"Of course. Winning the championship in the competitive entrance exam? Easy."
Gu Qiu spoke with absolute confidence.
"Really?"
Seeing his confidence, Serena beamed.
"Pfft—"
Several young Trainers nearby couldn't help laughing.
Serena's expression darkened immediately. She hated it when people looked down on Gu Qiu.
"What are you laughing at?"
"Haha, we're just laughing at how naïve you are."
"You want to win the exam championship? You won't even get first place in Viridian City."
"Exactly. Don't you know? Viridian produced a super genius this year. With him around, forget it."
"Viridian has a super genius?"
Serena blinked in confusion. She hadn't heard about that.
"Does your house not have internet? Gu Qiu is Viridian's leading figure! With him here, that pretty-boy next to you dares to say he'll take first place?"
Friendly fire.
Serena turned and looked at Gu Qiu with an odd expression.
Someone was using Gu Qiu's name to mock… Gu Qiu himself.
This was hilarious.
Gu Qiu rubbed his nose.
Pretty-boy?
He was handsome, yes—
But he was clearly the powerhouse type.
"Let me tell you—Gu Qiu is my big bro! My big bro Gu Qiu said he's charging straight into the regional finals and taking the championship!"
The self-proclaimed "little brother" puffed his chest proudly, earning admiring looks from his two lackeys.
"Boss, you're amazing! When can you introduce us to Big Bro?"
The exaggerated acting made Serena speechless.
"Gu Qiu, when did you recruit so many followers?"
"I… I have no idea."
Gu Qiu was equally confused.
He didn't remember accepting anyone as a disciple.
"Gu Qiu, you're back?"
Nurse Joy recognized him instantly.
He was practically a celebrity within the Joy family now—
Miraculous healing skills.
One of the few recipients of their VIP card in recent years.
"Miss Joy."
He replied politely.
That simple exchange froze the loudmouth group.
Especially the "boss."
He went pale.
Wait.
He just bragged about knowing Gu Qiu—
In front of Gu Qiu?
"Boss… didn't you say you knew Big Bro? But this guy—"
"My pig is giving birth. I need to go."
He fled immediately.
Too humiliating.
Serena and Gu Qiu couldn't help laughing.
"I'm here to apply for the Trainer Rank examination."
"Elite Trainer certification? You're not already Elite?"
Joy looked surprised.
"I've been busy. Haven't had time to register."
He smiled awkwardly.
"I'll get the application form."
She personally went to fetch it.
Serena leaned closer.
"You're famous now. So many people admire you. Even Miss Joy treats you differently."
Joy smiled at everyone—
But with Gu Qiu, it felt more like friendship.
"Don't admire me too much. I'm just a legend."
He only acted smug like this around Serena.
Which was to say—
He only shamelessly showed off in front of her.
"Get lost!"
Serena instantly shattered the image she'd just built up in her heart.
This guy really needed regular scolding.
They filled out the form.
Joy asked him to summon his Pokémon for the level scan.
"Come out, Kirlia. Milotic. Greninja."
"These are your Pokémon? They look so strong…"
Serena watched enviously.
Each one outclassed hers.
She'd trained hard too.
But she wasn't a cheat-code like Gu Qiu.
"You can get there too, Serena."
The machine quickly displayed the levels:
Greninja — Level 46
Milotic — Level 37
Kirlia — Level 36
Gu Qiu frowned slightly.
Kirlia should have evolved at Level 30 into Gardevoir.
Even if she'd been accumulating power, Level 33 or 34 should've triggered it.
Recently, her battle desire had decreased too.
She preferred sticking by his side.
He couldn't quite figure it out.
What he didn't know—
Kirlia was afraid.
Afraid that if she evolved, she'd grow up.
Afraid that if she grew up—
He wouldn't hold her anymore.
Her fondest memories were from when she was still a tiny Ralts.
Curled up in his arms every day.
Now—
He rarely carried her.
She suppressed her evolution instinctively.
Unless her emotional knot was untied—
Or her level rose so high she couldn't suppress it anymore—
She wouldn't evolve.
"Registration complete. Here's your challenge card. Actually… I'll take you upstairs personally."
"Thank you, Miss Joy."
Gu Qiu and Serena followed her to the second floor.
This was the Trainer Certification Zone.
Elite Trainer certification had three tiers:
★ One-Star
★ Two-Star
★ Three-Star
One-Star exams were always available. Pokémon Centers had on-duty certified One-Star examiners.
But Two-Star and Three-Star exams required scheduling.
When applying, the League would contact registered volunteer examiners and arrange a time.
After all, Two-Star and Three-Star Elite Trainers were rare—and busy.
Only the Indigo Plateau Pokémon Center had permanent Two- and Three-Star examiners stationed.
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