First Certification Attempt—Let's Aim for Professional Five-Star**
That blue, humanoid puppy Pokémon was indeed a Riolu.
Ethan had noticed it for several days now.
Almost every afternoon, whenever Ethan trained at the field, the little Riolu would appear like clockwork, hiding nearby and secretly observing the training.
Ethan never chased it away.
There was nothing confidential about his training methods—and honestly, he quite liked the little guy.
Riolu wasn't just watching. It was learning.
Every time Gliscor or Swampert trained, Riolu would mimic them with surprising seriousness. Its movements were clumsy, and the intensity was clearly beyond its limits, but it never gave up.
Gliscor and Swampert trained with large-scale, high-powered moves—it was no problem for them.
But the moment Riolu tried to copy them, it would quickly be gasping for breath.
Even so, it never showed frustration. It just kept practicing.
Ethan couldn't dislike a Pokémon like that.
At first, he assumed Riolu belonged to some trainer and didn't interfere. But after seeing it come day after day, his curiosity finally got the better of him.
"Everyone, take a short break," Ethan said.
"Meloetta, let's go check on that Riolu."
Meloetta had noticed Riolu long ago. Naturally kind and gentle, she'd already wanted to approach it. Hearing Ethan call her, she happily nodded.
"Brother Ethan, let's go!"
The two walked toward the corner of the training field.
Riolu still hadn't noticed them.
Panting heavily, it was copying Swampert's earlier move—Dynamic Punch.
Dynamic Punch was an extremely powerful Fighting-type move. When mastered, a single strike could even disrupt an opponent's mind and induce confusion.
Swampert, with its monstrous physique and natural strength, had already honed this move to near perfection.
But Dynamic Punch was notoriously difficult.
It required the user to condense all their power into a single blow, placing enormous strain on the body.
Even though Riolu was a Fighting-type Pokémon, its small frame simply couldn't handle that load yet.
That was why it was breathing so hard.
"Your form isn't bad," Ethan said calmly from beside it,
"but it's not quite right."
"Dynamic Punch is all about condensing power."
"And the key to condensing power… is breathing."
"If you only copy the movements without understanding the intent, no amount of force will let you truly master it."
Riolu froze.
Only then did it realize Ethan was standing right next to it.
Caught red-handed, the little Pokémon scratched its head awkwardly, completely at a loss.
Seeing its reaction, Ethan laughed.
"Meloetta, help Riolu ease its fatigue a bit."
"Okay, Brother Ethan."
Meloetta began to sing softly.
It wasn't Relic Song, just a gentle melody.
But the effect was immediate.
Riolu felt the heaviness in its body melt away. It wasn't fully restored, but at least seventy percent of its stamina returned.
"Riolu…?"
It stared at Meloetta in shock.
She had only been singing—so why did its exhaustion vanish?
Ethan's voice followed naturally.
"Looks like you've recovered well."
"How about this—I'll explain the core principle of Dynamic Punch once. Then you try again."
Riolu's eyes widened.
It couldn't believe what it was hearing.
Not only was Ethan not angry about it secretly learning—he was actually teaching it?
Excited but focused, Riolu listened intently as Ethan explained the key concepts.
Ethan had only just finished speaking—
Boom.
A sharp airburst echoed.
Right before his eyes, Riolu successfully unleashed Dynamic Punch.
Ethan froze.
He genuinely hadn't expected that.
He'd only explained the principle once. He hadn't even given detailed guidance yet—
And Riolu had already learned it?
That was… absurd.
Riolu was panting again, but it could clearly feel it.
That punch had been real.
Not as powerful as Swampert's—but a complete Dynamic Punch nonetheless.
Riolu was stunned.
And then, slowly, its gaze turned toward Ethan—
filled with pure admiration.
At that moment, Riolu finally understood why all the Pokémon in this training field were so strong.
It wasn't just them.
It was Ethan.
From that moment on, Riolu officially became Ethan's little fanboy.
