Magic City (Shanghai).The Pokémon Center.
Owen arrived here immediately after reaching Magic City. It was late May, a little over a week before the College Entrance Exam. Most students were drowning in a sea of last-minute prep, but Owen was at Magic City University (MCU) to finalize his admission.
While Owen had a guaranteed spot, the school had initially placed him in the Battle Major due to his tournament victory. However, Owen's heart was set on the Research Major to pave his way as a researcher.
Senior Sarah (Xie Qingyi) had once promised him that his paper on the Anticipation ability would be enough to secure a spot in the Research Department. Today, he was here to handle the transfer paperwork.
In the lobby of the Puyang District Pokémon Center, trainers were gathered in droves. They stood fixed before the massive screen on the wall, some arguing, others cheering in heated debate.
The screen was broadcasting the final match of the first half of the Elite Four Tournament!
"Look! It's Su Shu!"
As a group of elite trainers walked toward the podium, the crowd erupted. Su Shu, the Psychic Elite, was a powerful Psychic himself and an heir to China's highest level of meditation.
As the disciple of "The Boar" from the Twelve Earthly Branches of the Trainer Association, his mysterious and noble status earned him a massive following.
"Both of the professional trainers battling today are very young. I hope they can shoulder the responsibility and not drag us down in the next World Pokémon League," the Dragon Elite, Kai, remarked proudly from the podium.
"One is the successor of the Viridian Dojo," added a robust young man in a martial arts gi, his fists wrapped in bandages and muscles rippling with latent power.
This was the Fighting Elite, Haoran. "Ever since the master of the Viridian Dojo passed away, that place—once the heart of Ground-type training—hasn't produced a decent trainer. If this successor can win today, perhaps the Dojo is finally rising again."
"And the opponent," Haoran continued, "is a student who just became a professional trainer this year and hasn't even graduated from university yet."
"I heard she's a Fairy-type specialist. A girl," Yun Kai noted. "Doesn't matter who it is, as long as they have the strength."
Suddenly, a deep, playful chuckle echoed. "Kai, that girl is known as the 'Dragon Slayer' of Magic City. You, the genius from Imperial Capital University, aren't getting cold feet, are you?"
It was common knowledge that Fairy-types were the hard counter to Dragons. If this Fairy specialist cleared the first half and challenged for a seat, Kai might actually be in trouble.
"Get lost," Kai snapped at the newcomer.
Jiang Li, the Champion of the Elite Four, had arrived.
"Glad I didn't miss it. The big screen is way better than a phone," Owen remarked as he squeezed into the Pokémon Center.
"Who do you think will make the cut?" "I'm rooting for Cynthia! She's so cool, and the first to become a pro as a Fairy specialist. She's the biggest dark horse of the tournament—completely undefeated so far. A total Goddess of War!"
Owen heard the chatter and realized Sarah's support was massive. She had the skill to back up the hype. Seeing her standing on that stage, Owen felt a surge of envy. When will I get to stand there?
"The battle is starting—!" "First up: Claydol vs. Gardevoir! Beyond Ground vs. Fairy, this is a clash of Psychic vs. Psychic!"
The battle was intense. In the 3v3 match, the Viridian Dojo successor used two Pokémon just to take down Sarah's Gardevoir. Her final Pokémon was easily swept away by Sarah's Alolan Ninetales.
The gap in strength was undeniable. Cynthia advanced, earning the right to challenge the current Elite Four in the second half of the tournament.
Owen left the Pokémon Center as the broadcast ended, replaying the match in his head. The second half wouldn't start immediately, and he had his own business to attend to.
Inside MCU, the teacher handling Owen's transfer had a strange expression on his face. He knew who Owen was—the Azure Province Rookie King. While trainers from other regions might not care about a high school tournament, those in the East China region watched it closely.
The teacher was just confused: why would a genius trainer choose the Research Major? Did a single paper on "Anticipation" go to his head? Research findings were often accidental, but Owen's battle talent was the real deal.
"Is... the Research Major not good?" Owen asked innocently. "I heard Senior Cynthia is a Research student. She's already a Senior Researcher and a professional trainer. That's so cool."
"I figure... if she can do it, so can I."
The teacher was speechless. What kind of delusion makes you think "I can do it too" just like that? But he couldn't deny the example. Currently, the entire university was fixated on Cynthia's progress.
"Then, teacher... I'll be going?" Owen waved goodbye. He would be back in three months.
May 28th – June 4th.
On the eve of the Gaokao, Cynthia took on the Elite Four one by one. By the end, she ranked fourth in total points, successfully unseating one of the veterans.
She became China's—and the world's—very first Fairy-type Elite Four.
The nation exploded in celebration. In the Hall of Fame, Champion Jiang Li personally presented Cynthia with the Elite Four Medal.
"Congratulations," Jiang Li smiled. "You are now one of China's new Elite Four." "Thank you," Cynthia replied, though she felt a hint of regret.
She had wanted to go all the way and challenge the Champion himself. A seat on the Elite Four wasn't enough; the Champion's throne was the real prize.
In front of the TV, Eevee patted the excited Owen on the shoulder. "Vee-vee!!"
Calm down, Boss. We have to take it one step at a time. No need to aim for the stars yet. How about we celebrate today and take a break from training?
"Not a chance!"
Owen grabbed Eevee by the scruff of its neck. "Nice try... we agreed we'd train after the match. I'm doubling the workload today."
Owen has his eyes on the prize, and the world has its first Fairy Elite. With the Gaokao over and university on the horizon, the real journey is about to begin.
The single relevant follow-up question: Since Eevee is training twice as hard to keep up with Sarah's legacy, will Owen start focusing on specific Fairy-type counter-strategies now that the "Goddess of War" has set the bar so high?
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