-106- Leveling Up (Please Subscribe!) (5/10)

After a long absence, Tongzi returned to the Golden Week Club. Zhang Shanji greeted him with his usual warmth and enthusiasm. What puzzled Tongzi, however, was the unexpectedly large crowd at the club today.

“What’s going on, Shanji?” Tongzi asked, bewildered. “Isn’t the semester already underway? How can the Golden Week Club still be this lively?”

“Today’s a holiday,” Zhang Shanji explained. “Just like your Jiahua University, the other universities are on break as well.”

“Really?” Tongzi frowned in confusion. “All the universities in Jiahua City have the same holiday schedule?”

“Well, Jiahua University is the top university in the city. Other colleges tend to imitate its academic calendar. After school starts, they begin with placement tests, then military training, followed by a three-day break. It’s exactly the same as Jiahua University’s schedule. That’s why there are so many members here training today,” Zhang Shanji clarified.

Hearing this, Tongzi couldn’t help but roll his eyes. Even Jiahua University has other colleges trying to mimic it? What a desperate bunch the other academies in Jiahua City must be! Despite this, Tongzi still held a fairly positive impression of Jiahua University—aside from the annoying week of military training.

Arriving at the battle room, Tongzi stretched lightly and prepared for a Pokémon battle. It was worth mentioning that Zhang Shanji, aiming to create a spectacle, had specially decorated this battle room for Tongzi. The room featured a hundred spectator seats reserved exclusively for members.

Only annual card members could enter this battle room to challenge or watch Tongzi’s Pokémon battles. This setup invariably led to a surge in annual membership sign-ups every time Tongzi visited the Golden Week Club. Tongzi admired Zhang Shanji’s business acumen immensely—he was undoubtedly a savvy entrepreneur.

The first opponent looked rather timid.

“Relax, little brother. It’s just a Pokémon battle, not a war. No need to be so tense,” Tongzi said, waving his hands to calm the nervous challenger, who was trembling all over. How could one battle well under such pressure?

“I... I’m your fan... no, wait! Tongzi, you’re my idol... no, no, no! I’m so sorry, I’m just too nervous. I’ve always admired you, and today I finally get to battle you. I’m just too excited!” The young trainer stammered.

Tongzi smiled warmly. This was a true fan.

“Alright then, let’s have a no-regrets double battle!” Tongzi clapped his hands, encouraging his opponent. Since this battle room was Tongzi’s personal space, he set the rules. A sign at the entrance read: “Double Battle – Two Pokémon per Trainer.”

The reason for opting for double battles was simple—Tongzi feared his Lotad might lose in a one-on-one match. His main goal today was to raise Lotad’s level to fourteen so it could evolve into Lombre. In plain terms, Tongzi was here to grind experience points.

The fastest way to gain experience was for a strong Pokémon to participate in doubles. Even just standing by, the other Pokémon could accumulate experience—a dream method for any Eevee.

“Hmm...” The opponent, inspired by Tongzi’s encouragement, finally gathered some fighting spirit.

“Come out, Electrike and Lotad!” Tongzi threw out his Poké Balls, sending forth the two Pokémon he planned to battle with.

“Beep beep!” “Hapo~”

The two Pokémon’s demeanors were completely different. Electrike waved its arms with vigor, full of energy. Lotad, however, looked bewildered, as if it had just woken up, unsure where it was or who it was.

“Did Tongzi get a new Pokémon?” someone whispered.

“A Lotad? How cute!”

“Looks a bit stocky, don’t you think?”

“Don’t know about that, but I’m an Electrike fan, so go Electrike!”

The hundred spectators erupted in cheers, rallying behind Tongzi.

“Your turn, Wooper and Rattata!” The opponent sent out a Wooper and a Rattata.

From the data panel, Tongzi observed that Wooper’s potential was average at level ten, while Rattata was common at level eight. He wasn’t surprised by their stats—it reflected the reality for most freshmen in the academies. Not every rookie trainer had Pokémon at levels in the teens or twenties like Jiahua University students.

After all, Jiahua University was the city’s premier institution, admitting only the cream of the crop.

“Battle start!” Zhang Shanji had arranged a referee for Tongzi’s battle room. At the referee’s signal, the match began immediately.

Tongzi didn’t issue any commands, choosing instead to wait for his opponent’s move. As the reigning champion, he was magnanimous, giving challengers a chance.

“Wooper, use Mud Sport! Rattata, Tackle!” the opponent ordered after some thought.

Wooper began to play in the mud—a move that reduced the power of Electric-type attacks for five turns. Though the opponent’s Pokémon were low-level, he demonstrated some understanding of battle tactics. Unfortunately, he was up against Tongzi.

“Lotad, use Water Gun!” Tongzi habitually called Lotad “Hapo” during battle.

“Hapo...” Lotad, still looking half-asleep, lazily shot a weak Water Gun. The attack perfectly hit the incoming Rattata.

Thanks to numerous battles in the backyard, Lotad had quietly reached level eight. At this level, Rattata was no match.

After some skirmishing, Lotad triumphed over Rattata.

Meanwhile, Wooper attacked Electrike, but Electrike casually swatted its arm, accidentally striking Wooper out of the battle arena, rendering it unable to continue.

Electrike’s level was twenty-seven—more than double Wooper’s level ten—so the outcome was hardly surprising. Since battling Song Xuyang, Electrike had risen to level twenty-seven. Facing tough opponents truly unlocked its potential and helped it level up.

… (To be continued)