Seeing the look in its eyes, Ethan couldn't help but laugh.
"Honestly… your talent is the scary part."
"My explanation just helped you find the right direction."
And that was the truth.
Riolu's learning ability was terrifying. Ethan had merely acted as a catalyst.
Still, Ethan found himself thinking:
A Fighting-type Pokémon with talent like this…
And my team is missing one…
But does it belong to someone already?
Before he could decide, a familiar voice rang out.
"Riolu!
Riolu, where did you run off to?!"
Riolu visibly panicked and immediately hid behind Ethan.
Moments later, Geng Zhi rushed into the training field.
"Oh! Ethan? You're training here?"
"Yeah," Ethan replied. "What's wrong? You seem in a hurry."
Geng Zhi sighed. "Pokémon grooming class."
"The Riolu I'm partnered with ran off."
"Have you seen one?"
Ethan blinked… then glanced behind him.
Following his gaze, Geng Zhi spotted Riolu instantly.
"There you are!"
"Come on, let's get back to class!"
"If I'm late, I'll fail today's lesson!"
Riolu lifted its head proudly and snorted.
"Riolu!"
"Meloetta says Riolu doesn't want to go," she translated.
"He wants to stay and train with Brother Ethan."
Geng Zhi went speechless.
"Big guy, I need you for class!"
"If you skip, it counts as an absence!"
Ethan finally understood after Geng Zhi explained.
Riolu belonged to the academy's breeding facility and was temporarily assigned to Geng Zhi for coursework.
But unlike the other cooperative Pokémon, Riolu was stubborn—and had bolted the moment it saw real training.
Breeding instructors were notoriously strict.
One absence meant failing the course.
There were only ten minutes left.
Geng Zhi was desperate.
Riolu, however, clearly had no intention of leaving Ethan.
Seeing the situation, Ethan smiled and crouched down.
"Riolu, you want to train with me and grow stronger, right?"
"Riolu!"
The nod was fierce.
"Then let's make a deal."
"Go back with Geng Zhi and finish class."
"When you return to the breeding center… I'll adopt you."
Riolu froze.
Then its eyes lit up.
"Riolu~?"
Ethan laughed. "I won't lie to you."
"If you don't believe me, ask Meloetta."
Meloetta nodded seriously.
"Brother Ethan always keeps his word."
With her natural affinity, Riolu finally believed him.
Reluctantly, it followed Geng Zhi away—
turning back repeatedly, clearly reminding Ethan not to forget.
Watching it leave, Ethan smiled.
"Looks like that little guy is set on me."
Just then, a familiar system notification sounded.
[Ding—Detected purple-tier opportunity: Studious Riolu]
[Recommendation: Acquire immediately]
Ethan chuckled.
"Guess it's time to visit Grandpa Gao."
Not long after, Ethan entered the principal's office.
"Grandpa Gao, I need a favor."
Gao Bing looked up and smiled.
"You never come without a reason. What is it?"
"I'd like to adopt a Pokémon," Ethan said.
"The Riolu currently partnered with Geng Zhi."
Gao Bing raised an eyebrow. "You've met that one already?"
"Yes. Good talent. Good attitude. Fits my team."
Gao Bing closed his book and laughed.
"Fine. You still have one unused adoption right."
"Tell your roommate to bring it to you."
Ethan smiled. "Thank you, Grandpa Gao."
Then Gao Bing added, "The professional certification exam starts in half a month."
"You joining?"
"Of course," Ethan replied. "I've been preparing."
Gao Bing beamed.
After a pause, Ethan asked casually:
"Grandpa Gao… if I take the professional trainer exam…"
"What's the highest star rating you can get on your first attempt?"
That question stunned him.
"Honestly… I don't know."
Then he asked curiously, "If you could choose—how many stars would you go for?"
Ethan blinked.
"If it's possible…"
"I guess I'll try for Professional Five-Star."
Gao Bing stared at him.
Then sighed.
"…Only you would say something like that."
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