, leaned slightly to the side, and looked behind it.
Beneath the thick trunk of the towering tree
A small, blue-and-black Pokémon sat with its back supported against the roots. Its ears twitched, its tail flicked, and its tiny paws held an apple, nibbling it in small, rhythmic bites.
The sudden appearance of Xu Jing made the little Pokémon freeze for a moment.
And Xu Jing froze too.
Because…
"R–Riolu!?"
His eyes widened, his breath caught, and his jaw hung open.
Right in front of him calmly munching an apple was Riolu, the aura Pokémon featured many times in the manga for its sensitivity to emotions and its refusal to bond with Trainers whose hearts lacked clarity.
He never imagined that following the "high-quality Pokémon clue" would lead him straight to Riolu!
Exploring Eyes!
[Pokémon: Riolu (♂)]
[Qualification: Champion]
[Level: LV.9 (Normal)]
[Individual Talent: HP (25) / Atk (31) / Def (18) / SpA (31) / SpD (30) / Spe (30)]
[Ability: Not Awakened]
[Skills: Mind Reader (genetic, unmastered), Agility (genetic, unmastered), Meteor Mash (genetic, unmastered), Quick Attack]
"Hold on!?"
Xu Jing had barely processed the champion-level qualification, when he noticed something even more shocking among the six individual stats two perfect 31s, and two 30s!
This wasn't just good.
This was absurd. Terrifyingly absurd.
Was this seriously the so-called Earl Dervish Pokémon a Rookie gets to meet? This was like receiving the "main-character starter set," just like how protagonists in the manga sometimes encounter Pokémon with unusual potential.
A 2V2U Riolu with champion qualification!?
If he could start with this Riolu and combine it with the mysterious Tongzi power he possessed
Who else could possibly compete with me!?
"Plop… plop…"
Xu Jing swallowed hard, forcing himself to calm down.
He slowly reached into his backpack and took out a primary energy cube one of the three gifts provided to every student entering the forest, meant for offering to a Pokémon they hoped to tame.
"Riolu, try this. It has more energy than an apple."
He held the cube in his open hand and crouched down, adjusting his posture until his eyes were level with Riolu's one of the training tips the teachers had drilled into them. Keeping eye-level helped reduce a wild Pokémon's wariness, a method often referenced in the manga when Trainers attempt first contact.
"冾~?"
Riolu tilted its head, staring curiously. For a reason it couldn't explain, the human before it felt… different. His emotions were clear, not turbulent, and his aura felt warm rather than threatening qualities Riolu naturally sensed, consistent with its manga behavior.
It reached out, took the energy cube from Xu Jing's hand, and began eating.
Xu Jing's heart pounded.
This was the moment.
"Riolu," he said softly, voice filled with ambition, "become my partner… and let's climb to the top of the world together!"
The teachers watching through the monitors were left speechless.
Such boldness! Such confidence!
Some even questioned if Xu Jing was dreaming too big.
Then
Riolu blinked…
Lifted its small paw…
And slapped it directly onto the Poké Ball Xu Jing held out.
In the communication room Jiang Nian and the other officials were collectively thrown into utter chaos.
For a moment
Everyone was completely, helplessly, magnificently stunned.
—