035 Third Pokémon, Torchic
"I now invite Zhao Xingfang to the stage to accept the award."
Zhao Xingfang, a student from Jiangcheng No. 6 Middle School, was called to the podium. The audience erupted into applause, and the principal of No. 6 Middle School beamed with pride.
Zhao Xingfang smiled as he walked up. Truthfully, his placement in the top four was unexpected. His original goal was to secure a spot in the top sixteen or, at best, the top eight. But to reach the fourth place? That was beyond his wildest expectations.
"Congratulations, this is your reward."
The prize for fourth place consisted of a purchase limit of 1,000,000 Pokédollars in the restricted Pokémon mall and a voucher worth 500,000 Pokédollars.
The restricted purchase mall offered exclusive trainer items that were otherwise unavailable in the general market such as mid-tier and high-tier Pokéblocks. Although Jiangcheng's restricted mall wasn't as well-stocked as major cities, having a purchase limit of one million Pokédollars was still an incredible opportunity to obtain resources that money alone couldn't buy.
"Thank you, thank you!"
Zhao Xingfang was ecstatic. He had been planning to purchase battle-enhancing items for his Pokémon, but such items were not freely sold to trainers below the elite level.
Even elite trainers faced purchase restrictions each item had to be registered for a specific Pokémon, and before becoming a professional-level trainer, one could only register six Pokémon for purchases.
This system was enforced by the Pokémon Alliance to prevent misuse and hoarding. Pokémon-held items were designed to work with specific partners, and replacing them carelessly could cause the item to vanish. Only with a rare and expensive Item Box could a Pokémon properly store and swap held items without destroying them.
Since Item Boxes were created using scarce resources, the Pokémon Alliance imposed strict regulations on purchases to ensure sustainable item distribution.
"I now invite Wang Qiu to the stage to accept the award."
Hearing his name, Wang Qiu clenched his fists. His expression was dark, his jaw set in frustration.
Had it not been for the fact that the award was being presented by the Director of the Pokémon Department a man even his father couldn't afford to offend he might have outright refused to go on stage.
Biting back his resentment, Wang Qiu forced himself to walk up, accepting the reward of a 2,000,000 Pokédollar purchase limit and a 700,000 Pokédollar voucher.
Despite the value of the prize, his heart burned with rage. He knew exactly how much his father had invested in him gathering resources, securing a high-potential Ivysaur, and pulling strings to get him into this tournament. Yet all that effort had been for nothing.
"This is all Qin Yun's fault!!"
Wang Qiu's eyes flashed with fury. Qin Yun had stolen the glory that should have been his, and he would make sure Qin Yun paid for it.
Next, it was time for the runner-up.
"Serena, please come to the stage to accept your award."
Serena walked gracefully onto the stage, her elegant demeanor drawing admiration from the audience. Her prize was a 5,000,000 Pokédollar purchase limit and a 1,000,000 Pokédollar voucher an impressive sum, but she accepted it with an easy smile, seemingly unbothered by her second-place finish.
"And now, the champion Qin Yun!"
As Qin Yun's name was announced, the entire venue erupted into cheers. Spotlights converged on him, and with his natural confidence and striking appearance, he looked every bit the champion.
A faint smile played on Qin Yun's lips as he stepped onto the podium, his movements deliberate and composed.
At this moment, he was the undeniable center of attention.
The Director of the Pokémon Department, an older man with sharp eyes, patted Qin Yun's shoulder approvingly.
"Young man, you've done well."
The Director had reviewed Qin Yun's records. A student from an ordinary background, yet he had somehow acquired a mid-potential Ralts… No, wait wasn't his Pokémon Fomantis?
For a brief moment, the Director hesitated. Then he shook his head. Everyone had their secrets, and it wasn't his place to pry.
Still, Qin Yun's rise from an ordinary background to tournament champion was the perfect publicity opportunity. If the story was packaged correctly, it would gain favor with higher-ups in the Pokémon League.
"Thank you," Qin Yun replied, his gaze shifting to the Poké Ball that was about to be presented to him.
"If this is a starter Pokémon, I wonder which one it will be…"
He had no preference for a particular generation, but he hoped it wasn't a Grass-type. He already had Fomantis, and while having another Grass Pokémon wasn't necessarily a bad thing, diversity in his team would be more beneficial.
"If it's a Fire-type, then Charmander, Torchic, Chimchar, or even Fennekin would be great. They're strong and have good aesthetics."
"For Water-types, Froakie would be the best choice."
"But please… don't be Mudkip. Marshtomp and Swampert just aren't my style."
Strength could be trained, but aesthetics mattered too. If a Pokémon wasn't visually appealing to him, he simply wouldn't be as motivated to use it.
"This is your reward."
The Director handed him the Poké Ball. Qin Yun took it carefully, anticipation building as he pressed the release button.
A flash of light, and
A small, orange-red Pokémon appeared. It had three tufts of feathers atop its head, forming a mountain-like shape, and fluffy feathers encircling its neck. It stood on two legs, its beady eyes full of curiosity.
It was Torchic!
Qin Yun's eyes lit up with excitement.
Torchic's final evolution was Blaziken, one of the strongest Fire/Fighting Pokémon and a fan favorite. Not only was it powerful, but it also had a sleek and cool design.
[Pokémon: Torchic]
[Type: Fire]
[Ability: Speed Boost – Increases Speed by one stage at the end of each turn (does not activate the turn it is switched in).]
[Level: Beginner]
[Potential: Medium]
[Moves: Ember, Quick Attack, Peck, Agility]
[Description: Torchic bonds closely with its Trainer and walks with an adorable, waddling gait. It can spit flames as hot as 1,000 degrees Celsius to scorch opponents.]
A mid-potential Torchic, and with Speed Boost, no less. That was an amazing find.
Just as he was about to celebrate
[Ding! Congratulations, host! Your new Pokémon, Torchic, has triggered a hundredfold potential increase!]
[Potential increased to High-Top level. New skill learned: Flamethrower.]
Qin Yun's excitement skyrocketed.
Flamethrower?!
That was a high-power move (90 base power) that typically took considerable time and effort to teach. For a beginner-level Torchic to already know Flamethrower? That was incredible.
"Today's been a lucky day."
With Kirlia (top-tier potential), Fomantis (mid-top potential), and now Torchic (high-top potential), Qin Yun's Pokémon lineup was becoming increasingly formidable.
If other trainers knew about his team, they would be shocked beyond belief. Even elite trainers struggled to obtain Pokémon of this caliber.
"I wonder how this Torchic compares to May's."
Qin Yun smirked. May Norman's daughter and a future contestant in Pokémon Contests also had a Torchic. If she saw that his was stronger than hers, her reaction would be priceless.
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(PS: The beginner team is now set with three Pokémon. What other three do you recommend for Qin Yun before he reaches professional level? Not the final team, just his early roster.)
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