Zhuang Rui stroked his stubble, looking with interest at the somewhat confused Fang Yuan.
At this moment, Fang Yuan was a bit puzzled about the other party's recent actions.
I, Fang Yuan, could have easily passed the assessment by coasting along with the female students on a trip, making the process perfect. So why must I fight you?
Fang Yuan almost wanted to look at the other person with sympathetic eyes.
"Tsk..."
At the same time, the surrounding instructors burst into laughter and started whispering to each other.
It seemed they weren't the only ones who loved "educating" students, even a retired Master Level Trainer from abroad had this habit.
Moreover, this one-minute time limit was very interesting, immediately putting Fang Yuan at a disadvantage and creating psychological pressure for him.
Facing a Master Level Trainer, how to last for a full minute was probably going to be Fang Yuan's biggest headache next.
Fang Yuan remained unmoved.
Zhuang Rui's expression gradually stiffened.
Zhuang Rui: ?
To break the awkward silence, Fang Yuan cleared his throat and said,
"Instructor Zhuang... I heard there's an entrance to the Spirit World Mystery at Tianming Mountain?"
Scratching his head, Fang Yuan asked, "If I can last a minute, how about you let me visit that place afterwards?"
Fang Yuan was not one to miss an opportunity, even thinking of getting something for nothing.
The Spirit Realm's Radio Waves were beneficial for both the Self-detonating Magnetic Monster and the Glutton. The Glutton probably hadn't been to the Spirit World yet, so this would be a chance for it to broaden its horizons.
"Hm?" Zhuang Rui's eyes sharpened as he looked at Fang Yuan negotiating terms with him, his brows furrowed...
When did students of this age become so shameless, even starting to extort him.
"You're a Researcher, right?" Zhuang Rui smiled after a brief silence.
"Yes," Fang Yuan nodded.
"Then there's no problem. As long as you can last one minute, I'll take you for a tour when we go to Tianming Mountain for the assessment," Zhuang Rui said.
"However, if you can't last, then you get nothing."
"It's a deal," Fang Yuan finally showed a smile, waiting just for those words.
...
"What's this all about?" Tang Sheng, a coach from the Battle Society, shook his head behind them.
He hadn't expected the two to really set up a fight; Tang Sheng was well aware of Fang Yuan's strength. That Sun Eevee of his was upper-tier among the Pokémons of Professional Trainers.
Even he wouldn't dare claim he could easily defeat it.
As for Zhuang Rui, he was a Master Level Trainer often sent on overseas missions, and the Pokémons he possessed were likely no weaker than the Sun Eevee, with several mainstays in his team even reaching another level of strength.
Nevertheless, no matter which Pokémon Zhuang Rui sent out, Fang Yuan should have a fighting chance to last a minute.
"Kid, give it your all!"
"Right, hang in there for a few more seconds."
The encircling instructors, who were all there for the spectacle, began egging him on, and Fang Yuan gave a wry smile.
"Who's free to record this?"
Inside the control room, a group of instructors followed up with their jokes. They still had work to do there, and might not be able to watch the battle live, but they wouldn't mind watching a recording of the fight if someone could record a video and bring it back.
...
Before long.
Zhuang Rui took Fang Yuan to the training base's battlefield.
A few of the more idle Mo University teachers and police academy instructors followed, looking forward to watching the brief but intense one-minute showdown.
It might not even take a full minute.
"It's Fang Yuan again?"
The Mo University teachers were clearly all familiar with the name Fang Yuan.
Within Magic City University, Fang Yuan's name was well-known.
After their surprise, they started to laugh. Just a few months ago, Fang Yuan had challenged Emperor Capital University, and now here he was, fighting a Master Level Trainer.
On the field.
Zhuang Rui took out a Poké Ball, weighed it in his hand, then threw it straight out.
The next moment, a bipedal werewolf-like Pokémon with red fur and eyes appeared.
"Aooh—" At the same time, the red werewolf howled, its sharp gaze fixed on Fang Yuan.
"Mane Rock Werewolf Night Form?" Fang Yuan's expression was one of surprise.
This Master Zhuang Rui's Pokémon was quite remarkable.
"Mane Rock Werewolf? Isn't that a Pokémon more commonly seen in Hawaii?" The surrounding instructors and Mo University teachers also started to observe.
In Asia, it was rare to encounter a Mane Rock Werewolf, and Trainers looking to capture one didn't have much of an option.
As for buying Spirit eggs, the cost-effectiveness was too low. Unless someone was a passionate fan, it would be better to choose other Pokémons.
"Send out your Pokémon," Zhuang Rui said to Fang Yuan. This Mane Rock Werewolf was a Pokémon he had captured while on a mission abroad, one of the core six Pokémons he used, but its strength was just as formidable. With battle styles unfamiliar to domestic Trainers, it often could perform even better.
Zhuang Rui's eyes were fixed on the Poké Ball hanging around Fang Yuan's neck. That Poké Ball, which Fang Yuan wore prominently, seemed to be treated with special care. Typically, such specially-treated Poké Balls held either a Beginner Elf or the Trainer's favorite and were likely the strongest.
The truth was, Fang Yuan, imitating the chief Trainer of the Orange League, Yongci, wore Eevee's Poké Ball around his neck. But the reason wasn't too complex; mainly, Fang Yuan thought it looked quite cool.
"Ok," Fang Yuan replied.
However, Fang Yuan didn't send out Eevee. Instead, he took another Poké Ball from his waist and tossed it lightly.