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The projected completion date for the Fang Yuan Institute was in half a month, and considering the complexity of the outdoor research area's overhaul, this timeline was already quite speedy.
Without a doubt, the power of Pokémon had been utilized...
On this Earth, the advent of Pokémon labor gave rise to a saying...
If you don't study hard, even construction sites won't need you... Why not let a Hariyama handle the bricks, isn't it better suited for the job?
Recently, Luo Kuo had been the one constantly supervising the construction for Fang Yuan.
Among other things, Luo Kuo was particularly concerned with the layout of the library.
Fang Yuan had already anticipated the day when his library would be monopolized by Luo Kuo...
But that was a minor issue.
In comparison, Eevee's demand was just too excessive.
It wanted to set up an internet café within the institute, a Pokémon internet café designed for various sizes of Pokémon to play eSports.
Fang Yuan would never agree to such a request...
...
After a stroll in the Sun and Moon Forest, Fang Yuan returned to Demon Capital University that same day.
The first thing Fang Yuan did upon returning to the university was to find Director Mu of the Research Series.
Next, Fang Yuan needed to take care of a matter.
This matter... was to take a leave of absence.
The reason for the leave was irrefutable, Fang Yuan had to prepare for the Professional Trainer assessment in January of the following year.
Each year, there were two Professional Trainer assessments, one in the first half and one in the second half of the year.
Fang Yuan planned to participate in the Professional assessment of the first half of 2019, and, if all went well, he would obtain the title of Professional Trainer in a few months.
In Fang Yuan's team, aside from Milotic, every Pokémon was at a Professional level of combat power, and with over three months left until the January assessment, Milotic's strength wouldn't be too shabby by then.
So, with the Pokémon's strength up to standard, Fang Yuan needed to use these next two plus months to frantically brush up on the theoretical knowledge for the written exam, meaning naturally he wouldn't have time for the Research Series curriculum.
Attempting the Professional Trainer assessment in sophomore year was an extremely rare occurrence at Demon Capital University.
With such a valid reason as the Professional Trainer assessment, no one would refuse Fang Yuan's leave request, but at a critical moment, Teacher Tang Sheng from the Battle Society unexpectedly came knocking.
Thump! Thump! Thump!
The knocking on the door sounded, and Fang Yuan exhaled, putting the Key Stone he had just obtained into a box.
Next to the box containing the Key Stone was another box, holding the Gengar Super Stone.
Besides, there was a golden crown casually tossed on the desk, also acquired by Fang Yuan through an auction at the Research Mansion.
"Stay put, my treasures, I'll be back soon," Fang Yuan said as he carefully handled the Key Stone and Super Stone, fearing any damage—it concerned Glutton's Mega Evolution as well as whether Fang Yuan could successfully have his first Pokémon that surpassed Master Level combat power...
As for the Certificate of Kingship, it was not as important, even though it too had cost a hefty sum; even if it was damaged, it wouldn't sting as much.
"Hey, Teacher Tang, why is it you again?"
As the knocking continued, Fang Yuan went to open the door and muttered.
The visitor was the Battle Society's instructor, Tang Sheng.
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"What do you mean 'it's me again?'" Tang Sheng's face darkened, he had only come to find Fang Yuan twice in total.
This was the second time.
The last time, it was to invite Fang Yuan to an exchange event between Magic City University and Emperor Capital University.
And this time, cough, it was for a similar matter...
"Please, have a seat, Teacher." Fang Yuan said cheerfully.
Tang Sheng didn't stand on ceremony; he had dealt with Fang Yuan more than once or twice and knew very well what Fang Yuan was like.
He sat down and got straight to the point, "I heard you're going to take the Professional Trainer assessment next year?"
Fang Yuan said, "Yeah, just for fun."
Tang Sheng: "..."
Tang Sheng could feel a deep malice from Fang Yuan's words. Fang Yuan's classmates were still struggling to get through the school team selections, while Fang Yuan said... he was just casually going to participate in a Professional Trainer assessment for fun.
Is he even human?!!!
After adjusting his emotions a bit, Tang Sheng continued, "I'm here this time because Teacher Dongfang from the school team asked me to come."
"Looking for me?" Fang Yuan scratched his head. Teacher Dongfang Che and Teacher Tang Sheng had similar positions, only that one was the coach of the school team and the other was the coach of the Battle Society.
The Trainer School Team is a higher-level organization above the Spirit Battle Club. After giving it some thought, Fang Yuan understood the intent behind Teacher Tang Sheng's visit.
Teacher Tang Sheng said, "The school team selection happens every year after the national competition, which is after the winter break in March."
Fang Yuan nodded. In the second half of his freshman year, he actually had the strength to participate in the school team selection, but due to the incident with Emuritto at Champion Mountain, Fang Yuan was forced to stay at Champion Mountain for two extra months, missing the opportunity to move from the Battle Society to the school team.
However, with Fang Yuan's strength at that time, with Sun Eevee and the Self-detonating Magnetic Monster, both at a professional level, his perspective was already different, so he didn't care much about whether he joined the school team or not. After he returned, he focused all his energy on aiming to become a senior researcher.
So, to this day, Fang Yuan had never participated in the school team selection.
Teacher Tang Sheng continued, "And the national competition is held during the winter vacation. The requirement for participation is that you must be a member of a university school team. You understand what I mean, right? Teacher Dongfang intends to waive your school team selection process, directly admit you into the school team, and have you participate in this national competition... The leaders from the Combat Series are also looking forward to it."
Fang Yuan blinked and said, "But I've already decided to take the Professional assessment... The Professional assessment is also during this period, and if the times... what if they clash?"
Tang Sheng was speechless; he was aware of this, which was precisely why he was here to sort out this matter...
"What if you take the Professional assessment in the second half of the year? You should know, the national competition is not like any ordinary competition. It's a high-profile national event that is taken very seriously. As long as you can achieve a good ranking, the benefits you can get are enough to make even Professional Trainers jealous."
"A college student has very few opportunities to participate in the national competition. On the other hand, you can take the Professional assessment at any time given your age. Why not think about it?"
Fang Yuan felt that Teacher Tang Sheng made sense. If it weren't for having a clear goal, he would have been tempted already, but...
"Teacher, I understand all that, but I want to take the Professional assessment early for another very important competition."
"Nonsense! What competition could be more important than the national competition!" Tang Sheng was exasperated.
"Wait a second, you're not planning on entering the King's tournament, are you?"
Tang Sheng's expression changed. The King's tournament, which required Professional Trainers under the age of 30, was held around June each year... If Fang Yuan was aiming for the King's tournament, then he indeed needed to pass the Professional assessment in the first half of the year... However, Tang Sheng felt something was off.
Fang Yuan was just a sophomore, yet planning to participate in the King's tournament, a pinnacle event where even Master Level Trainers couldn't be sure of top results. Why do this to himself...
"Not at all... Of course, not." Fang Yuan waved his hands repeatedly.
Tang Sheng breathed a sigh of relief, knowing Fang Yuan wouldn't be so arrogant.
Fang Yuan said, "I plan to take part in the tryouts for the substitute team for the World Sprite Alliance's national team, to team up with the Four Heavenly Kings."
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