In the following days, the course schedule remained largely unchanged. Time flew by, and in the blink of an eye, it was the weekend.
In the early morning, after Mu Qingzhu completed her usual morning exercises, she returned to the dormitory. At this time, Xia Bing asked,
"It's the weekend today, do you want to go out and play?"
Mu Qingzhu responded calmly and concisely,
"Later, I will go to the Pokémon Center to verify my Intermediate Trainer rank."
Bai Ou replied,
"In the morning, I plan to go to the library to use its quiet atmosphere and rich collection of books to improve myself and see if I can find my current shortcomings; in the afternoon, I plan to go home."
"Alright, since you both have plans today, I'll train my Pokémon in the dormitory today,"
Xia Bing said helplessly.
After enjoying a hearty breakfast, Mu Qingzhu returned to her room and carefully selected an outfit to change into. Afterwards, Mu Qingzhu left the dormitory and headed to the Pokémon Center.
… …
Not long after, Mu Qingzhu stepped into the spacious hall of the Pokémon Center. She politely asked the gentle and lovely young lady at the front desk for the location of the Intermediate Trainer assessment. The young lady smiled and told her that the assessment was on the fifth floor.
Mu Qingzhu then entered the elevator and ascended to the fifth floor. Upon arrival, she found many people gathered there to challenge for the Intermediate Trainer title, forming a unique sight. So, Mu Qingzhu went to the front desk, took a number, then found a suitable seat nearby, and quietly waited for her assessment to begin.
Not long after, the broadcast announced:
"Mu Qingzhu, please proceed to Room 1 for your assessment."
"Mu Qingzhu, please proceed to Room 1 for your assessment."
"Mu Qingzhu, please proceed to Room 1 for your assessment."
Upon hearing the broadcast, Mu Qingzhu went to Room 1. At this time, everyone around felt sympathetic towards Mu Qingzhu, as almost no one who underwent the assessment in Room 1 had passed. Mu Qingzhu heard the faint whispers around her but paid them no mind.
Arriving at Room 1, she found a Female Examiner around 30 years old inside. The examiner then said to Mu Qingzhu,
"To obtain an Intermediate Trainer certificate, you need at least three Pokémon, with two of them reaching the intermediate level. Then, you will engage in a 3-on-3 singles battle, and if you win, you will receive the Intermediate Trainer certificate."
The Female Examiner first explained how to obtain an Intermediate Trainer certificate, then asked,
"Do you have at least three Pokémon, with two of them at the intermediate level? If not, don't waste our time."
"I'd like to try," Mu Qingzhu calmly replied.
"Since you want to try, then go for it," the Female Examiner said helplessly.
"Go, Dubwool!"
Mu Qingzhu looked at Dubwool's stats:
[Pokémon: Dubwool
Type: Normal
Level: 25
Gender: Male
Ability: Fluffy (Halves the damage taken from contact moves, but Fire-type moves deal 2x damage.)
Moves: Tackle, Growl, Defense Curl, Copycat, Guard Split, Double Kick, Headbutt
Egg Moves:
TM/HM: Protect
Aptitude: Intermediate]
"Go, Kirlia!" Mu Qingzhu took out Kirlia's Poké Ball and released Kirlia.
Upon seeing that Kirlia was Shinny, the Female Examiner paused for a moment, then spoke,
"Your Kirlia is well-trained. You are the challenger, so you go first."
"Kirlia, use Disarming Voice to test it out!" Mu Qingzhu commanded.
"Dubwool, use Guard Split!"
Dubwool skillfully used Guard Split, equalizing both sides' Defense and Special Defense stats. Although it was then hit by Kirlia's Disarming Voice, it didn't take excessive damage, demonstrating its resilient defense.
"Dubwool, use Double Kick!"
"Kirlia, dodge, then use Psybeam!"
Dubwool swiftly launched a Double Kick, but Kirlia, with its keen agility, skillfully dodged the attack. Immediately after, Kirlia quickly counterattacked, unleashing a Psybeam that accurately struck Dubwool and dealt considerable damage.
After gaining an initial understanding of Dubwool, Mu Qingzhu quickly made a decision and commanded,
"Kirlia, use Double Team and Growl!"
Kirlia displayed astonishing reaction speed, instantly performing Double Team. Light and shadows intertwined on the field, and numerous Kirlia figures flashed out, like a feast of illusions. Immediately after, these illusory Kirlias collectively let out deafening Growls, their voices interwoven, forming an indistinguishable wave of sound. This tactic left Dubwool in Confusion, its eyes filled with bewilderment, unable to determine which Kirlia was the real opponent.
"Dubwool, use Double Kick on the Kirlia on the right."
Dubwool responded nimbly, swiftly launching a Double Kick attack at the Kirlia on the right, but unfortunately, it found they were all clones.
"Kirlia, use Psybeam!"
Among the clones, Kirlia swiftly unleashed a mysterious Psybeam, launching a fierce attack at Dubwool.
"Dubwool, use Protect!"
The moment Psybeam was about to reach Dubwool, Dubwool, with astonishing speed, used Protect, successfully blocking the fierce attack. Witnessing this, Mu Qingzhu immediately gave a decisive command:
"Kirlia, Teleport behind Dubwool and use Mystical Fire!"
"Dubwool, use Protect!"
Kirlia agilely used Teleport, appearing behind Dubwool, and then unleashed a scorching Mystical Fire. Dubwool reacted quickly, attempting to use Protect to block it, but failed. This was precisely because of Dubwool's ability, which caused Mystical Fire to deal significant damage to Dubwool.
Although Dubwool had not completely lost its fighting ability, it clearly couldn't last much longer. Mu Qingzhu decisively issued a command:
"Kirlia, use Draining Kiss!"
Looking at Dubwool, whose stamina was low, the Female Examiner commanded,
"Dubwool, use Headbutt with full power!"
Dubwool launched a Headbutt attack with powerful force, accurately hitting Kirlia, and the immense power sent it Flying. In the instant Kirlia was sent Flying, it cleverly used Draining Kiss on Dubwool. As Kirlia landed, it rolled a few times before bravely standing up, panting heavily, but its fighting spirit remained strong. After being hit by Draining Kiss, Dubwool's strength rapidly dissipated, and it eventually lost its ability to battle.
"Your Kirlia is well-trained. My next Pokémon is…" After the Female Examiner recalled Dubwool into its Poké Ball, she took out another Poké Ball. As the Poké Ball opened, a fine Butterfree flew out:
[Pokémon: Butterfree
Type: Bug, Flying
Level: 25
Gender: Female
Ability: Compound Eyes (Because of Compound Eyes, the accuracy of moves is increased.)
Moves: Gust, Tackle, String Shot, Harden, Bug Bite, Supersonic, Confusion, Poison Powder, Stun Spore, Sleep Powder, Psybeam, Whirlwind, Air Slash
Egg Moves:
TM/HM: Substitute
Aptitude: Intermediate]