Chapter 8

"An initial test score of 185... 95 for command, 90 for performance, Bai Kaishui, are these the scores for you and Koffing? How can I not feel there's something wrong with this! Bai Kaishui, you, you have a big problem!"

Sheng Bufang was already waiting at the entrance of the D District swimming pool. Seeing Yang Kaibai smiling and hugging Koffing as they came out of the initial test arena, he had a vague feeling...

He had been played!

Sure enough, upon learning that Yang Kaibai had an initial test score of 185, Sheng Bufang's small, squinty eyes, which often became slits due to his obesity and tendency to sweat, suddenly widened into large, round eyes, staring at Yang Kaibai like a Ditto...

Brother, didn't we agree to fail together?

How did you end up with an initial test score of 185? This score... it's impossible, absolutely impossible!

"Really, why would I lie? If you don't believe me, ask Koffing!"

"Koff? Quack!"

Although Koffing couldn't remember what happened while it was sleeping, it did remember what happened after being woken up by the Crabrawler's pincers.

It remembered Trainer Yang Kaibai hugging it and shouting...

Koffing, my superhero!

Hehe, quack quack!

Sheng Bufang's large, round eyes still strained to open, trying to see through Yang Kaibai and Koffing's "disguise."

Could there be something strange hidden under this Koffing's skin?

Like a Mimikyu...

"I won't comment on your 95 for command, but Koffing's 90 for performance... it was sleeping, right? How can it get a 90 for performance while sleeping? This doesn't make sense!"

Sheng Bufang still couldn't understand, and finally said in frustration, "If I had known, I wouldn't have woken up Slowpoke. I would have let it sleep with Koffing..."

Yang Kaibai patted Sheng Bufang's shoulder, "How about you and Slowpoke's scores? Did you pass the initial test?"

Speaking of this, Sheng Bufang smiled, "Underestimating me, huh? I passed the initial test easily. Let me tell you, I drew a Staryu. Guess what? I had a sudden idea and made Slowpoke use the fishing technique... I had Slowpoke wag its tail in front of the Staryu..."

Yang Kaibai looked at Sheng Bufang with new respect!

Talent!

Absolutely talent!

To actually "tempt" the examiner's Pokémon during the initial test...

Slowpoke's tail, due to its special sweetness, easily attracted small Pokémon in the water when it was submerged, making it easy to hook them.

The examiner Pokémon used for the initial test...

Although they were raised and trained by the Pokémon League, the food they usually ate couldn't compare to the rare sweetness of Slowpoke's tail.

Is this how you test "cadets"?!

"Hehe, I had Slowpoke use its tail to catch the Staryu and then fling it onto the platform of the swimming pool. As long as the Staryu couldn't get back into the water, it was destined to lose!"

"As for the final initial test score... 81 for command, 84 for Slowpoke's performance, not bad, not bad, a total score of 165..."

When Sheng Bufang chuckled, the layers of fat on his belly jiggled.

He was almost about to ask...

Bai Kaishui, do you think I'm cool?

"Great, Yuan Ge, after school today, you treat us! Buy me and Slowpoke some milk tea!"

"Bai Kaishui, shouldn't you be the one to treat us? Oh, right! Sorry, I forgot, your pocket money is with Kaixin..."

Yang Kaibai: ...

That hurts, bro!

...

"Sis, what are you doing!"

After the national unified Pokémon battle initial test, there were no other classes scheduled for today. After getting their scores at the test site, everyone could go home.

However, they needed to verify their scores with the homeroom teacher, Mr. Song, which naturally included Yang Kaibai and Sheng Bufang's "talent display."

What could they do? They had both performed exceptionally well in the initial test.

"Quack?"

Koffing, holding its head, looked dazedly at Yang Kaixin circling around it and Yang Kaibai. Yang Kaixin's eyes were like a monster-detecting mirror, trying to see through Yang Kaibai's... something, a fox's tail.

Yang Kaixin scored 90 for command and 93 for Ralts' performance.

If it weren't for Yang Kaibai and Koffing...

Her overall score would have been the highest in the class.

Yang Kaixin had thought she might not be the top scorer in the class, but she never imagined that her own younger brother, Yang Kaibai, would take the top spot...

She never imagined...

Koffing could actually score 90 for performance!

When did Koffing's tail wagging start causing real damage to the examiner's Pokémon?

"Bai Kaishui?"

"Hey! Sis, speak up, your gaze is making me nervous."

"Are you really my brother?"

"Of course, Yang Kaixin, if I'm not your brother, am I your brother-in-law?"

"Calling me Yang Kaixin... that sounds right, you really are my brother! Want to be my brother-in-law? Dream on!"

Yang Kaixin crossed her arms, still looking puzzled, "How did you and Koffing get such a high overall score of 185? Did you cheat?"

Cheat?

Performing well means cheating?

Since coming to this world...

Yang Kaibai hasn't even seen a golden finger yet!

How could he just start cheating?

"Never mind, this time you're impressive. Although I can't understand how Koffing got 90 for performance, your 95 for command must be something! By the way, why did you come to me?"

Yang Kaixin could doubt Yang Kaibai, but she couldn't doubt the excellent genes of their parents!

Growing up around their parents, getting a high score for command in the unified initial test was quite normal.

The only thing she couldn't figure out was the seemingly dazed and silly Koffing!

After all, Ralts had to work hard to get 93 for performance!

"Sis, give me some money, I need to treat Sheng Bufang and his Slowpoke to some fries at the dock this afternoon!" Yang Kaibai explained, "And our hero—Koffing!"

"Quack! Quack! Quack!"

At the mention of fries, Koffing's dazed eyes suddenly became much sharper.

Fries...

That's a good thing!

"Is that all? Bai Kaishui, you didn't even think of treating me?" Yang Kaixin's eyes darted around, and a wicked smile appeared on her face, the kind only a wronged older sister would show.

This reminded Yang Kaibai of the "real sisters" in his past life who would try every trick to get their younger brothers' pocket money and New Year's money...

He never thought...

It would be the same even in this world!

What could Yang Kaibai say?

The pocket money in his hands was controlled by his wronged older sister, Yang Kaixin...

"I will! I must!" Yang Kaibai nodded painfully.

Who made him shine so brightly today, stealing the spotlight from his sister, Yang Kaixin?

Koffing... next time, let's be a bit more low-key?

And...

After going home, he needs to study Koffing's sleeping situation.

Yang Kaibai had a suspicion.

Koffing's ability to "predict danger" and avoid Crabrawler's full-force attacks must be related to its sleeping situation in the arena!

Otherwise...

Why were the two dodges almost "brushing by"?

This level of precise control, only a few centimeters, could only be achieved by one ability!

The hidden psychic-type power within Koffing!

...

Perhaps...

Koffing is Yang Kaibai's true golden finger in this world!